Lest we forget on Remembrance Day and give thanks to all those who made the sacrifice. Brothers Charles William Whittemore - 7 Bedfordshire, later 4 Bedfordshire Died 27 Aug 1918 Frederick Arthur Whittemore MM and Bar - 7 Royal Sussex Died 26 Aug 1918 Frank Henry Oakley - 235099 Private 9 Suffolk Died 19 Jan 1918 buried at BEAUMETZ CROSS ROADS CEMETERY, BEAUMETZ-LES-CAMBRAI Wilfred Fisher Private G/12611. 8th Bn., The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action Thursday 14 June 1917. Age 23. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, Belgium. Panel 12 and 14 Arthur L Willingham 30685 Lance Corporal 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment died 30 October 1917. Remembered on Tyne Cot Memorial in the Ypres Salient Joseph French Private 14223, 1st Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment who died age 27 on 04 September 1916 Remembered with honour on the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Alfred Thomas Brookman 8 Somerset Light Infantry died 2 July 1916 Peter Darrington Private 20317, "D" Company, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 1st July 1916 in France & Flanders. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C. Mentioned in the National Roll of the Great War, Bedford/Northampton, page 66. Edward Nicholson Wounded but survived WW1 And those who served Daniel Little - 15 DLI Harry Whittemore Joined Royal Marines about 1910 served as Gunner on HMS New Zealand Nelson and Warspite including the Battle of Jutland, with Warspite demobbed 1931 but called up from the Reserve for WWII Served as Anti-Aircraft Gunner on Merchant Ships in Convoys. William Eli Howell - 2/6 Glosters Henry Howell - 1st Glosters John Moffat Telford - MGC Robert Cecil Telford - RFC World War 2 Cyril William Watts 57 Sqn RAFVR died 2 March 1945 James Norman Dickinson Royal Artillery died 21 Jan 1942 El Alamein Gordon Morgan Palestine Police died 12 Jan 1947 buried at Haifa Gladys May Little worked making Churchill Tanks in Luton and all the other women who worked so hard during the war. Remembering with pride and gratitude Pete & Vida Barker

Howard This is a short account of the battalion's actions on the 8th from 'Royal Fusiliers in the Great War' by H. C. O'Neill. 'The 9th Royal Fusiliers were lent with their brigade to the 18th Division to take the place of the 54th Brigade, who, as we have seen, had been badly handled on the two preceding days. They had had no time for preliminary reconnaissance of the ground, and the Somme Valley, with its gashes of deep ravines, was pre-eminently an area for careful study. The early morning was very misty, and with the night's gas bombardment this proved an additional handicap. The tanks were rather effectively mixed up through these conditions, and the 9th Battalion had to attack without them. The battalion were assembled on the starting line by 3.30 a.m., but three officers and the bulk of two platoons had been placed *hors de combat* by the heavy shelling while moving up. Indeed, the enemy expected a counter-attack after their advance on the 6th, and the element of surprise was unfortunately lacking on the sector which most needed some adventitious counterpoise to its inherent difficulties. Zero was at 4.20 a.m., and the barrage fell ten minutes earlier. At this moment the men could see only about ten yards ahead owing to the mist. Yet in these conditions A and B Companies promptly gained the first objective, and D and C passed through to the second battalion objective, i.e., the first objective for the day. The 53rd Brigade then passed through towards their objective, assisting in their stride in establishing the units on the first. But a prompt German counter-attack drove them back, and in the afternoon the 9th Battalion found that they were holding the front line. This was a little to the west of the first objective of the day; and in this position the battalion consolidated in touch with troops on the right, and eventually with the 5th Royal West Kents on the left. They had lost 6 officers, including Lieutenant W. E. Hill and Second Lieutenants R. T. Eagar and A. Nicholson, killed, and 350 other ranks; but they had captured 300 prisoners, 30 machine guns, and 8 trench mortars. Taking into account the extraordinarily difficult conditions under which they attacked, this must be held a very creditable performance.' Sue Sue Light [Lancing, West Sussex] www.scarletfinders.co.uk On 10/11/06, Howard Booth <howard@booths44.freeserve.co.uk> wrote: > > Could anyone tell me were the ROYAL FUSILIERS 9th BN. were fighting on the > 8 August 1918. > > Howard Booth > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

