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4th Division    4th Division Division was initially planned to be part of the original British Expeditionary Force, but at the last minute the formation was held back in England to counter any German landing. A decision was soon taken to despatch it to France and it arrived just in time to play a valuble part at Le Cateau. The 4th Division then remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. 1914 The Battle of Le Cateau (The Division fought in this action without its Mounted Troops, Heavy Battery, Divisional Ammunition Column, Field Companies RE, Signals Company RE, Field Ambulances RAMC and Divisional Train, which were all still en route from England) The Battle of the Marne The Battle of the Aisne The Battle of Messines 1914 1915 The Second Battle of Ypres 1916 The Battle of Albert - Somme The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme 1917 The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres 1918 The First Battle of Arras 1918 - Somme The Battle of Hazebrouck in which the battalion fought in the Defence of Hinges Ridge - Battle of Lys The Battle of Bethune - Battle of Lys The Advance in Flanders The Battle of the Scarpe - Second Battles of Arras The Battle of Drocourt-Queant - Second Battles of Arras The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Battles of the Hindenburg Line The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy The Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919. The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 4th Division 10th Brigade 1st Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment 2nd Btn, Seaforth Highlanders 1st Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers left August 1917 2nd Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers left November 1916 1/7th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined January 1915, left March 1916 1/9th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined May 1915, left July 1915 The Household Battalion joined November 1916, disbanded February 1918 3/10th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined August 1917, disbanded February 1918 2nd Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined February 1918 10th Machine Gun Company formed on 22 December 1915, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918 10th Trench Mortar Battery formed June 1916 11th Brigade 1st Btn, Somerset Light Infantry 1st Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918 1st Btn, Hampshire Regiment 1st Btn, Rifle Brigade 1/5th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left May 1915 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined July 1915, left May 1916 11th Machine Gun Company formed on 23 December 1915, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918 11th Trench Mortar Battery formed in June 1916 12th Brigade 12th Brigade was attached to 36th (Ulster) Division between 4 November 1915 and 3 February 1916 in exchange for 107th Brigade 1st Btn, King's Own (Lancaster) 2nd Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left December 1914 2nd Btn, Essex Regiment 1/2nd Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined November 1914, left January 1916 but absent May to July 1915 1/5th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined February 1915, left January 1916 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regt joined March 1915, left July 1915 2nd Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined January 1916, left February 1918 12th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 24 January 1916, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918 12th Trench Mortar Battery formed 11 June 1916 107th Brigade 107th Brigade joined from 36th (Ulster) Division in temporary exchange for 12th Brigade (listed above) Divisional Troops 21st Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in June 1916 234th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 16 July 1917, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918 11th Entrenching Battalion formed 20 February 1918 from troops from disbanded 3/10th Middlesex Regiment No 4 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 26 February 1918 Divisional Mounted Troops B Squadron, 19th Hussars left April 1915 A Sqn, 1/st Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined 13 April 1915, left 11 May 1916 4th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916 Divisional Artillery XIV Brigade, RFA left January 1917 XXIX Brigade, RFA XXXII Brigade, RFA XXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left February 1915 CXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade left May 1916 4th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA 31st Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915 No 4 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 20 September 1914 