This
page is to Commemorate Henry Walter Richardson, who I have been
researching. He does not have a Dover
connection.
An Old Contemptible.
Henry`s 1914 Mons Star with Clasp
An Old Contemptible.
|
RICHARDSON, HENRY WALTER. 9789. Lance Serjeant. Northumberland
Fusiliers. 1st Bn. Killed in action: |
Henry`s 1914 Mons Star with Clasp
|
The Battles of
|
|
The "Old Contemptibles" was the title
proudly adopted by the men of the BEF who saw service before |
| From John M Sneddon.
Background.
The Northumberland Fusiliers
were involved in heavy fighting around Neuve Chapelle and withdrawn
from the line to rest on October 30th after almost two weeks of
continuous trench fighting with about 50% of the battalion casualties.
They were to get no rest. On the 31st they were ordered, along with the
Lincolns, to the Ypres salient to support the cavalry at Wytschaete.
They attacked on November 1st – a complete abortion resulting in
high casualties (including the subject of my book Capt. T B St John) On
Nov 2nd were withdraw to rest until Nov 6th when marched to Ypres as a
component of Shaw’s Force ( by this time Brigade structure was
breaking down due to high casualties and the survivors of the various
regiments were grouped in ‘battle groups’ called after the
name of their commander (Brig. Shaw was G.O.C 9th Brigade) and these
groups were thrown in to bolster the line were and when needed.)
Shaw’s group came under the command of Haig’s I Corp when
arrived near Hooge on Nov 7th.I attach my ‘diary ‘information for the period 7-9th Nov so you can see what they were doing. Nov 7th was the worst day’s fighting and it is probably on that day your L/Sgt Richardson was kia or dow. He is not listed as killed in the War Diary (by this time there were only two surviving Company officers in action so we cannot rely on the accuracy of the entries) but 9789 L /Sgt W. Richardson is on the list of returned missing. I hope he is your man. Information used: Copyright of Regimental Museum. :Diary of Capt. E. B. Gordon.: St. George’s Gazette (1st Batt. Notes): ‘Diary 1’ a very brief diary of an unidentified O.R. Others: War Diary: Sandiland’s History Regt History: Lincolns; Scots Fus; 4th R. Fus. Regards, John M Sneddon. November 7th 1914. 9th. Infantry Brigade. 1st. Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers. ____________________________________________________________________ War Diary.: 1 a.m. relieved 1st Cavalry Bde. in the trenches about 1 mile E of Hooge on the high ground above Herenthage Chateau. About 11.30 a.m. enemy commenced heavy bombardment of our trenches. The trenches occupied by W, Z. and Y suffered most severely. They had been undercut by previous occupants and some men were buried. At 3 p.m. the two right trenches were lost but supported by two Coys Linc. R. the trenches were counterattacked. This attack was unsuccessful as Capt. Booth was wounded, and troops had no leader. During the night the line was readjusted, the right of our left trench held by the whole Bn. ( consisting of about 200 men ) being brought back to gain touch with Linc. R. who entrenched about 300 yards in rear of vacated trenches. Casualties Ypres. 7th November 1914. Wounded.: 3095 Pte T. Cronford.: Pte G Donohue.: 7767 Sgt. F. Hall.: 8775 Pte W. Bondes.: 8708 Pte C Weston.: 7093 Cpl. Lynch.( d.o.w. 9/11/14 ).: 2214 Pte Rose. Diary 1.: Go into trenches at 2 a.m. But are driven out about 2 p.m. by the enemy. Retake the trenches at 5 p.m. Regt. Hist. During the past few days a further slight withdrawal had been made to the east of Ypres, and the British line now crossed the Menin road about one mile east of Hooge. Just to the south of the road, the line passed through Herenthage Wood, which was situated on the high ground to the east of Herenthage Chateau. It was here that the FIFTH took up their position, with the Royal Fusiliers continuing the line on their left to the Menin road. The relief had passed without incident, and during the early morning all remained quiet. Suddenly, at 11.30 a.m., the German guns opened with terrific force on the trenches, fire being concentrated mainly on the right of the FIFTH. Hour after hour the bombardment continued without inter --mission. Except on its right, " Z" Company in position on tile left of the Battalion escaped the worst of the enemy's fire. But, on the remainder of the front occupied by the