The story of the 1/2nd North Midland Field Engineers
All stories are courtesy of Andrew Thornton, Bob Leighton and the Story of
1/2nd North Midland (later 466th) Field Company, Royal Engineers (T.F.) in the Great War.
- Prior to the war Chris Hatton held an important position at the Great Wyrley Colliery and commanded the North Midland Royal Engineers. After war was declared on the 4th August, 2nd North Midland Field Company prepared for mobilisation. Part of this preparation required the purchase of horses. Horses were needed for the field telegraph and pontoon bridges. These came from the Cannock area. Lieutenant Chris Hatton and Company Quartermaster Sergeant Bert Shergold engaged in visiting various parts of the district purchasing horses. More horses were needed though and an appeal was made in the Cannock Advertiser on 8th August, where Lieutenant Hatton spoke of how generous businesses had been even though it would cause suffering to their businesses. 2nd North Midland Field Company spent some time in Luton after leaving Norton Canes and during that time 2nd North Midland Field Company effectively split into two units. Those that volunteered for Imperial Service became the First Line Company, now known as the 1/2nd North Midland Company and were commanded by Major Chris Hatton who had been promoted. The Company arrived in Le Havre, France on the morning of 1st March 1915. On the 12th May the North Midland Division was retitled and became the 46th (North Midland Division). They continued with their routine of taking turns to tour on the front line and improving and strengthening trenches throughout May and June. Chris Hatton had commanded the Company from its mobilisation at Norton Hall and had served with them throughout apart from a few days leave in June 1915.On Wednesday 13th October 1915 the first lines of infantry went over at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The troops suffered heavy casualties and all sections remained in the front line into the afternoon of the 14th October. Throughout this time Major Hatton was with his men rescuing the wounded and leading by example. On the 6th November news was received that Major Chris Hatton had been awarded the Legion of Honour by the French for his leadership during the attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt and rescuing several wounded men. Following the war the bonds of comradeship were maintained by former members of the Company. Many of the men became leading figures in the new British Legion organisation. Major Chris Hatton, who was also active in organising reunions, an activity which he continued until the time of his death. In November 1960 the last major reunion was held for members of the old 2nd North Midland Field Company which was held at the British Legion Club in Norton Canes. 56 men who had served with the company when they arrived in France in March 1915 were present with the oldest being Joe Clifton who was 82 and lived in Hednesford. Major E.H. Wills suggested that the reunions should continue for as long as there were Norton Territorials left so that it would serve: “as a memorial to Chris Hatton, one of the finest gentlemen Cannock Chase has ever produced.”
Following the war the
bonds of comradeship
were maintained by former members of the Company. Many of the men became leading figures in the new British Legion organisation.
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In December 1915 Major Chris Hatton was wounded in the abdomen by a piece of shrapnel whilst in conversation with Major R Abadie, the Brigade Major of 137th Brigade. He was evacuated to hospital in England but was never again to serve with 1/2nd North Midland Field Company. He was a very popular and well respected by his men.
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After war was declared on the 4th August, 2nd North Midland Field Company prepared for mobilisation. Part of this preparation required the purchase of horses. Horses were needed for the field telegraph and pontoon bridges. These came from the Cannock area. Lieutenant Chris Hatton and Company Quartermaster Sergeant Bert Shergold were engaged in visiting various parts of the district purchasing horses. It also spoke of how he had been accepted for service abroad.
He then served in South Africa where he was awarded the S.A. Medal with five clasps and the Kings Medal with two clasps. He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1903, 19 years after joining the army. The article also talked about how he had been accepted for service abroad, was a qualified rough rider and had passed his examination in field work. His wife and family lived in Norton Canes.
For the first Christmas in France an appeal was made by ten of the soldiers from Norton Canes to Councillor T Emery J.P. for a phonograph. The phonograph was forwarded to C.Q.M.S. Shergold after a collection had been made in the village to buy one.
Company Quartermaster
Sergeant Bert Shergold was
subject of an article in the Cannock Chronicle whilst stationed at Braintree. The article spoke about how “Few soldiers can boast a more honourable record of service than Quartermaster Sergt. Shergold of Norton Canes”. The article spoke of his service record having joined the Royal Engineers as a trumpeter at the age of just 14.
Some members of 2nd North Midland Field Company transferred to the newly formed 2/1st North Midland Field Company. On 16th November 2nd North Field Company moved to Ware and then Braintree. At this
time one of the members of the Company was written about in the Cannock Chase Courier.
