Research Results
Edward
HOPKINSON
1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbys)
Regiment
Territorial Battalion-
August 1914- In Newark, part of Notts and Derby Brigade, North Midland
Division. .
May 12th 1915 – Formation became part of 139th
Brigade, 46th (North
Midland) Division.
Consisted of –
139th Brigade (Notts & Derby)
1/5th Sherwood Foresters, 1/6th Sherwood
Foresters, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, 1/8th Sherwood
Foresters
The other brigades in the Division-
137th (Staffordshire)
138th (Lincoln and Leicester)
46th Division was part of V Corps, Fifth Army.
He would have won his Military Cross during the
‘Advance to the Hindenburg Line’ 1917.
The British Army followed up the German’s as they retreated to the
Hindenburg Line. 14th March to 5th April 1917.
Death date – He has no known grave so must have died on the
Battlefield and his grave lost.
On 23rd April 1917 the 46th Division were not
involved in any specific attacks (that I can find) I believe that at some
time during this period they were moved to I Corps, 1st Army.
The Regimental War Diaries would show the exact location and also
probably give the details of his death. An officer who had just won the MC
would have got a mention.
In the book – Officers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 he is listed as
Officers missing and missing believed killed.
Hopkinson, Edward, MC, Lt. 8th Notts and Derby Regt,
23/4/1917.
From this he must have moved up a rank from 2/Lt to Lt. after getting
his MC.
Other inf. –
1916 - may – The Robin Hoods held the line near Vimy Ridge.
The 1/7th Sherwood Foresters had the nickname ‘The Robin
Hoods’. This was
unofficially carried over to the whole of the 139th Brigade,
which also became ‘The Robin Hoods’
The 1/7th and 1/8th held a sector between
Boyau Central (in due course central Avenue – they had taken over from
the French) and Boyau Lassalle (later Lassalle Avenue).
Further reading – The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War,
1914-1919; 1/8th Battalion, Capt. W C WEETMAN, Those Forman and
Sons 1920 (Probably a copy at the Sherwood Foresters Museum.)
Later in 1916, they took part in the Somme battle 1st
July 1916 – Their task was
to take Gommecourt wood. The 139th Division was ripped to
pieces during the battle.
Other sources –
London Gazette will have his medal announcement. Also his becoming an
officer.
National Archives, Kew, London, Medal Cards, war diaries and
trench maps.
Sherwood Foresters Museum -
WARD,
CHARLES 15th Bn Royal Irish Rifles.
15th (Service)
Battalion (North Belfast)
Raised in Belfast Sept. 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers.
To Ballykinlar in 107th Brigade, 36th Division.
July 1915 – Seaford.
October 1915- Landed at Boulogne.
107th Brigade with 4th Division from 5 November
1915 to 3 February 1916.
11 November 1918 – 107th Brigade, 36th Division
– Belgium, Mouscron, N.E. of Tourcoing.
(Source – British Regiments 1914-1918, Brig E.A. James, O.B.E, T.D.)
Battle in which he died
Operations. The Advance in Flanders (18th August – 6th
September 1918)
X Corps:
30th and 36th Divisions.
XV Corps:
9th, 29th, 31st and 40th
Divisions.
XIX Corps:
6th, 34th and 41st Divisions, and
27th American Division.
Fifth Army
XI Corps:
59th, 61st and 74th Divisions.
XIII Corps:
4th, 19th and 46th Divisions.
(Source – A Record of the Battle and Engagements of the British Armies
in France and Flanders, 1914-1918.
Captain E A James.)
Bailleul –
The N42 crosses the Dunkirk – Lille Motorway. It enters Bailleul some 3 Ks away as the D944/D933.
Bailleul is a pleasant market town and is famed from ancient times for
its lace making which, with linen, is still one of the major industries
It was a military base for much of the war. A real front line town.
The Germans briefly held it in 1914 but the British retook it on 14th
October 1914.
