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  #21  
Old 30-08-2016, 06:13 PM
John@theDrift John@theDrift is offline
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My guess would be that he fell in the fighting around High Wood Jawhin, if he is with the 7th NF
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  #22  
Old 31-08-2016, 08:18 AM
janwhin janwhin is offline
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Thanks John, he was 1/7th NF, territorials. Does that make sense then? He's on the Thiepval Memorial.....that's no body then.
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  #23  
Old 31-08-2016, 09:56 PM
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Yes, they took quite a hammering that day, but made great progress,, in Somme terms at any rate,, captured three lines of enemy trenches to the left of High Wood. There are three men from Chevington lost on this day too, the first time tanks were used in anger. Your ancestor Herbert would probably have fought here.
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  #24  
Old 01-09-2016, 02:46 PM
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Sorry for the delay in my input, been away giving the lock keepers a laugh with my boating skills on the Caledonian Canal. Thomas Telford must be turning in his grave.

Anyhoos, 15th of September 1916 was the first day of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. (15th - 22nd) 88 killed in the 7th battalion on day 1. The Division total casualties were 3,750 for the 15th to the 22nd. Within the 50th Division, the 149th Brigade, that is the Brigade of four infantry battalions of which the 7th NF was a component, the 'other ranks' killed casualties were:

4th NF = 189
5th NF = 18
6th NF = 71
7th NF = 88

there would be many more wounded some of which would die in the following days.
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  #25  
Old 01-09-2016, 02:50 PM
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Default 1/7th Northumberland Fusiliers KIA list 15/9/1916

These are the 'other ranks' dead for the 7th battalion:

AUSTIN, Thomas Oswald, b. Berwick, e. Berwick, 1207. CPL., Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16

BACKHOUSE, James, b. Beverley, Yorks, e. Beverley, 6131, PRIVATE. Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16 Formerly 3391, East Yorks Regt

BAXTER, Robert, b. Berwick, e. Alnwick, Northumberland. 1903, SERGT., Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

BLOW. Herbert. b. Sheffield, e. Sheffield, 4526, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

BORTHWICK, Alexander. b. Berwick. Northumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2080, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

BREWIS, John, b. Alnwick, Northumberland, e. Alnwick. Northumberland. 1487. PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

BUDDLE, William, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2646. PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

BUTLER. James, b. Roxburgh. N.B., e. Alnwick, Northumberland. 2208. L/CPL, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

CHESTERTON, Edward, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290805, L/CPL, Died. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

CHISAM, Alfred. e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 3755, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16

CLANCEY, William Joseph, b. Portland, Dorset, e. Amble, Northumberland, 953, SERGT., Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

COLQUHOUN, Henry, b. Gateshead-on-Tyne, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2799. PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders. 15/09/16.

CONSTABLE, Ernest. b. Beverley, Yorks, e. Beverley, 291267, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

COOK, Robert, b. Warier, Yorks, e. Beverley, Yorks, 4394, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

COXON, Peter. e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290697, L/CPL, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

CRAZE, Ralph. e. Alnwick, Northumberland. 2556, CPL., Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

CROOK, John William, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 3339, PRIVATE. Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

DINSDALE, George, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290767, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

DODDS, Robert, e. Alnwick. Northumberland, 290824, CPL.. Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

DOUGLAS, John Brydon, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2425, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

DUMBLE, William, b. Tweedmouth, Northumberland, e. Berwick, 1505, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

EDWARDS, George Humble, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2562, PRIVATE. Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16, .