Quartermaster Sgt Shergold from Norton Canes was written about
for having an honourable record
and Long Service and Good Conduct record. It also spoke of how he had been accepted for service abroad.
Soldiers from the Company also received gifts from home from the many comfort funds that were set up in the Cannock area. C.Q.M.S. Shergold wrote to the Norton Patriotic Fund to thank them saying “Just a line to thank the committee and subscribers of the Norton Patriotic Fund for the very kind and welcome parcel I received today.” He also went on to say “In my little place I can tell the names of those who opened their parcels – Myself, Joby Hollowood, Herbert Fenton and T. Rose. They are staying in the same barn as me and I can tell you we have had a good smoke this evening, and a good chat about the times we have had at Norton.”
Patrick Welchman was from Lichfield and he joined the 2nd North Midland Field Company on March 12th 1913 at Norton, Cannock and when war broke out volunteered for Imperial Service and went to the front with the 1st Company of the force. On June 9th of 1915 he was granted the temporary rank of Captain in recognition of his services in the field.
Lance Corporal Albert Morris was killed by rifle fire on 27th April 1915. Lieutenant Welchman wrote to his father telling him of his son’s death saying “The only consolation to you, and it should be a big one, is that he died doing his country’s work at the time of her greatest need.”
Lieutenant was awarded the Military Cross for performing several acts of gallantry through the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt on the 14th October 1915. He displayed his gallantry by helping to bring in wounded soldiers under dangerous circumstances. This was reported in the Lichfield Mercury on the 26th November 1915.
His bravery was
officially described as
“Throughout the night and
during the morning mist he worked continuously under dangerous circumstances, collecting and bringing in wounded from in front of our trenches. This is not the first time that Captain Welchman’s name has been bought to notice
for similar gallantry.”
Captain Patrick Welchman relinquished command of 1/2nd North Midland Field Company on 8th January 1916 whilst they were in Egypt. He left the company in January and joined the Kings Own Scottish Boarders. Whilst with them he was wounded in the same year. On his recovery he joined the Royal Flying Corps. On the 4th June 1917 he was injured in a flying accident when his Bristol fighter suffered a failure in petrol pressure which caused his plane to stall while turning, causing him to make an emergency landing. He successfully completed his training and joined 99th Squadron in France as a light Commander.
On taking part in a bombing mission over Metz on 26th September 1918 his De Havilland Mk.9 was shot down. Captain Welchman and his observer Second-Lieutenant Swann were wounded and captured. They remained prisoners until the Armistice. Unfortunately Patrick Welchman’s wounds had been neglected by his captors and he died as a result of his injuries on 29th November at 42nd Stationary Hospital near Charmes.
Lieutenant Patrick Welchman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in September 1918 with the citation reading: “A gallant, capable and determined leader of long-distance bombing raids.”
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George Gough was 21 and a miner from Norton Canes. He was wounded by shrapnel when the Company were in Armentieres in March 1916. He was treated in Boulogn but returned quite quickly.
During the Hohenzollern Redoubt 1/2nd North Midland Field Company faced heavy casualties. Amongst them was Sapper Gough who was shot through his right shoulder and the bullet had entered his spine. He was deprived the use of his lower body and legs and was in hospital in Newcastle. This was reported in the Cannock Advertiser on the 23rd October.
Driver Gough died
from his wounds on the 9th December 1916.
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Driver Gough was buried with full military honours in the churchyard of St James’ Church in Norton Canes. A firing party was provided by the 10th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment who were based at Rugeley camp. A detachment of Royal Engineers was also present. Most of the villagers attended his funeral.
Driver Gough’s headstone in the shape of a cross was found by Richard Pursehouse and Lee Dent from the a local military history group The Chase Project who wanted to be restored and then taken over by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in recognition of his sacrifice. An appeal was put out to trace his relatives who have now agreed for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to take it over and a donor from Australia whose Grandfather Harry Penton served alongside Driver George Gough has offered to pay the £1000 needed for the cost of the transfer. Both Harry Penton and George Gough worked at the same pit Cannock Conduit Colliery before volunteering for France.
Lance Corporal Albert Morris was from Heath Hayes and he was killed after he was injured in the back by a bullet around noon on the 27th April 1915. In 1911 he had won the Company Cup for Marksmanship.
Lieutenant Patrick
Welchman contacted Albert Morris’s father to tell him of his son’s death saying
“The only consolation to you, and it should be a big one,
is that he died doing his country’s work at the time
of her greatest need”.
