695:
attack on the Arleux–Oppy position began. It led with 2nd OBLI and 2nd HLI, with 17th RF in close support with orders to provide carrying parties and 'moppers-up' to clear the trenches and dugouts behind the attacking battalions. 2nd
Division's attacking strength was weak, but it went forward behind the creeping barrage at 04.25. By the time it reached the wire the enemy's machine guns were firing at the leading battalions, and their defensive artillery and mortar barrage came down on the following troops. Nevertheless, 2nd OBLI made good progress and reached its second objective. 2nd HLI was held up by wire, and did not catch up with the barrage until it reached the German support trenches (the Blue Line). It could not advance beyond that because of heavy enfilade fire from Oppy Wood and village, so B Company of 17th RF formed a defensive flank for the brigade on that side. The rest of the division's attack had not gone well, and 5th Bde was out in front of its neighbours; 99th Bde made another failed attempt to advance on the right the following day, after which the exhausted 2nd Division was withdrawn.
931:
company from 24th RF that had just passed through his position, Lt-Col Weston. promised to do his best. The three companies were stretched out manning a series of shell-holes along a ridge, which came under heavy artillery fire at 14.30. With the support of the divisional artillery, this party held off the advancing
Germans until 16.00, when they began to work round the right flank. Weston rushed up the battalion HQ staff, signallers, runners and anyone else he could find, and formed them into a flank guard. But now 51st (H) Division on the left also went back, and Weston with about 40 survivors finally retired down the road toward Miraumont. His second-in-command, Maj Pretty, with six men formed a final rearguard, of whom only one sergeant survived. That night 2nd Division was at Beaucourt, disposed to cover the crossings of the Ancre, but the Germans did not follow up. After a withdrawal to the old British front line of 1916 on 26 March, 17th RF took up positions near
255:
796:(VC). The enemy attempted to capture C Company's 'bombing block' in the sap, but failed, and afterwards 17th RF sent a bombing party up that established a more advanced block. The enemy attacked again at 11.15, concentrating on 17th RF's line, but a brief penetration was driven back with the help of a company of 23rd RF. At 13.00 the battalion reported that its line was secure and that 'the men were really enjoying the novel experience of killing Germans in lumps at point-blank range'. At 15.10 the Germans attacked again after a 25-minute bombardment, but were thrown back with terrible losses. At 16.10 the Germans massed for a final attack from three sides on the block in the Rat's Trail trench, but this concentration was broken up by the divisional artillery. That night 17th RF was relieved by 24th RF and marched back to rejoin 5th Bde in reserve to rest and refit.
1038:. Two platoons of C Company went up to reinforce B Company and the advance was resumed at 18.20 with artillery support, capturing Demicourt and Boursies. The battalion had been advancing for 13 hours, covering some 9,500 yards (8,700 m) at a cost of 52 casualties. Next morning 1st King's passed through 17th RF's outposts and set off to secure the line of the canal and locate the enemy's positions; it only got half-way, bec ause the enemy were much more active, bombing parties driving in the left flank company of 17th RF. 6th Brigade made another attempt to get forward at 22.00 but was held up by Germans defending 'the Spoil Heap' (though they evacuated it later in the night). 6th Brigade was relieved early in the evening of 5 September.
845:, and raids were mounted to gain intelligence of their intentions. On the night of 16/17 March 17th RF sent out a fighting patrol, but it only found a German notice-board. The following night a 12-man party from 17th RF with artillery and mortar support raided the lines opposite 'Anchor Sap' where much enemy movement had been observed. The raiders killed several Germans and came back with their shoulder-straps for identification, together with information on the trench system opposite, for the cost of two casualties. On 20 March the battalion observed enemy staff officers in the front trench and hundreds of enemy troops in full packs and equipment moving up into the trenches. The enemy had been heavily bombarding the Flesquières Salient with
281:, issued his famous call to arms: 'Your King and Country Need You', urging the first 100,000 volunteers to come forward. Men flooded into the recruiting offices and the 'first hundred thousand' were enlisted within days. This group of six divisions with supporting arms became known as Kitchener's First New Army, or 'K1'. The K2, K3 and K4 battalions, brigades and divisions followed soon afterwards. But the flood of volunteers overwhelmed the ability of the Army to absorb them, and the K5 units were largely raised by local initiative rather than at regimental depots, often from men from particular localities or backgrounds who wished to serve together: these were known as '
735:(RE) exploded a defensive mine in front of 5th Bde. Later the enemy were seen to have occupied the crater, so 17th RF was ordered to capture and consolidate it on the night of 11/12 August. An attacking party of 75 men under Maj Hale advanced in two waves at 21.35, preceded by an artillery barrage and supported by six rifle grenadiers. As soon as the attack began the Germans evacuated the crater, which 17th RF was able to wire; the attackers pulled out at 02.45 leaving three posts to hold it. The battalion named it 'Warlingham Crater' after 17th RF's 'birthplace'. By 1 September 2 Division held the Givenchy sector, with 5th Bde in the 'Canal' section; units of the
1050:, part of a coordinated series of attacks all along the Western Front by the Allies. Zero was at 05.20 and 2nd Division, led by 6th Bde, was to cross the canal behind Guards Division and take over the lead if required. By 10.45 17th RF with the brigade trench mortar battery (6th TMB) and a section of 5th Field Company had closed up to the canal at Lock 7 (where it fought the previous December). As they crossed they were bombed by a German aircraft, which scored three direct hits, 17th RF suffering 32 casualties. About 11.40 17th RF and 6th TMB were ordered to move north of Flesquières, ahead of which Guards Division was held up at the
555:, which had already withstood several attacks. 99th Brigade then attacked on 27 July and succeeded in clearing the rest of the wood. Thereafter the wood and the British starting line, including 5th Bde, was subjected to heavy German shelling, making it difficult to get supplies up to the fighting as the Germans threw in fierce counter-attacks. At 17.15 A and B Companies of 17th RF were sent up to reinforce 99th Bde, suffering heavily from this fire on the way up. There was further German shelling and unsuccessful counter-attacks throughout 28 July; 17th RF suffered 118 casualties in these two days, its first offensive action.
888:
isolated when the German attacked out of Velu Wood at 09.35. The first attack was beaten off, but a company of 1st King's was almost annihilated and 17th RF had to rush up two platoons to reinforce it. By 10.45 the brigade line was steadied, with 2nd South Staffs and two companies of 17th RF forming a defensive left flank facing the gap to 5th Bde. A new attack came in immediately, outflanking the division, which had to retire to the Red Line. 5th and 6th
Brigades (99th Bde was detached) retreated, holding back the advancing enemy as best they could. Finding that the Red Line only existed on maps, they continued on,
943:
raided up a sunken road leading across No man's land, and 1st King's was heavily attacked, being replaced by 17th RF that evening. Regular raiding by both sides continued over the following months, with 2nd
Division taking a spell out of the line in the second half of June to train recently arrived US troops. The units slowly recovered their strength. On the night of 28/29 June young soldiers of 17th RF carried out a raid under cover of a barrage by the divisional artillery: the enemy had evacuated their positions, but the officers were impressed with how well the replacements performed their tasks.
1315:
804:. The divisional artillery caused heavy loses to the enemy next day as they advanced to follow up. 17th RF was already holding nearly 2,000 yards (1,800 m) of front, and on 7 December was ordered to establish three outposts 500 yards (460 m) in front of the main line, which it did at dawn next day. The battalion was in constant contact with the enemy and there were bombing engagements and shelling all day, but the battle had finally ended, with 2nd Division holding the main line of resistance that Third Army would retain through the winter.
532:
604:
Green Line) and captured large numbers of prisoners, unlike 6th Bde, which was held up by fog and mud. The support battalions, 17th RF and 2nd OBLI, then advanced towards the Yellow Line, but the OBLI lost direction in the mist and drifted north-west. About 120 men of 17th RF got to the Yellow Line ('Frankfort Trench'), but with both flanks in the air they had to withdraw and by 10.25 the battalion (now about 180 strong) had established a right-angle position along 'Crater Lane Trench' linking 2nd
Division to the neighbouring
719:
attackers went in, with A Battalion in reserve. The brigade got into its objective, Fresnoy Trench and began bombing along it, but once again a neighbouring formation failed in a direct attack on Oppy, leaving the
Composite Bde's flank open. German counter-attacks began at 05.00 and the right and centre had to fall back and companies of A Battalion were sent up to help, but only some of the gains could be held. 2nd Division was relieved that night, 5th Bde marching back to Villers Chapel.
