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3rd Division    3rd Division was one of the first British formations to move to France and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. It was initially part of II Corps. 1914 The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the the Rearguard action of Solesmes The Battle of Le Cateau The Battle of the Marne The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights The Battles of La Bassee and Messines 1914 First Battle of Ypres 1915 Winter Operations 1914-15 The First Attack on Bellewaarde The Actions of Hooge The Second Attack on Bellewaarde (in support of the opening attack in the Battle of Loos) 1916 The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters The Battle of Albert - Somme The Battle of Bazentin - Somme in which the Division helped capture Longueval The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme The Battle of the Ancre - Somme 1917 The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras The Battle of Arleux - Arras 1917 The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras 7 in which the Division helped capture Roeux The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Cambrai 1917 1918 The Battle of St Quentin - Somme The Battle of Bapaume - Somme The First Battle of Arras 1918 - Somme The Battle of Estaires - Lys The Battle of Hazebrouck - Lys The Battle of Bethune - Lys The Battle of Albert - Somme The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line The Battle of the Selle The Division was selected to advance into Germany and form part of the Occupation Force. The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 3rd Division 7th Brigade   7th Brigade transferred to 25th Division on 18 October 1915 3rd Btn, Worcestershire Regt 2nd Btn, South Lancashire Regt 1st Btn, Wiltshire Regt 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Rifles 1/1st Btn, Honourable Artillery Company joined from 8th Brigade 9 December 1914, left 14 October 1915 1/4th Btn, South Lancashire Regt joined 24 February 1915, left to become Pioneers 12 October 1915 8th Brigade 2nd Btn, Royal Scots 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regt left 24 October 1914 4th Btn, Middlesex Regt left 13 November 1915 1st Btn, Gordon Highlanders left 12 September 1914, returned 30 September 1914 1st Btn, Devonshire Regt joined 14 September 1914, left 30 September 1914 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regt joined 25 October 1914, left for 76th Brigade 22 October 1915 1/1st Btn, Honourable Artillery Company joined 10 November 1914, left for 7th Brigade 9 Dec 1914 1/4th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined 27 February 1915, left for 76th Brigade 19 October 1915 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 23 October 1915, left for 9th Brigade 4 April 1916 7th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry joined from 76th Brigade 19 October 1915 1/5th Btn, London Regiment joined 25 October 1915, left 10 February 1916 8th Btn, East Yorkshire Regimentt joined 16 November 1915, left 17 February 1918 to form 10th Entrenching Btn with 12th West Yorks 1st Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined from 9th Brigade 5 April 1916 8th Machine Gun Company formed on 22 January 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918 8th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 18 April 1916 9th Brigade    9th Brigade temporarily transferred to 28th Division between 17 February and 2 April 1915, exchanged with 85th Brigade. 1st Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers 4th Btn, Royal Fusiliers 1st Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment left 13 November 1915 1st Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers left for 8th Brigade 5 April 1916 1/10th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 25 November 1914, left 6 January 1916 12th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment joined 16 November 1915, left February 1918 9th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 8 February 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 8th Brigade 4 April 1916 9th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 1 May 1916 76th Brigade    76th Brigade was transferred from 25th Division on 18 October 1915 an exchange with 7th Brigade. 8th Btn, King's Own (Lancaster) 10th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left 15 February 1918 to form 8th Entrenching Btn with 19th RWF 7th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry left 19 October 1915 for 8th Brigade 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 23 October 1915 for 8th Brigade 1st Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined from 8th Brigade 19 October 1915 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regt joined from 8th Brigade 22 October 1915 76th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 13 April 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918 76th Trench Mortar Battery joined on 1 April 1916 (previously named 43rd TMB) Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ 1/4th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment became Divisional Pioneer Battalion from 7th Brigade 12 October 1915, left 9 January 1916 20th Btn, the King's Royal Rifle Corps joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 19 May 1916 233rd Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 18 July 1917, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918 3rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 6 March 1918 3rd Divisional Train ASC comprised 15, 21, 22, 29 HT Companies ASC 11th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC 206th Divisional Employment Company joined 31 May 1917 previously named 8th Divisional Employment Company. 3rd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop Unit joined by 18 April 1915, transferred to Divisional Supply Column 9 April 1916 Divisional Mounted Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ B Squadron, 15th (King's) Hussars left 14 April 1915 C Sqn, South Irish Horse joined May 1915, left 11 May 1916 3rd Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 31 May 1916 Divisional Artillery XXIII Brigade, RFA left to become an Army Brigade 21 January 1917 XL Brigade, RFA XLI Brigade, RFA XXX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 14 May 1916 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column 48th Heavy Battery RGA left 19 April 1915 No 5 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 20 September 1914 to December 1914 No 5 Mountain Battery RGA attached 14 December 1914 to 3 March 1915 V.3 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed July 1916, left 6 March 1918 X.3, Y.3 and Z.3 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in February 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each Royal Engineers 56th Field Company 57th Field Company left 7 April 1915 438th (1/1st Cheshire) Field Company joined 22 December 1914 529th (1/1st East Riding) Field Company joined 20 September 1915 3rd Divisional Signals Company Royal Army Medical Corps 7th Field Ambulance 8th Field Ambulance 9th Field Ambulance left for Guards Division 26 August 1915 142nd Field Ambulance joined 26 August 1915 4A Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 3 April 1917, renamed 5th Sanitary Section in April 1916   29th July 1914 Mobilisation Order 30th July 1914 Mobilization Order 4th Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA mobilise  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery were at Bulford Camp and at once began to mobilise for war. 4th August 1914 Mobilisation Order 5th August 1914 Mobilization 7th August 1914 Reservists to unit 8th August 1914 Reservists to unit  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment Saturday, August 8th, 1914 - Devonport Second lot of reservists arrived and we are now practically ready and complete to proceed on active service. war diaries 9th August 1914 Reservists to unit  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment Sunday, August 9th, 1914 - Devonport The final draft of reservists arrived. Appendix I Mobilization went off without a hitch, except in the following particulars: 1) No travelling kitchens were available. Their loss was severely felt. They were not issued to the Battalion until 19/11/1914. 