to January 1915 No 2 Mountain Battery RGA attached 14 December 1914 to 21 April 1915 V.4 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed by July 1916, left 8 February 1918 X.4, Y.4 and Z.4 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in February 1916; on 8 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each Royal Engineers 7th Field Company left April 1915 9th Field Company 1st (West Lancashire) Field Company joined February 1915, left February 1916 1st (Durham) Field Company joined September 1915, later renamed 526th Field Company RE 1st (Renfrew) Field Company joined May 1916, renamed 406th Field Company RE 4th Divisional Signals Company Royal Army Medical Corps 10th Field Ambulance 11th Field Ambulance 12th Field Ambulance 4th Sanitary Section joined as 3A Section 20 February 1915, renamed in April 1916, left 29 March 1917 Other Divisional Troops 4th Divisional Train ASC 18, 25, 32, 38 Companies 4th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC 207th Divisional Employment Company joined 17 May 1917 at which time it was 4th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917 4th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined by 18 April 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916 5th August 1914 Mobilization  Mobilization of the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment took place at Colchester between the 5th and 8th of August 1914. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 9th August 1914 1st East Lancs in Training  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment are engaged in Field training and route marching at Colchester from the 9th to 17th of August. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 15th Aug 1914 Move 18th August 1914 Move 18th Aug 1914 Concentration 19th August 1914 Platoon Training for 1st East Lancs  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment spent the 19th and 20th of August 1914 engaged in Platoon training around Harrow camp. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 19th Aug 1914 Concentration 21st August 1914 1st East Lancs move  At 2100, 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, less two companies, leaves Harrow and proceeds to Southampton. Remaining two companies follow one hour later. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 22nd August 1914 1st East Lancs Cross to France  At 1205 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, under the command of Lt Col Le Marchant DSO, sailed on the Braemar Castle and arrived at Le Havre, France about 1600, but did not disembark until 2300 and went into camp just outside Le Havre. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 22nd Aug 1914 Move 23rd August 1914 1st East Lancs move to billets  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment entrained for Le Cateau at 2200 arriving about 1800 on 24th and marched to Briastre where they billeted about 2200. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 23rd Aug 1914 On the Move 24th Aug 1914 On the March 24th Aug 1914 On the Move 25th August 1914 Further moves for 1st East Lancs 25th Aug 1914 Screening 25th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement 25th August 1914 On the March 26th Aug 1914 First Australian Casualty WW1 26th August 1914 In Action 26th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement 26th Aug 1914 Shellfire 27th August 1914 Retreat from Action 27th Aug 1914 On the March 27th Aug 1914 Enemy Advance 27th August 1914 On the Move 28th August 1914 Continued withdrawals 28th Aug 1914 Rear Guard 28th of August 1914 An Exhausting March 28th Aug 1914 Enemy Advance 28th Aug 1914 On the March 29th August 1914 Further retreat 29th Aug 1914 On the March 29th of August 1914 Sleeping in the Streets 29th Aug 1914 In Action 29th Aug 1914 On the March 30th August 1914 Continued withdrawals  At 6am on the 30th August, Major Green's party rejoined 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (they had gone via Peronne) and the battalion marched via Carlepont and Bailly before which a halt of 2 hours was made for food. The march resumed via Tracy-Le-Mont and Bernevil to a railway crossing where another long halt was made. Then marched on via Trolsy, Brevil and Fontenoy, entering the edge of the forest of Compiegne just as it grew dark, a very tiring march. (One or two parties of Uhlans (German Cavalry)were supposed to be in the woods). We reached Pierrefonds at 2300 and, as it was rumoured that there was smallpox in the village, billeted in the streets. