The user is advised to read the FINDING AIDS document linked to this catalogue for an explanation of the method by which this record has been created and any terms used.
Surname: WEST;
Forename(s): Harold;
Initials: H;
Number: 157955;
Rank: Private;
Enlistment Date: 11-Dec-1915;
Previous Number: D2867;
Previous Regiment: E Surrey Regt;
Date of transfer to MGC: 29-May-1918;
MGC Branch: Infantry;
MGC Unit: 9 Bn;
Other MGC Unit Served (1): 8 (Res) Bn;
Other MGC Unit Served (2): 9 Bn;
Discharge Date: 26-Nov-1919;
Other Data: The military service record of Private HAROLD WEST, National Defence Corps (West Yorkshire Regiment).
Service Nos:D2867 (Formerly 157955(with Machine Gun Corps)-30206-242293(with East Surrey Regiment) -5679)
Enlisted into The East Surrey Regiment………………………………………………………..11/12/1915
Mobilised (Called Forward )………………………………………………….…………………01/02/1917
(In Feb 1917 the Battalion was in billets in Margate, Kent where they remained until April 1917 when they moved to Gore Street in the Isle of Thanet. )
Posted to Territorial Force Depot…………………………………………….…………………02/02/1917
Posted to 2/6th Battalion East Surrey Regiment……………………………………………….06/02/1917
(2/6th had formed at Kingston-on-Thames in Sept. 1914 as a training and home defence battalion. By Feb. 1917 the battalion was stationed at Margate, and moved to Gore Street in April 1917.
Posted to 13th Battalion East Surrey Regiment………………………………………………..15/09/1917
(He was posted to 13th [Service] Battalion [Wandsworth] which was in France when he joined them in the area of Villers-Plouich which lies about 10 miles South-West of Cambrai. The 13th was raised in 1915 by the Borough of Bermondsey, in the 120th Brigade, 40th Division. Harold may not have reached this unit. He was, perhaps, diverted at the Base Depot, Etaples, and transferred to the Loyals. )
Transferred to The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and posted to 4th/5th Battalion……………………………………………………………………………………………19/09/1917
(Raised in 1915, the 4/5th was one of the few Fourth Line Territorial Battalions raised, and more unusually, one which went overseas. It was formed in the 170th Brigade, 57th (West Riding) Division.
57th Division was engaged in the Battle of Ypres between 26/10/1917 & 7/11/1917 and the Second Battle of Passchendaele [XIV Corps & XIX Corps, Fifth Army]. )
(Wounded…………….
Posted to Depot (Indicates a home based unit )…………………………..…………………..09/11/1917
Posted to Western Command Depot……………………………………………………………13/02/1918
Transferred to The Machine Gun Corps and posted to 8th Battalion………………………29/05/1918
(8th Battalion, which was probably the 8th [Reserve] Battalion, a training unit in the UK, for instruction on the Vickers Machine Gun. )
Posted to Base Depot…………………………………………………………………………….29/08/1918
Posted to 9th Battalion……………………………………………………………………………04/09/1918
(9th Battalion MGC formed in the 9th (Scottish) Division on 1st March 1918, from unification of the 26th, 27th, 28th and 197th MG Companies. These companies were then re-titled “A”, “B”, “C” & “D” Companies.
THE FINAL ADVANCE IN PICARDY:
28/9/1918 – 2/10/1918:Battle of Ypres [II Corps, Second Army]
14/10/1918 – 19/10/1918:Battle of Courtrai [II Corps, Second Army]
25/10/1918:Ooteghem [II Corps, Second Army]
On the 5th Nov. 1918 the King of the Belgians inspected the 9th Division and presented silver thistle badges, enough for every member of the formation.
On 10th Nov. 1918 the Division moved to Harlebeke and Cuerne and was occupying billets there when hostilities ceased the next day. )
Posted to Base Depot……………………………………………………………………………20/11/1918
Posted to Regimental Depot (Probably Grantham )………………………………………..24/10/1919
He was transferred to the reserve (the “Z” Reserve ) on 26/11/1919, after the end of the war, and discharged on completion of his engagement on 31/3/1920.
