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5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers    5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at the Drill Hall, Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne where H.Q, A, B and C Coys were all based. D Coy was based at the Drill Hall, Newburn. With E and F Coy's at St.Georges Drill Hall, Wallsend, G and H Coy's were based at the Drill Hall, Gosforth. They proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme and Battles of the Lys and Hindenburg Line. 1st Oct 1914 Inspection  The trenches held by 1st East Kent Regiment, were inspected by Major General H. Hamilton Commanding 3rd Division at 6.30am Commanding Officer, Adjutant and Captain Raines met General I. Williams at 10am and inspected buildings and walls north of Saint Precord and Vailly with a view of placing them in a state of defence. This work was carried out by D Company. D Company 1st East Kent relieved a Company of 5th Northumberland Fusiliers on the battalion's left at 6.30pm. One man accidentally shot himself in the foot. 1East Kent war diary 15th Nov 1914 Counter Attack Suceeds 19th of April 1915 Establishing HQs 22nd of April 1915 Germans Attack 22nd of April 1915 Standing by 22nd April 1915 Into Billets 22nd April 1915 Into Billets 23rd of April 1915 Under attack 23rd of April 1915 Troop concentrations 23rd of April 1915 Northunberlands Transferred 23rd of April 1915 Occupying the Line   23rd of April 1915 Divisional Movements 23rd of April 1915 Artillery Placement 23rd Apr 1915 Instruction 23rd Apr 1915 Brigade Moves 23rd April 1915 Orders 23 April 1915 Ordered to Move  Operation Order No24 by Brigadier General J.F. Riddell Commanding Northumberland Brigade Winnezeele 23rd of April 1915 1. The Brigade will move off at once by march route to Brandhoek via Watou and Poperinghe. 2. Troops will move as per margin, the head of the 5th Bn will pass the cross roads at Droglandt at 1.15 pm H.Q. Northumberland Brigade 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers 6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers 7th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers 1st Northumberland Field Coy R.E 1st Northumberland Field Ambulance No 2 Coy A.S.C. Train 3. First line transport will be brigaded under the Senior transport Officer and will follow the Field Coy RE in the order of march of their respective units. 4. Baggage and Supply wagons will join the train. 5. Reports to head of 5th Northumberland Fusiliers. Issued at 12.45 pm to representatives of units 149th Brigade war diary 24th of April 1915 Reserve Brigades 24th of April 1915 Transfer of Infantry 24th of April 1915 Northumberlands into Reserve 24th of April 1915 Units in position 24th Apr 1915 Brigade Ordered to Move   Operation Order No.2 issued by Brig Gen. Sewerel J. Riddell 149th Bde at Brandhoek. 24/4/15 4:35 1. The Brigade is to move off at once via Vlamertinghe and Ypres to a point about 2 miles east of Ypres. 2. Troops will move as per margin the head of the 4th Btn passing the cross roads just north of the ---- E in Poperinghe at 6 p.m. H.Q. 4th Btn N.F. 6th Btn N.F. 7th Btn N.F. 5th Btn N.F. 3. Machine guns only will accompany units. All other first line transport and blanket wagons will be brigaded under the brigade transport officer and will follow in near the Brigade. 4. Balance of rations in hand should be taken on the man or in Cook's wagon. 5. Reports to head of 4th Btn N.F. Diary 24th of April 1915 Positions of Northumberland Division   24th April 1915 On the Move 24th April 1915 On the Move  149 Brigade HQ at Brandhoek report "At 3.45 pm Orders received from 5th Corps for Brigade to move via Ypres to Potjze where it will form a corps reserve. 4.35 pm Orders issued for move to Potjze movement to commence at 6 pm 10.30 pm Brigade arrived at Potjze being heavily shelled whist passing through Ypres. Several casualties. Night rainy and cold." 149th Brigade war diary 25th of April 1915 Considerable losses 26th Apr 1915 Operation Order No. 3 26th April 1915 Enemy endeavouring to Break Through 26th of April 1915 Heavy Losses   26th of April 1915 Report on St. Julien   26th Apr 1915 In Action 26th Apr 1915 In Action  Report on the action at St Julien on Monday 26th April 1915 Reference Belgium sheet 28 1/40,000 1. On the morning of the 26th April 1915 the Northumberland Brigade (4th, 5th, 6th & 7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers) were concentrated at Wieltje and placed under the orders of the 1st Canadian Division as Reserve. At 10.15 am General Riddell commanding the Northumberland Brigade received orders from the G.O.C 10th Sub Brigade to verify a report received from the 28th Division that the enemy were breaking through the first line trucks in D 13 c & d and to counter attack with whatever force he considered necessary. The 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was directed at 10.45 AM to send forward an officers patrol to verify the report & to proceed with his Battalion to Fortuin with a view to counter attacking if the enemy were discovered breaking through. By 12 noon the officer commanding this Battalion was satisfied that no attempt was being made by the enemy to break through at the place indicated and so his battalion has being heavily shelled to proceed to dig in and remained in the position he had reached and consequently took no part in the subsequent operations. 