Northumberland Fusiliers

[Bishop Aukland]

Not from that time.

There is a photo of him and my granny at Bridlington sometime in the late 1940's somewhere in my mum's treasure chest, but I don't suppose that would be much use.

If the date in the Gazette is round about the time of the conspicuous deed, can we pinpoint the action it must have occurred in? This is the period of the 3rd battle of Ypres. Was the 19th involved in that? Passchendaele?

Blimey. That word still sends a shiver down the spine, doesn't it.

[Peterhastie]

From the 3/7/1917 to 5/10/1917 the battalion was at Villers Faucon which is a distance from Ypres.
Then moved to Boesinghe by rail with some training inbetween. It seems likely that he was awarded his MM for actions while at Villers Faucon. Nothing specific in the diary

Some images of men of the 19th

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af6/peterhastie/Pict0013.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af6/peterhastie/Pict0012.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af6/peterhastie/Pict0011.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af6/peterhastie/Pict0010.jpg

[Bishop Aukland]

Thanks Peterhastie. I'll study those pictures closely.

This is the only photo I have of Corporal Robert Hopper, taken in 1949 with his son Robert, who would have been about the same age as Grandad was in 1917 I guess.

[Bishop Aukland]

Is it possible that Grandad could be on picture 0012, front row (seated) second from the left? The nose/mouth geometry is similar, and the ears seem alike.

What do you think?

[Tessy]

Available on CD

http://www.genealogysupplies.com/product_display.php?prodid=5778

Cpl R Hopper (MM) to UK, Wounded 25,10,1918

The Historical records has them between 20/10 and 27/10/1918 and says

Companies worked on road which approached pontoon bridges over the river Lys
in the vicinity of Marcke and Bisseghem. On the 25th "Y" moved to Sweveghem and commenced repair of the Sweveghe-Kreupel road.

Their is only mention of nine killed and sixteen wounded on the 20th. "Y" Company, when returning from work, a 4.2 shell llanded in the middle of a platoon. This may have been when he was wounded.

Two other hoppers in the 19th, pte A G Hopper and Sgt J F Hopper, MID, to UK for commision 13,10,1917

the men killed by this shell on 19/10/18 are buried in Moorseele Military Cemetary

http://www.inmemories.com/Cemeteries/moorseelemil.htm

[Bishop Aukland]

Thanks Tessy.

It's not that incident I'm really concerned with, although we think he may have lost his arm as one of the wounded. It's what he did to win his MM. We have a vague family story of him rescuing his officer under fire, but no citation.

Peterhastie said that the battalion was at Villers Foucan during the summer of 1917 when he won his MM. There was a story on one of the websites about a padre who won an MC in action near Epinay - Lempire at about this time. Although not a 19NF, he was in a unit of the 35th division, so the whole division was in that area.

I figure there must have been skirmishing going on, rather than an all out battle, but I can't seem to get any further.

I would buy"The History of the 35th Division" if I knew there was good info in it. Anybody read it?

[Tessy]

Hi,

If you have a look at my post on the photos section, Topic: Northumberland Fusiliers, you'll see my answers to a couple of questions relating to actions in the summer of 1917 that the 19th Battalion took part in. They were congratulated by the Major General for their work in this situation at The Knoll and Guillemont Farm. This is more than likely the action your granddad won his MM in.

Hope this helps. You could try asking a question on http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/  as they have more knowledge than me.

Tessy

[Wincey]

Dear Peterhastie,

Thank you so much for posting the four photos of members of 19th NF.

It was a real surprise to see No 13 as I have this photo myself and recognised it immediately. The very youthful looking 2nd Lt sitting in the centre middle row is my grandfather James I Willis.  He was with the battalion thoroughout the war and luckily came home.   

Are you related to anyone in the photos or can you ID anyone else for me?

Thanks very much

[Peterhastie]

Hello Wincey

Jame I Willis, winner of the Croix de Guerre.

Commisioned from the ranks 29th Aug 1915 having served with the battalion since Nov 1914.

Proceeded to England 20th March 1919.

I have no relations, as far as I know. My interest lies in what the surviving men did in WW2.

Sgt Vernon Vart served in the 19th and in the Home Guard WW2

http://www.ccoynblhomeguard.co.uk/Newcastle%20Battalions.html

Peter