I would like to acknowledge the help of the following men who were all present on the Somme on 1 July 1916. (Ranks shown are those held on that date. Decorations are those awarded before then or won on the day of the battle.)
1st Royal Irish Fusiliers: Capt. W. Carden Roe, M.C., Foxrock, Co. Dublin, Eire; Pte J. Coyle, Cavan, Eire; Sgt G. Moore, Woodford Green, Essex (died 1970). 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers: Pte W. Durham, Liverpool; Lieut A. Sainsbury, Hoylake, Cheshire. 2nd Seaforth Highlanders: L/Cpl J. Arbuthnott, Springburn, Glasgow; Pte J. S. Reid, Cardonald, Glasgow. 1st Royal Warwicks: Pte F. Dodgson, Thornaby-on-Tees, Yorks. 1st Somerset Light Infantry: C.S.M. P. E. Chappell, D.C.M., Limpley Stoke, Somerset; Pte W. G. Crook, Faversham, Kent. 1st East Lancs: Pte L. Westby, Great Harwood, Lancs. 1st Hants: Pte F. C. Binstead, St Albans, Herts; Pte W. H. Chalmers, Christchurch, Hants; Capt C. D. Fawkes, M.C, Ropley, Hants. 1st Rifle Brigade: Rfmn F. J. Conyer, Oakwood, London; Cpl G. Stone, Wolverhampton, Staffs; Rfmn A. Withers, Chessington, Surrey. 1st King’s Own: Pte T. Lowery, Great Yeldham, Essex; L/Cpl J. Riding, Debolt, Alberta, Canada. 2nd Lancs Fusiliers: Pte W. Hall, Clay Cross, Derbys. 2nd Essex: Pte G. T. Rudge, Aveley, Essex. 21st West Yorks (Pioneers): Pte J. W. Shearman, Moldgreen, Yorks; Pte J. Walton, Skipton, Yorks. Z4 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery: Lieut R. D. Jeune, Old Heathfield, Sussex.
8th Devons: Pte H. E. Bathurst, Sutton Scotney, Hants; Pte A. V. Conn, New Eltham, London; Pte J. E. Mitchelmore, Marley Head, Devon; Pte W. Tratt, Rayleigh, Essex. 9th Devons: Pte W. T. Cotterill, Winson Green, Birmingham; Pte G. Kidd, Battersea, London; Pte E. W. Lee, Lapford, Devon; Pte J. E. Stone, Kingsbridge, Devon; Pte H. L. Wide, Clevedon, Somerset. 2nd Border: Capt. W. Chetham-Strode, Playden, Sussex. 2nd Gordon Highlanders: Sgt W. Phillips, Aberdeen; Pte V. Smith, Edinburgh. 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers: Pte V. F. King, Redcar, Yorks. 2nd Queens: 2nd Lieut H. B. Secretan, M. C., South Broom, Natal, South Africa. 1st South Staffs: Pte C. H. Talbot, Wednesbury, Staffs; Pte A. Wilson, Compton, Statis. 5th Manchester Pals: Pte A. Francis, Droylsden, Manchester; Pte J. Kirkham, West Didsbury, Manchester; Pte T. Leary, Fallowfield, Manchester; Pte W. Lloyd, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs. 6th Manchester Pals: Pte F. Cloudsdale, Manchester; Lieut G. Langdon, Bournemouth, Hants; Pte W. Scott, Salford, Lancs. 7th Manchester Pals: Pte W. Binns, Droylsden, Manchester; Pte J. Costello, Royton, Lancs. 22nd Brigade H.Q.: Lieut A. W. Lee, M.C., Tisbury, Wilts. 91st Brigade Machine Gun Company: Pte A. J. Butterfield, Bridlington, Yorks; Pte J. E. Holmes, Treeton, Yorks. 14th Brigade R.H.A.: Sgt L. Cook, Cullompton, Devon (died 1970).
2nd Devons: Pte J. N. Arnold, South Oxhey, Herts; Pte W. Green, Tiverton, Devon; Pte J. R. Parkman, Tiverton, Devon; Pte A. D. Snell, Rackenford, Devon. 2nd Middlesex: Capt. E. E. F. Baker, Amersham, Bucks; Pte W. Claydon, Southend, Essex; Pte A. E. Hollingshead, Hindley, Lancs; L/Cpl F. Lobel, M.M., Norwich. 2nd Scottish Rifles: Rfmn R. C. Logue, Townhead, Glasgow. 2nd Lincolns: Sgt A. Ingall, Branston, Lincs; Pte. J. Johnson, Accrington, Lanes; Pte F. Perry, Bulwell, Nottingham. 2nd Royal Berks: Pte W. S. Gubbins, Ilford, Essex. 8th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry: Pte J. Dobson, Wheatley Hills, Yorks; L/Cpl W. J. Evans, Worthing, Sussex. 8th Yorks and Lancs: Pte J. Bodkin, Thrybergh, Yorks. 9th Yorks and Lancs: Pte J. W. Bescoby, Or-well, Herts; Pte H.Johnson, High Green, Yorks; Pte T. A. Senior, Rotherham, Yorks; Cpl J. H. Tansley, Corby, Northants; Pte H. A. Winders, Rotherham, Yorks. 11th Sherwood Foresters: Pte F. Davies, Chesterfield, Derbys; L/Cpl R. Cowley, Huthwaite, Notts; Pte F. W. A. Turner, Bilsthorpe, Notts. 23rd Brigade Machine Gun Company: Pte E. Green, Tiverton, Devon. 33rd Brigade R.F.A.: Bdr A. Harlow, Bedford; Lieut F. L. Lee, Kinoulton, Notts. Y8 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery: Sgt R. Payne, Kempston, Beds.