2 At 1.30 pm operation orders from the 1st Canadian division were received. It will be seen from these orders that the Brigade was to attack St Julien in cooperation with the Lahore Division and one battalion of the 10th Infantry Brigade and that the assault was to take place at 2.5 pm. The distance from Wieltje to St Julien is approximately 1 3/4 miles and the ground had not previously been reconnoitered by the staff or any of the officers of the Brigade. No information was received or could be obtained as to the actual position of either our own or the enemys trenches nor was it known that the G.H.Q line was strongly wired and that there were only certain places through which the troops would be able to pass. No communication was ever made with the artillery and no artillery officer got in any way into touch with the Brigade. The time was short, the order to attack being received at 1.30 pm. Nevertheless considering that any failure to attack on the part of the Brigade might seriously hamper the operations General Riddell decided to carry out the orders he had received impossible as they seemed. By 1.50 pm the Battalions were on the move the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers attacking with the right Wieltje - St Julien road and the 4th battalion Northumberland Fusiliers with their left on the road. The 7th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers was ordered to follow the 4th bn in the second line. At 2.5 pm the leading battalions reached the G.H.Q in C22b and C23c and came under very heavy shell and rifle fire. The Battalions deployed on both sides of the Wieltje - St Julien and lost very heavily by not having reconnoitered the openings to the wire entanglements in front of the line of trenches. However they found places and the advance towards St Julien continued steadily both battalions in the front line suffering heavily from machine gun fire apparently coming from the wood in C17 A on their left flank. By 2.45 pm both of the leading Battalions had reached the front line of our trenches in C17b and the 7th Battalion had been absorbed in the attack. At 3.10pm isolated parties of the 6th Northumberlands on the left of the road pushed forward about 250 yards in front of our first line trench and occupied some small trenches from which the enemy had apparently retreated. The 4th and 7th Northumberlands were unable to make any advance. During the whole of this period no signs of the Lahore Division or the battalion of the 10th Brigade had been observed and it was subsequently ascertained that the movement of this battalion had been cancelled although no verification has been sent to the Northumberland Brigade. The culminating point in the advance of the 6th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was reached at about 3.45pm when unsupported on their left flank and heavily shelled with high explosive shells they were compelled to dig themselves in and remained in possession of the ground they had gained until dusk when they returned to the first line trenches. At 3.30pm Bigadier general Riddell accompanied by his Brigade Officer left his HQ in C23a and proceeded towards Farm Vanchule in C17d for the purpose of getting into closer touch with his battalion Commanders and was shot through the head 150yards to the south of the farm at 3.45pm. The command devolved to Colonel Foster 4th Northumberland Fusiliers, the senior officer present with the battalions and a message was sent to Col Coles CMS DSO commanding t he 5th Northumberlands informing him of General Riddell's death and that the command of the Brigade had devolved to him. The position of Colonel Cole's HQ was not actually known and it was not until about 7pm that he arrived at Brigade HQ. Orders had however been issued by Colonel Foster for the battalion to remain where they were until dusk and at 7.30pm Col Coles having ascertained that the services of the Brigade in the first line trench were not required, ordered the troops to return to bivouac at Wieltje. 149th Brigade war diary 26th Apr 1915 Operational Order No. 12 28th April 1915 Operational Order 28th of April 1915 Messages 28th April 1915 Recce   28th April 1915 Recce  149 Brigade Hq reports from Wieltje: "11.30am. Orders received from 1st Canadian Division for the Brigade to take over the GHQ line in C29 and C23. 11.45am. Cap't North 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers ordered to reconnoitre the extent of the line allotted to the Brigade and to report as to the numbers required to hold it. 1.30pm. Cap't North reported that the line was about 700 yards long and would require 3 companies to hold it. It extended from about the second 'E' in Wieltje C29(a) to the 'E' in Route C23c. The 4th Cavalry Bde. occupied the line south of the 'E' in WieltjE, but there appeared to be no troops occupying the trenches to the north of the 'E' in Route C23c. 2.15pm Colonel Feildy went to the HQ 10th Infantry Bde. and was informed that troops would occupy the trenches during the night of 28th/29th. ? pm. Orders issued to 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to occupy the section of the GHQ line allotted to the Brigade & for the other Bde's to remain in their present positions. 7.5pm. Aeroplane Taube passed over the lines occupied by the Brigade & was brought down by rifle fire just outside the GHQ line. Pilot and observer both wounded and captured by the 2nd Cav. Brigade. 