Chesterfield Sherwoods on
the Somme
1st July - 18th November 1916
16th (Service) Battalion (Chatsworth Rifles)
Nottingham and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)
117th Brigade, 39th Division, V Corps
Sergt. Mooneys' Platoon, Chatsworth Rifles
Synopsis of 39th Division:-
The 39th Division moved to France at the end of February 1916 and during the following months began to train and gain experience in trench warfare. During August 1916 the Division moved towards the Somme region and for most of the Battle of the Somme the 117th Bde of the 39th Division were serving in front line trenches around Hamel, both north and south of the River Ancre. The Division were instructed to renew the attacks around a spur at the south of Beaumont-Hamel, which had been suspended since the 1st July. This attempt however, like those earlier in the summer, were to prove very costly and relatively ineffective. The 16/SF took part in the Ancre Operation on the 3rd September, which involved an attack on the German trenches opposite Hamel in which they suffered over 450 casualties. They were later part of the final attack on St Pierre Divion and the push to take the Hansa Line on the 13th November.
Index to page:-
The Battle of the Ancre Heights (1st September - 11th November)
"The Attack North of the Ancre" (3rd September)
"The Battle of Thiepval Ridge" (26th-28th September)
"The Attack on Schwaben Redoubt" (7th-16th October)
"The Attack on St Pierre Divion and the Hansa Line" (13th November)
Private 26804 Harry Farnath (winner of the Military Medal)
"The Battle of the Ancre Heights"
1st September - 11th November
On the 14th August the 16/SF commenced "Brigade Training" around La Thieuloye. On the 23rd August the Battalion marched south towards Buneville, where they were Billeted that night. They finally arrived at Neuvillette on the 24th August 1916 and from there they went up to Beaussart via Auchie.
On 1st September the 39th Division became part of Gen. Sir H de la P Gough's Reserve Army and came under the direct orders of Lieut. Gen. Fanshawe, Commander of the Vth Corps.
On the 2nd September the 117th Brigade moved into trenches in the Beaucort sector and prepared for an attack on the German defences around Beaumont-Hamel. The 39th Division were instructed to attack the German front line on the high ground opposite Beaumont-Hamel and just above the River Ancre. This attack would be done in conjunction with an attack by the 49th Division on St Pierre Divion south of the River Ancre.
"The attack North of the Ancre"
3rd September
Operations on the Ancre, 3rd September 1916
For the attack the 39th Division were arranged as follows:-
116th Brigade on the right
117th Brigade on the left
118th Brigade in reserve
The 117th Brigade attacked with the 16th Battn Rifle Brigade on the right and the 17th Battn Sherwood Forester on the left. The 17th K.R.R.C. were in support and the 16th S.F. were in reserve.
The attack started at 5.10am after an intensive bombardment lasting four minutes. The 17/SF successfully reached the German 1st and 2nd lines. However, following several unsuccessful attempts the 16/RB were unable to hold their objective and as a consequence the 17/SF were forced to retire. As a whole the Division were unable to reach and consolidate their objectives.
During this attack the 16/SF were employed primarily as carrying parties for the assaulting Battalions, several of which reached the German lines and made several trips across No Mans Land under a very heavy artillery barrage.
The loses to the 117th Brigade were very heavy and the casualties to the 16/SF were as follows:-
Killed - 2nd Lieut F.H. Chappel
Wounded - Lieut J Brown and 2/Lieuts Hastings, Benner and Simpson
Other ranks - 9 killed; 78 wounded (3 of which later died of their wounds); 6 missing
Following the attack the Battn were relieved in the front line by the 118th Bde and were billeted for the night in Mailly Wood.
CHAPPELL, FRANCIS HAROLD
2nd Lieutenant, 16th Btn., k. in a. 03/09/1916.
HALL, WILLIAM T.
Private, 19118, 16th Btn., k. in a. 03/09/1916, aged 24.
"Husband of Ada Hall, of 62, Jawbones Hill, Derby Rd., Chesterfield"
b. Bermondsey; e. Chesterfield; r. Chesterfield.
KNIGHTSBRIDGE CEMETERY, MESNIL-MARTINSART - D. 25.
A resident of Derby Road he enlisted in November 1914 and had been employed as a grocer in Low Pavements. He left a widow of one year.
HENSTOCK, ALFRED EDWARD.
Private, 25674, 16th Btn., k. in a. 03/09/1916.
b. Chesterfield; e. Chesterfield; r. Chesterfield.
