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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: GEOFREWAR on Wednesday 19 July 17 17:04 BST (UK)
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Hi Everybody,
I'm writing a book about my Grand-father and I need some details about his career.
My Grand-father was a Dispatch Rider enlisted in november 1915 in London (Lambeth) and he joined the 4th Divisional Signals Company, after his formation.
I want to know where was the HQ of the 4th Infantry Division when Battle of Arras ( avril-may 1917) was being prepared ? Somebody tells me they were in the Castle of Berles-Monchel.
Can anyone help me ?
Thank you in advance.
Pierre from France.
Apologies for my English :(
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Bonjour Pierre et bienvenue
The war diary of the 4th Division says that on 22 March 1917, among the preparstions for the April offensives, the HQ was established at Chateau de Boismont.
maxD
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Hi MaxD,
First, I thank you for your wishes.
Château of Boismont is located in Somme. So, I think my GF was already in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Do you have any information about RWR's HQ in March-April 1917.
Thanks,
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Do you have any information about RWR's HQ in March-April 1917.
March-April 1917 the 4th. Div. including the RWR were moving around quite a lot.
The 4th. Div. HQ moved late March to Etrun & then into dugouts North of Arras on the North side of the river Scarpe. At the end of the battle the 4th. Div. HQ were North East of Arras next to the main railway line in the captured German trench system.
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Map of HQ 11-12 May 1917
Was your man in the 1st. Battalion RWR.
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Pierre
You are in the hands of a real expert now!
maxD
1st Bn Jim - underneath his posts
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Hi Maxd,
Thank yoy for your help.
Pierre
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Map of HQ 11-12 May 1917
Was your man in the 1st. Battalion RWR.
Hi Jim,
George Frederick Warwick was in the 1st Bat.
Do you known where was 4th Infantry Division HQ in march - april 1916 ?
Thanks
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Just to finish off your query about 1/RWR, March they were at Camblain- Chatelain in reserve but were involved in the action to take Fampoux E of Arras. So by the end of April they were N of the village, the 1/RWR HQ being on a lane at the end of Huddle trench.
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Beginning of March the 4th. Div. HQ was at Couin SW of Arras just to the W of Beaumont-Hamel.
8th. March the HQ moved NW to Warluzel.
20th. March HQ now about 10mls. E at Bavincourt.
They remained there until 29th. April when they moved SW to Lucheux.
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I thank you for your answers. They confirm to me that my Grandfather was fignting during Battle of the Scarpe with RWR.
So, a new question : do you know where was the 4th Divisional Signals Company between november behin of 1916 and mars 1917. My Grandfa met my french Grandma near Aubigny en artois which is 15 km form Arras and 15 km from Saint Pol.
Do you have a map of the area of Broodseinde (with 19 meter Hill) where my Grandfa was killed in Action.
There's a gap in the Div. diary from August 1916 to the beginning of Jan. 1917.
From 10th. Jan. 1917 the 4th. Div. were at Chipally S of Albert.
Knowing where your Grandfather was would depend on when he transferred from the RWR to the Signals.
19 metre hill is on this map.
You need to go to sector U square 18. It's NE of Langemark.
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101464861
An overview of the 4/5th. Oct. 1917.
+ map from the 1/RWR diary.
2nd. map shows the location of 1/RWR next to 19 metre hill.
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To round it off, None of the 4/Div. were anywhere near Aubigny en Artios.
From the earliest of the dates you gave 4 Div. Signal Coy. were near Albert moving to the Arras area & then on to Langemark/Fampoux. The same also for 1/RWR & 4th. Div. HQ.
Over this period the Div. was on the move quite a bit, not staying anywhere for more than a few weeks.
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Hi Jim1
I thank you for all you gave me as détails about my Grand-father.
Best Regards
Pierre