2) Difficulty was experienced in obtaining ordinance stores, more especially boots of usual size required 3) The reservists were badly fitted with boots at the Depot. In many cases, also, their serge clothing and caps had to be changed. 4) A mass of correspondence was thrown on Company Officers. Had the Battalion moved on the 8th day, it would have been quite impossible to have completed the documents of the reservists. A: The details in 75% of army books 64 had not been entered correctly. The men had not signed. B: Yellow forms for separation allowance had to be filled in with names of wife and children then signed together - men and Company Officer. C: Almost exactly the same detail had to be taken down in connection with the allotment of pay. D: Wills had not been made. SE St. Leger, Major - 2/Royal Irish Regiment. war diaries 10th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment Monday, August 10th, 1914 - 1145 Devonport The GOC Brigade - General Beauchamp Doran inspected the battalion. Appendix II The following officers proceeded with the Battalion Wounded 23/8 Lt. Col. St.J. A. Cox in command Wounded 23/8 Major S. E. St. Leger 2nd in command Missing 23/8 Lt. R. E. G. Phillips Adjutant Captain J. Richings Quartermaster Lt. P.J. Whitty Machine Gun Officer Lt. F.H.L. Rushton Transport Officer Lt. A.M.S. Tandy Signalling Officer Missing 23/8 Lt. A. D. Fraser Scout Officer A Company Killed 8/23 Captain W. Mellor Missing 23/ Captain I.B. George Missing 23/8 2nd Lt. J. D. Shine Missing 23/8 2nd Lt. C. F. T. O’B. Ffrench Wounded 23/8 2nd Lt. E. C. Guinness B Company Major E. H. E. Daniell, D.S.O. Lt. F.G. Ferguson Lt. D. P. Laing 2nd Lt. A. R. Newton-King C Company Killed 23/8 Capt. & Battalion Major E. M. Painter-Downes Missing 23/8 Captain J.S. Fitzgerald Missing 26/8 Lt. A.E.B. Anderson Killed 23/8 Lt. C. B. Gibbons D Company Missing 26/8 Captain G. A. Elliott Missing 23/8 Captain the Honorable F. G. A. Forbes Wounded 26/8 Lt. E. M. Phillips 3/Battalion Missing 26/8 2nd Lt. C. G. Magrath Officers of the Battalion who proceeded with special appointments Battalion Major J. Burke Captain H. C. MacDonnell with Royal Flying Corps Lt. H. D. Harvey-Kelly Captain A.R.G. Gordon Staff Captain 8th Infantry Brigade war diaries 11th August 1914 Advance Party arrives 12th August 1914 Departure from Devonport 13th August 1914 Embarkation 13th August 1914 Advance Party arrives 14th August 1914 Crossing to France  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment Friday, August 14th, 1914 - 0515 Southampton. Left Southampton. As we commenced to cross the Channel at 1500, an escort of cruisers joined us, 3 on the North of our track and 10 on the South. We arrived at Boulogne about 1800 and marched to a rest camp about 3 miles distance. war diaries 14th August 1914 Quartering Arrangements Completed 15th August 1914 Further moves  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment Saturday, August 15th, 1914 - Boulogne The Battalion was inspected by the French GOC Line of Command . Left camp at 1845 and entrained at 2200 for unknown destination. war diaries 16th August 1914 Move to billets 16th August 1914 Movement Orders 17th Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA sail for France  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, comprising 6th, 23rd and 49th Batteries, marched from Bulford Camp to Amesbury Station and entrained for Southampton. for the crossing to Le Havre, France. They were attached to 3rd Infantry Division with the BEF 17th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment Monday, August 17th, 1914 - Taisnieres Route march under Company arrangements. General Doran inspected out billets. war diaries 17th August 1914 On the Move 17th Aug 1914  On the Move 18th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment Tuesday, August 18th, 1914 - Taisnieres Battalion route march of about 7 miles in the morning. Bathing parade and inspection of feet by Companies arrangements in the afternoon. Many men have sore and defective feet. We heard today with great regret of the death of General Grierson, our Army Corps Commander. war diaries 18th August 1914 On the Move 19th August 1914 Practice manouvres  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment Wednesday, August 19th, 1914 - Taisnieres Companies at disposal of Company Commanders practice of attack. First payments in the field made to Companies. It takes 2 ½ hours to pay out 5 Francs a man and obtain their signature. The system is an impossible one. The Captain’s signature to the whole payment should suffice. We heard through the ASC that we move to St. Remy and from there do a 24 hour march further forward. Evidently the A.S.C. are as rare a means of giving away information as ever. war diaries 19th August 1914 Changes in quartering arrangements 19th Aug 1914  On the Move 20th August 1914 New billets 20th August 1914 Changes in quartering arrangements 20th Aug 1914 Route March 20th of August 1914 Preparing to March 20th Aug 1914  Into Camp 21st August 1914 New billets 21st August 1914 Taking up stations in assigned areas. 21st Aug 1914 On the March 21st Aug 1914  On the Move 22nd August 1914 intelligence reports 22nd August 1914 Taking up stations in assigned areas. 22nd Aug 1914 On the March 22nd of August 1914  On the March 22nd Aug 1914  On the March 23rd Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA go into action  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery went into action on the Binch to Mons Road. One of the GS wagons received a direct hit near Le Cateau and the original War Diary was lost, it was later reconstructed from officers notes. 23rd August 1914 Action with enemy 23rd Aug 1914 1st Scots Fusiliers in Action. 23rd August 1914 German attack crosses Canal 23rd Aug 1914 Into Positions 23rd August 1914 Move Orders 23rd Aug 1914  Gun Positions 24th August 1914 Ongoing Action 24th August 1914 Withdrawals 24th Aug 1914 In Action 24th Aug 1914 Entrenching 25th August 1914 Casualties 25th August 1914 Battle of Le Cateau - Phase 2 25th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement 25th Aug 1914  Rear Guard 26th August 1914 Ongoing Action 26th Aug 1914 On the Move 26th August 1914 In Action 26th August 1914 Retirement 26th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement 26th Aug 1914 Heavy Firing 26th of August 1914  Holding Position 26th August 1914 Orders to stand to arms 27th August 1914 Further retreat 27th Aug 1914 Rear Guard 27th August 1914 Continued withdrawals 27th Aug 1914 On the March 27th Aug 1917 Lack of a Map 27th of August 1914 Retirement in the Dark 27th August 1914 On the Move 28th August 1914 Ongoing Action 28th Aug 1914 Rear Guard 28th August 1914 Initial Intelligence Report 28th Aug 1914 On the March 28th Aug 1917 On the March 28th of August 1914 An Exhausting March 29th August 1914 Further retreat 29th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement 29th Aug 1914 On the March 29th Aug 1917 Waiting 29th of August 1914 Sleeping in the Streets 30th August 1914 Continued withdrawals 30th August 1914 Demolitions on withdrawals 30th Aug 1914 On the March 30th Aug 1914 On the March 30th of August 1914 A Hot March 30th August 