Second World War Record:
Enlisted into the (National Defence Corps) Territorial Army Reserve West Yorkshire Regiment attached to the 45th Tank Regiment…………………………………………………….……….27/06/1939
WAR DIARY – 9th Battalion Machine Gun Corps.
(WO95/1757)
Place: Date: Summary of Events & Information:
DUNWALD 15th Dec. 1918 Bn.HQ moved to BERGNEU KIRCHEN arriving about 1300. Excellent billets. Companies also moved and are now located A.Coy at SOLINGEN. B.Coy at WALD. C.Coy still in COLOGNE. D.Coy at KARNAP.
BERGNEU KIRCHEN 16th Dec. C.Coy from COLOGNE to OPLADEN, & orders received to move them to vacinity of Bn.HQ tomorrow.LT. THOMSON to hospital.
do. 17th Dec. C.Coy from OPLADEN to POTTSCHEID – good billets , but scattered.
do. 18th Dec. 2/Lt. A. OGG reported from leave.
do. 19th Dec. Orders received to clear BERGNEU-KIRCHEN by noon tomorrow – these orders later postponed for one day. MAJOR CRUDEN and MAJOR KINDERSLEY reported from leave. Draft of 4 officers and 48 OR joined and allotted. Lieut. H. BEHZLEY, LT. A. F. McVAY, LT. DIERSUSON, 2/Lt. A. McGREGGOR.
do. 20th Dec. Major KEYSER spent the day billeting for Bn.HQ & C.Coy in SOLINGEN. All preparations for move made. Order No. 73. LT. GORDON struck off having been ordered medical board in UK.
do. 21st Dec. Bn.HQ & C.Coy to SOLINGEN. Billets in School(ZWEIGER STRASSE). 2/Lt. A. BENZIE joined Bn.HQ as Assistant Adjutant for Demobilisation Purposes.
SOLINGEN 22nd Dec. Bn.HQ & C.Coy spent the day cleaning up new billets. Civilians hard at work providing beds, etc.
WAR DIARY – 9th Battalion Machine Gun Corps. (Cont.)
(WO95/1757)
Place: Date: Summary of Events & Information:
SOLINGEN 23rd Dec. CO visited A.,B. & C. Coys. It is noted that all Divisional arrangements for supply of Christmas food for troops have broken down. Food will certainly be late, but its arrival at all is doubtful.
do. 24th Dec. Training in billets.
do. 25th Dec. Christmas Day. No work done.
do. 26th Dec. Training in billets. The Divisional Education [activities?] and sports arrangements are progressing. [ ? ] area sports [boxing?] & football competitions are being arranged.
do. 27th Dec. CO’s parade [ ? ] A.Coy. Transport Lines for A., B. & C.Coys. The first party for Demobilisation left for England today.
do. 28th Dec. Church Parades. Leave obtained to move D.Coy from billets near HILDEN to SOLINGEN tomorrow. Billetting has already been partly done by Lt. BAIN and MAJOR KEYSER who has arranged for civilian labour & material.
do. 29th Dec. Order for move of D. Coy issued. Order No 74.
do. 30th Dec. D. Coy moved to RATTERNBERGER STRASSE.
do. 31st Dec. List of [mentions?] issued [to have?] following names LT. COL. T. G. CHALMER M.C. (left Bn.) MAJOR B.A.S. BENNETT CAPT. ABACKESON [18526] CSM McBAIN. It has now been announced that Div. Xmas arrangements have actually failed owing to [railway?] difficulties. [Coys?] will have DINNER tomorrow.
[H.M.?] DAVIS [signed] ... LT. COL.,
COMMANDING 9th BATTALION M.G.CORPS
Received "Kellett" Certificate
Served WWII National Defence Corps (TA- W Yorks Regt att. 45 Tank Regt) discharged 18/2/1941
photo: GS Archives;
END OF RECORD.
No items
The National Archives
