Research
done by
Geoffrey Pycroft
Web Site Researcher
most of Geoff's work you do not see

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1

Subject George Edward Holden

Hello Geoff I’m doing some research into my grandad Edward holden he fought with the Lancashire Fusiliers in World War Two in Africa and Italy and I believe he was a prisoner of war at some point as he
Was missing believed dead his army number was 3450690 and his rank was fusilier this is all information I’ve been able to get would you possibly be able to help

Kind regards
John holden
Sent from my iPhone

Good Afternoon John
If he was with the Lancashire Fusiliers in North Africa and then Italy he would have certainly served in the 2nd battallion. Go the the Index Page for the Web Site and click on the Postings Gallery and then click on the 2nd battalion. You can then read about their WW2 actions. They were involved in some of the most intense battles of WW2. He is not recorded as having been a POW. Click on the link below for the full list of LF WW2 POW's.

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/feature/POWs%20WW2/LF_POWs_WW2.htm


Now then....records of WW2 Veterans are not held locally and you would therefore need to make a personal application to the Historical Disclosures Section of the Army Records Office Glasgow for a copy of his Service Record. Click on the link below for information on how to obtain a Service Record. I should add that the Fusiliers Museum Bury do not hold any records of individual WW2 Veterans and that they too would refer you to the Army Records Office Glasgow.
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records
If we can assist you further please get back to us.
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site
Please click on this link.... https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

The information from the Forces War Records Web Site is accurate but it has to be interpreted correctly. It actually fits in with what you knew or believe to be the case. In a report 10.06.1943. it is recorded that he was missing and believed to be a POW held by the Italians as at 14.4.43. The report dated 21.7.1943. corrects matters and states that he was not a POW. Clearly he was missing and unaccounted for a short period before rejoining his Unit. The recording of events often took time to catch up with events on the ground so to speak. His Service Record will reveal all. Sadly it is not to first time that I have heard of folk being charged substantial fees for supposed research that was shall we say unreliable.
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site

Sent from Samsung tablet.

-------- Original message --------
From: John Holden <jholden747585@gmail.com>
Date: 12/05/2023 14:34 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft@gmail.com
Subject:

Thank you ever so much Geoff I’ve been ripped off by a few geanieology sites do you think this could be duff information I’ll attach a picture in this email I’ll definitely get in touch with the army records off
Kind regards and best wishes
John


 


Subject George Henry McDonough

Hi Geoff,
it’s been some time, but I finally have news for you.
You may recall helping me back in 2020 to research my Great Uncle, George Henry McDonough Pte 51895 of the 2nd Bn of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
So much information, gratefully received.
The pandemic stopped so many plans.
But I got there.
Viz en Artois on Wednesday 19th April 2023 was a proud moment.
The link below is of a three minute or slightly more Youtube video I’ve compiled of that visit.

 



I’ve no doubt the Commission will quickly remove the items I’ve left with Gt Uncle George, but hoping the clip will be seen by those with interest / associated with the Lancashire Fusiliers.
Feel free to share the link if desired along with the ode I composed as shown below.
Once again Geoff, thank you so much for all your help.


Sincerely
Gary McDonough

Oops....yes ??
I'll fire up my scanner tomorrow and copy the pages from my personal volumes and send them to you.....Gary ??
By coincidence their are currently copies of Vol 1 and 2 for sale on eBay. Priced a little steep though. Vol 1 is around the £60 mark and Vol 2 just a little under £100 .....gulp!
Cheers
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site

Sent from Samsung tablet.

-------- Original message --------
From: Gary McDonough <bonly1@msn.com>
Date: 23/04/2023 21:14 (GMT+00:00)
To: "g.pycroft" <g.pycroft@btinternet.com>
Subject: RE: GEORGE MCDONOUGH (AGAIN)

That would be great if you don’t mind helping me once again Geoff, many thanks.
It would be a great honour to have the video/photo about George linked to the website too, that’s a great idea, thankyou.
And with a light hearted nudge, it’s Gary McDonough (George is my Gt Uncle) ??

Sent from Mail for Windows

From: g.pycroft
Sent: 23 April 2023 21:04
To: Gary McDonough
Subject: Re: GEORGE MCDONOUGH (AGAIN)

Good Evening George
Good to from you again and very pleased to hear that your plans came to fruition. I have forwarded a copy of your email to Dennis Laverick the Web Site Editor with a request that the photo and YouTube link be placed on the Web Site.
Yes, unfortunately the two links no longer work. The originators of the content unexpectedly withdrew the information from the two volumes in the links...something we have no control over. If you give me a little time I will hopefully be able to photo copy the relevant pages and attach them to an email. Perhaps a job for tomorrow or later in the week.
Regards Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site and happy St. Georges Day ??


Sent from Samsung tablet.

-------- Original message --------
From: Gary McDonough <bonly1@msn.com>
Date: 23/04/2023 20:47 (GMT+00:00)
To: "g.pycroft" <g.pycroft@btinternet.com>
Subject: GEORGE MCDONOUGH (AGAIN)

Hi Geoff, was trying to peruse the link as below that you’d given me back in 2020, but it appears that it’s no longer available?
Gary McDonough

Now then.
Please go to the Home Page of the Web Site.
Scroll down the page until you come to the links for The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-1918 Volume 1 and Volume 2.
Click on Volume 1.
It'll take some time but scroll through to page 406 and the Heading The Pressure Continues in the Centre. Pages 406, 407 and 408 give a vivid account of the actions during which your Uncle was KIA.
You will note I'm sure that he was killed a little over a month before the Armisticwas signed.
Hope this helps with your research.
Please get back to me if I can assist further.
Geoff Pycroft




 

I am currently looking into my family tree and have found your website regarding the 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

My great grandfather was killed in action during the Capture of the Crosbie Craters on the 18th May 1916. I have noted from one of the photos the cemetery and plot he is in which my family will be thrilled to hear about.

I also note that you have photos of the grave stones and Ivor is listed as number 22 under the Military Cemetery Graves Arras Sector April-May 1916 (39 Graves) list. Would it please be possible to get a copy of this?

Ivor’s descendants have all served in the army:

His grandson, Melville Keith Townsend DCM served in the Corps of Signals
His first great grandson, Gavin Townsend served with the Royal Engineers
His second great grandson, Alasdair Shannon served with the Army Air Corps

My father was also in the RAF. When I inform my family that I have found Bampi (Welsh for Grandfather) Rees, I am sure we will be arranging a trip to Arras.

I would be extremely grateful if you could please forward me the copy of Bampi Rees’ grave stone and if by any chance you have any other information that may not be on the website I would be so grateful.

Kind regards

Kirstie

Good Morning Kirstie
My name is Geoff Pycroft and I am the Researcher and Archivist for the Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site.
Dennis Laverick to whom you wrote has given me sight of your email and asked me to respond.
I will research Ivor and get back to you later today.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

Good Afternoon Kirstie


As promised.
Clearly I do not know the extent of your own research so apologies if I send you material that you already have.
Now then......please see the attachments....various.
The Forces War Records Web Site confirms his service with the 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and records that he was killed in action at the age of 33 years. He was entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Following his death the family would have recieved the Memorial Medal...commonly known as the ' Death Penny '. His substantive rank was Corporal but at the time of his death he was an acting Lance/ Sgt with the 11th Battalion .
He was born in Pontypridd, Glamorgan and lived with his family at Abertillery, Monmouthshire. He was the son of Mrs Alice Harris and the husband of Charlotte Ann Rees born 30.1.1981. On 17.7.1918 his widow Charlotte was awarded a War Widows Pension of £3 and 4 shillings per week. She is recorded as then having three children, William Ivor, Margaret and Edgar Rees then living at 11 Victoria Street, Blaewa Gwent, Abertillery, Monmouthshire.
You have of course viewed his entry on the CWGC Web Site?... and have had sight of the 11th battalion page on the LF Web Site.
I have asked Dennis Laverick to look up the photograph of Ivor's headstone at Ecoivres Military Cemetary, Mont St. Eloi, France and we will send you that to you in due course.
If we are able to assist you further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site

I will contact her later today.
In her email she mentions a photo of his grave. On the 11th bn page their is a long list of grave photos sent in by someone or other. Folk are asked to contact you for a copy of a particular grave (he is on the list ) because it is to big to go on site. Before I contact her can you send me the photo of his grave.Ta.

Geoff

Kirstie
Further to my last my last.
I omitted to say that he was also entitled to the 1914/15 Star.
This medal along with the British War Medal and Victory Medal are affectionately known as a group, as PIp, Squeak and Wilfred. Names taken from a popular WW1newspaper comic stri
p.


 

Re the chap asking about the door sign.
Capt Creer actually has five entries on the Forces War Records Web Site. I have shown a couple of entries below. The others just confirm his rank and that he was LF. His Bn is not recorded.
I am not telling the chap who sent us the photo...he can find out for himself!! ??

Oddly...I am almost sure we have seen that photograph before and have been asked about it previously???? I think that chap Chris is trying to pull a fast one on us.

Geoff

First Name:
R F
Surname:
Creer
Nationality:
British
Information:
Regular Army Emergency Commission
Rank:
2nd Lieutenant
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Seniority Date:
21/09/1940
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 2
More information about Lancashire Fusiliers
Formed: 1881

Disbanded: 1968

The Regiment was first formed in 1688, in Devon as the Peyton's Regiment of Foot, named after the commanding colonel Sir Richard Peyton. It was formed following the Glorious... read more here >>
Collection:
UK Army List 1942 More Info

Campaign Medals:
1939-1945 Star
This star was awarded for service in the Second World War between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945. The recipient was awarded this star if their service period was terminated by their death or disability due to service. Also the award of a gallantry medal or mention in Despatched also produced the award of this medal, regardless of...

War Medal 1939 - 1945
The War Medal 1939-1945 was a British decoration awarded to all full time service personnel of the Armed Forces wherever their service during the war was rendered. Operational and non-operational service counted provided personnel had completed 28 days service between 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. In the Merchant Navy there was the requirement that 28...

First Name:
R F
Surname:
Creer
Rank:
Second Lieutenant
Other Ranks:
War Substantive Lieutenant 21/03/1942. Temporary Captain 04/02/1944.
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Secondary Unit:
Regular Army Emergency Commissions (Why is this important?)
Archive Reference:
UK Army List January 1945
Seniority Date:
21/09/1940
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 2
More information about Lancashire Fusiliers
Formed: 1881

Disbanded: 1968

The Regiment was first formed in 1688, in Devon as the Peyton's Regiment of Foot, named after the commanding colonel Sir Richard Peyton. It was formed following the Glorious...



 

 

 

Further to my last.
If you Google " Commonwealth War Graves " and search for him under H. Middleton with his service number and Regiment it will bring up all the relevant details. You can then also look up the Cemetery Records etc.,...any problems please get back to me. Attached is a the grave registration detail.
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.html


Further to my last.
If you Google " Commonwealth War Graves " and search for him under H. Middleton with his service number and Regiment it will bring up all the relevant details. You can then also look up the Cemetery Records etc.,...any problems please get back to me. Attached is a the grave registration detail.
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.html


Sent from Samsung tablet.

-------- Original message --------
From: Geoffrey Pycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com>
Date: 17/03/2023 07:32 (GMT+00:00)
To: Graham Eastham <grahameastham@ymail.com>
Subject: Re: Grandad

See the attachments.
Go to the home page of the Web site and click on the Postings Button. You can then click on each of his battalions and read about their WW1 actions.
If we can assist you further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

On Fri, 17 Mar 2023, 07:23 Graham Eastham, <grahameastham@ymail.com> wrote:
Blimey!

Ive recently found a diary note from Nan that he came home filthy dirty and infested with lice.

How interesting- really appreciate it.

Best regards
Graham

On Friday, March 17, 2023, 07:20, Geoffrey Pycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com> wrote:
A quick check confirms his service during WW1. More later. Entitled to British War Medal and Victory Medal. Reported wounded 5.11.1918. with shrapnel wounds to left hand. NOK living in Preston.
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

On Fri, 17 Mar 2023, 07:14 Graham Eastham, <grahameastham@ymail.com> wrote:
That’s amazing Geoff - thank you so much .

Kind regards
Graham


On Friday, March 17, 2023, 07:12, Geoffrey Pycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com> wrote:
I will look into this and get back to you.

On Fri, 17 Mar 2023, 07:11 Graham Eastham, <grahameastham@ymail.com> wrote:
Morning Geoff

I’ve just found out that grandad actually fought in the The Great War - I never knew !

His medal says Private E ( Edward ) Taylor 38846 Lancs Fus .

How do I go about finding out where he was sent and what battles he fought in ?

Kind regards
Graham Eastham


 

Subject Pte A Robinson

I wonder if you can help me at all in finding where my maternal grandfather may have served in the Great War?

10250 Robinson, Arthur, Lancashire Fusiliers, from Lancaster, Lancs.
I'm not even sure what Battalion he was in.
He came through it all alive.
It would be nice to discover where he served, if possible, to put a little "meat on the bones" of a man I never knew, but should have known.
I was told (when I was 45) that he took his own life (when I was only 2 years old), when diagnosed with cancer, and didn't "want to be a burden to his family".
All I have are two of his Service Medals; I believe there were three at one time.
I would be extremely grateful for any details you can provide.
If not, then I'll just retain shadowy "memories" of a man I never met.
I have no memories of a paternal grandfather either, he died before I was born.
Paul Anthony Croft.

I wonder if you can help me at all in finding where my maternal grandfather may have served in the Great War?
10250 Robinson, Arthur, Lancashire Fusiliers, from Lancaster, Lancs.
I'm not even sure what Battalion he was in.
He came through it all alive.
It would be nice to discover where he served, if possible, to put a little "meat on the bones" of a man I never knew, but should have known.
I was told (when I was 45) that he took his own life (when I was only 2 years old), when diagnosed with cancer, and didn't "want to be a burden to his family".
All I have are two of his Service Medals; I believe there were three at one time.
I would be extremely grateful for any details you can provide.
If not, then I'll just retain shadowy "memories" of a man I never met.
I have no memories of a paternal grandfather either, he died before I was born.
Paul Anthony Croft.

Paul
I can confirm that has three entries on the Forces War Records Website.
He served with the 15th Service Bn (Salford Pals) and the 6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers.
He originally served in Platoon V of the 15th Service Battalion whose Platoon Commander was Lieut. R N. Yeld. His Platoon Sergeant was Sgt H..Lewis.
Please find as attachments a copy of his Medal Card held by ancestry.com and his entry in the Regimental
Medal Roll. He was entitled to the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star. Together these three medals are affectionately referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. These medals are also confirmed by the Medal Roll held by the National Archives He was also entitled to wear a ' wound stripe ' having been wounded and reported as such on 14 12.1918.
If you go to Home Page of the LF Website
and click on the Postings Gallery Button you then in turn click onbthec6th andx25th Battalions and read of their WW1 actions.
If we can assist you further please get back to us.

 

Subject John Hurst / John Hayes

Hi Geoff, I hope you can help me..

It is in respect of my Great Grandfather. JOHN HURST
He was born in 14th February 1880 in Manchester and lived with his family at 44 White Street, Hulme in 1881 Census.
He was married to Mary Hurst (nee Moore date of marriage unknown) and did have children born around 1906 and 1909, who also had the Hurst name.
He always went by the name JOHN HURST in his normal life.
He died 29th November 1949
In the 1930s, i believe he lived at 95 Briscoe Lane, Newton Heath Manchester

He initially joined the Manchester Regiment as John Hurst, and I have reference in family docs to being based at Fort Gomer in 1901 (1901 Census 31st March 1901) when he was 21.
I don't know when he left.

Then things get interesting.....

Subsequently, I believe he re-joined the army around the time of the commencement of WW1 (around aged 34), but that he joined the Lanacashire Fusiliers under the name JOHN HAYES. I do not know the reason for the name change, though possibly that he had gone on leave from his earlier army service when much younger and not returned (this last part is supposition though).

Under the name JOHN HAYES he was awarded the MC and Bar. The family has his medal, I used to play with it as a child in the 70s at my Grandparents
I obtained a medal record from the National Archive Medal Record which shows the name HAYES crossed out and the name HURST overwritten. It seems to show the date of entry to the BALKANS theatre of war and a date in 1915. There are lots of other references and abbreviations on this record which I don't understand the meaning of. Any insight welcome!

The Medal Record also shows reference to him being a WO, CSM and subsequently a 2nd Lieutenant...
I was told by my mother that he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on the field of battle because there were no Officers left alive!
I attach photo of him with 2nd Lieutenant cuffs (No dates for photo).

My questions:

1) is there any info on your website about him? I can't imagine there are that many people with and MC & Bar in the Fusiliers?
Are citations available for the John Hayes MC and Bar awards?
2) Would there be any records for his promotion to 2nd Lieutenant or any other military records?
3) Any info about where he may have served / seen action, noting that the medal record states that he entered service in the Balkans Theatre
4) Any other information which you are able to provide me with in respect of my Great Grandfather would be fantastic. Happy to make a contribution we discussed.

 

Good Afternoon Nick
Many thanks for your email.
As you will undoubtedly know the Forces War Record Web Site shows numerous Veterans named John Hayes or John Hurst. I have I think identified the correct individual from the information given. Details are shown below.
Please carefully check through and perhaps note that citation details are given for his MC and Bar. All such awards are Gazetted in the London Gazette but unlike the Distinguished Service Medal or higher awards it is / was not common to record details of the actions meriting the award of an MC. The entry in the Forces War Record Web Site is an exception to the norm.
He was awarded his MC whilst serving with the 9th Battalion and the award was Gazetted on 25.11.16. He was then a 2Lt.
His Bar to the MC, again whilst serving with the 9th Battalion was Gazetted on the 26.9.17. He was then a 2Lt acting as a Temporary Lieutenant.
Both awards are recorded in Volume 2 of The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-1918 by Major -General J.C. Latter C.B.E., M.C.
They are also shown on the LF Web Site on the Awards and Decorations page.
Please scan and forward me a copy of the Medal Card you hold. See below.
If you go to the Index Page on the Web Site and click on the Postings Gallery button you can then click on the 9th Battalion and read of their WW1 Actions.
Once I have the Medal Card Index will hopefully be able to decipher the various annotations which can indeed be a little confusing.
His promotion through the ranks and subsequent Commission as a 2Lt would have been Gazetted so it's perhaps worth searching his name on the London Gazette Web Site. Sadly the London Gazette Web Site is notoriously difficult to navigate.
Again, as you are most probably aware all accurate and verifiable information regarding WWI Veterans is only obtainable from the National Archives at Kew. The Fusilier Museum Bury for example do not hold any information relating to individual Veterans and they too would refer you to the National Archives.
Please get back to me if we can assist further.
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm
This is the is formation held by the Forces War Records Web Site

First Name:
John
Surname:
Hayes
Rank:
2nd Lieutenant
Rank (2nd):
Temporary Lieutenant
Gazette Info:
Gazette issue 30466. Bar to M.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. Owing to many casualties among officers he took charge of two companies, and led them to their objective. Although wounded in the knee, he remained on duty, and it was chiefly due to his exertions that a hold on one trench was retained and a defensive flank formed. On another occasion he took charge of a minor operation with the object of straightening the line, which was successfully carried out. By his bearing and courage he set a fine example to all ranks. Awarded a Bar to the Military Cross. (M.C. gazetted 25th November, 1916).
Gazette Date:
08/01/1918
Gazette Page:
573
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Search Records of Soldiers Awards from the London Gazette

Gallantry Awards:
UK Military Cross (MC)
The UK Military Cross (MC) was created on 28th December 1914 for commissioned offers of the substantive rank of Captain or below and for Warrant officers. It was instituted shortly after the outbreak of the Great War of 1914-18 as there was no gallantry awards lesser than the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Service Order, for junior Army officers...