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 30th Aug 1914 Rear Guard 30th Aug 1914 Under Fire 30th Aug 1914 On the March 30th of August 1914 A Hot March 30th Aug 1914 On the March 31st August 1914 Outpost positions 31st Aug 1914 Rear Guard 31st August 1914 Continued withdrawals 31st Aug 1914 On the March 1st September 1914 Further Action 1st Sep 1914 Rear Guard 1st Sep 1914 A Rude Awakening 1st September 1914 Continued withdrawals 1st of September 1914 A Delayed March 1st Sep 1914 On the March 1st Sep 1914 On the March 1st September 1914 Move 2nd September 1914 Further retreat 2nd Sep 1914 Rear Guard 2nd Sep 1914 On the March 2nd September 1914 Continued withdrawals 2nd of September 1914 An Early March 2nd Sep 1914 On the March 3rd September 1914 Continued withdrawals 3rd Sep 1914 Rear Guard 3rd Sep 1914 On the March 3rd September 1914 Continued withdrawals 3rd of September 1914 Across the Marne 3rd Sep 1914 On the March 4th September 1914 Relocation 4th Sep 1914 Rear Guard 4th Sep 1914 On the March 4th Sep 1914 At Rest 5th September 1914 Rear guard retires 5th Sep 1914 Rear Guard 5th Sep 1914 On the March 6th September 1914 End of Retreat 6th Sep 1914 Advance Guard 6th Sep 1914 On the March 7th September 1914 Further moves 7th Sep 1914 Advance Guard 7th Sep 1914 On the March 8th Sep 1914 Advance Guard 8th Sep 1914 On the March 8th of September 1914 An Early March 9th September 1914 Battle of Marne 9th Sep 1914 Bridging 9th September 1914 Ongoing Action 9th of September 1914 On the Move 10th September 1914 Battle of Marne 10th Sep 1914 Bridging 10th September 1914 Davance 10th of September 1914 Marching 12th September 1914 On the March 12th September 1914 Bad Weather 12th of September 1914 A Wet March 13th September 1914 Continued Advance 13th September 1914 Strong Opposition 13th of September 1914 A Showery March 14th September 1914 Ongoing actions 14th September 1914 Further Advance 15th Sep 1914 Shelling 15th September 1914 Shelling 16th Sep 1914 Entrenching 16th September 1914 Difficulties 17th September 1914  17th Sep 1914 Entrenching 17th of September 1914 Artillery Reinforced 18th Sep 1914 Trench Work 18th Sep 1914 Reorganisation 19th September 1914 Attack Repulsed 20th September 1914 Reliefs 21st Sep 1914 Defences 21st September 1914 Attacks 22nd September 1914 All Quiet 22nd September 1914 Reliefs 23rd September 1914 Patrols 24th September 1914 Artillery Exchange 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 Quiet spell 6th Oct 1914 Outflanking Manoeuver 6th October 1914 Further moves 10th Oct 1914 1st East Lancs on the march   At 1400 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment marched to Magny (Compiegne) via La Croix St Ouen arriving at 1900. During this march we passed through St Sauveur and were recognised by the inhabitants. At 2215 Entrained but did not leave until 0145. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 12th Oct 1914 Enemy Encountered 13th Oct 1914 On the March 13th Oct 1914 In Action 14th Oct 1914 On the March 15th October 1914 Further moves   18th October 1914 Relief action 18th Oct 1914 Advance 19th Oct 1914 Entrenching 19th Oct 1914 Digging In 20th October 1914 Ongoing Action 20th Oct 1914 Attack 21st October 1914 Ongoing Action 22nd Oct 1914 Enemy attack 23rd Oct 1914 Attack 27th Oct 1914 Defensive improvements 30th Oct 1914 4th Divison under pressure  On the 30th of October 1914 the German forces launched an attack on the line from from le Gheer to the river Douve in the souther Ypres Sector. The British 4th Division extended its line from St. Yves to Messines, now covering a front of 12 miles. At St. Yves, German Infantry broke through, but the advance was halted by a counter attack by the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry under the command of Major C B Prowse. (Prowse Point Cemetery which was later built on the site, was named after him.) 30th Oct 1914 Enemy attacks repulsed 30th Oct 1914 Under Shellfire 31st Oct 1914 More enemy bombardment 1st Nov 1914 Continued enemy attacks 1st Nov 1914 Entrenching 1st November 1914 On the Move   3rd of November 1914  Situation Report   7th Nov 1914 Continued Action 8th Nov 1914 Into Support   9th Nov 1914 Defensive casualties 9th Nov 1914 In Support 14th Nov 1914 Courts Martial   17th Nov 1914 Trench Difficulties 18th Nov 1914 1st East Lancs rest 18th Nov 1914 Bridges and Trenches 19th Nov 1914 Snow 19th of November 1914 Movements    21st of November 1914 Regiments Under-strength   22nd Nov 1914 Reinforcements 1st Dec 1914 Royal Visit  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment enjoy a quiet time from the 1st to 18th of December, with occasional shelling. On the 2nd December, B coy under Lieutenants Wade and Parker was inspected by H.M the King at Pont De Nieppe. Lt Col Lawrence as acting Brigadier was in command of the 11th Infantry Brigade parade. Capt C. Fletcher was wounded on the 3rd and Lt Col Lawrence rejoined the battalion on the 10th. On the 11th December the war diary records: D. Bent was awarded the Victoria Cross. (Drummer Spencer John Bent - see below). Capt G.M. Smith was wounded on the 15th. Spencer John Bent VC, MM (18 March 1891, 3 May 1977) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was 23 years old and a drummer