"..> Could anyone tell me were the ROYAL FUSILIERS 9th BN. were fighting on the 8 August 1918. " Howard - first day of The Battle of Amiens - the 9th Bn were attacking the old British front line near Morlancourt at the very northern end of the line of assault that day - (about 14 miles east and slightly north of Amiens). regards - Tom Tulloch-Marshall WW1 Military Research website > http://www.btinternet.com/~prosearch/index.html

Their sacrifice immeasurable. Their courage remembered. Janice USA

Harry BAGG, Private, 5th Bn., Dorsetshire Regiment, died Gallipoli August 1915, age 20, son of Charles and Alice Bagg, Winfrith, Dorset. My husband's grandmothers brother. We have a postcard written by him to his mother in July of the same year saying he will see her soon........

Depending on how much you want to know - The War Diaries for battalions are held at Kew. The 9th RF were part of 36th brigade, 12 Division. 12th Div as part of III Corps, Fourth Army took part in The Battle of Amiens - 8th - 11th August 1918. Steve Researching 9th (service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) during the Great War. www.ypressalient.co.uk People ask me my religion - my religion is kindness - True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised

Battallions I have found difficult to track and it is a case of having to follow divisions and brigades to start with and then when you have more information you can try and become more specific again. Try this link to start with http://www.1914-1918.net/royalfus.htm I have had a quick look and it would seem they were involved on the Somme around Amiens or Albert. There are links from www.1914-1918.net that should help. If that date is specific for a reason then that may help. _________________________________________________________________ Be the first to hear what's new at MSN - sign up to our free newsletters! http://www.msn.co.uk/newsletters

Could anyone tell me were the ROYAL FUSILIERS 9th BN. were fighting on the 8 August 1918. Howard Booth

On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 06:28:04 -0500, "Joan ******" <jenny4275@hotmail.com> wrote: >I am searching for further information on my grandfather's service in WW1. >His name is James Henry Cowsill... >(Aug 1916) Unfortunately C.S.M. Cowsill went down with dysentery. >For the work done while the Company was at Nieuport, C.S.M. Cowsill was >awarded the Belgium Croix de Guerre... >I can't see him in the London Gazette. Can anyone please offer me advice? Foreign awards are very difficult to research, and you are very lucky to have a reason for the award. These awards weren't always published in the London Gazette, however in this instance he appears on page 4530 of the London Gazette of 15th April 1918, towards the bottom of the left-hand column: -------------------- <http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?IssueNumber=30631&pageNumber=10&SearchFor=&PageDuplicate=n&selMedalType=&selHonourType=> War Office, 15th April, 1918. The following are among the Decorations and medals awarded by the Allied Powers at various dates to the British Forces for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign:— His Majesty the King has given unrestricted permission in all cases to wear the Decorations and medals in question. Decorations conferred by HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS. Croix de Guerre. 442054 Company Serjeant-Major J. H. Cowsill, Royal Engineers (Manchester). -------------------- His Regimental Number is from a batch allocated to the 3rd Field Company of the East Lancashire Royal Engineers (Territorial Force). Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher

Hello Firstly I would look on www.1914-1918.net and this will help sorting out the units etc. El Ferdan - Egypt, Suez Canal. Nieuport - Belgian Coast (lovely holiday spot) There are a number of sources available - Medal Index Cards - Online but £3.50. Kew has Medal Rolls, some Service records, Local Newspapers, Regimental Museums but as an RE he would be in a Corps (Complicated!) From memory there were three East Lancs Field Companies raised in Manchester. They became part of 42nd Division and were renamed 427th, 428, and 429th Field Companies RE. 42nd Div was in Egypt, Gallipoli and Egypt again. So it fits with his entry in the book. Regards Steve Joan ****** <jenny4275@hotmail.com> wrote: I am searching for further information on my grandfather's service in WW1. His name is James Henry Cowsill. All I know so far is a mention of him in two books: >From A History of the East Lancashire Royal Engineers, compiled by Members of the Corps: (Jun 1916) At El Ferdan, Sergeant Cowsill commenced to try his hand as Company Sergeant Major. (Aug 1916) Unfortunately C.S.M. Cowsill went down with dysentery. For the work done while the Company was at Nieuport, C.S.M. Cowsill was awarded the Belgium Croix de Guerre. >From Manchester City Battalions of the 90th & 92nd Infantry Brigades: Roll of Honour of the Manchester Education Committee - List of Employees other than teachers serving with the Colours: Cowsill, Jas. M. - Royal Engineers. This is my first attempt to research a WW1 soldier, and I am very unfamiliar with researching military units. I know these two entries provide many clues, but I find it confusing sorting out Field Companies and Divisions. I can't see him in the London Gazette. Can anyone please offer me advice? Thank you. _________________________________________________________________ Find a local pizza place, music store, museum and more…then map the best route! Check out Live Local today! http://local.live.com/?mkt=en-ca/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message Researching 9th (service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) during the Great War. www.ypressalient.co.uk People ask me my religion - my religion is kindness - True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised

Greetings from the "Land Down Under" (Lat 17.5s Long 146.1e) Hi to All, Presently looking for a photograph of a grave in Wiltshire in Luckington (St. Marys) Churchyard cemetery belonging to one: HALLIDAY Henry Frederick (1873-1917) Gunner 20084 8th FAB Australian Imperial Force. He died in nearby Bristol (Beaufort War Hospital) on 24 September 1917. According to my information he was buried in a family grave (presumably HALLIDAY) on 30 September 1917 after a private family service organised by his cousin Mrs E Bird of Luckington. According to CWGC there are only two war dead buried in the cemetery. Presumably the grave has a headstone provided and maintained by the CWGC - this from correspondence I have sighted from 1923. Anyone live near there and willing to investigate and supply photograph, please? Seek hard and stay alert Dean Newman, North Queensland Australia. "As time goes by" kenyon@znet.net.au "We can't go forward without looking back"

I am searching for further information on my grandfather's service in WW1. His name is James Henry Cowsill. All I know so far is a mention of him in two books: >From A History of the East Lancashire Royal Engineers, compiled by Members of the Corps: (Jun 1916) At El Ferdan, Sergeant Cowsill commenced to try his hand as Company Sergeant Major. (Aug 1916) Unfortunately C.S.M. Cowsill went down with dysentery. For the work done while the Company was at Nieuport, C.S.M. Cowsill was awarded the Belgium Croix de Guerre. >From Manchester City Battalions of the 90th & 92nd Infantry Brigades: Roll of Honour of the Manchester Education Committee - List of Employees other than teachers serving with the Colours: Cowsill, Jas. M. - Royal Engineers. This is my first attempt to research a WW1 soldier, and I am very unfamiliar with researching military units. I know these two entries provide many clues, but I find it confusing sorting out Field Companies and Divisions. I can't see him in the London Gazette. Can anyone please offer me advice? Thank you. _________________________________________________________________ Find a local pizza place, music store, museum and more…then map the best route! Check out Live Local today! http://local.live.com/?mkt=en-ca/

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?webType=0&PageDuplicate=n%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&issueNumber=29719&pageNumber=0&SearchFor=F%20Hobbs&selMedalType=&selHonourType= Think this is the page! If this link does not work - F Hobbs - Put in dates 1 Jan 1916 to 31 Dec 1916 instead of WW1 Look on 22nd August page - he is near the bottom of the right hand column. Steve Clem Hobbs <chobbs@ccs.carleton.ca> wrote: Hello all, I have been reading the exchange of messages concerning the London Gazette and the open archive covering the Great War. I tried to search the Supplement Archive for information about my father but came up empty and am now hoping that someone can give me some advice or assistance. Here is what I know: My father Francis Walter James Hobbs enlisted in 1914 as a signaller in the Royal Field Artillery Regimental Number 82756. His Service record showed that he was with "D" Battery, 64th Army Brigade when he wes awarded a Military Medal (Supplement to the London Gazette August 23, 1916). When I attempted to find the content of this Supplement I could not find one dated August 23 1916 only # 29718 dated August 22, 1914. This showed a list of soldiers with a monetary figure alongside each one and there was a Hobbs, A. but no Hobbs F. or F.W. J. Any help or suggestions would be most welcome. Many thanks Clem Hobbs ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message Researching 9th (service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) during the Great War. www.ypressalient.co.uk People ask me my religion - my religion is kindness - True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised

On Thu, 09 Nov 2006 10:43:24 -0500, Clem Hobbs <chobbs@ccs.carleton.ca> wrote: >My father Francis Walter James Hobbs enlisted in 1914 as a signaller in the >Royal Field Artillery Regimental Number 82756. His Service record showed >that he was with "D" Battery, 64th Army Brigade when he wes awarded a >Military Medal (Supplement to the London Gazette August 23, 1916). >When I attempted to find the content of this Supplement I could not find >one dated August 23 1916 only # 29718 dated August 22, 1914. The London Gazette can be very difficult to search. See my "Searching the Online Version of the London Gazette - Tips and Tricks" page at http://www.military-researcher.com/LondonGazette.html for some ideas. In this case, a search for "Hobbs" at <http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveSearch.asp?WebType=0&Referer=WW1> and restricting the dates to 1 Aug 1916 to 31 Aug 1916 will come up with just four results: Gazette Edition, Issue 29719 22-August-1916 Gazette Edition, Issue 29718 22-August-1916 Gazette Edition, Issue 29711 18-August-1916 Gazette Edition, Issue 29697 4-August-1916 The first of these is the one you want, and by clicking on the link you'll find him listed as "82756 Gunner F W. J. Hobbs, R.F.A." about 3/4 of the way down the right-hand column of the page at <http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?IssueNumber=29719&pageNumber=3&SearchFor=&PageDuplicate=n&selMedalType=&selHonourType=> When doing the search, note that you have to click the radio button next to "Dates Between:" as well as entering the dates, and be sure to leave "Civilian Medals" and "Military Medals" set at "All". Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher

Hello all, I have been reading the exchange of messages concerning the London Gazette and the open archive covering the Great War. I tried to search the Supplement Archive for information about my father but came up empty and am now hoping that someone can give me some advice or assistance. Here is what I know: My father Francis Walter James Hobbs enlisted in 1914 as a signaller in the Royal Field Artillery Regimental Number 82756. His Service record showed that he was with "D" Battery, 64th Army Brigade when he wes awarded a Military Medal (Supplement to the London Gazette August 23, 1916). When I attempted to find the content of this Supplement I could not find one dated August 23 1916 only # 29718 dated August 22, 1914. This showed a list of soldiers with a monetary figure alongside each one and there was a Hobbs, A. but no Hobbs F. or F.W. J. Any help or suggestions would be most welcome. Many thanks Clem Hobbs