And Bar
We don’t currently have any additional information on this medal.
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them
Replica medals can be purchased through our approved supplier Bigbury Mint
The record you are viewing contains all the information available from the original source, either fully transcribed for you or as an index and attached image.
Other collections may hold more or different data for this person.
First Name:
John
Surname:
Hurst
Regiments served with:
Unit Rank Service Number
Lancashire Fusiliers Warrant Officer Class 2
Lancashire Fusiliers Company Serjeant Major
Lancashire Fusiliers Lieutenant
Archive Reference:
WO 372/10/126890
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:
British War Medals WW1
The British WW1 War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War One. It commemorates some of the most terrible battles the world has ever known. The casualties in the Ypres Salent and on the Somme for 1915 to 1918 were more than our total for the Second World War The...

Victory Medal
With the information in John Hurst's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them
Replica medals can be purchased through our approved supplier Bigbury Mint
The record you are viewing contains all the information available from the original source, either fully transcribed for you or as an index and attached image.
Other collections may hold more or different data for this person.

First Name:
John
Initials:
J
Surname:
Hayes
Nationality:
British
Rank:
2nd Lieutenant
Award Details:
Distinguished Service
Gazette Info:
11537
Gazette Date:
25/11/1916
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Service:
BA
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Search Records of Soldiers Awards from the London Gazette

Campaign Medals:
British War Medals WW1
The British WW1 War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War One. It commemorates some of the most terrible battles the world has ever known. The casualties in the Ypres Salent and on the Somme for 1915 to 1918 were more than our total for the Second World War The...

Victory Medal
John Hayes was entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.


* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them
Replica medals can be purchased through our approved supplier Bigbury Mint
Gallantry Awards:
UK Military Cross (MC)
The UK Military Cross (MC) was created on 28th December 1914 for commissioned offers of the substantive rank of Captain or below and for Warrant officers. It was instituted shortly after the outbreak of the Great War of 1914-18 as there was no gallantry awards lesser than the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Service Order, for junior Army officers...
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them
Replica medals can be purchased through our approved supplier Bigbury Mint

British War Medal


His Military Cross with Bar

Victory Medal



John's wife Mary Hurst (nee Moore date of marriage unknown)

 

Subject: Re: Fredrick Scull 11th Bn........now identified as Fus 3446419 Frederick Shaw

Morning Geoff

Thank you so much for your email again , I appreciate the time you’ve taken to reply and every bit of information no matter what it is helps me feel like I can get to know a lost family member .

I’ve stood at remembrance and armed service days and often wondered if any of my family ever served or were lost in the wars , it makes me incredibly proud to know that they did

Please feel free to use both photos if you feel they are of any use to you

 

Kind regards

Simon

Sent from my iPhone


On 23 Feb 2023, at 23:04, geoffpycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com> wrote:

Good Evening Simon
Thanks for the clarification.
Clearly you have correctly identified him from the CWGC Web Site. ??
Again you would appear to have in place a planned application for a copy of his Service Record from the Historical Disclosures Section of the Army Records Office Glasgow. Sadly it is currently taking up to 12 months to obtain a Service Record. The Army Records Office Glasgow is the only source of accurate and verifiable information relating to WW2 Veterans. The Fusilier Museum Bury do not hold any records of individual WW2 Veterans and they too would refer you to the Army Records Office Glasgow for further information.
If you go to the home page of the LF Web Site and click on the Postings Gallery button then click on the 11th battallion you can read all about the 11th battalion's actions during WW2. I would recommend to you also the excellent book History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1939-1945 by John Hallam (Major) by Alan Sutton Publishing which gives a detailed account of the WW2 LF actions. A copy is currently available on eBay but is priced steeply at £60 plus high postage costs from a seller in the USA. Copies however often appear on eBay at around the reasonable £20 - £30 mark. An invaluable source of information.
As I said earlier the photo shows him wearing ' military blues ', worn usually for special parades and ceremonial guard duty. The normal attire for the day of course was the ubiquitous KD Battle Dress. Sadly it is not possible to say when and where the photograph was taken.
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist LF Web Site

Sent from Samsung tablet.

-------- Original message --------
From: Simon Scull <simonscull2018@gmail.com>
Date: 23/02/2023 22:24 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Fredrick Scull 11th Bn

Evening Geoff

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and also your valuable time to look in to this for me

However I made a big error , I gave the wrong surname , it is Shaw , not Scull ,

After 50 years of families not talking to each other I’ve only just found out what my grandma & grandad are actually called , and for so many years I’ve been so desperate to find our about them and family related to them , which I now am make very good progress in doing so

I attach the war grave memorial which I think will confirm Fredrick .

I also found two of great grandads brothers who joined the Royal Horse Artillery on the same day & place as shoe smiths , one survived the war and one sadly did not ( buried in Belgium ) (WW1)

Also my grandad was in the RAF for the full length of the war(WW2)

I have his service number but need a death certificate to proceed further .

Hope this new attachment make things easier for you

Thanks again

Simon
Sent from my iPhone


On 23 Feb 2023, at 14:33, geoffpycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com> wrote:

Good Afternoon Simon
Thanks for your email.
Before I research further would you please send me a link to the information you found relating to his death and burial location. It all sounds like information gleaned from the CWGC Web Site. Unfortunately however I have been unable to find him on the CWGC Web Site using the details you gave. Is he recorded in a slightly different name?
If he was indeed a member of the 11th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers then his date of death would tally with the LF actions of WWII. At the time they were part of the Battle Axe Division who fought from Sicily up through Italy and finally up to Austria. Sight of the ' sign up ' papers would be helpful. Please scan and attach to an email.
The uniform appears to be a regimental ' blue ' a ' best uniform ' normally worn on special occasions. The stripe on his lower left sleeve would appear to be a good conduct stripe. Again he would appear be a Fusilier as I can see nothing other rank insignia. Is it known or likely that he was a Bandsman?
All a little odd at the moment particular as I cannot find him on the CWGC Web Site. The nearest I can find in name only is a Frederick George Scull ex Devonshire Regiment and 12th Airborne Bn..he is buried in Hanover.....sight of your information would be extremely helpful.
Regards Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy J3 - powered by Three
-------- Original message --------
From: Simon Scull <simonscull2018@gmail.com>
Date: 23/02/2023 13:30 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft@gmail.com
Subject: My uncle Fredrick

Hi Geoff

I wondered if this photo might be any use to you .

This is Frederick Scull , my great uncle , both my son and me have been researching our family tree and we've come across him , nobody in the surviving family ever knew of him , he was my grandads brother .

We found is sign up papers clearly showing date , and location , he was the 11th Battalion , but then also his death record of 21st September 1944 and he’s buried in the Florence war grave (we’ve applied for a photo of the headstone to complete our findings


What I’m curious about is the uniform he’s wearing , is this just a fusiliers uniform or anything above a basic rating

Hope this is of some interest to you

Kind regards

Simon.


 

From: Steve Rush <srush@pbegrp.com>
Date: 09/02/2023 22:27 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft@gmail.com
Subject: Lancashire Fusiliers Walter Fuller.

Hi Geoff,

I hope you don’t mind me contacting you.

I’m looking to see if you have any records relating to my late Grandad Walter Fuller.

He served with the Lancashire Fusiliers and South Lancashire Regiment in WW1.

On his medals it states: Pte Walter Fuller 38676.

He lived in Syston in Leicestershire.

We were told he enlisted with the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, but following heavy losses on the Somme he was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers, but we are not sure of the validity of this?

Any information you may have, or if you could advise me where to look for further information, would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Best regards,

Steve

Steve RushTechnical Sales Director

PBE Group
3 Kilcoy Drive • Tomago • NSW • 2322 • Australia

Good Evening Steve
I can confirm that your late Grandfather served with the 2/6th and 19th Bn's of the Lancashire Fusiliers as Pvt 38676. He also served as Pvt 34384 with the 2nd Bn South Lancashire Regiment.
He is recorded on the Forces War Record Web Site as a member of the two regiments mentioned and was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Please see the attachments. 1. Medal Card and 2. Medal Entitlement Regimental Entry with the South Lancashire Regiment.
Also shown below is his entry on the Forces War Records Web Site.
I am unable to find mention of a Walter Fuller as having served in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment. He is certainly not recorded as such on the Medal Rolls held by the National Archives nor on the Medal Card Index held by ancestry.com.
It was common throughout WWI for Veterans to transfer between regiments particularly to replace losses through battle.
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist Lancashire Fusiliers.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

First Name:
Walter
Surname:
Fuller
Regiments served with:
Unit Rank Service Number
Lancashire Fusiliers Private 38676
South Lancashire Regiment Private 34384
Archive Reference:
WO 372/7/176429
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:


British War Medals WW1
The British WW1 War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War One. It commemorates some of the most terrible battles the world has ever known. The casualties in the Ypres Salent and on the Somme for 1915 to 1918 were more than our total for the Second World War The...

Victory Medal
With the information in Walter Fuller's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

Geoff


Please can you help - I'm doing some research into my Grandfather.
Frank Streater 3rd Bn Malta /Jamaica
He served with the Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment during the period late 1890's to early 1900's, Rgt. No.5985.
I'm very interested in any relevant photographs that may exist at or around this time.
Will consider paying for any research effort needed.
Regards
John Streater

- Original Message ------
From: "g.pycroft" <g.pycroft@btinternet.com>
To: "John STREATER" <john.streater@btinternet.com>
Cc: "Dennis Laverick LF" <djlaverick@lancs-fusiliers.co.uk>
Sent: Thursday, 26 Jan, 2023 At 19:10
Subject: Frank Streater 5985 Lancashire Fusiliers
Good Afternoon John
My name is Geoff Pycroft and I am the Researcher and Archivist for the Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site .
Dennis Laverick to whom you wrote has given me sight of your e-mail and asked me to respond further.
Sadly, researching your grandfather will be a difficult one. It's an unfortunate fact that apart from the Nominal Roll for the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers during the Boer War period, their are no known Nominal Rolls in existence for any of the Lancashire Fusiliers Battalions either pre or post WWI. I have checked his name against the 2nd Bn Nominal Roll but he is not shown. During the period in which you believe he served their were effectively just two full time regular battalions... the 1st and 2nd. Between 1885 and 1902 the 1st Battalion were stationed in various locations in Ireland and Scotland, and in 1902 moved to Malta where they remained until 1906. The 2nd battalion between 1881 and 1902 were stationed variously in India, Egypt and South Africa.
Now then...searching for records of individual Veterans....the difficulties. All known surviving records for Veterans who served in the British Army pre 1920 are held at the National Archives. Records are NOT held locally nor on a Regimental basis... nor are any records of individual Veterans held by the Fusilier Museum Bury. They too would refer you to the National Archives. I have searched his name through the National Archives via their " Discovery " search engine but cannot find a mention. I have also checked him against the records held by the Forces War Record Web Site but again sadly found no mention of him. On the off chance that he continued in service up to and including WWI I have checked him against the Medal Card Index and the Medal Rolls held by the National Archives with no success. I did however find 4 individuals of the same name but none were Lancashire Fusiliers. A search of Attestation Papers brought up three individuals of the same name but none had connections to the Lancashire Fusiliers.
An added complication to searching Veterans Records was the loss of millions of Military Records when the then War Office Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs during the London Blitz of 1940. The losses which included pre WWI records was catastrophic and has been a major impediment to military researchers. If you Google " Fire at Arnside Street 1940 " it will bring up the full story. It is an insurmountable barrier to further research on many occasions.
On line search engines such as findmypast.com and Ancestry.com to name but two, can sometimes prove helpful but it must be bourne in mind that any ' military ' information they hold will invariably have been gleaned from the National Archives in the first place ....it is the only source of accurate verifiable information relevant to the period.
I shall continue to see what I can find and will get back to you should I come across anything relevant. You may of course wish to hire a professional researcher but they too would search the same databases and encounter similar difficulties....and of course charge you a handsome fee irrespective of the results.
Sorry that I could not be more positive but if records are not their to be discovered then that's the proverbial " brick wall ".
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

------ Original message --------
From: "john.streater" <john.streater@btinternet.com>
Date: 27/01/2023 14:58 (GMT+00:00)
To: "g.pycroft" <g.pycroft@btinternet.com>
Cc: Dennis Laverick LF <djlaverick@lancs-fusiliers.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Frank Streater 5985 Lancashire Fusiliers

Hello Geoff
Many thanks for the info. and your efforts. The attached pages from his army record may be helpful in tracing his time with the Lancs. Fusiliers. His total army service covered some 20 years from 1890 to 1911. He started with the Royal Sussex and transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1898? and to the Norfolk Regt. around 1909?. Any photos you may have of the regiment around that time would be interesting.
Regards
John

From: "g.pycroft" <g.pycroft@btinternet.com>
To: "john.streater" <john.streater@btinternet.com>
Sent: Friday, 27 Jan, 2023 At 16:51
Subject: Re: Frank Streater 5985 Lancashire Fusiliers
Hi again John
I have checked his name against the Forces War Records Web Site with sadly no mention of him.
I searched him as 5985 Lancashire Fusiliers, 3398 Royal Sussex Regiment and 7503 Norfolk Regiment and all permutations. You are very fortunate to have been able to obtain the documents as per the attachments and as I said they almost certainly would have come from the burnt records collection held by by the National Archives. You are indeed very fortunate to get them. Their are no other mentions of him that I can find.
Going back to my original email and the fact that no nominal rolls are known to exist, make it virtually impossible to place him with a particular battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. As I explained only two full time regular battalions were in being at the relevant time, and details can be found by clicking on the Postings Gallery on the home page and viewing each battalion in turn (1st and 2nd). Careful study of the Service Record however records that he served with the Lancashire Fusiliers for 9 years and 110 days with 3 years 95 days at some point served in Malta? That ties in nicely with the 1st Battalion who served in Malta from 1902 to April 1906. They had previously served in Malta, Crete and Gibraltar from 1899 to 1902. The 2nd Battalion never served in Malta so its quite possible that he served in the 1st Battalion whilst they were in Malta?
What photographs we hold that are relevant to their various postings are shown on the individual battalion pages. The loss of the miltary records during the fire at Arnside Street will sadly more often than not will lead us to the brick wall I mentioned...... please have a look through the photographs on the LF Web fir tge 1st Battalion. The Fusilier Museum Bury would also most likely hold photographs from the period but I venture to suggest they would only be viewable by a personal visit?
Good fortune with your continuing research .
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site

Geoff,
Thank you for your impressive Efforts, like John I am a Grandson of Frank, and have been working with him over the past year.
From the book, your work, and Franks medical Records I concur it is certain he was in the 3rd Battalion,
Arrived in Malta on SS Jelunga on 4.9.98
Ex Malta on SS Sicilia 29.11.01 to Jamaica on 19th of Dec up to Kingston Barracks in the hills in one of 3 companies that disembarked in Jamaica.

I wonder if we can impose a little more on your generosity .

Questions/.
1/. on 5 Dec 1903 he transferred to 5th mounted rifles, and departed for South Africa on the 10th of December 1903.
WAS in Kroonstad 22 Jun 1904, then M'burg Transvaal 5 Oct 1905. Sailed from SA 6 April 1906 to UK, then reverting to Fusiliers 5 Dec 1906. What were 5th mounted rifles?, and doing what? peacekeeping after war?, part of Battalion or separate unit perhaps at regimental level as I see No change in Badge No. In 21 years service he saw no active duty from his records that i can see.

2/. By 1902 a Sargant and 1 July 1909 transfers to 3 Batt Norfolks. On their site many individual photos of sargants, particularly 1913 and Group Photos of Sargants in years such as 1898 and 1903 that I can find. Given Frank had a distinctive burn scar to left Jaw if we can find a group photo late 1909 or 1910 can perhaps identify from Photo but photos do not seem to be indexed.
Do the NORFOLKS have a person such as yourself i can contact? I am guessing the originals are loosely grouped by year at least and hopefully subject so that searching two non war years of one battalion may be feasible, or if i come to UK in next year or so perhaps access in a reading room. I am happy to engage researcher to undertake if feasible.

3/. In Australia Frank re-enlisted in 1914 at Melbourne Australia 3rd Military District in Instructional Corps as Supervising Instructor [eqiv to WO2] but No Australian Badge No, and his service counted towards his British Army pension so I'm confused Australian Unit? or British Army? Australia records included copies of pages of his British records which were re-remitted back to Div at Warley in 1930, and this pension file at Warley was active until his death in1941, after the fire, and hence why we have these in British Army Pension records. Can you shed any light and point me towards any sources of info
Yours sincerely
Adrian Guilfoyle
Tathra
Australia

Good Morning Adrian
Many thanks for your interesting email. You and John have certainly put great efforts into your ongoing research into Frank.
Now then...to hopefully assist you it may be best to quickly outline ourselves and place us in context.
The Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site originated back in 2002 when the late Captain Joe Eastwood BEM and his brother in law Colin Boutty created the Web Site. Myself and the current Webmaster Dennis Laverick become involved a couple of years later and since that time the Web Site has rapidly expanded to over 20,000 pages and includes some 15,000+ photographs. We have had in excess of 1.5M visitors to the Web Site. When Joe and Colin both passed several years ago Dennis and I continued with the Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site and it is as you find it today. We have no official connection to the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum, Bury although we do assist each other in all matters LF. Dennis Laverick is also the Webmaster for the Fusilier Association and his daughter Gemma is actually the current Operations Manager at the Fusilier Museum.
The Web Site is run by a very small team of former LF volunteers who assist in their spare time as commitments allow. It is however perhaps now effectively run by myself and Dennis on a day to day basis. You can see the full team by clicking on the link at the bottom of this email.
Moving on now to your email and specifics. First and foremost you are extremely fortunate to have obtained copy of his Service / Pension / Medical Records. As you will know I'm sure and be aware, the losses of millions of mlitary records during the London Blitz of 1940 when the then Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs was utterly catastrophic and has been a major obstacle to the Researcher. Thankfully Frank's records were forwarded to the Australian Military in 1930? and thus were saved from the fire.
Other than the Guards Regiments who hold their own Archives, virtually all surviving records relating to pre WWI and WW1 Veterans up to 1920 are held by the National Archives. Post 1920 records and those to date are held at the Army Records Office in Glasgow. Copies of post 1920 Service Records can be obtained from the Historical Disclosure Section of the Army Records Office in Glasgow. WW1 and pre War Records are however a whole different ball game. Huge numbers of Service Records were destroyed in the London Fire and those that survived are now held by the National Archives in what is known as the burnt records collection. All these surviving records are searchable on line but with the caveat that the majority of the past records were lost during the fire in London.
The information contained on the LF Website will in the main have come from within the LF family and from our own research and enquiries. We are very much limited in our research as to what is available on line and other similar resources.
Their are of course numerous Regimental
Museums scattered around the UK, the Fusilier Museum, Bury being one, whom in many cases will hold vast information about their individual regiments. Very few however will retain as a matter of course information on individual Veterans and will invariably refer enquiries to either the National Archives or the Army Records Office in Glasgow.
Click on this link for the Norfolk Regimental Museum.
http://www.rnrm.org.uk/
They will undoubtedly have a research facilities and possibly a dedicated Researcher? It is the case however that most museums will charge a fee for research...it goes towards their upkeep.
I am not able to assist you further with the Australian connection.
For information and background on the 5th Mounted Rifles please click on this link.
https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/southafricanforces.htm
Mention of Jamaica in your email reminds me of my 4 months spent in Jamaica with the LF's in early 1967. ??. We too were at Kingston Barracks but the one then in Kingston the capital. Happy days of long ago.
In conclusion I will say that ' our " research capabilities are very much limited to what I / we can find on the Internet and information kindly given to us by the family dependents of past Lancashire Fusiliers.
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
Please click on this link and acknowledge this email. ..thanks.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm


 

 

Subject: WW2 vet Stanley Stone

Hello Geoff

I found you on an internet search for info on the Fusileers.

I think my uncle was in India with them is ww2.

Trying to do some family tree research now and have lottle info on him

His name is Stanley Stone and he was born in Belfast apprx 1915.