It was then a forward base for the British for three and a half years.
The French also used it during this time.
During the savage fighting during the Battle of Lys (April 1918) it was
almost totally destroyed. Eventually
being retaken by the British in August 1918 during the 100-day march to
victory.
Bailleul provided a welcome respite to the troops and a haven for the
wounded in the hospital facilities of its well-known asylum and clinic.
Troops thronged its pleasant market square above, which the Belfry of
the hotel de Ville (restored after the war) rose defiantly.
Café’s and estaminets flourished and one in particular,
‘Tina’s’, in rue de Dunkerque, became famous as a popular
officer’s haunt.
The town had hardly suffered from artillery bombardment but in July
1917; heavy shells, which caused much damage, shattered the relative
peace. The, the almost
complete destruction of the town came when the Germans advanced to capture
the ruins on 15 April 1918 after the heroic defence of the British 34th
and 59th Divisions, which were forced to retire exhausted and
outnumbered. The British 25th
Division on 30 August 1918 retook it.
Today, the old market square is the center of this charming and
busy little town. The Hotel
de Ville and belfry have been rebuilt in red brick and the cafes and shops
welcome both resident and visitor alike. It sits atop a hill with good
views into the French and Belgium countryside.
The main road runs from Bailleul to Armentieres.
An obelisk of the 25th Division memorial is in the town.
The church of Armand’s ruins form part of the town’s war
memorial. A Demarcation stone
lies behind it (put up to show extent of German advance throughout Belgium
and Northern France.)
The road to Belgium (D23) leaves the market square and almost
immediately the green CWGC sign can be seen.
Down a small street and on the right is the Bailleul Communal
Cemetery and Extension. The
entrance to these cemeteries is just beyond the main gates of the town
cemetery.
The Communal Cemetery holds some 610 graves but the Communal Cemetery
Extension next to it has some 4,600 graves.
These come from all countries – British, Commonwealth, French,
Belgian, Chinese and many Germans.
From the cemetery walls you can get a panoramic view of the Monts des
Flandres (Hills of Flanders -
Mont Noir, Mont Rouge, Mont Kemmel) A fair way over to the left is the
Mont des Cats. The old Royal Flying Corps base and aerodrome were nearby.
Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.
It would seem that Rfn Charles Ward was buried in a battlefield
cemetery and then after the war removed to this cemetery.
Firstly on his death 22 August 1918, Bailleul was still in German hands.
Secondly the later plots are usually concentration graves.
I cannot find the exact location of the 36th Division
on 22nd August 1918.
The War diaries and trench maps would need to be consulted.
Steve Morse (November 2004)
PRIVATE ERNEST MARKHAM 68443
Royal Army Medical Corps, 94th Field Ambulance
Hello
again Victor, sorry it's taken a while to get back to you.
I've a bit
of
a backlog here, so it's been quite busy.
Re Ernest. I have found the
following
information which I hope you'll find useful.
I'll add Ernest to
my
book of Remembrance.
Pte.
Ernest Markham. 68443.
Royal
Army Medical Corps. 94th Field Ambulance.
Recorded
as being born in Hull.
Enlisted
in Hull.
Reported
as being KILLED IN ACTION on Saturday, April 13th 1918. Aged 21
years.
Son
of Fanny Ellen Markham, of 7, Bramwell Terrace, Grey St., Park St.,
Hull.
No
known grave, commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial. France/Flanders.
Ernest
was killed with 7 other men from the RAMC that day, 5 of whom were
Territorial.
Ernest is not listed as serving with a Territorial unit.
The
94th were attached to the 31st Division. The Field Ambulance attached to
the
infantry or cavalry Brigade provided one or more Advanced Dressing
Stations
in reasonable proximity of the front lines. Field Ambulances moved
with
their Division and below is a brief synopsis of the movements and
engagements
of the 31st Division:
This
Division was originally part of the Fifth New Army, and was numbered
38th.
