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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: martinc on Wednesday 08 July 09 16:57 BST (UK)
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On the 16th June 1915 the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers went into battle at Bellewaarde, Ypres, Belgium. My Great Uncle, age 19 was killed in action on that day.
I started to look into what happened and found information of many casualties. The battle was particularly fearce.
I have decided to build a website dedicated to ALL the men of 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and to tell their story of the 16th June 1915.
To be able to help people fully understand in detail the full horrors, I need to tell the individual soldiers story and if possible a picture that will put a human face on it.
I have attached a full list of deaths due to this action which may help you.
Now here is the tricky bit: Do you have a relation who served in the 1st battalion Northumberland Fusiliers between 1914 and the end of 1915 (I need to find those that died and survived. Do you have a picture and/or a story that can be added to the dedication of these very brave men. I would be very pleased to hear from you.
Martin
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hi Martin, are you aware of this site for WW1 photos?
http://www.ww1photos.com/NorthumberlandFusiliers.html
might be helpful.
Diddy
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btw, not suggesting you pay to see all photos but it gives names - whether died / survived.
Diddy
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Thanks for that Diddy.
The trouble is at least £3.86 per image I would be a very poor man very soon.
It is an option I suppose.
Thanks
Martin
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as i said - it at least gives you names / ranks / died /survived as a start to your Quest.
Good luck, Diddy
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Further to my previous post I attach these images, one is of a newspaper cutting announcing grandads death t'other is of his name on the Menin Gate which I will be visiting again on the 27th sept. I will be endeavouring to find the battlesite too. I would be gratefull for any help you could give me in being able to find the site.
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Many thanks Bill, I shall ensure his name will be remembered on the site.
If you mail me at
info@bellewaarde.co.uk
I have some information that you can take to Ypres with you so that you will find the site. I can email you a battlefield map that will give you an idea of where Thomas fell.
Best wishes
Martin
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Hello Martin, I want to THANK YOU profusely for your effort in this matter. I am fairly certain that my Uncle, Michael KING, Private #8013 of the First Batallion of the Northumberland Fusiliers qualifies for your site. Sadly, I have no photos, but my information is from the CWGC website, IGI. My Uncle was killed 16 June 1915 and left his widow, Emily (nee: Driscoll) and a son. There is a brass plaque memorializing both this Uncle and his Brother, Charles Thomas King, who was also killed in the Great War. The plaque is in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle-on-Tyne . Pat
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Hi Pat
Many thanks for your kind words.
I have checked the details for Michael King, 8013, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. It would appear that he was killed in action 18th January 1915.
It would appear that he was in 'W' Company and was recorded as 'Killed' at a place near Ypres called Kemmel.
The diary records that the Germans were shelling the British trenches at a time when new pumps were being fitted to the trenches. I can only assume the pumps were to remove the water and mud which is still rife in Flanders in January. No other action was recorded, so I can only assume he was killed by shell fire, either explosion or shrapnel.
If you go to www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk and go to the bottom of the page, click the link to email me. I will be able to get your email address so that I can send you the diary details.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Martin
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Hi Martin,
My great uncle, Ernest Cooper Smith ( always known as Cooper), Private 8713 was in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He is one of the many with no known grave and has his name on the Menin Gate. His date of death was 8th November 1914.
I have photographs of the panel with his name on it - in fact, I left him a poppy just a few weeks ago, when I was visiting Ypres.
But I struggle to find my way around military sites and haven't been able to find any clearer detail as to where he might have been when he died or indeed of any other details of his military service. Being a Smith doesn't help when it comes to searching!
If you are able to shed any light on Cooper, I'd be so grateful. He looks rather suave - totally at odds with what I know to be his very humble family origins.
