All quiet on the Western Front

A year and a day after Britain went to war with Germany and the 5th August 1915 was what might be termed a quiet day as regards fatalities in the British Army. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 165 men lost their lives on this day. Of these men, 33 died in the United Kingdom, some as a result of wounds received in action, others as a result of disease or accident in the UK, before they'd even set foot overseas.

The Durham Light Infantry lost 15 men on this day. Here they are:

4/9468 Private George Robert ACOMB aged 33
3/10665 Private James ALDERSON aged 25
14878 Lance Corporal William Gordon BURNS aged 30
19530 Private Daniel DALEY
8313 Private Frederick William HARGREAVES aged 35
Lieutenant JAMES MADDISON KENT aged 29
4/9186 Private Thomas MALLON
3/11654 Private John MALLOY aged 36
6982 Private Thomas MOCKLER aged 34
7832 Private James MOWBRAY
3/7679 Private Thomas McMAHON aged 34
3/9762 Private Gregory O'RORKE
8990 Corporal Henry THOMPSON
3/8142 Private Frank WADDLE aged 32
8984 Private Henry WEST aged 31

All of these men were serving with the 2nd Battalion when they died. I have not checked to see if individual service records survive for these men but I have checked their names against medal rolls, adding in full first names and updating regimental numbers. In a number of cases, the CWGC omits regimental number prefixes, but adding these in I was struck by just how many of these casualties had originally joined the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion and the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion: five and two respectively. These seven men, as well as Lieutenant Kent who was also a 3rd Battalion man originally, would all have been sent out as drafts to the 2nd Battalion.

William Burns and Daniel Daley were volunteers, Kitchener men who had volunteered after Britain went to war. Both have surviving service records and we can see that Daniel had also seen prior service with the 3rd Battalion before he re-enlisted on the 21st September 1914. So no fewer than nine of the fifteen 2nd Battalion men had served with the Special or Extra Reserve.

Of the remaining men, 34-year-old Thomas Mockler was the longest-serving man. His number dates to the second half of 1899 and he had already seen service during the Boer War. The fact that he still retained this regimental number in 1914 suggests to me that he either extended his service before 1914 or else had opted to serve an additional four years on Section D Reserve (in other words, effectively extending his period of reserve service). He had arrived overseas on the 22nd October 1914.

Lieutenant Kent was killed when the battalion moved into trenches at Hooge. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. The other men were killed during an attack in the vicinity of the Crater and Stables at Hooge. The war diary for the battalion is quite detailed and lists casualties, including wounded men. A report on the attack is also included.

So, all quiet on the Western Front on the 5th August 1915, but there was weeping in the homes of 15 men from the DLI, and from the family members of the other 150 men who lost their lives on this day, one hundred years ago.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

I've borrowed the 1920 image of Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery from the Returned Services league Australia website. It's well worth a visit for anyone with an interest in this cemetery.

For assistance with your own research projects, contact me by clicking on the Research Tab on this blog. Also have a look at my Army Service Numbers blog which has a lot of useful information about regimental numbers in the British Army between 1881 and 1918.

18078 Pte Arthur Herdman, 13th Bn, DLI

Over a month after the Armistice had been declared, on the 14th December 1918, 18078 Private Arthur Herdman of the 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry died of wounds. He was born in Chester-Le-Street but according to Soldiers Died in The Great war was living in America when war was declared. He joined the DLI at Chester-Le-Street in September 1914.

Arthur was 21 years old, the son of James and Elizabeth Eleanor Herdman of 4 Stackyard, Great Lumley, Fence Houses, County Durham. He is buried in Premont British Cemetery in France.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

327370 Sgt John Wignall, 2/9th Bn, DLI

327370 Sergeant John Wignall of the 2/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action in Salonica on the 13th October 1917. He was born in Bolton, Lancashire, and had previously served with the Loyal North Lancs Regt (number 970).

John was 33 years oild when he died. He was the son of William and Charlotte Wignall of 24, Venice Street, Daubhill, Bolton, and the husband of Rose Grundy (formerly Wignall), also of the same address. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial in Greece.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Officers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

40457 Pte Henry G Wond, 10th Bn, RDF

40457 Private Henry George Wond of the 10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 24th May 1917. He had previously served with the King's Liverpool Regiment and had the number 11083.