EVANS, John, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 3808, PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

EVERSON. Harry Arnold. b. Hillsboro', Yorks, e. Sheffield, Yorks, 4500, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

FEWSTER, Ernest, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 29814, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

FORREST, Andrew, b. Carlisle, Cumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290515, PRIVATE, Rilled in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

FOSTER, Bertie, b. Morpeth, Northumberland, e. Morpeth. 1272, C.S,M., Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

GRAY, Arthur, b. Whittingham, Northumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2170, SERGT., Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

HANDLEY. John William, b. Sheffield, e. Sheffield, 4491, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

HARRISON. Stanley, e. Hucknall. Staffs, 6039, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

HECKELS, Christopher Bailey, b. South Shields, e. Walker-on-Tyne, 6041, PRIVATE, Killed in action France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

HILL, Adam Davidson, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 3815, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

HINSON, John, e. Alnwick. Northumberland. 290996, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

HOOD. James, b. Rothbury. Northumberland. e. Rothbury, 290196, SERGT., Died. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

HUNTER, Robert, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 291003, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders. 15/09/16

JOHNSON, John William George, b. Hessle, Yorks, e. Beverley, Yorks, 6145, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

JOHNSON, Robert Stanley, b. Alnwick, Northumberland. e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 3775, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

LAIDLOW, John. e. Ashington, Northumberland, 290964, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

LAWSON, William, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 291118, L/CPL, Died. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

LEE, Henry, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 291021, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

LONG, Robert, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290840, PRIVATE. Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

LORIMOUR. Thomas William, e. Newcastle-on-Tyne, 3731, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

LOVELY, Edwin W., b. Stixwould, Lincs, e. Lincoln, 291203, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

LYALL, William. b. Broomhill, Northumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2220, L/CPL, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

MACNAB, Alexander, b. Berwick-on-Tweed, e. Berwick-on-Tweed, 1244, SERGT., Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16

MASON, George Robert, b. Bedlington, Northumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland. 290692. PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

MAWSON, Brian, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290654, PRIVATE, Died. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

MCDONALD. John, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 3521, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

MCKENNA, Frank, b. Wylam, Northumberland, e. Walker-on-Tyne, 6068, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

MIDDLETON, Frederick Charles, b. Alnmouth, Northumberland, e. Ashington. Northumberland. 1005, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

MOSS, Edward. e. Ashington, Northumberland, 3617, PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

MULLEN, Daniel, e. Walker-on-Tyne, Northumberland, 292180, PRIVATE, Died. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

NOTTINGHAM, John Charles, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 291065. PRIVATE, Died. France & Flanders. 15/09/16.

NUTTY, Arthur, b. Bradford. Notts. e. Nottingham, 4130, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

OXENDALE, James, b. Wetwang, Yorks., e. Beverley, Yorks, 201242, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders. 15/09/16.

PATTISON, Robert William, b. Alnwick, Northumberland, e. Alnwick, 290421, PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders. 15/09/16.

PRINGLE. Frank Lough, b. Berwick-on-Tweed, e. Alnwick, Northumberland. 2051, CPL.. Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

PURDY. James, e. Amble, NthmbrInd, 3427, L/CPL, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

PYBUS, Tom. e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2394, L/CPL, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

ROBINSON, Harry, b. Nottingham, e. Derby. 6094, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

ROBSON, James, e. Wallsend-on-Tyne, 292197, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders. 15/09/16.

ROLLO, David. e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2635, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

RUTHERFORD, John, b. Berwick-on-Tweed, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290434. PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

RUTHERFORD, Thomas, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290974, PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

SAMPLE, Arthur, b. Belford, Northumberland, e. Alnwick. Northumberland. 290785. PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

SCHOFIELD, Albert, e. Ashington, Northumberland, 3730, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

SHOTTON, Harold, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290537, L/CPL, Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

STACEY, Peter, e. Ashington, Northumberland. 3289, PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

STROTHER, Thomas, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 291135, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

SWAN, Richard. b. Berwick-on-Tweed, e. Alnwick. Northumberland, 2081, PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

SWANN, Gilbert, b. Lowick, Northumberland, e. Rothbury, Northumberland, 1494, L/SGT. Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

TAIT, John James, b. Lesbury, Northumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 3602, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

TATE, Matthew, b. Bartowsford, Northumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland. 1702, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

TAYLOR, George, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 291005, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

TAYLOR, William, e. Alnwick. Northumberland, 291002, L/CPL, Died, France & Flanders. 15/09/16.