10th West Yorks: Pte G.T.Giles, Hull, Yorks; Lieut P. Howe, M.C, Calver, Derbys. 7th East Yorks: Pte L. Blashker, Hull, Yorks; Pte F. Booth, Bradford, Yorks; Pte W. Stansfield, Huddersfield, Yorks. 7th Green Howards: Pte A. W. Askew, Lowthorpe, Yorks; Pte J. A. Hooper, Hetton-le-Hole, Co. Durham; Pte F. S. Metcalfe, Middlesbrough, Yorks.
8th Norfolks: Capt. C. F. Ashdown, Framingham Pigot, Norfolk; Pte W. C. Bennett, Hellesdon, Norfolk; Pte R. W. Gant, Tittleshall, Norfolk; L/Cpl E. J. Hubbard, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk; Pte R. G. Jarvis, Old Costessy, Norfolk; Cpl J. Norton, Frettenham, Norfolk; Pte N. H. Norton, Taverham, Norfolk; Pte W. R. Rumbles, Burnham Overy, Norfolk; Pte C. E. Sandell, Sloley, Norfolk; Pte J. Savoury, Wighton, Norfolk; Pte J. W. Seely, Loddon, Norfolk. 6th Royal Berks: Pte E. Gray, M.M., Bracknell, Berks; Pte J. H. Harwood, Binfield, Berks; Lieut N. B. Hudson, Maida Vale, London (died 1970); Pte J. L. Hunt, Tilehurst, Berks; Pte A. H. Williamson, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. 10th Essex: Capt. R. A. Chell, Romford, Essex; L/Cpl E. J. Fisher, Orpington, Kent; L/Cpl W. G. Sanders, Holloway, London. 11th Royal Fusiliers: Pte G. R. S. Mayne, Honor Oak, London. 7th Bedfords: L/Cpl J. J. Cousins, Luton, Beds; Pte F. G. Foskett, Gravenhurst, Beds. 6th Northamptons: Cpl H. Hunt, Leighton Buzzard, Beds; L/Cpl C. E. Matthews, Petersham, Surrey; Pte R. V. Moore, Burton Latimer, Northants; Pte W. R. Thompson, Kettering, Northants; Pte A. Young, Finedon, Northants. 12th Middlesex: Cpl G. W. Allen, Woking, Surrey; Pte G. C. Baker, Croydon, Surrey; Pte W. B. Bird, East Acton, London; Pte J. Price, Lewisham, London; L/Cpl C. F. T. Townsend, Drayton, Norfolk. 7th Queens: Pte R. A. Cole, Newhaw, Surrey; L/Cpl C. Dennison, Hull, Yorks; Pte G. C. Mills, Sidcup, Kent. 7th Buffs: Pte H. J. Goddard, South Norwood, London; L/Cpl S. E. Marsh, Canterbury, Kent; Pte F. P. Weston, Shoeburyness, Essex. 8th East Surreys: Pte C. E. Beckett, Croydon, Surrey; Pte R. J. Curtis, South Walsham, Norfolk; Lieut-Col. A. P. B. Irwin, Moyard, Co. Galway, Eire; L/Cpl J. Kenyon, M.M., Bury, Lancs; L/Cpl C. J. Richards, Isleworth, Middlesex. 7th Royal West Kents: Pte A. R. French, Swanscombe, Kent. 8th Royal Sussex (Pioneers): Pte L. S. Price, Ruislip, Middlesex. 83rd Brigade R.F.A.: Cpl H. R. Wise, Leyton, London (died 1969). 55th Field Ambulance: Pte J. F. Pout, Ditton, Kent. 80th Field Company R.E.: Spr F. Clark, Spital, Derbys; Spr J. W. Oakes, Lepton, Yorks.
7th South Lancs: Capt. B. W. Ridley, Colmworth, Beds. 7th Loyal North Lancs: Pte C. B. Mawbey, Almondbury, Yorks. 9th Welch: Sgt D. J. Price, Nantyffyllon, Glamorgan. 58th Field Ambulance: Pte A. Streets, Mattersey, Notts; Pte H. Streets, Bakestone Moor, Notts. 87th Brigade R.F.A.: Dvr C. W. Garrard, Brixton, London.
12th Northumberland Fusiliers: L/Cpl A.T.Crosby, Middlesbrough, Yorks; L/Cpl H. Fellows, Beechdale Estate, Nottingham; Pte J. P. Turner, Long Eaton, Notts. 13th Northumberland Fusiliers: Pte G. Brownbridge, Blyth, Northumberland. 1st Lincolns: Pte W. Blackburn, Boston, Lincs; Pte G. H. Burgess, Deptford, London; Cpl M. McGuire, Middlesbrough, Yorks; Cpl W. Robinson, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham. 8th Lincolns: Sgt A. P. Britton, Leverton, Lincs. 10th Green Howards: Pte M. M. Watkin, Weston Turville, Bucks; Pte G. Wilkinson, Redcar, Yorks.4th Middlesex: Pte J. R. Brightman, St Pancras, London. 1st East Yorks: Pte C. W. Smith, Hull, Yorks. 10th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry: Pte F. King, Eastwood, Notts. 15th Durham Light Infantry: Pte J. G. Crossley, Sunderland, Co. Durham. 14th Northumberland Fusiliers (Pioneers): Pte J. W. Malkinson, Skegness, Lines; Pte B. Butterworth, Stacksteads, Lanes. 63rd Brigade Machine Gun Company: Pte A. Warwicker, Dulwich, London; Sgt W. B. Dixon, Hagworthingham, Lincs.