32:
628:. The raiding party consisted of two officers and 34 other ranks (ORs), along with a covering party and stretcher-bearers, and the operation had been practised over taped ground behind the lines. The raiding party, dressed in white camouflage, crawled out at 19.55 and got into position in the snow in front of the wire, then the covering artillery opened intense fire at 20.05 for 3 minutes while two parties with rifle grenades fired into the enemy
56:
73:
473:
787:(the 'Rat's Tail', formerly part of the Hindenburg support line). However, a massive German counter-attack came in on the morning of 30 November. 17th RF was still under 99th Bde, holding the centre of its line, including the Rats Tail. The battalion was in the act of withdrawing from this exposed position when the enemy barrage came down, particularly heavily on 99th Bde. The rearguard platoon in the saphead under Capt
666:
984:. It disposed 1st King's on the left, supported by 17th RF. Although the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the railway just after zero, and four of the tanks broke down, the leading waves of 6th Bde quickly broke down the opposition, capturing Ervillers and consolidating a line beyond it. Companies of 17th RF were deployed to safeguard the open left flank, where the
972:
morning the surprise barrage opened up and 99th Bde attacked through the mist with tank support; 6th Bde remained concentrated ready to move up, but were not needed (however, 17th RF had 92 men put out of action by gas). The follow-up attack was fixed for 23 August: this time all three brigades of 2nd
Division were to pass through 3rd Division after it had secured
699:
726:): 17th RF had a total strength of 23 officers and 252 ORs. Even when it went back to hold the line many of the reinforcements needed additional training (particularly with the rifle), so the frontline strength remained low. The division was unfit for any offensive action for months to come, and was not involved in the
1033:
and six
Whippets. It was not until 13.00 that the cavalry and tanks moved off, but by 14.20 they had reached the Hermies–Demicourt ridge, overlooking the valley beyond which lay the Hindenburg Line and Canal du Nord. At first the adjutant could not find the leading companies of 17th RF to deliver the
930:
about 14.00, with A and B Companies of 17th RF (2 officers and about 100 men) providing a rearguard and collecting stragglers. At this point a brigadier of the neighbouring 51st (H) Division brought orders from V Corps to stand at all costs. With his 100 men, almost out of ammunition, and gathering a
799:
In the following days the exposed
Bourlon Salient, including the line that 2nd Division had defended, was evacuated as Third Army fell back to stronger positions. By the evening of 4 December the division's new covering line was occupied by 5th Bde, with 17th RF holding the right section at Lock 7 on
651:
early on 24 February, and pushed their line forward to occupy the German positions. By 10.00 5th Bde was advancing cautiously through a thick mist without finding the enemy. Next day the divisions were ordered to send out advance guards and regain contact with the
Germans. On 26 February 2nd Division
791:
held up the whole German advance for some time while the rest of the battalion reorganised its line some 500 yards (460 m) back. There were no survivors from the rearguard in the Rat's Tail, but Capt Stone had telephoned back valuable information on the development of the attack. He was awarded
694:
line. On 16 April a patrol from 17th RF reconnoitred the wire in front of this line; it met and fought an enemy patrol and only one man got away, but his report showed the wire to be thick and unbroken. 5th Brigade was relieved by 6th Bde on 18/19 April, but was back in the line on 28 April when the
616:
parties, inflicting heavy losses on 5th Bde; 17th RF lost 187 men. The battalion held onto the advanced positions during the night, then 99th Bde went through next day but failed in an attempt to capture 'Munich Trench'. 2nd Division was relieved on 15 November and moved into the back areas to refit
1076:
Trench beyond. They could not hold it under intense machine gun fire, but they clung onto their position across the canal for the night. At 03.00 a counter-attack against the neighbouring division swept some of the fusiliers back, but 17th RF held on until 99th Bde advanced next morning. At 10.50 a
816:
Salient) through the winter, though the trenches were strengthened as much as possible by the troops in the line. On 21 December D Company of 17th RF fought off a raid by inexperienced German troops who forgot to pull the strings of their stick grenades before throwing them. On 3/4 January 1918 2nd
1104:
began on 17 October, and on 19 October 2nd Division closed up to join in. It was now organised into semi-independent Brigade Groups with their own support troops. The division was ordered to pass through Guards Division and attack on 23 October. 5th Brigade Group carried out the 23 October attack,
1092:
and establishing positions on the Green Line, with a left defensive flank. Due to a lack of bombs, the battalion had not been able to 'mop up' all the dugouts it had bypassed; the CO borrowed a company and some pack animals carrying bombs and ammunition from 23rd RF, and the fusiliers proceeded to
862:
in the salient were retreating towards their rear position or 'Green Line', which was wired but had only been dug about 3 feet (0.91 m) deep. On 23 March 17th RF was moved up from reserve to the Green Line, 'standing to' at 02.00, expecting an immediate attack. Lieutenant-Col Weston, now 17th
594:
sector on 30 September. 5th Brigade was divisional reserve and continued training for an attack scheduled for mid-October, rehearsing the attack against dummy trenches. However the attack was repeatedly postponed due to bad weather, the front line and communication trenches filling with water. The
1305:
surrounded by a garter with the motto 'Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense' superimposed on the 'bomb' of the grenade. When it comprised four RF battalions as part of 33rd Division, 99th Bde adopted coloured cloth 'grenade' badges sewn onto the back of the uniform to identify individual battalions: 17th RF
971:
Ridge in front of their positions. 99th Brigade was to carry out the initial assault, so on 17/18 August it was relieved by 6th Bde in order to rehearse the operation. On the evening of 20 August 99th Bde returned to the line, while 17th RF went back to the 'Stork' support trenches. At 04.55 next
656:
Trench in strength. The pursuit having been brought to a halt, it became clear that a set-piece attack was necessary to take Grévillers Trench, and it would be some time before the artillery could move up over the roads destroyed by the retreating enemy. 99th Brigade finally made the attack on 10
1071:
Willan of 6th Bde suggested to 17th RF's CO that it might be possible to get across the water obstacles by floating a raft down the river under the canal arches, and then landing on the far (east) bank of the canal. The REs made a raft and D Compay with a platoon of B Company made the attempt at
942:
6th Brigade was relieved on 3/4 April and went for rest and training, absorbing a few reinforcements, but the rest was short and it was back in the line south of Arras on 15 April. Both side's positions were poorly developed, with few communication trenches. The day after its arrival 6th Bde was
730:
that summer. In June the division moved to the BĂ©thune sector where both sides carried out frequent trench raids: C Company of 17th RF, holding 'Death or Glory Sap', was raided by two German parties just after midnight on 4 July, but they were driven off. On 10 August a tunnelling company of the
685:
on 9 April; 2nd Division took over part of the line in a snowstorm on 11 April, with 17th RF in brigade reserve holding the captured German trenches. The division began improving its positions, but the Germans soon withdrew from the vulnerable villages beneath the ridge and fell back to stronger
603:
at 05.45. 5th Brigade attacked with 24th RF and 2nd HLI, 17th RF supporting the HLI, each man wearing a patch of red material on his haversack to aid recognition from the air. Another mine was blown at Cat Street in front of the brigade, which gained its initial objective ('Beaumont Trench', the
577:
as well as field and heavy artillery. 99th Brigade was to carry out the first assault, and 5th and 6th Bdes to begin theirs after the blowing of a mine at 'Cat Street' at midnight. 99th Brigade's attack was cancelled, but parties from 17th RF and 2nd HLI dashed forward after the mine explosion.
1058:
Trench and Support. It attacked behind a barrage and a smokescreen and captured the Graincourt line, but the Guards had not secured Premy Chapel on the flank and no further advance towards Caintaing was possible. 2nd Division was ordered to attack Caintaing next morning and then go on to seize
1029:
attackers encountered no opposition, occupying the objective by 06.30 having advanced about 5,000 yards (4,600 m). V Corps realised that the enemy had retired and at 10.00 ordered the divisions to form advanced guards and follow up. Pereira ordered 6th Bde forward with a squadron from the
254:
1293:. Here its role was purely as a training battalion, large numbers of untrained men being posted to it, though many were too old or unfit. Nevertheless, it sent 1600–1800 trained men overseas before being disbanded on 18 November 1943, many of the remaining personnel going to 11th and 12th RF.