TEMPLEY. John Thomas, b. Burradon, Northumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2872, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

THOMPSON, Thomas. e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 291010, PRIVATE. Died, France & Flanders. 15/09/16.

TODD, George. e. Alnwick, Northumberland. 2939, PRIVATE, Killed in action. France & Flanders. 15/09/16.

TURNER, Robert. e. Alnwick. Northumberland, 2348, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

VOSPER, Thomas, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 290713. PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

WEALLIAMS. James, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 291058, PRIVATE, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

WEBB, Edmund, b. Morpeth, Northumberland, e. Amble, Northumberland, 1673, CPL., Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

WELLS, David, b. Newcastle-on-Tyne, e. Wallsend-on-Tyne, 202218, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

WILSON, Arthur Hart, e. Hull, Yorks, 292222, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

WILSON, William, b. Alnwick, Northumberland, e. Alnwick, Northumberland, 2072, PRIVATE, Killed in action, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

WOOD, Alexander, e. Walker-on-Tyne, 292223, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

WOOD, Sydney John, b. Ashby-De-La-Zouch, Leics. e. Burton-on-Trent, 292234, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.

WRAGBY, Richard, b. Cropwell Butler, Notts, e. Newark, Notts, 292224, PRIVATE, Died, France & Flanders, 15/09/16.
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  #26  
Old 01-09-2016, 02:56 PM
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I'm the custodian of Brian Mawson's medal from that list. Think he was from Pegswood.
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  #27  
Old 01-09-2016, 07:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by janwhin View Post
Thanks John, he was 1/7th NF, territorials. Does that make sense then? He's on the Thiepval Memorial.....that's no body then.

I bet he is just 'died' in that list above as well. (rather than killed in action)
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  #28  
Old 02-09-2016, 07:34 AM
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Forgot the officers; three killed for the 7th on this day:

2/Liutenant Baron Brooke Booth
2/Lieutenant John Ivor Grey
Captain John William Merivale
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  #29  
Old 02-09-2016, 07:42 AM
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here's the relevant map for the area nicked from wikipedia's Flers–Courcelette battle page, I've marked the approx location in green.

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  #30  
Old 02-09-2016, 08:13 AM
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Default Locals killed 15th September 1916

Amble Memorial List:
William Buddle (Edwin Street)
William Joseph Clancey
John Brydon Douglas
John William Merivale
David Rollo

Radcliffe:
Edmund Webb

Broomhill Chevington:
John Ivor Grey
William Lyall
George Todd
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  #31  
Old 02-09-2016, 08:34 AM
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here's the map from the war diary showing the Division Boundaries, and the attack area, showing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd objectives:

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  #32  
Old 02-09-2016, 09:06 AM
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What follows is from the regimental history, edited by Francis Buckley. The history is written like a diary with an officer that was involved writing an an entry for a particular day, so there are multiple contributors. The entry for the 15/9/16 is just recorded as 'by a company commander' so we do not know the author of this.
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  #33  
Old 02-09-2016, 09:07 AM
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15th September, 1916. (By a Company Commander.)