in the 1st Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On the night of 1/2 November 1914 near Le Gheer, Belgium, when his officer, the platoon sergeant and a number of men had been struck down, Drummer Bent took command of the platoon and with great presence of mind and coolness succeeded in holding the position. He had previously distinguished himself on two occasions, on 22 and 24 October by bringing up ammunition under heavy shell and rifle fire. Again, on 3 November, he brought into cover some wounded men who were lying, exposed to enemy fire, in the open. He later achieved the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major. He survived the war and died on 3 May 1977. Bent was cremated at West Norwood Cemetery, London. Bent's VC, along with his Military Medal and Russian Cross of St. George was sold at auction in June 2000 for £80,000. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 5th December 1914 Quiet 8th of December 1914 Poor Conditions 9th December 1914 Uniforms 11th of December 1914  Battalions Strengthened   12th of December 1914 No Incidents    13th of December 1914 Wire Cut   15th of December 1914  Operations Resumed   16th of December 1914  Instruction   18th Dec 1914 Wet Weather 19th Dec 1914 British attack 19th Dec 1914 Attack Made 19th Dec 1914 Attack Made 19th of December 1914 Demonstration 26th of December 1914 Messines Square Targetted    29th of December 1914 Report   1st Jan 1915 Quiet opening to 1915 4th of January 1915 Trench Work   5th of January 1915 Hostile Patrol Engaged   11th of January 1915 Six Direct Hits   22nd of January 1915 Aeroplane-Aided Shelling   1st Feb 1915 All Quiet 4th of February 1915  Message   15th of February 1915 Heavy Rain 20th of February 1915 A Violent Explosion   1st March 1915 Still fairly quiet at front 5th of March 1915   "Active and Nervous" Enemy    6th of March 1915  No Hostile Patrols    7th of March 1915  A Searchlight Hit    8th of March 1915  Relief   10th March 1915 Defences 11th of March 1915 Mortar Shells   13th of March 1915 Booby Trap   14th March 1915 Defensive adjustments 14th of March 1915 Artillery Quiet   15th of March 1915  Active Artillery    19th March 1915 On the March 19th Mar 1915 Change of Routine 19th of March 1915  Patrols   20th Mar 1915 Training 20th of March 1915     21st Mar 1915 Defence Adjusted 27th of March 1915 German Air Activity   28th of March 1915 German Guns Active   31st Mar 1915 Quiet 1st April 1915 Training and relief spells 5th Apr 1915 Reliefs 11th Apr 1915 Reliefs 15th April 1915 Relief and relocation 23rd Apr 1915 Orders 25th Apr 1915 Confusion 26th Apr 1915 Confusion 27th Apr 1915 Reinforcements 28th Apr 1915 Counter Attack 29th Apr 1915 Line Extended 1st May 1915 Trench actions 3rd May 1915 Ongoing action and withdrawal 3rd May 1915 Orders 3rd May 1915 Heavy Shelling   4th May 1915 Withdrawal 5th of May 1915 Artillery Support 5th May 1915 Orders 7th May 1915 Relief Planned  With a view to the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment relieving the Monmouth Regt in the front line the HQ officers, company commanders and machine gun officers visited this regiments lines in the trenches at about 2300. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 10th May 1915 Ongoing defensive adjustments  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment 10th May 1915 Situation as before but not such heavy shelling as on 9th. 3 platoons of B coy, which had occupied a trench in front of our wire, filled in this trench and 2 platoons joined D coy in reserve while the third dug in as immediate support to A coy on the left. 11th May D coy and B coy less 1 platoon in the breastworks dug in on a new support line 200 yards in rear of the front line. 12th May Steady bombardment of the trenches with Jack Johnsons continued throughout most of the day. A coy suffered severely. Note: Jack Johnsons was a nickname for the impact of German 150mm shells. Jack Johnson (1878-1946) was the name of the popular U.S. (born in Texas) world heavyweight boxing champion who held the title from 1908-15. 1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1 13th May 1915 Ongoing Action 13th of May 1915 Orders   14th May 1915 Intense fighting 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 of May 1915 Report   16th of May 1915 Report 16th May 1915 Reliefs 17th May 1915 Working Parties 17th May 1915 In Support 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 Reliefs 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 May 1915 Working Parties and Reorganisation 21st May 1915 Working Parties 21st May 1915 Working Parties  At 1.25pm. Instructions received by 149 Brigade Hq at Hospital Ferme for working parties to be found as under: Party A: 200 men to parade at 8pm in their bivouacs for work on French switch line under Lt Green RE. Party B: 100 men to parade at 8pm in their bivouacs for work on Divisional second line under Lt Martel RE Party C: 200 men to parade at 7pm in their bivouacs for work on Divisional second line under Lt Brotherton RE. 2.30pm. Orders issued to 4th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish Parties A & B and to 7th Bn to furnish Party C. Instruction received from 50th Division for the formation of a Brigade Grenadier School. 