1914 On the March 31st August 1914 On the Move 31st August 1914 Continued withdrawals 31st Aug 1914 On the March 1st September 1914 Continued withdrawals 1st September 1914 Continued withdrawals 1st of September 1914 A Delayed March 2nd September 1914 Further moves 2nd September 1914 Continued withdrawals 2nd of September 1914 An Early March 3rd September 1914 Continued withdrawals 3rd September 1914 Continued withdrawals 4th September 1914 Further retreat 4th September 1914 Enemy across the Marne 5th September 1914 Renforcements & Medial Attention 5th September 1914 Enemy advance continues 5th of September 1914 March Finished 6th September 1914 General Army Advance 6th September 1914 Attack Made 7th September 1914 Continued Advance 7th September 1914 Attack progressing 8th September 1914 Advanced Guard 8th September 1914 Ongoing Battles 8th Sep 1914 In Reserve 8th of September 1914 An Early March 9th September 1914 Move to billets 9th September 1914 Ongoing Action 9th of September 1914 On the Move 10th September 1914 support positions 10th September 1914 Davance 10th of September 1914 Marching 11th September 1914 Continued Action 11th September 1914 Continued progress 11th of September 1914 Marching 12th September 1914 New billets 12th September 1914 Bad Weather 13th September 1914 Ongoing Action 13th September 1914 Strong Opposition 13th of September 1914 A Showery March 14th September 1914 Ongoing Action 14th September 1914 Further Advance 15th September 1914 Ongoing Action 15th Sep 1914 In Action 15th September 1914 Shelling 15th of September 1914 An Attack Falters 16th September 1914 Ongoing Action 16th September 1914 Difficulties 17th September 1914 Ongoing Action 17th September 1914 Heavy Bombardment 18th September 1914 Standby 18th September 1914 Night Attacks 19th September 1914 Standby 19th September 1914 Attack Repulsed 20th September 1914 Ongoing Action 20th September 1914 Reliefs 21st September 1914 Ongoing Action 21st September 1914 Attacks 22nd September 1914 Standby 22nd September 1914 Reliefs 23rd September 1914 Patrols 24th September 1914 Artillery Exchange 25th September 1914 Shrapnel 25th September 1914 Pontoon Bridge damaged 26th September 1914 Aircraft Assists 27th September 1914 Continuing action around bridges 28th September 1914 Bridges 29th September 1914 Ongoing fighting on all fronts 30th September 1914 September Intelligence Summary 1st October 1914 On the March 1st Oct 1914 On the March 1st October 1914 Commencement of Move 1st Oct 1914 In Action 2nd Oct 1914 On the March 2nd October 1914 Continued reorganisation of front 2nd Oct 1914 Foggy 3rd Oct 1914 On the March 3rd October 1914 Continued reorganisation of front 3rd Oct 1914 Enemy Aircraft 4th Oct 1914 On the March 4th October 1914 Move westwards 4th of October 1914 On the March 4th Oct 1914 On the March 5th October 1914 Further moves 5th Oct 1914 On the Move 5th October 1914 Divisional entrainment westwards 5th Oct 1914 On the March 6th Oct 1914 On the Move 6th October 1914 Divisional entrainment westwards continued 6th Oct 1914 On the March 7th October 1914 Divisional detrainment near Abbeywell 7th Oct 1914 On the Move 8th October 1914 Divisional relocation continuing 8th Oct 1914 At Rest 9th Oct 1914 Holding the Line 9th October 1914 Move 9th Oct 1914 On the March 10th Oct 1914 Holding the Line 10th October 1914 Further Moves by motor Buses via Hesdin 10th Oct 1914 On the March 11th Oct 1914 On the March 11th October 1914 Cavalry cover for further Moves 11th Oct 1914 On the March 12th October 1914 Forward moves 12th Oct 1914 In Action   12th October 1914 Cavalry cover for further Moves 12th Oct 1914 On the March 13th October 1914 Further moves 13th Oct 1914 In Action   13th October 1914 Slow progress in Attack renewal 13th of October 1914 Advance Resumed   13th Oct 1914 On the March 14th October 1914 Advance 14th Oct 1914 In Action   14th October 1914 Continued slow progress in Attack 14th October 1914 Ground Gained 14th Oct 1914 In Position   15th October 1914 Ongoing Action 15th Oct 1914 Advance Continues   15th October 1914 Change in GOC due to casualty 15th of October 1914 Advance Ordered to Continue   15th Oct 1914 In Action   16th October 1914 Ongoing Action 16th Oct 1914 Advance Continues 16th October 1914 Advance in foggy conditions 16th of October 1914 Empty German Trenches   16th Oct 1914 Advance   17th October 1914 Relief action 17th Oct 1914 Advance Continues 17th Oct 1914 Advance 17th October 1914 Advance continued   17th of October 1914 An Advance   17th Oct 1914 Move   18th October 1914 Further Action 18th Oct 1914 Reliefs 18th Oct 1914 Shelling 18th October 1914 Attack meet strong resistance   18th of October 1914 Advance Resumed   18th Oct 1914 Recce   19th Oct 1914 Reliefs 19th October 1914 Attack meets further setbacks.   19th of October 1914  Slow Progress    19th Oct 1914 In Action 20th October 1914 Disaster for Battalion 20th Oct 1914 Holding the Line 20th October 1914 Major German attack   20th of October 1914 A Fluid Front   20th Oct 1914 In Action 21st October 1914 Post mortem investigation 21st October 1914 Continued German attack   21st of October 1914 Some Retirements   21st Oct 1914 Enemy Attacks 22nd October 1914 Relocation 22nd October 1914 Divisional move   22nd of October 1914 Our Line Attacked   22nd Oct 1914 Rounds Fired   23rd October 1914 Divisional move 23rd Oct 1914 Observation   24th October 1914 Further German attacks repulsed 24th Oct 1914 Observation   25th October 1914 Further German attacks repulsed 25th Oct 1914 Enemy Positions   26th October 1914 German front quiet 26th of October 1914 Germans Repulsed   26th Oct 1914 In Action   27th Oct 1914 In Action   27th October 1914 Battle for Neuve Chapelle   27th of October 1914 A Counter Attack   27th Oct 1914 Attack Made   28th Oct 1914 Reliefs   28th October 1914 Ongoing Battle for Neuve Chapelle   28th of October 1914 Counter Attack Falters    28th Oct 1914 New Position   29th October 1914 Relief by other Brigade 29th of October 1914  Determined German Attack   29th Oct 1914 Telephone Lines   30th October 1914 Relief by other Division 30th of October 1914 German Attack Fades   30th Oct 1914 Rounds Fired   31st October 1914 Relief by Indian Corps completed 31st Oct 1914 New Position   1st November 1914 Regroup all fighting troops 1st of November 1914 Dispositions   2nd November 1914 Notification of German Troop locations 3rd November 1914 Notification of German Troop locations 4th November 1914 Little change in situation 5th November 1914 Move to new line 6th November 1914 Attacks on new line positions east of Ypres 7th November 1914 Mixed results in ongoing attacks 8th November 1914 Line readjusted to defend against ongoing attacks 9th November 1914 Ongoing shelling and sniping 10th November 1914 Ongoing shelling and sniping 11th November 1914 Attack 12th November 1914 Ongoing shelling and sniping 13th November 1914 German Attack repelled by Artillery and machine guns 14th November 1914 Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns 15th Nov 1914 Counter Attack Suceeds 15th November 1914 Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns 15th of November 1914  2nd Corps Reorganise 16th November 1914 Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns 16th of November 1914 Reorganisation   17th November 1914 Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns 17th of November 1914 Relief   18th November 1914 Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns 19th November 1914 Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns 20th November 1914 4th Hussar stables destroyed by enemy artillery 20th of November 1914 Artillery in Action   21st November 1914 Divisions relieved by French   21st of November 1914 Regiments Under-strength   22nd Nov 1914 3rd Division at rest  