7.30pm. Orders Received form Canadian Div. that the portion of the Brigade not required in the GHQ line may be placed in the dug-outs previously occupied by the Brigade. Day and night both fine." 149th Brigade war diary 28th Apr 1915 Medical Officer 29th April 1915 Poor Communication 29th April 1915 Working Parties   29th April 1915 Working Parties  Operation Order No 5 by D.S.Brigadier General G.P. Falding D.S.O Commding Northumberland Inf Brigade 1. The Brigade will proceed tonight to dig a line of trench South of the Ypres-Zonnebeck road in I56, I6 a and c and I12. 2. The Brigade will be divided into two reliefs of 900 men each the 4th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (500 men) and the 6th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (400) forming the first relief. The 5th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (600) and the 7th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (300) will form the second relief. The first relief will parade at 8p.m and will be guided to their position by a guide of the 2nd RE Field Squadron Colonel Foster 4th Northumberland Fusliers will be in charge of this relief. The 2nd relief will be ready to move at 11.31 pm under Col Coles 5th Bn Northumberland Fusliers. 3. The 5th Btn Northumberland Fusliers will be relieved in the GHQ line at 8.30 pm by the 2nd Cav: division and will return to bivouac 4. Units will parade for digging in marching order. 5. Surplus men not required for digging will remain in bivouac in charge of an officer to guard kits left behind. 6. Tools will be obtained outside Brigade Headquarters. 7. Battalions after digging will return to bivouac at Wieltje. 8. Brigade H.Q will remain at Wieltje. 149th Brigade war diary 30th April 2015 Digging Parties 1st May 1915 Working Parties 1st May 1915 Orders   1st May 1915 Orders   2nd May 1915 Orders   2nd May 1915 On Stand by   2nd May 1915 On Stand by  149th Brigade HQ reports from Menin Rd. 11.30am. Message from Canadian Division saying that working party ordered to Bellewaard Chateau last night had not arrived & asking for explanation. 1.5pm. Explanation sent to Canadian Div. 2.30pm. Orders received for the Brigade to move to Poperinghe via railway line to I14c thence along road to level crossing I20a - Kruisstraat thence by H16a & H14b & main road to Poperinghe. 3.30pm. Orders issued. 7.30pm. Orders received from Gen. Kavanagh commanding 3rd Cav. Division that the Brigade was to stand by until further order. The Germans have made use of asphyxiating gas & driven out some of our troops from the front line of trenches at St Julien. Information also received that the O.C. 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers had been ordered at Weiltje to send forward his Batt. in support of the 3rd Cav. Brigade who had been sent to the front line to replace the troops driven out by poisonous gas. 7.45pm. Units ordered to stand by. 10.50pm. The Germans not apparently advancing, the Brigade was ordered to carry out the movement ordered at 2.30pm. 11pm. Orders issued for the movement. 11.45pm. March to Poperinghe commenced and staff Captain was sent to Weiltje to conduct 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers to Poperinghe via St Jean and Ypres. 149th Brigade war diary 3rd of May 1915 Divisional Area Allotted 3rd of May 1915 Orders 3rd May 1915 Wagon Lost 3rd May 1915 Wagon Lost  149 Brigade HQ reports: 5am. Brigade less 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers arrived Poperinghe. An uneventful march. A few shells fired at column just at starting, one of which wounded 5 men of the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Night fine & cool. Transport proceeding through Ypres came under heavy fire & suffered some loss the limbered wagon belonging to GHQ with Brigade Majors Confidential dispatch box having had to be abandoned. The box contained B.M's war diary & other confidential papers & censor stamp. 6am. A search party was immediately sent back to Ypres to look for the box and its loss was reported personally to a staff officer 2nd Army. A telegram was also sent to GHQ regarding loss of censor stamp No. 1540. 7am. 4th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers arrived and reported 2 casualties coming through Ypres. 11.30am. Search party sent to Ypres to look for confidential box reported that the wagon had been discovered but that it had evidently been looted of everything it contained. 2pm. Orders received from Northumberland Division for the Brigade to march via Watou to this new area west of and exclusive of that village. 4pm. Orders issued for the Brigade to move at 8pm. 11.30pm. Watou. Brigade arrived and went into billets. HQ in farm house in K--- 149th Brigade war diary 4th of May 1915 CinC to address troops 4th May 1915 Parade 4th May 1915 Parade  149th Bridage HQ report from Watou: 7am. Message form Northumberland Division. The C in C will speak to the Brigade at 11.30am. 11.30am. Battalions assembled just west of Brigade HQ and was addressed by C in C in complimentary terms on work they have done during the period they were attached to the Canadian Division. 149th Brigade war diary 7th May 1915 Ready to Move 7th May 1915 Ready to Move  At 8.30am Orders received from the Northumbrian Division that 149th Brigade is to hold itself in readiness to move at two hours notice. At 9am Units informed and instructions issued to the points that the several Battalions are to assemble on receipt of order to move. 149th Brigade war diary 8th May 1915 In Bivouac 8th May 1915 In Bivouac  149th Brigade remained in bivouac in Near Watou. 149th Brigade war diary 9th May 1915 Orders 9th May 1915 Orders   9th May 1915 Ordered to Move  At 10.30pm Orders recieved for 149th Brigade to move by omnibus to the neighbourhood of Brandhoek. At 11pm Orders issued to units in accordance with above. 