Is there any list of regiment members I can check to confirm he was with them in India to the end of ww2?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

Bob Stone
Abbotsford
BC Canada

Good Morning Bob
Many thanks for your email.
Sadly, apart from a Nominal Roll for the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers during the Boer War, their are no known Nominal Rolls for any of the Lancashire Fusilier
s Battalions, be it WWI, WWII or post war. It an unfortunate fact, making it impossible to simply search a name against the Nominal Rolls...it would make life so much easier if it was !
As you are probably already aware Veterans Records for WW1 are held by the National Archives at Kew. It is the only source of accurate verifiable information relevant to WWI Veterans. I tell you this because ALL post 1920 records for British Army personnel, which includes WWII Veterans, are held at the Army Records Office in Glasgow. Unlike the WW1 Records they are not searchable on line. It would be necessary therefore for you to make a personal application to the Historical Disclosure Section of the Army Records Office in Glasgow for a copy of his Service Record. It will reveal a wealth of information. Please click on the link below for further information on how to obtain a Service Record. Along with the application forms that you will be asked to download you will also have to submit a copy of his death certificate. They are readily available on line for a small fee.
If he was with the Lancashire Fusiliers in India during WWII then he would have been in one of three LF battalions who served out in India and Burma during the war. They were the 1st Bn, 10th Bn and 1/8th Bn. If you click on the Postings Gallery button on the Web Site home page you can read all about each of the battalions war time experiences. Numerous photographs are included.

This is the link for obtaining a Service Record....it is self explanatory.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

If we can assist further please get back to us.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

Yes, I did, thank you very much for following up.

He would be 107 if still alive.
The family have no idea where he disappeared to so we have no death certificate.

Do you think the military records people in Scotland would use common sense in this case to release his service records without a death certificate?

Also is there any way to see when his army or government pension ended? That might give us a date of his death.

Bob


Bob
Thanks for your reply.
Unfortunately I think you are going to have some difficulty based on the rather scant information known to you. I think it highly unlikely that the Historical Disclosures Section off the Army Records Office, Glasgow would conduct a search nor release any records without a death certificate to confirm the his identity. Again you state " I think my Uncle was with them in WW2 ". This is somewhat vague and they would want something much more positive on which to confirm his unit. Along with the Subject Form that you would asked to download from the Gov.UK Website, you would also be asked to download the Kinship Form on which you would be asked to confirm your relationship details with the subject, along with the permission of the NOK to obtain his records. Only certain people are permitted to obtain a Service Record. The Army Records Office in Glasgow is the ONLY source of post 1920 Service Records for members of the British Army. The Fusilier Museum, Bury do not hold records of individual veterans and they too would refer you to the Army Records Office, Glasgow or the National Archives at Kew as is appropriate. I may perhaps have given you false hope with my mention of applying to the Records Office. This would be an appropriate course of action but only if you can supply the information requested. They have to be 100% certain that they identify the correct veteran before releasing documents. I think as I said previously the Lancashire Fusiliers had three war time battalions stationed out in India and Burma during WW2 and you can look up each one in turn by using the Postings Gallery button on tbe home page of the Website. Sadly without further identifying details it is not possible to progress your enquiry further at this time.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist LF Web Site.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm


Subject Fred Parker

Good Morning Andrew
As promised please find additional information to the details given on the Message Board. Attached are copies of his Medal Index Card as held by ancestry.com and his entry in the Regimental Records confirming his entilement to the British Medal and Victory Medal.
He has three entries on the Forces War Record Web Site which confirms his Service with the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers as Pvt 22, and his Service with the Royal Engineers as Sgt 198114. The entries confirm his medal entitlement and the award of his Meritorious Service Medal. Again it confirms the fact that he was reported as being gassed during WWI when serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers. You can view the records by logging in to the Forces War Records Web Site but you may have to pay a small subscription to view the entries.
Now then....Service Records
As you are probably aware all records relating to WWI Veterans are held at the National Archives, it is the only source of accurate verifiable information. Records are not held locally nor on a regimental basis. The Fusilier Museum, Bury do NOT hold records of individual Veterans and would refer you to the National Archives or the Historical Section of the Army Records Office in Glasgow.
We now come to the problems of obtaining a Service Record for Fred.
It's a sad fact that millions of records were lost during the London Blitz of 1940 when the then War Office Central Rec
ords Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs. If you Google " The fire at Arnside Street London 1940 " it will bring up details. The losses in the fire were utterly catastrophic and among millions of records destroyed were most of the WWI Records which included Veteran's Service Records along also the majority of pre War records.
A small number of records however were recovered from the burnt out building and are now held by the National Archives in what is known as the burnt records collection. These include a small number of Service Records, Pension Records and a miscellany of other documents. I have checked through these records but can find no mention of Fred Parker. We must assume that his records are lost.
Genealogy Web Site such as Ancestry.com and findmypast.com can sometimes bring up additional information but it must be bourne in mind that both are subscription based web sites and invariably will have gleaned any miltary references they hold from the National Archives.
Given the above it is not possible to glean further information about his pre WWI Service.
You now have the information that is available on line about him.
If we are able to assist you further with your research please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm



Dear Geoff

I am extremely grateful for the information that you have provided, it's more than I was expecting. In addition we have located his grave on findagrave and this now explains the letters MM and MSM after his name.

I'm aware of the burned records, how ironic to lose war records during a war. It makes one aware of the importance of making copies of these records. I work at UCT and we lost one of our main libraries in a fire in 2021 along with irreplaceable artifacts. As a side-job I curate the South African Mountain Accidents database and fortunately made digital copies of much of that information over the years.

I'm impressed with the amount of information you have on your website, and more so with the spirit and camaraderie that is so evident. My great grandfather was clearly part of something very special.

kind regards
Andrew

Andrew
Many thanks for your reply and kind comments.
Yes, the loss of the records during the London Blitz is a virtually unsurmountable hurdle for the military researcher.
You have me intrigued by the mention of the MM (Military Medal) engraved on his gravestone along with his MSM.
We must perhaps assume that it was from from his pre WWI Service as he is not listed / mentioned on the Honours and Awards pages in the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-1918 Volume 2 by Major Gemerald J. C. Latter, CBE., M.C. It contains details of all MM's awarded to Lancashire Fusiliers during WWI along with the
date of their London Gazette entry. Very strange that his MM is not shown on any of his WWI entries...most unusual. May I please have details of when
and where he was buried. We have created a small feature to which we would wish to add these additional details.
Click on this link then scroll down the page to his entry. It's all valuable information for retention on the Web Site......of use to future historians????

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/Geoff%27s_Work/Geoff%27s%20work.htm

Again many thanks for your kind do comments.
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

Hi Geoff

The family grave is in Heaton Cemetery. My mom has emailed another grandson in the UK and he sent us this:

Sgt AFW Parker service no. in WW1 was 198114 and he was given the 1914 Star WW1 Medal granted in 1917. Often called the Mons Star and apparently he served under fire, he saw active service in the trenches of Passchendaele in France as a telephone operator. He was in Army Service 1914-18 and he was in RAF Service 1939-45.

I'll try and dig up some more info and also try to find out where the medals are.

regards
Andrew

My reply

Hi Andrew
Yes, if you look carefully at the Medal Card I sent, you can see that he was awarded the 3 WW1 Campaign Medals, 1914 / 1915 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Collectively they are known as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. The names are taken from a popular comic strip cartoon in the Daily Mirror newspaper. Pip was a dog, Squeak a penguin and Wilfded a baby rabbit.
If he also served in WW2 then details will not be recorded with the National Archives. It is however open to you to apply for a copy of his RAF Service Record via the Gov.Uk link shown below. Click on the link for information on how to apply. You will need a copy of his death certificate to accompany your application. Death Certificates are readily available on line for a small fee. An upfront fee of £30 is still payable I believe for a record search via Gov.UK.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records.

Do you know his date of death?...1950's / 60's possibly?

Click on this link for details of the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers at Passchendaele.

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/2LFWW1.htm

If we can help further please get back to us.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

Abraham Frederick William Parker
BIRTH
unknown
DEATH
7 Nov 1961
BURIAL
Heaton Cemetery
Bolton, Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England
MEMORIAL ID
222255206 · View Source

First Name:
Abraham Frederick William
Surname:
Parker
Information:
They enlisted at Blackpool. They enlisted after June 1940.
More Information:
Appointed as a Class F Reservist
Service Number:
1353526
Service:
Royal Air Force
Primary Unit:
Royal Air Force
Archive Reference:
AIR 78 122 1
Royal Air Force during World War 2
More information about Royal Air Force
Formed: 1918

While the British were not the first to make use of heavier-than-air military aircraft, the RAF is the world's oldest independent air force: that is, the first air force to...
Collection:
Royal Air Force Nominal Index of Airmen and Airwomen 1918 to 1975

Campaign Medals:
1939-1945 Star
This star was awarded for service in the Second World War between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945. The recipient was awarded this star if their service period was terminated by their death or disability due to service. Also the award of a gallantry medal or mention in Despatched also produced the award of this medal, regardless of...

War Medal 1939 - 1945
The War Medal 1939–1945 was a British decoration awarded to all full time service personnel of the Armed Forces wherever their service during the war was rendered. Operational and non-operational service counted provided personnel had completed 28 days service between 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. In the Merchant Navy there was the requirement that 28...
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site

Sent from Samsung tablet.


Subject: Re: Thomas Wrigley

Hi Geoff,

I'm hoping you can help me. I'm trying to find out details of my grandads military service. A few years back I posted a couple of photos of him on the Lancashire Fusiliers site but heard nothing. I have been digging around around and think he joined the 9th Btn first before going to the 2nd Btn. He served in India and was a member of the Btn hockey team.
As the archivist for the regts do you hold or have access to any of btn orbats or could you point my in a direction where I maybe able to find these? Unfortunatly, I am missing a really vital piece of info and that is his army number so I cant request his details from manning and records (if that still exist).

Kind regards

Tristan Dover (ex 1QLR)

Good Evening Tristan
Many thanks for your email.
Just to clarify matters...I am the Researcher and Archivist for the Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site. We are not part of the Fusilier Museum Bury but we do work in close liaison with them. The Museum do have their own Researcher but charge a minimum fee of £35 per enquiry.
The LF Web Site has been in existence since 2002 and now has over 15,000 pages and a similar number of photographs. I hold an extensive range of research material so I will see what I can find for you. ??
Now then perhaps before I go any further, can you confirm if he was a WWI or WWII Veteran?
Given that you say he was in the 9th Battalion then I must assume he was WWI as their was no 9th battalion during WWI. The LF's served a number of tours in India, one for 13 years!! during the 1920's and 30's. The 1st battalion were actually stationed in India at the outbreakof WWII and went on to firm part of the legendary Chindit Columns. It would be helpful to have further information about him such as where he was from, name of parents etc. I ask this because their are believe it or not 15 individuals called Thomas Wrigley or T Wrigley shown on the Forces War Record Web Site as having served with the Lancashire Fusiliers during WWI. Clearly being able to identify the correct man is of paramount importance. Any additional information about him would help me in that regard.
It is still possible to obtain a copy of his Service Record from the Historical Disclosure Section of the Army Records Office in Glasgow. (only if he was a post 1920 Veteran). It is not necessary to know his Regimental Number but a copy of his death certificate will be required. Click on the link below for the GovUK. Web Site which explains how to go about obtaining a Service Record.
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records
If he was indeed a WWI Veteran then all records regarding him will be held by the National Archives. It is the only source of accurate verifiable information. The only caveat being the loss of millions of records including WWI Veterans Service Records, during the London Blitz of 1940. The then War Office Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs. A small number of records were recovered from the burnt out building and are now held by the National Archives in what is known as the burnt records collection. Once we have identified the correct Thomas Wrigley then a search can be made through the National Archive who hold the Medal Rolls and Ancestry.com who hold the Medal Card Index.
Should it be the case that he served during WW1 but remained in service post 1920 and possibly into and during WWII then you would have to make a personal application to the Army Records in Glasgow to obtain a Service Record. Only pre 1920 WWI records are held by the National Archives.
In the latter part of 2002 the MOD began the transfer of 10M records to the National Archives, these will include the Service Records of WWII Veterans. They are being transferred in batches and the transfer programme will take 6 years to complete. Ultimately the transferred records will be available on line in the same manner as WWI records. If you apply to Glasgow Records Office they will tell you if his records have been transferred with an explanation of how to go about obtaining them from the National Archives.

*****

Whilst typing this reply I had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I had come across the name before. You say that you had contaced the Web Site previously, yes? and had no reply? This caused me to research the Web Site and low and behold found this, which in many ways makes all the above irrelevant.

Thomas Wrigley’s military career.
He joined up at about age 14/15 which would have been between 1916 –18. He came from Hulme in Manchester and was in the Lancashire Fusiliers, spent some time in India were I believe the hockey photo was taken (I have ringed Tom). He sailed back from India aboard HMT Somersetshire on the 24 December 1931 from Bombay and docked at Southampton on the 15 January 1932.
He came out of the Army sometime after WWII at the rank of CSM.


On 3 Jan 2023, at 19:07, geoffpycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com> wrote:

sent in by Tristan Dover Thomas's Grandson

Click on this link

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/gallerynew/2LFindia1927/2lfindia1927-31.htm

 

Thanks for the speedy reply Geoff,

Yes, that is indeed the post I put on the LF website.
My grandads parents were called James Joseph Wrigley and Emma Wrigley nee Peace. The last known address I have for my grandad prior to joining up is 87 Clarendon St, Charlton upon Medlock, Manchester. That is basically Manchester city centre.
His wife was called Margaret Ellen Blackburn, they had 5 children, John, Constance, Edna, Joan and Margaret. My aunty Edna remembers him coming home and making them polish his Sam Browne, that's what leads me to believe he was a CSM.
I am lead to believe that he ran away from home and joined up to get away from his dad. I have no idea how old he was when this happened, or where he ran to. I know Fountain Street, where the old army careers office was, is only a mile from where he lived.
Is that enough for you or do you need any other info, I'm guessing there is nothing of any interest that you can see in the photos?

Kind regards
Tristan


It's a sad fact that apart from the Nominal Roll for 2LF during the Boer War their are no known nominal rolls for any of the LF war time battalions nor indeed any of the inter war years or post war years up to 1968 and the LF disbandment. It's a very frustrating fact.....how easy would it be to simply look up a name on the nominal rolls...not to be unfortunately. Family genealogy sadly does not assist in this case. I have been working through the lists on the Forces War Records Web Site but for one reason or another I could not tie them into your grandfather. I thought I had dropped lucky with one I found from Manchester but he was discharged with a Silver War Badge and left the army in 1917.
However, from what you already know particularly that he served post 1920, then it should be possible to obtain a copy of his Service Record from Historical Disclosures Section at the Army Records Office in Glasgow.
As I said it is not an absolute necessity to know his regimental number in order to obtain a Service Record. Click on the link I gave you and download the Subject Request Form and Kinship Form and provide as much detail as you can, such as his full name, unit, rank, period served etc. You will have to attach a copy of his death certificate to your application along with the search fee, currently still £30 I believe. Death Certificates are readily available on line for a small fee. As I said the MOD began the transfer of post 1920 records to the National Archives in mid 2022 as part of a 6 year programme. Should his records have already been transfered then you will be advised on how to obtain them from the National Archives at Kew. In the meantime you can look up the various LF postings by clicking on the button " posting galleries " on the Web Site home page.
I should add that the Fusiliers Museum, Bury do NOT hold any records of individual WW1 or WW2 Veterans and they too would refer you to either the Army Records Office, Glasgow or the National Archives at Kew.
All in all your best course of action for gaining further information would be an application to Glasgow for a copy of his Service Record ....it will provide a wealth of information.
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

Hi Geoff,

I have sent of for my Grandad Tom's military records. While I'm awaiting those I have done some digging on my Grandad Fred's military service, He too was Lancs Fus, 2/5 btn. He was taken POW in October 1917 in Ypres and held in Limburg-an-Lahn, Germany.

Do you or the Lancs Fus Museum/web site have any futher details about battles that the 2/5 took part in during WW1?

Any info would be very gratefully received.

Thanks and best regards

Tristan.

Tristan
He has four entries on Forces War Records Web Site.
1. Confirms his regiment and entitlement to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
2. Report dated 15.9.1917 as missing
3. Report dated 11.10.1917 confirming his status as missing and now a POW.
4. Report dated 08.01.1919 released as POW arrived back in England.

Medal Card attached

 

Now then 2/5th battalion....go to the home page on the LF Website and scroll down until you come to the links for Volume 1 and 2 of The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914 -1918 by Major-General J. C. Latter CBE., MC. You will need to scroll through the pages once connected. Volume 2 contains the calendar of movements for the LF Battalions throughout WW1. On 15.9.1917 the date he was reported missing the 2/5th were in bivouacs at Goldfish Chateau, Ypres from the 14th until the 17th September 1917. Page 115 Vol 2 refers. Between 31st July and 2nd August they had been in the attack north east of Wietje...where a VC was won.
Pages 215 to 277 of Vol 1 covers the Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Cambria 1917 and details the events surrounding his capture and detention as a POW.
Click on this link to take you to the 2/5th page....a lot to read!
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/2-5thLFToursPostings.htm
If we can assist further please get back to us.
PS... Copies of Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Major-General J.C. Latter's book are currently available on eBay....priced at £60.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm


Subject: Lt W E Ashley

Good afternoon

I hope you have had a good Christmas and New Year.

I am researching an object that I have which is associated with a Lt W E Ashley who I believe led an attack at Angle Point, Passchendale on 22nd Oct 1917. He was a Lancashire Fusileer and was wounded in the action. He was awarded the MC for his actions and returned to the war in early 1918 when he had recovered.

I was wondering if a) he was a Lancashire Fusileer, b) his action is listed/cited and c), whether or not he survived the war.

I wonder of you could help or point me in the right direction research wise.

Many thanks

Edward Quinn
Equinn1@hotmail.co.uk

Good Afternoon Edward
Many thanks for your email.
Before I go further I need to clarify the source of your information regarding 2Lt. W.E. Ashley. Although I am able to comfirm that he served with the Lancashire Fusiliers their are a number of discrepancies arising from my initial research.
First and foremost I can find no evidence that he was awarded the Military Cross. He is not listed in the Honours and Awards section in Volume 2 of The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914 - 1918 nor can I find a reference to Angle Point, Passchendale ( Passchendaele) on the date 22.10.1917.
On this date the 17th, 18th and 20th Battalions Lancashire Fusiliers were in the attack at Houthulst Forest. An accurate description of the events surrounding the attack are recorded at length in Volume 1 of the above mentioned book, and their is no mention of a Lt W. E. Ashley. Their were a dozen or more decorations awarded following the attack, the only Military Cross being awarded to Captain R. S. Heap, M.C.
2Lt W. E. Ashley does however gain a mention in Volume 1 pages 407/408 in relation to his actions with the 2nd and 2nd/5th Battalions Lancashire Fusiliers during early October 1918 when he and 2Lt Pickering commanded stretcher parties of 50 plus during various actions. He has no other mentions.
Research is further complacated due to the fact that I have been unable to accurately identify him on the WWI Medal Rolls held by the National Archives nor a Medal Card Index held by ancestry.com.
I have however noted an entry on the Regimental list of those entitled to the War Medal and Victory Medal. Please see the attachment. It is stated on his search entry that he served in several unit.....more later.

I have tried several combination of search criteria input with the National Archives but all return a negative return each time.
Matters are now complicated by the fact that he has four entries on the Forces War Record Web Site. The first shows him in 1918 to be a 2Lt., temporarily attached to the 1 and 2nd Battalions, Lancashire Fusiliers.
A second entry dated 1923 records him as Lt. with the a Lancashire Fusiliers.
Entries dated 1944 and 1945 record him as a Regular Army Reserve and former Lancashire Fusilier.
None of the entries on the Forces War Record mention anything about him being awarded a M.C.
The entries on the Forces War Record Web Site clearly suggest that he served beyond WWI and thus as a post 1920 serving officer his records, particularly his Service Record, would be held at the Army Records Office in Glasgow. It would therefore be possible to make a personal application to the Historical Disclosure Section of the Army Records Office for sight of his Service Record which should clarify all matters.