4th Division asked whether it would be possible to send 1 officer and 2 NCO's to Division support line. 149th Brigade war diary 23rd May 1915 Working Parties   23rd May 1915 Working Parties   24th of May 1915 Gas attack 24th of May 1915 Holding the line   24th of May 1915 Enemy occupy farm   24th of May 1915 Into attack 24th of May 1915 Holding the line   24th of May 1915 Zeppelin being followed   24th May 1915 On the Move   24th May 1915 On the Move  At 3:50am Orders received from 4th Division for the Brigade to be prepared to move at once if ordered. Enemy using gas. 03:55 4th 6th and 7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, the other two Battalions of the Brigade being detached, were ordered to get ready to march at once. 04:10 Orders received from 4th Division to direct the three Battalions of the Brigade to march at once via Reigersburg Sq. H6B to Canal bank at No 2 Bridge. Commanding officers to ride on and report to G.O.C. 10th Brigade for orders. 04:15 Orders issued in accordance with above. 05:00 7th Battalion moved off via dug outs in B27d to Reigersburg and joined 4th Battalion there. 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers followed 7th Battalion and arrived 06:35. 06:35 4th Battalion received orders to move to canal bank. 06:45 message sent to 10th Brigade to say that both 6th and 7th Battalions had arrived at Reigersburg. Both Battalions remained in dug outs along the railway line H6B. 10:30 O.C. 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers received orders from 10th Brigade to proceed to Canal Bank. 13:30 O.C. 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers received orders from 10th Brigade to proceed to Canal Bank. H.Q. remained at Reigersburg Chateau until 21:30 when they returned to Hopital Farm. 149th Brigade war diary 25th May 1915 In Support 25th of May 1915 A Fine Day   27th May 1915 Orders 28th May 1915 Instruction 29th May 1915 Instruction 30th May 1915 Instruction 31st May 1915 Zeppelin 2nd of June 1915  5th of June 1915 Artillery Joined Division July 1915 Appointments 11th of September 1915 Moves 11th of September 1915 Changes of Command   14th of September 1915 To the Somme 14th of September 1915 More RFA Movement 14th Sep 1915 On the Move   15th Sep 1915 New Positions   16th Sep 1915 Registration Commenced   17th of September 1915 Advance Units Arrive   9th of October 1915  10th of October 1915  12th of October 1915 Instruction 13th of October 1915 First Casualties 18th of October 1915 Instruction 20th of October 1915 Moves 22nd of October 1915 An Appointment 25th of October 1915 Royal Inspection 26th of October 1915 More Instruction 1st of November 1915 Marching Orders 3rd of November 1915 Moving to Billets   4th of November 1915 More Moves 7th of November 1915 Present Stations 8th of November 1915 RE Reliefs 15th November 1915 In the trenches 15th of November 1915 Further Trench Instruction 17th November 1915 Second Party to Trenches 18th of November 1915 Orders 21st November 1915 Final Party on Fatigues 21st of November 1915 Move 25th of November 1915 Orders 14th of December 1915 Trench Mortar Batteries 8th of January 1916 Moves   15th of January 1916 Divisional Transfers 30th of January 1916 Ordered to Move to Trenches 31st of January 1916 A Temporary Corps Attachment 2nd of February 1916 Moving to the Trenches   7th February 1916 Road Control   7th of February 1916 New Sector   9th February 1916 Divisional Troops Attachments 11th February 1916 On the Move 15th February 1916 Observation Posts   16th February 1916 Move 24th of February 1916 Snowy Weather   27th of February 1916 36th Divisional Artillery Arrive 28th of February 1916 Changes to the Front   29th of February 1916 Into Gun Positions 3rd March 1916 Routine work 3rd of March 1916 Divisional Artillery Relieved   4th March 1916 Move 5th of March 1916 173rd Bde take over 5th March 1916 Further Parties Return 5th of March 1916 Relief Completed   14th March 1916 Routine Work 15th March 1916 Return of working parties to the Company 16th March 1916 Further quiet spell 20th March 1916 Work interrupted 21st March 1916 Routine work for Company 31st March 1916 Reports 1st April 1916 Observation Points   26th Apr 1916 Trench Work   1st of June 1915 Appreciation 20th June 1916 Visit 21st June 1916 Orders 22nd June 1916 Recce 23rd June 1916 Roads 24th June 1916 Dugout 25th June 1916 Shelling 30th Jun 1916 Preparations   Soldiers of the 16th (Public Schools) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment of the 29th Division parading at 