The Walsall Observer on the 8th May 1915 said that Lieutenant Welshman’s letter stated that Morris was injured in the back with a bullet whilst in charge of a party of men. When the wound was being dressed he lost consciousness, but recovered shortly before he died, twenty minutes later. He was very popular with his comrades with Lieutenant Welchman saying “He was one of the pluckiest N.C.O’s, and I cannot tell you how much he will be missed.”
Lance Corporal Albert Morris was buried in a small burial plot adjoining an advanced dressing station near St Quentin Caberet. Another soldier came across the grave and sent a letter to the Cannock Advertiser talking of how they (the Kings Own) were carrying on the work of the East Yorkshires and were renovating graves. He said “Lance Corporal Morris is buried under a large plum tree, turfs are planted all round and flowers on his grave.”
Sapper George Phipps was the first fatality that 1/2nd North Midland Field Company suffered, he was shot by a sniper on 16th April 1915.
Sapper George Phipps was 31 years old, married and from Heath End in Pelsall. He was a native of West Bromwich but eventually ended up in Pelsall. He left behind a wife and two children.
Lieutenant Hawkins was the son of Mr TA Hawkins of Cheslyn Hay. He was 24 and a graduate of Cambridge University where he had served in the Officer Training Corps. On the outbreak of war, he applied for and obtained a commission as Second Lieutenant in 2nd North Midland Field Company.
Lieutenant Hawkins injury was reported about in the Cannock Advertiser on 12th June 1915. It said his wound wasn’t regarded as dangerous but it was serious enough for him to stay in a French hospital for a few days before being returned to England.
He was wounded on the 12th June 1915 by shrapnel in the thigh and was carried by Sapper Jack Hawkins and three other comrades to a nearby first aid post. Due to this prompt action Lieutenant Hawkins was able to get married which was reported in the Lichfield Mercury on 30th July.
By the end of the war Lieutenant Hawkins had been promoted to Major and was serving in a staff appointment in London.
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Sapper Jack Hawkins was from Cheslyn Hay. He along with three others carried Lieutenant Hawkins 600 yards from the front line to a nearby first aid post. He was recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal which was reported in the Walsall Observer on the 3rd July. The Lichfield Mercury on 9th July 1915 also spoke about his recommendation for a medal.
Sapper George Hawkins was wounded after being shot in the left shoulder at Fouquires on October 15th 1915. Sapper Hawkins’ wound was spoken about in the Cannock Advertiser on the 30th October 1915 which said that Sergeant Statham sent a letter to his parents stating “It is with regret that I have to inform you that your son, George Hawkins, is wounded, only slightly. We miss him very much as he always did what he was told to do, whether under fire or not, with a smile on his face, and I could always trust him to do his work well.”
He wrote from his hospital bed in Etretat, France saying “It was terrible in that charge. I was buried twice and wounded in the shoulder, People in England do not realise what we have to go through out here.”
Sapper H. Adams was from Heath Hayes. An article in the Cannock Advertiser on 13th November 1915 spoke about how Sapper H. Adams from Heath Hayes had been killed in action on October 13th. He had been in France for eight months and had served four years in the Territorials.
Second-Corporal Adams was from Brownhills and had previously worked at Colonel Harrison’s Brownhills Colliery.
During the Hohenzollern Redoubt Second Corporal Thomas Adams repaired the parapet of the fire trench in full view of the enemy with their trenches only 40 yards away from him. He did this until he was wounded by a bullet which fractured his right arm. He was treated at a military hospital in Lincoln and then stationed in Yorkshire He was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
The Walsall Observer on the 29th January 1916 reported about Adams injury and stated that the bullet had fractured the bones in his right arm. They said he was a married man, 28 years old.
On the 17th April 1916 Second Corporal Adams was awarded his medal. A parade was organised in Sheffield where Adams was serving following his return from hospital. This was reported in the Walsall Observer on the 22nd April.
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Major Gardner was from Rugeley and was a clerk of the Cannock and Penkridge Party Sessional Division. He re-joined the 2nd North Midland Territorial Company at the outbreak of war and was promoted on the field.
Major Gardner had a brief furlough and visited Cannock which was reported about in the Cannock Advertiser on 19th June 1915.
Major Gardner commanded the 2/1st North Midland Field Company. Through the Hohenzollern Redoubt the Company were placed under the command of Divisional Headquarters and operated a searchlight.
The beam drew heavy gun fire and Major Gardner received a wound in the neck. He was treated in hospital in Le Treport near Dieppe and this was reported about in the Cannock Advertiser on the 23rd October.