Thanks in anticipation ,
Jen
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Hi Martin
My husband's grandfather George Neale was in the 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish). He was awarded the Military Medal and Bar and was killed on 30 Aug 1916 aged 36 in France. He was operating a heavy trench mortar and his gun emplacement was blown up. He was buried in the front line then his grave site was blown up.He is commemorated in the Berkshire cemetary extension near Ypres. We visited Ypres some years ago .
We have his medal with other memorabilia and some photos of him in uniform.He left a wife and 5 children .We are so proud of him .
Irene
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I am very interested to see that Brushbroomstick's relative served in the Tyneside Scottish.
My husand's grandfather, Joseph West of Byker N/Castle, served with them too, and was one of the few survivors from the Tyneside Scottish at the Battle of the Somme.
Your man must have also survived it , only to fall later in the year.
There is a wonderful memorial to the Tyneside Scottish +Irish at La Boisselle, not far from the Thiepval memorial.
We know almost nothing about Joe's war-time experiences- like most old soldiers, he was reluctant to say much.
Could I ask where your man lived before enlisting?
Do you know if the service records for their battalion still exist?
Any info which might shed light on our Joe's experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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Hi Jen
Many thanks for the contact about E Smith. I concur, he looks a real gentleman, as I'm sure he was.
I have had a quick look around and I can tell you that he died at the Battle of Herenthage Chateau. This place was close to Hooge, East of Ypres along the Menin Road.
It was a battle where many shells were used to destroy trenches. Ernest was reported as missing, as he did not attend roll call, as were many, many others. This was quite common due to the nature of this type of battle. He would have been recorded as killed in action at a later date.
I have a copy of the original war diary written at the time and also a narrative of the events that took place over 7th-8th and 9th November 1914. If you can let me have your email address via message, I will send them to you along with anything else I can find.
Regards
Martin
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Hi Irene and Bykerlads.
I'm affraid I'm out of my depth with the 22nd, however, it does appear that the two of you will be able to share information
Regards
Martin
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Martin,
Thank you so much. I know the area you mean from when I did my trip to Ypres in November.
I shall send you a PM with my email details.
I'm not normally like this but I feel quite emotional about it. I wish my mother was still alive so that I could tell her what you have found.
Jen :)
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War Diaries....
I recently spent several days in National Archives at Kew reading through WW1 War Diaries for the 24th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
(Tyneside Irish).
I was disappointed that although actions and events were described, soldiers names were not recorded ( other than officers ).
Michael
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Hi Jen
I have sent the details, I hope they give you what you want, let me know?
You are not alone with your feelings! The brave soldiers from WW1 will never be forgoten because people like you will always remember them.
Regards
Martin
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In those days Michael, Officers were always mentioned in the way they led the charge with dash, or those who died were mentioned because they led the charge etc. I think the reason for this is because the diary was written by officers.
In some diaries such as the 1st Northumberland, it was traditional to record ALL casualties which was quite rare for the period.
I would suggest checking out some of the books written about regiments and ordering them at your local library. The author has usually researched men and officers and you tend to get a more balanced record.
As you may have read at the begining of this thread, I am building a website and I have taken the time to record ALL men and officers, including the enemy, who died at the Battle of Bellewaarde 16th June 1915 because I feel they all did their bit and therefore they should all get the recognition they deserve.
You may find others who are reserching the same regiment and therefore can help you, at the Great War Forum!
Regards
Martin
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Martin,
I know I have sent my thanks in an email but feel I really have to make it a public one because what you have given me is exceptional and amazing and other RC people need to know what you are doing.
I would never have expected Cooper Smith's name to be listed. As a mere private, I'd have thought he would be just another number in the archives. I don't mean to sound derogatory and I'm sure that each officer, throughout the forces, would have wanted to record all the men lost but the scale of those numbers must have made it virtually impossible and the fact that any official document was kept in those conditions is a miracle in itself.
So to read about the events of the day and to see Cooper's name listed amongst the missing is a very special and poignant thing for me.
Thank you so much and good luck with your web-site. I do hope you are going to let us know when it is up and running.