2nd Royal Fusiliers: Pte W. A. Harris, Raynes Park, London; Pte G. S. Wyman, Hitchin, Herts. 1st Lancs Fusiliers: Pte J. W. Burrill, Littleborough, Lancs. 16th Middlesex (Public Schools Battalion): Pte E. Houston, Southend-on-Sea, Essex; Pte W. A. Lane, Herne Bay, Kent (died 1969); Pte W. J. Leakey, Tulse Hill, London; Pte A. T. Liney, Morden, Surrey; Pte A. McMillan, Highgate, London. 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers: Pte F. McLaughlin, Dublin, Eire; Pte W. J. Parsons, Battersea, London. 1st King’s Own Scottish Borderers: Pte F. H. Cameron, Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire; Pte S. P. Riley, Shoeburyness, Essex. 1st Border: Pte G. Henry, Fallowfield, Manchester; Pte P. Smith, Carlisle, Cumberland. 1st Essex: Pte J. Anderson, Walthamstow, London; Pte J. Barrow, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancs; Pte J. Jackson, Thurcroft, Yorks; Pte C. Mayes, Ridlington, Norfolk; Pte H. Parker, Lewisham, London; Pte C. W. Wells, Chesterfield, Derbys. 1st Newfoundland: Pte B. Forsey, Vacaville, California, U.S.A.; 2nd Lieut C. S. Frost, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Pte J. F. Hibbs, Codroy Valley, Newfoundland; 2nd Lieut G. Hicks, Grand Falls, Newfoundland; Cpl F. Moakler, Bellerose, New York, U.S.A.; Pte W. A. Pollett, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. 15th Brigade R.H.A.: Capt. C. J. P. Ball, Brown Candover, Hants. 147th Brigade R.F.A.: Bdr F. C. Kench, Eydon, Northants.
1st Liverpool Pals: Pte W. L. P. Dunn, Eastham, Cheshire; Pte C. E. A. Parrott, Spital, Derbys. 2nd Liverpool Pals: Pte J. A. Deary, Childwall, Liverpool; Pte G. E. Fowkes, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs. 3rd Liverpool Pals: Sgt T. P. Bennett, Ryde, Isle of Wight; Pte J. G. Hanaghan, Masterton, New Zealand; Pte F. Waterworth, Hoylake, Cheshire. 4th Liverpool Pals: Pte R. G. Robertson, Heversham, Westmorland. 1st Manchester Pals: 2nd Lieut G. Barr, Cowichan Station, British Columbia, Canada; Pte S. P. Dawson, M.M., Didsbury, Manchester; L/Cpl F. Gudgeon, Filey, Yorks. 2nd Manchester Pals: Pte A. A. Bell, Gatley, Cheshire; Pte E. Conroy, South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; Pte F. J. Day, Burnage, Manchester; Pte A. E. Hall, Bolton, Lancs; Sgt D. F. Hay, Whalley Range, Manchester; L/Cpl F. Heardman, Edale, Derbys; 2nd Lieut A. T. S. Holt, Hale, Cheshire; Pte W. Speakman, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. 3rd Manchester Pals: Pte P. J.Kennedy, Levenshulme, Manchester; Pte J. Sudlow, Wallasey, Cheshire. 2nd Green Howards: Pte T. S. Frank, Scarborough, Yorks; Pte W. E. Nelson, Sheffield; Pte J. T. Shutt, Yarm, Yorks. 2nd Bedfords: L/Cpl H. J. Bennett, Ampthill, Beds; Sgt T. H. Bennett, Bedford. 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers: Pte A. Bryce, Girvan, Ayrshire; Capt. G. D. Fairley, R.A.M.C., Ferndown, Dorset; Pte J. Frier, Edinburgh; Pte J. Russell, Possilpark, Glasgow (died 1969 or 1970); Pte R. Sim, Hamilton, Lanarkshire. 21st Brigade Machine Gun Company: Pte E. H. Furnell, Thrapston, Northants. 89th Brigade Machine Gun Company: L/Cpl C. O. Law, Sale, Cheshire. 98th Field Ambulance: Q.M.S. B. Benson, Hoylake, Cheshire. 200th Field Company R.E.: Spr A. Turner, Audenshaw, Manchester.