3rd Division arrive in Westouter for four days rest. Holts Battlefield Guide 22nd November 1914 Division to rest in billets in Westoutre 22nd of November 1914 In the Line   23rd November 1914 Division to rest in billets in Westoutre 23rd of November 1914  Germans Digging In   24th November 1914 Division to rest in billets in Westoutre 24th of November 1914  Our Artillery Effective   25th November 1914 Division to rest in billets in Westoutre 26th November 1914 Division orders back to trenches 26th of November 1914 Quiet and Misty   27th November 1914 3rd Division ordered back to trenches   27th of November 1914 Relief Commences   28th Nov 1914 Attack on Hollandschaeschur Farm 28th November 1914 Division had quiet day in trenches 29th November 1914 Division on night reconnaissance activity 29th of November 1914  Infantry Distribution   30th November 1914 3 Div Brigades relief rota carried out 30th of November 1914 Germans Improve Defences 30th of November 1914    1st December 1914 Limited action poor weather 2nd December 1914 Operations restricted by bad weather 3rd December 1914 Operations restricted by bad weather 3rd December 1914 Visit by H.M. The King. 4th December 1914 Operations restricted by bad weather 5th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 6th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 7th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 8th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 9th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 10th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 11th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 12th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 12th of December 1914 No Incidents    13th December 1914 Limited action due to bad weather 13th of December 1914 Wire Cut   14th December 1914 Multiple attacks by 3 Div and French 14th of December 1914  French on the Offensive   15th December 1914 Further attacks suspended by 3 Div due to French failure 15th of December 1914  Operations Resumed   16th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 16th December 1914 Congratulations 17th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 18th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 18th of December 1914 No Progress 19th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 19th of December 1914 Demonstration 20th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 21st December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 22nd December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 23rd December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 24th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 24th of December 1914 Heavies Silence Enemy   25th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 26th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 27th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 28th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 29th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 29th of December 1914 Report   30th December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 31st December 1914 Bad weather limiting action again 4th of January 1915 Trench Work   5th of January 1915 Hostile Patrol Engaged   7th of January 1915 Very Wet Weather   11th of January 1915 Six Direct Hits   13th of January 1915  Snipers Active    14th of January 1915 Trenches Drying Out   15th of January 1915 Germans Fire Slowly   17th of January 1915 Quiet Day   19th of January 1915  Thaw Sets In   21st of January 1915 Wulverghem Shelled   22nd of January 1915 Aeroplane-Aided Shelling   24th of January 1915 Machine Gun Silenced   26th of January 1915 Cheshire's Sniping Effective   29th of January 1915  Artillery Intervenes   30th of January 1915 Chateau on Fire    2nd of February 1915  Artillery in Action 2nd of February 1915     3rd of February 1915  Snipers Silenced   7th of February 1915 Sectors Rearranged    10th of February 1915 Message   10th February 1915 Reliefs 13th of February 1915 Trenches Maintained   18th Feb 1915 Reorganisation 18th of February 1915 Grenades Cause Confusion   21st of February 1915 8th Howitzers Leave   21st February 1915 Airship seen 22nd of February 1915 Cheering and Rockets   23rd of February 1915  25th of February 1915  Trench Mortar Explodes   27th Feb 1915 On the March   28th Feb 1915 In Billets   28th of February 1915  Artillery Reorganised   3rd of March 1915 Enemy Fire Silenced   8th of March 1915  Relief   9th of March 1915 Enemy Guns Quiet 10th of March 1915 POW Taken   11th March 1915  Deserter 11th of March 1915 Mortar Shells   12th of March 1915 Operation Postponed 13th of March 1915 Booby Trap   15th of March 1915  Active Artillery    16th of March 1915 No Hostile Patrols   17th of March 1915 Retaliation   18th of March 1915 Quiet Day   19th of March 1915  Patrols   20th of March 1915     21st of March 1915     22nd of March 1915 Quiet Night 26th of March 1915 Enemy Guns Active    27th of March 1915 German Air Activity   28th of March 1915 German Guns Active   29th of March 1915 Quiet Time    31st of March 1915     31st March 1915  Working Parties   31st of March 1915 Orders Issued   31st of March 1915  1st of April 1915 Situation Normal   5th of April 1915 Quiet Day 7th of April 1915 Mostly Quiet    8th of April 1915 Another Quiet Day 9th of April 1915  Quiet Day   14th of April 1915 Quiet Night    15th of April 1915 Enemy Very Quiet   19th Apr 1915 Reorganisation 20th of April 1915    23rd of April 1915 Quiet Night    25th of April 1915 Reliefs 30th of April 1915 Fairly Quiet Day    1st of May 1915 Gas Casualties   5th of May 1915 A Counter Attack   6th of May 1915 Another Attack Fails   11th of May 1915   No Retirement Planned   12th May 1915 On the March   17th of May 1915 Brisk Sniping    18th of May 1915 Revenge Shelling   20th of May 1915 Gun Destroys Sap   26th of May 1915 Quiet Day, Quieter Night   27th of May 1915 Corps composition 29th of May 1915  A Rumbling Explosion   31st of May 1915 Relief commands 31st of May 1915 "Careful Watch" Kept   1st of June 1915 Letter of Appreciation 1st of June 1915 Preparation for relief 2nd of June 1915 German Aeroplane Down   3rd of June 1915 Orders 1915-06-03    3rd of June 1916  Quiet Day   4th of June 1915 Troop Movements   4ht of June 1915    5th of June 1915    6th of June 1915 Artillery assigned 9th of June 1915 Relief discussed 10th of June 1915 Artillery remain in support 10th of June 1915    10th of June 1915    10th of June 1915    11th of June 1915 Howitzers attached 11th of June 1915 Artillery command 11th of June 1915  11th of June 1915  12th of June 1915 Howitzers handed to 50th Div. 12th of June 1915    12th Jun 1915 Awards 13th of June 1915 Future operations discussed 13th of June 1915  14th Jun 1915 Officer Recce 14th of June 1915 Orders   15th Jun 1915 On the March 15th of June 1915 Co-operation 15th of June 1915    15th Jun 1915 Into Position   15th Jun 1915 On the March   16th Jun 1915 Heavy Bombardment 16th Jun 1915 Liverpool Scottish in Action 16th Jun 1915 Rapid Fire 16th Jun 1915 Attack Made 16th of June 1915 Attack underway   16th of June 1915 Attack Made 16th Jun 1915 Attack Made   16th Jun 1915 In Action   16th Jun 1915 Preparations   16th of June 1915 A Diversion   17th Jun 1915 Division Praised 17th of June 1915 149th relieved 17th of June 1915    17th Jun 1915 Fierce fighting at Bellewaerde  British troops of the 9th and 7th Infantry Brigades assault enemy trenches on Bellewaerde Ridge between the Menin Road and the Ypres-Roulers railway. Their objective, to remove the enemy from the high ground which gae an observation point over most of the Allied ground to the East of Ypres. The bombardment commenced at 02:30 followed by the assault on the German front line at 04:15, which was captured with little resistance and the troops pushed on to occupy the second German line. The enemy launched a counter attack and the British were pushed back to the First German line, which they managed to hold, but the enemy still commanded the ridge. 