Henry was born in Bermondsey, was living in Falkirk and enlisted at Warley in Essex. His service record does not survive but it is clear from his medal index card that he arrived overseas with the King's on or after the 1st January 1916. There are a couple of possibilities for his joining date. 11083 would have been issued to a regular soldier in the King's in early 1911 or to a Special Reservist (3rd Battalion) in August 1914. There was a 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion but I have no evidence to suggest that the original numbering in this battalion reached as high as 11083. If it did, it was certainly post August 1914.

My data for the DLI is a little thin but it would appear that the transfer took place post August 1916.

Henry has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.


At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

39410 Pte Enoch Ditchfield, 5th Bn, DLI

Close to 1800 British Army officers and men died on the 11th April 1918. Soldiers Died in The Great War gives the total casualties as 1,795, and 39410 Pte Enoch Ditchfield was one of those men. He was killed in action whilst serving with the 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

Enoch was born in Sunderland and attested there in May 1916. He was eighteen years old and working as a men's mercer. Other papers note that he was an apprentice mercer working for H Burns and Sons Ltd. He gave his address as 61 Hylton Road, Sunderland. This was later altered to 70 Eversley Road. At the time of attestation he indicated that his preferred arm of service was the Royal Horse and Field Artillery. However, he was called up in November 1916 and posted to the Durham Light Infantry.

On 15th June 1917, Enoch sailed for France. He was wounded exactly two weeks later on the 29th June by a gunshot wound to his left buttock, and returned to England, spending over three months in Queen Mary's Military Hospital in Whalley, Lancashire. He was discharged, his papers noting that he had a "penetrating wound... with no point of exit" but then re-admitted shortly afterwards when a "large foreign body" (presumably the bullet, or piece of shrapnel) worked its way through into his left thigh. This was removed under local anaesthetic but nevertheless caused Enoch to spent a further two months in hospital at Ripon.

Enoch sailed for France for a second time on the 2nd January 1918. He was posted first to the 19th DLI (3rd January) and then to the 10th DLI (7th January) and then finally to the 5th Battalion on the 3rd February. He spent four days at a Field Ambulance with scabies but rejoined his battalion on the 3rd March. On the 11th April 1918, ninety-two years ago today, Enoch was reported wounded and missing. One year later, his death was officially "presumed" by the War Office to have occurred on or after the 11th April 1918.

Enoch Ditchfield has no known grave and he is commemorated by name on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC, WO 363)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

22622 Pte Marmaduke William Huitson, 2nd Bn, DLI

22622 Private Marmaduke William Huitson of the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 3rd March 1916, one of 282 British soldiers to lose his life on this date.

Marmaduke was 36 years old at the time of his death and left a widow, Kate Huitson, of 14 Prospect Place, Thornaby-on-Tees (his place of birth). Pages from Marmaduke's service record survive in the WO 363 series, and the following information is taken from this source.

Marmaduke Huitson was 35 years and four months old when he attested at Thornaby on Tees on the 21st December 1914. He gave his trade as "Plater's Helper". At five feet, three and three quarter inches, he was quite a small man, but with a chest expansion of 38 inches he was obviously well-built. He had married Katie Barr Malcolm at Thornaby-on-Tees on the 21st August 1900 and the couple had four children: Robert Malcolm Huitson (born on 4th June 1901), Richard Allen Huitson (born on 6th November 1903), Janet Stewart Huitson (born on 7th August 1908) and Katie Barr Huitson (born on 28th January 1911). Twins would follow on the 12th November 1915: Doreen Gladys Huitson and the patriotically named, Marmaduke Kitchener Huitson. All of the children were born at Thornaby-on-Tees (and presumably at 14 Prospect Place which is the only address given).

Marmaduke joined the regiment at Newcastle and was given the number 22622. He was posted to the 17th Battalion on Christmas Eve 1914 and remained with this battalion until 24th August 1915 when he was posted to the regular 2nd Battalion.

Three minor offences are recorded on Marmaduke's service record during his time in England; all for overstaying his pass. He was admonished twice and confined to barracks for five days when he repeated his misdemeanour for a second time.

