Catalogue description The 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion of the Border Regiment

This record is held by Cumbria Archive Centre, Carlisle

Details of D LONS/L13/13
Reference: D LONS/L13/13
Title: The 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion of the Border Regiment
Description:

Very few of the records survived in their original files but where this is the case the fact has been noted in square brackets.

 

The majority of the papers were registered in the Orderly Room and some marked in crayon with subject headings. I am indebted to Stuart Eastwood, curator of the Border Regimental Museum in Carlisle for his assistance in devising a subject classification.

 

The series of battalion and daily orders has been artificially broken up depending on where the Battalion was stationed.

 

Some papers relate specifically to the Battalion's training at Prees Heath, Wensley, Strensall and Codford.

 

Some papers relate specifically to named companies.

 

Papers relating to the Reserve (12th) Battalion which did not go to France contain many records relating to the 11th Battalion.

Arrangement:

RECORDS ARRANGED BY SUBJECT

Held by: Cumbria Archive Centre, Carlisle, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Administrative / biographical background:

CHRONOLOGY

 

17 Sep. 1914 War Office approve the recruitment of the Battalion following the Earl of Lonsdale's suggestion. An Executive Committee decided to raise 4 companies:

 

A and B (from East and North Cumberland) to be based at Blackhall Racecourse

 

C (from Westmorland) to be based at Kendal

 

D (from West Cumberland) to be based at Workington

 

Lt.-Col. Machell and Major Binning were first and second in command.

 

17 Oct. 1914 Machell moves from Penrith to Blackhall.

 

Oct. 1914 Regimental strength 642.

 

Nov. 1914 Bad weather hindered building work at Blackhall.

 

2 Dec. 1914 War Office authorised the 5th (Depot) Company of 250 men.

 

3 Dec. 1914 Capt. P Diggle appointed Adjutant.

 

Dec. 1914 Brigaded with the 124th Brigade

 

25 Dec. 1914 Huts at Blackhall finally completed.

 

6 Jan. 1915 C Company from Kendal was brought to Blackhall.

 

18 Mar. 1915 Battalion transferred 112th Infantry Brigade, 37th Division.

 

Mar. 1915 Full authorised strength reached of 1350 men.

 

Apr. 1915 Brigaded with 126th Brigade, 4th Army.

 

May 1915 Brigaded with 97th Infantry Brigade.

 

8 May 1915 Moved to Prees Heath Camp, Whitchurch but ground unsuitable for training.

 

22 Jun. 1915 Brigade moved to Wensley Camp, Leyburn, forming part of the 32nd Division.

 

5-11 Aug 1915 Musketry course at Strensall, North Yorks.

 

12 Aug. 1915 Battalion moved to Salisbury Plain, HQ at Codford.

 

9-13 Aug 1915 Machell went to visit the trenches in France.

 

13 Oct. 1915 12th (Reserve) Battalion moved from Blackhall to Prees Heath.

 

23 Nov. 1915 Battalion left for France.

 

16-23 Dec. 1915 First week in the trenches at Millencourt, 7 casualties.

 

Jan. 1916 Routine of a week in the trenches, a week as close support, a week in the trenches, a week in reserve 2 miles from the Front.

 

2 Mar. 1916 Moved to a new sector.

 

6 Apr. 1916 Whole Battalion moved to an isolation camp because of measles.

 

17 May 1916 Battalion moved to Bouzincourt.

 

5 Jun 1916 Party raided German trenches.

 

1 Jul 1916 "Battalion advanced from assembly trenches at 8 a.m. and came under very heavy machine-gun fire". Out of 828 officers and men 515 officers and men were either killed, wounded or missing. The dead included Col. Machell.

 

1 Sep. 1916 Battalion broken up and dispersed.

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