1117:
for rest. After a short spell in the front line, when little happened except some desultory shelling, 2nd Division was again relieved, but not before 17th and 24th RF had carried out the division's last actions of the war. On the night of 30 October–1 November both battalions raided the enemy
887:
because Third Army was forced to evacuate that town during the day. 17th RF began the day in reserve behind 6th Bde, formed up in two lines, each of two companies. 2nd Division had been ordered to begin evacuating the Bertincourt Salient at 09.15, but 5th Bde went back too far, so 6th Bde was
824:
By early 1918 the BEF was suffering a manpower crisis. Brigades were reduced from four to three battalions, and surplus war-formed battalions were broken up to provide reinforcements for others. Within 2nd Division 6th Bde lost two battalions in this way and 17th RF was transferred to it on 6
1028:
began well, and although 6th Bde was ordered up at 11.00 it was not engaged. That night 2nd Division relieved 62nd with orders to continue the attack on 3 September. It advanced at 05.20 with 6th Bde on the right, A and B Companies of 17th RF leading, with artillery and tank support. Yet the
718:
consisting of one composite company from each of 5th Bde's battalions. The rest of 5th Bde held the line until the night of 1/2 May, when the composite brigade took over the line. Just before 'Zero' (03.45) on 3 May, the enemy put down an artillery barrage on the forming-up position, but the
1045:
on 11 September was carried out by 5th Bde, which was then relieved by 6th Bde on 13/14 September. The whole of 2nd Division was relieved two nights later and went into VI Corps Reserve, with 6th Bde at Ervillers. It went back up to Demicourt and Doignies on 26 September to prepare for the
908:
line, leaving a rearguard on the road. 17th RF was the last unit to retire after fighting a stubborn rearguard action. On the night of 24 March 17th and 24th RF assembled just east of Ligny-Thilloy, and as they had broken contact with the enemy were able to march back along the
992:. However, it was a moonlit night and the enemy was very active, so it made little progress. The following afternoon 99th Bde took Mory Copse employing a set-piece attack with tanks behind a barrage. 6th Brigade was to follow up with an attack on the ridge between
1019:
commanding 2nd Division now arranged that each battalion would have at least a battery of the divisional field artillery attached to it with a liaison officer who could call down fire support if the infantry met opposition. VI Corps attacked again at the
1260:
airfields. However, 47th Division had been placed on a 'lower establishment', indicating that it was unlikely to be sent overseas; instead its units sent drafts of reinforcements to battalions serving abroad. In October 1942 the battalion transferred to
400:
and were formed into 27th (Reserve) Battalion, commanded by Lt-Col Innes from the 22nd RF. The 32nd (East Ham) Battalion, RF, was formed in October 1915 and eventually its reserve companies also joined 27th (R) Bn. In November the battalion moved to
1077:
report reached battalion HQ that the enemy was retiring from the canal, and soon afterwards 17th RF was able to push on and secure Marcoing Trench. Later that day 5th Field Company began laying bridges, and 17th RF could withdraw to billets in
624:. There was little hostile activity, but much effort was expended to improve the positions. On 5/6 February 5 Bde relieved 99th Bde in the front line, and on the evening of 11 February 17th RF carried out a raid on 'Desire Support Trench' near
445:. BEF policy was to even up the experience between its New Army and Regular Army formations by exchanging brigades and then distributing the experienced Regular battalions through the New Army formations. On 25 November 99th Bde moved to
867:
retreated through it at 14.00, making it the front line, but it was not until 16.50 that the enemy were seen entering Velu Wood and soon afterwards shells began bursting all over the division's rear areas. The Germans were already in
713:
2nd Division was required to make a further attack in the Oppy area on 3 May. It was so weak that for this operation it formed four composite battalions each about 400 strong, with A Battalion under Lt-Col S.V.P. Weston of the 1st
317:, but the WO indicated that cavalry was not required. Instead, on 30 August the BEC was authorised to raise an infantry battalion and began recruitment next day. The complete battalion was recruited in 10 days and assigned to the
925:
to the north fell, and 2nd Division was out of touch with its neighbours to the south. At 13.10 the Germans began pushing through Le Sars and advancing on Courcelette under cover of smoke. 2nd Division began to pull back to
599:) was finally made on 13 November. On 2nd Division's front the initial assault was made by 5th and 6th Bdes, which formed up at 04.00 in front of the mud-filled trenches and then advanced along Redan Ridge behind a
391:
The two reserve companies of the 17th RF remained at Warlingham when the battalion departed for Clipstone Camp in June 1915. In August they joined the reserve companies of the 22nd (Kensington) battalion at
857:
when the German offensive was launched next morning. It made rapid progress against the flanks of the salient, endangering the communications of the troops holding it. By the end of 22 March the troops of
1118:
positions. At 02.00 an officer and 25 men of 17th RF attacked La Folie Farm, capturing two German officers and 7 ORs, who were found in a cellar and offered no resistance. 6th Brigade then went back to
1306:
wore these in red. 2nd Division did not employ such 'battle flashes'. 2nd Division's formation sign was a black oval with three 8-pointed stars, the centre one red, flanked by two smaller white stars.
569:
This sector was quieter, but there was still considerable mine warfare, shelling and raiding. On the night of 14/15 September 2nd Division carried out a series of large raids as a diversion from the
364:
360:
988:
was held up, and the battalion captured five German field guns. 5th and 99th Brigades had not done so well, nevertheless 6th Bde was ordered to push forward alone that night and occupy the ridge at
2927:
562:
on 30–31 July, then after a short rest it supported 6th Bde in another attack on Guillemont on 8–9 August, but on neither occasion was 17th RF directly engaged. The division then moved to the
2922:
457:. Then on 13 December it exchanged two Royal Fusiliers Pals battalions for Regular battalions from 2nd Division, so that the 17th (Empire) and 24th (2nd Sportsman's) battalions were now in
996:
and Mory, but when 17th RF went forward at 17.05 it came under enfilade fire and was forced to dig in. While 6th and 99th Bdes were withdrawn that night, 5th Bde captured BĂ©hagnies and
356:
582:, which prevented 2nd HLI from getting into their trenches; although 17th RF's parties got into the trench in two places they found then unoccupied and had to return empty-handed.
853:
shells and so many men were out of action that 2nd Division was relieved on the night of 20/21 March (on 22 March 17th RF only had 16 officers and 428 ORs). It was in reserve at
1252:. In 1942 the division moved to the Hampshire & Dorset District, where as well as carrying out intensive training 17th RF was given a counter-attack role in the defence of
779:. The following evening 99th Bde sent 22nd RF to help a neighbouring division, and 17th RF came up from reserve to replace it. On 29 November 99th Bde cut off part of an enemy
1501:
543:) opened on 1 July, and on 15 July 2nd Division was withdrawn from the Vimy front for training. On 20 July it was sent south to join in the offensive and on 25 July relieved
620:
On 13 January 1917 2nd Division. returned to the Somme front, taking over a line of individual posts on the Ancre Heights facing Petit Miraumont. 17th RF was in reserve at
2700:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1947/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1993, ISBN 1-870423-06-2/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2021, ISBN 978-1-78331-624-3.
1067:. The barrage fell on Caintaing Trench and Support at 05.15 and when it started creeping forwards 10 minutes later 6th Bde followed, meeting no opposition. About 11.00
2917:
657:
March, and the Germans resumed their retreat to the Hindenburg Line on 14 March. 2nd Division was squeezed out of the line by the converging advance on 18 March.
462:
739:
were interspersed between those of 2nd Division for their introduction to trench warfare. The sector was quiet apart from the regular use of gas by both sides.
2775:, London: Macmillan, 1938/Imperial War Museum & Battery Press, 1992, ISBN 0-89839-169-5/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2005, ISBN 978-1-84574-721-3.
921:. 17th RF took the left of the line next to 51st (H) Division. On 25 March they met the advancing Germans with rifle and machine gun fire, but Grévillers and
632:. The raiders having crawled forward while this bombardment was carried out, then rushed forward and jumped into the enemy trench. They found and bombed four
488:
by the experienced units. 17th RF was temporarily commanded by Maj C.G. Higgins from 2nd OBLI. From 30 December to 25 January 1916 the division trained round
2678:, London: Macmillan, 1935/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1995, ISBN 0-89839-219-5/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84574-725-1.
2757:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1960/London: London Stamp Exchange, 1990, ISBN 0-948130-03-2/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2003, ISBN 1-843424-74-6.
1093:
round up the prisoners. 17th RF's casualties had been slight. Next day the Guards Division passed through to continue pursuing the defeated Germans to the
1088:
on 8 October. It supported 99th Bde's initial attack, then 17th RF passed through to take the second objective (the Green Line) in the evening, capturing
976:
during the night. The division assembled on the Ablainzevelle Ridge at 08.00 and moved up to the railway before Zero hour at 11.00. 6th Brigade, with six
1189:
636:
and took back 7 prisoners at a cost of 13 casualties. Later in the month, 99th and 6th Bdes attacked Desire Support Trench in a bloody little action.
430:
318:
1329:
A memorial tablet to the 565 members of all ranks of the 17th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers who died in 1914–19 is adjacent to the pulpit in
1072:
dusk. The raft was not a success, being unable to pass under the arches, but the fusiliers got across the canal bridge and even gained a footing in
1274:
1113:
on 24 October, but as the Germans were retreating rapidly it was not needed before 2nd Division was relieved. 17th RF and Brigade HQ settled into
515:. 2nd Division was ordered up from reserve in buses and lorries, thereafter holding the line until mid-July while subsequent mines were blown,
450:
203:
114:
1196:
Infantry Bn when that unit was disembodied. 17th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Empire) was disbanded on 26 October 1919 on the Rhine.
1054:
line. The brigade then passed through the Guards, 1st King's and 2nd South Staffs capturing Orival Wood, then 6th Bde was ordered to capture
302:
278:
2722:, London: Macmillan, 1940/London: Imperial War Museum & Battery Press/Uckfield: Naval and Military Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84574-722-0.