Jen :)
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Hi Bykerlads
Our George Neale was a miner in Blyth before enlisting. We visited the Fusilers Museum in Alnwick Castle and looked at the War diaries which give very little information. We have been unable to ascertain his Citations for the MM or MMbar. We do have a photo of the Battalion at Alnwick camp before they went to France . If you PM me I will try to send you a copy .
I also have the Military Medal of my uncle William Metcalfe from Birtley Durham who served with the 12th Northumberland Fusiliers and who survived the war and lived into his late 70s. I have no photos or information of his service and he would never talk about his experiences.
Irene
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Irene,
Bob Balmer is historian attached to Blyth Library.
Amongst his many "labours of love" is CVs of every ship built in Blyth, databas detailing inns/taverns/beer houses from the Tweed to the Tyne, and database of WW1 enlistments in the Blyth area.
He also researched all Blyth area recipients of gallantry awards in WW1 ( and WW2)
Some of his works are available in book form in the library, but I am out of date with what's what. Blyth Library tel no is 01670-361352.
Michael
ex-Blyth
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Thanks a lot for that info Michael. I always say you are a fount of knowledge. We will visit the Blyth library as soon as we can find a spare couple of hours or so.
Irene
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Hi Martin C
My Grandfather fought with the Northumberland Fusiliers, during the 14-18 war.
I know nothing else about him. Unfortunately, he was 43 when my mother (his only child) was born, and died when she was 11. I do know he had an identical twin brother (mirror twins) and they both enlisted at the same time.
I have requested a copy of his Service Record from the Army Archives, but they say it may be some time before I receive it due to the volume of requests received - mainly from Family Historians. Any information you may have on him would be gratefully received. His details are as follows:
Robert William Marshall born 24 Dec 1898. I'm not sure where he would have enlisted, but he had links to Willington Quay, Morpeth and Hexham.
Regards
EeyoreBlue
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What were the names of his parents ?
Michael
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Hi Michael
Robert William's parents were as follows:
Robert William Marshall, born 1863 Alnwick, Northumberland
Ellen Appleby, born 1860, Newcastle.
(Married 1889, Morpeth)
If it's any help, his twin was John (Jack) Marshall
Regards
EeyoreBlue
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Hi Michael
I'm not sure if you'd be interested, but I have got a photograph of my grandfather, with his twin in a group photo of the Home Guard circa 1941. Unfortunately, it does not have names recorded, and I am unable to identify my grandfather, as he and his twin were so alike all their lives, my mum is unsure which is her father and which is her uncle.
EeyoreBlue
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Robert and John were born at Willington Quay, born 1898.
(1901 Census 126 George St, WQ ref 4798-117-18)
By 1911 family living in Morpeth area.
Father Robert William born in Amble area.
Twins would have been aged 16 when WW1 started
Michael.
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Hi Michael
Thanks for that info, although I already knew most of it. When i said previously that I knew very little about him, I meant with regard to his war record.
Family folklore always said that the twins lied about their ages and joined up pretty young. I'm not sure what the age limit was, but I understand that they might have been involved from fairly early on in the war.
EeyoreBlue
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Robert attested in Newcastle 23 Nov 1916. Home address 10 Olympia Gardens, Morpeth. Height 5ft 1".
There are 24 pages of his record on Ancestry.
Michael
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Northumberland Fusiliers WW1
google search images
sylvia
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Hi Michael
Thanks for that, I've looked on Ancestry and couldn't find anything, so I must be doing something wrong!
Any chance you supply me with the link?
Regards
EeyoreBlue
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Me not techie
But the search for "Military" is easy-peasy from Ancestry home page !
Michael
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Martin,
You may want to get hold of a book called "By the Green of the Spring" by JH Hardy in 2004, published by the Amble Social History Group. It is a tribute to all the men killed in the 1st War in Chevington and Broomhill with many photographs and descriptions of their actions and deaths. John gathered all the information from local families. He lives in Red Row.