Greetings, Another book, possibly available from your local library is GAS by Ian V. Hogg, Ballentines Illustrated History of the Violent Century. Weapons book #43. Regretfully, there are no indexes. Peter Forrest Anderson wrote: >On Tue, 7 Nov 2006 20:36:36 -0000, "Derrick Parsons" ><derrick.parsons@btinternet.com> wrote: > > > >>In response to replies to my earlier question about information on a MM winner, I'm trying to trace the exploits of Serjeant Nathaniel Lobb MM, 5818, of HQ Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. He died on 10th March 1917 and is buried at the Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. >> >> > >Researching Military Medals can be very difficult. With a very few >exceptions (which wouldn't relate to this soldier) citations were not >listed in the London Gazette, although it will at least give you the >date of award. Steve has already given you details of how to find >that. > >However, in the case of Sgt Lobb, you have some very interesting >research ahead of you, and I think the chances of you finding out why >he was awarded the MM is quite good. > >The Royal Engineers Special Brigade, which had companies lettered from >A to Q, specialised in gas warfare, and these troops looked after the >gas canisters (both poison gas and for smoke screens) on the >battlefield. There was also Z Company which specialised in flame >projection, a type of warfare which was still very experimental, but >which had become much more common by WW2 with the use of >flamethrowers. > >A very interesting account of the history of Z Coy is at >http://www.powell76.freeserve.co.uk/LewisGrey.htm > >The title "Special" was used for security reasons. There are two >standard books on the subject, and even if they don't mention him by >name, they will make very good background reading. The first is >"'GAS!' The Story of the Special Brigade" which was published in 1934 >and has been reprinted by the Naval and Military Press (note the >mention of St Omer in the review below). The second is "Chemical >Soldiers: British Gas Warfare in World War I" by Donald Richter. This >dates from 1994 and is available on the second-hand market. I have >given details of both books at the end of this message and you should >have little problem finding them. > >War Diaries can quite often give details of awards, but in this >particular case I think they would definitely be worth checking for >mention of Sgt Lobb. Unlike an infantry battalion, these Special >Brigade units were pretty close-knit, and officers and men are often >mentioned by name. A few years ago I checked the War Diary of Z >(Special) Company for (co-incidentally) a Sergeant who was awarded the >MM and who later died of wounds, and found lots of references to him >by name. These included his postings, promotions, reversions, the >award of the MM, and his eventual death. > >The War Diary of the Headquarters of the Special Brigade is under WO >95/120 at the National Archives at Kew. The details from the catalogue >at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp give this >entry: > >-------------------------- >WO 95 War Office: First World War and Army of Occupation War Diaries > > Subseries within WO 95 PART I: FRANCE, BELGIUM AND GERMANY > > Subsubseries within WO 95 GENERAL HEADQUARTERS TROOPS > > WO 95/120 General headquarters troops > Headquarters Special Brigade Royal Engineers > Covering dates 1916 Jan. - 1919 May >-------------------------- > >There are also other records relating to the Special Brigade in the >catalogue, many of which are in the WO 142 series, including this one: > >-------------------------- >WO 142 Ministry of Munitions, Trench Warfare and Chemical Warfare >Departments, and War Office, Chemical Warfare Research Department and >Chemical Defence Experimental Stations (later Establishments), Porton: >Reports and Papers > > Subseries within WO 142 CHEMICAL DEFENCE ESTABLISHMENT, PORTON > DOWN: MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS1 > > WO 142/337. Report on activity of Special Brigade between 1915 >and 1918, by Brig-Gen C H Foulkes RE, with OS maps showing > areas of SB operations: includes extract from Royal Engineers > Journal dated March 1921 on work of RE in European War > 1914-1918. Covering dates 1918-1921 >-------------------------- > >War Diaries are explained