FIFTH, terribly heavy casualties were sustained. The trenches, which had been dangerously undercut, not only provided scant cover from the enemy's fire, but, collapsing under the bombardment, buried many of the unfortunate garrison. At 3 p.m. the German infantry assaulted. "Z" Company repulsed the attack and held fast to its position, but the two right trenches of the FIFTH were carried by the enemy. Later, the remnants of the garrison of the captured trenches were rallied. and, supported by two companies of the Lincolnshire, were led forward by Captain Booth to counter-attack the lost position. As the attack moved forward Captain Booth was wounded; the troops, left leaderless, failed to carry their objective; and the Lincolnshire companies were brought to a standstill on a line about three hundred yards to the right rear of "Z" Company. Captain Gordon then threw back the right of "Z" Company and, by converting a communication trench to a fire trench, provided Protection for his right flank. The situation was a repetition of that in which this officer's company had been placed but ten days before at Neuve Chapelle. When darkness fell, the Germans were established some 250 yards to his front and little more than 30 yards from his right flank. It had been an evil day for the FIFTH. The numbers of the Battalion, already seriously diminished by the fighting at Herlies, Neuve Chapelle and Wytschaete, had been further reduced by I officer and 13 other ranks reported wounded, and 1 officer and 140 Other ranks missing. The missing officer, Lieutenant Willans, was later found to have been killed; and the remainder reported under this heading represented those killed or wounded by the bombardment who had fallen into the enemy's hands in the captured position. For an appreciation of what the FIFTH was to face in the fierce fighting of the next few days, it is necessary for the reader to realise what was now the strength and composition of the Battalion. Some figures as to officer casualties may convey an idea of this. Of the 26 officers who had sailed with the Battalion from England, only four now remained: Major Yatman, in temporary command, Lieutenant Barrett, temporary adjutant, Lieutenant Gunner, transport officer, and Captain Landen, quarter-master. Of the rest, 5 had been killed, 12 wounded, 1 wounded and captured, and 4 invalided. Of officers sent out as reinforcements or promoted from the ranks, 11 had been killed, 4 wounded, 1 wounded and captured, 3 invalided. Of the regular officers so sent out, who had been on the active list at the outbreak of war, Captain Gordon was the sole survivor.( In the absence of detailed lists of officer reinforcements, it is not possible to determine the actual number of officers present,ith the Battalion at this date. From what can be gathered. it seems to be generally agreed that the only company officer in addition to Gordon was 2nd Lieut. J. O. Lawson, a very young officer: ). The casualties among other ranks had been nearly commensurate. It had not been possible for reinforcements to keep pace with these losses, and the standard of training of the men sent out was in no way comparable to that of those who had fought in the earlier weeks. But, as was to be shown in the trench warfare that had developed, where manoeuvre was n, longer possible, stout hearts could do much to compensate for lack of experience. The total strength of tile Battalion was now little over two hundred in all. The left trench, which had originally been committed to "Z" Company alone, now represented the Battalion front, and to this all available men were sent forward to reinforce Gordon, whose situation was already highly critical. Capt. Gordon.: At Herenthage Wood. relieve the 1st Cav. brigade in the trenches about 1 mile E of Hooge on the high ground above Herenthage Chateau. Enemy commences heavy bombardment of our trenches about 11 a.m. trenches occupied by W, X, and Y suffered most severely, many parts being blown in and men buried. Right of my trench suffers similarly. About 3 p.m. trenches on my right are vacated and enemy take possession of them. enemy also attack my right but we drive them off with some loss. Our Companies on right supported by 2 Coys of Linc. Regt. make unsuccessful counter attacks. Capt. Booth being wounded. this force now entrenches about 300 yards in my right rear and I throw my right back to meet the situation, converting my communication trench into a fire trench. Enemy now 30 yards on my right and about 250 yards in front entrenched. 