However, the Fourth New Army was broken up in April 1915, and the
Division
was renumbered 31st, part of K4. It was formed of many units that
had
been raised by public subscription and private projects, and was only
taken
over by the War Office on 10th August 1915.
On
16th December 1914, two Companies of the 18th (Service) Bn (1st County),
the
Durham Light Infantry became the first troops of the New Armies to come
under
enemy fire, when they were manning the trenches of the Tyne and Tees
defences
which were shelled by the German ships Derfflinger, Von Der Tann
and
Blucher.
December
1915 : moved to Egypt, and took part in defence of Suez Canal
March
1916 : moved to France and proceeded to the Western Front
The
Battle of Albert (first phase of the Battle of the Somme 1916)
The
Division took part in the assault on Serre, and suffered very high
casualties.
It was withdrawn for several months as a result.
The
Battle of the Ancre (tenth phase of the Battle of the Somme 1916)
Operations
on the Ancre
The
Third Battle of the Scarpe (fourth phase of the Arras Offensive)
The
latter action included the Division's role in the capture of Oppy Wood.
The
Battle of St Quentin (first phase of the First Battles of the Somme
1918)
The
First Battle of Bapaume (second phase of the First Battles of the Somme
1918)
The
First Battle of Arras, 1918 (fourth phase of the First Battles of the
Somme
1918)
The
Battle of Estaires (first phase of the Battles of the Lys)
The
Battle of Hazebrouck (third phase of the Battles of the Lys)
In
the above action, the Division played a part in the Defence of Nieppe
Forest
The
Advance in Flanders
The
Battle of Ypres 1918
The
Division also fought in the subsequent Action of Tieghem
The
Division was demobilised between January and May 1919, having suffered
30,000
casualties during the war.
Order
of Battle
92nd
Brigade
On
16 April 1918 it was decided that, due to the heavy casualties recently
sustained,
the 92nd and 93rd Brigades would be temporarily amalgamated and
called
the 92nd Composite Brigade.
10th
(Service) Bn (1st Hull), the East Yorkshires (joined June 1915)
11th
(Service) Bn (2nd Hull), the East Yorkshires (joined June 1915)
12th
(Service) Bn (3rd Hull), the East Yorkshires (joined June 1915, left
February
1918)
13th
(Service) Bn (4th Hull), the East Yorkshires (joined June 1915, left
February
1918)
11th
(Service) Bn (Accrington), the East Lancashire (joined February 1918)
92nd
Brigade Machine Gun Company (joined 20 May 1916, moved into 31 MG Bn 21
February 1918)
92nd
Trench Mortar Battery (joined by 11 April 1916)
92nd
Composite Brigade
On
16 April 1918 it was decided that, due to the heavy casualties recently
sustained,
the 92nd and 93rd Brigades would be temporarily amalgamated and
called
the 92nd Composite Brigade. It was broken up two days later, and the
92nd
and 93rd Brigades were reconstituted soon after.
93rd
Brigade
15th
(Service) Bn (1st Leeds), the West Yorkshires(joined June 1915)
16th
(Service) Bn (1st Bradford), the West Yorkshires(joined June 1915, left
February
1918)
18th
(Service) Bn (2nd Bradford), the West Yorkshires(joined June 1915, left
February
1918)
18th
(Service) Bn (1st County), the Durham Light Infantry(joined May 1915)
93rd
Brigade Machine Gun Company (joined 20 May 1916, moved into 31 MG Bn 21
February 1918)
93rd
Trench Mortar Battery (joined by 12 April 1916)
94th
Brigade
The
Brigade was broken up between 11 and 16 February 1918. It was reformed
on
30 May 1918, principally from Training Cadre units. It was fully
reconstituted
on 21 June 1918 by the addition of units from the 74th
Division,
and redesignated 94th (Yeomanry) Brigade.