The battalion did not take part in the battle of the Somme until September. Previous to that they had spent some weeks at Henencourt, recuperating after their exertions in the Salient and at Kemmel. Under the able direction of Lieutenant-Colonel G. S. Jackson they had undergone a thorough course of training, and were not only up to strength for the first time since they came out but in first-class condition. On the 12th September the battalion left Henencourt and marched to Mametz Wood, where they bivouacked till the night of the 14th. It was during this period that Major N. I. Wright, much to the regret of all ranks, was posted to the command of the 5th Battalion.
The plan of operations for the 15th September was briefly as follows. There were three objectives, none of which could be seen from our lines. The first, Hook Trench, was comparatively speaking simple, as it was well defined ; it was the German front line, and it was near at hand. The second objective, called " the Blue Line," was aptly named, for it was literally " in the blue " except for a sunken road, some forty yards long, which was somewhere on the left flank. The final objective was the " Starfish Line." Our inability to see the objectives was a handicap, but what caused more anxiety were the facts that the battalion had to widen its front as it advanced, and that the whole operation had to be carried out at a right incline.
On the night of the 14th, favoured by pitch darkness, the delicate business of getting the men correctly placed on the jumping off tapes was accomplished without a casualty and without a hitch. Each company was drawn up in four lines ;
" A " commanded by Captain J. W. Merivale on the right,
" B " commanded by Captain E. Fenwicke Clennell,
" C " commanded by Captain V. Merivale, M.C.,
and on the left "D " commanded by Captain G. F. Ball, M.C.
The day itself certainly started well. The preliminary bombardment sounded satisfactory, and the tank (used for the first time) on " D " Company's left flank looked inspiring. The companies swept forward in their four lines over the slightly rising ground which hid Hook Trench. The first objective was taken without much difficulty, though we suffered casualties ; the centre companies were held up for a time by machine-guns until they were put out of action by the flanking companies. The intention had been that the battalion would stay some ten minutes in Hook Trench reorganizing and fortifying the position, and they would then advance to the Blue Line in conformity with the barrage time-table. Unfortunately the movement at a right incline on an unseen objective had already had a disastrous effect on the formation of the attack. Units on the flanks had either inclined themselves away or bumped into each other, and the same applied to companies and platoons. As it seemed hopeless to unravel things in the short time available, the men were quickly told off and handed over to officers and N.C.O.'s as they stood. When the ten minutes was up the artillery bombardment from both sides was terrific. The result was disconcerting in more ways than one. The ground was dry and had been pulverized by previous bombardments, so that a cloud of dust and smoke like a London fog now appeared and hid all landmarks ; and the right incline to the Blue Line became more problematical than ever. As the men advanced, direction and cohesion were lost ; and after struggling on some few hundred yards the senior Company Commander called a halt. The two surviving Company Commanders (Ball and Clennell) were found, and a council of war was held. A map was got out and set with the compass—an operation costing the lives of Second-Lieutenant J. Robinson and C.S.M. Foster—and a guess was made as to the direction of the sunken road in the Blue Line. About forty men were collected and the advance was resumed ; and eventually, more by good luck than anything else, the sunken road was located. Captain Ball on the left flank was the first to spot it, and he was immediately afterwards wounded in the ankle. The troops were by this time fatigued, but they carried the sunken road with considerable dash. It is amusing now to recollect how the men rushed to the edge of the cutting, and then lost their balance and fell headlong down the steep sides, clinging on to and carrying down with them the amazed German garrison. We dealt with those of them that wished to resist, and accepted souvenirs from the rest, and then started the business of consolidation in earnest. Patrols were sent out to left and right, but they failed to get in touch with anyone. Captain Thomas (Trench Mortar Battery) dug his Stokes mortar in