18th of June 1915    21st Jun 1915 Orders to Attack   21st of June 1915 Situation Normal   22nd of June 1915 3rd Div order to attack 22nd of June 1915 A Minor Operation 27th of June 1915  Quiet Time 30th of June 1915  A Reconnoitre   11th July 1915 Orders postponed 13th of July 1915  Enemy Active on Canal   19th Jul 1915 Mine blown at Hooge  3rd Division blew a mine at Hooge which had been prepared by 175th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. They had constructed a gallery 190 ft long and laid a charge of 3500lbs of ammonal, creating a crater 120ft in diameter and 20ft deep. Holts Battlefield Guide 19th Jul 1915 Mine Exploded   19th of July 1915  Quiet Night   20th Jul 1915 In Action   21st of July 1915 Relief   22nd of July 1915 Superior Sniping   23rd of July 1915 3rd Div Take Over   25th Jul 1915 Reliefs Completed   25th of July 1915 New Area 30th July 1915 Quiet. 1st of August 1915    4th August 1915   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA In reserve near Noordpeene. Lieutenant OS Lund left on promotion to 3rd Infantry Division. war diaries 9th August 1915 Inspected by C.O. 24th Aug 1915 Fatiques 25th Aug 1915 Working Parties 26th Aug 1915 Working Parties 28th Aug 1915 Sports 29th Aug 1915 At Rest 30th Aug 1915 At Rest 1st Sep 1915  Working Party   2nd Sep 1915  New Billets 3rd Sep 1915  Wet 4th Sep 1915  Wet 5th Sep 1915  Wet 6th Sep 1915  Working Party 7th Sep 1915  Wet Day 8th Sep 1915  Wet Day 9th Sep 1915 Bombardment 10th Sep 1915 Dug Outs 11th Sep 1915 Wet 12th Sep 1915 Reliefs 15th September 1915 G.O.C. 3rd Division Visits 18th September 1915 Bombarment 23rd September 1915 Order 23rd Sep 1915 Orders   25th Sep 1915 Diversionary Attack 25th Sep 1915 10th Sherwoods and 7th Borders Cover 25th Sep 1915 Attack Made   25th Sep 1915 Attack Made   3rd October 1915 Quiet 17th Oct 1915 Address 27th October 1915 Inspection by His Majesty the King 1st November 1915 Football Match 6th November 1915 Football Final 4th Jan 1916 Reliefs Complete 9th Jan 1916 Hostile Batteries   23rd Jan 1916 Transport   24th January 1916 Rifle Fire   25th January 1916 Orders   27th January 1916 Patrols 2nd February 1916 Cleaning up   4th February 1916 Reliefs   4th February 1916 The rifles of "C" & "D" companies inspected by Armourer Staff Sgt. 6th February 1916 Orders   9th February 1916 Orders   2nd Mar 1916 Attack made 9th of March 1916 Orders   10th of March 1916 Reliefs Completed   13th of March 1916 Aircraft Active   16th of March 1916 Orders   18th of March 1916 Orders   19th of March 1916 Mining   20th of March 1916 Orders   23rd of March 1916 Reliefs   27th Mar 1916 Under Shellfire 27th Mar 1916 In Reserve 27th of March 1916 Assault Made   28th of March 1916 Orders   28th March 1916 Team Missing   29th March 1916 Reliefs 30th March 1916 Into Billets 31st March 1916 In Billets 28th of March 1916 Orders   12th of April 1916 Orders 15th of April 1916 Orders   15th of April 1916 Orders 22nd of April 1916 Gas   23rd Apr 1916 In Reserve 23rd of April 1916 Orders   25th of April 1916 Reliefs   28th Apr 1916 Reliefs 28th of April 1916 Inspection 30th Apr 1916 Gas 30th of April 1916 Stand To 1st of May 1916 Orders 13th of May 1916 Orders 18th of May 1916 Orders 20th of May 1916 Orders   20th of May 1916 Orders   24th of May 1916 Orders 26th of May 1916 Reliefs 27th of May 1916 Reliefs   27th of May 1916 Defences 28th of May 1916 Relief   28th of May 1916 Trench Work   5th Jul 1916 Cavalry Standby 7th Jul 1916 Reliefs Completed 8th Ju1y 1916 Preparations for Attack 14th July 1916 Attack Made 15th July 1916 Consolidation 16th July 1916 Trench Work 17th July 1916 New Emplacements 18th of July 1916  On Relief   18th July 1916 Heavy Shelling 19th of July 1916 Relief Carried Out   20th Jul 1916 In Action   21st Jul 1916 Reliefs   21st of July 1916 Enemy Takes High Wood   22nd of July 1916 Front Adjustment Completed   23rd Jul 1916 Advance   24th Jul 1916 Trench Work   25th Jul 1916 Reliefs Complete   26th Jul 1916 Reliefs 4th August 1916 Address   10th Aug 1916 Reliefs 18th Aug 1916 Attack Made   21st Aug 1916 Attack Made   28th of August 1916 Hostile Fire   30th Aug 1916 Recce 31st Aug 1916 Reliefs 12th September 1916 Working party 15th Sep 1916 Trench Raid 19th September 1916 Reliefs 29th of September 1916 Orders   13th Nov 1916 Attack Made 13th December 1916 G.O.C. 3rd Division much pleased 21st of April 1916    1st Jan 1917 Festivities 2nd Jan 1917 Fatiques 3rd Jan 1917 Change of Clothes 4th Jan 1917 Route March 5th Jan 1917 Duck Boards 6th Jan 1917 Duck Boards 7th Jan 1917 On the March 8th Jan 1917 In Billets 9th Jan 1917 On the March 10th Jan 1917 Inspection 11th Jan 1917 Training 12th Jan 1917 Inspections 13th Jan 1917 Inspections 14th Jan 1917 Fire 9th April 1917 Received Orders to move to Old German Front Line Trench South of Cambrai Road   10th April 1917 Brigade received Orders to withdraw   13th Apr 1917 Assault Made 13th of April 1917  13th of April 1917    13th of April 1917  24th April 1917 Reliefs 1st May 1917 Orders Received   1st May 1917 Operation Order No. 2.   12th May 1917 Attack Made 20th of May 1917  25th of May 1917  30th September 1917 Relief 20th Nov 1917 Attack Made 24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation 12th January 1918 Training and Classes of instruction 14th January 1918 Blankets disinfected. 19th of January 1918 Warning of Divisional Relief   21st of January 1918 A Surrender   21st Jan 1918 Course 28th of January 1918 Hostile Bombing 29th of January 1918 Divisional HQ Moves   31st of January 1918 Training   1st of February 1918 Defence Line Work   5th Feb 1918 Course Ends 13th Feb 1918 Personnel 19th Feb 1918 Training Scheme 21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation 26th of February 1918 Corps Commander Visits   27th of February 1918 On the March   1st of March 1918 On the Move   2nd Mar 1918 Reliefs   3rd Mar 1918 Reliefs   21st March 1918 Bombardment   31st of March 1918 Relief Completed   10th of April 1918 Snipers   12th Apr 1918 Heavy Fighting   24th April 1918 Reliefs 1st Aug 1918 Some Shelling   1st Aug 1918 Dispositions   1st Aug 1918 In Support 1st Aug 1918 Gas 2nd Aug 1918 Hostile Artillery Active   2nd Aug 1918 Shelling 2nd Aug 1918 Quiet 3rd Aug 1918 Quiet 3rd Aug 1918 Shelling 3rd Aug 1918 Quiet 4th Aug 1918 Orders Received 4th Aug 1918 Orders Received 4th Aug 1918 Shelling 4th Aug 1918 Quiet 5th Aug 1918 Patrols   5th Aug 1918 Training 5th Aug 1918 Reliefs 5th Aug 1918 Patrols 6th Aug 1918 Some Shelling 6th Aug 1918 On the Move 6th Aug 1918 Artillery in Action 7th Aug 1918 HQ Moves 7th Aug 1918 Reliefs Complete   7th Aug 1918 Reorganisation 7th Aug 1918 Some Shelling 8th Aug 1918 Training 8th Aug 1918 Reorganisation 9th Aug 1918 Training 9th Aug 1918 Reliefs 10th Aug 1918 Visit 10th Aug 1918 Baths 11th Aug 1918 Church Parade 11th Aug 1918 Training 12th Aug 1918 Training 12th Aug 1918 Training 13th Aug 1918 On the Move 13th Aug 1918 Training 14th Aug 1918 In Billets 14th Aug 1918 Reliefs 15th Aug 1918 Training 15th Aug 1918 Holding the Line 16th Aug 1918 Football 16th Aug 1918 Quiet 17th Aug 1918 Training 17th Aug 1918 Quiet 18th Aug 1918 On the Move 18th Aug 1918 Quiet 19th Aug 1918 Orders 19th Aug 1918 Orders Issued 20th Aug 1918 Into Position 20th Aug 1918 On the Move   21st Aug 1918 Attack Made   21st Aug 1918 Attack Made 21st Aug 1918 Attack Made   22nd Aug 1918 Counter Attacks 22nd Aug 1918 Consolidation   23rd Aug 1918 Attack Made   23rd Aug 1918 Consolidation   24th Aug 1918 Attack Made   25th Aug 1918 Shelling   25th Aug 1918 Attack Made   26th Aug 1918 In Trenches   26th Aug 1918 Counter Attack   27th Aug 1918 In Trenches   27th Aug 1918 On the Move 27th Aug 1918 Patrols   28th Aug 1918 Reinforcements 28th Aug 1918 Reliefs   29th Aug 1918 Message   29th Aug 1918 Into Support 29th Aug 1918 Cleaning up   30th Aug 1918 Reliefs 30th Aug 1918 Reorganisation   31st Aug 1918 In Action 31st Aug 1918 Reorganisation   8th Oct 1918 Attack Made   17th October 1918 Commanding Officers parade 23rd October 1918 Battalion moved to assembly positions, Sunken road between Solesmes and Vertain If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 3rd Division? There are:748 items tagged 3rd Division 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 3rd Division during the Great War 1914-1918. Blanks Alfred Walter. Pte. 4th Btn (d.16th Jun 1915) Booth James. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.26th Sep 1917) Frank Hatchett W. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.28th Aug 1914) Game David James . Sgt. 6th Btn. Green George. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.3rd Sep 1916) Hazell Oscar Reginald. Sgt. 11th Btn. (d.19th Apr 1918) Hurt Seymour Frederick Auckland Albert. Capt. 1st Btn. (d.18th Oct 1914) McLaughlin Patrick. CSM. 1st Btn. (d.27th Mar 1916) McLellan William. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.8th Nov 1914) Melville Abert. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.16th Jun 1915) Parkes Alfred. Pte. 2nd Btn. Randall Edward John. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.30th Sep 1915) Riley Michael. Pte. 12th Btn. (d.28th Mar 1916) Roberts Edward. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.27th Sep 1918) Roberts William. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.13th Apr 1917) Rudd Charles Flower. Cpl. 1st Btn. (d.9th Jan 1915) Toman Patrick. Sgt. 2nd Btn. Wallace William. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.16th June 1915) White Nathan. 2/Lt. 29th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916) Whittaker Henry. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.14th Jan 1917) 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 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? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Looking for help with Family History Research?    Please see Family History FAQ's Please note: We are unable to provide individual research. Can you help? The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. 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. 1206573 Pte. Edward John Randall 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.30th Sep 1915) Edward Randall served with the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment during WW1 and died on the 30th September 1915. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. I'm just trying to bring loose ends together and find out where this picture was taken. My Grandfather is top right of picture. Alan Randall Add to this record. 1206425 Sgt. David James Game 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment Sgt. David James Game served with the 1st Battalion South Lancs 1904-1913 [7yrs India], 2nd Battalion South Lancs BEF 1914 [Battle of Mons] and 6th Battalion South Lancs BEF 1915-1919 Gallipoli and Mesopatamia My grandfather was born 23rd August 1888 in Cambridge, he was one of 9 children, his parents moved to Leamington around 1899, and they lived in Bedford Street. Grandad enlisted with the 1st Battalion South Lancs in 1904 aged 15 years old, he was under age, on his service record he put his DOB as 1886, he served 9 years, 7 of them in India, he left in 1913 to join his brothers in Canada. Unfortunately war broke out and Grandad was back to the UK, he was now with the 2nd Battalion South Lancs as the 1st Battalion served the war in India. Being in the regular army he was with the BEF [British Expeditionary Force] who were sent out to France whilst the New Army was being trained. I am able to piece together my grandfather’s experiences from himself, his service records and the War Diaries. Having served in France between 5 August and 22 November 1914, Grandad was truly "An Old Contemptible". He was also entitled to wear the clasp & rose to his 1914 Star Medal, awarded to all those who served under fire with the original British Expeditionary Force. By European standards the peacetime British Army was very small, but what it lacked in numbers it made up for in quality. Its Regular soldiers were long-time service professionals, confident in their marksmanship and discipline, and intensely proud of their Regiments. In comparison with the largely conscript continental armies, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) of 1914 was indeed ‘a rapier among scythes’ Grandad took part in, the battles of Aisne and La Bassee, From 12th to 29th October 2nd South Lancashires experienced severe fighting and heavy casualties at the Battle of La Bassée, on the 21st October under cover of the mist, the Germans penetrated the front of the South Lancashires, on this day alone they lost seven officers and over two hundred men , but despite determined German attacks the battered line never broke. First Battle Ypres: 2nd South Lancashires joined the 1st Loyal North Lancashires in the Ypres fighting, withstanding repeated attacks at Nonne Boschen 11th-13th Nov. The battle swayed back and forth as fresh German divisions were committed and, with ever decreasing numbers, the British Regular Army fought almost literally to the death, constantly attacking , withdrawing and counter attacking. The line held but at a terrible cost, both battalions being reduced to barely company strength. "Although names are given to periods of fighting, it is not possible to describe them as battles. It was a period of continuous, prolonged, ruthless encounter hardly interrupted at night. Our troops had no rest. They were out-numbered, out-gunned and opposed by a determined, skilful and implacable enemy. The fighting was largely individual. The casualties were so heavy that units lost their identity and were roughly grouped under brigades. The troops fought in shallow trenches and shell holes, and in terrible weather conditions. In addition to wound and death casualties, they suffered from frozen feet and knees and from rheumatism. Repulse of German attacks was a daily commonplace. Hourly shelling, to which no reply was possible, owing to shortage of ammunition. Only at night could supplies be brought up and wounded removed. As soon as dusk fell, Ypres was crowded with vehicles passing in and out... It was at Nonne Boschen on the 13th Nov my granddad was wounded, he was returned home to England. In July 1915 he was with the BEF attached to the 6th Battalion South Lancs on his way to Gallipoli, they sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915, landed at Cape Helles (Gallipoli) 7-31 July, then moved to Mudros. Landed at Anzac Beach 4 August 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. It was here in Gallipoli he was promoted to Sergeant. They were evacuated from Gallipoli and went to Egypt via Mudros. February 1916 he was on his way to Mesopotamia, the 6th Battalions of the East Lancashires, South Lancashires and Loyal North Lancashires, veterans of Gallipoli, were sent to Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) . They landed at Basra in March 1916. They formed part of the 38th (Lancashire) Infantry Brigade of the 13th (Western) Division of Kitchener’s New Army Here they had to acclimatize into the extreme weather conditions. Even so, with temperatures regularly exceeding 50 deg.C, death and illness from heat-stroke were common and dysentery, malaria and other tropical diseases were endemic. Grandad was used to the high temperatures, from his time spent in India, he partook in the battles here, and he finally returned home in March 1919. He was so very lucky to have survived all this, to come home, due probably to his expert pre war training. He married Ellen Donald in 1920. On his return home from the Great War to a home fit for heroes, he found 2 1/2 days a fortnight work, digging trenches" for pipes. In 1923 - 1926 he joined the East Lancs as a private. Re-enlistment was encouraged by the short-term offer of a considerable financial incentive, this enabled my grandparents to eventually buy their home in Coventry. I believe he was truly a remarkable man. Pat Evans Add to this record. 