25th Division in the Great War - The Wartime Memories Project -

25th Division

Divisional History  The 25th Division in 1914-1918
The history of 25th Division
This Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division began to assemble in the area of Salisbury. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. Inspected by Lord Kitchener on 12 August 1915, the units of the Division crossed to France 25 - 30 September and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. The 25th Division thereafter served on the Western Front throughout the war, except for a period in 1918 when it underwent a major refit and reorganisation.
1916
German attack on Vimy Ridge
During this defensive fight, the Division's first Victoria Cross was won by Lieutenant Richard Jones of the 8th Loyal North Lancs. It was a posthumous award, for this officer was killed in action on 21 May 1916.
Withdrawn for rest and training, west of St Pol. Moved to the area behind the Somme front in the third week of June 1916, in the area around Warloy. Was in Fourth Army Reserve at the opening of the offensive.
The Battle of Albert (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)
7th and 75th Brigades with some supporting units received orders on 2 July to move to Aveluy Wood and Martinsart respectively, and came under orders of 32nd Division. On 3 July, 75th Brigade made a virtually unsupported and inevitably costly and unsuccessful attack in one of the awful, piecemeal, efforts to hold on to the minor gains made in the Thiepval area on 1 July. The rest of the Division relieved 32nd Division in the night of 3/4 July. More localised and equally ineffective attacks were made. On 5 July, 74th Brigade was detached for duty with 12th (Eastern) Division at La Boisselle, where it took part in an attack on Ovillers. Divisional HQ moved to Henencourt on 8 July and the following day, 25th Division took over the front held by 12th (Eastern) Division.
The Battle of Bazentin (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)
As the Somme offensive moved from its early phase (designated the Battle of Albert) to the next major push (the Battle of Bazentin), the 25th Division continued to carry out operations on a small scale in the Ovillers area. Casualties were heavy, with no gains of any significance being made. Relieved by 48th (South Midland) Division during the night 16/17 July, the Division moved to Beauval.
The Battle of Pozieres (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)
From 23 July to 10 August 1916, the Division held a sector of the line north of the River Ancre. Once again,just as in the Bazentin battle, the Division is recognised as having been in action during the Battle of Pozieres, without being in the area of most attention during the fighting. Relieved by units of 6th and Guards Divisions between 7 and 14 August, the Division moved to Bus les Artois for rest and training. Divisional HQ moved up to Hedauville on 18 August and the infantry moved into the trenches of the Leipzig Salient. A local attack by 7th Brigade on 21 August was carried out successfully, using for the first time a device known as a "push pipe mine" to destroy enemy defences before the infantry went in. Further attacks were made on 23, 25 and 26 August. On 3 September, a larger scale attack was made in support of the 4th Australian Division which was assaulting Mouquet Farm. The Division was relieved on 11 September by 11th (Northern) Division and moved by bus to Abbeville.
The Battle of the Ancre Heights (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)
On 26 September, 74th Brigade took over a sector of line immediately south of the River Ancre. The rest of the Division followed. After a series of small scale raids and operations, a major attack was made by the Division on 9 October - in appalling ground conditions - that captured the northern face of Stuff Redoubt. German counter attacks were beaten off, before another attack went in to capture "The Mounds" just north of Stuff Redoubt. Relieved and moved to Doullens area on 22/23 October 1916. On 31 October, Divisional HQ moved to Bailleul and the forward units took over the Ploegsteert sector.
1917
The first quarter of 1917 was spent in the Ploegsteert sector: a relatively quiet time punctuated by frequent raids and minor operations.
The Battle of Messines
The Division was selected to be one that would make the assault and was placed in the front line between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. The New Zealand Division was on the right and the 36th (Ulster) Division on the left of 25th Division. The attack was made by 74th Brigade on the right, 7th Brigade on the left, with 75th Brigade in close support. In addition to its own field artillery, the Division enjoyed the support of the Guards Division artillery and 34th, 93rd and 2nd New Zealand Army Field Brigades RFA. Two of the huge mines exploded at the start of the attack - those at Spanbroekmolen and Ontario Farm - fell just outside the boundaries of the Divisional front. The Division lost no fewer than 24 infantry company commanders during this action. In total, the losses in this successful action were 145 officers and 2907 men killed, wounded or missing. A further attack was carried out on 14-15 June, designed to advance the line another 800 yards. The Divisional front for this action was between the Blauwepoortebeek stream and the river Douve. Again, this was a successful action and the Division reached the line through Gapaard. On the night of 22-23 June, the Division began to withdraw and moved to rest in the area of Bomy, near St-Omer. It then moved on 7 and 8 July to Ypres, where much work began preparing for the Division's part in the next great offensive.
The Battle of Pilkem (a phase of the Third Battles of Ypres)
On 8 July 1917, Divisional HQ was established at Busseboom and came under orders of II Corps for the opening of the Third Ypres offensive. When the attack began on 31 July, 25th Division was in Corps Reserve, behind 24th, 30th and 8th Divisions which were in the front line. 7th and 75th Brigades, in place at Belgian Chateau, received orders to reinforce the attacking units as early as 0830 but were not called upon to take up the advance as expected, due to the attack being held up. 7th and 75th Brigades relieved the tired units of 8th Division in the front line of the Westhoek and Bellewaarde ridges on 1 August. On 10 August, 74th Brigade took part in the renewal of the attack. In a successful action, Westhoek was captured, although at a severe cost: 47 officers and 1244 men killed, wounded or missing. The 13th Bn, the Cheshires alone lost 19 officers and 395 men. Heavy and continuous localised fighting took place until the Division was withdrawn on 9 September 1917, whereupon it moved to the Bethune area.
At the beginning of October 1917, the artillery went into action for a few days near Lievin, in support of 11th (Northern) Division. 25th Division took over the Givenchy sector on 4 October and held it for seven weeks. The Divisional history notes the establishment of a Reinforcement Camp at Ferme du Roi. No operations of any significance took place at this time, Many Portuguese units carried out familiarisation in trench warfare while attached to the Division.
On 1 December 1917, the Division moved by train to Achiet le Grand and moved to relieve 3rd Division south of Bullecourt. It remained in this position, carrying out much work in digging a continuous front trench system, until relieved on 13 February 1918.
1918
The Division moved to the area north west of Bapaume on 13 February, becoming reserve Division to IV Corps. AS rumours of an impending enemy attack grew, 74th and 75th Brigades moved up closer to the front, at Fremicourt and Biefvillers respectively, where manual work in cable laying was undertaken.
The Battle of St Quentin (a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918)
In this battle, the units of the Division were ordered to reinforce other sorely pressed formations in a piecemeal fashion. From the opening phases of the attack until the Division was withdrawn six days later, it fought continuously under strange commanders and staffs, and not as a Division. 74th Brigade was ordered to support 51st (Highland) Division on the Bapaume-Cambrai road; 75th Brigade moved up to Favreuil to reinforce 6th Division. 7th Brigade moved up as support and took up position at Fremicourt.
The First Battle of Bapaume (a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918)
The defensive fight was continuous and confusing, as enemy units pushed forward on all sides. Carrying out a fighting withdrawal, by 26 March the Division found itself on the 1916 Somme battlefield. On that date, the Division was finally relieved and moved to Pommier and thence to Couin. By 28 March, the Brigades were south of Doullens and out - for the moment - of harm's way. The Division was desperately tired, having been in continuous action and covering on 27 and 28 March a considerable distance on foot (36 miles in 36 hours). It had also lost more than half its fighting strength: 318 officers and men dead, 1496 wounded and 1588 missing, many taken prisoner.
