Category Archives: Research
A Missing Sergeant – updated
Once again time seems to have flown by since my last post, for a number of reasons. Family life and the day job have taken precedence, and a lot of my free time was spent preparing for my role as … Continue reading
Posted in 1915, Black Watch, CWGC, Research, Somme, WW1
Tagged Authuille, Black Watch, Hammerhead Sap, John Marnock
6 Comments
He Made the Great Sacrifice for King and Country
So reads the epitaph on the grave of Second Lieutenant Alfred Claude Gant, 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed less than a month before the war ended, aged 21. He lies in Busingy communal cemetery, about 15 … Continue reading
Posted in 1918, CWGC, Remembrance, Research, WW1
Tagged 2/KRRC, 2nd KRRC, AC Gant, Alfred Claude Gant, Gant, KRRC, KRRC Chronicle, Selle, Sneinton
5 Comments
‘A mad scheme in my opinion’: The 1st Queen’s attack on the Hindenburg Line 23/04/1917
The 1st Battalion of The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) did not participate in the opening phase of the Battle of Arras from 9th April, but on 15th April as part of the ‘fresh’ 33rd Division, moved into support north … Continue reading
An Arras Mystery
Today marks the centenary of the death of Private Harold William Baker, 20th Royal Fusiliers, one of the men commemorated on Carshalton war memorial and who I wrote about in my book. Harold lived locally and attended St. Olave’s school … Continue reading
The 1st Queen’s 1914 Star Medal Roll
It has been a while since I last posted on here but I’ve been trying to fit in my ongoing research into the 1st Battalion The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) when time allows. One project I recently completed was … Continue reading
Posted in 1914, First Ypres, Projects, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, Research, Surrey Regiments, WW1, Ypres
Tagged 1914 star, 1st Queen's, medal roll, Queens, Research, Surrey, WW1, Ypres
6 Comments
Sutton and the Somme, 1st July 1916
Like communities up and down the country, Sutton and the surrounding area were hugely impacted by the Battle of the Somme. Ten men from Sutton (representing 2% of the names on Sutton memorial) and 20 from Carshalton (8% of the … Continue reading
Posted in 1916, Research, Somme, Surrey Regiments, War memorials, WW1
Tagged Belmont, Carshalton, Cheam, Somme, Somme100, Sutton, Wallington
2 Comments
The story behind a lone headstone
To a passer-by, the headstone situated in the middle of the field might seem out of place, particularly if they are not aware of the history of the local area. But there are very few passers-by, for this is not … Continue reading
Posted in 1916, CWGC, Loos, Remembrance, Research, WW1
Tagged Commonwealth War Graves Commission, CWGC, Hohenzollern, Remembrance, Shellshock
5 Comments
“The whole attack had been a most costly failure” – The 1st Queen’s 15th July 1916
The average shopper in Guildford may be forgiven for not paying a visit to the church of Holy Trinity at the top of the High Street. The attention of those who do venture down the path at the side of … Continue reading
Mapping Carshalton’s First World War casualties
Recently I have been ‘mapping’ the men named on Carshalton war memorial to show where they lived in the area. My research into the men has really focused on them as individuals rather than looking at how the community was … Continue reading
Posted in Carshalton, Research, Surrey Regiments, War memorials, WW1
Tagged Carshalton, Carshalton casualties, Surrey, WW1
6 Comments
Searching for William MacDuff – what can be learnt from new records?
Last week I attended the book launch for Michael LoCicero’s new book, ‘A Moonlight Massacre: The night operation on the Passchendaele Ridge, 2 December 1917.’ The book describes the action in which my Great Great Uncle William MacDuff was killed, … Continue reading
Posted in 1917, Border Regiment, Passchendaele, Research, WW1
Tagged Border Regiment, Lonsdales, MacDuff, moonlight massacre, Passchendaele, Westrozebeke, WW1
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