Janet
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Hi Michael
I've found Robert William Marshall's Army Service Records - and it contains a few suprises!
Having always been told he was in the Northumberland Fusiliers, it turns out he was in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. Couldn't really get further from Northumberland!
Thanks for all the tips.
EeyoreBlue
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My great uncle was John Sproat, I believe he was with the RNF and he died at the battle of the Somme 1916 and is buried at Beaumont Hammel war cemetery. I include a photo which is reported to be of him but I have been unable to fully confirm this. Family legend has it, he was attached to the Field Ambulance Corps. The photo show a stripe (inverted chevron) on the left sleeve below the elbow, does anyone know the significance of this? also he is not wearing "Gators" or "Putees" as I believe was the standard. If anyone has further info on John it would be greatly appreciated
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Thanks for your post 'Beowulf53'
I'm sorry it's taken so long to reply.
I'm not that conversant with this period of WW1, however. going by the response you have had I would think that you need someone who has expertise in this area.
I would sugest that using other forum may be of help. Try Great War Forum http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/ ou may find you will have a greater response from a wider group of individuals.
Martin
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I have a copy of the original war diary written at the time and also a narrative of the events that took place over 7th-8th and 9th November 1914. If you can let me have your email address via message, I will send them to you along with anything else I can find.
Regards
Martin
Hello Martin,
Is there anything on this chap, especially war diary for date of death? Many thanks Soren
Name: CAMPBELL, FRANCIS
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Northumberland Fusiliers
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 37
Date of Death: 12/12/1914
Service No: 6137
Additional information: Son of John and Margaret Campbell, of Berwick-on-Tweed; husband of Hannah Campbell, of 16, Charlotte St., Newcastle-on-Tyne. Served in the South African Campaign.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 8 and 12.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
w
Would you
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Hi Soren
If you P.M. me your email address I will send you the details you require.
Regards
Martin
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Hi Martin hoping for some information on 1543 Private Mathew Wilkinson killed in action on the 8th of November with the 1st Battalion.
Thanks in advance for any information.
Regards Paul
His CWGC details are
Private MATHEW WILKINSON
1543, 1st Bn., Northumberland Fusiliers
who died age 32 on 08 November 1914
Son of Emily Wilkinson, of 28, Thompson St., Tyne Dock, South Shields, and the late Mathew Wilkinson.
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Hi Paul
I have some information for you, however, you will need to email me at * so that I have your return email, as the content is too large for posting.
Regards
Martin(*)
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to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
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Hi Martin,
Just found this Post.
My Grandfather Private Joseph Collins 15655 1st Battallion Northumberland Fusiliers was listed as wounded at Hooge in June 1915. I dont have any information further to that but he survived the war. He came from South Shields but I dont know if he returned to the battalion in France or not. He eventually became an acting sergeant.
Any additional info would be great.
regards
Chris
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Hi Martin,
I have a great uncle who survived the trenches and fought with the Northumberland Fusiliers despite being a teacher from Portsmouth. Unfortunately I'm not sure which battalion he was in - I can offer this info.: 'Benjamin L Goater Northumberland Fusiliers 47039 Private'. He was known in the family for never talking about his experiences. His elder brother Horace who was my grandfather also started the war with the Northumberland Fusiliers and was made a temporary Captain in the reserve before being transferred.
Regards,
Phil
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Hi, Chris
Thanks for the reply to the post.
Joseph is noted in the Northumberland Fusilieres diary for the day:
15655 Pte Collins J W Wounded 16/06/1915
The 'W' is the Company in which he served, The same as my Great Uncle.
You can find all the information on what happened that day by visiting my website Bellewaarde 1915 at www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk
If you have Josephs family details - Mother, father, siblings, birth and death date and Census info I will be able to create a page for him so that he may be remembered for what he did that day
You can contact me direct via the sites info email address by clicking on the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of the sites page.