KNIGHTSBRIDGE CEMETERY, MESNIL-MARTINSART - D. 4
A resident of Brockwell Farm, Newbold, Alfred was fatally wounded by a piece of shrapnel in the back of the neck during the attack by the 117th Brigade on the 3rd September. He had been rejected three times by the Army, but was finally accepted in May 1915 and arrived in France in February 1916. He was a Battalion bomber and his parents received the news from two of his friends, Pte L Cutting and Pte James:-
"He was one of a carrying party which was to take bombs to the German lines, and he was hit by a piece of shrapnel in the back of his head and died instantly. Believe me he suffered no pain. He will be buried in the British Cemetery just behind the lines and his other chums and myself will look after his grave as long as we are here."
Pte James (later killed in action on 11th February 1917)
HILL, ROWLAND.
Private, 27335, 16th Btn., k. in a. 03/09/1916, aged 23.
b. Wincoback; e. Chesterfield; r. Chesterfield.
Rowland enlisted in June 1915 and arrived in France at the end of February. Prior to enlisting he worked at the Midland Railway wagon repairing shops at Clay Cross Station
"Through blinding mist, showers of rain, like if never the same again"
LEAVERS, CHARLES.
Lance Corporal, 26131, 16th Btn., k. in a. 03/09/1916, aged 22.
b. Nottingham; e. Nottingham; r. Nottingham.
Victory Medal issued posthumously to Charles Leavers
PLANT, HAROLD
Private, 26584, 16th Btn., k. in a. 03/09/1916.
b. Leek; e. Leek; r. Leek.
RAMWELL, ISAAC.
Corporal, 26213, 16th Btn., k. in a. 03/09/1916.
b. Birch Vale; e. Buxton; r. Birch Vale.
WATERFALL, LEONARD.
Private, 25665, 16th Btn., k. in a. 03/09/1916, aged 21.
b. Belper; e. Derby; r. Belper.
Walter enlisted in the spring of 1915 (the third brother to join the colours*) and went to France a few months later. Prior to enlisting he worked at Captain Lowe's Denby Colliery.
"Dear Mr and Mrs Waterfall and family - I feel I must write a few lines to sympathise with you in your sad loss of your son Leonard . . . . . As you will know we had been in action on the Sunday morning, September 3rd and Leonard was killed in the afternoon. I came across him after we had come out of our attack and I will remember how pleased we both were to see each other . . . . as so many of us, along with Leonard were sent of to get the wounded boys in and when I got back I heard the sad news about Leonard."
*[Albert (21), 15th Battn SF killed in action 1st August 1917; Alfred (28), 1st Garrision Battn died in Egypt on 26th August 1917. A fourth brother, Ernest served as a Gunner in the R.F.A. and survived the War. Percy the youngest brother enlisted in 1916 and also survived the War].
FLETCHER, JESSE (JOSIAH).
Private, 26958, 16th Btn., d. of w. 05/09/1916.
b. Holloway; e. Matlock; r. Draycott.
HENSHAW, WILLIAM.
Private, 26317, 16th Btn., d. of w. 05/09/1916.
b. Staveley; e. Mansfield; r. Mansfield.
RAY, A.
Private, 27481, 16th Btn., d. of w. 06/09/1916.
b. North Wingfield; e. Clay Cross; r. Alfreton.
Not commemorated on the North Wingfield, Clay Cross or Alfreton Memorials
WALL, LOUIS.
Private, 27672, 16th Btn., d. of w. 06/09/1916, aged 34.
b. Matlock; e. Matlock; r. Matlock.
A resident of Richmond Terrace in Matlock, Pte Louis Wall of the Lewis Machine Gun Section was wounded by a bullet in the head on the 3rd August and later died of his wounds and left a widow and two young children. He had been in France for six months during which time he had been wounded twice.
WILSON, ARTHUR.
Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 26947, 16th Btn., k. in a. 06/09/1916.
b. Sutton Bridge; e. Chesterfield; r. Alfreton.
For conspicuous bravery during the Battle of the Ancre Military Medals were awarded to the following men:-
26230 Sergt. C.E. Holywell [L.G. 9/12/16]. Awarded MM during the attack on Beaumont Hamel by carrying bombs and SAA to the assaulting battalion whilst under fire.
10688 Pte A Astle [L.G. 9/12/16]. Awarded MM for gallantry during the attack on Beaumont Hamel, by commanding his party under fire and bringing bombs to the front line.