507:
On 21 May the Germans put in a major attack on the British positions on Vimy Ridge, preceded by a heavy bombardment and the explosion of a
755:, expecting to join the fighting there. However, that offensive was ending, and on 18 November the division began moving south to join
1030:
1257:
1034:
orders, but they followed up at 14.30, sustaining a few casualties from shellfire, until they were held up by machine gun fire from
1021:
1000:(its original objectives for 23 August) in a surprise attack early next morning, completing the division's tasks. 6th Brigade then
2082:
900:
and V Corps ordered a further retirement, so 2nd Division sent its two brigades (now only about 1000 strong in total) back to the
329:
to begin its training, where it was clothed, equipped and hutted by the efforts of the BEC. Its first Commanding Officer (CO) was
2570:
1356:
1253:
985:
266:
935:
which marked the end of Third Army's retreat. Although fighting continued until 30 March, the battalion was left undisturbed in
570:
1367:
1270:
1266:
1233:
1025:
520:
639:
Shortly after the action at Miraumont, while 5th Bde was preparing to renew the attack, the Germans began retreating to their
289:(WO). One such unit was raised by the 'British Empire Committee' (BEC) of 60 Victoria Street, London. Under the leadership of
736:
352:
306:
826:
590:
2nd Division was relieved on 19 September and after resting and training in Corps Reserve it went back into the line in the
1084:
6th Brigade did not take part in 2nd Division's attack on Mont sur l'Oeuvre on 1 October, but was back in the line for the
1278:
1051:
544:
454:
348:
2907:
504:. It spent the next two months in this area, alternating spells in the line with training and providing working parties.
285:'. The 'Pals' phenomenon quickly spread across the country, as local recruiting committees offered complete units to the
1337:
1318:
1193:
830:
512:
458:
939:
and suffered comparatively lightly during the shelling. On 30 March its strength stood at only 10 officers and 481 ORs
497:
413:. On 1 September 1916 the Local Reserve battalions were transferred to the Training Reserve and 27th (R) Bn RF became
1390:
At the request of the WO, the BEC went on to raise 153rd (Empire) Brigade and 154th (Empire) Howitzer Brigade of the
1047:
968:
873:
756:
674:
612:. During the initial attack casualties had been light, but then the enemy reacted with machine gun fire, snipers, and
492:, then returned to the BĂ©thune sector, where the battalions began rotating between front line and reserve trenches at
434:
417:, though the training staff retained their Royal Fusiliers badges. The battalion was disbanded on 14 December 1917 at
207:
2750:, London: Samson Books, 1978, ISBN 0-906304-03-2/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, ISBN 978-1-84342-197-9.
2654:
History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 3b: New Army Divisions (30–41) and 63rd (R.N.) Division
1262:
1229:
1145:
After the Armistice 2nd Division was selected to be part of the Army of Occupation, and 6th Bde Group closed up to
1068:
274:
1554:
1370:. He (together with a brother also killed in action during the war) is commemorated on a Stone family memorial in
531:
1675:
1174:
1009:
863:
RF's CO, was appointed outpost commander for 6th Bde. The Green line was heavily shelled at 10.00 and 13.00, and
609:
1314:
2912:
2902:
2689:, London: Macmillan, 1939/Uckfield: Imperial War Museum and Naval & Military, 2009, ISBN 978-1-845747-28-2.
1085:
864:
859:
854:
715:
605:
290:
227:
171:
146:
309:
Lionel Herbert (secretary), the committee first thought of forming a mounted regiment along the lines of the
1583:
1355:, the division's peacetime base: a cross at the junction of Hospital Road and Knollys Road, a tablet in the
960:
884:
842:
727:
552:
466:
235:
150:
2798:
1126:
956:
768:
678:
330:
239:
223:
211:
154:
142:
1181:
and returned home. However, 17th and 23rd RF were selected to form 124th Bde in the new London Division.
1391:
1348:
on the boundary of the City of London. A panel on the back of the pedestal lists all the RF battalions.
1286:
1042:
977:
952:
788:
783:
penetrating into its line, leaving the line fairly secure, apart from an advanced sap leading deep into
621:
548:
337:
892:
Gibson of 17th RF carrying a wounded man on his shoulders, until about 15.00 they reached the Bapaume–
2786:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1948/Uckfield: Naval and Military Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84574724-4.
2755:
Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945
2667:
2614:
2539:
936:
905:
559:
406:
310:
2656:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1939/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-41-X.
2649:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1938/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-41-X.
2642:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1934/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-38-X.
1359:, and a set of memorial gates to 1st and 2nd Divisions. There is also a memorial to 2nd Division in
1024:
on 2 September. 2nd Division in reserve assigned 6th Bde to move forward if required. The attack by
1192:, (a former training battalion from the UK) on 3 April, and later the remaining personnel of 1/1st
1101:
1078:
1055:
989:
691:
600:
596:
540:
501:
219:
215:
195:
138:
134:
76:
2093:
1394:(authorised on 1 February 1915) and 204th Field Company and 39th Divisional Signal Company of the
681:, for which it underwent intensive training. The offensive began well with a successful attack at
31:
1371:
1352:
1225:
1209:
869:
780:
706:
644:
880:
with gaps on either flank, while many of the men were still suffering from the effects of gas.
821:. It returned to the La Vacquerie sector on 22/23 January, occupying wet and exposed trenches.
2789:
893:
889:
687:
341:
2803:
Always a Fusilier: The War History of The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 1939–1945
2640:
History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 1: The Regular British Divisions
1178:
1064:
784:
633:
243:
1177:: 2nd Division was converted into the Light Division and most of its units were reduced to
2647:
History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 3a: New Army Divisions (9–26)
1395:
1001:
751:
area for intensive training. In early November it was moved behind Ypres, with 5th Bde at
732:
640:
380:
375:, where 33rd Division was concentrating. At the beginning of August the division moved to
372:
314:
282:
72:
22:
2603:
2592:
2581:
2559:
2517:
1228:
and erecting barbed wire. On 24 October it was converted into infantry and assigned to
1217:
1185:
1119:
932:
813:
793:
686:
positions, 2nd Division following up to Hill 80 on 13/14 April. Here it was facing the
516:
508:
485:
418:
333:
231:
191:
86:
61:
2528:
1122:. Over the next few days it followed the advance of Third Army as a reserve division.
519:
carried out, and the Germans mortared and shelled the positions, including the use of
472:
2896:
1366:
The body of Capt Walter Stone, VC, was never recovered and he is commemorated on the
1134:
1016:
973:
964:
927:
910:
901:
801:
653:
579:
574:
376:
298:
347:
The battalion was assigned to 120th Brigade of 40th Division, which were renumbered
2881:
1322:
1290:
1282:
1205:
1162:
1110:
1060:
818:
763:. This succeeded in breaching the Hindenburg Line, but heavy fighting continued in
294:
270:
258:
175:
993:
665:
563:
558:
Part of 5th Bde was engaged in the failed first attack from Waterlot Farm towards
2851:
2841:
1129:
brought hostilities to an end on 11 November, 2nd Division was billeted north of
2711:
1345:
1341:
1150:
1094:
877:
850:
648:
591:
199:
1330:
1302:
1130:
1089:
817:
Division was relieved and went back for rest and training, with 5th Bde round
752:
682:
446:
322:
286:
722:
By now 2nd Division's units were very weak ('bled white' in the words of the
429:
On 4 November 1915, 33rd Division was ordered to move to France, to join the
1146:
1106:
997:
981:
922:
698:
625:
493:
442:
410:
368:
367:
service battalions of the Royal Fusiliers. In June the battalions moved to
1165:
and entering Germany on 9 December, reaching its assigned station between
759:. Two days later Third Army launched a surprise attack with tanks towards
1249:
1237:
1166:
1158:
1073:
1035:
846:
438:
409:(an all-Royal Fusiliers brigade), and in April 1916 the brigade moved to
265:
On 6 August 1914, less than 48 hours after Britain's declaration of war,
96:
2856:, Vol 2, London: Nelson, 1922/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2002
2846:, Vol 1, London: Nelson, 1921/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2002
1173:
on 27 December. In February orders were issued for the formation of the
1161:
on 18 November. The division proceeded by slow stages, marching through
812:
Nevertheless, Third Army remained in a relatively exposed position (the
1213:
1170:
1114:
918:
897:
776:
772:
764:
760:
629:
613:
573:. These were preceded by discharges of gas and intense bombardments by
481:
393:
321:
as its 17th (Service) Battalion. On 12 September the battalion went to
2780:
History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1917
2769:
History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1916
2716:
History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1917
2694:
History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918
2683:
History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918
2672:
History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918
963:
on 8 August. On 14 August 2nd Division received orders to capture the
2876:
2838:, 3rd Edn, London: Arms & Armour Press, 1978, ISBN 0-85368-162-7.
1241:
1097:, while 2nd Division returned to the Canal du Nord in Corps Reserve.
1005:
748:
489:
402:
397:
326:
124:
2288:, Vol IV, pp. 185–7, 221, 225–7, 254–6, 274–5, Sketches 10 & 14.
2886:
767:
Wood. On the evening of 26 November 2nd Division relieved units of
647:). Patrols from 17th RF discovered this on 2nd Division's front at
2199:, Vol I, pp. 131, 248–9, 299, 303–4, 372, 375–80, Sketch 4, 5, 17.
1313:
1245:
1221:
1154:
697:
664:
530:
500:. On 28 February 2nd Division relieved a French division south of
471:
253:
2868:
2729:, Vol I, Wakefield: Microform Academic, 1984, ISBN 1-85117-007-3.
2720:
The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of Arras
2663:, London: Frederick Muller, 1968/Star, 1981, ISBN 0-352-30833-8.