Private Huitson remained in England until the 23rd August 1915 and arrived in France the following day. Katie Huitson would have been six months pregnant with twins at the time, although whether Marmaduke ever saw his babies is unclear from his service record. He was certainly wounded in 1915 but it was not serious enough for him to return to England. His medical papers record that he received a shell wound to his buttock on the 16th December 1915, was admitted to the 18th Field Ambulance the following day, and rejoined his battalion on the 19th December.

On the 11th September 1916, six months after her husband's death in action, Katie Huitson was awarded a weekly pension of 29 shillings for herself and her six children. Her husband rests in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (WO 363 service record)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Army Service Numbers

11947 Pte Foster Guthrie, 10th Bn, DLI

11947 Private Foster Guthrie of the 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 1st February 1916. His partial service record survives as a burnt document at the National Archive, and the following information is taken from this.

He was born in the parish of St Mary's in Gateshead and at the time of his enlistment at Newcastle on the 14th August 1914, he was 26 years and two months old, five feet five and a half inches tall, and working as a moulder. He came from a large family and in 1919, according to Army Form W.5080, had his parents, one brother and five sisters still living.

Foster's death in action was confirmed by the officer commanding the 10th DLI, and he was buried at Essex Farm Cemetery by the Yser Canal, the Reverend Telford of the 4rd Light Infantry Brigade, officiating

After the war, Foster's medals, his memorial scroll and plaque, were sent to his father, Mr Walter Guthrie, at 334 Sunderland Road, Gateshead

I also remember today, my grandfather, Walter Leonard Nixon, a Great War veteran who served with the Royal Garrison Artillery between 1916 and 1918 and who was born on this day in 1893.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, WO363)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War

15227 Pte Stephen Wallace Gamblin, 2nd Bn, Leinster Regt

15227 Private Stephen Wallace Gamblin of the 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment, was killed in action on the 25th January 1918. He had previously served with the Durham Light Infantry (number 33602).

Stephen Gamblin was born in South Shields, County Durham and was living in the town when he enlisted. He was a married man and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes that he was married to M E Gamblin of 187 Victoria Road, South Shields. His entry on the Irish Casualty Roll (see above) gives no further information and his medal index card at the National Archives shows entitlement to the British War and Victory medals which in turn means that he must have arrived overseas on or after the 1st January 1916. No service record survives.

M E Gamblin is Mary Ellen Elstob whom Stephen had married in South Shields in 1906. Their marriage is recorded in the June quarter of that year. Stephen would have been about 23 years old then, his bride a similar age. He appears on the 1901 census as a 17-year-old carpenter living with his parents and older brother Owen (aged 25) in South Shields.

By the time Stephen went to war, he and his wife had at least one child - Rebecca E Gamblin was born in 1914 - and may have had other children who my basic research on this man has failed to uncover.

Stephen Gamblin is buried in Hargicourt British Cemetery in France.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, Ireland - Casualties of World War One)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War

26/893 Sgt Michael Finan, Northumberland Fusiliers

26/893 Sergeant Michael Finan of the Northumberland Fusiliers was an old soldier who died in England on the 22nd January 1916. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes that he was 56 years old at the time of death and that he was attached to the Northumberland Fusiliers Depot, although his number belongs to the series in use by the 26th (Service) Battalion (3rd Tyneside Irish). Soldiers Died in The Great War records his battalion as the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion.

Two pages of service papers survive for Michael Finan. On 29th March 1900 he attested with the Royal Northern Reserve Regiment as a 41-year-old time expired regular who had served with the Durham Light Infantry. His occupation in 1900 was that of a miner and he was a widower, living in Durham. His next of kin is recorded as his mother, Mrs Mary Finan, of 62 South Street, Durham, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission also notes that he was the son of Peter and Mary Finan of 14 Millburngate, Durham, and the husband of Elizabeth Finan.

The 1901 census has Michael Finan as the head of the household at 91 Framwellgate, Durham. He is recorded as a 41-year-old Durham-born general labourer, living with his 66-year-old mother, his 35-year-old married sister, Rose Hall; his six-year-old niece, Sarah Jane Hall, and his daughter, six-year-old Lizzie Finan.