On 30 and 31 March, the Division entrained and moved to Caestre. (The Divisional artillery remained behind, supporting the New Zealand Division, until 7 April). Here, many reinforcements arrived, bringing the Division back up to full strength, although of course with many newly trained recruits and large numbers of 19 year-olds. The absence of experienced NCOs and troops who had worked together for a lengthy period would soon be keenly felt. In addition, many senior officer positions in the Division changed hands: the 25th Division of 9 April was a very different one to that which had been ordered forward on 21 March. The Division was once again holding the front line near Ploegsteert when the enemy struck again.
The Battle of Estaires (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)
74th Brigade was in Divisional Reserve when the enemy attacked the British positions to the south (between Armentieres and Givenchy) on 9 April 1918. It was ordered to join the defence south of Steenwerck and held on only with difficulty.
The Battle of Messines, 1918 (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)
The enemy attack broke through the British Ploegsteert and advanced along the Ypres road, endangering the garrison holding Ploegsteert Wood. Ordered to counter attack, 75th Brigade, the Royal Engineers, Machine Gun Battalion and other elements of the Division became involved in heavy fighting. With the enemy infiltrating on either side on 10 May, losses at the Catacombs of Hill 63 were serious although there were many remarkable acts as some units managed to extricate themselves and withdraw. Further retirements were forced upon the Division - which also had 100th Brigade of 33rd Division under orders - on 12 April; the forward position on this day ran through Kortepyp. The army's line of defence that ran in front of Dranoutre and Kemmel, was held by a hastily organised composite force of units and men of the Division.
The Battle of Bailleul (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)
By the morning of 13 April, 74th Brigade was established on the high ground east of Bailleul. Coming under bombardment from 0930 onwards and attacked by infantry two hours later, the Brigade fought a staunch defence - as did 7th and 75th Brigades nearby. Fighting continued throughout the 14th, and next day the high ground and the town of Bailleul itself fell to the Germans. The Division was by now thoroughly shattered: broken up, exhausted by continuous fighting for five days, and fragmented by heavy losses. A sad composite formation of what was left of 7th and 75th Brigades withdrew through Boeschepe on 16 April but were ordered up to the area south of Mont Noir in support of 34th Division.
The First Battle of Kemmel (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)
By 17/18 April it had been withdrawn to Abeele. 74th Brigade came out to Proven on 20/21 April.
The Second Battle of Kemmel (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)
There would be little rest. After four days out of the line, during which French troops had joined the line and lost on 25 April 1918 the key position of Kemmel Hill, 25th Division was ordered to reinforce and counter attack under orders of the French 2nd Cavalry Corps. The attack went in at 0300 on 26 April after a heavy overnight fall of rain. Two brigades of the artillery of 38th (Welsh) Division supported the 25th Division in this enterprise. Assisted by fog but held up by the flooded Kemmelbeek, the objectives were captured although the line of the railway could not be held and the troops consolidated. Casualties were light at first but heavier in the withdrawal from the railway position. The Divisions to the left and right fared less well, leaving 25th Division holding a narrow sector including the Le Clytte (De Klijte) - Kemmel road.
Intelligence reports began to indicate that an attack might be expected against the British positions as far north as Ypres. German shellfire opened in the early morning of 29 April but British artillery and infantry firepower from 75th Brigade broke up several enemy attempts. The line afterward became comparatively quiet, and the Division was withdrawn by 4 May to about 10 miles west of Poperinge. From the start of the Battle of the Lys on 9 April, the Division had suffered another 7702 casualties, of whom 270 were known to be dead. This was two thirds of the Division's fighting strength. Of the total, 3407 were missing. The 10th and 11th Cheshires, 4th South Staffordshires, 1st Wiltshires and 9th Loyal North Lancashires suffered particularly heavy casualties.
The Battle of the Aisne 1918
The Division entrained at Rexpoede on 9 May and undertook a long journey to Fismes, 20 miles SE of Soissons in the Champagne. It was the last of four British Divisions making up IX Corps to arrive in the area, under a plan to relieve fresh French Divisions for the north. The front line on the Chemin des Dames and south of the Aisne had been very quiet since spring 1917 and it was expected that the tired Divisions could recuperate there.
On 26 May, intelligence confirmed a heavy German attack could be expected. 25th Division was in reserve and ordered up into a closer support position.
The Allied front line on the Aisne. The 25th Division was ordered up to the area of Guyencourt - Muscourt - Ventelay, south of the River Aisne and north east of Fismes, when the enemy struck south across the Chemin des Dames.
At 0100 on 27 May 1918, a heavy German bombardment with gas and high explosive hit the entire area between the front line beyond the Chemin and Fismes itself. The infantry began to attack three hours later. The Division was instructed to hold the second line of defence, except for the poor 8th Border which was sent off to hold the Aisne bridges at Pontavert and Concevreux. By 10am, all three Brigades had come under orders of the 21st, 8th and 50th Divisions respectively, which by now were fighting for their lives north of the river. By mid-day the Germans had broken through and crossed the Aisne: the units of 25th Division were thrown piecemeal into action. They were all but destroyed. The 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, holding high ground north of the Vesle, held out to the last man. The remnants of many units were temporarily joined into composite units, fighting a withdrawal as the enemy pressed on many miles across the River Marne. Casualties between 26 May and 14 June amounted to 4338 officers and men, of whom 2511 were missing.
By 9 June, a decision had been taken to break up what was left of the Division to reinforce other formations. On 24 June, Divisional HQ with the artillery, Field Ambulances and Machine Gun Battalion entrained for Hesdin. HQ returned to England on 30 June 1918 to begin the process of rebuilding. The infantry was assigned to other Divisions. The reformed Division moved back to France in September 1918, moving at first to St Riquier near Abbeville. Late in the month, it entrained for Fourth Army, coming under XIII Corps which was by now engaged in the more or less continuous and eventually victorious advance across Picardy.
The Battle of Beaurevoir (a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line)
Marching up from between Amiens and Albert to Templeux-le-Guerard, the Brigades took up position on 3 October at Ronssoy, Moislains and Nurlu, preparatory to an attack on the enemy's defensive line at Beaurevoir. Fighting for the well defended position went on until 7 October, by which time a 3000 yard advance had been made despite heavy casualties. 508 German prisoners were taken.
The Battle of Cambrai 1918 (a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line)
8 October proved to be a highly successful day for the Division, which made a fine advance in the area of Ponchaux with few casualties.
The Pursuit to and Battle of the Selle (phases of the Final Advance in Picardy)
The following days followed a similar pattern as the Division pressed through Honnechy and St Benin, although losses mounted. The Division was relieved during the night 11/12 October by 50th Division. The Division rested in the area Serain - Premont - Ellincourt until 16 October.
The Battle of the Sambre (phases of the Final Advance in Picardy)
In this action, the Division fought the passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal at Landrecies. The crossing of the canal was a considerable feat: it was 55 feet wide and over 6 feet deep. Fortunately, wooden foot bridges left by the Germans were captured quickly, thanks to a brilliant rapid advance in which the suppression of stubborn machine gun posts was a feature. Many prisoners and stores were taken in Landrecies itself. The advance pressed on next day across the Petit Helpe river. In all, the Division moved forward 12 miles in difficult country, including the Bois l'Eveque, halfway between Le Cateau and the Foret de Mormal. The Division was relieved by 66th Division in the night of 7/8 November.
1919
Casualties in the operations since returning to France were 5289 in all. After the signing of he Armistice on 11 November 1918, the Division moved to billets in the area of Le Cateau and began salvage work near Cambrai two weeks later. Some 3000 men who had enlisted after 1 January 1916 were transferred to units going forward as part of the Army of Occupation of the Rhine. By 1 March 1919, all men who had enlisted before 1916 had been sent home for demobilisation.
The Division was demobilised by 28 March 1919, having suffered 48,300 casualties during the war.
The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 25th Division
74th Brigade from formation to mid 1918