Due to the discrepancies that have so far come to light I have not researched further the actions of the other Lancashire Fusilier battalions on the 22nd October, 1917. It may well be that one of them was indeed involved at Angle Point the but so far I have been unable to find any reference to it. It is highly unusual for it not to have a mention in the reference material, although of course it may be recorded under a different name.
All a little odd at the moment and I feel myself unable to further my enquiries without future clarification.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm



Further to my previous email.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_of_22_October_1917

I am researthing any Lancashire Fusilier involvement with this action.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist

Hi Geoff

Many thanks for your info so far.

Please find attached a couple of photos of the info I have complete with the object (a Luger).

Ps. Is there also a way for me to donate to your association for your time?

Many thanks

Eddie

Good Evening Edward
Many thanks for your reply and the information.
This is very intriguing and certainly puzzling.
I sent you a link earlier with details of the action on 22.10.1917.
I have checked through the Movement Calendar for the wartime LF Battalions and subject to further reaseach I am so far unable to place any of the LF battalions as having been involved in the action at Angle Point on 22.10.1917.
Again, I have been unable to identify him through the National Archives...... which is unusual.
Now then... the script on the label attached to the Luger has raised a possible explanation of the current dilema.
The Forces War Records Web Site first records him as a 2Lt " on temporary attachment " to the Lancashire Fusiliers and this is dated 1918. It would appear from the later entries on the Forces War Records Web Site that he remained with the Lancashire thereafter..right up to WW2 .The script on the label refers to him being wounded by the German Officer during the action at Angle Point in October 1917, and that following treatment and recuperation he returned to active service duties in 1918.
This raises the distinct possibility that prior to joining Lancashire Fusiliers in 1918 " on temporary attachment " he actually served in a totally different unit / regiment, one that unlike the Lancashire was involved in the action at Angle Point in October, 1917, when and where he was wounded. The label on the pistol will of course be a" long after the event " notation perhaps when he was then permanently with the Lancashire Fusiliers. The writer was most likely not aware of his previous service in another unit.....following me so far? It should also be noted that when searching for his Regimental entry confirming his Medal entitlement it did state that he has served in " several other units " .
I therefore conclude that he was most probably serving with a unit other than the Lancashire Fusiliers and perhaps was indeed awarded a M.C. following the action at Angle Point in October 1917. It will perhaps be recorded elsewhere...his unit journals possibly. A M.C. would have been gazetted in the London Gazette and would mention his unit at the time. If I get chance I will look it up.
I will try again with the Medal Rolls and Medal Card Index.
Thanks for your offer of a donation. Please click on the link below which contains information about how to go about it.
I'll hopeful get back to you soon.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm


Dear Mr Pycroft,

I obtained your name and email address from the Lancashire Fusiliers website. I write to enquire with regard to my late Uncle's Father who was a Captain in the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1914. His name was Hubert Gustav Teague, and I would be very grateful if you could provide any details of his time in the Fusiliers. I am particularly interested as to whether he fought in the First World War.

My late Uncle's name was Hubert Derek Teague (born 15th August 1914) and he married my Mother's late Sister, Frances nee Griffiths. The details of my late Uncle's Father's occupation are shown on my late Uncle's birth certificate No. 437, which appears to have been registered in 1917.

Many thanks in advance of your reply, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Susan Searle

First Name:
H G
Surname:
Teague
Incident Date:
1915
Rank:
Lieutenant
Pals Battalion:
Salford Pals
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Secondary Unit:
15th (Service) Battalion (Why is this important?)
Archive Reference:
Pals_Battalions
Map:
WW1 Actions and Troop Movements (ORBATS) for Lancashire Fusiliers, 15th (Service) Battalion
If H G Teague stayed with this unit, this map shows where he would have fought.
If you know of an event that doesn't appear, you can add it by clicking on the map.
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/maps/records/21788268/lieutenant-h-g-teague-british-army-lancashire-fusiliers
×
Formation
Whitchurch Rural - 27/04/1915 PREV NEXT
+-
Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap contributors | Forces-War-Records.co.uk
• 1915
o Formation - 27/04/1915
Location: Prees Heath. Following the outbreak of War on 6th August 1914, Parliament sanctioned an increase of 500000 all ranks to the Regular Army, and the First, Second and Third, New Armies were raised in this way. In April 1915, the divisions that had formed the Fourth New Army were broken up so they could be used for replacing the casualties in the first three New Armies, and the Fifth New Army, the formation of which had been authorised in December 1914, then became the Fourth New Army.
Show More
o Move To Wensley - 01/06/1915
o Move To France - 12/11/1915
• 1916
• 1917
• 1918
View Larger Map
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Pals Battalions WWI

Campaign Medals:


British War Medals WW1
The British WW1 War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War One. It commemorates some of the most terrible battles the world has ever known. The casualties in the Ypres Salent and on the Somme for 1915 to 1918 were more than our total for the Second World War The...


Victory Medal
With the information in H G Teague's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them
Replica medals can be purchased through our approved supplier Bigbury Mint
The record you are viewing contains all the information available from the original source, either fully transcribed for you or as an index and attached image.
Other collections may hold more or different data for this person.
I am current working on it.
His middle name has a variety of spellings ...Gustav.....Gustave ....Gustane.
I have however found his Medal Card held by ancestry.com. See the attachments. It would appear that he was originally a Lieutenant with the 15th (Service ) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, (Salford Pals) Salford Brigade. He was not assigned as a Platoon Commander or 2IC of a Company and I therefore conclude that he was a HQ Staff Officer under the battalion's Commanding Officer Colonel H. B. Moss VD. He was later to be a Staff Officer (Captain) at the War Office.
More later but on the meantime please click on this link for further information on the WWI actions of the 15th Battalion.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/15LFToursPostings.htm

I am current working on it.
His middle name has a variety of spellings ...Gustav.....Gustave ....Gustane.
I have however found his Medal Card held by ancestry.com. See the attachments. It would appear that he was originally a Lieutenant with the 15th (Service ) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, (Salford Pals) Salford Brigade. He was not assigned as a Platoon Commander or 2IC of a Company and I therefore conclude that he was a HQ Staff Officer under the battalion's Commanding Officer Colonel H. B. Moss VD. He was later to be a Staff Officer (Captain) at the War Office.
More later but on the meantime please click on this link for further information on the WWI actions of the 15th Battalion.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/15LFToursPostings.htm

Please acknowledge receipt of my emails so I can be sure you have got them.

He has a number of entries on the Forces War Record Web Site.


 

His fellow officers in the 15th Bn at the start of WWI

Dear Geoff,

Wow, I am impressed!! This is wonderful information. Thanks so much for your assistance in providing this.

My late Uncle's son, Ian, who is now nearing 80 and lives in the US, is as keen as I to discover his Father's background. This is very interesting.

Many thanks again.

Kind regards,

Sue Searle

Please click on this link below to take you to his entry on the National Archives Medal Rolls. I have already sent you the Medal Card held by ancestry.com.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5507954

Medal card of Teague, Hubert Gustave Corps: Lancashire Fusiliers Rank: ...
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Reference: WO 372/19/185301
Description:
Medal card of Teague, Hubert Gustave
Corps Regiment No Rank
Lancashire Fusiliers Lieutenant
Lancashire Fusiliers Captain
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)

Hi Geoff,

Goodness, you are working hard on this. It's fascinating, isn't it?
I have received 4 further emails, the first at 11:23 and this being the fourth.
Thanks so much for all of this information. I will scrutinise it at my leisure.
I am full-time carer to my 98 year old Mother, so will need to wait until she has a nap before I can have a proper look.

Kind regards,

Sue
Sue.
Please find below the entries for him on the Forces War Records Web Site. A couple were duplicated so hopefully the ones I send are different ?? I have already sent you one earlier.
Regrettably no date is given for his temporary attachment to the War Office as an acting Captain. More on that in my next and final email.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist


First Name:
Hubert Gustave
Surname:
Teague
Regiments served with:
Unit Rank Service Number
Lancashire Fusiliers Lieutenant
Lancashire Fusiliers Captain
Archive Reference:
WO 372/19/185301
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:


British War Medals WW1
The British WW1 War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War One. It commemorates some of the most terrible battles the world has ever known. The casualties in the Ypres Salent and on the Somme for 1915 to 1918 were more than our total for the Second World War The...


Victory Medal
With the information in Hubert Gustave Teague's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them

First Name:
H G
Surname:
Teague
Nationality:
British
Information:
Attached., (War office)., Temporary
Rank:
Lieutenant
Rank (2nd):
Acting Captain
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion:
1st and 2nd Battalions. (Regular.) (Why is this important?)
Seniority Date:
01/02/1915

Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

Sue
He is not shown on the CWGC Web Site as a casualty nor recorded on the Forces War Record Web Site as having received a Silver War Badge. (awarded to those discharged through injury or incapacity).
I can only conclude therefore that he survived the war. Perhaps findmypast.com can turn something up?
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy J3 - powered by Three
-------- Original message --------
From: Sue Searle <suesearle@gmail.com>
Date: 29/12/2022 13:42 (GMT+00:00)

Subject: Re: Capt. Teague Forces War Record Web Site entries

Hi Geoff,

Many thanks for all your hard work. I hardly dare ask: did H G Teague survive WWI? One of the reasons for asking is that neither his wife or my late Uncle ever mentioned him. I do wonder what happened to him.

Kind regards,

Sue
Hi Sue.....and finally.
Records for WWI Veterans (pre 1920) are not held locally nor held on a Regimental basis, and all such records are held in perpetuity by the National Archives at Kew. The records they hold are the only source of accurate verifiable information relevant to WWI Veterans. Their is currently an on going 6 year programme to transfer all posts 1920 records held by the MOD at the Army Records Office in Glasgow to the National Archives. Their are some 10M records being transferred which includes the Service Records of all Veterans post 1920. It is an enormous task.
One of the biggest problems for the military historian is trying to overcome the loss of millions of records during the London Blitz of 1940 when the War Office Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs. If you Google " The fire at Arnside Street London 1940" it will bring up further information about the fire. The biggest problem for the military researcher was the loss of millions of Service Records for WWI Veterans. A small number of records were recovered from the burnt out building and are now held by the National Archives in what is known as the burnt records collection.
These contain a relatively small number of Service Records along with a few Pension Records and a miscellany of other documents.
I have checked Capt Teague against those preserved records but can find no trace of a Service Record or further mention. Thus it is virtually impossible to provide further detailed information about his War time service. It is however still worth a search of the National Archives for any other mention of him. Again, online genealogy Web Sites such as findmypast.com and Ancestry.com can sometimes furnish new information but it must be bourne in mind that in most cases the information they hold will have been gleaned from the National Archives in the first place.
I do hope that the information I have been able to furnish will be if assistance.
If we can help further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site


Good Morning!

Ref Lance Corporal Nicholas Ayling Worsfold 3440989 Lancashire Fusiliers

Wondering if you may be able to help with any additional data on my great Uncle as I have finally located his POW card and this confirms it was him. Most of the other records just stated N. A. Worsfold and that was insufficient so we now have the proof. I remember my mum saying something about a POW and that he had a rough time so it appears this memory is of Nick, his brother was George Gale Worsfold who was in the RN from 1926 - 1952 so I know much about him but not about Nick.

His card states he was a Baker but he was also a postman from before the war and he was awarded the I.S.M in 1964.

One issue I have is that I don't know what battalion he was serving in during 1940 but his POW card states he was captured '8th June 1940 near Forges', I'm struggling to locate this place within the area of operations during 1940 so can you offer anything that might help?

I will order his service record soon but that will take as much as a year to process so for the moment I can only try and find out what I can.

Thank you

Paul

Good Evening Paul
I will contact you again tomorrow (it's now 2345 hrs in the UK), with further information, but I can confirm that he was POW No.5251 held at Stalag 8b, Teschen, Poland. He was originally reported as missing on the Casualty List No.292 dated 27.8.1940 and confirmed as a POW on Casualty List 331 dated 11.10.1940. He was a L/Cpl with Lancashire Fusiliers and at the time of his detention was attached to the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps.
Subject to further enquiry but he was most probably a member of the 1/5th Bn LF. They went to France in April, 1940 with 125 Brigade in the 42 ( East Lancs) Division along with 1/6th Bn LF and 1/8th Bn LF. They formed part of the BEF. He could of course also have been either 1/6th or 1/8th. LF.
I will add further information tomorrow. Am I right to surmise that you are not based in the UK?
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site


Hi Geoff

Thankyou for getting back to me so quickly, I hadn't expected a reply the same evening, I was up late last night because of the arrival of the card and spent a few hours digging into whatever I could find.

I am in the UK and right by the New Forest, Hampshire.

I have relabelled the pdf attachment as it won't appear in the TNA catalogue until Jan 2023, hope this is useful to you for the archive and the camps Nick was in. The B/W photo c1946, Nick is on the right with Janet in front, his father also Nick (R.M.LI 1895 - 1899, A.S.C 1914 - 1919), is to his right and Gertrude Worsfold next to him. It's in Wood Lane Knaphill but I can't be certain which house as the family had three houses in the same street.

Regards

Paul

Paul
For your interest
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/feature/POWs%20WW1/LF_POWs_WW2.htm


Now then, Good Morning Paul
Many thanks for your reply. I had assumed you were living overseas due to the lateness of your email. We often receive enquiries from overseas say Australia and Canada, which often arrive here in the late evening or in the early hours??.
Now then, L/Cpl Worsfold 3440989. Out of necessity this may be a long email and I should start by apologising if I speak about matters already known to you and appear to be trying to teach you how to suck eggs!!
As you will be aware that details such as Service Records and Medal Entitlements for WWI Veterans are readily available on line by searching the National Archives at Kew. However, records relating to WWII Veterans are not publicly available on line and are only available by personal application to the Historical Disclosure Department of the Army Records Office in Glasgow. Unfortunately as you will probably be aware their is currently a problem obtaining a Service Record from Glasgow due to a backlog of applications due to the pandemic. It has been the case in the recent past that the Records Office have been returning the up front search fee of £30 and asking that individuals reapply at a later date when the backlog has been reduced. However their is now a further delay in obtaining a Service Record from Glasgow. The MOD recently began a 6 year programme to transfer some 10M records to the National Archives. It is intended that in due course, like WWI records, they will become available on line and searchable by the public. At the moment only relatives with the permission of the NOK can obtain a Service Record of a WWII Veteran from Glasgow. In certain circumstances bona fida military researchers can also obtain a Service Record but they are often a redacted record. The transfer of records is being done in ' batches ' and the Records Office in Glasgow are advising that not all applicants for Service Records can be dealt with at this time. Click on this link for further information...
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/mod-records-project.
You can make contact with the access team on the following link to ask if L/Cpl Worsfold's records are amongst the transferred records. It may take some time to get a reply.
modpersonnelaccessteam@nationalArchives. gov.uk
Given all the above I can confirm that he has 4 entries on Forces War Records Web Site. The information contained confirms that he was a Lancashire Fusilier and became a POW in 1940....details you already have. It also confirms his medal entitlement to the 1938-1945 Star and War Medal 1939-1945. It also records that at the time of his detention as a POW was attached to the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. Further on that later.
It's an unfortunate fact that apart from a Nominal Roll for the 2nd Battalion LF during the Boer War, their are no recorded Nominal Rolls for any of the WWI or WWII LF battalions, true, but a strange fact. It is therefore impossible to search a name to comfirm his battalion. That can only be done either via the WWI records held by the National Archivese or from the Service Records of each WWII Veteran. It makes research problamatic at times!
Now then......as I said above...further on the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. They were formed in 1939 at the start of the war and in the beginning personell were drawn from existing Infantry line regiments and various Corps. A quick search on Google will bring up a lot of information about the AMPC.
You will note that although recorded as a Lancashire Fusilier at the time he was detained as a POW, he is shown as attached to the AMPC at that time. That fact leaves me with an interesting conundrum.
His Service Number is confirmed as 3440989 which is in fact an early LF number. Those who served in WWI were given what were known then as Regimental Numbers. Post war, in 1920, a system of allocating ' service numbers ' was introduced and British Army Units were each given individual blocks of service number. The Lancashire Fusiliers were awarded the block 3433001-3511000. One of these numbers in this range would be allocated to recruits both pre WWII and throughout the war. The system of numbering changed again in the 1950's.
It is self evident that his Service Number of 3440989 is quite an ' early ' number and possibly pre dates WWII.
This leads me into the area of speculation and I must point out that it is just that!
When detained as a POW he was a L/Cpl and aged approximately 36 years old, yes? He was then although a Lancashire Fusilier attached to the AMPC. I think it a possibility that he was in fact a pre war LF who upon the outbreak of WWII was one of the Infantry personell temporarily attached to the AMPC.
All of course pure speculation but based upon his rank and age and attachment to the AMPC it must be a possibility.
Sadly and very frustratingly his Service Record would answer all the questions!!!
If I get chance later I will copy the Forces War Record Web Site entries and send them to you. Another alternative is for you to subscribe to the Forces War Record Web Site and view and copy yourself.
Anyway you have had a lot to read and perhaps I have given you new avenues of enquiry to follow.
Please acknowledge receipt of this email.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web
PS...please let me know if any of the links fail to work


First Name:
N A
Surname:
Worsfold
Incident Details:
Reported to the War Office Casualty Branch for the 48 hours ending at 09:00.
Incident Date:
28/05/1945
Information:
Casualty List No. 1767. Casualty List No. 331. Previously reported Prisoner of War in German Hands (Germany), Now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, France.
Rank:
Lance Corporal
Service Number:
3440989
Service:
British Army
Ship:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
WO417/92.2
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 2
More information about Lancashire Fusiliers
Formed: 1881

Disbanded: 1968

The Regiment was first formed in 1688, in Devon as the Peyton's Regiment of Foot, named after the commanding colonel Sir Richard Peyton. It was formed following the Glorious... read more here >>
Collection:
Royal Navy register of Lost or Wounded 1914-1929

Campaign Medals:


1939-1945 Star
This star was awarded for service in the Second World War between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945. The recipient was awarded this star if their service period was terminated by their death or disability due to service. Also the award of a gallantry medal or mention in Despatched also produced the award of this medal, regardless of...

War Medal 1939 - 1945


The War Medal 1939–1945 was a British decoration awarded to all full time service personnel of the Armed Forces wherever their service during the war was rendered. Operational and non-operational service counted provided personnel had completed 28 days service between 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. In the Merchant Navy there was the requirement that 28...
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them

Save this Record View All Saved Records Share This Record

First Name:
N A
Surname:
Worsfold
Fate:
Prisoner of War
Incident Details:
Reported to War Office Casualty Section for 24 hours ending at 9.00.
Incident Date:
11/10/1940
Information:
Casualty List No 331. Previously shown on Casualty List No 292 as Missing.
Rank:
Lance Corporal
Service Number:
3440989
Duty Location:
France
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Attachment details:
attd Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps .
Archive Reference:
WO 417/19
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 2

First Name:
N A
Initials:
N A
Surname:
Worsfold
Resided Town:
Stalag 8b, Teschen
Nationality:
British
Resided Country:
Poland
Fate:
Prisoner of War
Information:
POW No.5251
Rank:
Lance Corporal
Service Number:
3440989
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers


First Name:
N A
Surname:
Worsfold
Incident Details:
Reported to the War Office Casualty Branch for the 48 hours ending at 09:00.
Incident Date:
28/05/1945
Information:
Casualty List No. 1767. Casualty List No. 331. Previously reported Prisoner of War in German Hands (Germany), Now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, France.
Rank:
Lance Corporal
Service Number:
3440989
Service:
British Army
Ship:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
WO417/92.2

Hi Geoff

Ref Nicholas Ayling Worsfold

 

Have received all of your earlier Emails, started a new one to keep it separate as the data is getting quite big already.

I read through the detail and I picked up on one particular item and that was the word 'Att' on the POW file, I thought this was 'attested' but I now realise this is 'attached' and that makes a big difference as I did speak to someone regarding the service numbers for the AMPC and he couldn't find anything on Nick. It does appear that he did join the L/F from the beginning and it is possible that he joined prior to WWII, the low number does suggest that so I agree that it is possible.

