Today is 100 years since the start of the Battle of the Somme. Let's remember those who fought for us. Tell us about your ancestors who fought. Viv.
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Battle Of The Somme 1 July Centenary
- Thread starter Vivienne14
- Start date
These are some of the 1 Royal Warwickshire Battalion who lost their lives on 1 July. Viv
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/community/3520
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/community/3520
Captain Arthur Brooke Turner, a Birmingham solicitor, was injured on the first day of the Somme. His uniform is on display at Blakesley Hall, along with other artifacts and film screenings. Viv.
Remembering three Old Veseyans/Suttonians who lost their lives on this day:
2/Lt. George Russell Courtney Martin (aged 24), 1/6th Warks, of Hartopp Court.
2/Lt. Sidney Joseph Winkley (20) 1/6th Warks, of Hartopp Road.
2/Lt. Stanley John Ellison (19), 1st/5th S. Staffs of "Wyndhurst", Driffold.
At least 12 more would follow them over the coming weeks in the same battle.
(Source: "Pro Patria Mori", 1999, by Dave Phillips)
Chris
2/Lt. George Russell Courtney Martin (aged 24), 1/6th Warks, of Hartopp Court.
2/Lt. Sidney Joseph Winkley (20) 1/6th Warks, of Hartopp Road.
2/Lt. Stanley John Ellison (19), 1st/5th S. Staffs of "Wyndhurst", Driffold.
At least 12 more would follow them over the coming weeks in the same battle.
(Source: "Pro Patria Mori", 1999, by Dave Phillips)
Chris
guilbert53
master brummie
While it is right we remember those who fought for us I cant hep but get angry at the total waste of human life caused by the various generals and leaders from around Europe at the time.
The scale of death and injury suffered by those at the Somme (and other WW1 battles) should have made the generals and leaders hang their head in shame and aim for peace as soon as possible.
But they did not, and the war carried on for a couple more years.
I recently read a book about WW1 and it covers the Battle of Verdun, which was the Germans fighting to capture Verdun from the French. As this did not involve the British it is less well known by British people.
The Battle of Verdun lasted from February to December 1916 and it is estimated there was about 1 million casualties with about 300,000 killed (estimates vary).
And with all that loss of life the Germans never took Verdun.
Sorry, not wishing to take anything away from the Somme, but sadly this sort of carnage was going on all over the Western Front in WW1.
Such a tragic waste.
I presume 2Lts Martin and Winkley were friends Chris. Viv.
Absolutely guilbert. The numbers are almost unimaginable. And battles didn't come to an end very quickly either, dragging on and on, sometimes to achieve what seems so little (in terms of ground gained etc.). I have gone over many hundreds of WW1 records and war diaries and the loss and suffering is heartbreaking. The sacrifice made should never be forgotten. The least we can do is pay tribute to those as each anniversary emerges so that our successors follow us in remembering them too. Viv.
my rellie...
HARRY FROGETT
BORN HOCKLEY
RESIDENCE ASTON
KINGS ROYAL RIFLE CORPS..BATTALION 16..KIA AT THE SOMME 6TH NOV 1916..AGE 21 JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER GETTING MARRIED...ON THE ROLL OF HONOUR AT WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL ALSO HONOURED ON THE THIEPVAL MEMORIAL..
GOD BLESS THEM ALL..
HARRY FROGETT
BORN HOCKLEY
RESIDENCE ASTON
KINGS ROYAL RIFLE CORPS..BATTALION 16..KIA AT THE SOMME 6TH NOV 1916..AGE 21 JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER GETTING MARRIED...ON THE ROLL OF HONOUR AT WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL ALSO HONOURED ON THE THIEPVAL MEMORIAL..
GOD BLESS THEM ALL..
Harry would have died just 12 days before the end of the battle Lyn. Viv.
john knight
signman
Fantastic photo Viv.
john knight
signman
Here's my father.
Simon4130
master brummie
My Great Grandmother had 6 brothers and 4 of them lost their lives in the First World War, i'm currently researching them but unfortunately its such a common surname that the results are going to take a lot of weeding out, not helped by the fact that i'm not sure yet which four perished. Its probable that some of them fought and maybe died at the Somme.
Here at the library I organised a small display of related books to be put out in the foyer to mark the centenary.
Simon
Here at the library I organised a small display of related books to be put out in the foyer to mark the centenary.
Simon
john knight
signman
Simon I have a book with a huge amount of names in, what name are you looking for.
hi simon such a massive loss for just one family....good luck with your research hope you find what you are looking for
lyn
john what an amazing account..you must be very proud of your dad...thanks for sharing with us all
lyn
Simon4130
master brummie
Thanks John. Surname is James, I will send you a message later with their first names, don't want to hi-jack the thread!
Simon
john knight
signman
Cheers Lyn.
john knight
signman
Sorry Simon, no James's.
I would like to record and remember MAJOR ALFRED ARMSTRONG CADDICK, 8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment who died aged 44 on this day 100 years ago, 1st July 1916. He is remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial. He had been on active service since the outbreak of the war serving in France since April 1915. He had two brothers who were also serving in different areas at the same time. They achieved what was probably a unique distinction in that all three were mentioned for "Distinguished Conduct" in the same dispatch in January 1916. In civilian life he was in practice as a solicitor and Deputy Town Clerk of West Bromwich. He was a member of Sandwell Park Golf Club who lost five other members in the conflict, Lieut. R. STANDEFORD PULLEN, Lieut. H.G.NEVILLE, Capt. G.F.SILVESTER, Lieut.R.MAXWELL TRIMBLE, and the club professional, Cpl. J.E.EDWARDS.