3/6979 Cpl Jack Buttle, 1st Bn, Dorsetshire Regt

3/6979 Corporal Jack Buttle of the 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, was killed in action on the 4th May 1915. He was born in Leyton (now east London, then Essex) and was living there when he enlisted. He joined up at nearby Stratford.

Jack was 18 years and five months old when he enlisted with the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment on the 23rd October 1913. His attestation papers state that he was working as a casual labourer. He joined the regiment at Dorchester on the 2nd November 1913 and then underwent four months' training which ended on the 27th February 1914.

Jack presumably then returned to Leyton but was mobilized on the 8th August 1914. He was appointed unpaid lance-corporal four days later, and paid corporal exactly on month later. On the 23rd October 1914 he was posted to the 1st Battalion but still retained his 3rd Battalion number. He served overseas in France and Belgium from October 1914 until the time of his death which was due to the effects of poison gas. In his history of the battalion, Major C H Dudley-Ward DSO MC, writes that on the 1st May 1915, the enemy attacked the Dorsetshire positions on Hill 60 with poison gas and that C Company, on the crest of the hill, was particularly affected. Over 200 casualties were recorded. The battalion was relieved the following day and moved back into local reserve at Larch Wood.

Jack's service record notes that he had previously been admitted to the 15th Field Ambulance at Bailleul on the 15th February 1915, suffering from the effects of cold. He rejoined his battalion the same day.

The Commonwealth War Graves records that "John" Buttle was the son of William and Thirza Buttle of 4 Stanley Road, Leyton, London, and that he is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall).

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

6087 Pte Arthur Brisendon, 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt)

6087 Pte Arthur Brisendon of the 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt), was killed in action on 5th August 1915. Born in Southend in Essex, he enlisted in Derby. If his number belongs to the series in use by the regular battalions, it suggests that he joined the Sherwood Foresters in 1898. If it belongs to the series used by the 3rd (Special Reserve) or 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalions, it indicates that he joined up after war was declared.

Arthur was 42 years old when he died and appears to have had considerable soldiering experience. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) notes that he was serving with B Company and that he was the "son of John and Charlotte Brisendon, of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst." CWGC also records that he formerly served with The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and also served in the South African Campaign (The Boer War).

Arthur's medal index card records that he arrived in France on 23rd February 1915. This being the case, I think that he almost certainly joined either the 3rd (probably) or 4th Sherwood Foresters as a time-expired regular soldier. If that was the case, his number - 6087 - would have been issued around the 21st August 1914.

Arthur Brisendon is buried in Perth Cemetery, China Wall near Ypres; grave reference IV.C.16.

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
Post-war photo of China Wall cemetery from the informative World War One Battlefields site. There is also a good deal of information here about the cemetery.