21st August 1914 On this day: First British Troops enter Mons   In the afternoon heat of the 21st of August 1914, the first British Troops arrived in Mons. Exhausted, sunburnt and footsore from the long route march, they rested breifly in the suburb of Nimy then crossed the railway line and began to dig in, refusing assistance offered by the locals, but gratefully accepting offers of food and drink. 4th Middlesex arrive at Mons   In the afternoon heat of the 21st of August 1914, the 4th Middlesex reached their destination, entering their allocated sector in the time honoured fashion with a single man designated as 'Point' marching alone down the centre of the road to draw any enemy fire, his comrades following in single file in small groups spaced fifty yards apart. They reached the line without incident and quickly established lookouts. A bicycle reconnaissance team from the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment encountered a German unit near Obourg, just north of the Mons-Conde Canal. One of the cyclists, Private John Parr, was shot by German Sniper and killed, becoming the first British fatality of the war. 8th Battalion, Black Watch raised.   8th Battalion, The Black Watch was raised at Perth, Scotland on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. Following inital training in the Perth area they moved to Aldershot. Appeal for Volunteers to join Friends Ambulance Unit   Philip Noel-Baker issued an appeal for Volunteers to join the Friends Ambulance Unit in a letter to the Quaker newspaper the Friend.  A Soft Spot in Iron 9th Battalion formed for Rifle Brigade   9th (Service) Battalion, the Rifle Brigade is formed at Winchester on 21 August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and came under command of the 42nd Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division. Initially they moved to Aldershot, then on to Petworth in November and returned to Aldershot in February 1915. KUK U-12 commissioned   KUK U-12 Austrian Submarine is commissioned on the 21st August 1914 under the command of Egon Lerch. She had been launched on the 14th March 1911. John Doran 59th Coy RE on the march   59th Field Coy Royal Engineers marched off from Landrecies to join the rest of the 5th Division at Mons. On arriving the Company was ordered to construct a defense at the bridgeheads over the Mons Canal.  On the Move  New billets  Wounded Admitted  On the Move  On the March  On the Move  On the March  Taking up stations in assigned areas.  On the March  On the March  On the March  On the March  On the March  On the March  On the Move  On the March  On the Move  On the Move  In Defence  On the Move  March Instructions  On the Move  On the Move  Advance to Gognies.  On the March  On the Move  In Action  Friendly fire  On the March 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 Can you add to this factual information? Do you know the whereabouts of a unit on a particular day? Do you have a copy of an official war diary entry? Details of an an incident? The loss of a ship? A letter, postcard, photo or any other interesting snipts? If your information relates only to an individual, eg. enlistment, award of a medal or death, please use this form: Add a story.

Killed, Wounded, Missing, Prisoner and Patient Reports published this day. This section is under construction.

Want to know more about 21st of August 1914? There are:37 items tagged 21st of August 1914 available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Remembering those who died this day, 21st of August 1914. P.O. Maurice Reid. HMS Illustrious Read their Story. Add a name to this list.

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