11th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers disbanded August 1918
13th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment disbanded August 1918
8th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment left November 1914
8th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left October 1915
9th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left June 1918
2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined October 1915, left November 1917
74th Machine Gun Company joined on 17 March 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
74th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 17 June 1916
3rd Bn, the Worcestershire Regiment joined November 1917, left June 1918
74th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
2/7th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined June 1918, disbanded July 1918
21st Bn, the Middlesex Regiment joined June 1918
9th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined September 1918
11th Bn, the Sherwood Foresters joined September 1918
13th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined September 1918
74th Trench Mortar Battery see above

75th Brigade from formation to mid 1918

10th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left October 1915
11th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left as a cadre June 1918
8th Bn, the Border Regiment left June 1918
8th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
2nd Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment joined October 1915, left June 1918
75th Machine Gun Company joined on 15 March 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
75th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916
75th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
On 9 September 1918, the Brigade was renumbered as 236th Brigade and was placed under orders for service in North Russia. It left the 25th Division at this point and sailed from Dundee on 17 October 1918.
1/6th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined May 1918, left July 1918
17th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment ) joined June 1918
11th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined June 1918
6th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined June 1918
13th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined June 1918
A new 75th Brigade was formed on 17 September 1918
1/8th Bn, the Royal Warwicks joined September 1918
1/8th Bn, the Worcesters joined September 1918
75th Trench Mortar Battery see above

