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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Uncle Reff on Monday 15 August 11 07:56 BST (UK)

Title: Whare was the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May 1918?
Post by: Uncle Reff on Monday 15 August 11 07:56 BST (UK)

I am researching a relative who died of wounds on 24 May 1918 in Rouen:-

Thomas Rattle; Private 225094 1st Battalion (City of London) Royal Fusiliers

I presume that he was being taken injured back to the UK but died on the way. I would really like to find out where he was when he was injured, but have been unable to find out where the battalion was in May of that year. There are no surviving service records of course...

I would appreciate it if anyone could point me in the right direction. Below is a tribute page on my website with the full details:-

http://www.reffell.org.uk/WW1/thomasrattle.php

Many thanks in advance - John

Title: Re: Whare was the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May 1918?
Post by: mmm45 on Monday 15 August 11 10:36 BST (UK)

Hi John
He was in the London Regiment a Territorial Soldier...I think you will need the Unit War Diary for 1918 then at least you will have an idea what area he was in..unlikely to name him though.
They are usually held at Kew some are online and downloadable on Documents online..Others you have to email an order...unsure of cost

Ady

Title: Re: Whare was the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May 1918?
Post by: ainslie on Monday 15 August 11 11:03 BST (UK)

That RF/London Regiment is always confusing!
If we take the Territorial statement, the 1st Bn, London Regiment was part of 167th Brigade, in 56th Division from February 1916 to the end of the war.
In 1918 56th Division were not engaged in any 'Battle or Engagement' until the 'First Battles of the Somme 1918' starting on 21st March.  That is not to say that they were out of the action, and it would take more digging to find exactly where they were.  However, if Pte Rattle died of wounds, they could have been inflicted at any time previously.
The 56th Division was involved in 'The Cambrai Operations', 20th November - 7th December 1917, including Battle of Cambrai, The Tank Attack, Capture of Bourlon Wood, The German Counter-attacks.

You might have to get hold of a War Diary to find out more, but Other Ranks' names are seldom included.


My source for this: British Regiments 1914-18 and A Record of the Battles & Engagments of the British Armies in France & Flanders, both by E A James.

A

Title: Re: Whare was the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May 1918?
Post by: forester on Monday 15 August 11 13:56 BST (UK)

John,

The war diary is in WO 95/2949.

It is available to download for £3-50 via Documents Online.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0en5/

Phil

Title: Re: Whare was the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May 1918?
Post by: Uncle Reff on Tuesday 16 August 11 07:07 BST (UK)

Thank you all,

Greatly appreciated ;)

As has been said, as he died of wounds this action could have been some time before he died...

John

Title: Re: Whare was the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May 1918?
Post by: Uncle Reff on Tuesday 16 August 11 07:46 BST (UK)

Well I have to say that was a bargain; 795 pages for £3.50  ;D

Title: Re: Whare was the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May 1918?
Post by: forester on Tuesday 16 August 11 20:00 BST (UK)

I have a feeling that it is an offer that cannot last forever.

Phil