12th
(Norfolk Yeomanry) TF Bn, the Norfolks (joined June 1918)
12th
(Ayr & Lanark Yeomanry) TF Bn, the Royal Scots Fusiliers (joined June
1918)
24th
(Denbighshire Yeomanry) TF Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (joined June
1918)
11th
(Service) Bn (Accrington), the East Lancashire (joined February 1915,
left
February 1918)
2nd
Bn, the Loyal North Lancs (joined and left June 1918)
12th
(Service) Bn (Sheffield), the York and Lancaster(joined May 1915,
disbanded
February 1918)
13th
(Service) Bn (1st Barnsley), the York and Lancaster(joined May 1915)
14th
(Service) Bn (2nd Barnsley), the York and Lancaster(joined May 1915,
disbanded
February 1918)
2nd
Bn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers (joined as cadre May 1918, left June
1918)
94th
Brigade Machine Gun Company (joined 21 May 1916, moved into 31 MG Bn 21
February 1918)
94th
Trench Mortar Battery (joined by 11 April 1916)
4th
Guards Brigade
Attached
to 31st Division, February 1918 and transferred into GHQ Reserve,
20
May 1918
4th
Bn, the Grenadier Guards
3rd
Bn, the Coldstream Guards
2nd
Bn, the Irish Guards
4th
Guards Trench Mortar Battery
Divisional
Troops
12th
(Service) Bn (Miners) (Pioneers), the KOYLI(joined May 1915)
243rd
Machine Gun Company (joined 18 July 1917, moved into 31 MGBn 3 March 1918)
No
31 Machine Gun Battalion (created 21 February 1918)
Divisional
Mounted Troops
B
Squadron, 1/1st Lancashire Hussars (joined 27 November 1915, left 9 May
1916)
31st
Divisional Cyclist Company (formed by August 1915, left 9 May 1916)
Divisional
Artillery
The
original Divisional Artillery between 30 December 1915 and 3 January
1916
joined the 32nd Division
CLV
Brigade, RFA (joined by 5 August 1915)
CLXI
Brigade, RFA (joined by 5 August 1915)
CLXIV
(H) Brigade, RFA (joined by 5 August 1915)
CLXVIII
Brigade, RFA (joined by 5 August 1915)
31st
(Hull) Divisional Ammunition Column (joined August 1915)
The
original Divisional Artillery of the 32nd Division moved to France to
replace
them on 8 December 1915
CLXV
Brigade, RFA
CLXIX
Brigade, RFA (broken up 24 January 1917)
CLXX
Brigade, RFA
CLXXI
(H) Brigade, RFA (broken up 27 August 1916)
124
(Hull) Heavy Battery, RGA (raised with the Division but moved to France
as
an independent unit on 29 April 1916)
31st
Divisional Ammunition Column
V.31
Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA (formed by 4 June 1916, broken up 5
February
1918)
X.31,
Y.31 and Z.31 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA (formed 31 March 1916; on 15
February
1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch
weapons
each)
Engineer
Units
210th
(Leeds) Field Company (joined Jan 1915)
211th
(Leeds) Field Company (joined Jan 1915)
223rd
(Leeds) Field Company (joined Jan 1915)
31st
Divisional Signal Company (joined Jan 1915)
Field
Ambulances
93rd
Field Ambulance (joined November 1915)
94th
Field Ambulance (joined November 1915)
95th
Field Ambulance (joined November 1915)
31st
Divisional Train ASC (joined December 1914, originally 217, 218, 219
and
220 Coys ASC.)
228th
Divisional Employment Company (joined June 1917)
41st
Mobile Veterinary Section (joined December 1914)
71st
Sanitary Section (joined 10 November 1917, left 11 March 1917)
31st
Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop (joined by November 1915, moved to
52nd
Division by 21 April 1916)
Divisional
command
Maj-Gen.
E.Fanshawe (26/7/1915)
Br-Gen.
E.Molesworth (Acting, 16/8/1915)
Maj-Gen.
