Sunday, September 30, 2012

Private Lamont Grave 3969

With such an unusual name I could be sure I had the right person, there was only one entry in the CWGC, one medal card and one entry for UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919.

I also found all the census returns, a will, service records and managed to contact a relative, all through Ancestry.com.

I went the extra step with Lamont and bought the War Diary for his battalion, it doesn't mention him by name but gives a clear picture of what his battalion experienced in the war.

LAMONT GRAVE

Lamont Grave was born in 1891 and his birth was registered in the third quarter of the year in West Derby, Liverpool. He was christened 13th December 1891 in Edge Hill, Liverpool. His parents were William and Margaret Grave. (William Grave and Margaret Anne Lamont, daughter of Archibald Lamont, were married 2nd July 1888 in Edge Hill) The 1891 census shows that Lamont's parents and his older sister Elizabeth lived at 22 Winifred Street, Liverpool.

In 1898 on the christening record for his sister Isobel Lilian, their parents were recorded as living at 7 Upper Stanhope Street and William was a sorting Clerk.

1901 census
In the 1901 census Lamont was 9 years old and, along with his 3 sisters, was enumerated at the house of his aunt and uncle (John and Jane Wagner) at 43 George Street.


Lamont's father and 4 year old sister Lilly were enumerated in the 1901 census at 7 Upper Stanhope Street as boarders at the house of Alice Grave, a widow and probably Lamont's aunt. Margaret is enumerated as a boarder in Hurry Street, Toxteth Park and working as a laundress. They may have been separated.

Lamont's mother died on the 3rd May 1910 in Liverpool, her will shows that she left £50 which went to her youngest daughter Isobel Lilian Grave (spinster)

1911 census
In the 1911 census Lamont, his three sisters and his father (now a widower) were all at the house of another aunt and uncle, Joseph and Mary Littlar of 6 Egerton Road, Wavertree. Lamont was 19 and employed as a merchant salesman.

Attestation
Lamont's attestation paper shows that he lived at 140 Alderson Road, Wavertree, He signed up on 6th Nov 1914 for 4 years with the Territorial Force and was posted to the 10th Battalion The King's (Liverpool) Regiment (The Liverpool Scottish) with the regimental number 3969.
Further information from his service records show that he was either 5ft 4and 1/2 inches or 5ft 6inches tall and weighed 130lbs and wore glasses, his physical development was good.

He embarked for France on 23rd January 1915 and joined his unit on 30th January. He went missing in action on 16th June 1915.

Lamont went missing on 16/6/1915 but it wasn't until 27th May 1916 that the War Office issued form b.2090c 'Death- acceptance of for official purposes' then on 28th August 1916 his personal effects - one identity disc - were sent to his sister Elizabeth Gladys Dutton of 140 Alderson Road, his next of kin, she also received his plaque, scroll and medals.

the probate record for his will (below) shows that he left his money (£171) to his sister Elizabeth Gladys.


Here is a transcript of the War Diary for the Liverpool Scottish on the day Lamont went missing:


On the evening of the 14th June Major A.S. Anderson proceeded to RAILWAY WOOD (Which is situated West of BELLEWARD farm and north of Hooge) from which point the 9th Brigade were to attack on the morning of the 16th. He took with him 2 men per company to act as markers & also 2 cyclists. At 4pmon the afternoon of the 15th the Battalion left the camping ground near BUSSEBOOM and proceeded via YPRES to RAILWAY WOOD.

The attack was made on a frontage of about 1000 yards, the Northumberland, Royal Scots and Royal Fusiliers were detailed to take the first line and we in conjunction with the Lincolns were to take the 2nd line, the 7th brigade being in reserve.

We were shelled rather heavily between 12:30 and 2:10amon the morning of the 16th + during this time several of our men were killed or wounded.

Our artillery bombardment started at 2/10am + carried out the work of demolition so successfully that little difficulty was experienced in taking the first and second line trenches.

Unfortunately however in continuing the advance we suffered many casualties as owing to the difficulty experienced in observing signals it was impossible to keep our shells ahead of the advancing infantry.