in the leaflet at >http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=20 > >I hope you have an interesting time researching Sgt Lobb! > >Forrest > > > > >Here are details of the two books: > >--------------------------------------------------------- >http://www.naval-military-press.com/catalogue/military-books/5255.htm > >"GAS!" The Story of the Special Brigade by Maj-Gen C.H Foulkes > >The author of this book was a junior major in the Royal Engineers, >stationed at the Depot in Chatham when war broke out. He went to >France in October 1914 to 3 Base, Boulogne, but some three weeks >later, 8th November, he was sent forward to 2nd Division where he took >over 11 Fd Coy RE at Zillebeke.The C-in-C has therefore appointed >Major Foulkes RE for this duty. He has no pretence to technical >knowledge, as far as I know, and it is not considered that he need >have very much. But he has had much experience at the front, and can >explain generally what we need and how we can perhaps best use it." In >this fashion did Charles Howard Foulkes, a complete novice in the >science of chemical warfare, become GHQ's Gas Guru, responsible for >the conduct of gas operations of the British Army in France and for >planning, organising, raising and training what came to be known as >the Special Brigade - part of the RE. .He certainly didn't have much >time to create a new unit and train it in a new aspect of warfare; the >Battle of Loos, in which the British would first use gas, was only >four months away. Volunteers with a knowledge of chemistry were sought >among universities and colleges at home, as well as from the ranks of >the BEF, with immediate promotion to corporal - chemist corporal. A >suitable base was found at Helfaut, a village four or five miles due >south of St Omer (where GHQ was located at the time), where it >remained as the depot for the rest of the war. At first two Special >Companies were formed but they had been increased to four by the time >the Loos offensive opened on 25 September 1915. In 1916 the four >companies were expanded into the 'Special Brigade' consisting of 16 >'Cylinder' companies, one 'Projector' company (flame thrower) and four >'Mortar' companies, some 6,000 officers and men. This organisation >remained unchanged to the end of the war,All this is described in >detail as are all the operations involving the use of gas, the various >inventions such as the gas shell, the Stokes mortar and the flame >projector as well as the new types of gases, especially the deadly >phosgene which proved to be our main battle gas for the remainder of >the war, and mustard gas. According to Foulkes the total British >casualties due to gas amounted to 181,053 of which 6,109 were fatal- >but of course many lingered on after the war till they succumbed to >the effects of gas poisoning. He remarks that the true total of German >gas casualties was unlikely to be made known; to my knowledge no >figure has been published. - > >2001 N & M reprint (original 1934). SB. xv + 361pp with 21 b/w illus 7 >maps and two graphs > >ISBN: >1843420880 > >Price: >£25 > >Product Code No: >5255 >--------------------------------------------------------- > >--------------------------------------------------------- ><http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=129730488&searchurl=sts%3Dt%26y%3D0%26tn%3D%2522chemical%2Bsoldiers%2522%26x%3D0> > >Chemical Soldiers: British Gas Warfare in World War I, by >Donald Richter. > >The story of the British Special Brigade which was tasked with >retaliating against German chemical warfare. Draws on official >military records and includes personal anecdotes from diaries, letters >and memoirs. Covers formation of the Brigade and the day-to-day life >that followed. Also critically analyses the role of the Brigade's >leader, Charles Foulkes. > >Bookseller: Alexander Fax Booksellers (Mawson, ACT, Australia) >Book Price: US$ 43.00 > >Description: Hard cover dust wrapper 282pp b&w photos. Price clipped >dw is a little worn on edges, now protected. Corners bumped else very >good. Bookseller Inventory # 117341 > >ISBN: 0850523885 >Publisher: Leo Cooper London 1994 1st UK edition. >Publication Date: 1994 >Binding: Hardcover >Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included >--------------------------------------------------------- > > > >