149th Brigade war diary 10th May 1915 On the Move 10th May 1915 On the Move  At 7:30am. 149 Brigade H.Q. 5th and 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers left billets near Watou in 73 omnibuses. At 9am. 149 Brigade H.Q. 5th and 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers arrived at cross roads in G5d and marched to bivouac in wood A30a. Day very hot and dusty. Transport did not all get in until 16:30. Was very bad. 149th Brigade war diary 11th May 1915 In Bivouac   12th May 1915 Operation Order No. 12   13th May 1915 On the Move   13th May 1915 Orders   14th May 1915 Orders 14th May 1915 Instruction 14th May 1915 Divisional Reserve  At 11:30am Orders received from 50th Division placing 149th Brigade under the orders of the 4th Division. Brigade Major to report at 4th Division H.Q. for orders. At 1.30pm In accordance with verbal instruction from 4th Division Battalions of the Brigade were attached as under G.Brigades of the 4th Division. 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers to the 11th Brigade. 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers to the 12th Brigade. 5th Border Reg. to the 10th Brigade. The 6th and 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers had proceeded during the preceding night to join their respective Brigades and orders for the move of the 5th Border Reg. would be issued later in the day also instructions as to the disposal of the remaining two Battalions (4th and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers ) of the Brigade. At 5.40pm Orders received for movement of 5th Border Regiment One company to report at 1900 with machine gun section to R. Warwick Regiment in chateau grounds H2b. One Company to Argyll and Sutherland in Vlamertinghe. One company to Seaforth in B27A. Orders for more of remaining Companies would be sent next day. At 5.50pm Orders issued personally to O.C. 5th Border Reg. as to above moves. Orders issued to 4th and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers to supply the following working parties to report at 8pm at level crossing in H11 centre where they would be met by guides. 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Party B 200 men with 180 shovels and 20 picks. 5th Battalion N.F. (Party A 150 men with 140 shovels and 10 picks. (Party C 50 men with 45 shovels.) Also at 5.50pm Orders received from 4th Division confirming verbal orders given to Brigade Major at 1.30pm and placing the 4th and 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in Divisional reserve under Brigadier General Feilding D.S.O. At 7pm Orders were issued in accordance with above. 149th Brigade war diary 15th May 1915 Orders 15th May 1915 Orders  At 12.35 pm Orders received by 149th Inf Brigade from 10th Inf Brigade for the remaining company of the 5th Border Regiment to proceed to Royal Irish Fusiliers Transport at B26c and report at 6pm. At 12.45pm Orders issued in accordance with above. The company left their huts at 4.30pm. At 3pm Orders received for the 4th and 5th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers to move from huts they are at present occupying to bivouac in H2g - HQ to Hopital Farm. At 3.45pm Orders issued in accordance with above and 4th Batt. moved off at 4.55 followed by 5th Btn and arrived in bivouac at 6pm. At 3.50pm Orders received for two working parties of 200 men each to be furnished by the brigade to parade at 8pm at the entrance to Vlamertinghe Chateau. At 4pm 4th and 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were ordered to find these parties. 149th Brigade war diary 16th May 1915 Working Parties 16th May 1915 Working Parties  149th Brigade HQ at Hospital Farm report: At 3pm Orders received for working parties to be found as under: 200 men to work under Lt. Martel on French Switch line. 200 men to work on Divisional Second Line under Lt Bretherton R.E. At 4.25pm Orders issued to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find 1st party and 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find second party. Tools were supplied from Brigade HQ wagons. Day passed uneventfully fine and warm, night rather chilly. 149th Brigade war diary 17th May 1915 Working Parties 17th May 1915 Working Parties  1.15pm Orders received by 149th Brigade HQ at Hospital Farm from 4th Division for working parties to be found from the Brigade same as ordered for yesterday. At 1.45pm Orders issued to 4th and 5th Btn's Northumberland Fusiliers to find these parties. 6pm Instruction received from 4th Division that the 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at present attached to 12th Brigade were to reform 149th Brigade on 19th inst and placing the area immediately surrounding Brigade HQ as bivouac for them. Arrangements for the move to be made between brigades concerned. Day passed quietly with rain at intervals. Night heavy rain. 149th Brigade war diary 18th May 1915 Working Parties 18th May 1915 Orders  At 10am 12th Brigade asked by 149th Brigade to issue instructions to 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to move into bivouac at Hopital Ferme not later than 10am on 19th May. Fourth division informed. 2pm Orders received for working parties to be found by the Brigade as under: 200 men to parade at 7pn in their bivouacs to work under Lt Bretherton RE on Divisional Second line. 200 to parade in their bivouacs to work under Lt Martel RE on French switch line. 2.5pm Orders issued to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find both these parties. 