katya Posted 11 November , 2008 Share Posted 11 November , 2008 Sorry Katya, Nothing mentioned in the papers I have, Graeme Thanks for looking - I have managed to find out a lot from another thread. Think my grandfather's service record may have been one of the ones destroyed by fire but will continue searching. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazzers Posted 12 November , 2008 Share Posted 12 November , 2008 Graeme Anything about George Henry Glasby 2/6th South Staffs. k.i.a 21/3/1918 probably near Bullecourt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Man Posted 12 November , 2008 Share Posted 12 November , 2008 Hi Graeme Another 2/6th casualty - Pte 202924 Joseph Francis Bayley, died 02/12/17 and buried Rocquigny-Equancourt Road Cemetery, Manancourt (interestingly, the following day was the day another South Staffs soldier, Pte J Bateman, was shot for desertion and was buried in the same cemetery) I know absolutley nothing at all about Joseph so anything you can discover about him or even what the 2/6th were doing in the dyas before 02/12/17 would be a tremendous step forward. Kind regards, Trevor Bayley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 12 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 12 November , 2008 Hi both, sorry, nether mentioned in the WDs. I have this for 21/3/18 in the Bullecourt sector of Arras on the first day of the German spring offensive. The battalion had left Mory L’Abbaye at 5pm on Tuesday 19 March 1918 and relieved the 2/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in the trenches near Ecoust-St. Main. At 2am on the day of his death the Germans started shelling the rear areas and between 4am and 8am followed this up with high explosive and gas shells. The Germans then commenced their attack on the lines that overwhelmed the two forward companies after a short fight. The support and reserve companies fared little better and were also virtually wiped out. In total the battalion lost 112 men killed. The WD states, “Heavy enemy shelling of back areas commenced 2&3 am also heavy bombardment by enemy of front and support line with HE and gas shells from 4am-8am. Enemy attacked in massed formation at 9 am and succeeded in capturing the front line and also affected a flank move and got though railway reserve and battalion HQ. 23 officers and about 600 O.R. are missing including Lt.Col. J.Stuart Wortley, Capt. C.E.L. Whitehouse, (Adjutant). Capt.W.A. Adam, Capt. W.A. Jordan, Capt. T.L. Astbury & Capt W.S Lynes, (Company Commanders). The following Officers are missing Lieut. W.T Butler, Lieut. R.G. Boycott, Lieut. L.J. Shelton, 2/Lieut. H.P. Bunn, 2/Lt. H.E. Shipton, 2/Lt. H.W. Gregory, 2/Lt. J.A. Geyton, 2/Lt. R. Baxter, 2/Lt. F.W. Spibey, 2/Lt. J.H. Hickman, 2/Lt. T.A. Gough, 2/Lt. Yates, 2/Lt. J. Boshor, 2/Lt. Rigby, 2/Lt. H.E. Jones & Capt. W.M. Christie, R.A.M.C. The Q.M. Stores and transport moved from Dysart Camp at 5pm by march route via Coucelles-les-Compt to Douchy where they bivouacked. Major H.M.C. Curtis proceeded to the line with details from the transport lines, a party of 2 officers (2/Lt. S.G. Maitland & 2/Lt. S. Bradbury) & 50 O.R. including Band and specialists under training and held a portion of the front line of the third system of defence, east of Mory, until relived at 4am 22nd.” Re Bayley Born Wednesbury, enlisted Darlaston Died of wounds. During the early part of December 1917, in the Battle of Cambrai, his battalion were in trenches in Bourlon Wood, just east of Cambrai. On Wednesday 28 November 1917 his battalion took over positions in Canal Trench, south west of Bourlon Wood from the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. Commencing Sunday 2 December 1917 the Germans saturated the woods with mustard gas shells that caused appalling casualties amongst the British troops as their respirators were totally inadequate against this type of gas. Of the 600 men who entered the wood, less than 100 were able to march out. Over 400 men were killed, wounded or gassed and of the latter 64 died in hospital or on the way there. War Diary records 29th Nov 1917 reads "Enemy heavily bombarded Bourlon wood with HE and Gas shells and attacked front line positions on the 2/6th north staffs reg front, to which we were in support: A coy of this battalion advanced through the wood under heavy fire and reinforced the front line in answer to the S.O.S signal:Capt H Yeatmen Cmdg A coy was wounded and gassed and the coy sustained several gas casualites: 30th Nov 1917 reads The battalion was heaily bombarded by gas and HE shells and capt B S Atkinson cmdg D was killed: During these two days the battalion suffied heavy casualities from gas, the whole of A.C & D coys becoming casualties: Capt J R B Herron, Capt C E L Whithouse and Lt T P S Barrett were gassed and Capt A F Brown was wounded: Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Man Posted 12 November , 2008 Share Posted 12 November , 2008 Hi Graeme Very many thanks for that. The first piece in the jigsaw ! Kind regards, Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Man Posted 12 November , 2008 Share Posted 12 November , 2008 Graeme, forgive me, it's old age creeping up on me but I've just re-read your reply. How did you know he was born at Wednesbury ? The only info I have is from the CWGC http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=243293 which doesn't give his place of birth or place he enlisted. Regards, Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazzers Posted 12 November , 2008 Share Posted 12 November , 2008 Thanks Graeme for the info on 21/3/1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 13 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2008 Trevor, Thats the esay bit, its from 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' records. They are on disc now (expensive) but list a deceased soldiers bried details, only what I have already given you. His Medal Index Card is attached (hopefully) but does not give anymore detail. I have checked Ancestry and it does not appear that his service record survives, sorry !! Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Man Posted 13 November , 2008 Share Posted 13 November , 2008 Hi Graeme - what you've found out for me is fantastic ! I spent most of last night reading up about the German counter-attack at Cambrai. Quite horrific. Once again, many thanks. Kind regards, Trevor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 13 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2008 Trevor, I dont know if you live in Darlaston or nearby but he is on the Darlaston War memorial see http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/art...WarMemorial.htm Also from 1901 census First born of Joseph and Mary Bayley of 45a, King Street, Darlaton, his father being a pork butcher with his own business. Had a sister Mary who was 4 years younger than him. If you want a copy of the census PM me with your e-mail address and I will send it to you, together with the MIC. Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Bedward Posted 20 November , 2008 Share Posted 20 November , 2008 Hello Graeme Do you have any information of an officer Donovan Benson who was (I think) in the midle east. I think he was with the 2nd or 3rd Battalion. I would really like to know when he joined and where he served and when discharged please. Thank you Old Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 20 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 20 November , 2008 Jack, Sorry, cant find anything in the war diaries of SSR, medal Index or Du Ruvigny etc. Have you any more information ? Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 20 November , 2008 Share Posted 20 November , 2008 Jack The 2nd Btn remained in France throughout the war, the closest any of the Btn's came to serving in the Middle East was the 1/5th and 1/6th who were in Egypt for a month only. The 3rd Btn was a reserve Btn that remained at home.The 7th served in Gallipoli and then France and the 1st and 9th went from France to Italy. What information do you have that might indicate some link with the middle east? Regards Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 20 November , 2008 Share Posted 20 November , 2008 Jack There is no mention of him in the two South Staffords histories by Vale and Jones. Regards Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houseworkfairy Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 You are a star Graeme Do you mind looking up a Herbert Bridgwater (or Bridgewater) Corporal no 10523 wounded at Gallipoli possibly so probably 7th Service Battalion. Medal card gives him embarking for Balkan theatre on 21.7.15 Eventual discharge 10.10.17. Family lore gives him returning on hospital ship and meeting future wife (nurse). Gun shot wound to head which never healed properly apparently. Came from Walsall. To date his files are not on Ancestry although there is still one more batch of pension records to go on I think. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 houseworkfairy The medal rolls confirm he was in the 7th Btn only. In the roll his name is recorded as Bridgwater. Regards Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biffrocks Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 I have a copy of a list which gives details of the entries relating to men who served in the South Staffordshire Regiment and who are mentioned in the War Diaries. It lists why they are mentioned ie wounded to hospital, KIA, reports etc etc. Most of the diaries refer only to officers but the 1/5th Battalion War Diary refers to many of the enlisted men and gives their Company. I do not have access to the actual diary, only the dates in which the men are mentioned. Happy to do 'look ups' Graeme NB Credit to Mr J.C..J. Elson of Hednesford who compiled the list in 1993. Hi Graeme Please can you see if there is an entry for W.O.2 240845 W F Corfield - Died 16/07/1918 and is buried in Germany Thanks Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 21 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 21 November , 2008 Houseworkfairy Sorry nothing in the SSR War Diaries. There are, uncommonly, Privates mentioned in the 7th War Diary but nothing re Bridgwater. I presume you have his 1901 census which places the family in Hillary Street, Walsall etc. Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 21 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 21 November , 2008 Rob, The same for you too, I'm afraid. Graeme PS Theres loads for the 1/5th Battalion, officers and other ranks !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houseworkfairy Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 Thank you for taking the trouble Doug and Graeme. I now know he was definitely 7th Batt. and that the war diary doesn't mention him by name which I did rather expect anyway. So I am further forward even if only by a little. Thanks again Jacqui Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houseworkfairy Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 And yes Graeme I have found him in 1901 thanks to his second name. His antecedents may prove a bit problematical as there are two Frank Herbert Bridgwaters in the area at that time both possibly married to Sarah (one Sarah Bridgwater died in 1900). Anyway that is what makes it interesting isn't it? Time to regroup and recheck the original sources I think. However at least I am now pretty sure I have the right medal card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest csewell Posted 13 December , 2008 Share Posted 13 December , 2008 Hi Graeme Is there any mention of Pt. Richard Edward Sewell - 2nd Battalion South Staffs Regiment. He did survive the war but was wounded. I have his service record off ancestry.co.uk, but interested if you have any further information. Many thanks. Christine Sewell Hi Graeme Sorry forgot to say Richard Edward Sewell's service number was 6694. Christine Sewell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 15 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 15 December , 2008 Hi Christine, Sorry for the dealy, only just saw the message. No sorry, he is not mentioned by name in the War Diary. regards Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pengy Posted 6 June , 2009 Share Posted 6 June , 2009 Hi Graeme, It's a long shot but i wonder if there's any mention of my great grandfather John Tranter. I've found his medal card, and although he's ranked as Private both times, on his marriage certificate on the 21st September 1915 he lists his rank as Lance Corporal. I know he survived the war, but that he was an army pensioner which i assume means he may have been wounded. Any help would be really appreciated. Many Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 6 June , 2009 Share Posted 6 June , 2009 Steve Unfortunately there is no mention of him. Regards Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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