'White City' opposite Hawthorn Ridge for the attack on Beaumont Hamel. Behind them is a group from the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders of the 4th Division. © IWM (Q 796) The officer in the middle left (with his back to camera, removing his cap) is Second Lieutenant Norman Frank Currall of the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. IWM 1st July 1916 Roads, Bridges and Railways   1st July 1916 Bombardment   2nd July 1916 Trenches in Poor State   3rd July 1916 Repairs   23rd August 1916 Reliefs   24th August 1916 Reliefs   25th August 1916 Shelling   29th August 1916 Mine Fired   2nd September 1916 Reliefs   20th of February 1917  3rd Mar 1917 Orders 4th Mar 1917 On the March 5th Mar 1917 On the March 20th of August 1917    27th Sep 1917 Instructions   29th Sep 1917 Instructions   3rd Oct 1917 Orders   3rd Oct 1917 Instructions   3rd Oct 1917 Instructions   3rd Oct 1917 Instructions   3rd Oct 1917 Instructions   1st Nov 1917 Construction   2nd Nov 1917 Shelling   3rd Nov 1917 New Trench   4th Nov 1917 Trench Work   5th Nov 1917 Construction Work   6th Nov 1917 Construction   7th Nov 1917 Construction Work   8th Nov 1917 Construction Work   9th Nov 1917 Construction Work   10th Nov 1917 Construction Work   11th Nov 1917 Trench Work   12th Nov 1917 Trench Work   13th Nov 1917 Drainage   18th November 1917 Brigade Operational Order No. 50.   18th November 1917 45th Infantry Brigade Operation Order No.50.   24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation 21st Jan 1918 Course 5th Feb 1918 Course Ends 13th Feb 1918 Personnel 21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation 1st March 1918 Extracts from the Diary of Brevet-Colonel G.S.col1ison, D.S.O. Pt.5. 31st of March 1918 Relief Completed   21st April 1918 Conference at 4th Divisional H.Q.   5th Aug 1918 Patrols   7th Aug 1918 Reliefs Complete   23rd Sep 1918  If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 4th Division? There are:379 items tagged 4th 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 4th Division during the Great War 1914-1918. Adams Herbert. L/Sgt. 1st Btn. Behan Michael William. CQMS 1st Btn. (d.8th Oct 1917) Cutbush Charles. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.3rd May 1915) Eldridge Albert John Walter. Cpl. 1st Btn. (d.22nd Apr 1918) Farr James William. Rfmn. 1st Btn. Fenny George William. 2nd Lt. 126th Battery, 29th Brigade Glasgow Robert. Pte. (d.4th November 1916) Leech James Thomas. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.28th Apr 1916) Mahon John Joseph. Pte. 2nd Btn. McCrory Samuel. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916) Mitcheson John George. L/Cpl. 1st Btn. (d.10th April 1917) Paice Nathaniel John. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.24th Jul 1918) Payne Archibald Mark. 1st Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916) Peterson John Christopher. Sgt. 526 (1st Durham) Field Coy. (d.20th Jul 1917) Ronaldson Thomas. Sgt. 526 (1st Durham) Field Coy. (d.17th Apr 1917) Tiddy William Isaac Stanley. Spr. 9th Field Company Weir Thomas Henderson. Mjr. 526(1st Durham) Field Coy. (d.8th May 1918) West William. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.9th Apr 1917) Wildman Harry. Dvr. 4th Div. Train (d.5th Apr 1918) Youd John. Spr. 1/1st West Lancashire Field Company 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. 1206323 Cpl. Albert John Walter Eldridge 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.22nd Apr 1918) Albert Eldridge was my Grandfather. He enlisted on 22nd September 1914 and apparently was shot and killed by a sniper whilst being stretchered to hospital. He left a wife, 4 daughters and a son, my father. He is buried in Pont du Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, near Le Bassee, France. DC Eldridge Add to this record. 1206277 L/Sgt. Herbert Adams MM & Bar. 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment Herbert Adams served with the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1. Ernie Add to this record. 1206113 Pte. Samuel McCrory 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916) My great uncle Pte. Samuel McCrory served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, part of the 36th Ulster Division and was killed on the 1st July 1916. Samuel McCrory, Army number 395 has no known grave but is recorded on the Thiepval Monument and he came from the Donegal Road area of South Belfast. Add to this record. 1205984 Pte. John Joseph Mahon 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers My Granddad John Joseph Mahon enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on the 15 August 1913 and landed with the British Expedition Force in France on the 22/26 August 1914. He was shot and wounded at the Battle of Le Cateau on the 27th August 1914, taken prisoner and was a POW till the 2nd November 1918 after which he was demobbed on the 5th February 1919. Thomas Murphy Add to this record. 