Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 1st August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The 13th Battalion war diary entries covering the period July 30th to August 2nd are transcribed below, the brief entries do not mention any casualties.

St. Lawrence Farm - July 30^th 1916: Moved to Albert marching by Coys at minute intervals commencing at 3.15pm, arrived about 5pm and went into billets.

Albert – July 31^st 1916: Moved up to the line [Mametz Wood] relieving the 7 Loyal North Lancs Regt.

Mametz Wood – August 1^st 1916: Remained in Mametz Wood – a kind of bivouac in shell holes and old trenches.

Mametz Wood – August 2^nd 1916: Remained in Mametz Wood – a kind of bivouac in shell holes and old trenches

Military History

Arthur is listed as being killed in action on 8th October 1917 having initially being reported as missing. The 1st/7th Battalion war diary entries for the period 5th to 11th October are transcribed below.

NE of Ypres – 5 Oct 1917: Rain fell during the day and the weather became very cold. No enemy attack took place but his shelling was very severe at times. Sniping was active on both sides. The enemy firing continually from Beek House. At night a dry change of socks was got up together with rations.

NE of Ypres – 6.10.1917: Rain still continued which together with the cold made conditions very difficult and trying. Enemy posts were located near Oxford House and Beek House, between Beek House and the Cemetery and a machine gun post in the cemetery. Burns House was reported to be strongly held. Very little enemy movement took place.

NE of Ypres – 7.10.1917: Rain fell again most of the day. Enemy shelling was heavy growing into a barrage towards evening. No infantry action followed.

A taped track was marked out from Mon du Hibou to Tweed House. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 1/1 Bucks Regt and moved into bivouacs near Irish Farm. Everyone being in by 4pm.

Irish Farm – 8.10.1917: Weather fine, battalion moved by motor lorry to Siege Camp.

Poperinghe – 9.10.1917: Battalion marched to Poperinghe and in billets in Rue du Bruges, Rue de la Balance and Rue d’Ypres.

Poperinghe – 10.10.1917: Baths were taken and companies paraded for CO’s inspection.

Poperinghe – 11.10.1917: Company parades and kit inspections, reorganisations carried on with. Weather cold but fine.

Casualties during operations [3^rd to 11^th Oct?]:
Killed: Officers 2 & Other Ranks 23
Wounded: 3 Officers & 140 Other Ranks
Missing: Other Ranks 14.

Military History

Ernest is listed as being killed in action on 26 Aug 1917. The information contained in the war diary for the whole month of August is very sparse and there are no reports on operations, casualty lists or other appendices.

17.8.1917 to 24.8.1917 - Brandhoek: The Battalion trained

25.8.1917 - Brandhoek: The Battalion marched to Divisional Support at Ypres North area. END

26.8.17 to 29.8.1917 - Ypres North: The Battalion provided working parties for the forward areas. END

Military History

Charles is listed as being killed in action on 23rd October 1918. The 1st/8th Battalion war diary entries for the period 22nd to 24th October are transcribed below.

Honnechy – 22/10/1918: In the evening of this day the Battalion, which had been attached to the 7th Brigade for the attack on the Richemont line, moved up to its forming up position along the Railway in R.2.c&d

Pommereuil – 23/10/1918: The attack commenced at 01.20 hours the Battalion moving in rear of the 9 Devons and the Battlalion was to be used to help to mop up Pommereuil if necessary or if this necessity did not arise to pass through the 7^th Brigade and carry the intermediate objective which was the road on L.22 a&d.

Owing to heavy fog the attacking units of the first wave became rather mixed up and the situation was for some time obscure but on Captain Mortimore MC (who was commanding the Battalion at this time) going out and taking command of troops of all units and organising attacks on the enemy M.G. nests which had been missed by the first wave owing to the fog, the situation rapidly cleared and all objectives were gained.

Flaguet Brifant – 24/10/1918: The 7^th Brigade continued the attack through Bois L’Eveque and the Battalion was ordered to concentrate in the vicinity of Flaguet Brifant in L.15.d. This move was completed by 10.53 hours and the Battalion remained here until units of the 7^th Brigade passed through our line whereupon the unit marched out to Billets in Pommereuil.

Casualties during the tour: Killed 13 Other Ranks, Missing 5 Other Ranks, Wounded Officers 3, O.R. 40.