Nick was in the RN 1919 - 1922, he appears to have been a casualty of the Versailles Treaty and made redundant, this may have had some impact on him being a L/Cpl as his dad experienced the same thing from the RMLI to the ASC. He was 36 when he was made a POW in 1940.

I followed the link for the TNA and his record should be one of those to be transferred, if they go alphabetically then it could be another five years to wait so I'm going to order his record this weekend and take the chance. As it happens I ordered my dads service record back in
June and I had an Email from them this week to say it will be processed soon so they do seem to be getting on top of the backlog.

I guess that's about as much as can be done for the time being but it's incredible that I've had to wait for over 40 years to finally learn about Nick's service record and it's changed everything, the defence medal that I thought was Nicks will have to be hung with his dad's medals as it cannot be for anyone else. As it happens this now makes the third relative to be at Dunkirk, the other two were;

1. Albert Edward Montague, Warwickshire Regt, he was at Wormhoudt 27th - 28th May 1940 and came close to being one of the unfortunates in the barn. He spent the rest of the war in ArbeitsKommando E3 but after that he was a prime witness to the Wormhoudt massacre and was also Monty's batman while he was CIGS.
2. Reg Hillier, my grandfather, in the Hampshire Regt and made it to Dunkirk 2nd June but had his eardrums blown out by the constant German shelling of the beach. He was eventually honourably discharged and that may have saved his life as the Regt went to North Africa and was almost wiped out.

Thank you for all the help on this, really pleased to have made so much progress in such a short time and already planning on getting his medals sorted to go with his dads and brothers. The service record ought to be very revealing so would you be interested in the details if this arrives next year?

Regards

Paul

Paul
Excellent....you appear to well on top with your research. You certainly have a fascinating family military history. As I alluded to earlier progress can only be made in many instances once you have sight of a Service Record.....it will often answer outstanding questions.
The transfer of records by the MOD to the National Archives is going to be enormously helpful in the future. The only fly in the ointment at the moment is the caveat relating to discloser of details before/after a certain time period. It will be a little similar to Census Records that can only be released after 100 years. Because their will be ' open ' public access to the records via the Internet, records that include intimate persons details such as medical records etc., may be excluded from direct public access until they fitin with the planned ' time rule '. I understand however that it will still...as is now, be possible for relatives to obtain a full Service Record.
Anyway may I wish you ATB with your ongoing research and every success. I would be most grateful to hear if you are able to confirm his Army chronology. I think he probably joined the Lancashire Fusiliers in the mid to late 3O's. ...time will tell ??
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web

 

 



Prisoners of war camp: Stalag XXI B. View of the camp yard with English prisoners of war. Schubin (Szubin), Poland

Click here to see more

 


Hello sir

5258466 Fusilier Thomas Timmons

I’m trying to find my great uncles route through ww2. He was killed in Monte Cassino 19/05/1944
Fusilier Thomas Timmons Service number 5258466

I’d be very grateful for any information you can share about his war. I’m taking my father to Cassino next week to visit his grave.
Regards John Timmons

Good Morning John
Many thanks for your email.
Please click on this link to take you to the 2nd battalion page on the LF Web Site. Click on the place names in black for further information. Their is lot to read. The 2nd battalion had a very eventful war! They fought in France, North Africa and then with the Battle Axe Division through Sicily and Italy, all the way to Austria.

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/2LFToursPostings.htm

It is possible to obtain a copy of his Service Record by making a personal application to the Historical Disclosure Department of the Army Records Office in Glasgow. Below is a link to the GovUK Web Site which explains how to go about obtaining a Service Record. Records of individual WWII Veterans are not held locally and the Army Records Office in Glasgow is the only source of information. I should add that the Fusilier Museum Bury do not hold any information relating to individual Veterans and they too would refer you to the Army Records Office in Glasgow. Sadly though due to the pandemic it can take up to 12 months to obtain a Service Record. Their is an upfront fee of £35 payable for a record search.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

I assume you have viewed his entry on the CWGC Web Site.

I can also recommend an excellent book by John Hallam (Major ) The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1939-45. ISBN 0-7509-0409--7 published by Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd. If not available directly off the shelf it can often be ordered through your local library. It has an excellent section relating to Monte Cassino.

If we can assist you further please get back to us.

Please acknowledge receipt of this email.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft

Subject: Re: Fusilier Thomas Timmons 5258466 2nd Bn LF

Thank you very much for your advice, we are visiting the war grave in Cassino beginning of December. I think it will be an emotional time. Thanks once again

John
You are most welcome.
I hope your trip goes well and as you say it will no doubt be quite emotional.
Clearly I do not know what your arrangements are, but there are one or two ' official ' guided tour groups based locally that have provided valuable insight to the events at Monte Cassino for those visiting the area. Should you have any photographs of your visit we would welcome sight of them...perhaps we could put them on the website?
ATB
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site

Part 2 After the Visit to Monte Cassino


Subject: Re: Fusilier Thomas Timmons 5258466 2nd Bn LF

Hello Geoff,

We visited my great uncles grave today and took some great photos. We brought his medals and placed them on the grave stone. It was very poignant and the sheer amount of soldiers buried there certainly hit home. I have attached a few photos which you are more than welcome to use on the website should you wish.
Regards John

Hi John
Thanks.
A highly charged emotional visit I'm sure.
I will pass everything to Dennis Laverick the Web Site Editor with a request that the photos be added to the 2nd Bn page...Monte Cassino. I will send you the link when it is on.
Kindest Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site


Re: Pvt 14631 Richardson 17th Bn LF

Good Evening Ian......please acknowledge receipt of this email.
I can confirm that he has a mention on the Forces War Record Web Site being a member of the 17th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. He is recorded as dying from wounds on the 29.7.1916. whilst serving in France and Flanders. His parents are recorded as being Thomas and Elizabeth Richardson from Smethwick, Staffordshire. He was 18 years old at the time of death and was born and lived in Birmingham. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His next of kind would have received a Memorial Death Plaque following WWI.
I can confirm that on the 25th and 26th July,1917 the 17th Bn were at Dublin Trench, Montauban and from late on the 26th until the 31st were at the Minden Post, Carnoy; acting as carrying parties for the 89th Infantry Brigade in the attack on Guille-mont on 29th and 30th July, 1916. Late on the 31st until 2nd August they were at Happy Valley, Bray-sur-Somme.
Sadly I can add nothing in relation to his death but perhaps must assume that he received wounds that proved fatal whilst carrying out his carrying party duties during the raid on Guille-mont on the 29th.
Clearly you have found his entry on the CWGC Web Site. You mention seeing the Internet information on the 17th, by which I assume you mean the 17th Bn page on the LF Web Site?
This is the link to it....
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/17LFToursPostings.htm
A copy of his Medal Card held by ancestry.com is attached.
Also attached is his Regimental Entry on the Medal Entitlement Rolls.

If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

Ian
For further reading please see pages 152/153 and 154 The Battle of the Somme - Entracte from the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914- 1918 by Major -General J.C. Latter C.B.E., M.C....Volume 1
see below
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/LF_Index_Page.htm

Regards
Geoff Pycroft

THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS, 1914-1918

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME-ENTRACTE

152

2nd/5th, 17th, 18th and 20th Battalions
While heavy fighting was being carried on by other troopselsewhere, several battalions of the regiment were involved in minorincidents towards the end of July, particularly the Bantam andSalford units.18TH BN.On 21st July the 18th Battalion, which had taken over a sectorof the trenches close to Trones Wood the day before, was attackedinthe small hours of the morning by two lines of Germans, number–ing about two hundred, who advanced under cover of a mist butwere stopped by Lewis and machine-gun fire when fifty yardsfrom the British line.At 5 p.m. that day the brigadier (Brigadier-GeneralJ.W.Sandilands, C.M.G., D.S.O.) issued orders for the 18th Battalion tocarry out a strong raid that night on a trench running from a pointjust south-east of Arrow Head Copse, close to Guillemont, to MaltzHorn Fann, about 1,200 yards south-west of that village. Theobject was to destroy the wire in front of the trench so thattroops might pass it. To enable it to carry out the raid, thebattalion was relieved in the front line by theIJthBattalion. Theenemy interfered considerably with the relief by putting downa barrage, which lasted for two hours, on the front line and thearea behind it. As a result, the relief was completed only tenminutes before the attack was due to begin, and the raiding partieshad to form up in front of the parapet instead of in a valley behindthe front line as had been intended. Moreover, the ground wasstrange to everybody, the warning order for the raid was onlyreceived at 6.30 p.m. and the company commanders did not receivedetailed orders till midnight. As a final difficulty, the Germansbecame very suspicious seven minutes before the attack began andshowed considerable activity, which included the firing of a numberof red rockets.At 1.30 a.m. the raiders advanced in two columns, separated by five hundred yards, with the object of getting through the wire

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME,1916

153

and into the Gennan trench and working inwards. The rightcolumn reached the trench, but was forced to retire. The leftcolumn passed through the Gennan front line and severely bombedthe support line. Lieutenant M.R.Wood, though wounded,established two Lewis guns in two shell holes, with the help ofLance-Corporal Plant and twelve men. This party held on for fivehours until it was nearly surrounded by the enemy, inflicting con–siderable loss on him and dispersing an attempted counter-attack.For his gallantry and good leadership, Lieutenant M.R.Wood wasawarded the Military Cross. Corporal A. Pattie received theDistinguished Conduct Medal for dressing ten wounded men underheavy fire and carrying six of them to safety on his back.On 24th and 25th July the 18th and 20th Battalions were involved1 8 TH ANDin heavy shelling during a German attack on other units. TheZOTHBNS.20th were ordered to send up a company to prolong the line alongthe eastern edge of Trones Wood. CaptainR.A. S. Coke led it outof the wood into the open. The enemy, evidently thinking tha.t anattack was intended, put down a heavy bombardment which forcedCoke to dig in. His trench was blown in; but he organized rescueparties, dug out men who had been buried and personally attendedto the wounded. The Gennan bombardment was in its turn thoughtto be the prelude to a Gennan attack and two companies of the18th were sent up as reinforcements.Itwas not, however, forthirty hours that Coke's company could be relieved and he stuck tohis post throughout this time although wounded in the back by ashell splinter. He was awarded the Military Cross for his braveryand endurance.On 29th and 30th July the 17th Battalion provided 10 officersITfHBN.and 460 other ranks as carrying parties for the 89th InfantryBrigadeinits attack on Guillemont.On 29th July the 19th Battalion left the 14th Infantry Brigade,19TH BN.32nd Division, and was transferred to the 49th (West Riding)Division as its Pioneer Battalion. On 1st August the 17th, 18th and 20th Battalions had the good17TH,fortune to be at restinthe area misca1led " Happy Valley," near18THBray-sur-Somme, and held a combined Minden Day parade which::Hwas inspected by Brigadier-General Sandilands, who speciallyB N S.than.ked them and congratulated them on their work.A much less comfortable Minden Day was spent by the 2nd/5thZND/ 5 THBattalion, which from 31st July to 5th August endured manyBN .outbursts of heavy shelling in the line near Arrow Head Copse, closeto Guillemont. This tour of duty is, however, remarkable for severalacts of gallantry by non-commissioned officers and men. A signaller,Private J. Atherton, earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal byrepeatedly and on his own initiative going across the open underheavy fire in order to repair the only telephone line which wasworkinginthe brigade and to arrange lamp signalling with aneighbouring battalion. CorporalJ.Newsham and Private T.Cooper were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry

 

154 THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS, 19I4-1918

as stretcher-bearers. The former twice left his trenchinfull view ofthe enemy to attend to wounded men lying in the wire in front of it.The latter secured volunteers to carry wounded back to the aid postthrough a shelled area; and at another time he remained for a longperiod in the open giving first aid to the wounded and putting themin such shelter as he could find. Private]. Eatough and Private W.Booth were awarded the Military Medal for digging out under heavyshell fire four men who had been buried by the explosion of a shell ;Eatough also carried a number of other wounded men to the dressingstation under fire. The battalion was partially involved in an attackat Guillemont on 9th August, suffering serious losses but beinggiven no definite role. Company Serjeant-Major F. Burns showedgreat gallantryinreorganizing his men after the attack and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal


Subject: Sydney Gaskell.

Hello, I wonder if you could help please? My late grandfather, 8231 Sydney Gaskell MM, born 1883, was a member of 2/LF on and off, from 1900 until 1919. I know quite a lot already, including about his transfer to 67th Training Regiment, number 16981, in 1917. I have recently found his marriage certificate which give his number as 198231 and as being back in the LF. Do your records show that he returned to them, and would he have been given his old number back, prefixed 19 upon his return? I have looked at all relevant sites, and there is no mention of 198231. Also do you have any record of what he did to gain the MM at the end of 1916? Records on this are vague.
Thank you A. J. allan

Good Evening Alastair
My name is Geoff Pycroft and I am the Researcher and Archivist for the Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site. Dennis Laverick to whom you wrote has given me sight of your e-mail and asked me to respond.
I can confirm the details that you already know from your own research. His MM was Gazetted in the London Gazette Issue 29864 dated 12.12.1916 Gazette Page 12220 refers. It can be looked up on line. Sadly unlike DCM's, it was not practice to record details of the action warranting the award of the MM. Very rarely it is possible to find the written details, of the award action, normally completed by the Divisional Commander, but sadly these are as rare as hens teeth and are normally obtained from family records that have been retained as memorabilia.
He has five entries on the Forces War Record Web Site confirming the details known and that he served in the 2nd Bn LF under the Regimental Number 8331 and latterly with the 67th Training Reserve Battalion with the Service Number 16981.
He was listed as wounded on the Casualty List issued by the War Office in a report dated 23.11.1916. He was permitted to wear a wound stripe as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916.
His MM is also recorded in Volume 2 of the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-1918 by Major - General J.C. Latter, CBE., MC. Page 46 refers. Their is a slight discrepancy in that it records the date of the London Gazette notifying the award as being 14.12.16 and not 12.12.1916 as recorded on the Forces War Record Web Site.
The Forces War Record Web Site confirms the award of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Military Medal. His Medal Card is of course downloadable from the National Archives. I can find no immediate reference to the Service Number 198231.
As you will know obtaining a Service Record from the National Archives is difficult due to the London Blitz Fire when millions of records were destroyed. The then War Office Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs. A small number of records were recovered from the burnt out building and are now held by the National Archives in what is known as the burnt burnt records collection and is perhaps worth searching the records on line. I have however searched for evidence of a Pension Record and Attestation Papers but found no records.
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site


Subject: John Entwistle 7190

Hello Geoff,

I understand you're very knowledgeable about the Lancashire Fusiliers. I believe my great-grandad served with them from 1899-1916.

My family all know him as James Lee; his wife and children used the surname Lee as well. I have his marriage certificate dated 30/09/1911 with his name listed as James Lee and his father named Thomas Lee. I have some WW1 medals passed down to me with the name ‘J Entwistle’ so I researched military records on Ancestry and came across Entwistle’s pension records. This showed me that James Lee was recorded as John Entwistle on his military records, no one in my family knows of this name but this is definitely the same person as James Lee, it seems he changed his name for some reason. I know it’s definitely the same person as on the pension records it shows his wife and childrens names. Do you have any idea why he would have used different names? In the 1921 census he is listed as “James Entwistle Lee”, it’s difficult to research prior to this as I don’t know what name he would have used in previous censuses. They are both really common names too so I can’t pinpoint him.

Anyway, I only have his army pension record and some medal card records which show he received the British, Victory and Star medals. I only have his British medal, and another very thin metal medal which says “CE” in the middle, not sure what this is.

From his pension records I think he was posted in Malta, Crete, Gibraltar and then France during WW1 where he may have had gas poisoning?

Do you know if there are any other military records for him, with new information I mightn’t know? Also I don’t know what part of the Lancashire Fusiliers he served.

Name: James Lee (military records are John Entwistle)
Military no: 7190
DOB: 24/02/1882
POB: Manchester, Lancashire
Army record shows next of kin as Father, Thomas Entwistle 7 Newton Street, Openshaw, Lanc

Thank you so much,
Scarlet

Good Afternoon Scarlet
Many thanks for your enquiry. You certainly appears to have done plenty of research in perhaps trying circumstances. I am unable you offer a plausible reason as to why he enlisted under a different birth name, but it was quite common for individuals to join under a " false name ", particularly those joining under age or those not wishing to be traced by family?
I can confirm however that a J Entwistle ( also recorded as John) Regimental number 7190 attained the rank of Corporal and served with the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
He was as you say awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914 Star. Together these three are affectionately know as " Pip ", " Squeak " and " Wilfred ". These names are taken from a WWWII cartoon series.
A report dated 15.5.1915. confirms he was listed as " Suffering from Gas Poisoning " on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from the 15th May, 1915.
He was entitled to wear a " Wound Stripe " as authorised under the Army Order 204 dated the 6th July, 1916. The terms of the award being met by their naming on the list.
He was at the time serving in Flanders,
France. Please click on the link below for further information regarding the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and their WWI actions.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/2LFToursPostings.htm

Now then......as you have probably already discovered researching WWI Veterans is difficult due to the loss of millions of records during the London Blitz when the War Office Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs.
If you Google " Fire at Arnside Street 1940 " it will bring up the story of the losses. The greatest loss to the Researcher were the loss of the Service Records. However a small number of records were recovered from the burnt out building and are now held by the National Archives in what is known as the burnt records collection. These documents were a small number of Service Records, Pension Records and a miscellany of other documents. The Pension Records you have viewed and gained information from will be be from those " burnt records " in the collection.
Again, I cannot offer you an explanation as to why he changed is name and perhaps a little like men call Jack are often known as John and vice versa.....why?... nobody really knows ??.
The losses during the Blitz FIre make it very difficult to find further information. I should add that the Fusilier Museum Bury do not hold any information relating to individual Veterans and they too would refer you to the National Archives.
Please acknowledge receipt of this email.
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

Hi again Scarlet
He is recorded on the Forces War Record Web Site as being with the 2nd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers in Flanders, as per the information I have given you. It is not known what occurred after his " gassing " or where he ended up. WWI hospital records held by the National Archives may well be worth searching?
We now hit upon the difficulties brought about by the destruction of the Army Records during the London Blitz and the loss in particular of the Service Records of individual WWI Veterans.
If you click on this link below you will see that the 1st Battalion LF were in Malta, Crete and Gibraltar from 1899 until 1902 and in Malta on two further occasions, 1902 - 1906 and again later in 1906 to 1907. This would appear to fit in with his date of birth and age when he enlisted. This is the link...
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/1LFToursPostings.htm
Click on the place names in bold black type for further information.
The 2nd Battalion with whom he later served during WWI were never in Malta or Crete and at the turn of the 20th Century following the Boer War, were stationed in various locations in the UK.
Given what we know so far I conclude that he most probably originally served with the 1st Bn LF and upon the outbreak of WWI was transferred to the 2nd Bn, likely due to his pre army war experience to be passed on to new conscripts ?
Now then seeking further information. The only source of accurate verifiable information relevant to WWI Veterans is held at the National Archives. This of course presents difficulties due to the fire at Arnside Street and the loss of millions of records.
On line search engines such as findmypast.com, Ancestry.com and other genealogy Web Sites in the main glean all there ' War time ' information on individuals from the National Archives. They are however worth a search (subscription based) as they can often bring up other information regarding individuals such as newspaper reports " from the front " plus obituary notices etc. etc. However, the direct source of information on an individuals Army service will always be the information held by the National Archives.
Ancestry.com work in conjunction with the National Archives and hold the WWI Medal Card Index and also the Medal Entitlement Rolls. The medals passed down to you? may have his name, rank, unit and number engraved around the edge, but that is not always the case. As you already have his medal card and Pension Records ( a rare discovery), I think it improbable that further information can be gleaned from the National Archives. As I said earlier the Fusilier Museum Bury do not hold any information relating to individual Veterans. They would charge you a minimum search fee of £35 and could only provide the information as held by the National Archives.
Again, we are always keen to encourage families to research their LF family history and a little mention on the message boards please to say how you found our help would assist us in that endeavour.
Maybe I wish you all the best with your ongoing research, but I think we have now exhausted the information known to us. Should you however come across additional information we would be very pleased to hear of it.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft

Scarlet
I have sent you a link to his Attestation Papers......I think you will find it very interesting reading ??
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy J3 - powered by Three
-------- Original message --------
From: scarletsnow@sky.com
Date: 26/10/2022 08:13 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: John Entwistle 7190

Hello Geoff,

Thank you for coming back to me so quickly, I wasn’t expecting such a quick response.