Hull Commercials: Pte W. E. Aust, Kirk Ella, Yorks; Pte W. H. Dickinson, Hull, Yorks; Pte A. Jordan, Reading, Berks (died 1970). Leeds Pals: Pte J. W. Allsop, Bramley, Leeds; Pte R. N. Bell, Farnham, Surrey; Pte A. Howard, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Yorks; Pte A.V. Pearson, Saltburn-on-Sea, Yorks; L/Cpl T. H. Place, Leeds; Pte J.W. Taylor, Middlesborough, Yorks. 1st Bradford Pals: Pte W. H. T. Carter, Worlaby, Lincs; Pte H. Licence, Bradford; Pte G. Monkman, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; Pte G. Morgan, Bradford; L/Cpl E. Thackray, Bradford Moor, Bradford; Cpl A. Wood, Lidget Green, Bradford; Pte G. E. Woodhall, Bradford. 2nd Bradford Pals: Pte E. Brook, Bradford; Cpl. P. W. Bunney, Barking, Essex; Drmr J. D. Currie, M.M., Great Horton, Bradford; Pte L. Frankland, Bradford; Pte L. G. Lincoln, Shipley, Yorks; Pte H. Mills, Bradford; Pte W. Slater, Baildon, Yorks. Durham Pals: Pte J. G. Bainbridge, Seaham, Co. Durham; L/Cpl F. W. Campbell, Hetton-le-Hole, Co. Durham; Sgt A. S. Durrant, Sunderland, Co. Durham; Pte G. E. Ramshaw, East Herrington, Co. Durham; L/Sgt H. Stanley, Hull, Yorks; Pte R. T. Tait, South Shields, Co. Durham; Pte F. W. Temple, Seaham, Co. Durham. Accrington Pals: Pte R. Barrow, Euxton, Lancs; Pte H. C. Bloor, Accrington, Lancs; L/Cpl H. Bury, Tilsworth, Beds; Pte C. Smith, Blackburn, Lancs. Sheffield City Battalion: Pte W. Brogan, Mosborough, Yorks; Cpl D. E. Cattell, Sheffield; Pte A. Fretwell, Aspley, Nottingham; Pte J. E. C. Goodrich, Sheffield; Pte W. C. Hartley, Sheffield; Pte A. H. Hastings, Curbar, Derbys; L/Cpl J. A. Linsley, Sheffield; L/Cpl T. Quinn, Thurcroft, Yorks; Pte J.W.Stevenson, Everton, Notts; Pte F. B. Vaughan, Sheffield; Pte W. J. Watson, Rotherham, Yorks; Sgt J. A. Willoughby, Rotherham, Yorks. 1st Barnsley Pals: Lieut M. Asquith, Wentbridge, Yorks; 2nd Lieut P. Brocklesby, Tealby, Lincs; Pte R. W. Carr, Barnsley, Yorks; Lieut R. A. Heptonstall, Goole, Yorks (died 1969); Pte C. Tyas, Barnsley, Yorks; Sgt H. Wainwright, Barnsley, Yorks; Pte J. Wiper, Darton, Yorks. 2nd Barnsley Pals: Pte T. W. Sabin, Hoyland, Yorks. 12th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (Pioneers): Cpl A. Jaggar, Sandal, Yorks. 93rd Brigade Machine Gun Company: Pte J. R. Thompson, Shipley, Yorks. 94th Trench Mortar Battery: Pte C. Bartram, New Rossington, Yorks. 170th Brigade R.F.A.: Gnr H.W.Beaumont, Hudders-field, Yorks; 2nd Lieut T. Reilly, Bexhill, Sussex. 94th Field Ambulance; Sgt F. F. Webber, Drumheller, Alberta, Canada.
Glasgow Tramways Battalion: Cpl T. Renton-Gordon, South Shields, Co. Durham. Glasgow Boys Brigade Battalion: L/Cpl J. Blair, Girvan, Ayrshire; Pte D. M. Miller, Glasgow; Pte L. Ramage, Glasgow; Pte G. E. Waller, Glasgow. Glasgow Commercials: Sgt H. M. Abercrombie, Glasgow; Pte F. R. Carson, Dunblane, Perthshire; Pte G. Forrest, Ashburton, Devon; Pte R. Love, Glasgow; Pte J. MacDonald, Rutherglen, Glasgow; Pte A. W. MacKinlay, Bearsden, Dunbartonshire; Pte A. C. Mclnnes, Girvan, Ayrshire; L/Cpl L. C. Palmer, North Halling, Kent. 1st Salfords: Pte J. Eastwood, Prestatyn, Flintshire. 3rd Salfords: Cpl A. Newton, Urmston, Lancs. Newcastle Commercials: Pte J. Haining, High Heaton, Newcastle; L/Cpl S. Henderson, High Heaton, Newcastle; Pte A. Rutherford, High Heaton, Newcastle; Pte B. Richardson, North Shields, Northumberland. 11th Border (Lonsdales): L/Cpl F. Allan, Carlisle, Cumberland; Pte F. Graves, Carlisle, Cumberland; L/Cpl J. Mounsey, Workington, Cumberland; Pte R. L. Walker, Carlisle, Cumberland. 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers: R.S.M. T. Maguire, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. 2nd King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry: Lieut-Col. E. H. Rigg, D.S.O., Lymington, Hants. Newcastle Railway Pals (Pioneers): Pte J. Harris, Scotswood, Newcastle. 97th Brigade Machine Gun Company: Pte C. A. Turner, Swindon, Wilts. 155th Brigade R.F.A.: Dvr H. Clay, Crossgates, Leeds; Gnr H. Sykes, Holmfirth, Yorks (died 1969). 161st Brigade R.F.A.: Sgt R. T. Oates, Cambridge, New Zealand. 32nd Signal Company: L/Cpl E. G. Catley, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.