Martin
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Hi, Phil
Thanks for the reply.
Do you know if Benjamin fought at Bellewaarde on 16th June 1915?
Martin
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Sorry Martin I haven't got a clue at this moment in time - I guess I'd have to see his medal card.
Regards,
Phil
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Hi Martin,
I have most of the information you mention. A photograph will be difficult but I can try.
I am interested in where he went after this but Im not sure where to look. His number doesnt bring up anything at the National Archives other than his medal card which I have. Thats where the acting sergeant comes from. My aunt says he was also in India, I presume later on.
Chris
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Thanks for the reply, Phil. It would be great to know if he fought at Bellewaarde or not! If you come across anything, please let me know?
Martin
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Hi, Chris
His name and number is in the diary, however I can't find his medal information!
If you PM me your address I can send you the full digital diary from 1914 - 1919 which will tell you exactly where he went.
Regards
Martin
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Hi Martin,
I've sent you a P.M. Here is the Medal file I was talking about.
Chris
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Hi Chris
Your man must have fought at Bellewaarde 16th June 1915 as he entered in March 1915 and then went through the war.
Any other info yet?
Martin
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Hi Martin,
Been heavily tied up and let things slip. Sorry for not replying sooner. I'm told that a cousin has a photo of the company all together so I'm waiting for that. I've got a photo showing Joseph and others in "Africa" somewhere with Pith Helmets. Date Unknown ! I can give you all the other details mentioned if you like.
Went to Belgium and France in November to do a little local research in Ypres, Hooge Bellewaarde and on to Loos and Arras following the regiments route. Quite a bit disturbing knowing more now what happened. Spent a while in the tunnels under Arras Town Squares where they were billeted according to the diary.
regards
Chris
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Hi Chris
Many thanks for letting me know, but don't worry about time as I still have a lot of research to do, so I'm not going anywhere!
I will be going to Bellewaarde 16th June this year and I know I will feel a little disturbed when I walk around where I know so many died.
I have a Group page on Facebook now - Bellewaarde 1915 (Group) it's a quick and easy way to keep in touch regarding the battle.
Have a look, you can read all you want, if you want to post, just ask to join and I'll sign you in.
Just search for me or Bellewaarde 1915 (WW1 Group)
Kind regards
Martin
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Martin,
My grand uncle - Arthur John BROOKES (I have no pic's), served with 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in WWI, as Private 15123. He went to France & Flanders, was wounded and died of his injuries on 27 Jul 1916. We have no further info at present other than his medal card (attached). Can you help?
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Hi Telfordmoz
Thanks for getting in touch and I will give as much help as I possibly can.
Most of the records for WW1 soldiers were lost during a bombing raid on London in 1940 when the building they were in was hit and caught fire, most of the damage was actually water damage from the efforts to extinguish the flames. I note that you have his card so I guess you have checked everything on Ancestry.co.uk .
The card records that he received a 1915 Star, this means that he entered the European Theatre of war in that year. The next step is to go to the Great War Forum at http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?act=idx sign up (Free) go to 'Soldiers' and post the question about his possible joining date and give his service number and name, there are experts there who will be able to gice a rough indication i.e. November 1914 etc.
There is a possibility that he fought at the Battle of Bellewaarde 16th June 1915 and if that is the case check out my website Bellewaarde 1915 www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk which will give you a very good understanding of what Arthur went through.
I will check my records and see if I can find details of his death and I will get back to you. You can also keep in touch through Facebook at Bellewaarde 1915 WW1 Group https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/Bellewaarde1915/ If this link takes you to my main page click on 'Add Friend' and I'll add you to the group. Speak soon
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Martin,
Thanks for the quick reply and your helpful advice, which I will follow-up.
Maurice
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Maurice looking at the MIC I think he originally joined 8th Battalion (his theatre of entry is 2b which is Balkans so points to Gallipoli/Dardanelles and with the 1915 dates there was only 8th NF in that area at that time.