The Lichfield Mercury on 22nd October 1915 reported his wound due to a bullet passing through the back of his neck. On the 8th January 1916 the Cannock Advertiser spoke about how he was on sick leave recovering from the wound in his neck.
Sergeant Lester had been a Norton Territorial since 1908; he had previously worked at Aldridge Colliery. Sergeant Lester was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his leadership during the action at Hohenzollern Redoubt. He rescued several wounded soldiers from no-mans-land and also waded waist deep into a pool of water to rescue an injured man.
The Walsall Observer on the 22nd January 1916 reported about Sergeant Lester being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The article stated that “The exploit was, of course, fraught with extreme danger, but with scarce a thought of the risk he was running the gallant soldier bravely went to the aid of those in distress, and in this way saved several lives.” Sergeant Lester was the first Walsall Wood soldier to gain this distinction.
Sergeant Lester was killed on the 9th June 1917 along with three other men from his section of 468th Field Company whilst they were at breakfast. An Officer paid tribute to Sergeant Lester and the action he had been in the previous day saying “and I can truly say that it was greatly due to him that we came through without a single casualty. He was buried in a cemetery in Bully-Grenay.
Sergeant Lester was mentioned twice in the Walsall Observer on both the 22nd January and 18th February 1916. Both articles mentioned his Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Sapper George Wilkes was killed during the 15th October 1915 after the Company was subjected to shelling.
Sapper William Wilkes from Brownhills was killed in action in the Hohenzollern Redoubt which was reported in the Cannock Advertiser on 23rd October 1915.
Sapper Horace Lote, nephew to Mrs Clewley of Brownhills was wounded in the arm. This was printed in the Cannock Advertiser on 23rd October 1915. Sapper Lote was awarded a Military Medal which was reported in the London Gazette on 11th November 1916. He was awarded this for conspicuous bravery on the field in France. The Walsall Observer, 3rd February 1917 reported this. He had enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war and had been slightly wounded on two occasions.
Sapper Horace Lote worked at Conduit Colliery before the war.
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Sapper Aaron Foster bandaged a colleague who had been hit and carried him to a trench where he died. Foster was then hit with shrapnel and a shell knocked a parapet over him which scarred his face. He wrote to tell his parents that he was in hospital wounded. This was printed in the Cannock Advertiser on 23rd October 1915. The Walsall Observer reported on the 18th December that Sapper Foster was wounded in action with the local Territorials on October 1915.
Sapper Ridgeway was from Cannock and had previously worked at Messrs. Gilpin’s Edge Tool Works. He enlisted at the outbreak of war. During Hohenzollern Redoubt he was wounded and had bullet wounds in both arms and bayonet wounds in the thigh. It was possible that a pocket wallet saved his life as a bullet pierced it and was diverted through the arm. He was admitted to Fazakely Hospital, Liverpool. He had been in France nine months. This was reported in the Cannock Advertiser on the 23rd October 1915.
Lieutenant C.H. Jones took over commanding the Company on the 8th January during its service in Egypt until he was relieved by Captain R.N. Burn.
Lieutenant Jones was killed on the 10th April 1916. He was buried with full military honours two days later.
Whilst based near Mont St Eloi Lieutenant Robertson was working on a mine crater when he was killed by a German sniper on the 14th March 1916. He was buried at Mont St Eloi the following day.
Captain Coussmaker replaced Captain Burn as Officer Commanding on the 15th March 1916. He had served with the Company since 1913. He had been mentioned in Despatches for his part on the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt and had also been awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on the 14th January 1916.
On the 7th October 1917 Major L.J. Coussmaker M.C. left 466th Field Company and shortly afterwards was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He was to be awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the New Year’s Honours of 1918 and would become Commander Royal Engineers (C.R.E.) of 46th Division when the Territorial Army was reformed in 1921.
Corporal Price was from Mill Green, Cannock and was awarded a Military Medal for his part in a trench raid at Berles-Au-Bois on the 2nd September 1916. He was injured in the raid when a stray bullet hit him in the knee. The London Gazette on 21st October 1916 spoke of these medals.
The Cannock Advertiser on the 19th October 1918 reported this saying the record concerning Price is as follows: “He went forward and enlarged the gap in the enemy wire, after which he carried a trench ladder with the object of helping the infantry. This N.C.O. has taken part in previous raids, and on all occasions with his pluck and good spirits have been an excellent example to others.”