Although the 3rd line German Trenches were reached it was impossible to hold on to them + so the whole Brigade consolidated the 1st + part of the 2nd line German trenches, manning them until 11/20pm on the night of the 16th at which hour they were relieved by the 8th Brigade. The casualties amongst our officers were particularly heavy + of the 24 officers who went up only Lieut Wall, 2nd Lieut T G Roddick + Lieut Chevasse came back unscathed.

The work of all ranks throughout the day calls forth the highest praise, our bombing parties doing particularly good work.

The stretcher bearers throughout a very trying day did excellent work and showed great courage in attending to so many wounded under heavy shell fire. The following is an extract from a special order by Major General Haldane Commanding 3rd division published on the 17thJune

“The Major General Commanding cannot adequately express his admiration for the gallant manner in which the attack was carried out yesterday.

The dash and determination of all ranks was beyond praise and that some actually reached the objective in the first rush and remained there under most trying circumstances as a proof of their superiority over the Germans.

That the captured ground could not all be held is disappointing, more especially as the losses incurred were heavy. But these casualties have not been in vain.

The 3rd Division carried out a fine piece of work, and fought splendidly, and their commander is deeply proud of them.”

From the 17th to the end of the month the Battalion was encamped in the same field near Busseboom, Lieut L.G. Wall being in command, with 2nd Lieut T.G Roddick acting adjutant, the time being devoted to company training and route marching.

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A response to an enquiry from a historian made in 1929 is included in the diary, it gives these figures:



Our records give the number which went into the section as 23 officers and 519 other ranks. Of the officers, 4 were killed, 6 missing and 11 wounded. Of the other ranks 75 were killed, 10 missing and 201 wounded. All the missing officers were afterwards reported dead and, almost without exception, the same is true of the missing other ranks. It is true that our losses were exceeded by three other battalions of the brigade but our numbers to begin with were very much less. Of the three officers mentioned in the war diary as having come out unscathed, one was Captain N.G. Chavasse, the medical officer. Of the other two, second Lieut, T.G Roddick was knocked out by a shell and lay unconscious for most of the day. He was, however, able to carry on with the Battalion until the arrival of officer reinforcements. Lieut L.g Wall was therefore the only combatant officer who came through unhurt.

It is interesting to note that the Lieutenant Chavasse mentioned was Noel Godfrey Chavasse, who was twice awarded the Victoria Cross (the second VC was posthumous) and was the most highly decorated serviceman in the first world war. If you don't know about the Chavasse family I recommend you find out about their amazing accomplishments.


ADDITION
Many thanks to Lynda for sharing these photographs of a family picture of Lamont.






Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Thomas Simpson

This is one of the names that is just too common for me to easily locate our man.

The CWGC gave 79 results for Thomas Simpson, using the 'other information' section and entries in UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 I disqualified all men who were born and lived in places other than Liverpool.

This gave me a much smaller list of possibilities:


Pte Thomas William Simpson 291412, 18th Bn The Welsh Regiment. Born Liverpool, died 24 March 1918 KIA in France & Flanders.

Lance Corporal Thomas Henry Simpson 52061, 1st Bn The Lancashire Fusiliers. Son of Charles and Sarah Simpson of 1 Woodlands Road, Aigburth, Liverpool.



unless there is some information in the church records to help identify the correct Thomas Simpson I'm a bit stuck.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Frederick Hamilton update

Frederick Hamilton update (links to his page on this blog)

I think there is a possibility that Frederick Hamilton should have a CWGC commemoration. I'm trying to find proof but it's tricky!

I need to be able to prove that he was either still a serving soldier when he died or he contracted his illness while serving.

So far all I have are hints:
  • the death certificate lists his occupation as Corporal 1/5th King's Liverpool Regiment (boot salesman) he was a boot salesman before enlisting.
  • the pension form shows that his widow was granted a pension under articles 11 & 12 which state that he either died while a serving soldier or contracted his illness while a serving soldier... but those statements aren't actually on the form.
  • the family grave inscription suggests he died a soldier
  • the fact that he died in a military hospital
I have tried contacting a few people on ancestry who have him on their family tree but as none of them seem to have a date of death for him I don't hold out much hope. I'd still like to get in touch with them of course, to add them to the contact list.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sjt George J Mackarell 16027

There was only one entry for George J MacKarell in the CWGC database, it gave his parents names and address in Liverpool
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George James MacKarell, with thanks to Jan for sharing.