1st Batt didnt serve in Dardanelles only Western Front area.
Ady
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Hi Ady
You're right the MIC does indicate this, but the real confusing part is that his death date coincides with Delville Wood at the Somme. Looking at his memorial in Staffordshire it records Death Flanders, Belgium. Interestingly the CWGC records England, Staffordshire. both have same date, both records indicate D.O.Wounds. Really confusing isn't it. If it is the case that he got home after being wounded I would take a bet on Northern France and the 1st Battalion. Clearly there is an error somewhere and I guess that's why we need information about the joining date etc.
I had a look at the war diary for the 1st Battalion. All the way from 1914 to the Somme they have recorded every casualty, annoyingly this stopped at the end of March 1916....
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This is what's written
PENKRIDGE WAR MEMORIAL
STAFFORDSHIRE
The village and church memorial have the same names.
The village memorial is near the entrance to
St Michael’s churchyard.
Compiled with additional information by kind permission of the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BROOKES Arthur John (Memorial has Arthur) (SDWG have Private 15123, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, died of wounds, 27th July 1916. in Belgium.) (CWGC have same army number and regiment but died at the Depot of the Northumberland Fusiliers aged 26. Son of William and Ellen of Huntingdon Terrace, Chadsmoor, Staffordshire. Native of Penkridge, and is buried at Cannock Cemetery, Staffordshire which is at The cemetery, at Old Fallow, in Pye Green Road, )
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Martin/Ady,
I note your comments; all of which are valid, but leave me confused also. Is it possible that Arthur John BROOKES might have changed Battalion?
Regarding the details from CWGC. The Arthur John BROOKES referred to is the correct one; as the parents referred to i.e. William and Ellen, of Huntingdon Terrace, Chadsmoor, Staffordshire are my great grand father/mother.
Maurice
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Maurice
Absolutely possible that he changed Battalions maybe he was wounded or sick during the Dardanelles campaign and when he recovered he was sent to 1st Battalion.
The truth may lie in the actual Medal Rolls at Kew which will hopefully give battalions.
Unfortunately you would need to visit or get a researcher to get the info as they arent online.
Looking like he was wounded on Western Front and brought home where he died.
Have you found a death cert on BMDs it may give you where he died in UK
There are a few Northumberland Fusiliers from Staffordshire Area who were casualties in 8/9th Batts with similar numbering ...The guy with number 15124 was a Sgt with 8th Battalion when killed in action.
So change of battalion is I think what happened.
Ady
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Ady,
Thanks again for your time and the useful information. Your suggestion re' Arthur's death cert' is well worth following up, for the small cost involved... and I have been considering a trip to Kew for a long time. This might just give the the reason to go.
Maurice
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Theres an Arthur Brookes death in Cambridge July Q 1916 that may be him
Would there be an obituary in local paper of time ?
Hope you get the answers
Ady
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Ady,
I did an Ancestry search, but nothing jumps out. If he was returned to Army barracks and died there, do you know where would that have been?
Maurice
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http://www.rootschat.com/links/0l4i/
This looks like only UK BMD that fits If he was wounded in France then shipped home to a military hospital and died there.Age is only slightly out.
CWGC only gives 1 x UK death in July 1916 and thats your man.
Ady
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Ady,
I like your optimism... and it won't cost much to find out if you're right.
I'll make an application later in the week. Fingers crossed.
Maurice
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I have a feeling Ady has the right idea and if the death certificate is the right one it may state place (country) wounded as the reason.
Come back to us when you have the certificate and let us know?
Good luck Maurice!
Martin
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Martin/Ady,
I have just placed an online order for Arthur's death cert', with Cambridge Registry Office.
I'll get back to you both in a few days.
Maurice
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Fingers crossed its your man :)
Ady
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Martin/Ady,
Cambridge Registry Office have pulled out all the stops and a small envelope dropped through my door this morning. I love that feeling if anticipation before it's opened, to reveal the secrets that it contains.