Ten years earlier, the 1891 census has 31-year-old Michael living at 84 Framwellgate with his wife Elizabeth, and two daughters: Agnes (aged three) and Bridget (aged two). Michael's trade is again recorded as general labourer and presumably he had already served his time with the Durham Light Infantry by this stage. I have been unable to find him on the 1881 census and presume that he was soldiering abroad at the time the census was taken. If he joined up at the age of eighteen, he would have already served three years in the army by 1881 and it's quite conceivable that he was overseas.

Agnes Finan would die in 1893, aged six years but Bridget appears to have survived into adulthood; at least, I have been unable to find her name on pre-1915 death registers.

Michael's wife, Elizabeth Finan, died in 1894, her death being registered in Durham in the September quarter of that year. It's possible that she died during childbirth or as a result of complications arising from the birth of Lizzie, although this is pure conjecture on my part. Michael though, appears not to have re-married. He is buried in St Bede's Roman Catholic cemetery in the city of Durham.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, 1891 and 1901 census, BMD registers)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War

10314 Pte Alick Frazer, 1st Bn, DLI

156 officers and men of the British Army died on this single day - 16th January - in 1918. 10314 Private Alick Frazer of the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was one of these casualties. He died - probably as a result of disease or sickness - whilst in India. His grave may well still exist in one of the many cemeteries, used by the British, that dot Pakistan but in any event he is commemorated on the Karachi 1914-1918 War Memorial.

Alick (or Aleck according to his medal index card) was born in Hebburn and was living there at the time of his enlistment. He enlisted at Jarrow in 1908 and had probably been stationed in India at some point during his military career. His MIC though, notes that he arrived overseas on the 21st August 1915.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War

Major Bernard George Dawson Biggs, 5th Bn, Durham Light Infantry

Major Bernard George Dawson Biggs of the 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, died in England on the 1st December 1916. He was the husband of Anne Isabella Biggs of 1 Flora Avenue, Darlington, and he is buried in Darlington West Cemetery.

Bernard had served overseas, arriving in France with the 5th DLI on 18th April 1915. He possibly died of wounds in the UK, or of sickness. His service record probably survives in one of the series for WW1 officers but until I see these, the circumstances of his death will be a mystery to me.

George was probably about 48 years old when he died. He was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire and appears on the 1901 census at 2 Cleveland Terrace, Darlington as (what looks like) a 32 year old bookseller and printer. He was also probably quite well off as he is noted as an employer. His wife Anne, was 44 years old in 1901 and the only other person noted for their household is Annie Brown, a 24 year old domestic servant. Ten years earlier, still living in Darlington, George appears as a 22 year old bookseller's assistant.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, 1891 and 1901 Census)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War

18/724 James William Crozier, 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

Ninety five years ago today, Britain went to war with Germany. And on this day in 1918, 18/724 Private James William Crozier of the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action, one of four DLI men to lose their lives on this day.

Soldiers Died in The Great War notes that James was born at North Shields and was living there at the time of his enlistment. He actually enlisted though, in Sunderland, and his number indicates that he was an original member of the 18th (1st County) Battalion and that he joined up in the last week of September 1914.

James first went overseas in December 1915, arriving in Egypt on the 22nd December 1915 and thus qualifying - just - for the 1914-15 Star. This from The Long, Long Trail website:

"...often known by the name of the Durham Pals. Formed at Cocken Hall in County of Durham on 10 September 1914 by Col R Burdon and a committee. Moved in December to Fencehouses, then back to Cocken Hall in February 1915 and to Fencehouses again in March. In May 1915 it moved to Cramlington then Ripon, attached to 93rd Brigade in 31st Division. Went to Fovant in September. On 6th December 1915 it sailed from Liverpool for Egypt, arriving at Port Said on 21st December. Went on to France, arriving 11th March 1916."

The Commonwealth war Graves Commision notes that James Crozier was 32 years old when he died, the "eldest son of Elizabeth and the late John Robert Crozier, of North Shields. Husband of Isabel E. Crozier of 11 Vicarage Street, North Shields." He is buried in Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery in Morbecque; plot 2, row C, grave 7.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Long, Long Trail
Image of Le Grand Hasard Cemetery from Panoramio