George James Mackarell was born in 1897 in Formby, Lancashire. His parents were William and Alice Mackarell.

I believe the following baptism record (from Formby, St Peter) is for George, although it doesn't have a christian name the year, place and parents' names and occupation all match. I assume they either had him christened before they had chosen a name or it was accidentally left off the record.


 The 1901 census shows the family living in Wallasey, their address was recorded as '1 Model Farm' and William (aged 30) was working as a stockman: agricultural cattle. Alice did not have an occupation and they had a daughter Alice M aged 5 and George aged 3. They also had a boarder who is a milk dealer.

In 1911 the family were living at 9 Newton St, Toxteth. William's occupation was cowman working for a milk dealer and Alice did not have an occupation. The census form shows that they had 3 surviving children and had lost 2. Alice M from the 1901 census was no longer with them. Their 3 children with them were George James aged 13, Amy Lillian aged 7 and William Henry aged 5.


***********************

Using the regiment and number from the CWGC I can identify this medal index card as belonging to George James MacKarell, despite the misspelled surname.

The card shows that he was in the 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment as a Lance Corporal and then a Serjeant with the number 16027.
The card also shows that George J MacKarell first entered the war in France on 27.8.1915.
There is a note to show that he was Killed in Action on 1.7.1916
 Medal Index Card source: National Archives

UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919

Name:
George Mccarroll
Birth Place:
Formby, Lancs
Death Date:
1 Jul 1916
Death Location:
France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:
Liverpool
Rank:
Sergeant
Regiment:
York and Lancaster Regiment
Battalion:
8th (Service) Battalion
Number:
16027
Type of Casualty:
Killed in action
Theatre of War:
Western European Theatre
Note that the name is misspelled the same way as the medal index card. It is spelled correctly on the CWGC memorial as families were consulted about names and inscriptions.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Ceremony at the Town Hall

One of the main objectives of my project has been completed, the 30 names from this memorial which were missing from the Town Hall, Hall of Remembrance have been added.

If you were watching Granada Reports on Thursday 6th September you would have seen me (looking very nervous) talking about this project.

I attended the ceremony at the Town Hall with my parents-in-law (my father-in-law is the nephew of one of the names that were added) and it was a lovely tribute to those men finally being recognised in the beautiful Hall of Remembrance.

The service was opened by Dave Ramsey of the Town Hall who introduced The Right Worshipful, The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Sharon Sullivan.

After the Lord Mayor had welcomed us and said a few words about the occasion, Commanding Officer, Lt Colonel Busby 156 (North West) Transport Regiment (volunteers), Royal Logistics Corps spoke about the history of the Hall of Remembrance, with a very good explanation of the frescos.

Opening prayers were lead by The Rector of Liverpool, The Reverend Steven Brookes.

An act of remembrance was lead by The President West Lancashire County, The Royal British Legion, Sir Alan Waterworth KCVO KStJ LLD MA JP DL.

The last post was played, then there was a minutes silence before reveille was played.

Closing prayers were said by Reverend Steven Brookes.

You can read the Echo article about it here

For each name on the memorial a copy of the additional panel was given to a representative of their family. I have these scrolls for the names on the memorial and will be trying to find living relatives of the men to pass them to.


Amanda

Are you related to one of these men?

If you are a relative of any of the names on the memorial, I would love to hear from you. If you have any family stories about them or a photograph they would of course be wonderful additions to the blog.

If you are a relative of one of the names that were added to the Hall of Remembrance at the Town Hall on 6th September there is a commemorative scroll - a replica of the additional panel with your relatives name shown in bold available. I am looking after them at the moment (they are complimentary from the Town Hall, no charge!)

NAMES ADDED TO THE MEMORIAL
Thomas W Simpson

Please get in touch by posting a comment or emailing me thewarmemorial@gmail.com


Amanda

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Acting Bombardier Hugh L Loughlin 685742

The CWGC had only one result for Hugh L Loughlin.