Many thanks for confirming some things, it is unfortunate I think we may never know why he changed his name, and whether this was his birth name or made up. He signed up to the army a week after his 17th birthday so this could be the reason.

Do you believe the pension and medal records I have will hold all information readily available? I don’t suppose you know which battalion he served with prior to the war, he served in Malta and Crete.

Thanks so much
Scarlet

Scarlet
I have sent you a link to his Attestation Papers......I think you will find it very interesting reading ??
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist

https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=xmg115&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&indiv=1&dbid=1114&gsfn=John&gsln=Entwistle)&cp=0&_83004003-n_xcl=f&_F0007CF4=Lancashire%20Fusiliers%20&_F8007A65=7190&new=1&rank=1&uidh=qdn&redir=false&msT=1&gss=angs-d&pcat=39&fh=0&h=301596&recoff=&ml_rpos=1&queryId=f2b454d686f1ddf5717325f21e2a2ea1

Hello Geoff,

Thanks so much for coming back to me, it is most useful.

Yes you’re right, the medal I have has his name and military number around the edge. There is another type I have which is a thin flat disc with his name on the front and LF I assume is Lancashire Fusiliers. And CE imprinted in the middle.

The attestation papers you sent me are really interesting, this is what I already found on Ancestry I thought they were his pension records! As that is what it’s saved as on Ancestry. There are 10 pages altogether which include his minor offences as a soldier..

Thank you again for all of your help, advice and expertise it’s very much appreciated. I will look further in to your suggestions. I will of course leave a message on your website shortly.

Thank you again
Scarlet

Aha! Scarlet.....
It's an identify disc otherwise know as a ' dog tag ', worn around the neck of a soldier in battle. It was often in grizzly circumstances, the only way of identifying a deceased individual on the battle field. The CE stands for Church of England....others would of course be RC, HB (Jewish) and so forth.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

These days it would also have the blood group inprinted on it (Dennis's note)



Hi Geoff,

I understand that you're knowledgeable about the Lancashire Fusiliers.

My great grandad served with them in the first world war.

I understand that he joined up under age, maybe in 1916, and he fought for approximately six months before being captured and spending the rest of the war as a prisoner in Germany.

His name was definitely Percy Crowther, and he we think his service number was 41553 (but only based on loose internet searches).

The family story goes that he was decorated for his service, and that his medals were subsequently stolen. But we don't know if there's any truth in this. Are you able to enlighten us?

If you have any idea where he might have been captured and/or imprisoned that would be even better!

Thanks in advance,

Good Evening J.....?
I am Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist for the Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site.
Thanks for your enquiry.
I can confirm that Pvt Percy Crowther was indeed a Lancashire Fusilier and served in B Company of the Lancashire Fusiliers in Flanders during WWI. Click on this link for the 2/8th page content the Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/2-8thLFToursPostings.htm
Please find as an attachment copies of his Medal Entitlement held by ancestry.com on the behalf of the National Archives. It confirms that he was entitled to three War medals. 1. British War Medal. 2. Victory Medal. 3. 1914/15 Star Medal. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. I can find no evidence of any further awards.
He was indeed a POW. It may be worth your while to make a search of the National Archives as they have a small number of POW Records. Sadly though most we're destroyed during the London Blitz when the War Office Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs.
Please find below copies of his entries on the Forces War Records Web Site.
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

First Name:
P
Surname:
Crowther
Index Number of Admission:
8004
Information:
Entrained Valenciennes. Detrained Calais.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
41553
Date of Admission for Original Ailment:
27/11/1918
Date Discharged Back to Duty:
28/11/1918
Number/Designation of Ward:
S
Notes written in the Observations Column:
Trip no. 234. Repatriated prisoner of war.
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion:
2/8th Battalion (Why is this important?)
Other unit info:
B Company
Archive Reference:
MH106/2010 MH106/2010 can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War Representative Medical Records of 31st Ambulance Train: Line of Communication France. 14/11/1918 – 01/12/1918. British Other Ranks. No. 6299 – 8866.


First Name:
P
Surname:
Crowther
Incident Details:
War Office Daily List No.5745
Report Date:
11/12/1918
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
41553
Casualty Listed As:
Released Prisoner of War from Germany, arrived in England
Next Of Kin Address:
Pendleton
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
NLS 1918_WList72
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in P Crowther's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Medal
With the information in P Crowther's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

Hi again
Further to my last.
Regarding the Medal Cards.
It may be that the Pvt Percy Crowther shown as ASC with the Regimental Number 09338 may be an erroneous connection to your Great Grandfather. I can confirm however that he was certainly awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal as Private 41553.
The link I gave to the 2/8th Bn LF will give you the background to their WWI actions.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy J3 - powered by Three
-------- Original message --------
From: jaqueslehomme@hotmail.com
Date: 23/10/2022 21:17 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft@gmail.com
Subject: Did my great grandad get honoured?

 

-------- Original message --------
From: paul hardy <bowlsph@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 15/10/2022 17:22 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft@gmail.com
Subject: Service Record

Good afternoon Geoff,

I am engaged in some family history research and I am finding it difficult to locate the service records of a former member of the Lancashire Fusiliers and I hope you may be able to help me.
The soldier in question was James Smith from Prescot in Lancashire,born around 1887. In 1917 I know that he was a signaller in the regiment with his service number 36724.

I look forward to your reply.

Kind regards,

Paul Hardy

Good Afternoon Paul
I'm sure you will know that all accurate verifiable information relevant to WWI Veterans are held at the National Archives.
When searching for Service Records for WWI Veterans you sadly come up against the almost insurmountable problem of the loss of millions of records during the London Blitz. Service Records were amongst the many records destroyed when the Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs. If you Google " Fire at Arnside Street London " it will bring up the whole story for you to read. A small number of records were recovered from the burnt out building and are now held by the National Archives in what is known as the burnt records collection. The collection contains a number of Attestation Papers and Service Record along with a small number of Pension Records and a miscellany of other documents. It would be worth your while searching him throughthe National Archives databases. The chances of locating a Service Record are however rather remote.
Now then.....for something interesting ??
He is recorded on the Forces War Record Web Site as having served in the East Yorkshire Regiment with the Regimental Number 20102, the Lancashire Fusiliers with the Regimental Number 36724 and finally with the RAF under Service Number 129257.
I can confirm that he served in the 19th battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers and the 12th battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment. See as an attachment a copy of his Regimental Entry on the Medal Entitlement Rolls. Also a copy of his Medal Card held by ancestry.com on behalf of the National Archives
Below is his entry on the Forces War Record Web Site under 36724 Lancashire Fusiliers.
As is self evident that you now have a number of new areas of search. ?
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

First Name:
J
Surname:
Smith
Incident Details:
War Office Daily List No.5345
Report Date:
23/08/1917
More Information:
Entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being named on this list.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
36724
Casualty Listed As:
Wounded
Next Of Kin Address:
Bradford
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
NLS 1917_WList04
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in J Smith's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Medal
With the information in J Smith's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

Hi Geoff,

Many thanks for your quick and helpful reply.

Kind regards,

Paul


Another one Geoff helps and this gent is not even an LF

Good Morning Pat
The South Lancashire Regiment is a totally different regiment from the XXth the Lancashire Fusiliers. During WW1 their were a number of regiments that had ' Lancashire ' in their title.....it can be a little confusing.
Below is a link to the Regimental Museum that deals with the South Lancashire Regiment. They are based at the Lancashire Regiments Museum based at Fulwood Barracks, Preston. They are better placed to answer any questions you have. We deal solely with XXth the Lancashire Fusiliers.

https://www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk/south-lancashire-regiment

I can tell you however that your grandfather is recorded on the Forces War Record Web Site.
His entry is shown below.

May I wish you every success in your research.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

First Name:
Edward
Surname:
Gallagher
Regiments served with:
Unit Rank Service Number
South Lancashire Regiment Private 12965
Royal Fusiliers Private GS/129220
Archive Reference:
WO 372/7/189622
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
South Lancashire Regiment during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in Edward Gallagher's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Medal
With the information in Edward Gallagher's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.


Hi, I've been trying to track down details of my great
grandfather whom I believe served with the fusiliers doing WW1. I have limited information, some of which I am more certain about than others. I've got Michael Steadmans book but with his name being rather common their seem to be a few to choose from.

Name: George William Harrison
Wife: Eliza Ward
Birth year 1893 (not 100%)

The one thing that I think will be helpful is that my Nan always talked about how he was invalided out of the service due to injuries he received during a gas attack. It apparently affected his breathing for the remainder of his life.

Any help would be so gratefully received.

Thanks

Elliot

Good Afternoon Elliott
The Forces War Record Web Site record only two individuals named George William Harrison who served with the Lancashire Fusiliers during WWI. Both were killed in action.
The Web Site lists 25+ individuals with the name George Harrison and then moves to several dozen listed as simply G.Harrison. Without further specific information to assist it is not possible to identify the correct individual. Sadly dates of birth and NOK do not always assist.
I have found one possibility shown below but their is no direct connection with your Great Grandfather. As can be seen he was invalided out and awarded a Silver War Badge.
It just may be worth your while to join the Forces War Record Web Site and trawl trough the information held on each individual. It will be a long task checking out each one to hopefully make a connection. It's a relatively small subscription fee that you can cancel at any time.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

This is the possibility...but it is just that... only a possible.

George
Surname:
Harrison
Information:
Particulars furnished: Preston, 30/12/1916. Badge and certificate issued: Preston, 17/01/1917.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
13848
Service From Date:
18/01/1915
Service To Date:
16/06/1916
Silver War Badge Number:
111768
War Office Ref. Number:
H/449
Reason for Discharge:
Paragraph 392 King's Regulations (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service.
Overseas:
Yes
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
WO329/3071
Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
British War MedalWith the information in George Harrison's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Silver War Badge
Silver War BadgeThe Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the Discharge Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.

The sterling silver lapel badge was intended to be worn in civilian clothes. It had been the practice of some women to present white feathers to apparently able-bodied young men who were not wearing the King's uniform. The badge was to be worn on the right breast while in civilian dress, it was forbidden to wear on a military uniform.

The badge bears the royal cipher of GRI (for Georgius Rex Imperator; George, King and Emperor) and around the rim "For King and Empire; Services Rendered". Each badge was uniquely numbered on the reverse. The War Office made it known that they would not replace Silver War Badges if they went missing, however if one was handed into a police station then it would be returned to the War Office. If the original recipient could be traced at his or her discharge address then the badge would be returned.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Medal
Victory MedalWith the information in George Harrison's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

Thanks so much for the quick response Geoff. I neglected to mention that Ancestry.com had suggested service number 13848 previously. Do you have any information as to which battalion etc that particular G Harrison would have served in?

I can see that the Fusiliers Museum suggest a service for researching family, do you think that they would have access to more information? i.e. is it worth it?

Thanks so much

Elliot

Elliott
Pvt 13848 Harrison served with the 11th Bn. Click on the link below for further information.

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/records/12190857/private-g-harrison-british-army-lancashire-fusiliers
The Fusilier Museum Bury have a minimum fee of £35 for research. They would search the National Archives and Forces War Record Web Site.
ALL information relating to WWI Veterans is held at the National Archives and it is where the Forces War Record Web Site glean their information and also on line search engines such as findmypast.com and Ancestry.com etc.
If you wish I will look up Pvt 13848 for you but he is only a possibility of course for your Great Grandfather at this stage. We conduct research for LF family members for free but would of course always welcome a voluntary donation.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/gallerynew/11thbnLF1918/11thbnLF191418.htm

Catalogue description Medal card of Harrison, George Corps: Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment No: ...
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Reference: WO 372/9/50019
Description:
Medal card of Harrison, George
Corps Regiment No Rank
Lancashire Fusiliers 13848 Private
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description


 

From: Peter Swensson <peter.swensson@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 18/08/2022 17:36 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft@gmail.com
Subject: 3766044 Fusilier James Boden.

Good afternoon Geoff.
I happened to mention in passing to a good friend of mine I had been in the Lancashire Fusiliers during my National Service.
A coincidence. Her father 3766044 Fusilier James Boden was in the LF’s during the Second World War. He was originally in the 2nd battalion Kings Regiment on the 14th March 1928 and then the 1st battalion of the Kings on the 17th January 1931. He transferred to the LF’s on the 25th November 1939. He died between 15th-31st May 1940 and is buried in Bethune France.
I told Rosie if I can find anything about him on the LF web page I’d let her know. I’ve used the search engine but nothing has come up.
Appreciate he’s one of many who lost their lives during the 2nd World War.
Are you able to help in any way?
Many thanks,
Peter Swesson.

 

On 18 Aug 2022, at 18:04, geoffpycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com> wrote:

Good Evening Peter
As you will no doubt be aware the individual Service Records of post 1920 Army Veterans are not held locally, nor are they available on line as are the details of pre 1920 and WWI Veterans.
It would however be open to her to apply for a copy of his Service Record from the Historical Disclosure Department of the Army Records Office in Glasgow. It is the only source of accurate verifiable information. I have placed a link below which explains how to go about obtaining a Service Record. Unfortunately due to the pandemic it can take several months to obtain a Service Record.
He is of course recorded on the CWGC Web Site which confirms the details you gave. He was a member of the 1/8th Bn who of course following Dunkirk were refitted and posted out to India and ultimately Burma where they fought with such distinction.
As you say he is not mentioned on the LF Web Site other than being shown on the list of WWII LF deaths.

This is the link to the GovUK Web Site relating to the Service Records.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

I should add that the Fusilier Museum Bury do not hold any information relating to individual Veterans and they too would refer you / her to the Army Records Office in Glasgow.

If we are able to assist you further please get back to us.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

Peter
Further information to pass on to Rosie.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher LF Web Site

Sent from Samsung tablet.

-------- Original message --------
From: Peter Swensson <peter.swensson@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 18/08/2022 18:52 (GMT+00:00)
To: geoffpycroft <geoffpycroft@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: 3766044 Fusilier James Boden.

Wow that was quick. Thank you so much.
I’ve sent your message to Rosie.
Very good wishes,
Peter Swensson.


Sent: 02 August 2022 23:30
To: djlaverick@lancs-fusiliers.co.uk
Subject: Granddad

Hi. Is there a link on your site where I can search for my grandad. All I have is a document called “short service “ which looks to be when/how he signed up in 1914.

Thanks.

Hi Shaun No there is no list but if you send all the info you have to me I will get our researcher to see what he can find
Geoff has help a lot of people find their families take a look at his page https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/Geoff%27s_Work/Geoff%27s%20work.htm


His Attestation Papers records his Regimental Number as 13165 (top left corner ).
This is him. Please first one Shaun and asked if he wants any further research.
Geoff....very long email. He has a number if entries on the FWR Web Site.

First Name:
W
Surname:
Wilkinson
Incident Details:
War Office Daily List No.5579
Report Date:
30/05/1918
More Information:
Entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being named on this list.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
13165
Casualty Listed As:
Wounded
Next Of Kin Address:
Blackrod
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
NLS 1918_WList44
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in W Wilkinson's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Medal
With the information in W Wilkinson's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
Purchase This Medal


First Name:
W
Surname:
Wilkinson
Report Date:
15/09/1915
Information:
Listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from 15th September 1915.
Further Information:
This man was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by their naming in this list.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
13165
Duty Location:
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Secondary Unit:
9th Battalion (Why is this important?)
Archive Reference:
DT16091915
Map:
WW1 Actions and Troop Movements (ORBATS) for Lancashire Fusiliers, 9th Battalion


Move To Gallipoli
Zeytinli - 03/04/1915 PREV NEXT

First Name:
W
Surname:
Wilkinson
Age:
20
Index Number of Admission:
10892
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
13165
Years Service:
1 Year 7 Months
Months With Field Force:
6 Months
Ailment:
Gun Shot Wound Right Wrist
Date of Admission for Original Ailment:
14/07/1916
Date Transferred to Sick Convoy:
14/07/1916
Notes written in the Observations Column:
No. 104 Temporary Ambulance Train.
Religion:
Church of England
Regiment:
Border Regiment
Battalion:
2nd Battalion (Why is this important?)
Other unit info:
D Company, 7th Division
Archive Reference:
MH106/693 MH106/693 can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War Representative Medical Records of Servicemen from No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station


First Name:
W
Surname:
Wilkinson
Resided Town:
Blackrod
Report Date:
30/08/1916
Information:
Listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office.
Further Information:
This man was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by their naming in this list.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
13165
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Tertiary Unit:
Attached Border Regiment
Archive Reference:
DT31081916


Was difficult to find as he is recorded under his ASC number M/404893 in the ASC Regimental Entry.....as a Lancashire Fusilier...9th Battalion


 

From a medal I found in the “family tin “along with my grandfather’s medals I came across a medal so decided to research it . On doing so ,on the cwgc site I saw several soldiers from
different regiments with the same one this being 13473 inscription on the rim how can this be ? As I kno each soldier has a different number one from the next soldier . He was in the
Lancashire fusiliers ,research is in early stages as I’m not sure if he die or survived the First World War more intrigued in the number at this stage . I would welcome any information

Yours
Mrs V.Watt

Good Afternoon Valerie
If you would kindly give me his full name and if known which battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers he served in, I will look into it for you.
Would he by any chance be called Robert Charnley who was killed in action on 5.7.16.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

Many thanks for your reply . Unfortunately who you mentioned is not correct . His name was
Pte Bibby I gave my son the medal and will be phoning me later today. That’s all I know . Don’t even know if he was local to my area as yet .Many thanks for your help


WOW that is brilliant thank you so much .How one number can throw a spanner in the works . What are your charges if you were to carry on


He is William BIBBY with the Regimental Number 18473. A Lancashire Fusilier
The number you gave me earlier has been misread.
Do you wish me to carry out further checks or do you wish to do that yourself?
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and
Archivist Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

First Name:
W
Surname:
Bibby
Incident Details:
War Office Daily List No.5689
Report Date:
07/10/1918
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
18473
Wound Stripe:
Entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being named on this list.
Casualty Listed As:
Wounded
Next Of Kin Address:
Chorley
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
NLS 1918_WList63
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI

Campaign Medals:

British War Medal


With the information in W Bibby's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for
services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Medal
With the information in W Bibby's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the
1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently
referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight,
11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
Purchase This Medal
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them
The record you are viewing contains all the information available from the original source, either fully transcribed for you or as an index and attached image.
Other collections may hold more or different data for this person.

First Name:
W
Surname:
Bibby
Age:
23
Index Number of Admission:
31761
Information:
Transferred from sick convoy No. 20 Ambulance Train.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
18473
Years Service:
3 years
Months With Field Force:
2 years 6 months
Ailment:
Gunshot wound VIII (1) shoulder, left, slight
Date of Admission for Original Ailment:
05/09/1918
Date Transferred to Other Hospitals:
No. 6 Convalescent Depot 12/09/1918
Number/Designation of Ward:
K
Notes written in the Observations Column:
04/09/1918. No. 58 Casualty Clearing Station
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion:
1st Battalion (Why is this important?)
Other unit info:
A Company
Archive Reference:
MH106/1163 MH106/1163 can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War Representative Medical Records of No. 18 General Hospital: 28/08/1918 to
19/09/1918. British Other Ranks, R.N.D., R.M. and Operations. No. 18 (Chicago U.S.A.) General Hospital at CAMIERS, FRANCE Ser: 30781-32760

Good Evening Valerie
Please see the attachment.
He actually served in 3 different battalions of the Lancashire Fusiliers during WWI. A couple of other items for you later.


https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_fn=William&_ln=Bibby+&_no=18473&_crp=Lancashire+Fusiliers+&_ttl=&discoveryCustomSearch=true&_cr1=WO+372&
_dt=M&_col=200&_
hb=tna

 


Tom Bailey No. 11217 Rank L/Cpl
Good Evening Raymond....this is a long email. Please acknowledge receipt.
First and foremost may I be allowed to complement your on an excellent piece of research. As far as I can see nothing needs correcting in the PDF.
However, in respect of the date 3rd May, 1918. I think I may have unintentionally misled led you. As I said previously? he has 5 entries on the Forces War Records Web Site.
The entry in respect of the date 3.5.18. is the actual report date related to him being wounded and thereafter being permitted to wear a wound stripe. It is NOT the date he was actually wounded. Please see below for the actual entry. See later below I think it highly probable that he was wounded shortly before this date during action in the Ayette area.