8pm Orders received from 4th Division that 4th or 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were to be attached to 12th Brigade for a period of trench work. Details of attachment to be made by Brigadiers concerned. 149th Brigade war diary 19th May 1915 Working Parties and Attachments   19th May 1915 Working Parties and Attachments  At 9.10am 12th Brigade requested 149th Brigade to say when and where the 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers should report. 10am 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers arrived Hopital Ferme and bivouacked. Fourth Division informed that 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers had been detailed for a period of attachment to 12th Brigade. Brigadier General Feilding DSO granted four days leave of absence to proceed to England. At 12.30pm Brigadier General Feilding left HQ for England. Command of the Brigade devolved to Col. A.H. Coles CMG DSO 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. 2pm Orders for following working parties received: 200 men to parade at their bivouacs at 7pm to work under Lt Bretherton RE on Divisional second line. 200 men to parade at their bivouacs at 8.30pm to work under Lt Green RE on French Switch line. At 2.15pm Orders issued to 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish first party and to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish second party. At 3pm Instructions received from 12th Brigade that 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were to be attached as under. Companies to report at 11.30am. 20th inst: 1 Coy signals MO 2nd Essex Regiment HQ road in A21 a995. 1 Coy 1st Kings Own HQ South of road A23 G22 1 Coy 1 machine gun 1st/2nd Monmouths HQ Vlamertinghe Church 1 company 1 machine gun 2nd Royal Irish HQ A16 Central HQ to 1/2nd Monmouths 3.15pm Orders issued to 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers in accordance with above instructions and 4th Division informed. At 5.30pm Instruction received by Fourth Division that a relief of 11th Brigade by 12th Brigade the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers attached to the former should return to the brigade and go to the dugout in B27 or to Hopital Ferme as GOC 149th may direct. 149th Brigade war diary 20th of May 1915 Troop Distribution 20th May 1915 Working Parties and Reorganisation 21st of May 1915 Awards 26th May 1915 In the Trenches 27th May 1915 Orders 28th May 1915 Instruction 29th May 1915 Instruction 30th May 1915 Instruction 31st of May 1915 Report 1st Jun 1915 Devotion to Duty 2nd Jun 1915 On the Move 3rd Jun 1915 Training   7th Jun 1915 Recce   8th Jun 1915 Orders 10th Jun 1915 Reliefs   12th Jun 1915    12th of June 1915 Order of Battalions 17th of June 1915  18th of June 1915  20th of June 1915 Move 21st June 1915 Battalion movements   6th Jul 1915 5th Northumberlands Relieve 7th. 10th Jul 1915 7th Northumberlands Relieve 5th. 20th September 1915 Inspection 22nd September 1915 Smoke 23rd Sep 1915 Reliefs 24th September 1915 Orders   24th September 1915 Programme 25th Sep 1915 Artillery In Action 25th September 1915 Wind 25th September 1915  25th September 1915 Patrols 25th September 1915 Orders   26th September 1915 Patrols 27th September 1915 Patrols 16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme 18th October 1915 Quiet 25th of October 1915 Quiet 25th October 1915 Orders   26th October 1915 Orders   1st November 1915 Warnings 2nd November 1915 Ammunition Allotment 3rd of November 1915  4th November 1915 Training Programme 7th November 1915 Orders Issued 7th November 1915 Reliefs 12th November 1915 On the Move 13th November 1915 Training Programme 1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets 2nd December 1915 Orders 11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment 11th December 1915 Orders 13th December 1915 Reliefs   13th December 1915 Orders   13th December 1915 Order   13st December 1915 Orders   13th December 1915 Reliefs   13th December 1915 Orders   15th December 1915 Advance Parties 17th December 1915 On the Move 23rd Dec 1915 Reliefs 27th Dec 1915 Reliefs 31st Dec 1915 5th Northumberlands Relieved by 7th 11th May 1915 In Bivouac  149th Brigade are in Bivouac in A.30A. 149th Brigade war diary 10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens 16th January 1916 Visit 16th January 1916 Reorganisation   22nd January 1916 Snipers   24th January 1916 Shelling   25th January 1916 Enemy Active 25th January 1916 Orders   27th January 1916 Patrols 27th January 1916 Snipers, Sausages and Whizz-bangs   29th of January 1916 Machine Gun Emplacements   29th January 1916 Machine Guns   30th January 1916 Snipers   31st January 1916 Casualties 31st January 1916 Enemy Lines   1st February 1916 Enemy Aircraft   2nd February 1916 Aeroplane Photographs   4th February 1916 Reliefs   4th February 1916 Enemy Guns 4th February 1916 Enemy Artillery   5th February 1916 Shelling 5th February 1916 Shelling   5th February 1916 Snipers 5th February 1916 Uniforms 6th February 1916 Orders   7th February 1916 Shelling   7th February 1916 Artillery Active   9th February 1916 Orders   9th of February 1916 Orders 9th February 1916 Artillery Active   9th February 1916 Call Ups 11th February 1916 Warning 11th February 1916 Enemy Active   12th February 1916 Gas Alert   12th February 1916 Quieter   14th February 1916 Bomardment   15th February 1916 Orders   18th of February 