Second Corporal J.W. Morris from Cannock was awarded a Military Medal for his part in a trench raid at Berles-Au-Bois on the 2nd September 1916. The London Gazette on 21st October 1916 spoke of these medals. The Cannock Advertiser on the 19th October 1918 said that the official record states that this N.C.O. accompanied the infantry parties and displayed great gallantry.
Sapper Benton was from Brownhills and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery which was reported in the London Gazette on 11th November 1916. The Walsall Observer on 20th January 1917. Sapper Benton was a single man, 20 years of age. He joined the colours in September 1914. He had a brother serving.
Sapper Benton formerly worked as an electrician at Harrison’s Colliery, Wyrley.
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Second Corporal Job Willets from Cannock was awarded the Military Medal which was reported in the London Gazette on the 11th November 1916.
Sapper John Alfred Bray was from Bridgetown and as reported in the London Gazette on the 21st December 1916 as being awarded the Military Medal “For gallant conduct during a raid on an enemy trench near Monchy.”
Sapper Bray had been noticed for his successful accomplishments which were due to his ability to remain calm under difficult circumstances.
As reported in the
London Gazette, it went on
to say about the raid
“That it was successfully accomplished was due mainly to the coolness and presence of mind of Sapper Bray, ”
Company Sergeant Major Albert Statham from Brownhills was awarded the Military Cross. He had been mentioned in Despatches in June 1916 and was presented with his decoration by General Sir Edmund Allenby the Commander of the 3rd Army on 8th January 1917.
The Walsall Observer on the 13th January 1917 wrote an article about him being awarded the Military Cross for good services rendered whilst serving his Company in France. The article stated that he was 40 years old and lived in High Street, Brownhills.
Company Sergeant Major Albert Statham was promoted a few times throughout his service; he was a Sergeant and then in November 1915 became Warrant Officer Class II.
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Drivers William and Alfred were one of three sets of brothers in the Drivers sections.
On the 8th May 1917 they were travelling along a dangerous section of road close to their billets at Bully Grenay. As they approached the village, they arrived close to a crossroads, known to be under German observation and registered by their artillery. To avoid being fired upon, that wagon teams had to gallop across the gap to escape detection. The first wagon was driven by Bill Yates and followed by his younger brother Fred in another wagon. Two drivers were killed, Driver George Pickard and Driver Herbert Price, Fred wrote Herbert Price’s parents to offer his sympathies.
Bill ‘smacker’ Yates played football and in the January of 1918 was picked to join the Divisional football ream as goalkeeper which would play in Paris against a French side. He began his training on the 15th January.Did you know...>
During the Company’s advance during October 1918 Bill believed the advance to be going so well that he started a “book” and was taking bets as to when the war would finish.
On the 11th November 1918 Bill Yates made the following entry into his diary “Nov.11th Armistice begun 11am 11.11.18. Moved to Sains du Nord.”
Bill Yates returned home on January 1st 1919 after a thirteen day journey. Several members including Bill Yates were ordered to return home before Christmas due to a coal shortage in the UK so miners were required to be demobilised early. Bill and Fred Yates both died in the 1980s and were some of the last surviving members of the Company.
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Corporal Wilfred Rose and Trumpeter William Rose were one of three sets of brothers within the Drivers. On the 8th May 1917 when the transport section were hit close to Bully Grenay Bill Rose was with the column recalled vividly many years afterwards seeing one of the unfortunate horses impaled on the pole shaft of the wagon as a result of the blast.
Farrier Sergeant Wilfred Rose died as a result of the influenza epidemic that was sweeping across Europe. He died on the 14th November 1918. His death was reported in the Walsall Observer on 30th November, which stated that he died from bronchial pneumonia in hospital in Rouen. He left behind a wife and children. He had previously been employed at the Conduit Colliery, Norton Canes. He was a member of the Royal Engineers tug-of-war team.
Bill Rose re-joined the unit when the Norton Territorials were reborn in 1921 under a new name, the Company was called 213th Field Company, Royal Engineers (T.A.).
Bill Rose was serving as Company Quartermaster-Sergeant when the Second World War broke out in September 1939. Bill Rose was one of the last surviving members of the Company and he died in the 1980s.
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Driver George Pickard was killed on the 8th May 1917 when a wagon column under the command of Sergeant Tom Sharratt from Norton Canes was travelling along a dangerous section of road close to the billets at Bully Grenay. As they approached the village, they arrived close to a crossroads known to be under German observation and registered by their artillery. To avoid being fired upon, the wagon teams had to gallop across the gap to escape detection. The first wagon was driven by Bill Yates who was closely followed by his younger brother Fred in another wagon. The Germans had been alerted to their presence and opened fire. A shell landed in front of the third wagon which killed the horses and the two drivers.