1st Edinburgh City Battalion: Cpl H. Beaumont, M.M., Combe Martin, Devon; Pte W. B. Corbett, Edinburgh; Pte J. S. Kidd, Edinburgh; Pte A. M. Leslie, Dundee, Angus; Pte W. McHardy, Altrincham, Cheshire; Pte M. Richardson, Edinburgh; Pte J. Sutherland, Brechin, Angus; Pte L. Welch, Withington, Manchester. Grimsby Chums: Sgt H. Benzing, Grimsby, Lincs; Pte R. D. Carter, Keelby, Lincs; L/Cpl H. E. Chapman, Cleethorpes, Lincs; Cpl F. Colebrook, Humberstone, Lincs; Cpl A. Dickinson, Boston, Lines; Lieut C. H. Emmerson, Grimsby; Pte C. R. Frankish, Barnetby, Lines; Pte H. Kemp, East Keal, Lines; Pte G. Leeman, Grimsby; Pte G. T. Mason, Saughall, Cheshire; Pte F. R. Miller, Scarthoe, Grimsby; Pte W. T. Parkin, Scarthoe, Grimsby; Pte F. Perry, Cleethorpes, Lincs; L/Cpl A. Turner, Cleethorpes, Lines, 11th Suffolks (Cambridge Battalion): Pte R. W. Allen, Cambridge; L/Cpl W. B. Cousins, Histon, Cambs (died 1969 or 1970); L/Cpl A. W. Crawford, Cambridge; Pte H. Dockerill, Ely, Cambs; Pte A. E. Fletcher, Longstanton, Cambs; Pte W. Gathercole, Prickwillow, Cambs; Pte W. H. Gillingham, Cambridge; Pte G. Gordon, Girton, Cambridge; Pte J. Page, West Wickham, Cambs; Pte A. W. Robinson, Papworth Everard, Cambs; Pte H. A. Rogers, Papworth Everard, Cambs; Pte W. J. Senescall, Needingworth, Hunts; Pte W. C. Sheldrick, Fowlmere, Cambs; Pte B. West, Soham, Cambs. 1st Tyneside Scottish: Sgt J. Wilson, Backworth, Northumberland (died 1968). 2nd Tyneside Scottish: Pte J. G. Barron, Dalton-le-Dale, Co. Durham; Pte C. W. Coulter, Gateshead, Co. Durham; Pte T. Easton, Stakeford, Northumberland. 4th Tyneside Scottish: Pte L. Dodd, Clipstone, Notts; Sgt R. E. Jackson, Bayswater, London; Pte R. Peardon, Seaham, Co. Durham. 1st Tyneside Irish: Pte N. Fitzpatrick, Jarrow, Co. Durham; Pte J. R. Fowler, Longframlington, Northumberland. 2nd Tyneside Irish: Pte R. W. Flockton, Bedlington, Northumberland; Pte H. Monaghan, Byker, Newcastle. 3rd Tyneside Irish: Sgt J. Galloway, Hull, Yorks; Lieut W. J. White, Sunderland, Co. Durham. 4th Tyneside Irish: Lieut-Col. G. R. V. Steward, D.S.O. (died 1969). 18th Northumberland Fusiliers (Pioneers): Pte A. D. Grey, Jesmond, Newcastle; Pte A. Warren, Freckleton, Lancs; Capt. R. Wood, St Helier, Jersey. 175th Brigade R.F.A.: Gnr J. D. Brew, Albrighton, Shropshire. 152nd Brigade R.F.A.: Bdr H. Gates, Nottingham. 209th Field Company R.E.: Spr G. H. Anderson, Reepham, Norfolk. 34th Signal Company: Cpl S. F. Hill, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, Eire.
East Belfast Volunteers: C.S.M. R. S. Drean, M.C, Belfast; Pte A. Morrison, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. West Belfast Volunteers: Pte J. Donaldson, Banbridge, Co. Down; Sgt G. Fleming, Donaghadee, Co. Down; Cpl G. A. Lloyd, Belfast; Pte A. V. Wilson, Larne, Co. Antrim. South Belfast Volunteers: Pte J. Quinn, Londonderry. Central Antrim Volunteers: Pte J. Kinnaird, Cloyfin, Co. Derry. Co. Down Volunteers: L/Cpl R. Johnston, Dromore, Co. Down. Belfast Young Citizens: 2nd Lieut L. S. Duncan, Belfast; Pte W. J. Ellis, Coventry, Warwicks; Pte J. Grange, Belfast; L/Cpl J. A. Henderson, Bangor, Co. Down; Sgt J. A. B. Maultsaid, Belfast; Pte S. Megaw, Moneymore, Co. Derry. Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan Volunteers: Cpl R.D. Meredith, Tanderagee, Co. Armagh; Pte W. A. Patterson, Belfast. Co. Tyrone Volunteers: Pte R. Irwin, Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone; Cpl T. McClay, M.M., Omagh, Co. Tyrone; Pte C. Shannon, Mullaghmore, Co. Tyrone (died 1970). Co. Derry Volunteers: Pte L. Bell, Moneymore, Co. Derry; Pte J. Devennie, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim; Pte D. Jordan, Moneymore, Co. Derry; Capt. N. Strong, Tynan, Co. Armagh. Donegal and Fermanagh Volunteers: Pte R. J. Little, Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh; Pte A. McMullen, Magherafelt, Co. Derry. 108th Machine Gun Company: Pte E. J. Brownlee, Larne, Co. Antrim. 109th Trench Mortar Battery: Pte F. G. Gardner, South Shields, Co. Durham. 108th Field Ambulance: Capt. S. B. B. Campbell, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim; Pte J. Savage, Oswaldtwistle, Lancs. 109th Field Ambulance: Capt. J. G. Johnston, Lisburn, Co. Antrim; Sgt W. Tozer, Belfast. I2lst Field Company R.E.: Cpl P. Nicholls, Cape, Warwicks; Spr M. H. Walker, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.
1/5th South Staffs: Pte F. Birch, Wednesbury, Staffs; Cpl C. T. Edwards, Walsall, Staffs; Cpl A. C. Smith, Walsall, StafTs. l/6th South Staffs: Pte H.D. Bowdler, Wolverhampton, Staffs; Pte A. Crutchley, Womboume, Staffs; Pte F. A. Griffiths, Wombourne, Staffs; Pte A. W. Jenkins, Southsea, Hants; Cpl D. Morton, Cannock, Staffs; Pte B. Tranter, Lower Gornal, Staffs; Pte J. E. Williams, Fremantle, W. Australia (died 1970). 1/6th North Staffs: Pte J. Foster, Uttoxeter, Staffs; Pte G. S. Young, Kilburn, London. l\4th lincolns: 2nd Lieut A.V. Coulson, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex; Pte W. Miller, Dawsmere, Lincs; Cpl J. Ward, Boston, Lincs. l’, 5th Lincolns: Pte W. E. Martin, Boston, Lincs (died 1969); Pte A. Ward, Dunstable, Beds. 1/5th Sherwood Foresters (Derby): Pte J. T. Commons, Derby; L/Cpl W. Disney, Derby. 1/6th Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire): Pte W. H. Riley, Derby; Capt. V. O. Robinson, M.C, Holymoorside, Derbys; Drmr W. Waterhouse, Chesterfield, Derbys. 1/7th Sherwood Foresters (Nottingham): L/Cpl N.J.Buckley, Bulwell, Nottingham; 2nd Lieut J. Garner, Tollerton, Notts; Pte J. E. Salt, M.M., Nottingham (died 1969); Pte J. Singleton, Aspley, Nottingham; Bglr W. H. Soar, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (died 1970); Pte A. H. Tomlinson, Skegness, Lincs; Bglr H. Waldram, Sheffield; Cpl C. Wooley, M.M., Old Basford, Nottingham. 1/8th Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire): L/Cpl H. Hickman, Collingham, Notts. 232nd Brigade R.F.A.: Gnr A. Clarke, Willenhall, Staffs. 113rd North Midlands Field Ambulance: Pte H. Kendrick, Wolverhampton, Staffs. 466th Field Company R.E.: Sgt C. E. Linford, Heath Hayes, Staffs. 46th Signals Company: Spr R. M. Arnold, Tauranga, New Zealand. 46th Divisional Ammunition Column: Capt. O. B. Giles, Boston, Lincs (died 1970).