1st Battalion Notes.: Relieved 1st cavalry Brigade in the trenches. Enemy commenced heavy bombardment about 11.30 a.m., W, X and y Companies suffered severely. About 3 p.m. the two right trenches were lost. Supported by two companies of Lincolnshire Regiment, the lost trenches were successfully counter - attacked, Captain Booth being wounded. 4th. Batt. Royal Fusiliers. On November 7th the Zouaves were blown out of their trenches. 1st. Batt. Lincolnshire Regt. A cold mist covered the battlefield when dawn broke on the .7th November: winter had definitely begun and the troops sere now to fight under conditions without parallel in the history of the British Army Mud, water, rain, frost and snow were not unknown in the battles and campaigns of the past, but these combined with terrific shell fire of unprecedented fury produced conditions under which troops had never before lived and fought. With the coming of daylight the enemy's guns opened another furious bombardment of the British trenches and his infantry advanced to the attack. Under heavy shell-fire, the Lincolnshire stood to arms, ready to go forward if called upon. The call came during the afternoon at about 4 o'clock. By sheer weight of numbers the Germans had broken into the line between the left of Gleichen's and the right of Shaw's groups. (The six infantry brigades of the II. Corps, greatly reduced in strength, ,were reorganised into seven groups, known by the names of their Commanders. The 9th Brigade, less the Scots Fusiliers, transferred to another group, were known as Shaw’s Group Group. (OH, vol. 11,p384,)) The Lincolnshire, with the Northumberland Fusiliers and Bedfords, were then ordered to counter-attack the enemy retake the lost trenches. Advancing through the woods, the battalion helped to drive the enemy back, but all of the lost ground could not be recovered, and eventually a line one hundred yards short of the old position was entrenched, the Lincolnshire having B and C Companies in the front line, with A and D in support. The position was astride a ride in a wood which was constantly swept by machine-gun fire. The roots of trees prevented digging anything but the shallowest of trenches, which rapidly filled with water. The front-line trenches were liquid mud. There was a gap on both flanks of the battalion, and although this space was constantly patrolled, the enemy's snipers found their way through and, hiding themselves in the trees picked off any individual soldier who happened within sight. For the next few days patrols were kept busy hunting out these pests. For following up and shooting two of them whilst accompanying the Commanding Officer on his rounds, Lance Corporal G. Shields was awarded the D.C.M. 1st. Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers. On the 30th the Scots Fusiliers were transferred to the 8th Brigade, under Brigadier General W. H. Bowes. Between that day and 7th November, when it was relieved, the work of the battalion, now very weary and depleted, was to hang on in trenches under a deadly pressure of superior enemy numbers and guns. The line of the II. Corps had been slowly forced back till it ran from Givenchy north by Festubert towards Estaires. Happily for the Corps the German concentration farther north had weakened the attack at the La Bassée port, for it is difficult to believe that a strong enemy thrust would not have forced that gate. On 7th November the Scots Fusiliers returned to the 9th Brigade, and moved northwards to the ill-omened salient of Ypres, where they became part of the reserve of the Seventh Division, and took part in the last stage of a battle in which their 2nd Battalion had already won immortal fame. 10 th The Kings. ( from 25 November 1914. November 8th . 9th. Infantry Brigade. 1st. Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers. ____________________________________________________________________ War Diary.: 4 a.m. received order to hold the line at all costs. Intermittent shelling and rifle fire throughout the day. About 5.30 p.m. the enemy left their trenches and charged our right. During the day our fire from our trench had been withheld. When the enemy charged a heavy rifle and machine gun fire from our trench was brought to bear on them and coming in the nature of a surprise did great execution and the enemy were repulsed with heavy losses. During the night the R.E. strengthened the position. Casualties Ypres. 