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Photograph of Hugh L Loughlin, courtesy of a family member


Hugh L Loughlin was born in Liverpool on 29th March 1898 and Baptised in the Parish Church of St Peter on 13th April 1898.
His parents were Stephen and Elizabeth Loughlin of James Street, Stephen's occupation was Paper Ruler.

The 1901 census shows the family living at 102 Park Street, Stephen was employed as a paper ruler and Elizabeth was a machinist. Hugh was the 5th of 6 children with elder siblings  Margaret E (13) Thomas (9), Stephen(7) and Flora (5) and a younger sister Norah (9 months) Elizabeth's mother, Margaret Loughlin (this was not her surname, it is a mistake by the enumerator) who was a retired domestic cook, also a family of 3 boarders.

The 1911 census shows the family living at 121 St James St. Stephen was now a paper ruler employer and Elizabeth was not working. They have added 4 children to the family; Ellen (8),Maria (6), Veronica(3) and Ronald (1) their eldest child Margaret has moved out and the census shows that they had an 11th child who died.

Hugh was 13 and in school, his elder brothers were employed in the family business as a paper ruler and a bookbinder's apprentice

Hugh's grandmother was also still with them and her surname is given as Lynk, explaining Hugh's unusual middle-name.
******************

Hugh Loughlin was in the Royal Field Artillery with the regimental number 685742,  I am informed by an authority on these matters that this number is within the block allocated to the 3rd West Lance Royal Field Artillery Territorial Force when the force was renumbered in 1917. This means that he had an earlier number which was probably from early 1915.

The 3rd West Lancs Brigade crossed to France on 30 Sept/1st Oct 1915 and they were part of the 2nd Canadian Divisional Artillery. They stayed with this division until the old West Lancs Division was re-formed in January 1916, numbered as 55th.
Later in 1915 the 3rd West Lancs became the 277th Brigade R.F.A. and in January 1917 a wholesale reorganisation of the artillery led to its removel from its divisional role and it became the 277th Army Brigade R.F.A., attached to a succession of higher formations as needed.

On 17th September 1917  685742 Gnr. (A./Bomdr.) H. Loughlin, R.F.A. (Liverpool). was gazetted for earning the Military Medal. His MIC for this award shows that he was in C Battery, 293rd (London)Brigade, R.F.A. (T.F.) and it was with the 293rd Brigade that , on 6th November 1917, he was killed in action aged 19. (see the letter below for details of how he was killed and what the MM was awarded for)
His medal card (below) is quite bare, it doesn't show his earlier regimental number and wasn't updated with the details of his arrival in France, his Military Medal or his death.
 Medal Index card source National Archives

Many thanks are due to a relative of Hugh Loughlin who has sent me the following image of a letter, received by Hugh's mother after his death.

Click here to see the CWGC entry for Hugh L Loughlin M.M

His family had inscribed on his headstone "Greater Love Have No Man Than This, Peace Perfect Peace."

Trimmer Richard Longmaid 763081

There was only one result for R W Longmaid in the CWGC database and he was from Liverpool.

*******************

Richard William Longmaid was born in Liverpool on 7th Dec 1894 and christened on 18th Feb 1895. His parents were Richard Henry Augustus and Sarah Anne Longmaid of 15 Emerson Street.


image source: parish records collection ancestry.co.uk


The 1901 census shows that William's father was a seaman (merchant service) and was born in Cornwall. Richard was the second of 4 children with an older sister Sarah E J(aged 7) and younger siblings Louise H (3) and Edith E (1). The family were living at 17 Emerson Street.


The 1911 census shows that the family were living at 31 Penrith St. Richard Senior was still working as a mariner aged 63. Richard Junior (aged 16) was a cabin boy, his sister Sarah (aged 17) was a tailoress.
Richard W Longmaid's service papers show that on 8th Jan 1915 he enlisted with the territorial force and was given the rank of Gunner in the 1st West Lancs Brigade RFA regimental number 1551.
His medical examination shows that Richard Longmaid was 20 years old,
5feet 9 inches tall and had good physical development.
Eyesight in his left eye was poor and in his right eye was fair.
On 31st August 1915 after 236 days of service, he was discharged under King's Regulation 392 para XVI (no longer physically fit for war  service)