so as to cover Pioneer Alley, and promised to annihilate anyone who attempted to come down it. Captain Fenwicke Clennell rescued Captain Ball at considerable risk and brought him into safety. Screened by the smoke and dust we sited small fire trenches in front on ground slightly higher than the top of the road ; and these were rapidly dug. The prisoners, more numerous than ourselves, were sent to the rear in charge of Private Martin, a diminutive signaller. He caused much consternation among his flock by deftly severing their trouser buttons before the journey began. It made an imposing procession--the prisoners with their hands deep in their trouser pockets, followed by Private Martin smoking an enormous souvenir cigar and mumbling, " Ha' way, you blinking beggars."
A succession of runners were grudgingly withdrawn from our little garrison and sent to the rear with messages to Battalion Headquarters reporting our position and asking for support. But it was some time before one of them managed to get there and back intact.
By this time the artillery fire had abated and the smoke and dust were rapidly clearing. An almost oppressive silence followed. The men rested, smoking cigars and eating " Hindenburger Kake." To the rear nothing could be seen, for it was rising ground. To the flanks as far as we could see the battalion had the world to themselves. In front, Starfish, Eaucourt L'Abbaye, Hexham Road and the Butte de Warlencourt looked peaceful and pleasant in the sunshine. The sunken road itself had been a trench mortar emplacement, and was handsomely equipped with 11-inch, 10-inch, 9-inch and 7-inch mortars, also shells and a hand-book on how to load and fire the " Minnenwerfen System Einhart." The hand-book, however, was relentless, and would not reveal its valuable contents, so all idea of supporting this isolated position with devastating trench mortar fire had to be abandoned. Later on in the afternoon preparations were made by the Boches for the inevitable counter-attack ; and they appeared to be massing behind the Starfish Line. That they meant to do things in earnest we judged by the number of men starting forward in little groups and by the thoroughness of the bombardment. While the Boches were still assembling, the first message from Battalion Headquarters arrived. This communication was hopeful, and also rather ambitious, as it suggested that the " battalion might possibly advance and take the Starfish Line. What was more hopeful was the news that the whole brigade of Durhams was advancing and would not only reinforce the sunken road garrison but also advance beyond it, and doubtless annihilate the distressingly large numbers of Boches massing in front. There appeared then to us to be three alternatives. Either the Boches would arrive first—in which case our tenure of the sunken road (isolated and unprotected by wire) would be unpleasant and short—or the Durhams would arrive first, or else the Boches and the Durhams would come tumbling down the sides of the cutting at the same time. Our speculations were, however, interrupted by the Boche attack suddenly beginning. The only S.O.S. rocket we possessed had been jealously guarded, and it was now discharged, with satisfactory results. Our supply of S.A.A. was very limited, so that the picked shots were detailed to open the defence, leaving the remainder to come in with battle sights later. The Lewis guns, which were pushed out on either flank, did good execution ; but the attack appeared, from the German point of view, to be making very satisfactory progress, and the Boches were within a short distance of us, when they suddenly began to waver and halt, and then they broke up in confusion. Those crest-fallen individuals on our side, who had had half their ammunition taken from them and been told not to fire a single shot over two hundred yards, naturally took the credit of the German debacle entirely to themselves.
The rest of the day was uneventful, except for intermittent shell-fire and for the sudden arrival of the Durhams, who at first seemed to regard us as part of the enemy. We were relieved by two platoons of the 6th Durhams that night, and we retraced our steps wearily to Mametz Wood, where we received a right royal welcome from Captain Neville and his capable and sympathetic staff. Thus ended our introduction to the battle of the Somme.
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  #34  
Old 02-09-2016, 11:30 AM
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Phew, that whiff of Scottish air must have done you good.....yes, he's on the list but KIA. Tom Pybus is his name. Can I have you as my special adviser