26593 Pte J Annable [L.G. 9/12/16]. Awarded MM for carrying messages to and from the carrying parties during the attack on Beaumont Hamel.
On the 6th September the Battalion moved back into the front line trenches in the LONG-ACRE sector of Beaumont Hamel. During the evening of the 8th September the Battn came under fire from German artillery and one man was wounded. The Battn Lewis gunners responded by firing on the German wire.
CARTWRIGHT, GEORGE SPENCER.
Private, 26763, 16th Btn., d. of w. 10/09/1916.
b. Uppington; e. Mansfield; r. Mansfield.
St Peter's and St Paul's Parish Church War Memorial
Throughout the day of September 11th the Germans shelled the front line trenches and the Lewis Gun section again retaliated by firing on the wire during the night. The War Diary states that 5 men were accidentally wounded during this exchange of fire. The Battn were relieved by the 17/SF on September 13th and returned to billets in Mailly Wood
HOGG, GEORGE WILLIAM.
Private, 21838, 16th Btn., d. of w. 12/09/1916, aged 33.
b. Codnor; e. Shirebrook; r. Mansfield.
Commemorative Plaque, Holy Trinity Church, Shirebrook
"The Battle of Thiepval Ridge"
26th-28th September
On 20th September the Battn returned to the front line in the Hebuterne sector. During the next 10 days the Battalion occupied the front line trenches and came under constant fire from German Artillery, trench mortars, rifle grenades, snipers and minewerfers.
German Sniper on the Western Front
During this time one man was killed and 12 men were wounded, some of those suffering from shell-shock. On 1st October the Battalion were relieved by the 13/Essex Regiment and moved to billets in Bertrancourt.
On 5th October the Battalion returned to the front line but this time to the Thiepval Sector taking over trenches in front of Schwaben Redoubt and basing their headquarters in the ruins of Thiepval Chateau. During the relief one man was killed and 26 were wounded.
DEARNALEY, JOHN.
Private, 32703, 16th Btn., k. in a. 06/10/1916.
b. Glossop; e. Buxton; r. Stockport.
Prior to enlisting John worked at Waterside Paper Mills
"The attack on Schwaben Redoubt"
7th-16th October
On the evening of the 7th October the Germans made a counter attack on Schwaben Redoubt but this was successfully repulsed by the 16th and 17th Battalions of the Sherwood Foresters. Following this the Battalion were ordered to make an attack on the German held portion of Schwaben Redoubt at 4.30 am on 9th October.
The assembly was successfully carried out and the four Companies attacked in depth under the cover of darkness. The attacking companies had gone half way across No Mans Land when they were swept by German machine gun fire. "B" Coy (with one platoon from 17/SF) reached its objective and consolidated the captured trench but suffered heavy casualties. "C" Coy were held up by wire in front of the German trench, while "D" Coy were held up by heavy machine gun fire. The fighting lasted about 2 hours by which time the attacking troops were exhausted and they were eventually forced back.
Schwaben Redoubt and the surrounding trenches
Casualties during the assault were very heavy, comprising 13 Officers and 224 Men and of these 29 Officers and men were killed. It is not surprising that many of these men are from the Derby area where the Battalion was raised locally by the Duke of Devonshire and the Derbyshire Territorial Force. However there is also a large a large of men from Chesterfield and the surrounding towns and villages in particular Winster, Matlock and Bakewell where the Duke of Devonshire held land.
CARLILE, PERCY.
Private, 28538, 16th Btn., k. in a. 08/10/1916.
b. Chesterfield; e. Chesterfield; r. Chesterfield.
COOKE, JAMES GORE.
Captain, 16th Btn., k. in a. 08/10/1916.
FARNSWORTH, PHILIP JOHN SAXTON.
Sergeant, 15747, 16th Btn., k. in a. 08/10/1916.
b. Matlock; e. Derby; r. Matlock.
SHELDON, BERTRAM.
Private, 31971, 16th Btn., k. in a. 08/10/1916.
b. Bonsall; e. Bakewell; r. Bonsall.
SMITH, HERBERT.
Private, 26214, 16th Btn., k. in a. 08/10/1916.
b. Bury; e. Buxton; r. Birch Vale.
Prior to enlisting in May 1915, Herbert was serving a 7 year apprenticeship as a machine printer at Birch Vale Print Works. A member of the High Peak Orpheus Glee Society he was a popular musician who could play the organ with considerable skill. He was Choir Master of St Luke's Church. He arrived in France in March 1916.
THORPE, HARRY.