76th Brigade - left to join 3rd Division on 15 October 1915

8th Bn, the King's Own
10th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
6th Bn, the South Wales Borderers left February 1915
10th Bn, the Welsh Regiment joined and left in September 1914
7th Bn, the ing's Shropshire Light Infantry
13th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined February 1915

7th Brigade - joined from 3rd Division in exchange for 76th Brigade on 18 October 1915

10th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left as a cadre July 1918
3rd Bn, the Worcestershire Regiment left November 1917
2nd Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment left to join 75th Brigade a week after Brigade joined Division
8th Bn, the Loyal North Lancahire Regiment disbanded February 1918
1st Bn, the Wiltshire Regiment left June 1918
2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles left to join 74th Brigade a week after Brigade joined Division
7th Machine Gun Company joined on 12 January 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
7th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 17 July 1916
4th Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment joined October 1917, left June 1918
7th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
13th Bn, the East Surrey Regiment joined as cadre in, June 1918, disbanded November 1918
9th Bn, the Devonshire Regiment joined September 1918
20th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1918
21st Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1918
7th Trench Mortar Battery see above

Divisional Troops

13th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1914, left October 1914
13th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined October 1914, left February 1915
8th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment joined November 1914, left March 1915
6th Bn, the South Wales Borderers joined as Divisional pioneer battalion February 1915, left June 1918
8th Bn, the Leicestershire Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918
11th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918, became Divisional pioneer battalion October 1918
195th Machine Gun Company joined 16 December 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
25th Machine Gun Battalion created 1 March 1918, left 23 July 1918, rejoined 19 October 1918
100 (Warwicks and South Notts Yeomanry) Machine Gun Battalion joined 2 October 1918, left 19 October 1918

Divisional Mounted Troops
RHQ and B Sqn, the Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry joined summer 1915, left May 1916
Divisional Artillery
The Divisional artillery remained in France when the rest of the Division returned to England for re-fit after severe casualties in June 1918. It was attached in succession to Third Army, then IV Corps and III Corps in Fourth Army. On 31 July 1918, it covered 58th Division, and between 4 and 30 August 1918 12th Division, where it took part ion the Battles of Amiens and Albert. On 30 August it transferred to 47th Division, taking part in the Second Battle of Bapaume. The Divisional Artillery subsequently covered the 58th, 74th and 12th Divisions. CX Brigade took part in the Battle of Epehy. On 25 September, it transferred to the Australian Corps and took part in the Battle of the Saint-Quentin Canal, then rejoined the 25th Division on 4 October 1918.

CX Brigade, RFA between 26 May and 4 June 1918, attached to 8th Division
CXI Brigade, RFA broken up 27 November 1916
CXII Brigade, RFA between 26 May and 21 June 1918, attached to 21st Division
CXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left 14 February 1917
25th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France
25th Divisional Ammunition Column the four Brigade Ammunition Columns amalgamated into DAC in May 1916
W.25 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined by 17 July 1916, broken up 4 March 1918
X.25, Y.25 and Z.25 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined by 19 April 1916; on 4 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each)

Royal Engineers

93rd Field Company left February 1915
94th Field Company left February 1915
106th Field Company joined January 1915
105th Field Company joined February 1915
130th Field Company joined May 1915
25th Divisional Signals Company

Royal Army Medical Corps

75th Field Ambulance
76th Field Ambulance
77th Field Ambulance
42nd Sanitary Section left 18 April 1917

Other Divisional Troops

25th Divisional Train ASC 198, 199, 200 and 201 Companies, joined November 1914.
37th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
225th Divisional Employment Company joined 21 May 1917
25th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 14 November 1915, merged into Divisional workshops 7 April 1916

A history of the Division was written by Lieutenant Colonel M. Kincaid-Smith while the war was still in progress. It does not cover any period before July 1916 and it must be said is not among the best of Divisional histories. This can perhaps be excused by the fact that it was written by 5 March 1919. The book includes long lists of gallantry awards, with selected citations even down to those for awards of the Military Medal.

