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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Roncoach on Tuesday 01 November 05 00:24 GMT (UK)
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Hi----my grandfather(Herbert Bolus)served with the above from 1904 to 1920: India, S.Africa, Western Front 1914-18 (he was an Old Contemptible), AoO Germany 1919;and as reservist in Ireland early 20s. I have the War Diary of the Batt (so have very detailed account of my grandad's movements then)------and I have visited the Museum near Lichfield. I am writing because I cannot find any photos of the Batt. during the time in question. Also-----I have little detail of service in India and South Africa from 1904 to 1911. Anyone a South Staffs expert or collector please ???? Ron Bolus
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Hi Ron!
You may have seen this already - but just in case you haven't!!
http://www.staffspasttrack.org.uk/exhibit/regiment/Default.htm
Annie :) :) :)
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hiya ron,the problem with 1904 is that the boer war had been over for only 3 years and people wanted to forget all about it and nothing was going on in india in the 1900s so theres not going to be very much info,have you tried the great war forum,ime sure one of my pals on there is into the south staffs but cant remember who,but ime sure some of the gang will have some pictures for you.all i found was what you probably already have.
drummer herbert bolus,later promoted to corporal,age in 1914 27,No 7112,2nd batt south staffs,good luck,mack
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Many thanks to Annie and Mack----------your interest is MUCH appreciated : sometimes I wonder if the South Staffs proud history is remembered at all: thank you both. I have seen the site you mention Annie----but please shout if you know any others: I would love to find some. Mack, I will contact the Forum I was not aware of ( I assume I just google Great war Forum ???). And, as my grandad (frontline, many of the horrific battles) managed to hide in some fox -hole for 4 years and come out unscathed (I knew the cunning old devil ;D) ), let us please acknowledge that he was a sergeant by 1918 ;)
Thx again to you both. Anybody else want to remember a regiment that has a history to be proud of, including the famous exploits at Arnhem in another little conflict??? TIA (and to Annie and Mack again)...........Ron
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Hi Ron!
I found a book - you might be interested !!
Hardback - Honours and Awards to the South Staffordshire Regiment
This new work takes a look at all the Honours and Awards given out to the South Staffordshire Regiment During World War I. Essential reading for any South Staffs Collector.
http://www.burmastar.org.uk/sthstaffs.htm
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/
Annie!!
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Thx Annie-----------a quick look at the link you provided seems to point to the Burma Star association, and exploits in WWII; it will be of general interest to me------but my main interest still lies in 1900-20. But thx. And i am really grateful for the Forum Link, which i shall "attack" with gusto ;) Thx VERY much.........Ron
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I thought the Burma Star had an Archive section!
Good Luck! Isn't this fun??
Annie
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Yes, Annie-------I was just testing you out there, well spotted ;D. Seriously the Burma Star Archives, by definition, can only go back as far as the Burma Campaign of 1941-45-----touche, je crois ;)
Yes----"fun" IS the right word. BTW, I knew many of your family : Mr Earl Howarth was my music teacher; Mr Herbert Price was my History teacher for A level;
and I'm sure I've heard of a seafaring chap called moules mariniere somewhere on my travels. Thx again, Annie--------I will not charge for any history lesson about Burma NOT being in WWI........ ;D Cheekyron
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OK Cheeky Ron!
Did you see these already?
http://www.ans.com.au/%7Erampais/genelogy/india/southstaffs/index.htm
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/antiquearmoury/
http://www.1914-1918.net/sstaffs.htm
http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/080-1.htm
Annie :P
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Anybody else want to remember a regiment that has a history to be proud of, including the famous exploits at Arnhem in another little conflict??? TIA (and to Annie and Mack again)...........Ron
Ron
I want to remember the South Staffordshire Regiment my G Grandad and three G Uncles served with the Staffords during WW1 two Uncles paying the supreme sacrifice. My Grandad and his brother served in the Staffords during WW2, I was at Arnhem in September laying crosses at the graves of 11 Wolverhampton men killed at Arnhem. It was mentioned that someone was interested in the Staffords on the WW1 Forum it maybe me,I have an extesive library on them and will look for info on them for you. It good to see someone else with the same passion.
Regards Doug.
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Ron
This is the info on the 2nd Btn in India and South Africa,not a lot going on.