1206320 Pte. George "Dodger" Green 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916) George Green was a private who had previously fought in the Boer war. He was still on the reserve list and received call up papers on the day war was declared. He fought with the BEF and was injured in his right arm during an assault in the Richbourg area. He was admitted to the hospital on 15th October 1914. It is not know when he rejoined his company. He died on the 3rd September 1916 on the Somme near Thiepval where his company were trying to take the Liepsig Redoubt. The picture of him was taken on a ward at the hospital and his wife Sarah wore it around her neck in a locket all her life. She never re married. Paul Green Add to this record. 1206280 Sgt. Patrick Toman 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles My Grandfather Partick Toman joined the army reserves (5th battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles) in 1906 when he was 18 years old. He was a labourer in the Barbour Linen Mill in Hilden. Upon the outbreak of war in 1914 he was called up to regular service and the battalion went to Belfast to act as a training unit. My grandad was an instructor but on the 25th of December 1914 he was sent to the front with the 2nd battalion of the RIR because of the high losses suffered they needed more experienced men. He left behind his wife Catherine (Nee McCormick) and his three sons Richard, Patrick and John. John had been born in September of 1914 and his other sons were two and four years old. He fought in 15 major battles while in France. He was wounded by shell fragments in 1916 during the Somme offensive. This happened on the 14th of July 1916 after his battalion had been in action at Ovilliers. He returned to his unit 30th of November 1916 and took part in the battle of Messines Ridge, the 1917 campaigns in Flanders, the tank battle at Cambrai, and the German Spring offensives of March 1918. His battalion (the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles) was wiped out almost to the last man on the 24th of March 1918 as it fought desperate rear guard actions to allow the remnants of the 36th Ulster division to escape the German avalanche. Survivors continued to fight with various units until the end of March when the battalion was moved to reserve and the task of rebuilding it began. Pat Toman was part of the re-built battalion until the 2nd of June 1918 when he was wounded while on a night patrol in the Ypres area. During this patrol Major Herbert Musgrave from Corps Intelligence was killed. My Grandad was shot in the thigh by a machine gun bullet but made it back to friendly lines alive. It was thought he might have to lose the leg but it was saved. My granddad made a life after the war but suffered PTSD which he dealt with by prayer, solitude, and by swearing off alcohol. He died in 1952 (15 years before I was born) but I grew up on legends and tales about him all my life and we all love him several generations on. We respect the effort he made to give us the peace and freedom we enjoy today. I was able to visit the battle fields in Belgium, where he fought for so long, in 2007. I was able to walk along the very road where he was wounded for the last time in 1918 and to visit the grave of his patrol mate Herbert Musgrave. Add to this record. 1206213 Pte. Alfred Parkes 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment Alfred Parkes was a Boy Soldier. He was only just 16 years old when he was volunteering in August 1915. He was drafted three months later to the Western Front where he was engaged in several sectors and took part in the Battle of the Somme, the Battle at Arras, the Battle at Cambrai and finally the Battle of St Quentin. During these engagements he was wounded and afterwards returning home he was discharged in November 1918. He holds the 1914 - 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals. Simon Long Add to this record. 1205765 Pte. Hatchett W Frank 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.28th Aug 1914) Frank Hatchett enlisted in the Queens Regiment in July 1908 and then enlisted in April 1910 as 8878 Private Edward Locke in the 1st Battalion the Lincolnshire Regiment under which name he served during WW1. He died on the 28th August 1914 and is buried in St Quentin Northern Community Cemetery. Mrs T Ford Add to this record. 218694 Sgt. Oscar Reginald Hazell MM. 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.19th Apr 1918) Oscar Hazell served with the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th April 1918, aged 22. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. We believe he died during the Lys Offensive, holding the right flank between Gris Pot and Bois Grenier. The line was just behind Hollebeque Farm. S Flynn Add to this record. 218665 Pte. James Booth 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917) James Booth served with the 8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) during WW1. He was killed in action 26th September 1917 and is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium. There is a memorial to him in the Burnley Town Cemetery. The memorial stands on top of the family grave within Burnley Town Cemetery, the soldier is in full pack and standing in a relaxed pose with one foot slightly in front of the other, his rifle is in his right hand, the rifle has snapped in half over the passing years. The memorial is white in colour and very life like, although it is not known if it is actually based on James Booth himself. The headstone has the names of his parents and the words - Also Private James Booth, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, Killed in action in France 26/09/1917. Ever remembered. Although the inscription states that he was killed in France, James Booth is buried near Ypres in Belgium. S Flynn Add to this record. 216481 CSM. Patrick McLaughlin 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1916) Patrick McLaughlin, Company Sergeant Major served in "X" Coy. 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action age 33 on the 27th March 1916. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St Paul's Church and on the Ypres(Menin Gate)Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Patrick was born and enlisted in Jarrow, son of Michael and Mary McLaughlin (nee Costella) of 32 Stanley Street Jarrow. He was married to Helena McLaughlin (nee McKenna) of 1 James Street Hebburn. 