Raymonds Work

First Name:
T
Surname:
Bailey
Incident Details:
War Office Daily List No. 5556
Report Date:
03/05/1918
More Information:
Entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by being named in this list.
Rank:
Lance Corporal
Service Number:
11217
Casualty Listed As:
Wounded
Next Of Kin Address:
Salford
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
NLS 1918_WList40
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in T Bailey's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal



Victory Medal
With the information in T Bailey's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

Further from the Forces War Record Web Site. This is the entry in respect of his field treatment by the 92nd Field Ambulance, No 10 Ambulance Train.

First Name:
T
Surname:
Bailey
Index Number of Admission:
4082
Rank:
Lance Corporal
Service Number:
11217
Ailment:
Debility
Date Transferred to Sick Convoy:
07/08/1917
Date of Transfer From Sick Convoy:
04/08/1917
Number of Days Under Treatment:
4
Notes written in the Observations Column:
92nd Field Ambulance, No.10 Ambulance Train
Religion:
Church of England
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion:
16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Salford) (Why is this important?)
Other unit info:
32nd Division
Archive Reference:
MH106/819 MH106/819 can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War Representative Medical Records of No. 39 Casualty Clearing Station: 24/07/1917 to 10/08/1917. British Other Ranks. No. 39 Casualty Clearing Hospital in the field. Ser: 3658-4314 and Transfers Ser: 113-123.
Cont. ..
I have checked the Calendar of Movements for the 16th Bn LF and between 26th April 1918 and 10th May 1918 they were at place named Barly.
Prior to this they were at the following locations which is where and when he was most probably wounded.
7th-13th April Trenches at Ayette
13th-17th April Reserve at Douchy-les Ayette
17th-22nd April returned to Trenches at Ayette
22nd-25th April Reserve at Douchy-les Ayette
25th at Bienvillers - au -Booster
26th - 10th May Barly.
With your permission we would very much wish to place your research PDF on the Web Site as a feature page. We should perhaps wait though until you have made any update in respect of the above new information.?
If we can assist further please get back to us.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivis
t

Evening Geoff
Apologies for delay in response. Attached is the final draft for Tom Bailey. I would be grateful if you would correct any facts that are incorrect.
In your earlier e mail you say that Tom was wounded on 3 May 1918. When I look at the War diaries it appears the Battalion were training behind the lines. Are you able to provide more detail regarding his injury, was he actually with another unit or was he injured while training.

As I explained I am aiming to provide a snapshot of those men I can identify who were patients at Chippenham which will be given to the museum. The curator is copied into this e mail.

Regards

Ray Alder

Many thanks.
I look forward to seeing your work.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

Thank you very much for your information and images, very much appreciated. I will update the item I have written regarding Tom Bailey and share it with you. I am gradually identifying some of the soldiers. I will let you know if more of the Lancashire Fusiliers are included.

I will also go through the images we have in the museum that shows groups of patients in Chippenham. Not that I can identify him but does give a sense. Probably next week now as we are in preparation mode for my son’s wedding on Satuday

Once again thank you

Ray Alder


Henry Boulton Smith. AKA H.B.Smith 10th Bn Pvt 4462

Good Afternoon Den
Many thanks for your email.
I have checked his details on the CWGC Web Site and the Forces War Record Web Site which confirms him as a member of the 10th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers during WWI. His Regimental Number was 4462. Click on this link to take you to the 10th Bn page on the LF Web Site.

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/10LFToursPostings.htm

Careful reading of the 10th Bn page will give you an insight into the war time actions of the Battalion

His entries on the Forces War Record Web Site (3) which I assume you will have seen, confirms his Service as being from 31.8.14. until 19.05.16. He was discharged under Paragraph 392 Kings Regulations (xvi) as being no longer fit for war service. He was awarded a Silver War Badge the number actually being 206,923.
The information as given above is readily available on line and it is possible via an online search of the National Archives to obtain a copy of his Medal Entitlement and Medal Card entry held with Ancestry.com. These are straightforward searches and are of course free to view.

Now then...to answer your specific questions.

Unfortunately one of the major hurdles to the military researcher was the loss of millions of records during the London Blitz of 1940. The then War Office Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs and amongst the millions of records lost were the Service Records of WWI Veterans. Below is a link for further information regarding the consequences of the fire and losses.

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/the-1940-fire-at-arnside-street/#:~:text=It%20is%20widely%20known%20that,an%20air%20raid%20in%201940.

A small number of Service Records were recovered from the burnt out building and are now held by the National Archives in what is known as the Burnt Records Collection. Again a small number of Pension Records are also held by the National Archives along with a limited miscellany of other documents that were recovered.

I have checked the National Archives for a Service Record and / or a Pension Records for Pvt 4462 H B Smith but none are recorded.

The loss of Service Records makes it virtually impossible to gain information on individual WWI Veterans and I am therefore unable to answer your specific questions about his service or indeed any questions / queries regarding his pension or injuries.

I should perhaps point out that the Fusilier Museum, Bury do not hold any information on individual Veterans of WWI and they too would refer you to the National Archives.

As I am sure you are well aware their are numerous Internet search engines dedicated to family research such as Ancestry.com or findmypast.com along with several others of a similar nature. (all subscription based). It should be bourne in mind that although they often turn up information on individuals the details recorded about WWI Veterans will have invariably been gleaned from the National Archives. It is the only source of accurate verifiable information.


SGT 13933 Francis Purcell

Good Afternoon James
My name is Geoff Pycroft and I am the Researcher and Archivist for the Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site. Dennis Laverick to whom you wrote has given me sight of your e-mail and asked me to respond.
Before I embark any any research I need to know what research you may have already undertaken. For example have you checked any of the following....
Medal Rolls and Medal Card Index held by the National Archives and Ancestry.com respectively.
The CWGC Web Site or the Forces War Record Web Site.
Have you researched the 17th Battalion on the Web Site?
It's is best I know what you may have already done save duplicating research.
As you are probably already aware the 17th (Service ) Battalion (1st South -East Lancashire ) was a Bantam Battalion. They were formed at Bury on 13.91.15.
This is a link to their page on the LF Web Site.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/gallerynew/17thBn/17thBnLF.htm
I will await your reply before going further.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site

Hello Geoff.

Thank you for your prompt response.

I have not done any previous research on the websites you mention.

From family stories I know that my great uncle Sgt. Francis Purcell was killed in the trenches at the Somme. He was a kind of a radio operator. And I think he is memorialised at Thiepval, since I was told his body was never recovered (probably buried by a mortar bomb in the trenches).

Any information you can supply will be helpful.

Regards,

James

Good Evening James
I will get back to you later this evening when I have a little time. I can tell you that on the date he was killed the 17th Battalion were in the trenches at Bernafay Wood ( 20th - 23rd July ). He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 3 C and 3 D.

Click on this link for further information.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1549742/francis-purcell/

Please also look at the link I sent you earlier to the 17th Bn page

I'll get back to you later.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft Researcher and Archivist

First Name:
Francis
Initials:
F
Surname:
Purcell
DOB:
Circa 1892
Age:
24
Birth Town:
Salford, Lancashire
Resided Town:
Salford, Lancashire
Nationality:
British
Date of Death:
22/07/1916
Fate:
Killed in Action
Information:
SON OF FRANCIS AND ELIZABETH A. PURCELL, OF 7, THE CRESCENT, SALFORD, MANCHESTER. A TEACHER. TRAINED AT ST. MARY'S R. C. COLLEGE, HAMMERSMITH, LONDON.
Rank:
Serjeant
Service Number:
13933
Duty Location:
France And Flanders
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion:
17th Battalion (Why is this important?)
Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in Francis Purcell's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Memorial Death Plaque Of WWI
The next of kin for Francis Purcell would have been sent this death plaque after the war to commemorate all of the war dead. Over 1 million were issued in total.

Victory Medal
With the information in Francis Purcell's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
Purchase This Medal
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them
The record you are viewing contains all the information available from the original source, either fully transcribed for you or as an index and attached image.


Medal Card...click this link
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D4744474

Two attachments.....Medal Card and Medal Entitlement ancestry.com.

I will leave to absorb the information above.

However.......

If you go to the Index Page on the Web Site and scroll down the page you will find links to Volume 1 and 2 of the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914- 18 by Major -General J.C. Latter, CBE., MC. Scroll through the pages for more information.

The link I gave you earlier to the 17th Battalion contained a Calendar of Movements.

The War Diaries can be downloaded from the National Archives.

That's all for the time being.

If we can assist further please get back to us.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft


Dear DJ Laverick,

I was wondering if you could help me place a WWI officer in to a battalion. I have a double to Second Lieutenant Leslie William Davis, and I cannot find out which battalion he served with in France from June 1916 onwards. I've tried looking at the unit diaries of as many battalions as I can but I have had no luck with that.

I do write ups of WWI service members military service and I would be more than happy to share the write up!

Please let me know if you can place him in a battalion.

Sincerely,

Felix

I sent this on to Geoff for him to Research

Geoffs Reply

Hi Dennis
I have only been able to confirm the information already provided.
He is on the FWR Web Site but only shown as a 2Lt Lancashire Fusiliers.
Their is no record of a Service Record with the National Archives nor any Pension record.
Everything I have checked simply shows him as 2Lt LF but no BN recorded.
Geoff

Thanks for checking in! The search continues.
Felix Eggl

But Geoff will not give up and he found this

Hi Felix
Our Geoff hates being beat so we have some good news for you

First Name: L W
Surname: Davis
Rank: Temporary 2nd Lieutenant
Service: British Army
Primary Unit: Lancashire Fusiliers
Secondary Unit: 13th (Reserve) Battalion (Why is this important?)
Archive Reference: 1916 Army List
Seniority Date: 12/05/1915

Dennis it will be seen from the postings gallery that in September 1916 the 13th Reserve Bn LF became the 15th Training Reserve Battalion in the 3rd Reserve Brigade. The attached link explains what happened. It may be of use to Felix.

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/training-reserve/



Dear Sir,

I am trying to find out as much as possible about my late grandfather’s army career and I’m hoping you ma be able to assist? His full name was Abel Earith and he was born in 1912 and served with the Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 2, I believe as a water truck driver (possibly amongst other roles). He was evacuated from Dunkirk and I have the medal, which he received, relating to this event (see attached) I know he was also in Burma (and I was told that he may have subsequently been hospitalised for mental health reasons at some point during/after this conflict).

Other than that, I’m afraid I know very little. I’d be intrigued to know any further detail about the Lancashire Fusiliers exploits during the war, and, obviously, anything specifically relating to my grandfather’s involvement would be of particular interest. I would be happy to make a donation to the website in recognition of any assistance rendered.

Many Thanks

Patrick Earith

Good Afternoon Patrick
Many thanks for your email.
Unfortunately individuals service records from this period are not held locally. You would need to apply in person for a copy of his Service Record from the Historical Disclosure Department of the Army Records Office in Glasgow. Only a family member can do this. That said bona fide researchers can obtain copies but they are truncated records and don't provide the minutiae of information often expected. I have placed a link below which explains how to go about obtaining a Service Record. The Service Record will provide all the information you seek. You will get his full record.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

If he served in France with the BEF then in all probability he was at that time a member of the 1st/5th Bn. In his later service in Burma would have been with either the 1st Bn, 10th Bn or the 1st/8th Bn. I would strongly suspect he was in the 1st/8th Bn as they had a large contingent of former BEF Veterans within their ranks. If you click on the link below it will take you to the Postings Gallery where you can click on each of his battalions in turn and read of their war time actions. Follow the instructions at the head of each new page that you open

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/postings.htm

If we can assist further please get back to us.



Geoff's latest research is a little different as it includes the soldier service record most where distroyed in the blitz these are one few the few which servived its the story of Harry Read Click here to see the feature


Dear Sir ,
I am 73 and my father was a sergeant in the Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1 . I only have minimal information about his service record . The details I have are as follows: Subject: Arthur Francis Nevett .Army number: 242209 : date of birth 27 12 1898 : medals awarded B.N.M. Victory medals .
My Sir name is Francis because my father changed his Sir name from Nevett to Francis.
The above details were supplied from the M.O.D. many years ago. My brother told me that father was gassed during the war. Not expecting much because I know many records were lost but anything would be a bonus.

Yours Sincerely Charles Francis.

 

Good Morning Charles

He has one entry on the Forces War Records Web Site as shown below. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. Click on this link to take you to the 2nd Bn page on the LF Web Site. Follow the instructions at the head of the page.

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/2LFToursPostings.htm

Please find as an attachment copies of his Medal Card held by ancestry.com and his Regimental Entry in respect of the medal Rolls.

Sadly as you say his Service Record would have been destroyed during the London Blitz when the War Office Central Records Depository at Arnside Street London was destroyed by incendiary bombs.

Hope you find this information of use.


First Name:
Arthur
Surname:
Nevett
Rank:
Serjeant
Service Number:
242209
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
WO 372/14/198238
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in Arthur Nevett's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.


Victory Medal
With the information in Arthur Nevett's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

 

Original message;

Hi,

I am wondering if you could tell me anymore information about my relatives.

The first is

Corporal Wilfrid Heap
240923, 2nd/6th Bn., Lancashire Fusiliers who died on 13 June 1917

I would like to know if you know which battle he died at and anything else surrounding his death or service I could find out about.

I also have another relative.

GEORGE BIRCH
Service Number: 2819892nd/7th Bn., Lancashire Fusiliers who died on 10 October 1917 Age 22

I do know a little bit more about George as I am more in contact with this side of the family and I know he has a grave at Ypres whereas Wilfrid was never found.

But any extra information on either would be amazing and I really just want to know more about them and remember them really.

Thanks
Nicola
Good Morning Nicola
My name is Geoff Pycroft. I am the Researcher and Archivist for the Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site.
Dennis Laverick to whom you wrote has given me sight of your e-mail and asked me to reply.
I will respond with further details later today but in the mean time please click on the following link for information regarding the 2/7th and 2/6th battalions. Follow the instructions at the head of the page.

https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/postings.htm

Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

Further to my last. This is a long email.
I will deal with Cpl 240923 Wilfred Heap first.
He has two entries on the Forces War Records Web Site. They are;
First Name:
Wilfred
Surname:
Heap
Rank:
Corporal
Service Number:
240923
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
WO 372/9/118537
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal


With the information in Wilfred Heap's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Meda

l
With the information in Wilfred Heap's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

Entry 2
Wilfrid
Initials:
W
Surname:
Heap
Birth Town:
Oldham, Lancashire
Resided Town:
Rochdale, Lancashire
Nationality:
British
Date of Death:
13/06/1917
Fate:
Killed in Action
Rank:
Corporal
Service Number:
240923
Duty Location:
France And Flanders
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion:
2nd/6th Battalion (Why is this important?)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collections:
Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919

The IWGC/CWGC Registers Collection

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in Wilfrid Heap's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Memorial Death Plaque Of WWI
The next of kin for Wilfrid Heap would have been sent this death plaque after the war to commemorate all of the war dead. Over 1 million were issued in total.

Victory Medal
With the information in Wilfrid Heap's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
Purchase This Medal

He of course has an entry on the CWGC Web Site that confirms his date of death as 14.6.17. He was then with the 2nd/6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. He is commemorated on panel 45 and 46 of the Loos Memorial, France.

He is recorded on the National Archives Medal Rolls as follows; as you can see a copy is downloadable for a small fee...

Catalogue descriptionMedal card of Heap, Wilfred Corps: Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment No: 240923 ...
Ordering and viewing options
• £3.50 - sign in to get this free
• Download format PDF
• Approximate size 1.5 MB
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Reference: WO 372/9/118537
Description: Medal card of Heap, Wilfred
Corps Regiment No Rank
Lancashire Fusiliers 240923 Corporal

Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, KewLegal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Please find as an attachment a copy of his Medal Card held by ancestry.com.

If you go to the Index Page of the Web Site towards the bottom you will find a link to Volume 1 and Volume 2 History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-1918 by Major - General J.C. Latter, CBE., MC.
By carefully scrolling through you can find details of the Battalion action on the date he died 13.6.17. Between 9th and 16th June 1917 the 2nd/6th Bn were in the trenches at Festumbert and on the 13th were involved in a raid on the enemy positions. The following day the Bn was inspected by Field Marshall Sir D. Haigh. Page 132 of Volume 2 refers.
In Volume 1 scroll through to page 215 for further information about the 2nd/6th Bn actions during the Third Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Cambria. (1917).

I will contact you later today regarding George Birch 2819892 2nd /7th Bn.

I hope you find the above information helpful.

Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist
Lancashire Fusiliers Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm

Nicola
Information regarding the above LF. As you can see he also had the Regimental Number 4823. This is a very long email with a request for an acknowledgement.
Catalogue descriptionMedal card of Birch, George Corps: Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment No: 4823...
Ordering and viewing options
• £3.50 - sign in to get this free
• Download format PDF
• Approximate size 0.5 MB
• Add to basket
Order up to 10 items per basket, and up to 100 in a 30 day period.
Reference: WO 372/2/147251
Description: Medal card of Birch, George
Corps Regiment No Rank
Lancashire Fusiliers 4823
Lancashire Fusiliers 281989 Private
Lancashire Fusiliers 4823 Private

Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, KewLegal status: Public Record(s)

His Medal Card entry with Ancestry.com is shown as an attachment. (above)


These are his entries with the Forces War Records Web Site

First Name:
G
Surname:
Birch
Incident Details:
War Office Daily List No.5600
Report Date:
24/06/1918
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
281989
Casualty Listed As:
Missing.
Next Of Kin Address:
Rochdale
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
NLS 1918_WList48
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in G Birch's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Medal
With the information in G Birch's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
First Name:
George
Initials:
G
Surname:
Birch
DOB:
Circa 1895
Age:
22
Nationality:
British
Date of Death:
10/10/1917
Information:
Parents: George and Annie Birch, of 30, Ogden St., Rochdale.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
281989
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion:
2nd/7th Battalion (Why is this important?)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
The IWGC/CWGC Registers Collection

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in George Birch's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Memorial Death Plaque Of WWI
The next of kin for George Birch would have been sent this death plaque after the war to commemorate all of the war dead. Over 1 million were issued in total.

Victory Medal
With the information in George Birch's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
First Name:
George
Surname:
Birch
Regiments served with:
Unit Rank Service Number
Lancashire Fusiliers 4823
Lancashire Fusiliers Private 281989
Lancashire Fusiliers Private 4823
Archive Reference:
WO 372/2/147251
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:
British War Medal
With the information in George Birch's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Purchase This Medal

Victory Medal
With the information in George Birch's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.


He is also shown on the CWGC Web Site which confirms his date of death on 10.10.17. He was recorded as a member of the 2nd/7th Bn LF. He is buried at the Dochy Farm New British Cemetery VIII.A.25 Belgium.
On 9th / 10th October 1917 the 2nd/7th Battalion were in the attack near Passchendaele.
If I can assist further please get back to me.