The 2nd Battalion sailed 18th Oct 1897 on H.M.S. "Olive" for Rangoon, arriving there on October 26th. After two years' service in Burmah the Regiment returned to Calcutta on December 2nd, 1899, and served at various stations in India until November 12th, 1907, when they embarked on the H.M.T. "Soudan" for South Africa.
While serving in India the 2nd South Staffords on 21st
February, 1906, received new Colours from H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The Battalion, under command of Lieut.-Colonel E. K. Daubeney, D.S.O., proceeded by rail to Benares, and was formed up in hollow square in the grounds of Nandesar House at 9 a.m. on the 21st.
In November, 1907, the 2nd South Staffords moved from India to South Africa, and were quartered at Pretoria,Africa.
On November 9th, 1908, the Battalion trooped the King's Colour in the Church Square, Pretoria, the occasion being; the birthday of H.M. King Edward VII.
They were specially complimented by Lord Methuen, Commander-in-Chief, South.Africa, for their good work on this occasion.
On the 5th April, 1910, the Battalion formed a Guard of Honour on the occasion of the opening of the New Boer Parliament at Pretoria, by Lord Selborne, and on May 9th,attended the Proclamation of H.M. King George V. in Church Square, Pretoria. Leaving Pretoria on 18th January, 1911.
Regards Doug.
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My sincere thanks Doug-----and , especially at this time of the year, I send my thoughts to you with regard to your family losses in both World Wars.
Thank you so much for the info in the last message here. I have seen a photo of the New Colours Ceremony in India in 1906; my grandad also remembered it well: I think he travelled to the ceremony---and told me about it ( I knew him so well till he died in 1966 when I was 17----a wonderful man who would hardly talk about WWI )---he was in all the front-line battles of the 2nd Batt). He was in Agra 31.10.04; Allahabad 23.12.04; Hailana 13.7.05; Allahabad 15.10.05 to 10.11.07; south Africa 29.11.07; Pretoria 1.12.07 to 20.1. 11. He was at Aldershot when WWI broke out and, as you know sailed very soon for france. He served continuously in France/Flanders/AoO Germany 12.8.14 to 22.4.19.
I have been looking for some photos of life in the Indian postings -----but to no avail. However, I have a full copy of the War Diary and Colonel Vale's excellent book " History Of The South Staffordshire regiment"----both of which I am quite happy to loan to you anytime (if you have not got them already).
A little footnote of history is that my grandfather won the All-India Army Swimming Championship in 1906. No record exists (and i would expect a regimental Museum to have details of all such little things as that).His swimming medal has been lost. But his Old Contemptibles Badge (which he wore everyday till his death in 1966) and his War medals(inc Mons Star) are in safe-deposit. But the Museum at Whittington has been a disappointment to me, ever since I first visited it-----in particular their paucity of records and photos from the early 1900s is poor; with no real full-time staff, they have not got time to delve deep------because some exist somewhere; has anyone from the Regiment ever thought to enquire of the family's of the Colonels of long-ago (or indeed other officers or medal winners)? I think not. A pity-----I often imagine papers and photos existing in such family papers.
My Grandad DID mention Capt Kirby -----but it was fleeting and so long ago. I later studied the Great war at college, am a member of The Western Front Association, and have visited the Flanders Fields. We will not see their like again.
I appreciate this exchange very much Doug. My very best wishes. Ron Bolus
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Hi Ron!
Here are some sites of wonderful photos of India ...
http://www.harappa.com/photo3/index.html
Maybe not quite what you were wanting - but wonderful nontheless!!
Annie
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THx---------you are very kind; I will enjoy these----military or not. Take care. Best Wishes, Ron :)
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This is my "oh my goodness" site ...... !
http://www.worldofstereoviews.com/wwpage1.htm
Annie
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Hi Ron/ everyone talking.
I am new to this. I am chasing Ephraim Stokes, hence the e mail name. He was in the South Staffs 2nd Battalion and died at the Somme? in 1917. His name is mentioned at Thiepval Memorial but that is all i have.
Where can i go for more info etc.
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Hi E Stokes chaser
This is the info I have at present
Ephraim Stokes Lance Corporal service number 17311
2nd Btn South Staffordshire Regiment
Born and resident West Bromwich Enlisted Wednesbury. Killed in Action 17/2/17
Remembered on the Theipval memorial Pier and Face 7B
Go here to download his Medal Index card for £3 which will give more information on the medals he received
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=5600151&queryType=1&resultcount=1
Come back to me if you need any help with it. I have the war diary which I will look up this evening and any other information I have I will post
Regards Doug.