On Tue, 7 Nov 2006 20:36:36 -0000, "Derrick Parsons" <derrick.parsons@btinternet.com> wrote: >In response to replies to my earlier question about information on a MM winner, I'm trying to trace the exploits of Serjeant Nathaniel Lobb MM, 5818, of HQ Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. He died on 10th March 1917 and is buried at the Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. Researching Military Medals can be very difficult. With a very few exceptions (which wouldn't relate to this soldier) citations were not listed in the London Gazette, although it will at least give you the date of award. Steve has already given you details of how to find that. However, in the case of Sgt Lobb, you have some very interesting research ahead of you, and I think the chances of you finding out why he was awarded the MM is quite good. The Royal Engineers Special Brigade, which had companies lettered from A to Q, specialised in gas warfare, and these troops looked after the gas canisters (both poison gas and for smoke screens) on the battlefield. There was also Z Company which specialised in flame projection, a type of warfare which was still very experimental, but which had become much more common by WW2 with the use of flamethrowers. A very interesting account of the history of Z Coy is at http://www.powell76.freeserve.co.uk/LewisGrey.htm The title "Special" was used for security reasons. There are two standard books on the subject, and even if they don't mention him by name, they will make very good background reading. The first is "'GAS!' The Story of the Special Brigade" which was published in 1934 and has been reprinted by the Naval and Military Press (note the mention of St Omer in the review below). The second is "Chemical Soldiers: British Gas Warfare in World War I" by Donald Richter. This dates from 1994 and is available on the second-hand market. I have given details of both books at the end of this message and you should have little problem finding them. War Diaries can quite often give details of awards, but in this particular case I think they would definitely be worth checking for mention of Sgt Lobb. Unlike an infantry battalion, these Special Brigade units were pretty close-knit, and officers and men are often mentioned by name. A few years ago I checked the War Diary of Z (Special) Company for (co-incidentally) a Sergeant who was awarded the MM and who later died of wounds, and found lots of references to him by name. These included his postings, promotions, reversions, the award of the MM, and his eventual death. The War Diary of the Headquarters of the Special Brigade is under WO 95/120 at the National Archives at Kew. The details from the catalogue at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp give this entry: -------------------------- WO 95 War Office: First World War and Army of Occupation War Diaries Subseries within WO 95 PART I: FRANCE, BELGIUM AND GERMANY Subsubseries within WO 95 GENERAL HEADQUARTERS TROOPS WO 95/120 General headquarters troops Headquarters Special Brigade Royal Engineers Covering dates 1916 Jan. - 1919 May -------------------------- There are also other records relating to the Special Brigade in the catalogue, many of which are in the WO 142 series, including this one: -------------------------- WO 142 Ministry of Munitions, Trench Warfare and Chemical Warfare Departments, and War Office, Chemical Warfare Research Department and Chemical Defence Experimental Stations (later Establishments), Porton: Reports and Papers Subseries within WO 142 CHEMICAL DEFENCE ESTABLISHMENT, PORTON DOWN: MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS1 WO 142/337. Report on activity of Special Brigade between 1915 and 1918, by Brig-Gen C H Foulkes RE, with OS maps showing areas of SB operations: includes extract from Royal Engineers Journal dated March 1921 on work of RE in European War 1914-1918. Covering dates 1918-1921 -------------------------- War Diaries are explained in the leaflet at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=20 I hope you have an interesting time researching Sgt Lobb! Forrest Here are details of the two books: --------------------------------------------------------- http://www.naval-military-press.com/catalogue/military-books/5255.htm "GAS!" The Story of the Special Brigade by Maj-Gen C.H Foulkes The author of this book was a junior major in the Royal Engineers, stationed at the Depot in Chatham when war broke out. He went to France in October 1914 to 3 Base, Boulogne, but some three weeks later, 8th November, he was sent forward to 2nd Division where he took over 11 Fd Coy RE at Zillebeke.The C-in-C has therefore appointed Major Foulkes RE for this duty. He has no pretence to technical knowledge, as far as I know, and it is not considered that he need have very much. But he has had much experience at the front, and can explain generally what we need and how we can perhaps best use it." In this fashion did Charles Howard Foulkes, a complete novice in the science of chemical warfare, become GHQ's Gas Guru, responsible for the conduct of gas operations of the British Army in France and for planning, organising, raising and training what came to be known as the Special Brigade - part of the RE. .He certainly didn't have much time to create a new unit and train it in a new aspect of warfare; the Battle of Loos, in which the British would first use gas, was only four months away. Volunteers with a knowledge of chemistry were sought among universities and colleges at home, as well as from the ranks of the BEF, with immediate promotion to corporal - chemist corporal. A suitable base was found at Helfaut, a village four or five miles due south of St Omer (where GHQ was located at the time), where it remained as the depot for the rest of the war. At first two Special Companies were formed but they had been increased to four by the time the Loos offensive opened on 25 September 1915. In 1916 the four companies were expanded into the 'Special Brigade' consisting of 16 'Cylinder' companies, one 'Projector' company (flame thrower) and four 'Mortar' companies, some 6,000 officers and men. This organisation remained unchanged to the end of the war,All this is described in detail as are all the operations involving the use of gas, the various inventions such as the gas shell, the Stokes mortar and the flame projector as well as the new types of gases, especially the deadly phosgene which proved to be our main battle gas for the remainder of the war, and mustard gas. According to Foulkes the total British casualties due to gas amounted to 181,053 of which 6,109 were fatal- but of course many lingered on after the war till they succumbed to the effects of gas poisoning. He remarks that the true total of German gas casualties was unlikely to be made known; to my knowledge no figure has been published. - 2001 N & M reprint (original 1934). SB. xv + 361pp with 21 b/w illus 7 maps and two graphs ISBN: 1843420880 Price: £25 Product Code No: 5255 --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- <http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=129730488&searchurl=sts%3Dt%26y%3D0%26tn%3D%2522chemical%2Bsoldiers%2522%26x%3D0> Chemical Soldiers: British Gas Warfare in World War I, by Donald Richter. The story of the British Special Brigade which was tasked with retaliating against German chemical warfare. Draws on official military records and includes personal anecdotes from diaries, letters and memoirs. Covers formation of the Brigade and the day-to-day life that followed. Also critically analyses the role of the Brigade's leader, Charles Foulkes. Bookseller: Alexander Fax Booksellers (Mawson, ACT, Australia) Book Price: US$ 43.00 Description: Hard cover dust wrapper 282pp b&w photos. Price clipped dw is a little worn on edges, now protected. Corners bumped else very good. Bookseller Inventory # 117341 ISBN: 0850523885 Publisher: Leo Cooper London 1994 1st UK edition. Publication Date: 1994 Binding: Hardcover Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included --------------------------------------------------------- -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher

The Royal Engineers Museum at Chatham in Kent may have a list of MM winners. www.remuseum.org.uk mail - mail@re-museum.org.uk I presume you have got his name from London Gazette. Gazette Issue 2987 14 Nov 1916 page 1 to 5 - he is on page 5. Supplement to the London Gazette 16/1116 no 11141. Possibly won his MM the Somme. Usualy gets to Gazette some three months after the award (but not always). steve Derrick Parsons <derrick.parsons@btinternet.com> wrote: Dear list, In response to replies to my earlier question about information on a MM winner, I'm trying to trace the exploits of Serjeant Nathaniel Lobb MM, 5818, of HQ Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. He died on 10th March 1917 and is buried at the Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. As ever, any information would be appreciated. Derrick Parsons ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message Researching 9th (service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) during the Great War. www.ypressalient.co.uk People ask me my religion - my religion is kindness - True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised

Hi Steve, Thanks for the info, just a quick note to say sure I would appreciate a copy if you can pick one up for me. Let me know how much to compensate you then. Cheers, Brian ________________________________ From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com on behalf of Steve Sent: Tue 11/7/2006 2:07 PM To: greatwar@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] CQMS Hello A friend of mine and the son of one of the Munster Fus men wrote a book last year. The Story Behind the Monument, The 29th Division in Warwickshire and north Oxfordshire January-March 1915. by Chris Holland & Tony Jordan ISBN 0-9537462-3-2 . 2005. £4.50 (I think) Not sure if you are interested in a copy or just extracts. I will be seeing Chris tomorrow at the WFA meeting ( I do not get any commission!) Basically the 29th Div monument is near the village of Stretton Warwickshire - junction of the Fosse way and London Road (A45). The Div formed in the area before going to Gallipoli. The 1st RDF enjoyed their selves so much in Nuneaton that Major Grimshaw DSO , let out the immortal rallying call before the attack on Hill 141 ' Do you want to go back to Nuneaton', the Dublins cheered and he said 'Very well then, make a brilliant charge and may the best men live to return to Nuneaton' He was killed shortly afterwards. Regards Steve Brian Filbey <Brian.Filbey@wcdsb.edu.on.ca> wrote: Steve, Thanks for the info. WW1 is the time period. My grandfather Stephen Filbey 6662 joined the 1st RDF in 1899 as a band boy age fourteen! I know he was a Clerk (from C company) attached to Headquarters just prior to Gallipoli. Yes, please pass along any details you have on the Dubs. Cheers, Brian ________________________________ From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com on behalf of Steve Sent: Tue 11/7/2006 4:32 AM To: greatwar@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] CQMS Researching 9th (service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) during the Great War. www.ypressalient.co.uk People ask me my religion - my religion is kindness - True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message Disclaimer - This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and contain privileged or copyright information. You must not present this message to another party without gaining permission from the sender. If you are not the intended recipient you must not copy, distribute or use this email or the information contained in it for any purpose other than to notify us. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately, and delete this email from your system. We do not guarantee that this material is free from viruses or any other defects although due care has been taken to minimize the risk. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.

Local war memorials are generally limited to the area they cover. However there are a lot of memorials that show up in other places where people don't normally look Schools, churches and larger businesses often have "Honour Rolls" on their walls listing the men and women of the group who served. in the wars. This is often one of the best ways to find names, as those who "merely" served and survived are also listed beside those who took the "long road home" and never came back. If you try in these places you may find a living family friend or relative of these people. Many churches that have taken in the regimental colours of various units keep a Book of Rememberance of the men of that regiment who died in the wars on public display . (Although in one recent incident the "minister" of a historic church refused the colour guard of the local regiment entry to the church to place the old regimetal colours in safe keeping in the church. alongside all of the other colours held there for 150 years. The men were forced to stand outside while the colours were placed inside by others!!) One can only wonder what will happen to the "old" colours! Many modern cemeteries here in Canada have soldier's crosses provided to mark the graves of veterans who survived the wars and have since passed away. They generally have name, rank and serial numbers on them. . Places like Vimy Ridge have the names of tens of thousands of men who died and who's bodies were never found on them as well. My great uncle Pvt. William Middleton amongst them. Killed within a hour of reaching the trenches for the first time. He was sent on forward guard duty in No-man's land and never came back. Nelson Denton Hamilton Ontario