R.Wanless O'Gowan (24/8/1915)
Maj-Gen.
R.Bridgford (21/3/1918)
Maj-Gen.
J.Campbell (6/5/1918)
Above
info from The Long Trail © Chris Baker, 2003
At
the time of Ernest's death, the Division were heavily engaged in fighting
against
the massive German Offensive which had began March 21st.
The
Division
were spread around Hazebrouk and Lys.
Historians call these
engagements
'tactical' but in reality, they were desperate and savage
holding
actions in an attempt to slow the German surge.
The Division
suffered
over 30,000 casualties during WW1 and Ernest, as a field medic,
would
have witnessed indescribable horrors.
As
with all other units, the Field Ambulances relied heavily on horses for
transport,
and had an establishment of 14 riding and 52 draught and pack
horses.
They worked the 23 wagons, 3 water carts, 3 forage carts, 6 GS
wagons,
10 ambulance wagons, and the cooks wagon. The Ambulance also had a
single
bicycle.
Neither
officers nor men carried weapons or ammunition.
By
the end of 1914, each unit also included 7 motor ambulances. A workshop
to
maintain them was added to the Division, although in 1916 it was absorbed
in
the Supply Column.
A
Sanitary Section (consisting of a Lieutenant or Second-Lieutenant, 2
Sergeants,
2 Corporals, 20 Privates and 1 batman) was added to the Division
in
early 1915. It's job was to maintain as far as possible clean water
supplies,
cooking facilities and billets. The Sanitary Sections came under
Corps
or Army control from March 1917 onwards.
Ernest
would have been entitled to both war and victory medals, along with a
memorial
bronze plaque (nicknamed dead man's penny). Depending on date of
enlistment,
he may also have received the 1914-15 Star and or Mons Star if
he'd
served from the start. His
medal roll index is available from The
Public
Records Office in Surrey and his service records may still be
there....many
were destroyed during WW2.
Hope
the above helps you Victor. If
I can be of further assistance, don't
hesitate.
Thanks
again for visiting us.
Very
best wishes
Kev
SOLDIERS
WHO DIED IN THE GREAT WAR
http://www.kev84.worldonline.co.uk/soldiersdied.html
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Service is Totally Free of Charge.
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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE CstRM>2b
Bourne Avenue Hayes
Middlesex UB3 1 RF
Telephone
081-573 3831 ext
320
Mrs M Johnson
Kamardon North Street
Norton St Philip Nr Bath
BA3 6LE
Your reference 94/63091/CS (RM) 2b/1
Date
10
August 1994
Dear Mrs Johnson
In reply to your recent letter, our records show the
following particulars ot the military service of 78970 formerly 37423
Private Leonard GARTON - Durham Light Infantry:
Enlisted into the Yorkshire
Regiment on a short service engagement 07.02.15
Transferred to Army Reserve
08.02.15
Mobilized and posted to Depot
04.03.16
Re-transferred to Army Reserve
06.03.16
Re-mobilized
03.04.17
Posted to Depot
16.04.17
Posted to 2/5th Battalion 20.04.17
Embarked UK
03.01.18
Transferred to Durham Light
Infantry and posted to 7th Battalion 06.01.18
Died of wounds at No 6 General Hospital France 30.03.18
Service with the Colours
07.02.15 to 08.02.15,
04.03.16 to 06.03.16,
03.04.17
to 30.03.18
Overseas Service:
France 03.01.18 to 30.03.18 Medals issued etc: British War Medal and Victory Medal
Personal
Details:
Apparent age on enlistment: 29 years 7 days
Height: 5ft 2 5/8ins
Girth
when fully expanded: 32ins
Next of Kin:
Mother - Elizabeth GARTON of 40 Radford Boulevard, Nottingham
Sisters: Lily Lawrence, Doris Richard
I hope you find this useful.
Yours
sincerely
J
HOCKINGS (Mrs) for
Departmental Record Officer