After his discharge from the army Richard served with the Merchant Navy. He entered the Merchant Marine Reserve (whereby a number of officers and men of the Merchant Marine agreed to serve with the Royal Navy under the terms of T.124 agreements, which made them subject to Naval discipline while generally retaining their Merchant Marine rates of pay and other conditions.) 
The medal roll below records his medal entitlement (source: national archives)

Tr = trimmer ST = star, V= victory B=British Mr=how the medal was  issued (Mother?) I.C etc = Index casualty number

Richard died aged 21 on 29/2/1916 when his ship the H.M.S. Alcantara was sunk.
The newspaper report below is from the London Times 27/3/1916. Richard is listed under 'specially entered Mercantile crew'






Description
English: HMS Alcantara engages the German raider Grief on 29 February 1916, in the North Sea. Both ships sank.
Date, 17:11:22
SourceThe Times History and Encyclopaedia of the War Vol XXI, London 1920 (p.127) via archive.org
AuthorUnknown artist

click here to see the CWGC entry for Richard William Longmaid

 The information in the CWGC database shows that his sevice number was 763081, confirms that he was the son of Richard and Sarah A Longmaid of 31 Penrith St, Liverpool and shows that his name can be found on Panel 20 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Private Frank Percival Lloyd 76928

Searching for F P LLOYD gave only one result on the CWGC Debt of Honour database and this soldier was from Liverpool.

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Family Information 

Frank Percival Lloyd was born in Liverpool in 1899.

The 1901 census shows that Frank's family lived at 4 Chepstow St, Liverpool. His parents were Frank and Matilda Frances Lloyd (nee Holden) and Frank was the youngest of 3 children (Frederick aged 10, Helen aged 7) His father was born in Melbourne Australia and was a Clerk for a freight company

At the time of the 1911 census the Lloyd family lived at 109 Carisbrooke Road, Walton. The census shows that Frank and Matilda had been married for 21 years and had 7 children, 2 of whom had died.
At home with them in 1911 were their children Frederick (aged 20 and a theological student) Helen (aged 17, Draper's shop assistant) Frank P Lloyd (11 and at school) Gladys W Lloyd (aged 6) and Charles A Lloyd (aged 1)

Military Service 

Frank P Lloyd's service papers have survived. They show that he volunteered aged 17years and 11 months on 24th August 1917. He was first given the regimental number TR4/31659 in the 64th Training Reserve Battalion. This was later crossed out and replaced with 76928 3rd Welsh Regiment.
His occupation was given as traveller (like a travelling salesman) for McCartney and Green, Bartlam St (the 1911 Gore's directory of Liverpool shows that this was a 'legging and gaiter manufacturer')
Frank P Lloyd passed his medical examination, the notes show that he was 5 feet 8 and 1/4 inches tall and weighed 119 lbs, his left foot was flat.

Sent to Kimnel Park for training, he was promoted to Lance Corporal but reverted to Private on embarkation.
8/9/18 Frank was posted Base Depot France,

A copy of his will dated 27/9/18 shows that he was in the 14th Battalion, The Welsh Regiment.

20.10.18 Killed in Action in the field, France.

His personal belongings (disc, photo and religious book) were returned to his mother.


Frank's medal card shows that he was awarded the Victory Medal
and the British War Medal.
image source national archives

UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919

Name:
Frank Percival Lloyd
Birth Place:
Liverpool
Residence:
Walton, Lancs
Death Date:
20 Oct 1918
Death Location:
France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:
Liverpool
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
Welsh Regiment
Battalion:
14th Battalion
Number:
76928
Type of Casualty:
Killed in action
Theatre of War:
Western European Theatre

click here to see the CWGC record for Frank P Lloyd

It appears that Frank P Lloyd is also named on a church memorial in Kirkdale, much closer to his residence in Walton. I will check again to see if there is an alternative Frank P Lloyd to be on our memorial but it is possible that he had family in St James' congregation who had his name added. 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Private James Llewellin 4386, 53831,