1891 census Jarrow 33 Stanley Street Jarrow Michael McLauglin age 23 born Glasgow Labourer Mary wife age 21 born Newcastle Roseanna daughter age 2 born Jarrow Margaret daughter age 2 months born Jarrow 1891 census Jarrow 30 to 36 Stanley Street Jarrow Lodging House Michael McLaughlin age 32 born Scotland Lodging House owner Mary wife age 30 born Newcastle Northumberland Rose Ann daughter age 11 born Jarrow Scholar Margaret daughter age 10 born Jarrow Scholar Patrick McLaughlin son age 8 born Jarrow Scholar Mary daughter age 4 born Blyth Northumberland 1901 census Jarrow 28 to 38 Stanley Street Jarrow Lodging House Michael McLaughlin age 42 born Scotland Lodging House owner Mary wife age 40 born Newcastle Northumberland Rose Ann daughter age 21 born Jarrow Margaret daughter age 20 born Jarrow Mary daughter age 14 born Blyth Northumberland Elizabeth daughter age 7 born Jarrow Ellen daughter age 4 born Jarrow Michael McLaughlin son age 8 months born Jarrow 1901 census Bradford Patrick Mclaughlen age 19 born Jarrow Soldier 1910 ratepayers Michael McLaughlin occupier of 30 to 36 Stanley Street Jarrow Lodging House owner Michael McLaughlin owner of 26 to 36 Stanley Street Jarrow Patrick McLaughlin occupier of 28 Stanley Street Jarrow Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216476 Pte. William McLellan 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Nov 1914) William McLellan served in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died age 29 on the 8th November 1914. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Hagle Dump Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals. William was born in Jarrow 1885, husband of Margaret McLellan nee Thompson. In the 1911 census they are living at 122 Woodhorn Road, Hirst Ashington with William(25) a miner stoneman (below ground) and his wife of 3 years Margaret(22). They have one daughter, Isabella who is 111 months old. Also living there is his brother Neil(23) same work as his older brother. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216431 Pte. Abert Melville 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Jun 1915) Albert Melville enlisted in Newcastle and served with the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died age 28 on the 16th June 1915 and is remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals. Albert was born in East Jarrow 1884(?). Am unable to find family with brothers in Jarrow. Nearest fit is family in Wallsend with mother Mary(35) born in Kenton Dumbartonshire, (husband not on form must be away that day), James(14) born in Kenton, Dumbartonshire, an office boy, Albert(10) born in Byker, David (5) born in Wallsend and Janet (1) born in Wallsend. His older brother James was also one of the fallen. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216258 Pte. William Wallace 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915) William Wallace, Private 4491, served in the 1st Battalion the Northumberland Fusiliers and died on the 16th June 1915. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and Ypres(Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. William was born in Wallsend 1879 son of William and Mary Wallace of 26 Benton Way (1881 census address). In the 1901 census the family is living at 113b Benton Way, Wallsend with William(46) a ships rivetter and Mary(46) his wife. They have 7 children living at this address. William(22) is a caulker, John(20) is a painter, Mary Burdon(17) is a dressmaker and Margaret(14) is a milliner. The 3 younger childre at school are Henry(12), Miles(10) and Vincent is 7 years old. In the 1911 census William (32) is married and living at 56b Sedley Street Wallsend with his wife Margaret (29). He is a Prudential Insurance Agent. They have no children at that date. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216138 Pte. Henry Whittaker 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Jan 1917) Henry Whittaker enlisted at Jarrow and served in X Company 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 14th January 1917 and is remembered at Newcastle upon Tyne (St Andrew's and Jesmond) Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Henry was born in Jarrow 1881, son of John and Sarah Whittaker of Hartlepool. He was married to Ada Annie Whittaker of 14 Powell's Cottages, Carr's Hill, Gateshead. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216134 2/Lt. Nathan White 29th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916) Nathan White, a Second Lieutenant, served with the 29th and 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers and died age 31 on the 1st July 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals shows his mother as next of kin. Nathan was born in Jarrow 1885, son of Martha and the late Joseph White. In the 1911 census the family is living at Palmers Gasworks where Nathan(26) is the manager. His widowed mother Martha(73) and his two sisters, Lilian(32) a dressmaker and Dora(30). Nephew Nathan Keau(12) and Niece Edna Keau(9) complete the family. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215672 Pte. William Roberts 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Apr 1917) William Roberts, Private 16491, served in the 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment and died between the 9th and 13th April 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church, Jarrow and Beaurains Road Cemetery, Beaurains, Ronville Military Cemetery, Memorial 10. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medal. He was born and lived in Jarrow. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215648 Cpl. Charles Flower Rudd 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Jan 1915) Charles Flowers Rudd, Corporal 8215 enlisted in North Shields and served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action age 31 on the 9th January 1915 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and the Ypres(Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 8 and 12. His medal card records that he was killed in action and the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Charles was born in Newcastle 1883, son of Charles and Margaret Rudd. He was married to Ada Eleanor Rudd nee Angus of 18 Birch Street, Jarrow. in the 1911 census he is living at 2 Addycombe Cottages, Rothbury, age(27) a Postman with Ada, age(29)married for 5 years and no children. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215631 Pte. Edward Roberts 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regt. (d.27th Sep 1918) Edward Grattan Roberts, Private 48843, enlisted at Barrow and served in the 8th Battalion Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). He died on the 27th September 1918 and is remembered at Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Pane 3. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals. Edward was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Elizabeth Ann Roberts nee Porter of 23 Argyll Place, Barrow and the late Edward Roberts. In the 1911 census Elizabeth Ann, born in Flintshire, (40) widow, is living at that address, and is a cleaner at a pulp works. Her son Edward Grattan Roberts (13) is a government telegraph messanger and her two daughters Mary Elizabeth,born in Jarrow, (12) and Gwendoline, born in Barrow in Furness, (6) are both attending school. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215589 Pte. Michael Riley 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Mar 1916) Michael Riley, Private 17339, enlisted at Jarrow and, after previous service in the East Yorkshire Regiment (Service No.15325), served in the 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action age 20 on the 28th March 1916. He is remembered at Elzenwalle Brasserie Cemetery. VI.B.4. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was killed in action. Michael was born in Boldon 1896, son of Anthony and Catherine Riley nee Gilfoy of Jarrow. An Ancestry search of census records for 1911 shows the family living at Gillespies Building, Bolden Colliery, Durham with Catherine(43) a widow, described as a washerwoman. she had beeen married for 20 years having 10 children, 7 of whom survived. There are 5 children, all born in Boldon Colliery, recorded at this address, 3 sons and 2 daughters all of school age except Michael who is 15 and working as a screener coal miner above ground. Vin Mullen Add to this record.

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