As you will see below, it's not conclusive (a middle name would have helped). Although, I have no doubt that you will be able to make more sense of the contents than I have. It certainly confirms that Arthur Brookes finished his service with the 1st Battalion Northumberland's and that the death was reported by the Army - via a Sgt Major.
Maurice
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Maurice
I cant read it when i try and enlarge it it goes all pixellated!
Its got to be your man theres no other Arthur Brookes died round that time with NF what address does it give?
Good service there with the DC! :)
Ady
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Ady,
He died at the Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, of double pneumonia. The informant is listed as Resident Sgt Major, Hospital, Burrel's Walk, Cambridge. His name is unreadable, as there is only a signature.
Maurice
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My grandfather - William James Dix - was in the 1st Battalion. He enlisted in Jan 1914 and was discharged unfit for further service in Aug 1917 suffering from shell shock.
He was awarded the Silver War Badge and most likely went with the BEF in Aug 1914. I've no idea when he returned to England.
I've searched the Battalion War Diaries for the first year but his name does not appear in the Appendix Casualty Lists. It's difficult to believe he was in France later than the summer of 1915.
I've been writing an account of his Army service and would love to have more detail such as what Company he was in.
I have a photo of him in uniform probably taken before he went to France but is too big a file to post on this site.
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Hi 10BalmesRoad.
Many thanks for the reply, I find it of great interest.
The 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers received orders to mobilize at 6 p.m. 4th August and disembarked Harve 14th August 1914, William's date of entering the Theatre of War is recorded as 13th August 1914, so he would have fought at Mons, which I guess you would have read about in the War diary. There is also every likelyhood that he fought at the Battle of Bellewaarde. He is not recorded as a casualty so he wasn't wounded at all. You can find more information about this battle at my website www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk
He would have fought in many other battles throughout the war until 1917 when he was demobilised.
I would really be honoured to be able to create a page on the Bellewaarde website dedicated to him and if you could let me have a copy of the picture and also some background info, especially what he did after the war I would be grateful. I will send you my email address by message.
Thanks
Martin
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Hi,
I have only recently started searching my family history, and i have found 2 photo's.
Norman Sidney Elliot, and Robert William Craig. Both are listed on the British Army WW1 Medal index (according to ancestry), but I don't seem to be able to find much about them.........?
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Marandlau
Welcome to Rootschat....If you can put any details you have from the Index Cards im sure we can expand your knowledge
Ady :)
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Hi,
I've attached the images that I have.
I know they both survived the war, they both lived into their 60's, but beyond that, they are just known as photo's on a wall, truly depressing!
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Hi,
with regards to the earlier post
Hello Martin, I want to THANK YOU profusely for your effort in this matter. I am fairly certain that my Uncle, Michael KING, Private #8013 of the First Batallion of the Northumberland Fusiliers qualifies for your site. Sadly, I have no photos, but my information is from the CWGC website, IGI. My Uncle was killed 16 June 1915 and left his widow, Emily (nee: Driscoll) and a son. There is a brass plaque memorializing both this Uncle and his Brother, Charles Thomas King, who was also killed in the Great War. The plaque is in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle-on-Tyne . Pat
I believe you may have muddled the Michael Kings. Private Michael King number 8013 was my great uncle, and therefore at first I thought we might be related, but he died in KJanuary 1915.
Dave King
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I know this is an old thread but my comment is relevant. My Great Great Uncle Lance Corporal (sometimes listed as Private?) William Willis Thompson of the 22nd Battalion the Northumberland Fusiliers fell on the 21 March 1918. I was wondering if anyone knew much about what the battalion were up to at that time?
I think it may be related to the Spring Offensive and the Bois Grenier Line, but I would love to know more.
Regards,
Keiren
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Keiren
This web site may help, some really clever people on the site same as here.