1916 Reliefs Complete   21st February 1916 Snow 22nd February 1916 Gas 22nd of February 1916 Machine Guns   23rd February 1916 Warning 24th February 1916 Reliefs 25th February 1916 Dangerous Wind 26th February 1916 Hostile Artillery   28th February 1916 Dummys 28th February 1916 Orders   29th February 1916 Report 29th February 1916 Orders   29th February 1916 Orders   1st March 1916 Orders   1st of March 1916 Bombardment   2nd March 1916 Orders 2nd of March 1916 Bombardment   6th of March 1916 Orders   7th of March 1916 Orders   7th of March 1916 Orders 8th of March 1916 Mining   9th of March 1916 Orders   10th of March 1916 Reliefs Completed   10th of March 1916 Orders   10th of March 1916 Orders   14th Mar 1916 Reliefs Completed   16th of March 1916 Orders   18th of March 1916 Orders   20th of March 1916 Orders   23rd of March 1916 Reliefs   29th of March 1916 Reliefs 29th of March 1916 Orders 29th of March 1916 Shelling   30th of March 1916 Reliefs Complete   30th of March 1916 orders   31st of March 1916 Orders   1st of April 1916 Moves   1st of April 1916 Orders   3rd of April 1916 Orders   23rd of April 1916 Orders   25th of April 1916 Reliefs   30th of April 1916 Stand To 30th of April 1916 At Rest   1st of May 1916 Orders 14th of May 1916 Training & Sport 18th of May 1916 Orders 20th of May 1916 Orders   14th of June 1916 Tinme 1st of August 1916 Gas 2nd of August 1916 Alert 6th of August 1916 Reliefs   8th of August 1916 Reliefs   28th of August 1916 Awards 1st of September 1916 Locations 1st Sep 1916 Flies   2nd of September 1916    2nd Sep 1916 Wet Day   7th Sep 1916 Conference   11th Sep 1916 Return to Duty   13th of September 1916 Instructions   13th of September 1916 Orders   14th Sep 1916 Stretcher Bearers   15th Sep 1916 In Action   16th Sep 1916 Large number of Casualties   17th Sep 1916 Stretcher Bearers   21st Sep 1916 Poor Sanitation   24th of September 1916 Reliefs   24th of September 1916 Orders   25th of September 1916 Attacks   27th of September 1916 Instructions 28th of September 1916 Reliefs 29th of September 1916    29th of September 1916 Orders   29th of September 1916 Orders   30th of September 1916 Patrols   30th of September 1916 Barrage   30th of September 1916 Orders Amended   1st of October 1916 Attacks   2nd of October 1916 Orders 2nd of October 1916 Attacks   2nd of October 1916 Reliefs 2nd of October 1916 Orders 2nd of October 1916 In Action   3rd of October 1916 Reliefs   3rd of October 1916 Congratulations 4th of October 1916 On the March 5th of October 1916 On the March 6th of October 1916 Training 7th of October 1916 Training 8th of October 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November 1916 Orders   4th of November 1916 Secret   5th of November 1916 In Action   14th of November 1916    16th of November 1916    1st of January 1917    7th of February 1917    9th of February 1917 Orders   10th of February 1917  12th of February 1917    13th of February 1917    15th of April 1917  2nd of September 1917 Intelligence   3rd of September 1917 Intelligence   3rd of September 1917 Intelligence 4th of September 1917 Intelligence   5th of September 1917 Intelligence   6th of September 1917 Intelligence   7th of September 1917 Intelligence   8th of September 1917 Intelligence   9th of September 1917 Intelligence   9th of September 1917 Intelligence   10th of September 1917 Intelligence   11th of September 1917 Intelligence   12th of September 1917 Intelligence   13th of September 1917 Intelligence   14th of September 1917 Intelligence   15th of September 1917 Intelligence   16th of September 1917 Intelligence   16th of September 1917 Intelligence   17th of September 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Want to know more about 5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers? There are:5621 items tagged 5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War. Those known to have served with 5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during the Great War 1914-1918. Anderson MC Henry McDonnell. Lt. (d.30th May 1918) Anderson John Thomas. Pte. (d.30th Oct 1916) Armes Thomas Henry. Pte. (d.12 April 1918) Beach James. Pte. (d.20th Sep 1918) Bidwell George. Pte. (d.17th Nov 1918) Bolam Edward Norman. Pte. (d.26th Oct 1917) Brown Edgar Ernest. Pte. (d.10th Apri 1918) Calvert James Summers. (d.24th May 1915) Cameron John. Pte. (d.4th Dec 1916) Chisholm Thomas William. Sgt. Coulson MM Arthur. 2nd Lt. (d.27th Mar 1918) Dennis Richard Thomas. 2nd Lt. (d.19th Dec 1918) Denton John. Pte. (d.2nd Sep 1915) Dunleavy James. Pte. (d.29th Jan 1916) Fisher Robert Lorraine. Pte. (d.6th November 1916) Fitzgerald DCM. Charles. A/Sgt. Gall Harry. Pte. Graham John. Pte. (d.14th Nov 1916) Hall William Henry. Pte. (d.10th Apr 1918) Hanson James. Pte. (d.14th Nov 1916) Hardy Thomas Bell. L/Cpl. (d.2nd May 1915) Heron Thomas. Pte (d.14th Nov 1916) Heron William. Pte. (d.27th April 1915) Ireland Thomas William. Pte. (d.9th Apr 1916) Jackson Randolph. Pte. (d.27th May 1918) Knox Arthur Victor. Lt. (d.6th June 1917) Lambert William. Pte. (d.14th November 1916) Leask MC. James Cunliffe. Capt. (d.30th Mar 1918) McKenzie Norman George. Pte. (d.14th Nov 1916) McNally Daniel. Pte. (d.26th Oct 1917) McNally MM. Joseph Brunton. Pte. Miller A. S. H.. Pte. O'Hare John James. Pte. (d.25th May 1916) O'Hare John James. Pte. (d.25th May 1916) O'Hare John James. Pte. (d.25th May 1916) O'Hare John James. Pte. (d.25th May 1916) Palmer H.. Pte. (d.27th Oct 1916) Pond Ernest. Pte. Ramshaw Robert. Pte. (d.14th Nov 1916) Rannigan John. Pte. (d.15th Nov 1916) Reed John William. Pte. (d.26th October 1917) Robinson Percival. Pte. (d.29th May 1915) Ryder William. Pte. (d.26th Oct 1917) Spall Frederick William. Sgt. Stokoe George. L/Cpl. (d.27th May 1918) Tranberg Albert Bous. Pte. Waddle William. L/Cpl. (d.12th Apr 1916) Walker Henry. Pte. Warriner Thomas. Pte. (d.26th Jan 1916) Watt James. Pte. (d.7th Feb 1916) Webb MID. Herbert Edward. 