8th November 1914.( probably includes casualties from 7th ). Killed.: 271 Pte Popkin.: 471 Pte T Toare.: 8199 C.S.M. J Cameron. Wounded.: 9594 Pte D Ironke.: 9460 Pte F Dawson.: 1518 Pte A Brown. 3409 L/Cpl. Murray.: 385 L/Cpl. Crawford.: 1768 Pte Arnold. 1545 Pte Jarvis.: 2594 Pte Wilson.: 1523 Pte Beardsley. 3538 Pte B. Horan.: Capt. R.M. St.J. Booth. Missing.: 9479 Pte A Donachy.: 1413 Pte D Jukes.: 8713 Pte E Smith. 9730 Pte D Kingsland.: 1089 Pte T Loftus.: 1660 Pte J Patterson. 958 Pte H Chastney.: 8033 Cpl H Jeffries.: 9719 L/Cpl J Budd. 360 Pte W Wilson.: 9315 Pte W Moore.: 9102 Pte D Keeling. 5 Pte J Timmings.: 2108 Pte A Grimes.: 9742 L/Cpl J Hogg. 9219 Pte O Jackson.: 9113 Pte H Powell.: 3055 Pte E Crockford. 227 Pte A Breadshaw.: 9348 Pte J Walters.: 9168 Pte C Halliday. 3 Pte E Barber.: 269 Pte J Mooney.: 245 Pte T Abbott. 8885 Pte R Dawson.: 2440 J Langley.: 9253 Pte H Smith.: 9332 Pte J Addam.: 9592 Pte J Green.: 314 Pte J White. 1318 Pte W Kelly.: 9322 Pte S Noble.: 8863 Pte A. Sharpe. 662 Pte D Reed.: 9529 Pte O Casson.: 2905 Sgt. Hamilton. 979 Cpl Wheeway.: 3726 Pte W Malyon.: 942 Pte F Coles. 625 L/Cpl J Crawford.: 8878 Pte R Forster.: 451 Pte J O'Connor. 1677 Pte F Dawson.: 9901 L/Cpl H Tuffey.: 9899 L/Cpl W Greatorex. 9835 L/Cpl W McKean.: 1768 Pte A Arnold.: 9485 Pte G Browning. 8871 Pte J Downey.: 8836 Pte H Hudson.: 9191 Pte A Fuller. 488 Pte B Finnett.: 8722 Pte J Crindle.: 9782 Pte G Hockley. 3667 Pte F Kingsbury.: 1308 Pte G Mason.: 138 Pte G Robinson. 1333 Pte J Walker.: 641 Pte W Robins.: 969 Pte G Winter. 182 Cpl S Kilvington. Missing ( Nov. 7 ) Returned ( Nov. 8 ). 9545 L/Cpl G Mooney.: 9514 Pte W Atkins.: 9215 Pte W Bestwick. 3740 Pte G Baithwaite.: 3640 Pte J Blackbird.: 975 Pte A Ford. 8755 Pte T Forrest.: 9612 Pte H Pratt.: 3511 Pte D Scales. 8646 Pte D Barker.: 9737 Pte G Clarke.: 529 Pte G Clarke. 9195 Pte W Hazlehurst.: 9132 Pte W Hampson.: 338 Pte J Peacock. 9550 Pte T Rush.: 855 Pte R Sproat.: 9464 Pte H Wright.: 1103 Pte W Wiles.: 9551 Pte M White.: 3747 Pte Clements.: 22 Pte Hammond.: 8872 Pte Mustery.: 3896 Pte Colls.: 2090 Pte J Wilkins.: 985 Pte G Watson.: 1251 Pte C Austin.: 9844 Pte J Cuddy.: 8822 Pte F Kelly.: 359 Pte J Horner.: 8775 Pte J Burdis.: 1136 Pte C Seabridge.: 1934 Pte G Butler.: 1 Pte A Smith.: 9856 Pte A Major.: 9614 Pte J Sinclair.: 246 Pte W Burnbridge.: 1192 Pte C Cater.: 657 Pte W Stubs.: 9789 L/Sgt W Richardson.: 9804 Pte N Burke.: 2427 Pte G Bradley.: 2075 Pte C Dickinson.: 370 Pte W Coote.: 9330 Pte A Orange.: 1024 Pte G Lampkin.: 2306 Pte G Mustill.: 1510 Pte L Smith.: 1374 Pte G Simkins.: 1488 Pte E Hudson.: 959 Pte E Filby.: 1890 Pte J Maloney.: 1430 Pte W Crooke.: 9799 Pte J Kemp.: 720 Pte A Gill.; 3536 Pte T Grimes.: 443 Pte H Bell.: 7749 Pte R Dunn.: 726 Pte J Galbraith.: 8708 Pte C Weston.: 9819 Pte P Dalton.: 9684 Pte J Marshall.: 9846 Pte J Fishbourne.: 2630 Pte C Simmonds.: 9389 Pte P Ryan.: 380 Pte H Pratt.: 393 Pte T Patterson.: 7745 Pte N Chapman.: 1543 Pte M Wilkinson.: 2761 Cpl H Reed.: 4401 L/Cpl W Kimberley.: 918 Pte H Shapley.: 1511 Pte H Brown.: Pte Martin. Lieut. K.G. William. Diary 1.: Very little rifle fire, but plenty of shells, doing little damage. Regt. Hist. Brigadier-General Shaw, realising that further attempts to recover the lost trenches were unlikely to result in anything beyond a further diminution of his rapidly dwindling numbers, had ordered that the line gained by the Lincolnshire companies should be consolidated as a new front line, echelonned in rear of "Z" Company of the FIFTH. Orders were issued that the position thus readjusted should be held a all costs. The morning of the 8th November was characterised by intermittent shell and rifle fire. About I p.m. an attack by the Germans to the left of the 9th. Brigade met with some initial success, but the situation was restored with the bayonet by the 2/Duke of Wellington's, of Shaw's Group and the 4/Royal Fusiliers. On the front of the FIFTH the enemy continued to harass the trenches by fire during the early afternoon, but our men harboured their ammunition, and were not drawn into replying to the German snipers. These tactics, doubtless, encouraged