Private, 29343, 16th Btn., k. in a. 08/10/1916.
b. Lea; e. Matlock; r. Matlock.
WALKER, HENRY.
Private, 28881, 16th Btn., k. in a. 08/10/1916.
b. Winster; e. Bakewell; r. Matlock.
BALL, WILLIAM.
Private, 31854, 16th Btn., 09/10/1916.
e. Bakewell
BAYZAND, ALEC, 2nd Lieutenant, 16th Btn., 10/10/1916
BRADDER, WILLIAM.
Lance Corporal, 26376, 16th Btn., 10/10/1916.
b. Clowne; e. Chesterfield.
Clowne Village Memorial
DENNIS, DAVID.
Private, 26984, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. Alfreton; e. Nottingham; r. Alfreton.
FORMAN, WILLIAM HENRY.
Private, 27842, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. Weston-on-Trent; e. Buxton; r. Ashbourne.
GILBERT, WILLIAM.
Private, 25923, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. Church Gresley; e. Chesterfield; r. Shirebrook.
Commemorated on the Shirebrook Memorial Plaque
GODWIN, LESLIE WENTWORTH.
2nd Lieutenant, , 16th Btn., 10/10/1916.
Roll of Honour - The Buxton Advertiser, Saturday October 21st 1916.
GREGORY, JOHN WILLIAM.
Private, 28708, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. Markham; e. Bolsover; r. Bolsover.
GRIFFITHS, D.
Private, 27480, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. Clay Cross; e. Clay Cross; r. Chesterfield.
GROOM, WILLIAM ALFRED.
Private, 27602, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. South Normanton; e. Mansfield; r. South Normanton.
HART, CONWAY JOHN, Lieutenant, , 16th Btn., 10/10/1916
LILLIMAN, ROBERT.
Company Sergeant Major, 25502, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. Brimington; e. Mansfield; r. Mansfield.
LLOYD, WILLIAM HENRY.
Private, 27941, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. New Tupton; e. Chesterfield; r. Chesterfield.
MOSLEY, WALTER.
Private, 26770, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. South Normanton; e. Ilkeston; r. Long Eaton.
RENSHAW, EBEN.
Private, 25936, 16th Btn., k. in a. 10/10/1916.
b. Ruddington; e. Mansfield; r. Mansfield.
Commemorated on St Lawrence's Church War Memorial
LEHFELDT, WILLIAM ROBERT ALEXANDER, Lieutenant, 16th Btn., d. of w. 11/10/1916
RODDIS, JOSEPH EDWARD.
Lance Corporal, 25962, 16th Btn., d. of w. 12/10/1916, aged 37.
b. Eckington; e. Chesterfield; r. Chesterfield.
"Husband of Ethel Roddis, of 17, Hawthorne St., Derby Rd., Chesterfield."
BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY - VIII. D. 137
"Give my love to the little ones"
A resident of Hawthorne Street (nr Derby Road), Joseph Roddis left a widow and five young children. He was wounded on the 9th October and died in the Canadian Hospital in Boulogne. According to a letter written from the hospital, Joseph Roddis's last words were "Give my love to the little ones". He joined the Regiment in May 1915 and qualified as a sniper. Prior to enlisting he worked at Williamthorpe Colliery and was a keen musician playing several instruments.
The Battalion relieved the 1/6th Cheshires in the left River Ancre sector on 16th October, during the relief two man were killed and one wounded.
BAKER, JOSEPH.
Lance Corporal, 25842, 16th Btn., k. in a. 17/10/1916, aged 19.
b. Oldbury, Staffs; e. Chesterfield; r. Shirebrook.
LONSDALE CEMETERY, AUTHUILE - VIII. D. 4.
Commemorated on the Shirebrook Memorial Plaque
Joseph Baker's Mother lived in Market Street, Shirebrook. He enlisted soon after the outbreak of the War and arrived in France in early 1916. He played football for Shirebrook Villa and was a close friend of Percy Binfield (who was killed in action with the 2/SF on 16th August 1916). Prior to enlisting he worked at the Shirebrook Colliery.
The Battalion held the front line trenches for 9 days until the 25th when they were relieved by the 1st Cambridgeshire Regiment and proceeded to Billets at Pioneer Road until the 27th when they were back in the front line as Brigade Reserve. They were relieved again on the 30th and proceed to billets in Martinsart Woods.
MARTIN, WILLIAM HENRY.
Private, 22857, 16th Btn., 30/10/1916.
b. Chesterfield; e. Mansfield; r. Mansfield.
