Worcestershires in December 1917 Passchaele

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Worcestershires in December 1917 Passchaele

Postby jm.Lewis » Tue Apr 27, 2010 2:28 pm

Sgt Robert Brown recieved a MM for gallantry and devotion to duty at Passendeale between 26th-27th December 1917. He origonally joined the 3rd Battalion but was with the 1st Battalion when he died in 1918.

Can anyone tell me - or point me in the direction of a source to find out what the 3rd Bn and 1st Bn were doing then. I've checked the web-site for details and am a bit stumped.

Where can I lay my hands on the war diaries for the Battalions?
Jill Lewis
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Postby scully » Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:43 pm

Hi Jill,

The Regimental Archives at Norton Barracks, Worcester will have copies of all the war diaries - you will find their contact details on the home page of this website.

I can however give you some information about Sergeant Robert Brown (9333):
He enlisted in to the Worcestershire Regiment on the 6th July 1905 and joined the Regiment Depot at Worcester on the 10th July 1905. On the 31st October 1905 he was posted to the 3rd Battalion and then on the 21st November 1905 was posted to the 4th Battalion.

He was in the UK until the 21st November 1905 then he went to Malta and stayed until 7th May 1906, then moved to Egypt and was there till 8th June 1906. Then moved back to Malta and remained there until 11th November 1908. Then moved to India and was there until 27th December 1912. Then returned back to UK and transferred to the Army Reserves.

On the outbreak of war on the 5th August 1914 he was mobilised and the following day joined the 6th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.

On the 26th August 1914 he was posted to the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and landed in France on the 27th August 1914.

On the 15th January 1915 he was back in the UK due to illness and after posted to the 6th Battalion.

On the 23rd March 1915 he returned to France and the following day was posted to the 1st Battalion. On the 3rd May 1915 he was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal. On the 26th February 1916 he was appointed paid Lance Corporal and on the 10th July 1916 war appointed acting corporal and then promoted to corporal on the 13th July 1916.

Promoted to Sergeant on the 8th March 1917 and then to Acting Company Sergeant Major on the 11th April 1918.

In addition to his Military Medal he was also awarded the Belgium Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 12th July 1918).

Hope the above is of some help.

Do you have a photo of him you could email me?

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)
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Postby jm.Lewis » Mon May 03, 2010 1:05 pm

Thanks Louis, that's brilliant. I've come across a good picture of Sgt Brown in the contemporary newspapers which I shall copy to you once I get it.

I have also come across a letter from a Rifleman which describes the incident in which Sgt Brown got his MM - would that be of interest? I can only offer a transcription/ref as it was in one of Lyn Macdonalds books
Jill
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Postby scully » Mon May 03, 2010 4:01 pm

Hi Jill,

If you can send a copy of the photo it would be most welcome.

Also if you let me know which of Lyn Macdonalds book and page number I will look it up.

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)
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Sgt Robert Brown

Postby jm.Lewis » Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:03 pm

Hi Louis
Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you.

The letter which I think is about the incident in which Sgt Brown got his MM is in Lyn Macdonald's 1914-1918 Voices and Images of the Great War p259 in my copy - from Rifleman Eccles to his family. Brown's not mentioned by name but the dates and area match and I thought it would be the sort of incident that would call for "gallantry and devotion to duty"

Do you think I might be right?
Jill
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