28th May 1915 On the March

29th May 1915 On the March

30th May 1915 On the March

Jul 1915 Training Instruction

Jul 1915 Billets

24th Sep 1915 Advance Party

24th Sep 1915 On the Move

25th Sep 1915 On the Move

25th Sep 1915 On the Move

26th Sep 1915 At Rest

27th Sep 1915 On the Move

27th Sep 1915 On the Move

27th Sep 1915 On the Move

28th of September 1915

28th of September 1915 Orders

28th September 1915 Orders

28th September 1915 Orders

28th Sep 1915 On the Move

28th Sep 1915 On the Move

28th Sep 1915 On the Move

29th September 1915 Orders

29th Sep 1915 On the March

29th Sep 1915 In Billets

29th Sep 1915 Instruction

30th September 1915 Artillery Orders

30th September 1915 Trench Work

30th September 1915 Orders

30th Sep 1915 In Billets

30th Sep 1915 Instruction

30th Sep 1915 Instruction

1st of October 1915 Unchanged

1st Oct 1915 In Billets

2nd of October 1915 Orders

2nd of October 1915 Orders

2nd of October 1915 Orders

2nd October 1915 Orders

2nd Oct 1915 In Billets

3rd of October 1915 Quiet

3rd of October 1915 Orders

3rd of October 1915 Orders

3rd Oct 1915 On the March

3rd Oct 1915 Reliefs

4th Oct 1915 Instruction

4th Oct 1915 Quiet

5th of October 1915 Orders

5th of October 1915 Orders

5th Oct 1915 Instruction

6th of October 1915 Orders

6th Oct 1915 Instruction

8th Oct 1915 Lecture

9th Oct 1915 Reliefs

10th Oct 1915 Instruction

11th Oct 1915 Machine Guns

13th of October 1915 Ammunition

13th Oct 1915 Demonstration

14th Oct 1915 Reliefs

14th Oct 1915 Casualties

15th Oct 1915 Reliefs

16th Oct 1915 In Reserve

17th Oct 1915 In Reserve

18th Oct 1915 Shelling

19th October 1915 Ammunition

19th Oct 1915 Working Parties

20th Oct 1915 Working Parties

21st Oct 1915 Inspection

21st Oct 1915 Reliefs

22nd Oct 1915 Casualty

23rd Oct 1915 Orders

24th Oct 1915 In the Trenches

25th Oct 1915 Reliefs

26th Oct 1915 Change of Billets

27th Oct 1915 Inspection

28th October 1915 Defence Lines

28th Oct 1915 Working Parties

29th of October 1915 Orders

29th Oct 1915 Working Parties

30th Oct 1915 Working Parties

31st Oct 1915 Working Parties

1st Nov 1915 Reliefs

2nd November 1915 Ammunition

2nd Nov 1915 Very Wet

3rd Nov 1915 Very Wet Weather

4th Nov 1915 Very Wet

5th Nov 1915 Shelling

6th November 1915 Allotment

6th Nov 1915 Trench Work

7th November 1915 Orders

7th November 1915 Orders Issued

7th Nov 1915 Reliefs

8th Nov 1915 Baths

9th Nov 1915 Working Party

10th Nov 1915 Working Parties

11th Nov 1915 Working Parties

12th Nov 1915 Working Parties

13th Nov 1915 Reliefs

14th Nov 1915 Hard Frost

15th Nov 1915 Trench Work

16th Nov 1915 Trench Work

17th Nov 1915 Artillery in Acton

18th Nov 1915 Shelling

19th Nov 1915 Reliefs

20th Nov 1915 Cleaning up

21st Nov 1915 Working Parties

22nd Nov 1915 Working Parties

23rd Nov 1915 Working Parties

24th Nov 1915 Bombardment

25th Nov 1915 Hard Frost

26th Nov 1915 Hard Frost

27th Nov 1915 Hard Frost

28th Nov 1915 Hard Frost

29th Nov 1915 Reliefs

30th Nov 1915 Baths

19th Dec 1915 Trench Raid

24th Dec 1915 Reliefs

25th Dec 1915 White Flag

19th Jan 1916 Attack Made

20th Jan 1916 Baths

23rd Jan 1916 Reliefs

24th Jan 1916 On the March

25th Jan 1916 Inspections

26th Jan 1916 Training and Football

27th Jan 1916 Training and Football

28th Jan 1916 Training and Football

29th Jan 1916 Route March

30th Jan 1916 Church Parade

31st Jan 1916 Football

1st Feb 1916 Route March

2nd Feb 1916 Parades

3rd Feb 1916 Route March

4th Feb 1916 Training

8th Feb 1916 Change of Command

9th Feb 1916 Route March

9th Feb 1916 Inspection

10th Feb 1916 Route March

10th Feb 1916 Poor Weather

11th Feb 1916 Football

12th Feb 1916 Awards

13th Feb 1916 Church Parade

14th Feb 1916 Training

15th Feb 1916 Cross Country Race

15th Feb 1916 Route March

16th Feb 1916 Orders Received

17th Feb 1916 Training

18th Feb 1916 Training

19th Feb 1916 Sports

19th Feb 1916 Route March & Football

20th Feb 1916 Sports

20th Feb 1916 Sports

21st Feb 1916 Route March & Football

22nd Feb 1916 Snow Storm

25th Feb 1916 Demonstration

26th Feb 1916 Snow

26th Feb 1916 Route March

27th Feb 1916 Orders Received

28th Feb 1916 Preparations

29th Feb 1916 Training

29th Feb 1916 Route March

8th Mar 1916 Route March