256674 Pte. Charles Cutbush 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd May 1915) Entrenched Between Devils Cross Roads and Douchy Farm, half a mile north of Zonnebeke. Charles Cutbush was killed in the Second Battle of Ypres and is Honoured on The Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. He still remains entrenched with his comrades till this day, not known to his grandchildren but never forgotten. Peter Cutbush Add to this record. 255598 Pte. Robert Glasgow 2nd Btn. (d.4th November 1916) My great grandfather, Robert Glasgow, had been in France for almost a year before being wounded at the Battle of the Somme when he was taken to a field hospital and later transferred to a military hospital in Rouen where he succumbed to his wounds on Saturday 4th of November 1916, age 33 leaving a young widow and 3 children. He is buried in St. Server Cemetery Extension, Rouen in France. Mark Glasgow Add to this record. 255326 Spr. John Youd 1/1st West Lancashire Field Company Royal Engineers John Youd of Widnes served as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers. We have all his WW1 diaries. It starts on the 13th of November 1914 with, arrived in Blackpool. He came home safe. Steven Evanson Add to this record. 220484 Rfmn. James William Farr 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade James Farr was my maternal great Grandfather and an "Old Contemptible". James was born in 1884 and enlisted on 14th October,1902 into the 1st battalion of the Rifle Brigade. When the UK declared war on 5th August, the Brigade was stationed in Colchester and was initially held in reserve in England (to guard against a possible German invasion). With the invasion fears dispelled the Brigade embarked for Europe and landed in Le Harve on 23rd August 1914. James and the Battalion were immediately committed to combat operations and fought in the battle of Le Catteau on the 26th August covering the retreat of the BEF from Mons. James was wounded in the arm during the battle and became one of over two thousand men who were captured by the advancing German forces and all within 3 days of arriving in France. Unlike many of the Old Contemptibles in the BEF, James survived the war although his left arm was largely useless thereafter. James passed away in 1955. Kevin Malpass Add to this record. 219865 Pte. James Thomas Leech 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.28th Apr 1916) James Thomas Leech served with the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment and was killed in action on the 28th April 1916, aged 20. He is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. James was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Leech, of 140, Crockett's Rd., Handsworth, Birmingham. S Flynn Add to this record. 219476 Pte. William West 5th Btn. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.9th Apr 1917) Billy West, was my great uncle who was killed in action at the Battle of Arras aged 20. There is little else known about him other than he was in the 5th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks and is buried in the Tolloy Cemetery. J Biddle Add to this record. 218796 Spr. William Isaac Stanley Tiddy 9th Field Company Royal Engineers Stanley was a regular who joined the army in 1908, he served with 9th Field Company, Royal Engineers during WW1. He seems to have been wounded in 1915 and in 1917 he was returned to the UK as class W to work as a shipwright later that year receiving a Silver Badge. Although his discharge does not mention shell shock, he was sectioned in June 1917 as being of unsound mind, having attempted suicide and unable to look after himself. He then seems to have spent the remaining 40 years of his life in Oakwood Hospital in Kent. Shaun Cornish Add to this record. 218664 Archibald Mark Payne 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916) Archibald Payne served with the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 1st July 1916, aged 22. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was the son of William and Betsy Payne, of 76, Anglesea Rd., Shirley, Southampton. Eric Payne Add to this record. 216921 CQMS Michael William Behan 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.8th Oct 1917) Michael William Behan served with the 1st Battalion The Hampshire Regiment and died from his wounds on the 8th October 1916 aged 42 years. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge. Michael was the son of Hannah Behan, of 15, Upper Stephen St., Dublin. S Flynn Add to this record. 