1360:
1105:
99th then attacked the next day, while 6th Bde Gp stayed in the
2692:
Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds & Lt-Col R. Maxwell-Hyslop,
1530:
War Office Instruction No 56 of September 1915, Appendix VIII.
1417:
War Office Instructions No 32 (6 August) and No 37 (7 August).
1363:
at the site of the medieval palace of the Archbishop of York.
1301:
The cap badge of the Royal Fusiliers was a 'grenade' with the
914:
1521:
War Office Instruction No 56 of September 1915, Appendix VII.
1512:
War Office Instruction No 56 of September 1915, Appendix IX.
1351:
There are three memorials to 2nd Division in World War I in
841:
It was anticipated that the Germans would soon launch their
2829:
Instructions Issued by The War Office During September 1915
2743:, Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84884-247-2.
441:
and by 21 November the whole division had concentrated at
355:
in May 1915. This brigade consisted of the 17th (Empire),
2823:
Instructions Issued by The War Office During August, 1914
775:–Cambrai road, with 5th Bde in divisional reserve around
484:
sector, where the raw Pals battalions were introduced to
673:
On 24 March 2nd Division began travelling north to join
2687:
8th August–26th September: The Franco-British Offensive
747:
2nd Division was relieved on 7 October and went to the
269:
sanctioned an increase of 500,000 men for the Regular
2812:, Hertford: Authors Online, 2005, ISBN 0-7552-0186-8.
2762:
London Cemeteries: An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer
2741:
The Kensington Battalion: Never Lost a Yard of Trench
2705:
World War One British Army Corps and Divisional Signs
2928:
Military units and formations disestablished in 1919
2882:
Historic England, National Heritage List for England
2773:
2nd July 1916 to the End of the Battles of the Somme
2698:
26th September–11th November, The Advance to Victory
1340:, with its bronze figure of a Fusilier sculpted by
1212:battalion. It formed on 9 March (or 1 May) 1940 at
551:. 5th and 99th Brigades relieved the troops facing
188:
17th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Empire),
165:
160:
130:
120:
110:
102:
92:
82:
67:
49:
41:
20:
511:. The attack overwhelmed the forward positions of
2923:Military units and formations established in 1914
523:, but 5th Bde was not engaged in heavy fighting.
2676:The German March Offensive and its Preliminaries
1015:With the return of semi-mobile warfare, Maj-Gen
876:were squeezed into a small square salient round
2734:Infantry Divisions, Identification Schemes 1917
2412:, Vol V, pp. 336–8, 378–9, 389, 391, Sketch 27.
1188:, 17th RF was kept up to strength by absorbing
578:However, the mine had not destroyed the German
1818:, Vol II, pp. 163, 178–9, Sketches 21, 22, 24.
883:The fighting of 24 March became known as the
463:Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
2854:The History of the Second Division, 1914–1918
2844:The History of the Second Division, 1914–1918
2764:, History Press, 2013, ISBN 978-0-75249690-0.
2727:Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978
2390:, Vol V, pp. 149, 152, 206–8, 222, Sketch 16.
1204:A new 17th Royal Fusiliers was raised during
825:February 1918, where it served alongside 1st
8:
2736:, Wokingham: Military History Society, 2016.
2707:, Wokingham: Military History Society, 2018.
2429:
2427:
2319:, Vol IV, pp. 409, 419, 441, 449, Sketch 24.
2239:, Vol I, pp. 420–9, 476–80, Sketches 17, 18.
2078:
2076:
1703:
1701:
535:An abandoned German trench in Delville Wood.
2887:Imperial War Museum, War Memorials Register
1986:
1984:
1438:
1436:
1434:
1432:
913:road and join 6th Bde in positions between
261:'s recruitment poster for Kitchener's Army.
2877:Commonwealth War Graves Commission records
2450:
2448:
2217:Wyrall, pp. 528–31, 542-3, 547–52, 559–60.
1671:
1669:
1667:
1665:
1663:
1661:
1659:
1657:
1627:
1625:
1623:
1621:
1619:
1617:
1615:
1613:
1611:
1550:
1548:
1538:
1536:
30:
1655:
1653:
1651:
1649:
1647:
1645:
1643:
1641:
1639:
1637:
1609:
1607:
1605:
1603:
1601:
1599:
1597:
1595:
1593:
1591:
480:2nd Division was holding the line in the
319:Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
2350:, Vol V, pp. 37–9, 50, 119–20, Sketch 6.
2137:
2135:
1978:Wyrall, pp. 397, 400–15, 417–21, 429–34.
1240:, then guarding the invasion-threatened
566:sector, with 17th RF in the front line.
242:, when it made a daring crossing of the
2918:Military units and formations in London
1497:
1495:
1493:
1491:
1489:
1465:
1463:
1461:
1459:
1457:
1410:
1383:
2817:The Original British Army of the Rhine
1479:
1477:
1475:
17:
2825:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1916.
2615:Historic England, NHLE entry 1257919.
2571:Historic England, NHLE entry 1393803.
2540:Historic England, NHLE entry 1064638.
1584:Training Reserve at Long, Long Trail.
7:
2836:Badges of the British Army 1820–1960
2792:The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War
1502:Royal Fusiliers at Long, Long Trail.
1273:, then in December 1942 it moved to
1153:before beginning its advance to the
872:, and by the end of 23 March 2 and
437:. On 17 November 17th RF landed at
230:(where one of its officers won the
2472:Joslen, pp. 41, 77, 235, 238, 329.
1555:33rd Division at Long, Long Trail.
14:
2760:Hugh Meller & Brian Parsons,
2703:Clive Elderton & Gary Gibbs,
2257:Wyrall, pp. 560–6, 570–1, 576–89.
1676:2nd Division at Long, Long Trail.
896:road. However, the enemy were in
2421:Wyrall, pp. 678–81, 685, 688–92.
2306:Wyrall, pp. 610–2, 615–9, 622–7.
2052:, Vol III, pp. 215–7, Sketch 15.
1778:, Vol II, pp. 157–60, Sketch 20.
1398:(authorised on 2 February 1915).
1279:48th Infantry (Reserve) Division
461:with the highly experienced 2nd
415:103rd Training Reserve Battalion
71:
54:
36:Cap badge of the Royal Fusiliers
2831:, London: HM Stationery Office.
2681:Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds,
1368:Cambrai Memorial to the Missing
1333:, where the battalion trained.
1234:47th (London) Infantry Division
1031:Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
1026:62nd (2nd West Riding) Division
2408:Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop,
2386:Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop,
2346:Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop,
1951:, Vol I, pp. 288, 349, 418–20.
1331:All Saints' Church, Warlingham
1022:Battle of Drocourt-Quéant Line
737:Portuguese Expeditionary Corps
539:That summer's 'Big Push' (the
476:2nd Division's formation sign.
336:, MP, a former officer in the
45:31 August 1914–26 October 1919
1:
2083:Walter Stone at CWGC Records.
1041:2nd Division's attack at the
1012:support division for a week.
379:for final battle training on
210:from November 1915 until the
2805:, London: Sampson Low, 1949.
2508:Elderton & Gibbs, p. 19.
1725:Wyrall, Vol I, pp. 247, 252.
1426:Becke, Pt 3a, pp. 2 & 8.
1338:Royal Fusiliers War Memorial
1319:Royal Fusiliers War Memorial
1194:Honourable Artillery Company
874:63rd (Royal Naval) Divisions
831:South Staffordshire Regiment
513:47th (1/2nd London) Division
1907:Wyrall, pp. 357–60, 363–71.
1858:, Vol II, pp. 494–7, 507–8.
1048:Battle of the Canal du Nord
827:King's (Liverpool Regiment)
571:Battle of Flers–Courcelette
431:British Expeditionary Force
2944:
2794:, London: Heinemann, 1922.
1263:140th (4th London) Brigade
1230:141st (5th London) Brigade
279:Earl Kitchener of Khartoum
275:Secretary of State for War
21:17th (Service) Battalion,
2748:British Regiments 1914–18
2490:Wilkinson, Figs 153, 327.
2399:Wyrall, pp. 665–7, 670–3.
1707:Wyrall, Vol I, pp. 245–6.
1184:As time-expired men were
1175:British Army of the Rhine
29:
2481:Parkinson, pp. 16, 61–7.
2337:Wyrall, pp. 628, 635–42.
2297:O'Neill, pp. 291, 296–8.
2070:Wyrall, pp. 471–89, 501.
2030:Wyrall, pp. 444, 447–72.
865:17th (Northern) Division
716:Royal Berkshire Regiment
703:Oppy Wood, 1917. Evening
606:51st (Highland) Division
449:where it transferred to
387:27th (Reserve) Battalion
250:Recruitment and training
194:' recruited as part of '
2858:ISBN 978-1-84342-334-8.
2848:ISBN 978-1-84342-333-1.
2275:Blaxland, pp. 204, 208.
2186:Blaxland, pp. 58–9, 66.
1574:Inglis, pp. 39–40, 186.
1542:Becke, Pt 3b, pp. 31–9.
