17th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment

[Bob Coulson]

Would anyone have location/details of action of the 17th battalion on Feb 7th 1919 whilst part of the Russian Expeditionary Force.?

Grateful as always for any help.

Bob.

[Ken Lees]

On 7th February 1919, 'B' Company, took part in a combined attack with a French 'Coureurs des Bois' Company and an American Trench Mortar unit on the Bolshevik forces in the town of Avda. Nearby Kodish was occupied at 8.20am and two field guns were captured by the French and destroyed. However, enemy resistance around Avda was so strong, that the attack had to be called off and the allied forces had to return to their original positions. During the course of the attack, however, 2/Lt Stephenson, who was on attachment to the 17th Bn from the Yorkshire Regt, was wounded, and when the allied force returned to base he was not amongst them. He must have died of his wounds or been killed by the Bolsheviks, for he was never seen again. 108580 Pte W Graham was also killed and 4 other ranks wounded.

From 'Liverpool Pals' by Graham Maddocks.

[Bob Coulson]

Ken,

This is just what I was looking for, researching 2nd Lt Stephenson of the Yorkshires.

Many thanks for your help.

Bob.

[saintone]

Just to confirm information provided above. The History of THE KING'S REGIMENT (LIVERPOOL) Everard Wyrall. Vol 3 page 694 provides the following-

.....On February 7th "B" Company took part, in co-operation with a French "Coureurs des Bois" Company, in an attack upon Avda. The operation was not successful; Second- Lieut E.A Stephenson was wounded and missing, whilst one other rank was killed and four wounded. Two days later the enemy captured the right blockhouse of this company, and killed the entire garrison, with the exception of one man, who was apparently taken prisoner.....

Casualty list states (same Volume) all killed 9/2/19

CORLETT Charles Edward Pte 381327

KENWORTHY John Pte 114116

MAHER Cyril Pte 18619

McDONOUGH Walter Pte 29664

MILTON Charles Lewis L/Cpl 50785

ROBERTS John William Pte 114144 formerly 33089 Manchester Regiment

WRIGHT Albert Henry Cpl 114191 formerly3107 Northumberland Cyc Bn

Mike