There were only 2 results for James Llewellin on the CWGC, one was from Bristol and the other from Liverpool.
There were several possible James Llewellins on the Liverpool census records and I am indebted to Kathy Donaldson for supplying the information that helped me identify the correct family.
************************
James Llewellin was born inLiverpool on 12th April 1891.
He was baptised on 17th May 1891 in The Parish Church of St Peter. His parents were John and Ellen Llewellin of Lowndes St and John was a carter.
(source, parish records ancestry.co.uk)
The 1891 census was taken before James's birth but it shows that his family lived at 12A Lowndes St and on census night John and Ellen Llewellin were home with their 2 sons John W and Stephen. Also at their house were Ellen's sister (Amy Kenyon) nephew (Ephrahim Kenyon) and mother (Catherine Kenyon).
1901 census records show that John Llewellin had died and Ellen was a widow and working as a charwoman. She was living (on census night at least) with her widowed mother Catherine Kenyon (laundress) and Ellen's children John Henry (aged 15 and working as a railway clerk) Steven (aged 13) James (aged 9) and Benjamin (aged 7). They were living at 27 Beamish St.
Ellen Llewellin died in 1906.
The 1911 census shows that James and his brothers were taken in by family.
John (aged 25) and James (aged 20) were at the house of their widowed aunt Elizabeth Henning (formerly Elizabeth Kenyon, sister to Ellen) John was a boiler-maker labourer and James a shoe-maker. Also on the census return are their cousins, including Elizabeth Ann Henning aged 24 and a pickle packer who married John Llewellin in 1913. They were living at 10 Hampton Street.
Steven Llewellin (aged 23 and a range and grate fitter) was enumerated at the house of his uncle William Henry Llewellin (poulterer) - brother to John Llewellin. They were living at 10 Admiral Street.
Benjamin Llewellin (aged 18 and a shop boy in a drapers) was living at the house of his uncle and aunt William and Rebecca Kenyon. They lived at 30 Lawler St, Litherland.
I haven't found any service records for James Llewellin and his medal card (below) doesn't have much information on it. It shows that  he was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as a private with the regimental numbers 4386 and 53831.
(image source ancesty.co.uk)

UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919

ENTRY FOR JAMES LLEWELLIN
Name:
James Llewellin
Birth Place:
Liverpool
Death Date:
26 Feb 1917
Death Location:
France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:
Liverpool
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Battalion:
1st Battalion
Number:
53831
Type of Casualty:
Killed in action
Theatre of War:
Western European Theatre
Comments:
Formerly 35175, Liverpool Regiment.
This gives us some more information, we can see that James was in the 1st Battalion of the R.W.F. and that he was formerly in the Liverpool Regiment with a third regimental number. He was killed in France and Flanders on 26th February 1917.

His family placed the following notices in the Liverpool Echo on 30th July 1917:

LLEWELLIN - reported missing February 26 1917, now officially reported killed in action, Private James Llewellin R.W.F. third son of the late John and Ellen Llewellin, of Dingle. Sadly missed by his brother and sister-in-law John & Lizzie also Aunt Lizzie and all at 44 Wesley-street, also brother Ben somewhere in France.

LLEWELLIN - Private James Llewellin R.W.F. third son of the late John and Ellen Llewellin, (sadly missed by brothers Ben and Steve, also by sister-in-law Maggie.)
He nobly rose to his country's call;
He gave his life, his best of all.

The battalion war diary for the day (see below) shows that 5 men were missing after the action on 26th February 1917, his family had to wait almost 5 months for confirmation of his death. 

James Llewellin has no known grave and his name is inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

click here to see the CWGC database entry for James Llewellin

 

Here is the War Diary of the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers for the day that James was killed:

12:15 a.m.  Orders received by telephone from 91st Brigade that our Artillery would bombard PUISIEUX from 2a.m. to 6.20a.m. and that patrols were to be pushed out close to barrage and then go through the village at 6.20 a.m. and establish posts on the northern side.
B, C, and D coys ordered to send 3 patrols each and 2/borders to push patrols on N of SERRE ROAD
12:40 a.m. Brigade Order confirmed
1.17 a.m. message from D coy that touch had been gained with 8 N Staffs in RHINE TRENCH
8 a.m. Battalion came under orders of G.O.C. 22nd Infantry Brigade who now took over the line.
10am message from 2nd Lieut Mills (D Coy) that his patrol was held up by a strong point at about L 19.d.50.50 (this was afterwards proved to be about 200yds of this point and off the SEREE ROAD)
10.10 a.m. D Coy reported that patrols of 2/borders were retiring. They did not start till 8 a.m. )/C D Coy ordered to advance his line to RHINE TRENCH from L.19.c.30.30 to junction of PENDANT TRENCH and RHINE TRENCH.
C Coy to withdraw to SEREE dugouts
11.30 a.m. report forn C Coy that there were 4 machine guns in SUNSET TRENCH        
12 noon information from brigade that 62nd Division on the right had occupied GUDGEON TRENCH and ORCHARD ALLEY
12.10 p.m. A Coy ordered to take up position in SUNSET TRENCH from (map ref) and to throw back the left flank to KAISER LANE but to consult with O/C BCoy before moving
1 p.m. Orders received to attack SUNSET TRENCH from (map ref) to SEREE ROAD then to work along SOAP ALLEY and to push patrols through PUISIEUX
2.40 p.m. Message from S.C. detailing officer and 30 men 2/H.A.C. to report to HQrs 1st R.W.F. to carry stokes mortar ammunition. These never arrived.
3.30 p.m. Battn H.Qrs moved to A Coy’s old Hd Qrs in SEREE
3.40 p.m. Orders issued A Coy had already been sent to take up position (see 10/26)
situation 62nd division gained GUDGEON TRENCH – this afterwards proved wrong
               19th division in BOX WOOD  with patrols in ROSSIGHOL TRENCH
B Coy on the right ordered to occupy KAISER LANE and to support A Coy making a defensive flank (map ref)
D Coy to advance at the same time on the left and capture KAISER LANE
C Coy to pass through and capture SUNSET TRENCH from (map ref) to SEREE ROAD (inclusive) and to bomb along SOAP ALLEY
2 sections bombers under 2nd Lieut KESTERTON were to move alone SEREE ROAD and to attack the strong point in flank
2/borders were in close support in WING TRENCH when the attack was launched.
Advance to commence at 4.45pm
4.40 p.m. Enemy put up a terrific barrage of 5.9 along WING TRENCH from its junction with PENDANT TRENCH and thence S.E.
6.20 p.m. D Coy 2/Borders came under orders of I.C. 1st R.W. Fus
6.25 p.m. C Coy ordered to reinforce D Coy
6.35 p.m. message from C Coy that they had reinforced D Coy and that enemy was using gas shells
6.50 p.m. messge received that D Coy had gained objective. C Coy were going through them. Enemy shelling heavily.
7.10 p.m. Message from C Coy that they had captured objective and strong point
8.55 p.m. 2/Borders ordered to push up patrols through KAISER LANE and then through the village
9.15 p.m. Message to 2nd Borders to send up bombs, whole attack held up.
9.45 p.m. C coy working down SOAP ALLEY not much resistance
10.20 p.m. message from 2 Borders that 40 boxes of bombs were being sent up
11.10 p.m. verbal message that A Coy were “in”
11.15 p.m. B Coy gained objective. All objectives had now been taken.
11.35 p.m. 19th Div ordered to send patrols into the Northern part of the village but they did not do so.
Casualties – 10 killed, 30 wounded, 8 died of wounds, 4 missing.
Reinforcements – 2 from hospital, 2/Lt BLUCK from 2nd Bn, 5 from Base
Fighting continued throughout the following day then the company were relieved.
A sign of how bad a time they had of it – this list is from the following day 27th Feb
Casualties:
T/Capt A W ANSCOMBE M.C.         – wounded
2/Lieut F McKAY                                - wounded (died of wounds 28-2-17)
2/Lieut S SASSOON                           - struck off
T/Capt E.G. HAWES                           -      "      "  (Medical board)
T/Lieut J.R.P. ADAMS                        - wounded (shell shock)
2/Lt C.E. MONTGOMERIE                -        "  but remained at duty
2/Lt A.M. SYRETT                             -         " (shell shock) but remained at duty
O ranks – 11 killed, 22 wounded, 5missing, 2 died of wounds reinforcements – NIL