Request for images of Northumberland Fusiliers WW1

[Telfordmoz]

Martin,

Thanks for the quick reply and your helpful advice, which I will follow-up.

Maurice

[mmm45]

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

[martinc]

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....

[martinc]

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, )

[Telfordmoz]

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

[mmm45]

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

[Telfordmoz]

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

[mmm45]

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

[Telfordmoz]

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