"The Attack on St Pierre Divion and the Hansa Line"
13th November
On the 12th November the Battalion were involved in one of the last actions of the Battle of the Somme - the capture of St Pierre Divion. The !6/SF made a subsidiary attack from the South up the River Ancre in support of the main attack by the 118th Bde on St Pierre Divion. The main attack was to start at 5.45 am and the Battalion were to be supported on the right by a single tank.
The 16/SF were ordered to advance at 6.30 am in three Companies with the 4th left in reserve. The Companies assembled on time and advanced in a thick mist. The Battalion entered the German first line but met stiff opposition and were held up. At 6.30 am the Reserve Company were sent to reinforce the right flank, which then enable the Battalion to continue the advance with bombing parties. Although the objectives were reached the attacking Companies continued on into St Pierre Divion and captured the German Battalion dugouts and tunnels.
A party under 2/Lt Holland continued their advance to the Hansa Line and joined up with the 1/Herts on the right flank of the 118th Bde.
By 9.15 am all objectives were secured and Battalion Headquarters forward to occupy the captures German HQ. Casualties for the Battn we relatively light with 1 Officer and 4 ORs Killed while 67 ORs were wounded.
ALLEN, ALFRED HENRY.
Lance Corporal, 26284, 16th Btn., 13/11/1916.
b. Long Eaton; e. Ilkeston; r. Long Eaton.
EAKIN, WILFRED.
Private, 27479, 16th Btn., 13/11/1916.
b. Matlock; e. Matlock; r. Matlock.
Following the successful capture of St Pierre Divion the 16/SF were relived by the 15/Lancashire Fusiliers and proceeded to camp at Warloy. . . . and there ended the Battle of the Somme for the Chatsworth Rifles. In 3 months of bitter fighting the Battalion suffered over 350 casualties. By the time of the attack on St Pierre Divion each of the assaulting Companies were only 90 men strong.
Private 26804 Harry Farnath won the Military Medal during the attack on St Piere Divion:-
"For gallantry in action on 13-11-16, in the attack on St Piere Divion, when Capt Illingworth he captured 81 prisoners"
[London Gazette, 19th February 1917]
The Battalion War Diary provides the following record :-
"Captain R.L. Illingworth, who with only his orderly [Harry Farnath] entered the famous tunnel dugout and brought out 81 Germans. It was necessary to advance 150 yards down this deep tunnel to reach the dug out where the enemy had taken refuge"
(Captain Illingworth received a MC for this action)
Harry later won a Bar to his MM in August 1917
"For gallantry at St Julien, on 15-8-17, when the Germans raided the position causing no casualties, this man went out with Capt Illingworth, under heavy rifle fire and machine gun fire and captured three of the enemy, returning them to our lines"
[London Gazette, 18th October 1917]
Harry Farnath in 1953 and his Military Medal
[Courtesy of Dennis Jones]
Harry later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and was renumbered 159622. He was born in Hucknall and prior to enlisting worked in the Pilsley and Clapwell Collieries. He lied about his age and enlisted under age. After the War he returned to work as a miner, married Eunice Wilde and lived at Elm Walk, Pilsley. He died in 1966 and is buried in Pilsley Churchyard.
Gallantry Awards
| Name | Initial | Rank | Number | Date of action for which award was made | Comments |
| Annable | 3/9/1916 | ||||
| Astle | 3/9/1916 | ||||
| Barkes | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Bush | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Eakin | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Farnath | ? | ||||
| Fawkes | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Gilbert | ? | ||||
| Holeywell | 3/9/1916 | ||||
| Howitt | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Jaynes | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Mitchell | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Monks | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Root | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Rushton | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Sheldon | 13/11/1916 | ||||
| Truman | 7/10/1916 | ||||
| Whitehead | 13/11/1916 | ||||
Other casualties:-
(27027) Pte Archie Quartley, a native of Helpston, Rutlandshire, was killed in action on 12th July. Enlisted June 1915, prior to which he was employed at Creswell Midland Station (for 3 years). He was anxious to enlist but could not be released from his job until June 1915 when he joined the Sherwood Foresters.
"It is with real sympathy and sorrow I have to tell you that of the death of your son in action. He was killed on Wednesday morning, July 12th, while with a party who raided the German lines. The poor lad was shot and died while being brought in. He was in my platoon and was always a willing and cheerful soldier. He was a good example to all my men and I feel his loss deeply . . . . In the raid he courageously fought on, and fell nobly"
[Lt J Simpson]