2nd Lt. All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List Records of 5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. Want to find out more about your relative's service? 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Announcements 19th Nov 2024     Please note we currently have a massive backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 264989 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.   Sgt. Frederick William Spall 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers My Grandad, Fred Spall, was captured at Estaires during the Battle of the Lys part of the 1918 German offensive. He was initially imprisoned in the Dulmen camp before being transferred to Cottbus. He was finally repatriated in January 1919. Don Munro Add to this record.   Pte. George Bidwell 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Nov 1918) George Bidwell was wounded on 25th of July 1918 and invalided home. He developed bronchitis during recovery and died in the Western General Hospital, Neath, Glamorganshire on 17th of November 1918. He was the son of Isaac and Sarah Bidwell, born in 1879 in Hesset, Bury St Edmunds. He had married Annie Debenham in 1899 and was living with his children James Edward (1902), Isaac (1904), Charles (1908) and Daisy 1910) in Clay Hall, Great Saxham. He worked as a hurdle maker on the estate. He enlisted in the 5th Suffolk Regiment in 1914 but transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers. Malcolm Lennox Add to this record.   Pte. A. S. H. Miller 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers I have come across a pen sketch of A.S.H. Miller along with some notes about him. The sketch was apparently done at Mt. St. Eloi in 1918. The notes say 5th Northumberland Fusiliers but also mention a Black Watch cap badge. Rachel Martin Add to this record.   Pte. Robert Lorraine Fisher 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th November 1916) Robert Fisher is buried in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France. John Stephen Fisher Add to this record.   Sgt. Thomas William Chisholm 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers My Grandfather Thomas Chisholm served with the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers. I have a diary of the time he spent as a POW. He was captured 27th May 1918 at the Battle of Aisne, and spent a month at Darmstadt before being shipped to Giessen. He was registered at Giessen 3rd July 1918. He was eventually shipped out 1st January 1919 on the HMS Concord arriving in Copenhagen 2nd January. I have published his diary. In the Second World War he joined the Royal Air Force and served on Barrage Balloons at RAF Long Benton. Mike Add to this record.   Pte. Edgar Ernest Brown 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Apri 1918) Edgar Brown was born in Somersham Hunts in 1883. His father was Richard Brown and his mother was Sarah Ann (nee Webb). He married Alfreda Haines in Somersham sometime in 1911. Edgar first enlisted at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and joined the Suffolk Regiment as a Private. It is not known why or when he transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers as his papers were burnt as a result of enemy action in WW2. Edgar died on 10th April 1918 aged 35 and is buried at the Morbecque British Cemetery, he is the only Northumberland Fusilier to be buried in this cemetery. His wife, Alfreda, was living at 43 Upton Road, Torquay, Devon, at the time of Edgar's death. If anyone has a photo of him please let me know. Chris Millard Add to this record.   Lt. Arthur Victor Knox 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th June 1917) My Great Uncle, Arthur Knox of 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, attached to 1st Battalion, was killed in action on the 6th of June 1917 in France. His body was never recovered. Remembered at Arras Memorial, France. Christopher Knox Add to this record.   Pte. Ernest Pond 10th Battalion, B company Sherwood Foresters Ernest Pond first saw action on the Ypres Salient at the Bluff, 10th Battalion lost nearly a third of its number on 15th Feb on the Bluff due to German mines. Ernest was wounded on the attack on Quadrangle Support trench on 2nd of July 1916, sent back to England to recouperate, later joining the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was gassed at Passchendaele in Oct 1917 and sent back to UK where he again recouped. We have a picture of him in hospital blues at Thorseby Hall dated 1st of January 1918. He survived the war and died of lung complications in the 40s David Hewitt Add to this record.   Pte. Albert Bous Tranberg 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Albert Tranberg served with the 5th, 6th and 6/8th Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers Lesley Add to this record.   A/Sgt. Charles Fitzgerald DCM. 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusilers Charles Fitzgerald was a sniper, and was awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry when he took charge of his section when his corporal was wounded. He was also in command of a squad of snipers and did 'invaluable' work. Add to this record.   