21st Mar 1916 Training

24th Mar 1916 Bad Weather

27th Mar 1916 On the March

5th Apr 1916 Training

26th of April 1916 A Combined Shoot

28th April 1916 Fairly heavy Shelling

2nd May 1916 Aircraft reconnoitered the line

16th of May 1916 Heavy Bombardment

21st May 1916 Enemy fire extremely heavy

25th May 1916

12th Jun 1916 Divisional Field Day

17th Jun 1916 On the March

1st Jul 1916 Ordered to Move

2nd Jul 1916 Shelling

2nd Jul 1916 On the March

3rd Jul 1916 Attack Made

3rd Jul 1916 In Action

3rd Jul 1916 Attack

4th Jul 1916 Reliefs

4th Jul 1916 Shelling

7th Jul 1916 In Action

12th July 1916 Back to the Wagons

13th Jul 1916 Attack Made

13th Jul 1916 Attack

14th Jul 1916 Trench Held

14th Jul 1916 Machine Gun Fire

15th Jul 1916 Ready

16th Jul 1916 In the Trenches

17th Jul 1916 On the March

18th Jul 1916 On the March

19th of July 1916 Muster Parade

20th Jul 1916 Inspection

23rd of October 1916 On the Bus

28th of October 1916 Orders

5th of December 1916

3rd Sep 1917 Standing by

6th Sep 1917 Counter Attack

22nd of March 1917 Attached to Anzac Corps

16th of May 1917 Heavy Rain

1st of June 1917 Instructions for the Offensive

7th of June 1917 An Offensive Operation

7th of June 1917 Attack a Complete Success

30th Jul 1917 On the March

31st Jul 1917 Attack Made

1st Aug 1917 Terrible Weather

2nd Aug 1917 Ready

2nd Aug 1917 Reliefs

2nd Aug 1917 Message of Congratulation

3rd Aug 1917 Preparations

4th Aug 1917 Holding the Line

5th Aug 1917 Holding the Line

7th of August 1917 Heavy Shelling

16th Aug 1917 Into Reserve

20th Aug 1917 On the March

21st Aug 1917 Inspection

29th Aug 1917 Sports

30th Aug 1917 Training & Sports

1st Sep 1917 On the March

2nd Sep 1917 On the March

3rd Sep 1917 Reliefs

4th Oct 1917 Gas

5th Oct 1917 Reliefs

12th Dec 1917 Orders

12th Dec 1917 Orders

12th Dec 1917 Orders

24th December 1917 Boundaries

24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation

25th Dec 1917 Boundaries

25th Dec 1917 Orders

25th Dec 1917 Orders

25th Dec 1917 Boundaries

26th Dec 1917 Orders

28th Dec 1917 Orders

30th Dec 1917 Orders

4th Jan 1918 Under Shellfire

8th Jan 1918 Heavy Snow

12th Jan 1918 Reliefs

13th Jan 1918 Wire

14th Jan 1918 Patrol

17th Jan 1918 Working Parties

18th Jan 1918 Working Parties

19th Jan 1918 Working Parties

20th Jan 1918 Working Parties

21st Jan 1918 Working Parties

21st Jan 1918 Course

22nd Jan 1918 Reliefs

22nd Jan 1918 Working Parties

23rd Jan 1918 Working Parties

24th Jan 1918 Working Parties

25th Jan 1918 In Camp

26th Jan 1918 Quiet

26th Jan 1918 Working Parties and Training

27th Jan 1918 Quiet

31st Jan 1918 Reliefs

31st Jan 1918 Aircraft Active

5th Feb 1918 Reorganisation

5th Feb 1918 Course Ends

8th Feb 1918 Reliefs

9th Feb 1918 Cleaning up

11th Feb 1918 Reliefs

13th Feb 1918 Personnel

21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation

3rd Mar 1918 Musketry

17th Mar 1918 Training

18th Mar 1918 On the Move

19th Mar 1918 Working Parties and Training

20th Mar 1918 Working Parties and Training

21st Mar 1918 Bombardment

22nd Mar 1918 In Action

22nd Mar 1918 On the Move

23rd Mar 1918 Withdrawal

24th Mar 1918 Gas

24th Mar 1918 Orders

25th Mar 1918 Counter Attack

25th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal

25th Mar 1918 Holding the Line

26th Mar 1918 In Defence

27th Mar 1918 On the March

28th Mar 1918 On the March

29th Mar 1918 At Rest

31st Mar 1918 On the March

1st of April 1918 Reliefs Complete

2nd Apr 1918 Into the Line

2nd April 1918 More Reliefs

3rd Apr 1918 In the Line

3rd of April 1918 Taking Over Command

3rd Apr 1918 Reliefs Complete

4th of April 1918 Hostile Shelling

4th Apr 1918 Quiet

5th Apr 1918 Divison to be withdrawn

5th of April 1918 One Prisoner Captured

5th Apr 1918 Reliefs

6th of April 1918 Line Adjustments

6th Apr 1918 At Rest

7th of April 1918 Gas Shelling

7th Apr 1918 Church Parade

8th of April 1918 Hostile Shelling

8th Apr 1918 On the Ranges

9th Apr 1918 Enemy Attack

9th of April 1918 A Busy Day

9th Apr 1918 Attacks

9th Apr 1918 Enemy Pushed Back

10th Apr 1918 Enemy Attack

10th of April 1918 Under Attack

10th Apr 1918 Attacks

10th of April 1918 Into Battle

11th Apr 1918 Attacks Repulsed

11th of April 1918 Quiet...and then...