1220:and was sent to defend
1008:as 2nd Division became
885:First Battle of Bapaume
837:German Spring Offensive
610:captured Beaumont-Hamel
467:Highland Light Infantry
236:German spring offensive
214:, seeing action on the
151:German spring offensive
2799:C. Northcote Parkinson
1969:O'Neill, pp. 166, 170.
1631:Becke, Pt 1, pp. 41–7.
1326:
1127:Armistice with Germany
957:Hundred Days Offensive
947:Hundred Days Offensive
769:36th (Ulster) Division
710:
670:
669:Oppy Wood from the air
536:
477:
433:(BEF) fighting on the
365:24th (2nd Sportsman's)
361:23rd (1st Sportsman's)
273:. The newly appointed
262:
240:Hundred Days Offensive
155:Hundred Days Offensive
2810:British War Memorials
2784:The Battle of Cambrai
2625:Meller & Parsons.
2111:, Vol III, pp. 262–7.
1442:Frederick, pp. 287–9.
1392:Royal Field Artillery
1357:Royal Garrison Church
1317:
1190:51st (Service) Bn, RF
1109:area. It moved up to
1043:Battle of Havrincourt
728:Third Ypres Offensive
701:
668:
622:Ovillers-la-Boisselle
534:
475:
338:Royal Field Artillery
257:
202:. It served with the
2871:The Long, Long Trail
2815:Richard A. Rinaldi,
2778:Capt Wilfred Miles,
2767:Capt Wilfred Miles,
2753:Lt-Col H.F. Joslen,
2248:O'Neill, pp. 244–50.
2208:O'Neill, pp. 239–40.
1960:Inglis, pp. 191–200.
1920:, Vol I, pp. 95–108.
1738:, Vol I, pp. 216–23.
1271:12th Royal Fusiliers
677:for the forthcoming
407:24th Reserve Brigade
311:Imperial Light Horse
2368:Wyrall, pp. 649–65.
2359:O'Neill, pp. 313–5.
2328:O'Neill, pp. 303–4.
2159:Inglis, pp. 229–32.
2150:Wyrall, pp. 516–22.
2129:Wyrall, pp. 509–13.
2097:, 13 February 1918.
2061:O'Neill, pp. 216–7.
2039:Inglis, pp. 214–23.
2021:Inglis, pp. 203–14.
2012:Wyrall, pp. 437–44.
1994:, Vol I, pp. 447–8.
1938:Wyrall, pp. 374–96.
1929:O'Neill, pp. 157–8.
1898:Inglis, pp. 169–87.
1889:, Vol I, pp. 76–81.
1876:Wyrall, pp. 301–24.
1867:O'Neill, pp. 145–6.
1845:Inglis, pp. 145–56.
1836:Wyrall, pp. 294–99.
1827:Wyrall, pp. 283–94.
1805:Inglis, pp. 130–42.
1796:Wyrall, pp. 269–83.
1787:O'Neill, pp. 121–4.
1765:Inglis, pp. 115–30.
1747:Inglis, pp. 96–115.
1102:Battle of the Selle
1059:crossings over the
955:launched their own
652:found them holding
597:Battle of the Ancre
541:Battle of the Somme
238:, and in the final
139:Battle of the Ancre
135:Battle of the Somme
2725:J.B.M. Frederick,
2659:Gregory Blaxland,
2604:IWM WMR Ref 30623.
2593:IWM WMR Ref 50247.
2582:IWM WMR Ref 50249.
2560:IWM WMR Ref 50626.
2518:IWM WMR Ref 64509.
2463:Frederick, p. 113.
2433:Wyrall, pp. 692–5.
2266:Wyrall, pp. 590–8.
2003:Inglis, pp. 201–3.
1756:Wyrall, pp. 252–9.
1716:Inglis, pp. 58–95.
1483:O'Neill, pp. 13–4.
1451:Inglis, pp. 13–24.
1372:Greenwich Cemetery
1327:
1224:harbour, building
1133:, with 6th Bde at
711:
671:
645:Operation Alberich
537:
478:
263:
2746:Brig E.A. James,
2529:IWM WMR Ref 2125.
2377:Blaxland, p. 247.
1686:Inglis, pp. 51–8.
1565:Inglis, pp. 44–8.
1469:James, pp. 49–50.
1287:Osgodby Moor Camp
1208:, initially as a
1086:Battle of Cambrai
1069:Brigadier-General
906:Eaucourt L'Abbaye
357:22nd (Kensington)
342:Territorial Force
190:(17th RF) was a '
181:
180:
168:the Regiment
147:Battle of Cambrai
2935:
2908:Kitchener's Army
2863:External sources
2852:Everard Wyrall,
2842:Everard Wyrall,
2668:James E. Edmonds
2626:
2623:
2617:
2612:
2606:
2601:
2595:
2590:
2584:
2579:
2573:
2568:
2562:
2557:
2551:
2548:
2542:
2537:
2531:
2526:
2520:
2515:
2509:
2506:
2500:
2497:
2491:
2488:
2482:
2479:
2473:
2470:
2464:
2461:
2455:
2452:
2443:
2442:O'Neill, p. 336.
2440:
2434:
2431:
2422:
2419:
2413:
2406:
2400:
2397:
2391:
2384:
2378:
2375:
2369:
2366:
2360:
2357:
2351:
2344:
2338:
2335:
2329:
2326:
2320:
2313:
2307:
2304:
2298:
2295:
2289:
2282:
2276:
2273:
2267:
2264:
2258:
2255:
2249:
2246:
2240:
2233:
2227:
2226:Blaxland, p. 73.
2224:
2218:
2215:
2209:
2206:
2200:
2193:
2187:
2184:
2178:
2175:
2169:
2168:O'Neill, p. 229.
2166:
2160:
2157:
2151:
2148:
2142:
2141:O'Neill, p. 221.
2139:
2130:
2127:
2121:
2120:O'Neill, p. 219.
2118:
2112:
2105:
2099:
2091:
2085:
2080:
2071:
2068:
2062:
2059:
2053:
2046:
2040:
2037:
2031:
2028:
2022:
2019:
2013:
2010:
2004:
2001:
1995:
1988:
1979:
1976:
1970:
1967:
1961:
1958:
1952:
1945:
1939:
1936:
1930:
1927:
1921:
1914:
1908:
1905:
1899:
1896:
1890:
1883:
1877:
1874:
1868:
1865:
1859:
1852:
1846:
1843:
1837:
1834:
1828:
1825:
1819:
1812:
1806:
1803:
1797:
1794:
1788:
1785:
1779:
1772:
1766:
1763:
1757:
1754:
1748:
1745:
1739:
1732:
1726:
1723:
1717:
1714:
1708:
1705:
1696:
1693:
1687:
1684:
1678:
1673:
1632:
1629:
1586:
1581:
1575:
1572:
1566:
1563:
1557:
1552:
1543:
1540:
1531:
1528:
1522:
1519:
1513:
1510:
1504:
1499:
1484:
1481:
1470:
1467:
1452:
1449:
1443:
1440:
1427:
1424:
1418:
1415:
1399:
1388:
1065:St Quentin Canal
961:Battle of Amiens
843:Spring Offensive
724:Official History
601:creeping barrage
453:in exchange for
244:St Quentin Canal
196:Kitchener's Army
75:
60:
58:
57:
34:
18:
2943:
2942:
2938:
2937:
2936:
2934:
2933:
2932:
2913:Pals battalions
2903:Royal Fusiliers
2893:
2892:
2891:
2865:
2739:G.I.S. Inglis,
2652:Maj A.F. Becke,
2645:Maj A.F. Becke,
2638:Maj A.F. Becke,
2634:
2629:
2624:
2620:
2613:
2609:
2602:
2598:
2591:
2587:
2580:
2576:
2569:
2565:
2558:
2554:
2550:Quinlan, p. 63.
2549:
2545:
2538:
2534:
2527:
2523:
2516:
2512:
2507:
2503:
2498:
2494:
2489:
2485:
2480:
2476:
2471:
2467:
2462:
2458:
2453:
2446:
2441:
2437:
2432:
2425:
2420:
2416:
2407:
2403:
2398:
2394:
2385:
2381:
2376:
2372:
2367:
2363:
2358:
2354:
2345:
2341:
2336:
2332:
2327:
2323:
2314:
2310:
2305:
2301:
2296:
2292:
2283:
2279:
2274:
2270:
2265:
2261:
2256:
2252:
2247:
2243:
2234:
2230:
2225:
2221:
2216:
2212:
2207:
2203:
2194:
2190:
2185:
2181:
2177:Wyrall, p. 523.
2176:
2172:
2167:
2163:
2158:
2154:
2149:
2145:
2140:
2133:
2128:
2124:
2119:
2115:
2106:
2102:
2092:
2088:
2081:
2074:
2069:
2065:
2060:
2056:
2047:
2043:
2038:
2034:
2029:
2025:
2020:
2016:
2011:
2007:
2002:
1998:
1989:
1982:
1977:
1973:
1968:
1964:
1959:
1955:
1946:
1942:
1937:
1933:
1928:
1924:
1915:
1911:
1906:
1902:
1897:
1893:
1884:
1880:
1875:
1871:
1866:
1862:
1853:
1849:
1844:
1840:
1835:
1831:
1826:
1822:
1813:
1809:
1804:
1800:
1795:
1791:
1786:
1782:
1773:
1769:
1764:
1760:
1755:
1751:
1746:
1742:
1733:
1729:
1724:
1720:
1715:
1711:
1706:
1699:
1695:O'Neill, p. 21.