Pte. John James O'Hare 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th May 1916) My great uncle, John O'Hare, was killed on the 25th of May 1916 and is buried in La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Belgium. He died 5 weeks before my father was born. My father was named after his uncle. My grandfather was fighting alongside his brother-in-law when he died and he may well have been part of the burial team. There were 7 other men killed that day and they all lie side by side in this cemetery Unfortunately, I have no photographs of my great uncle but have not given up hope of finding one. My plan is to visit his grave on the 25th May 2016 100 years on from when he fell. Add to this record.   2nd Lt. Richard Thomas Dennis 2nd Btn. (d.19th Dec 1918) Richard Dennis was the only son of Richard and Marianne Dennis of Balbriggan. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Montigny, 28th May 1918, and died at Wimereux on the 19th of December 1918 on his return from Rastatt, Germany, aged 19 years. Interred at Terlincthun Cemetery, Boulogne, France. S Flynn Add to this record.   Pte. Henry Walker 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers My grandfather, Henry Walker fought with the Northumberland Fusiliers territorials during the First World War. He joined the 1/5th Northumberland Fusiliers (5/1556 Pte) in 1914, and then later the 1/7th (240110), I am trying to research his service. Corey Miller Add to this record.   2nd Lt. Herbert Edward Webb MID. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment My paternal grandfather, Herbert Webb was a Colour Sargeant in the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment who was seconded to the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers on the 2 May 1916 He was seconded to improve the discipline of the 5th Battalion, until the 30 October 1917 when he was transferred back to the 4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant. He was promoted to this rank on the 14th of October 1917. He was mentioned in dispatches for something before he was transferred back to the Yorkshire Regiment, though I do not know what it was for - Schappe-Balie 26th of October 1917? James Webb Add to this record.   Pte. John James O'Hare 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th May 1916) My great uncle John O'Hare was killed in action on 25th of May 1916. His sister, my grandmother was heavily pregnant at the time, five weeks after her brother's death she gave birth to my godfather, who was named after his uncle. Add to this record.    James Summers Calvert 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915) Two sets of brothers from my family were tragically killed in WW1. Young brothers Thomas and John (aged 18 and 22 years) were my Great Uncles. In addition, my Great Grandfather Henry and one of his brothers, my Great Great Uncle Robert (and of course uncles to James and Thomas) were also killed. James Summers Calvery was born in 1893 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, service number 2659, was killed in action on 24th May 1915 in Flanders aged 22 years. He is Commemorated at the Menin Gate. Less than 4 months later his younger brother Thomas was killed, aged 18 years old. The brothers were the sons of John and Hannah Calvert of 11, Chapel Place, Seaton Burn, Dudley, Northumberland. Add to this record.   Pte. John James O'Hare 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th May 1916) John James O'Hare was my great uncle on my dad's side. His sister was pregnant with my father when her brother was killed on 25th May 1916. My dad, John James Younger, was born on 5th June 1916, 15 days after her brother's death. My grandfather was in the same regiment as his brother-in-law and we think may have been with him when he died and was also present at his funeral. We have learnt from documents that he was one of 5 men killed that day and that they are all laid to rest in La Laiterie Military Cemetery. Angela Birrell Add to this record.   Capt. James Cunliffe Leask MC. 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Mar 1918) James Cunliffe Leask was born in Dublin, the son of Robert Heddle and Anna Leask in 1875. He married to Mary Anderson and lived at Gosforth, Newcastle on Tyne. He was killed in action at Demvin, France on the 30th of March 1918. Ian Donald Add to this record.   Pte. Harry Gall 9th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment Harry Gall joined the army on 15th of Jan 1916 in the 5th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. He embarked for France at Folkstone on the 16th of June 1916, disembarked at Boulogne same day. He joined 32nd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples on the 17th June 1917 and transfered to 9th Btn York & Lancs Regt on the 1st of July 1917. He took part in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. Harry transfered to the army reserve on demob on the 17th of March 1919 Michael Gall Add to this record.   Pte. William Henry Hall 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Apr 1918) William Hall served with the 1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 10th April 1918, aged 19. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Herbert and Florence Hall, of 137, Skinnerthorpe Rd., Pitsmoor, Sheffield. S Flynn Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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