1/6th Royal Warwicks (Birmingham): Pte H. Jones, Wolverhampton, Staffs. 1/8th Royal Warwicks (Birmingham): Pte C. G. Barff (served as Dickens), Northolt, Middlesex; Pte J. Parkes, Erdington, Birmingham; Pte E. C. Stanley, Cheltenham, Glos. 1/6th Gloucesters: Cpl J. T. Brewer, Ottershaw, Surrey. 48th Divisional Ammunition Column: Bdr W. F. Spriggs, Duffield, Derbys (died 1970).
1/5th West Yorks (York): Pte G. B. Gledhill, York; Pte E. T. Rad-band, Holgate, York. 1/6th West Yorks (Bradford): Pte J. G. Dooley, Bradford; L/Cpl J. B. Field, Wibsey, Bradford; Pte T. Firth, Bradford; Pte E. G. Hall, Godalming, Surrey; Pte G. Scaife, Bradford; Sgt J.H.Thompson, Lidget Green, Bradford; Pte J. Wilson, Buttershaw, Bradford. 1/8th West Yorks (Leeds): Pte H. E. Allen, Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire. 1/5th Duke of Wellington’s: Pte H. Battye, Honley, Yorks; Pte C. Helliwell, Almondbury, Yorks; Pte N. Smith, Cowlersley, Yorks. 1\5th Yorks and Lancs: Pte W. H. Haigh, Bamsley, Yorks. 1/5th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry: Pte A. Eastwood, Oakville, Ontario, Canada. 246th Brigade R.F.A.: Cpl H. Delves, Stockport, Cheshire.
1/2nd London: Sgt R. L. Mallett, Nordelph, Norfolk. 1/4th London: Pte H. B. Barr, Southgate, London; Pte H. H. Conrad, Bookham, Surrey; Pte F. Dent, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex; L/Cpl H. C. Lancashire, Tiverton, Devon. Rangers: Pte F. S. Martin, Sawbridgeworth, Herts; Pte E. T. Salter, Harringay, London. Kensingtons: Pte G. L. Arnold, Hayling Island, Hants; Pte G. Tollman, Three Bridges, Sussex. Pte H. L. Witts, Hayling Island, Hants. 1st London Scottish: Pte T. C. Clynes, Brixton Hill, London; Maj. C. J. Low, D.S.O., Reigate, Surrey. 1st London Rifle Brigade: L/Sgt H. L. Bamford, Eastcote, Middlesex; Rfmn H. A. Barber, Surbiton, Surrey; Rfmn A. Hollis, Hove, Sussex; Rfmn A. E. Holmes, II-ford, Essex; L/Cpl E. R. Hughes, Great Missenden, Bucks; Cpl L. Jessop, Balcombe, Sussex; Rfmn N. H. Lockhart, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex; Rfmn S. G. Richardson, Herne Hill, London; L/Cpl T. R. Short, East Horsley, Surrey (died 1970); Rfmn W. G. Terrett, Merton Park, London. Queen Victoria’s Rifles: Rfmn P. W. Harris, Poole, Dorset; L/Cpl F. Howell, Richmond, Surrey; Cpl C. R. Tennant, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex; Rfmn R. E. Walter, New Barnet, Herts; Rfmn F. J. Williams, Walton-on-Naze, Essex. Queen’s Westminster Rifles: L/Cpl T. Flin, Epsom, Surrey; Rfmn A. F. Pays, Putney Hill, London; Bglr A. J. Price, South Benfleet, Essex; Rfmn A. H. Rose, Hove, Sussex. 1/5th Cheshires (Pioneers): Capt. P. H. Joliffe, Chester. 168th Brigade H.Q.: Capt. P. Neame, v.c, Selling, Kent. 168th Brigade Machine Gun Company: Cpl W. G. Martin, Elham, Kent. 169th Brigade Machine Gun Company: Pte N. W. Nielsen, St Neot, Cornwall. 2/3rd London Field Ambulance: Pte A. V. Atkinson, Swanage, Dorset. 56th Signals Company: Spr H. C. Salter, Camden, London.
12th Heavy Battery R.G.A.: Gnr F. W. J. Clark, Moulton, Suffolk. 13th Siege Battery R.G.A.: Gnr L. Thomas, Highlane, Cheshire. 56th Siege Battery R.G.A.: Gnr A. G. Bourne, Hamilton, New Zealand. 97th (Canadian) Siege Battery R.G.A.: B.S.M. W. J. Jussup, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Gnr F. B. Ferguson, Goldborough, Nova Scotia, Canada. 110th Siege Battery R.G.A.: Gnr J. Blackburn, New York, Lincs.