216411 L/Cpl. John George Mitcheson 1st Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) (d.10th April 1917) John George Mitcheson enlisted at Runcorn and served in the 1st Battalion, Kings Own(Royal Lancaster Regiment). He died on the 10th April 1917 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals. John was born in Jarrow 1876, son of William and Elizabeth Mitcheson. In the 1911 census the family is living at Fernlea Cheshyres Lane, Weston with William(70) a joiner in chemical manufacturers and his wife of 40 years Eliza(60) who had 4 children all survived with 3 living at home all single. Daughter Georgy(38), sons John(34)a bricklayer and William(30) a labourer both at the chemical Works. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216126 Mjr. Thomas Henderson Weir MC. 526(1st Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.8th May 1918) Thomas Henderson Weir, Major, MC. served with 526 (1st Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers and died age 35 on the 8th May 1918. He is remembered at Jarrow Cemetery and Chocques Mlitary Cemetery. IV.A.15. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. He was also awarded the Military Cross. Thomas was born in Hartlepool 1882, son of James Johnstone Weir(Physician and Surgeon)and Maria Cameron Weir of Jarrow. He was married to Alice Weir nee Rumbelow of 91 Rusthall Avenue, Bedford Park, London. In the 1911 census his parents were living at Crayil Lea, Jarrow with his sister Maria(31) single, a dispensing chemist, also a neice and a boarder. His parents had been married for 36 years having eight children, but only 3 were still living. Thomas was living in London at his wife's address above. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215758 Sgt. Thomas Ronaldson 526 (1st Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.17th Apr 1917) Thomas Ronaldson, Sergeant 470095, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 526th (1st Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was killed in action age 27 on the 17th April 1917 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Hervin Farm British Cemetery, St Laurent-Blangy. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was killed in action. Thomas was born in Jarrow 1889 and was married to Edith Ronaldson nee Biddle of Jarrow. In the 1911 census they were living at 79 Croft Terrace, Jarrow. Thomas(22) was a brass tube caster's helper in a brass and copper tube works. His wife Edith(19) of under one year was born in Birmingham. They had no children and his mother-in-law Sarah Jane Biddle(46) widow was staying there as well. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215374 Sgt. John Christopher Peterson 526 (1st Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.20th Jul 1917) John Christopher Peterson enlisted at Jarrow and served in 526 (1st Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. He died on the 20th July 1917 and had been awarded the Bronze Medal for Valour (Italy). John was the son of John Christopher and Mary Elizabeth Peterson of 9 Bridge Street, Jarrow and in the 1911 census he was living with his widowed mother Mary (35). John was 17 and a general labourer at a brass and copper tubing factory. There were 3 younger sons and 3 younger sisters all of school age. John also has service with the Royal engineers Territorials Service No.494. His medal card shows he was awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals. John is remembered at Palmer's Cenotaph, St. Paul's and St. Mark's Churches. He is buried in Crump Trench British Cemetery, Fampoux. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 213726 Pte. Nathaniel John Paice 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.24th Jul 1918) Private Nathaniel John Paice (25542) served in the 1st Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment during WW1. He died on the 24th July 1918. This is likely to have been as a result of action during the Second Battle of Marne a final turning point near the end of WW1. jessica Add to this record.

Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices. CROWN AND COMPANY 1911-1922. 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers Col. H. C. Wylly This volume is concerned principally with the battalion’s service in the Great War during which it fought on the Western Front in 10th Brigade, 4th Division till the end of 1916 when it was transferred to 48th Brigade of 16th(Irish) Division. The last part gives a very full and often moving description of the disbandment of the battalion. 269 officers and 4508 WOs, NCOs and men of the Regiment died during the war and an appendix lists the names of the officers showing which battalion they were serving in. There is a full list of Honours and Awards including Mentions in Despatches and foreign awards for the whole regiment. Another appendix lists the officers of the 1st and 2nd battalions serving at the time of disbandment and shows which regiments they transferred to or whether they retired. More information on: CROWN AND COMPANY 1911-1922. 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers Links Suggest a link

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