George Pickard was from Pelsall and joined the Company in December 1914, he got married in the February whilst on leave. George Pickard was laid to rest in the village cemetery in Bully Grenay on the evening of 9th May by his comrades
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Driver Herbert Price was killed on the 8th May 1917 when a wagon column under the command of Sergeant Tom Sharratt from Norton Canes was travelling along a dangerous section of road close to the billets at Bully Grenay. As they approached the village, they arrived close to a crossroads known to be under German observation and registered by their artillery. To avoid being fired upon, the wagon teams had to gallop across the gap to escape detection. The first wagon was driven by Bill Yates who was closely followed by his younger brother Fred in another wagon. The Germans had been alerted to their presence and opened fire. A shell landed in front of the third wagon which killed the horses and the two drivers.
Herbert Price was from
Norton Canes and Captain Sullivan wrote to his parents who lived in Hill Street, Norton Canes. He said “We all mourn the loss of so gallant a soldier and wish to express our deepest sympathy with you in terrible bereavement.” Herbert Price was laid to rest in the village cemetery in Bully Grenay on the evening of
9th May by his comrades.
Sergeant Sharratt was from Norton Canes. He was commanding a wagon column when they faced shooting and shelling. Two drivers, Herbert Price and George Pickard died from this attack. Sergeant Sharratt offered his sympathies to Herbert Prices parents by writing to them.
Corporal Jim Slater was from Heath Hayes. In the summer of 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal for performing two separate acts of bravery in Gorre at this time. His citation read “For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty on two separate occasions. For excellent work in rebuilding Gorre Bridge on 9th July 1918, under heavy shell fire, setting a magnificent example to all ranks. On the same night, this N.C.O. , under heavy shell fire, stopped a runaway artillery team, which was making straight for the broken bridge. By this action, he undoubtedly saved the lives of the drivers and horses at the risk of his own. On Aug.5th 1918, when erecting the new barrel pier bridge in lieu of Midland Bridge near Gorre, the enemy shelled the bridge and dispersed the working party. This N.C.O. attended a wounded man, who was left behind, under heavy shelling, and carried him to a place of safety. Then reorganising the party, finished the work on the bridge.”
He was presented with a gold watch at a presentation whilst on leave at a civic reception organised by the Cannock War Distinctions Fund.
The Cannock Advertiser on
the 19th October described the presentation “Corporal Jas. Slater, North Midland Field Co. of the R.E., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Slater, Stafford Street, Heath Hayes, in recognition of his having gained the Military Medal for conspicuous courage and devotion to duty on two separate occasions in France on July 9th and August 5th, 1918, in connection with the
re-building of Gorre Bridge
under heavy shell fire.”
Sergeant Harry Huffer of Cannock, was awarded the Meritous Service Medal for “Valuable services in France and Flanders”. The London Gazette of 17th June printed this. Sergeant Huffer was later presented his medal at a ceremony held in Cannock Market Place.
Captain Sullivan wrote to Herbert Prices parents who lived in Hill Street, Norton Canes after Herberts death on the 8th May 1917. He said “We all mourn the loss of so gallant a soldier and wish to express our deepest sympathy with you in terrible bereavement.”
On the 4th August Captain Sullivan left 466th Field Company to take command of 529th (East Riding) Field Company in 3rd Division.
On the 24th September 1918 Lieutenant-Colonel H.T. Morshead D.S.O. the C.R.E. of 46th Division was wounded by shrapnel and had to be taken to hospital.
Major W.H. Hardman M.C. who normally commanded 465th Field Company replaced Lieutenant Colonel Morshead after he was wounded in September 1918.
Major Hardman wrote to Major Fordham about the Transport Section during the attacks in September 1918 saying “It was in a great measure due to their skill that we did not have more casualties both to men and horses.”
Again on the 5th September 1918 466th Field Company who were now under the command of Major H.M. Fordham M.C. moved to new billets in Burbure.
28th September saw 466th Field Company move towards the front line. Officers present with the Company were Major Fordham commanding; Captain H.C. Daly as Second in Command and the Section Commanders; Lieutenants A.Fox, A.E.Hubbard, F.T. James M.C. and Second Lieutenant Midgely.
A message was sent to Major Fordham by the acting C.R.E. Major Hardman commenting on the Transport Section saying “It was in a great measure due to their skill that we did not have more casualties both to men and horses.”