the enemy to expect little opposition, when, at 5 30 p. m. their infantry suddenly swarmed from their trenches and rushed forward to assault the right of Captain Gordon's line. But our men were ready for them and behaved with great coolness and judgement. From the hitherto silent trenches a heavy rifle and machine gun fire opened on the attackers. The Germans displayed great dash and determination; some reached the parapet before they fell to the fire of the defence ; two succeeded in mounting it before they were killed. The enemy needed only to effect a penetration on this weak and exposed flank for the whole trench line of the FIFTH to be involved in disaster. But their most desperate efforts were of no avail against the resistance they encountered, and in a few minutes some fifty dead and many wounded lay in front of the position as the only evidence that remained of the attack. Capt. Gordon.: Spend most of the night improving my trenches. Receive orders to hold line at all costs. intermittent shells and rifle fire throughout the day. Enemy very busy with their entrenchments. At about 5.30 p.m. enemy left their trenches in my front and charged across to my right - had with held my rifle fire and we met them with heavy rifle and machine gun fire and repulsed them with heavy loss. Some of the enemy were killed on my parapet - one or two even succeeding in getting over it. Enemy left about 50 dead in my front and many wounded. Men behaved with great coolness and did splendidly. 1st Battalion Notes.: Under shell fire all day. About 5.30 p.m. the enemy charged our right and were repulsed with heavy loss. 4th. Batt. Royal Fusiliers. 8th On the following day the shelling continued all day, and several minor attacks were beaten off. The most serious blow fell upon Y Company, but was dealt with summarily. But the Zouaves were forced back, and the Germans got into the wood, round the Fusiliers’ open flank. Stapleton Bretherton and Jackson, with half of Y Company, delivered a violent counter-attack and penetrated to the German trenches. Very few of these gallant fellows came back. The two officers and 62 men were seen no more. But, thanks to this charge and the advance of the West Ridings, the line was restored. 1st. Batt. Lincolnshire Regt. Throughout the 8th, 9th and 10th the Lincolnshire subjected to heavy shell-fire and infantry attacks by the enemy and although the former took toll of the battalion, every attempt of the Germans to advance their line failed and they were repulsed with heavy losses. On the 8th the battalion lost one other rank killed and eleven wounded: 1st. Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers. November 9th. 9 th. Infantry Brigade. 1st. Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers. ____________________________________________________________________ War Diary.: Intermittent shell and rifle fire all day About 5.30 p.m. opened a rather heavier fire but made no advance. line B transport moved back S.W. of Ypres. Casualties 9th November 1914. Killed.: 319 Pte Dodds.: 8864 Pte Kearney.: Lieut. R. St John Willans. Wounded.: 9776 Pte White. Diary 1. Enemy attack about 10 a.m. , but are repulsed. Regt. Hist. During the next two days, the enemy contented themselves with subjecting the trenches to intermittent artillery and rifle fire. Retaliation was, however, taken against the German snipers, Company Sergeant-Major Gillborn, in particular, for long a noted marksman in the Regiment, taking a heavy toll. But this comparative inactivity on the part of the enemy was but preparatory to their last supreme effort in the long drawn out First Battle of Ypres to break the British front and gain the Channel ports. Capt. Gordon.: Assisted by R.E. again strengthened my position. Enemy left us in peace till daylight - when they again treated us to shell and rifle fire but made no attack. 1st Battalion Notes.: Under shell and rifle fire throughout the day, but the enemy made no advance. 4th. Batt. Royal Fusiliers. 1st. Batt. Lincolnshire Regt. on 9th 2nd Lieutenant Torr and eight other ranks were wounded: 1st. Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers The above information was sent to me by: John M Sneddon. |
The Dover War Memorial Website by Gareth Moore-©Gareth Moore 2006
Email-garethem@gareth69.fsnet.co.uk
Email-garethem@gareth69.fsnet.co.uk
| Home | Back to my own pages |