2nd Dragoon Guards: L/Cpl E. A. Mahoney, Cambridge, New Zealand (died 1969). 3rd Dragoon Guards: L/Cpl G. J. R. Wraight, Beckenham, Kent. 7th Dragoon Guards: Tpr R. C. Cornforth, Southport, Lancs. Royal Horse Guards: Cpl F. Webber, Penryn, Cornwall. 1/1st North Somerset Yeomanry: Capt. R. Marshall, R.A.M.C, Belfast. 6th Inniskilling Dragoons: Tpr J. McKeown, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. South Irish Horse: Sgt G. Tracey, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Eire.
3rd Squadron R.F.C.: Lieut T. W. Stallibrass, Coddenham, Suffolk. 9th Squadron R.F.C.: LieutG. Chetwynd-Stapleton, Tilford, Surrey. Wireless Section: 2nd Air Mechanic S. H. Matts, New Malden, Surrey; 2nd Air Mechanic M. V. Pocock, Cannich, Inverness-shire.
5th Battalion, Special Brigade R.E.: 2nd Lieut P. R. Koekkoek, Mapledurham, Berks; Cpl S. G. Tupman, Southall, Middlesex. 178th Tunnelling Company R.E.: Spr C.Nixon, Woolsthorpe, Lincs. 11th Casualty Clearing Station: Sgt G. B. Crooke, Gourock, Renfrewshire. 13th Corps Cyclist Battalion: Pte H. W. C. Corbin, Waterloo, Liverpool. British Liaison Officer at French Sixth Army H.Q.: Capt. E. L. Spears, Warfield, Berks.
8th Bavarian Reserve Regiment: Soldat Lorenz Schneider, Penzing, Bavaria. 55th Reserve Regiment: Gefreiter Hugo van Egeren, Kleve, Northrhine-Westphalia. 62nd Regiment: Oberleutnant Heinrich Schneider, Bruckenau, Hesse. 66th Regiment: Feldwebel Peter Collet, Trier, Rhineland-Pfalz. 99th Reserve Regiment: Gefreiter Peter Kuster, Frankenberg, Hesse; Soldat Wilhelm Lange, Wemding, Bavaria. 109th Reserve Regiment: Grenadier Emil Goebelbecker, New Jersey, U.S.A.; Unteroffizier Karl Goll, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg; Grenadier Emil Kury, Waldkirch, Baden-Württemberg; Unteroffizier Gustav Luttgers, Karlsruhe; Unteroffizier Paul Scheytt, Ettlingen, Karlsruhe; Unteroffizier F. W. Thomas, Karlsruhe. 119th Reserve Regiment: Hauptmann Karl Schall, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. 169th Regiment: Musketier Karl Blenk, Grotzingen, Karlsruhe; Feldwebel Karl Stumpf, Karlsruhe. 180th Regiment: Oberleutnant Heinrich Vogler, Bad Oldesloe, Schleswig-Holstein.
16th Reserve Heavy Artillery Regiment: Leutnant August Bielefeld, Gelsenkirchen, Northrhine-Westphalia. 21st Field Artillery Regiment: Kanonier Hermann Heinrich, Lenzfried, Bavaria. 26th Field Artillery Regiment: Feldwebel Felix Kircher, Lauingen, Bavaria. 60th Artillery Regiment: Gefreiter Helmuth Buchholz, Berlin.
An unknown number of the above men have died in addition to the deaths shown, which were mostly reported by relations. I failed to get replies to an increasing proportion of the letters written during the three years it took to prepare the book for publication.
As an inexperienced author tackling a complex subject, I have relied heavily upon the help of many people in the preparation of this book. These cheerfully performed a legion of duties without which it could never have been completed: research and technical advice, help in interviewing survivors of the battle, translation of German letters and documents, preparations of maps, reading and criticism of trial chapters and the correction of my very rusty grammar and punctuation. To all who helped I express my sincere thanks.
I have no hesitation in placing one name before all others. Patrick R. H. Mahoney of Chadwell Heath, Essex, offered himself as unpaid research assistant, mainly because of his own intense interest in the subject. His willingness to tackle any task, his diligence in inspecting a mass of documents and his uncanny flair for uncovering hidden stories lie behind nearly every page of the book. Over a period of two years, Patrick Mahoney gave up uncounted hours of his spare time to ensure that this book should be published.
Another stalwart has been John Howlett of Boston, who was involved in much of the early planning and research and would have gone on to be a co-author if circumstances had permitted. For his early help and encouragement, at a time when it would have been easy for me to give up, I am much indebted.
The following friends gave freely of their time in a multitude of ways; the order in which the names appear does not imply any order of merit: Miss Margaret Brocklebank, Mrs Margaret Howlett, Mrs Annemarie Lamb, Michael Harden, John Kilshaw, David Middlebrook, Ted Sylvester and Tom Wallace, all of Boston; Robert and Anne Clarkson of Irby near Skegness; Michael Parker of Hadlow, Kent; ‘Lol’ Spinks of Nottingham (died January 1970); Tom Steele of Exeter College, Oxford; Mr G. Cook, of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Albert, and Herr Heinrich Koch of Verden/Aller, West Germany.
I would like to thank my wife Mary and my daughters, Jane, Anne and Catherine for their encouragement and help in many small tasks.
My thanks, also, to three typists, Mrs Molly Stevens, Mrs Sonia Hubbard and Mrs Janet Mountain, who coped with a massive correspondence and a complicated manuscript with much patience and skill.
I am grateful to Anthony Farrar-Hockley for finding, at the last moment, an interpreter for a visit to Germany.