11th Apr 1918 Rearguard Action

11th of April 1918 Steenwerck Captured

12th Apr 1918 Hold at all Costs

12th of April 1918 Enemy Advances

12th Apr 1918 Line Holding

13th Apr 1918 Gaps in the Line

13th of April 1918 Under Heavy Attack

13th Apr 1918 Line Holding

14th Apr 1918 Fall Back

14th of April 1918 A Counter-Attack

14th Apr 1918 Attack Made

15th Apr 1918 Question of Withdrawal

15th of April 1918 A Quiet Day

15th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

16th Apr 1918 Enemy Attack

16th of April 1918 French Support Arrives

16th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

16th of April 1918 Orders

17th Apr 1918 Enemy Attack

17th of April 1918 HQs Move

17th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

18th Apr 1918 Plans

18th of April 1918 Relief for Some

18th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

19th Apr 1918 Reliefs

19th of April 1918 A Quiet Day

19th Apr 1918 Snow

20th Apr 1918 Reorganisation

20th April 1918 A Divisional Withdrawal

21st Apr 1918 Defensive Plans

21st of April 1918 On the March

22nd Apr 1918 Defensive Plans

22nd of April 1918 Resting

23rd Apr 1918 Defensive Plans

23rd of April 1918 Quiet Spell Broken

24th Apr 1918 Reorganisation

24th of April 1918 Heavy Hostile Shelling

24th of April 1918 Rest and Reorganisation

25th of April 1918 Another Busy Day

25th Apr 1918 On the March

26th of April 1918 Allied Counter-Attack

26th Apr 1918 Advance

27th of April 1918 Holding at All Costs

27th Apr 1918 Reliefs

28th of April 1918 Admirable Behaviour

28th Apr 1918 Gas Shells

29th Apr 1918 Terrific Bombardment  At 3am., the enemy opened a terrific bombardment on the front line and back areas. The bombardment on the front line was continued until 7am., when the enemy attacked in great force along the whole front of the 25th., 49th. and 21st. Divisions. Everywhere he was completely repulsed and enormous casualties inflicted on him. The bombardment of the back areas continued until almost 10am. and was of great intensity, many gas shells being used.
Captain B. G. Buxton MC, 6th D of W West Riding Regt was wounded, but battalion casualties altogether were exceptionally light. The remainder of the day was comparatively quiet.
Casualties on this day for 6th D of W West Riding Regt were: Captain B. G. Buxton (Wounded), 265413 Company Sergeant Major T. W. Limmer (Wounded), 527782 Corporal C. H. Brown R. A. M. C. (Killed in Action), 266239 Corporal C. Horner (Killed in Action), 268056 Corporal E. Joynes (Killed in Action), 267889 Lance Corporal J. Smith (Wounded), 268398 Private S. Archer (Killed in Action), 205267 Private R. H. Armitage (Wounded), 267484 Private N. Birkenshaw (Wounded), 267485 Private A. Brannan (Wounded), 201878 Private H. Briggs (Wounded(, 266160 Private C. Brown (Wounded), 266840 Private J. T. Butterworth (Killed in Action), 267460 Private A. E. Cartwright (Wounded), 13713 Private J. Dinsdale (Wounded), 267981 Private H. French (Wounded), 300129 Private L. Gallon (Killed in Action), 242719 Private S. Garland (Wounded), 267864 Private W. Haigh (Wounded), 26144 Private R. A. Hallett (Wounded), 267516 Private W. R. Hirst (Wounded), 29958 Private M. Hodgson (Wounded), 24039 Private E. W. Hollis (Wounded), 26570 Private H. Jackson (Killed in Action), 267779 Private A. Lancaster (Wounded), 29444 Private J. H. Lunt (Wounded), 201488 Private W. Mitchell (Wounded), 10851 Private W. Pickersgill (Wounded), 265145 Private F. A. Pickles (Wounded), 265528 Private G. Proctor (Killed in Action), 41197 Private R. Riddell (Killed in Action), 242206 Private H. Robinson (Wounded), 29807 Private J. W. Stringer (Wounded), 41143 Private J. Teaster (Wounded), 24356 Private A. Walters (Wounded), 265114 Private W. Watson (Wounded).

29th of April 1918 Under Fire Again

29th Apr 1918 Enemy Breaks Through

30th of April 1918 Reliefs and Attacks

30th of April 1918 Reports

9th May 1918 On the Move

10th May 1918 On the Move

11th May 1918 Inspection

12th May 1918 Inspection

13th May 1918 Working Party and Training

14th May 1918 Awards

15th May 1918 Training

16th May 1918 Route March

17th May 1918 On the Range

17th of May 1918 Quiet

18th May 1918 Route March

19th May 1918 Church Parade

20th May 1918 Musketry

21st May 1918 Tactical Scheme

22nd May 1918 Entrenching Scheme

23rd May 1918 Musketry

24th May 1918 On the Move

25th May 1918 Inspection

26th May 1918 Gas Shells

27th May 1918 In Action

27th of May 1918 In Action

1st of June 1918

6th of June 1918

8th of June 1918

17th of June 1918

18th of June 1918

21st of June 1918

23rd of June 1918

24th of June 1918

29th of June 1918

29th of June 1918

30th of June 1918

1st of July 1918

1st of July 1918

6th of July 1918

1st of October 1918 Orders

1st of October 1918 Orders

2nd of October 1918

2nd of October 1918

2nd of October 1918 Orders

2nd of October 1918 Orders

2nd of October 1918 Orders

3rd of October 1918

3rd of October 1918

3rd of October 1918

4th of October 1918 Telegram

6th of October 1918 Orders

6th of October 1918 Orders

7th of October 1918 Orders

7th of October 1918

9th of October 1918

10th of October 1918

10th of October 1918

11th of October 1918 Rejoining

13th of October 1918

14th of October 1918

15th of October 1918

16th of October 1918

16th of October 1918

16th of October 1918

17th of October 1918

19th of October 1918 Reliefs Complete

19th of October 1918

19th of October 1918

19th of October 1918

20th of October 1918

20th of October 1918

21st of October 1918

21st of October 1918

21st of October 1918

22nd of October 1918 Inspection

22nd of October 1918 Orders

24th of October 1918

28th of October 1918 Orders

28th of October 1918

29th of October 1918 Orders

30th of October 1918 Move

31st of October 1918

2nd of November 1918

3rd of November 1918

3rd of November 1918 Orders

3rd of November 1918

4th of November 1918 Orders

4th Nov 1918 Advance

5th of November 1918

6th of November 1918

12th of November 1918 Report

If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.

Want to know more about 25th Division?

There are:444 items tagged 25th 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
25th Division
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Booth James. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.26th Sep 1917)
Brown George John. Sgt. 8th Btn. (d.7th July 1916)
Game David James . Sgt. 6th Btn.
Green George. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.3rd Sep 1916)
Hemus William Henry Ernest. Pte. 3th Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)
Hold Edmund. Cpl. 8th Btn. (d.15th Jul 1916)
Moulding George. Sgt. 1st Btn. (d.25th Mar 1918)
Rufus Thomas. Capt. 11th Btn.A Coy. (d.14th Apr 1918)
Scott Joseph Brayton. Pte. (d.27th May 1918)
Simblet William Albert. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.6th October 1918)
Spilsbury James. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.17th Feb 1917)
Toman Patrick. Sgt. 2nd Btn.
Wells Kenneth Samuel. Pte 75th Field Ambulance
Whitby John Arthur. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.11th Apr 1918)

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

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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.

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Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.

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 grandfatherâ€™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 â€˜a rapier among scythesâ€™
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 BassÃ©e, 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 Kitchenerâ€™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

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1206320

Pte. George "Dodger" Green 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

Letter informing his wife Sarah of his injury

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

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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.