1694:
1690:
1685:
1681:
1674:
1635:
1630:
1589:
1582:
1578:
1573:
1569:
1564:
1560:
1553:
1546:
1541:
1534:
1529:
1525:
1520:
1516:
1511:
1507:
1500:
1487:
1482:
1473:
1468:
1455:
1450:
1446:
1441:
1430:
1425:
1421:
1416:
1412:
1408:
1403:
1402:
1396:Royal Engineers
1389:
1385:
1380:
1312:
1299:
1202:
1157:by marching to
1143:
986:Guards Division
949:
839:
810:
745:
733:Royal Engineers
679:Arras Offensive
663:
641:Hindenburg Line
588:
529:
465:(OBLI) and 2nd
427:
389:
381:Salisbury Plain
373:Nottinghamshire
315:Second Boer War
283:Pals battalions
252:
234:), against the
184:
167:
166:Colonel of
153:
149:
145:
143:Battle of Arras
141:
137:
55:
53:
37:
23:Royal Fusiliers
12:
11:
5:
2941:
2939:
2931:
2930:
2925:
2920:
2915:
2910:
2905:
2895:
2894:
2890:
2889:
2884:
2879:
2874:
2864:
2861:
2860:
2859:
2849:
2839:
2834:F. Wilkinson,
2832:
2826:
2820:
2813:
2808:Mark Quinlan,
2806:
2796:
2790:H.C. O’Neill,
2787:
2776:
2765:
2758:
2751:
2744:
2737:
2732:Mike Hibberd,
2730:
2723:
2708:
2701:
2690:
2679:
2664:
2657:
2650:
2643:
2635:
2633:
2630:
2628:
2627:
2618:
2607:
2596:
2585:
2574:
2563:
2552:
2543:
2532:
2521:
2510:
2501:
2499:Hibberd, p. 6.
2492:
2483:
2474:
2465:
2456:
2444:
2435:
2423:
2414:
2401:
2392:
2379:
2370:
2361:
2352:
2339:
2330:
2321:
2308:
2299:
2290:
2277:
2268:
2259:
2250:
2241:
2228:
2219:
2210:
2201:
2188:
2179:
2170:
2161:
2152:
2143:
2131:
2122:
2113:
2100:
2095:London Gazette
2086:
2072:
2063:
2054:
2041:
2032:
2023:
2014:
2005:
1996:
1980:
1971:
1962:
1953:
1940:
1931:
1922:
1909:
1900:
1891:
1878:
1869:
1860:
1847:
1838:
1829:
1820:
1807:
1798:
1789:
1780:
1767:
1758:
1749:
1740:
1727:
1718:
1709:
1697:
1688:
1679:
1633:
1587:
1576:
1567:
1558:
1544:
1532:
1523:
1514:
1505:
1485:
1471:
1453:
1444:
1428:
1419:
1409:
1407:
1404:
1401:
1400:
1382:
1381:
1379:
1376:
1311:
1308:
1298:
1295:
1218:Northumberland
1201:
1198:
1142:
1141:Post-Armistice
1139:
980:was to attack
948:
945:
933:Beaumont-Hamel
838:
835:
809:
808:Winter 1917–18
806:
794:Victoria Cross
744:
741:
662:
659:
587:
584:
575:Stokes mortars
528:
525:
486:Trench warfare
426:
423:
419:Catterick Camp
388:
385:
369:Clipstone Camp
334:Harland Bowden
251:
248:
232:Victoria Cross
192:Pals battalion
182:
179:
178:
169:
163:
162:
158:
157:
132:
128:
127:
122:
118:
117:
112:
108:
107:
104:
100:
99:
94:
90:
89:
87:Pals battalion
84:
80:
79:
69:
65:
64:
62:United Kingdom
51:
47:
46:
43:
39:
38:
35:
27:
26:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
2940:
2929:
2926:
2924:
2921:
2919:
2916:
2914:
2911:
2909:
2906:
2904:
2901:
2900:
2898:
2888:
2885:
2883:
2880:
2878:
2875:
2873:
2872:
2869:Chris Baker,
2867:
2866:
2862:
2857:
2855:
2850:
2847:
2845:
2840:
2837:
2833:
2830:
2827:
2824:
2821:
2818:
2814:
2811:
2807:
2804:
2800:
2797:
2795:
2793:
2788:
2785:
2781:
2777:
2774:
2770:
2766:
2763:
2759:
2756:
2752:
2749:
2745:
2742:
2738:
2735:
2731:
2728:
2724:
2721:
2717:
2713:
2709:
2706:
2702:
2699:
2695:
2691:
2688:
2684:
2680:
2677:
2673:
2669:
2666:Brig-Gen Sir
2665:
2662:
2658:
2655:
2651:
2648:
2644:
2641:
2637:
2636:
2631:
2622:
2619:
2616:
2611:
2608:
2605:
2600:
2597:
2594:
2589:
2586:
2583:
2578:
2575:
2572:
2567:
2564:
2561:
2556:
2553:
2547:
2544:
2541:
2536:
2533:
2530:
2525:
2522:
2519:
2514:
2511:
2505:
2502:
2496:
2493:
2487:
2484:
2478:
2475:
2469:
2466:
2460:
2457:
2451:
2449:
2445:
2439:
2436:
2430:
2428:
2424:
2418:
2415:
2411:
2405:
2402:
2396:
2393:
2389:
2383:
2380:
2374:
2371:
2365:
2362:
2356:
2353:
2349:
2343:
2340:
2334:
2331:
2325:
2322:
2318:
2312:
2309:
2303:
2300:
2294:
2291:
2287:
2281:
2278:
2272:
2269:
2263:
2260:
2254:
2251:
2245:
2242:
2238:
2232:
2229:
2223:
2220:
2214:
2211:
2205:
2202:
2198:
2192:
2189:
2183:
2180:
2174:
2171:
2165:
2162:
2156:
2153:
2147:
2144:
2138:
2136:
2132:
2126:
2123:
2117:
2114:
2110:
2104:
2101:
2098:
2096:
2090:
2087:
2084:
2079:
2077:
2073:
2067:
2064:
2058:
2055:
2051:
2045:
2042:
2036:
2033:
2027:
2024:
2018:
2015:
2009:
2006:
2000:
1997:
1993:
1987:
1985:
1981:
1975:
1972:
1966:
1963:
1957:
1954:
1950:
1944:
1941:
1935:
1932:
1926:
1923:
1919:
1913:
1910:
1904:
1901:
1895:
1892:
1888:
1882:
1879:
1873:
1870:
1864:
1861:
1857:
1851:
1848:
1842:
1839:
1833:
1830:
1824:
1821:
1817:
1811:
1808:
1802:
1799:
1793:
1790:
1784:
1781:
1777:
1771:
1768:
1762:
1759:
1753:
1750:
1744:
1741:
1737:
1731:
1728:
1722:
1719:
1713:
1710:
1704:
1702:
1698:
1692:
1689:
1683:
1680:
1677:
1672:
1670:
1668:
1666:
1664:
1662:
1660:
1658:
1656:
1654:
1652:
1650:
1648:
1646:
1644:
1642:
1640:
1638:
1634:
1628:
1626:
1624:
1622:
1620:
1618:
1616:
1614:
1612:
1610:
1608:
1606:
1604:
1602:
1600:
1598:
1596:
1594:
1592:
1588:
1585:
1580:
1577:
1571:
1568:
1562:
1559:
1556:
1551:
1549:
1545:
1539:
1537:
1533:
1527:
1524:
1518:
1515:
1509:
1506:
1503:
1498:
1496:
1494:
1492:
1490:
1486:
1480:
1478:
1476:
1472:
1466:
1464:
1462:
1460:
1458:
1454:
1448:
1445:
1439:
1437:
1435:
1433:
1429:
1423:
1420:
1414:
1411:
1405:
1397:
1393:
1387:
1384:
1377:
1375:
1373:
1369:
1364:
1362:
1358:
1354:
1349:
1347:
1343:
1339:
1334:
1332:
1324:
1320:
1316:
1309:
1307:
1304:
1296:
1294:
1292:
1288:
1284:
1280:
1276:
1275:144th Brigade
1272:
1268:
1264:
1259:
1258:Lee-on-Solent
1255:
1251:
1247:
1244:coast around
1243:
1239:
1235:
1231:
1227:
1223:
1219:
1215:
1211:
1207:
1199:
1197:
1195:
1191:
1187:
1182:
1180:
1176:
1172:
1168:
1164:
1160:
1156:
1152:
1148:
1140:
1138:
1136:
1135:Preux-au-Sart
1132:
1128:
1123:
1121:
1116:
1112:
1108:
1103:
1098:
1096:
1091:
1087:
1082:
1080:
1075:
1070:
1066:
1062:
1057:
1053:
1049:
1044:
1039:
1037:
1032:
1027:
1023:
1018:
1017:Cecil Pereira
1013:
1011:
1007:
1003:
999:
995:
991:
987:
983:
979:
978:Whippet tanks
975:
970:
966:
965:Ablainzevelle
962:
958:
954:
946:
944:
940:
938:
934:
929:
928:Auchonvillers
924:
920:
916:
912:
907:
903:
902:Ligny-Thilloy
899:
895:
891:
886:
881:
879:
875:
871:
866:
861:
856:
852:
848:
844:
836:
834:
832:
828:
822:
820:
815:
807:
805:
803:
802:Canal du Nord
797:
795:
792:a posthumous
790:
786:
785:No man's land
782:
778:
774:
770:
766:
762:
758:
754:
750:
742:
740:
738:
734:
729:
725:
720:
717:
708:
704:
700:
696:
693:
689:
684:
680:
676:
667:
660:
658:
655:
650:
646:
642:
637:
635:
631:
627:
623:
618:
615:
611:
607:
602:
598:
593:
585:
583:
581:
576:
572:
567:
565:
561:
556:
554:
553:Delville Wood
550:
546:
542:
533:
526:
524:
522:
518:
514:
510:
505:
503:
499:
495:
491:
487:
483:
474:
470:
468:
464:
460:
456:
452:
448:
444:
440:
436:
435:Western Front
432:
424:
422:
420:
416:
412:
408:
404:
399:
395:
386:
384:
382:
378:
377:Tidworth Camp
374:
370:
366:
362:
358:
354:
353:33rd Division
350:
345:
343:
339:
335:
332:
328:
324:
320:
316:
312:
308:
307:Major-General
304:
300:
299:Herbert Nield
296:
292:
288:
284:
280:
276:
272:
268:
260:
256:
249:
247:
245:
241:
237:
233:
229:
225:
221:
217:
213:
209:
208:Western Front
205:
201:
197:
193:
189:
183:Military unit
177:
173:
170:
164:
159:
156:
152:
148:
144:
140:
136:
133:
129:
126:
123:
119:
116:
113:
109:
106:One Battalion
105:
101:
98:
95:
91:
88:
85:
81:
78:
74:
70:
66:
63:
52:
48:
44:
40:
33:
28:
24:
19:
16:
2870:
2853:
2843:
2835:
2828:
2822:
2816:
2809:
2802:
2791:
2783:
2779:
2772:
2768:
2761:
2754:
2747:
2740:
2733:
2726:
2719:
2715:
2704:
2697:
2693:
2686:
2682:
2675:
2671:
2661:Amiens: 1918
2660:
2653:
2646:
2639:
2621:
2610:
2599:
2588:
2577:
2566:
2555:
2546:
2535:
2524:
2513:
2504:
2495:
2486:
2477:
2468:
2459:
2438:
2417:
2409:
2404:
2395:
2387:
2382:
2373:
2364:
2355:
2347:
2342:
2333:
2324:
2316:
2311:
2302:
2293:
2285:
2280:
2271:
2262:
2253:
2244:
2236:
2231:
2222:
2213:
2204:
2196:
2191:
2182:
2173:
2164:
2155:
2146:
2125:
2116:
2108:
2103:
2094:
2089:
2066:
2057:
2049:
2044:
2035:
2026:
2017:
2008:
1999:
1991:
1974:
1965:
1956:
1948:
1943:
1934:
1925:
1917:
1912:
1903:
1894:
1886:
1881:
1872:
1863:
1855:
1850:
1841:
1832:
1823:
1815:
1810:
1801:
1792:
1783:
1775:
1770:
1761:
1752:
1743:
1735:
1730:
1721:
1712:
1691:
1682:
1579:
1570:
1561:
1526:
1517:
1508:
1447:
1422:
1413:
1386:
1365:
1350:
1344:, stands at
1335:
1328:
1323:High Holborn
1300:
1291:Market Rasen
1283:Woodhall Spa
1206:World War II
1203:
1200:World War II
1183:
1144:
1124:
1111:Saint-Python
1099:
1083:
1061:Escaut River
1040:
1014:
950:
941:
882:
840:
823:
819:Beaulencourt
811:
798:
789:Walter Stone
771:astride the
746:
743:Bourlon Wood
723:
721:
712:
702:
672:
638:
619:
608:, which had
595:attack (the
589:
568:
557:
545:3rd Division
538:
506:
479:
451:2nd Division
428:
414:
390:
349:99th Brigade
346:
297:(chairman),
295:Bindon Blood
271:British Army
264:
259:Alfred Leete
204:2nd Division
187:
185:
176:Bindon Blood
115:2nd Division
111:Part of
15:
2782:, Vol III,
2712:Cyril Falls
1346:Holborn Bar
1342:Albert Toft
1281:, first at
1236:, first at
1186:demobilised
1151:Mecquignies
1095:River Selle
969:Moyennville
937:Aveluy Wood
878:Bertincourt
851:Mustard gas
814:Flesquières
649:Courcelette
617:and train.
592:River Ancre
580:barbed wire
459:5th Brigade
405:as part of
200:World War I
131:Engagements
121:Garrison/HQ
2897:Categories
2771:, Vol II,
2685:, Vol IV,
2632:References
1303:Tudor rose
1265:alongside
1131:Le Quesnoy
1090:Forenville
1052:Graincourt
1002:bivouacked
990:Mory Copse
974:Gomiécourt
757:Third Army
753:Zermezeele
683:Vimy Ridge
675:First Army
654:Grévillers
643:defences (
560:Guillemont
521:gas shells
323:Warlingham
287:War Office
267:Parliament
161:Commanders
50:Allegiance
2718:, Vol I,
2696:, Vol V,
2674:, Vol I,
2315:Edmonds,
2284:Edmonds,
2235:Edmonds,
2195:Edmonds,
1734:Edmonds,
1378:Footnotes
1353:Aldershot
1310:Memorials
1226:pillboxes
1147:Bermeries
1125:When the
1107:Niergnies
1056:Caintaing
1010:VI Corps'
998:Sapignies
994:BĂ©hagnies
982:Ervillers
923:Bihucourt
855:Rocquigny
707:John Nash
626:Miraumont
564:HĂ©buterne
549:Montauban
494:Festubert
443:Morbecque
411:Edinburgh
212:Armistice
2454:Rinaldi.
1297:Insignia
1285:then at
1250:Newhaven
1238:Monmouth
1159:Maubeuge
1120:Solesmes
1079:Noyelles
1074:Marcoing
1036:Boursies
909:Bapaume–
847:Phosgene
829:and 2nd
498:Givenchy
455:19th Bde
439:Boulogne
218:and the
97:Infantry
77:New Army
25:(Empire)
2819:, 2006.
2107:Miles,
2048:Miles,
1990:Falls,
1947:Falls,
1916:Falls,
1885:Falls,
1854:Miles,
1814:Miles,
1774:Miles,
1254:Gosport
1214:Alnwick
1210:pioneer
1171:Cologne
1115:Vertain
1004:beyond
959:at the
919:Le Sars
898:Combles
894:PĂ©ronne
860:V Corps
781:salient
777:Hermies
773:Bapaume
765:Bourlon
761:Cambrai
634:dugouts
614:bombing
482:Cuinchy
469:(HLI).
447:BĂ©thune
425:Service
394:Horsham
313:of the
291:General
228:Cambrai
206:on the
172:General
1242:Sussex
1179:cadres
1006:Ayette
953:Allies
911:Albert
749:Auchel
688:Arleux
490:Busnes
403:Oxford
398:Sussex
327:Surrey
305:, and
125:London
68:Branch
59:
42:Active
2710:Capt
1406:Notes
1246:Lewes
1222:Amble
1167:DĂĽren
1155:Rhine
890:Padre
661:Arras
586:Ancre
527:Somme
517:raids
331:Major
224:Arras
222:, at
220:Ancre
216:Somme
198:' in
2410:1918
2388:1918
2348:1918
2317:1918
2286:1918
2237:1918
2197:1918
2109:1917
2050:1917
1992:1917
1949:1917
1918:1917
1887:1917
1856:1916
1816:1916
1776:1916
1736:1916
1361:York
1336:The
1269:and
1267:11th
1256:and
1248:and
1169:and
1100:The
1063:and
951:The
917:and
849:and
800:the
692:Oppy
509:mine
502:Lens
496:and
363:and
351:and
293:Sir
226:and
186:The
174:Sir
103:Size
93:Role
83:Type
1321:on
1289:at
1277:in
1232:in
1216:in
1163:Spa
915:Pys
870:Bus
705:by
630:sap
547:at
396:in
371:in
344:).
325:in
2899::
2801:,
2714:,
2670:,
2447:^
2426:^
2134:^
2075:^
1983:^
1700:^
1636:^
1590:^
1547:^
1535:^
1488:^
1474:^
1456:^
1431:^
1374:.
1137:.
1081:.
833:.
421:.
383:.
359:,
303:MP
301:,
277:,
246:.
1325:.
1149:–
967:–
904:–
709:.
690:–
340:(
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