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com
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Thanks a lot. :)
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Hi Martin,
My great uncle, Ernest Cooper Smith ( always known as Cooper), Private 8713 was in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He is one of the many with no known grave and has his name on the Menin Gate. His date of death was 8th November 1914.
I have photographs of the panel with his name on it - in fact, I left him a poppy just a few weeks ago, when I was visiting Ypres.
But I struggle to find my way around military sites and haven't been able to find any clearer detail as to where he might have been when he died or indeed of any other details of his military service. Being a Smith doesn't help when it comes to searching!
If you are able to shed any light on Cooper, I'd be so grateful. He looks rather suave - totally at odds with what I know to be his very humble family origins.
Thanks in anticipation ,
Jen
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Hello Jen, Welcome to Rootschat. My Uncle was also in he First Batallion of the Northumberland Fusiliers; he was killed, I understnad, near Ypres (Leper) on 18 Jan 1915. I am sure other more knowledgeable persons on Rootschat have some better ideas, but, I am thinking since this was wintertime, perhaps the First Batallion was "hunkered down" in that area for most of the winter. I hope this helps. patrexjax
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Hi,
I think there is a bit of confusion over my post about Cooper Smith. I did this way back in July '10 ( I have been a member of RC since 2004 or thereabouts! It's very nice to be welcomed but I think that was meant for new member Malmarsden, who has put my post into a quote but not said any more about it. ???
For what it's worth, I have now met Cooper's granddaughter and have lots more information on him as well as copies of some of his letters from the trenches close to Ieper.
So - welcome malmarsden - was there something you wanted to know about Ernest Cooper Smith and if so, can I help you?
Jen :)
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Hi Martin, thanks for all your work here. I am trying to find out more about my Great Grandfather William Thomas Scott who fought in the first battalion of the Northumberland fusiliers,service no 9340, and is listed by the war graves commission as having been killed on 27th July 1915. He is apparently listed on the Ypres memorial both panels 8 and 12. Someone told me perhaps that means he served with more than one regiment but unfortunately I don`t know any more than that and sadly have no photographs. I`ve only just started research though, so I`ll let you know any more I find out. Can you recommend anywhere to head for more information? Thanks again, Pete Wentland
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Good evening, Pete.
I may be able to help you.
William T Scott, Pte 9340, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.
Landed in France on 29th June 1915, fell 27th July 1915.
Piccadilly Farm, 8 men of Y company killed. It would appear that on the 26th Y company were in the first line trench and that night were heavily shelled and mortared for two hours. I can only assume this was near to midnight, so the deaths were recorded as 27th. The reason I state this is that the 27th was recorded as a quiet day and Y company went back for rest and W company took their place in the trenches.
I hope this helps
Kind regards
Martin
P.S. Please view our appeal and I would be very grateful if you could share
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Hi Martin C I am very very new to RootsChat and was very interested in everyones posts regarding WW1 casualties. Bill T had a posted a photograph with a relative's name, part of the Menin Gate memorial. I am researching local lads who died in WW1 and two I know of have their names on the Menin Gate memorial too. Does anyone know where I could find a site with a photo of all of the names - I am looking for T Campbell and J Rowbotham, sadly the surnames beginning with C were not on Bill's photo. This is my first post so I look forward to hearing from you.
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Hi Martin C I am very very new to RootsChat and was very interested in everyones posts regarding WW1 casualties. Bill T had a posted a photograph with a relative's name, part of the Menin Gate memorial. I am researching local lads who died in WW1 and two I know of have their names on the Menin Gate memorial too. Does anyone know where I could find a site with a photo of all of the names - I am looking for T Campbell and J Rowbotham, sadly the surnames beginning with C were not on Bill's photo. This is my first post so I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi. The best place to go is the Great War Forum, you can find it via Google. Once joined you will find a wealth of information. Some members of the forum live near the Menin Gate and will help you. Also if you mail me I may be able to help with research as that is what I do. Let me know.
Martin