Subject: Re: Joseph Hill # 117 Sergeant in Lancashire Fusiliers andSergeant-Major in RAF #186074 subsequent to WWI

Good Evening Garth
Thanks for your email.
The first thing I should say is that the Service Records for ALL WW1 Veterans are not held locally. The only source of accurate and verifiable information are the records held at the National Archives. I note that you have attached a copy of his medal roll card entry held by the National Archives. His individual card be download for a small fee. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6250781
See the link below for details of his DCM and Gazette Date. He was serving with the 1st Bn Lancashire Fusiliers at the time. The notations on the Medal Card relate to his first entry into a Theatre of War (1) being the Western Front (France). The other entries simply confirm his medal entitlements and where they are recorded.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/Honour&dec/DCMs/DCM%20CITATIONS.htm
I should mention that the Fusiliers Museum Bury do not hold any records of individual WW1Veterans and they too would refer you to the National Archives. Ancestry.com hold considerable information on behalf of the National Archives and it could prove fruitful to search their archives.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist Lancashire Fusiliers Web site

-------- Original message --------
From: gstieb gstieb <gstieb@sympatico.ca>
Date: 08/09/2021 17:32 (GMT+00:00)
To: "g.pycroft" <g.pycroft@btinternet.com>, djlaverick <djlaverick@lancs-fusiliers.co.uk>
Subject: Joseph Hill # 117 Sergeant in Lancashire Fusiliers and Sergeant-Major in RAF #186074 subsequent to WWI

Good afternoon and my apologies, I am not sure who I should contact with my enquiry re the above. Your links to your database do not work for me for some reason, again my apologies.
Joseph Hill was my mother's father; she was a war-bride and emigrated to Canada to join my father, a Canadian pilot, in 1946. I am writing a family history based on the letters they exchanged from 1941-46, marrying in '43.
I have my Grandad's medals and many photographs of him during his military career and afterwards. He was awarded the DCM and mentioned in despatches, serving in many theatres both before and during the Great War. I would be pleased to scan and send you anything you might find useful in exchange for any information you might have on him, his military record and, specifically, anything you might have or could direct me to that might help me understand how he earned his decorations. I know he was wounded twice, I believe at Gallipoli, and I am almost positive his commanding officer was Cuthbert Bromley, V.C. I have attached a page from the National Archives showing his medal book (bottom right); if you can help me understand the various entries I would be grateful.
Anything you could do would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Garth Stiebel

 

Good Afternoon David
Many thanks for your email.
I am of course unaware of the depth of your research to date but I will assume you have viewed the LF Web Site page for the 2nd Bn and the various mentions of the Italian Campaign and the Cassino area actions in particular? I have run your father's name through the LF Web Search Engine but sadly he has not had a previous mention. I have also checked various other material particularly the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1939-45 by John Hallam. He is shown on page 214 (Appendix Honours and Awards 1939-45) which records his award of the MC as Lieut. A. Briggs-Fish 2LF. As you will know seemingly endless books have been written about the Italian Campaign and the Battle for Cassino but I have not found any reference to him in the books I have (other than as above). The mention of C. Cassino does not readily spring to mind I'm afraid with my very limited knowledge. Page 163 of Janusz Piekalkiewicz's book Cassino... .Anatomy of a Battle states....
"The German summer defence of 1944 was formed by three lines which were to various the way to Rome - the Gustav Line which ran across the Rapido, the Adolf Hitler line, 9km behind it built around Xmas 1943 and also known as the Senger Line and beyond that south of Rome the Caeser Line."
Perhaps C. Cassino us a reference to the Caeser Line?
Without trying to teach you to ' suck eggs '
as you will no doubt know, Service Records of WWII Veterans are not held locally nor on a regimental basis. All such records are held by the Army Records Office in Glasgow. Should you wish to obtain a copy of his Service Record the number you would have to make a personal application to the Historical Disclosures Office of the Army Records Office. I have placed a link below to the GovUK Website that explains how to go about obtaining a Service Record. Sadly due to the ongoing pandemic severe delays are being experienced in obtaining Service Records.
This is the link. His Service Record should answer a lot of questions for you. The Fusilier Museum Bury do not hold any records of individual Veterans and they too would refer you to the Army Records Office.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher
LF Web Site


Good afternoon Geoff, hope you are keeping well.

I’d be interested in some help with researching someone I Believe to be my Great Grandfather. Dad (Dave Yarnall ex Mortar Plt 1LF) would have been thrilled if he found out his Great Grandad had been an LF aswell.

John Yarnall born Birmingham 1851.

I know that he married Margaret (Meehan or McCready) in 1889 or 1890 and was discharged from the fusiliers in Salford in 1889/90 after 9 years service. Apparently his number was 488. I also know he lived at 3 David Street in Salford.

Gentleman I spoke to beloved him to have served with the first battalion. Postings to Malta, Cyprus and Bermuda. But that does make sense when I look at 1st battalion postings and his discharge date.
Please let me know how much it will be for the research and how to pay.

Thanks

Chris Yarnall (Dave Yarnalls) Son

Good Afternoon Chris
How delightful to hear from you.
Now then Pvt 488 J. Yarnall has one entry on the Forces War Records Web Site as shown below. He was indeed a member of the 1st Bn LF. As can be seen he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

J Yarnall
Rank: Private
Service Number: 488
Recommendation Date: 1889
Adjutant Generals List: 273
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
WO102_7

Gallantry Awards:
Long Service And Good Conduct Medal
We don’t currently have any additional information on this medal.

I hope the information above proves useful.
Kindest Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher
LF Web Site
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/contacts.htm


Hi,
Please could you assist with my great grandfather’s military history.
772 A.CPL.W(William) E Brown . Lancashire Fusiliers
I have inherited his service medals from WW1.
Hope you can help
Regards
Daren Brown

Good Evening Daren
Please read to the very bottom of what is a long email.
Your grandfather served in the 1st Bn and the 3rd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers.
See the attachments (2).
1. His medal entitlement as recorded with the National Archives.
2. His entry with Ancestry.com.
This is his entry on the Forces War Records Web Site.

William E Brown
Rank: Acting Corporal
Service Number: 772
Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
WO 372/3/132943
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:
Victory Medal
With the information in William E Brown's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

British War Medal
With the information in William E Brown's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.

These are the links to the 1st and 3rd Bn LF pages of the Web Site. Scroll down to the relevant place names and dates and then click on the black bold type. You can then read of the Bn's WWI actions.
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/1LFToursPostings.htm
https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/tourspostings/3LFToursPostings.htm


Arnold Mills MM

Hello,
I am now in my 70's and definitely along with today's problems have a lot of time on my hands. My grandfather Arnold Oxley Mills was awarded the Military Medal in the
first world war and as relatives pass on it's difficult to find information of how he gained the medal and under what circumstances. I always promised myself that I would find
what I could to pass on to my grandchildren. I have the medal clearly showing his name and the documents enclosed. I would be grateful if you could let me have
any information your archives may have on him. He was born I think in Chadderton ,lived in Hulme Manchester and died in Taylorson Street Salford in 1963.
I remember him when I was very young a tall strapping man smoking a large wooden pipe and with great accuracy could spit the excess pipe fluid across the room from his chair.
Sounds a bit revolting now but was acceptable in the 60's. and was always lasting memory.
Best regards

David Mills

Good Afternoon David
Many thanks for your email.
Now...information for you...not in any particular order. Their are a number of links below for you to ' click ' on.
His Regimental Number was 8614 and he was a member of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. (amongst others). At the time of his MM Award he was attached to the
86th Trench Mortar Battery. His MM was Gazetted in the London Gazette dated 19.3.18. Unlike other awards the Gazette do not record the nature of the events
leading to the award of a MM. It was however very common for a MM recipient to receive a written commendation from his Divisionall Commander...as per your attachment.
He is also recorded as having served in the 10th Bn LF. See the attachments (two).
He is recorded in Volume 2 of the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers by Major-General J.C.Latter CBE., MC. (Awards and Decorations )....see the link(s) below.

http://lib.militaryarchive.co.uk/library/infantry-histories/library/The-History-of-the-Lancashire-Fusiliers-1914-1918-Volume-II/files/assets/basic-html/page1.html

Click on this link for his entry on the Medal Rolls held at the National Archives

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_fn=A&_ln=Mills&_no=8614&_crp=Lancashire+Fusiliers+&_ttl=&discoveryCustomSearch=true&_cr1=WO+372&_
dt=M&_col=200&_hb=tna

He has 6 entries on the Forces War Records Web one of which records him as a member of the 11th Bn LF. When with the 11th on 5.9.16. He was withdrawn by ambulance
train due to sickness. ...Rheumatism.
When in the 10th Bn he was wounded on 27.2.16. and entitled to wear a wound stripe.
On 27.8.18 when with the 1st Bn he was again withdrawn to a Casulaty Clearing Station with a severe inflamed right middle ear.

It was quite common throughout WWI for local newspapers to carry reports of awards to ' locals' often giving details of the reason for the award. It may be worth
spending time researching the archives of newspapers from his home town....they often give up detailed accounts.

I will perhaps leave you for now to absorb the information.

If you go to the Home Page of the LF Web Site and click on the button " Postings Gallery " you can read of the actions of each of the battalions in which he served.

Should you need further assistance please get back to me.

Geoff Pycroft
Researcher
LF Web Site

Some further reading for you about the 29th Division.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/29th_Division_(United_Kingdom)


Earlier this year we were contacted by Elena Galesso who lives in Malfalcone near Gorizia, North East Italy. She was seeking information regarding the WWI Battle Signs worn on LF's uniforms and the occasional use of a representation of the Primrose Hackle on war time helmets. Elena is a model maker of extraordinary talent and her latest project was to be a model a WWI LF from the 15th Bn. She promised to forward photographs of the completed model. It was made from a white metal kit from Andrea Miniatures and came unassembled and unpainted. Elena hand painted it in acrylic on assembly and it stands approximately 55mm in 1/32 scale. (just over 2 inches). I think you will agree that the finished model is exquisite and the detail outstanding. Elena lives in an area of Northern Italy which she says is steeped in WWI history all around her.
Click here to see her Models


Hi Geoff
Can I ask one more question? I am now looking at my paternal grandfathers involvement in WW1.
His name is Richard Lord (b. 28/01/1888 in Heywood & d. 01/01/1965 in Heywood). He fought and was wounded (shrapnel in shoulder & temporary blinded through gassing). Other than that i know no more. I have found reference to a Richard Lord in the Lancashire Fusiliers (281128), I wondered if this could be him, a long shot I know, but maybe worth asking.
Many Thanks

First Name: R Surname: Lord
Incident Details:
War Office Daily List No. 5559
Report Date:
07/05/1918
More Information:
Entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by being named in this list.
Rank: Private Service Number: 281128
Casualty Listed As: Wounded
Next Of Kin Address: Heywood
2nd/7th and 2nd /5th Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
NLS 1918_WList41

Medal card of Lord, Richard. Corps: Lancashire Fusiliers. Regiment No: 281128. Rank: Private.

War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index, First World War. Langley P A - McGrath D. Medal card of Lord, Richard. Corps Regiment No Rank Lancashire Fusiliers 281128 Private.

Document type: M
Held by: The National Archives, Kew - War Office, Armed Forces, Judge Advocate General, and related bodies
Date: 1914 - 1920
Reference: WO 372/12/138124
Subjects: Armed Forces (General Administration) | Army | Conflict | Medals | Operations, battles and campaigns


E mail to Geoff
Wow Geoff, thank you very much indeed. I am so pleased you have been able to shed some light on my Grandfather.
Unfortunately I don't have access to Forces War Records website just Ancestry.


You have kindly confirmed his regiment and service number. What a coincidence that both my grandparents fought in the same regiment (albeit at different times), I am guessing by the dates that Richard fought and was wounded in the battle of the Somme in 1916
Thank you once again for your help.
Phil Lord

Captain J A Davenport Lancashire Fusiliers - just occasionally you come across something written in a book that becomes intriguing - this I believe could be one of them. An Auction purchase of a box of vintage books down here in Cornwall several weeks ago and I have just got round to going through them. The name written on the inside page of each of the 3 volumes of a set called Civilization in England by Buckle and published in 1906 is Captain J A Davenport Lancashire Fusiliers.
A little research reveals there was only one Captain J A Davenport in the Lancashire Fusiliers in the First World War - and he was taken prisoner in 1914 and was a POW in a camp called Torgau in Saxony for the rest of the War. A little more research revealed he oversaw the production of a book now held at the National Army Museum - Manuscript history book: The Torgau History of the European War; compiled from accounts given by officers who were prisoners of war at Torgau Camp, Saxony Germany, 1914; author unknown but produced under the supervision of Captain John Archibald Davenport (1878-1938), 2nd Battalion n Lancashire Fusiliers; covers the service of the British Expeditionary Force in France, August 1914; together with a list of Lancashire Fusiliers taken prisoners of war 1914, issued by the War Office and a photocopy of an obituary of Major Davenport; associated with the Battle of Mons (1914), and the Battle of Le Cateau (1914) World War One, Western Front (1914-1918) and World War One, POWs (1914-1918). Further information shows that he was transferred from the POW Camp to an Internment Camp in Holland in 1918, this gazetted in the Old Rugby School Magazine on Feb 21st 1918 - my question is can anyone help in tracing his family and shed any light on the Brief Stempel stamp in each of the books - could they have been given to him whilst he was a POW at Torgau Camp in WW1 ?- The dates fit, the names fit and I would like to get these books back to his family if possible. Any help appreciated - #weshouldneverforget

I have done some research on him already and have access to the National Archive (online at the moment) as I am already a member and there is some interesting information about him and his family but I lack a photograph. I have the Fusiliers War Diary and an extract from another prisoner of war on the same train as him taking them to Germany.
Angus Mansfield


From Geoff
It would appear this is the gentleman you are talking about
First Name: J A
Surname: Davenport
Incident Details:
War Office Daily List No.5734
Report Date: 28/11/1918
Rank: Captain
Casualty Listed As:
Released Prisoner of War from Germany, arrived in England
Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
NLS 1918_WList70
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1

Collection:
British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI

Campaign Medals:
Victory Medal
With the information in J A Davenport's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

British War Medal
With the information in J A Davenport's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

Sadly trying to trace relatives is a very difficult area. We are often asked to trace relatives of a WW1 Veteran to say return a medal that has been ' found '. Unfortunately as you will probably know all records relating to WW1 Veterans are held by the National Archives. Therein lies a major problem.The information you have to date will have been gleaned from the National Archives. It is the only source. ALL on line search engines will have got their information from the National Archives. The POW details will have been taken from the the intelligence reports. Again as you will probably know the majority of records relating to WW1 Veterans were destroyed during the London Blitz of 1940 when the War Office Central Records Depository was gutted by firebombs. Any remaining recovered records particularly Service Records are over 100 years old and any NOK details are hopelessly out of date. Your only source of information are the surviving records held by the National Archives which I'm afraid will not be very helpful in respect of your request. The Fusiliers Museum Bury do not hold any records and they too would refer you to the National Archives.
Regards
Geoff Pycroft
Researcher and Archivist Lancashire Fusiliers Web site



Civilisation of England 3 Volume Set

Inside cover

Name in the book

Stamp in the book

If any relatives read this please contact us


First Name: William
Surname: Wynn
Birth Town: Wigan, Lancashire
Resided Town: Wigan, Lancashire
Nationality: British
Date of Death:15/03/191
Fate: Killed in Action
Rank: Corporal
Service Number: 17095
Location: France And Flanders
Regiment: 1st Bn Lancashire Fusiliers
The Battles Of Helles - The Landing At Cape Helles
Alçitepe - 25/04/1915
1915
o The Battles Of Helles - The Landing At Cape Helles - 25/04/1915
Location: Cape Helles. Turkish/Ottoman victory. Frustrated by the stalemate on the Western Front, in 1915 the Allies decided to open up a new front against the Ottoman-Turkish Empire in the Dardanelles.
Show More
o The Battles Of Helles - Capture Of Sedd El Bahr - 26/04/1915
o The Battles Of Helles - First Battle Of Krithia - 28/04/1915
o The Battles Of Helles - Eski Hissarlik - 01/05/1915
o Formation - 05/05/1915
o The Battles Of Helles - Second Battle Of Krithia - 06/05/1915
o Second Battle Of Krithia - 06/05/1915
o Disbandment - 09/05/1915
o The Battles Of Helles - Gurkha Bluff - 12/05/1915
o The Battles Of Helles - Third Battle Of Krithia - 04/06/1915
o Gully Ravine - 28/06/1915
o Krithia Vineyard - 06/08/1915
o Divisional Move To Suvla - 16/08/1915
o Battles Of Suvla - Battle Of Scimitar Hill - 21/08/1915
o Evacuation Of Suvla And Return To Helles - 19/12/1915


First Name: W
Surname: Wynn
Report Date:
29/09/1915
Information:
Listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from 29th September 1915.
Further Information:
This man was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by their naming in this list.
Rank: Corporal
Service Number: 17095
Casualty Listed As: Wounded
Next Of Kin Address: Upholland
Archive Reference:
NLS 1917_Wlist16


First Name: William
Surname: Wynn
Rank Private
Service Number:
17095
Duty Location:
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force
Primary Unit: 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
DT30091915


First Name: William
Surname: Wynn
Rank: Corporal
Service Number: 17095
Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers
Archive Reference:
WO 372/22/105095

Campaign Medals:
Victory Medal

With the information in William Wynn's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

British War Medal
With the information in William Wynn's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

Memorial Death Plaque Of WWI
The next of kin for William Wynn would have been sent this death plaque after the war to commemorate all of the war dead. Over 1 million were issued in total


Corporal W WYNN
Service Number: 17095
1st Bn .Lancashire Fusiliers
Died 15 March 1918
Buried or commemorated at
PASSCHENDAELE NEW BRITISH CEMETERY
III. A. 17.
Belgium

Click on these below to enlarge them

Neil Hayward
You have his date of death and battalion. Go to the Home Page of the LF Web Site and towards the bottom you will find two links to the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-19 by Major-General J.C.Latter CBE MC. Volume 2 contains a Calendar of Movements for the LF Battalions during WWI. From that you can find out where the 1st Bn LF were on the date of his death and the days immediately prior to it.
From that you can then go to Volume 1 and with the date and location look up and read about the actions on that date. Everything you need to know is on the Web Site. It now has over 10,000 pages and 30,000 photographs. We are a very small team and do what we do in our spare time. Where necessary we will point you in the right direction / areas for research. We would be grateful for sight of your finished article and perhaps it would be available to place on the LF Web Site?
Regards
Geoff Pycroft



Name: John Thomas Partington
Military Year: 1914-1920
Rank: Private
Company: WO 329
Regiment or Corps: Lancashire Fusiliers
Regiment Number: 66639
Medal Awarded: British War Medal and Victory Medal



First Name:James
Surname: Ferguson
Information:
Attached 2/5th Battalion. Territorial Force.
Rank:Temporary 2nd Lieutenant
Gazette Info:
Gazette Issue 31583. M.C. With reference to the Awards conferred as announced in the London Gazette, dated 8th March, 1919, the following are the statements of services for which the decorations were conferred. For conspicuous gallantry and good work during operations south of Lillie on the night 16th-17th October, 1918. He commanded a patrol of eleven men. Which pushed over two canals during the night on the heels of the enemy in order that his company might advance in the morning. Finding that the second canal was covered by the enemy, he attacked them, forced them to retire, and established a bridge-head in order that his company might pass.
Gazette Date:
03/10/1919
Gazette Page:
12289
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Lancashire Regiment
Lancashire Regiment during World War 1
More information about Lancashire Regiment
Formed: 1958

The Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) was an infantry regiment of the British Army.

It was formed, as a consequence of defence cuts implemented in the late 1950s, by the amalgamation of the 1st Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment and 1st Battalion, The South... read more here >>
Collection:
Search Records of Soldiers Awards from the London Gazette

Gallantry Awards:
Military Cross
Instituted on 28th December 1914 the Military Cross (M.C.) is the third level military decoration awarded to Officers.

This decoration was awarded to James Ferguson for an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.

The Military Cross (M.C.) is awarded for gallantry during active operations against the enemy.

James Ferguson,as an owner of the Military Cross, is entitled to use the letters M.C. after his name.

Citations for the M.C. were published in the London Gazette during the Great War. However if the M.C. was a King's Birthday or New Year award, details were not published and in most cases will not be available.
James Ferguson
Rank: Temporary 2nd Lieutenant
Gazette Info: 3240
Gazette Date: 08/03/1919
Duty Location: France & Flanders
2nd 5th Lancashire Fusiliers