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Doug,
Thank you very much. your so kind. I have sent the £3 off.
Being very ignorant, if his name is at Thiepval does that mean he died there? Was there a battle? Or is that the Memorial and he died elsewhere.
Its times like these i wish my Grandmother was alive to ask.
Thanks, Ian
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Have you tried the regimental association?
Most regt museums have now been handed over to the local authorities, and it's a case of NFI from most of the staff employed at these places now
The Northamptons publish a quarterly magazine with loads of int on previous engagements etc etc....I even found out that a relative had won a DCM with the 1st bn in 1917!
Also the Mercians (or what ever the Staffs are called these days... ::) :o) may have something hanging around the messes, or as he was a drummer...the Corps of Drums may be able to give you some insight.
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Hi Ian
Information taken from History of the South Staffordshire Regiment by Jones.
“February 17th was fixed for an attack on Baillescourt Farm,which, if won, would give us the command of the Western approaches to Miraumont. The Battalion left their billets Farm in the evening of the 16th for the front line. The cloudy weather resulted in a pitch dark night, and the thaw made going very difficult. The Germans evidently expected an attack, and their artillery shelled the front and forming-up places continuously, so that the carrying parties were late in arriving. About 5.45 a.m. our barrage opened, and the assaulting lines began to crawl forward to get to their position in I. Trench. For some time the position was rather obscure. The Battalion had gained its objective, but was subjected to the German machine gun fire and casualties were heavy. Afterwards, it was discovered that the attack had been given away and the German line strongly reinforced with men and machine guns.”
64 men and four officers were killed in the assualt.
To answer your question the area of the attack was in the Courcelette subsectorwhich came under the Battle of the Somme.
The Thiepval Memorial, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Hope this helps.
Regards Doug.
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My three uncles died in WW1 and were part of the 2nd Battallion South Staffordshire Regiment. I have found details of their deaths at the National Archives in Kew and on the internet on the SSRegiment webite.
Today I have been around Jeffcock Road cemetery in Wolverhampton and there are several gravestones of soldiers from the SS Regiment that died in WW1. I do not remember seeing the name Bolus, but there must have been around 12 graves specifically for SS Regiment soldiers. My Great Grandfather is buried in Jeffcock Rd Cemetery (1930) and he was from SS Regiment and received the DCM and OBE - both medals are in the Regimental museum in Lichfield (Whittinghton Barracks) so this could be a good place to start your search.
Good luck with your search.
JB
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Hello - Iam reseatching my Grandfather, James Taylor born Stoke? Staffordshire 1890. He was a with 2Bn South Staffordshire Regt 1914 onwards. His nickname was Lucy - short for Lucifer - as he was supposedly a "bad boy in his time"
He married Theresa Agnes O'Brien of Whittington, Lichfield in 1914 (I presume before he went to War). He had a son George. He has connections with Lichfield/Stoke/T Trentham Gardens and Manchester. I do not know how long he served or where he went when discharged -he seems to have disappeared from that time onwards.
If you or anybody else has any information or photos I would love to hear about it. I know very little about him and would dearly love to trace him or his family, or at least have some information on him. I have read your message and as you indicate that you have some history there, I wondered if he appears there at all. Many thanks for your time.
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I can't help with your Grandfather James Taylor but I do have a couple of photos from that time. My Grandfather was 8032 James Jones and he joined the Regiment in July 1907 at the age of 18. The photo of the guys in the woods has my Grandfather in tghe group and he is third from the right. I am guessing that the guys on parade are in Africa as my Grandad served in Pretoria. He was discharged in May 1914 on completion of service but was back in a nd sailed to LE Harve in September finally completing his time in 1919. He was one of the lucky ones and survived the war without serious injury. I would like to know more of his service history but I will have to visit the Regimental Museum for that. I do have his medals. discharge certificate, his Red Book and his Soldiers Small Book. So I do have a fair bit of his life right there.
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Hi Doug,
I've just been looking at your post
I have a relative who also died on the 17th February 1917.
William Wright 2nd lieutenant 2nd Btn S. Staffs DCM
Is there any information or photos you have that may include him?