Second Lieutenant Midgely was a section Commander when the Company moved towards the front line on the 28th September 1918. One of the main objectives was to secure Riquerval Bridge. Once it was secured Second-Lieutenant Midgely led his section forward to repair it. They were under fire but Midgely with the help of Acting Lance Corporal A. Halifax helped the section to carry out the work and they had the bridge ready to be used by 3’oclock in the afternoon which was 8 hours after it was captured. In tribute to his bravery the bridge was renamed “Charlton Bridge”. Whilst work on the bridge was taking place other Companies worked on “Watling Street”.
Second Lieutenant Midgely was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and repair of the Riquerval Bridge.
In September 1918 the Company was moving towards the front, part of the advancement included the capture and repair of Riquerval Bridge. They were under fire but Midgely with the help of Acting Lance Corporal A. Halifax helped the section to carry out the work and they had the bridge ready to be used by 3’oclock in the afternoon which was 8 hours after it was captured. In tribute to his bravery the bridge was renamed “Charlton Bridge”. Whilst work on the bridge was taking place other Companies worked on “Watling Street”.
Lance Corporal Halifax was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Charles Boulton marched on the morning of the 8th August 1914 with a party of 37 men to Cannock Market Square to collect newly acquired horses. They returned them to Norton Hall.
He died in hospital in Rouen on the 11th November 1918. The Walsall Observer on the 23rd November 1918 reported his death. It also said that he was employed at Messres. Harrison’s Wyrley Grove Colliery.
He died due to the influenza epidemic that was sweeping across Europe.
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Sapper E. Wigley was spoken about in an article in the Cannock Advertiser on the 27th November 1915. The article spoke of him being wounded in France and was now at Colchester Hospital.
Before enlisting he was employed at the Conduit Colliery in Norton Canes.
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Sapper J Lockett was spoken about in an article on the 4th December 1915. He had been killed in action on the 13th October 1915. He had previously been listed as missing. Sapper Lockett had enlisted on September 8th 1914.
Before joining up he was a miner at Old Coppice Colliery, Cheslyn Hay. He was a single man.
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Sapper R Price was from Brownhills. The Walsall Observer on the 11th December 1915 had an article that spoke about how Sapper Price had been killed in France whilst on active service for the 2nd Midland Field Company Royal Engineers. He was well known in football circles, particularly by the name of “Mo”. He was aged 32 and played for several seasons with the Brownhills Albion Club, and also acted as their trainer. He was also a member of the Hussey Arms Bowling Club, for which he served as a groundsman. He enlisted shortly after war broke out, and prior to that was in the employ of Walsall Wood Colliery Company.
Lance Corporal W. Davies was spoken about in the Lichfield Mercury on the 17th December 1915. Lance Corporal Davies was from Albutts Road, Brownhills. He had been invalided and was now an inmate of Oakley Hospital, Brompton Common, Kent. He joined the 2nd North Midland Royal Engineers when it was formed nearly eight years ago, and went out with the corps to France.
Sapper Bickley was from Cheslyn Hay. He was reported to have lost his life in the Walsall Observer on 18th December 1915. The article stated that Sapper Bickley had lost his life whilst in action with the 2nd North Midland Field Company on October 13th 1915. The Cannock Advertiser on the 23rd October 1915 printed a notice about this saying that he was killed in action having only just returned to the trenches due to injury.
He was a single man and 33 years of age and before enlisting in September 1914 had worked as a miner at the Old Coppice Colliery in Cheslyn Hay.
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Sapper Gretton lost his life in battle whilst with the Royal Engineers. At the outbreak of war he was mobilised with the Territorials. He was a single man, 19 years of age and was a miner.
Sapper Foster was 19, from Cheslyn Hay and unmarried at the time of the Hohenzollern Redoubt and had previously worked at Harrisons Colliery
Sapper Aaron Foster was wounded in action with the local Territorials on the 13th October 1915 during the Hohenzollern Redoubt and before the war worked as a miner at Harrison’s Colliery as reported in the Walsall Observer on the 18th December 1915.
The Cannock Advertiser on the 23rd October 1915 printed notices about those who had been killed and wounded. One of the notices was about Sapper Foster which said that he had bandaged a colleague who had been hit and carried him to a trench where he died. He was then hit with some shrapnel and a shell knocked a parapet over him which scarred his face.
Sapper Wright before the war was employed at No. 11 at Conduit Colliery and came from Brownhills. Sapper Wright served with 1/2nd North Midland Field Company and had been killed in action. This was reported in the Lichfield Mercury on the 31st December 1915.