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260510

Pte. William Albert Simblet 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.6th October 1918)

My great uncle William Simblet served with the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in WW1. His Death Certificate says his name is Albert William Simblet and his headstone says A W Simblet. His actual name is William Albert Simblet.
I believe he may have been wounded on 5th of October 1918 attacking the Hindenburg line with the 25th Division and taken to No.20 Casualty Clearing Station where he died. I visited his grave in Doingt Cemetery, on 6th of October 2018 exactly 100 years to the day he died.
Thomas L Simblet

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258469

Sgt. George Moulding 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.25th Mar 1918)

On the 28 mile front held by the Third Army where in the days leading up to the German attack Sergeant George Moulding and other members of 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment were engaged in attack practices near the village of Achiet-le-Grand. 1st Wilts were right in the thick of the fighting during the Spring Offensive but, as part of 7th Brigade, 25th Division in VI Corps, were in reserve and not in the front line on 21st March. Their was some graphic accounts of the fighting over the next few days and it is not obvious when George Moulding became a casualty. We do know that he died of wounds on 25th March and is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery some 17 miles from Achiet. Taking these two facts plus that he was a sergeant it does seem very likely that he was wounded on 21st March in an incident. On 21st March at 4.40 am Achiet-le-Grand was heavily shelled and 3 officers, 4 warrant officers, 6 sergeants and 7 other ranks were wounded.
Our conclusion is that Sgt Moulding died of his wounds in a field hospital at Puchevillers. He is buried in a small, walled enclosure at the far end of the cemetery. On his headstone is the inscription chosen by his family: Gone but not forgotten by his wife and two daughters Lillian and Winnie.
Much sympathy has been felt with Mrs. Moulding, whose husband Sgt. George Moulding, 1st Wilts, died of wounds on March 25th in France. Sgt. Moulding had nearly completed his time of service when the war broke out and he was called to the colours. Before then he came safely through the retreat from Mons and the battle of the Somme.
Interestingly, the shelling of Achiet is mentioned in "The Kaiser Battle" by Martin Middlebrook, his unreferenced account says:- A complete reserve infantry Brigade was encamped around the railhead at Achiet-le-Grand. One of the first shells their hit the Medical Hut of the 1st Wiltshire's and killed nine men.
George Moulding was 32 when he died, he was born in Wootton Bassett and enlisted in Devizes though his home address which is given as Lechlade. He was the son of Thomas Moulding of Quenington and the husband of Alice Elizabeth Moulding of Downingtown, Lechlade. We have not established when he arrived in France but it is probable that Sgt Moulding was either a regular or at least a reservist and may well have re-joined his regiment at Tidworth in August 1914 and landed at Rouen with them on 14th August. He is also the highest ranking soldier on the First World War memorial in Lechlade.
Paul Cobb

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220362

Cpl. Edmund Hold 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.15th Jul 1916)

Edmund Hold served with the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment during WW1 and died on the 15th June 1916. He is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers la Boisselle.

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219061

Pte. James Spilsbury 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1917)

James Spilbury served with the 10th Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action during a trench raid on the 17th February 1917. He has no known grave, but is included on the Ploegsteert Memorial (Berks Cemetery Extension).
Guy Spilsbury

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218678

Capt. Thomas Rufus MC MID. 11th Btn.A Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.14th Apr 1918)

Thomas Rufus served with A Company, 11th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 14th April 1918, aged 28. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial for the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Frederick and Eliza Rufus, of The Willows, Goostrey, Cheshire
S Flynn

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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

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218266

Pte. Joseph Brayton Scott Cheshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

I am researching the names on my old school's (Birkenhead Institute) Memorial to try and find out more than just name, initials, which service and date of death. As I find more details about them their families and sometimes their work and leisure I now wonder which battles they were involved in. I think from Joseph's date of death he could have been involved in the Battle of Aisne. Can you confirm this ? The thrust of this is the threat to our (uknwm listed) playing fields from housing development.
64744 Private Joseph Brayton Scott served with the 10th Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment during WW1 and died, age 19, on the 27th May 1918. He is remembered on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France. Joseph was the son of Joseph and Lucilla Scott, of 3, Stuart Rd., Higher Tranmere, Birkenhead, Cheshire.
Les Highton

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218060

Pte. John Arthur Whitby 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.11th Apr 1918)

John Whitby is my Uncle, of whom little is known apart from his name being on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium and the War Memorial in Rainham, Essex. He was just 21 when he died, and as my Father would only have been 10 years old at that time, no other information has been passed down the Family. On the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website he is listed as 242036 Private John Arthur Whitby served with the 8th Battalion Border regiment during WW1. He died on the 11th April 1918 and is remembered on Panel 6, Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. He was the son of George and Elizabeth MA Whitby of the Ferry, Rainham, Essex.
A J Whitby

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218056

Pte. William Henry Ernest Hemus 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

William Henry Ernest Hemus was my Grandfather, he served with the 3rd Battalion Worcester Regiment and died on the 7th June 1917.
Tim Dorrell

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213884

Sgt. George John Brown 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

George John Brown was my Grandfather who died on the 7th July 1916 during WW1. He served with the 8th Battalion Border Regiment. He was formerly with The Norfolk Regiment. His wife was Ada Sussanah Brown nee Wilson and they had 2 children, George Edward and Frederick. They lived at 52 Roden Street London. Unfortunately no pictures are in existence of George John Brown.
Ken Brown

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The Wartime Memories Project
- 25th Division during the Great War -

25th Division

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The Wartime Memories Project - 25th Division during the Great War -

25th Division

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Those known to have served with
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