I express my appreciation to the families of the late Reginald Bastard, Dick King, Billy MacFadzean and Henry Webber for allowing me to use the stories of these men. For help in piecing together the story of Henry Webber I am indebted to Mrs N. Copland, Mrs B. Martin and Rev. E. A. Noon of Horley, Surrey and Miss M. Gollancz, the Archivist of Surrey County Council.
Of the official organizations, two, the Imperial War Museum and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, deserve special mention. The enthusiastic help given by their officials went far beyond the strict limits of their duties and I am very grateful to them, especially to Miss N. Bowden and Miss I. Doig of the War Graves Commission. Other bodies who provided willing help to less demanding requests were the Public Record Office (Chancery Lane and Portugal Street); the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland at Belfast; the National Army Museum, Camberley; the Stock Exchange; the military attaché of the West German Embassy; the City of Nottingham Publicity Department; the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the staffs of the Boston Borough Library and the Ilford Central Library (the latter for their help to Mr Mahoney).
To trace over 500 survivors of the battle, appeals were made through national and local newspapers and journals in many countries. Over ninety published these appeals; none made a charge for their services and I would like to express my gratitude for this generous help. These newspapers are identified in the ‘Newspaper List’ overleaf. My thanks also to Allan Eves of the Lincolnshire Standard Group for providing the information which enabled me to conduct this newspaper campaign.
I regret that I am unable to name the many regimental secretaries and old comrades associations who helped me and those people who kindly loaned battalion histories and other books which proved very useful. To those and to all those other people, whose names there is not space to mention, I give my thanks.
There is one group of people, above all others, who have made this book possible – the 526 British and twenty German ex-soldiers who fought on 1 July 1916 and who so willingly gave their personal accounts. Many enjoyed the opportunity to tell of their experiences; others were distressed to delve into the past but did so that a record of how their friends lived and died might be provided. I am pleased to be able to acknowledge each of these contributors, by name, elsewhere. My one regret is that some did not survive to see the book published.
Acknowledgements for permission to include quotations from books and documents are gratefully given as follows: History of the 7th Battalion Green Howards, to the Regimental Headquarters of the Green Howards; History of the 6th, 17th, 18th and 19th Manchesters, to John Sherratt and Sons of Altrincnam; The Old Front Line, to the Society of Authors as the literary representative of the Estate of John Masefield; Sagittarius Rising, to the publishers, Peter Davies; General Jack’s Diary 1914–1918, to John Terraine; The Private Papers of Douglas Haig, 1914–1919, to Earl Haig, Robert Blake and Eyre & Spottiswoode; and the Official War Histories to the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office.
For permission to quote from the original diaries of Baron Rawlinson, I am indebted to the members of the Rawlinson family and to Churchill College, Cambridge, who own the diaries. Similarly, I thank Mrs S. Clive of Nunnington Hall, York, for allowing me to quote from the diaries of her late father, Lieut-Col. R. Fife of the Green Howards. Quotations from Crown copyright records in the Public Record Office appear by permission of the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office.
Maps 1 to 10 were based on those appearing with the Official Histories and Map 11 on maps produced by the National Geographic Institute in Paris.
Guardian; Daily Telegraph; The Times Literary Supplement; Accrington Observer and Times; Barnsley Chronicle; Bedfordshire Times; Birmingham Evening Mail; Blyth News; Bournemouth Times; Bradford Telegraph and Argus; Bury Times; Cambridge News; Cheshire Observer; Cumberland Evening News; Cumberland News; Derby Evening Telegraph; Derbyshire Times; Devon and Somerset News; Doncaster Gazette; Dunstable Gazette; Eastern Daily Press; Grimsby Evening Telegraph; Hampshire Chronicle; Hampshire Herald; Horley Advertiser; Huddersfield Weekly Examiner; Hull and Yorkshire Times; Kent Messenger; Kentish Times; Kettering Evening Telegraph; Lancashire Evening Telegraph; Lancashire Life; Lincolnshire Echo; Lincolnshire Life; Lincolnshire Standard; Liverpool Weekly News; London Evening News; Luton News; Middlesborough Evening Gazette; Newcastle Evening Chronicle; Newcastle (Staffordshire) Times; Northumberland Gazette; Nottinghamshire Guardian Journal; Penrith Observer; Reading Mercury; Rotherham Advertiser; Salford City Reporter; Sheffield Telegraph; Shields Gazette; Southend Standard; South Yorkshire Times; Staffordshire Advertiser and Chronicle; Stretford and Urmston Journal; Sunderland Echo; Surrey Comet; Wakefield Express; Warwickshire Advertiser; Western Morning News; Westmorland Gazette; Wolverhampton Express and Star; York Evening Press; Yorkshire Life; Ayr Advertiser; Edinburgh Evening News; Glasgow Daily Record; Glasgow Herald; Inverness Courier; Perthshire Peoples Journal; Belfast Telegraph; Ulster Star; AngloCelt, Cavan; Cork Examiner; Dublin Evening Press; Irish Press, Dublin; Northern Standard, Monaghan; The People, Wexford.
Allgauer Zeitung; Augsburger Algemeine; Berliner Morgenpost; Die Fackel; Kyffhauser; Memminger Zeitung; Minden Tageblatt; Neue Rhein Zeitung; Saarbrucker Zeitung; Newfoundland News; St John’s Evening Telegraph, Newfoundland; Royal Canadian Legion Magazine; Royal Gazette, Hamilton, Bermuda; Legion Magazine, Melbourne, Australia; New Zealand Returned Servicemen’s Review.
Army Medical Services Magazine; British Legion Journal; The Church Times; London Scottish Gazette; Nursing Mirror; Pulse Magazine; The Universe.