Sapper William Harrison was wounded whilst in France. Sapper Harrison was from Brownhills. He had been bought to Woolwich where he was recovering. Two of his brothers James and Daniel are in the Territorial section of the Royal Engineers. This was reported in the Walsall Observer on the 18th February 1916.
The Walsall Observer on the 25th March 1916 spoke about how Sapper T. Stokes a Norton Canes Territorial had died from septic pneumonia on 15th February somewhere in France. Before the war he had lodged in Brownhills.
The Walsall Observer ran an article on the 8th April 1916 which talked about how Sapper Bert Handford from Brownhills had been invalided home and was now in a Birmingham hospital. He was 22 and had previously worked at Cannock Chase Colliery and before that Jerome’s Pit. He also had two brothers serving in the Army, Ernest and William.
The Walsall Observer on the 20th May 1916 which talked about Sapper George Edwards who had been slightly wounded in the head by shrapnel but had now re-joined his unit. He celebrated his 19th birthday in France and before joining had worked at Heath Hayes Colliery.
The Walsall Observer on the 15th July 1916 talked about Sapper David Seedhouse from Brownhills who had been wounded in the arms and legs from shrapnel and is now in hospital in France. He previously worked at the Conduit Colliery.
Driver Walter Herbert was from Norton Canes. He had before the war worked at No. 11 Pit of the Conduit Colliery. The Walsall Observer on the 2nd September 1916 reported that his parents had received the news that he had been killed in France on the 15th August. He joined the N.M. Company Royal Engineers in 1914 as a driver.
The Walsall Observer on 7th October 1916 talked about how Mr James Bull who was of the Australian Forces had now been promoted to Second-Lieutenant. He was originally from Norton Canes and went to Australia in February 1911 and took up farming. He joined the 56th Battalion of the Australian Force and took part in fighting in Gallipoli and although he was unwounded he spent some time in hospital in Egypt due to illness, he fought again later with his regiment. He was 25.
When living in Norton Canes he was employed at the No. 11 Pit of Conduit Colliery. He was also a driver in the 2nd North Midland Field Company of the Royal Engineers.
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Lance Corporal James Watson was mentioned in the Walsall Observer on the 24th March 1917. The article said that he was in hospital for a third time, this time he was suffering from gas and shell wounds. He was 22 years old and from Brownhills and had been on active service in France for two years. He was the fourth member of his family to have been wounded. The article said that two had succumbed to their injuries and the other had been discharged from the army.
The Walsall Observer on the 27th July 1918 wrote about James Watson again as a letter had been sent to his parents telling them that he was a prisoner of war at Limberg, Germany. He had returned to France on Easter Monday 1917 after some time in hospital following an injury and was taken prisoner on May 27th 1917.
The Walsall Observer on the 19th May 1917 wrote an article was about Driver E. Broadway from Brownhills who was in hospital as he had been gassed. He was in Ilfracombe Hospital. He had previously had a narrow escape whilst driving a wagon in Loos when his wagon was hit by a shell and blown to pieces. He worked with the mechanics at Wyrley Grove Pit, Messrs W. Harrison’s Colliery.
The Walsall Observer on the 11th August 1917 wrote about Sergeant Asher Stringer from Brownhills who was in a London hospital suffering from shrapnel wounds whilst serving in France. He was a member of the Norton Engineers tug of war team which successfully won medals. He previously worked at Littleton Colliery.
Driver Marklew was from Brownhills. An article in the Cannock Advertiser on the 8th September 1917 reported that Driver Marklew had been killed after being thrown from his horse on the 24th August 1917. He was being buried in a military cemetery and his funeral was attended by several of his comrades and the Regimental Chaplain. He was a well-known athlete. Before joining up he worked at Harrison’ Wagon shop at Wyrley Grove Pit.
Sergeant Issac Hewitt was from Norton Canes and before the war worked as a horse driver at the Conduit Colliery. An article was in the Walsall Observer on the 2nd February 1918 reporting that he had been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry on the field whilst being slightly wounded at the same time. He was now in a training school in France. At the time of the article he was 23 and had spent three Christmas days in France.
The Walsall Observer reported on the 13th April 1918 that Sapper J. Stringer from Cannock had died on the 25th March 1918 from double pneumonia. He had been in hospital when he died. Who left behind a widow and two children and was 33 at the time he died. Before joining up on September 6th 1914, he had worked as a miner at the Littleton Collieries. A letter was sent to his widow by an officer who said “He was always a faithful comrade and a true soldier”.