The names on the memorial are quite frustrating, a lot not local on the 1911 census. My best guess is that a number came in to the district to work on the estates.

One is a complete puzzle. Born in Hampshire, married in Hampshire, kids in Hampshire and Dorset (Gosport and Portland) regular Royal Marine Light Infantry. Killed on board HMS Kent off Falklands end of 1914 (Sinking of the Scharnhorst). Wife remarried in Hampshire and died in Hampshire.......but. One child born in Alnwick Reg district in 1st Q of 1915. Died as child in Sedgefield Reg district, year after mother died in Hampshire

Last edited by janwhin; 12-09-2016 at 03:59 PM. Reason: correction
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  #35  
Old 02-09-2016, 05:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by janwhin View Post
Phew, that whiff of Scottish air must have done you good.....yes, he's on the list but KIA. Tom Pybus is his name. Can I have you as my special adviser

The names on the memorial are quite frustrating, a lot not local on the 1911 census. My best guess is that a number came in to the district to work on the estates.

One is a complete puzzle. Born in Hampshire, married in Hampshire, kids in Hampshire and Dorset (Gosport and Portland) regular Royal Marine Light Infantry. Killed on board HMS Kent off Falklands end of 1914 (Sinking of the Spee). Wife remarried in Hampshire and died in Hampshire.......but. One child born in Alnwick Reg district in 1st Q of 1915. Died as child in Sedgefield Reg district, year after mother died in Hampshire

That is a bit mysterious. No chance his wife could have been a local? Perhaps he was in the navy reserve in early 1914, choosing up here to live for some reason? Whisked back down south by the Admiralty on the declaration of war, pregnant wife left behind?

wiki has a pic of the ship's company in 1915. He is probably in there somewhere. The marines have the circular metal cap badge like the chap extreme bottom left, and the chap above him with the bugle under the arm.
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  #36  
Old 03-09-2016, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Coquet View Post
That is a bit mysterious. No chance his wife could have been a local? Perhaps he was in the navy reserve in early 1914, choosing up here to live for some reason? Whisked back down south by the Admiralty on the declaration of war, pregnant wife left behind?
Oh if it was only that straightforward.....no! Families, siblings, parents, all local to Hampshire. There must have been someone who thought so much of him that even in 1921 they wanted his name on the memorial.
I even got his military record from NA and there is a possible gap. He joined in 1901 and was permanently on ship or in port. January 1913 he left and joined the RFR. Gap between January 1913 and July 1914 which was when he joined the Venus and then the Kent. Jan 13 address given as Gosport.
Tried looking for birth registrations in Northumberland with his and wife's maiden name as mother's name. Nothing. I think I'm going to have to get the child's death cert and see who he ended up with. Hmmmm.
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  #37  
Old 03-09-2016, 10:46 AM
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Coquet Coquet is offline
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So he is in the reserves Jan 1913-July 1914, which must be his opportunity to come to Eglingham... but why?...was there any land owning retired naval officers in the district??

Does his service paper show any skill specialties?
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Old 03-09-2016, 11:16 AM
janwhin janwhin is offline
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Before joining up he was a farm labourer and on the Kent he was on the 6 inch guns which seem to have suffered a direct hit. The military record gives no special skills.
I've just discovered a family blog which suggests that there was also a child born and died in South Shields in 1913, so they were on the move, even if briefly. The Alnwick Gazette Almanack is more specific than Eglingham and says he was of Harehope. Maddening!!
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Old 05-09-2016, 01:58 PM
janwhin janwhin is offline
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It's amazing what you find out once you start looking at something

My Royal Marine on the Eglingham war memorial left behind a widow with several children. She remarried in 1917 but died in 1918 leaving young orphaned children.
After WW1 New Zealand farmers launched a fund for the benefit of orphans and dependants of killed or wounded British seamen (Royal Navy and Mercantile Marine). It was in repayment of what they felt was a debt to the seamen who had kept the shipping lanes open during the war, allowing their wool clips to reach England.
An establishment called Flock House which gave training in agriculture and farming was set up in NZ and from 1924 to 1937 British children within the above category were able to go to NZ and receive training. At the end of their time at Flock House they got jobs on NZ farms.
Two of my Royal Marine's sons went in 1926 and 1928 when they reached age 16.
From what I can gather this was an altogether more positive experience than that which transported English children to Australia after WW2.
You don't know what you don't know, as they say!
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Old 05-09-2016, 04:59 PM
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Interesting Kiwi connection.

I had a look at the medal roll for your man the other night, (I'm assuming he is Arthur Titheridge) as I thought there might be a note regarding disposal of the man's medals. There is something noted -"Leg Rep (Guardian of Dr.)" Which I assume is 'Legal Representative, guardian of daughter'
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