Pte. Herbert Cecil Lee, Civil Service Rifles.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
4915 Pte. H. C. Lee, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Herbert Cecil Lee, the son of Albert and Amelia Lee, was born on 24th August 1892 in Pinxton, Derbyshire, and baptised there three weeks later on 15th September. Within a year, the family had left Derbyshire and are recorded on the 1901 Census as residing at 50 Alberta Street, Penton Place, Newington, London, where they would live for the next 20 years. The 1911 Census lists Albert, a 47-year-old manager at Gallaher Ltd, a tobacco manufacturers at 67 Clerkenwell Road, his wife Amelia (50 yrs) and their five children, Herbert Cecil, a laboratory assistant (18 yrs), Percy Robert, a commercial clerk (17 yrs), Leslie Horace (15 yrs), Sidney Lawrence (14 yrs) and Ivy Muriel (8 yrs).

When war broke out in August 1914, Herbert was working for Evans Sons, Lescher & Webb Ltd, a manufacturer and supplier of pharmaceutical products for both humans and animals. Their London premises were located at 60 Bartholomew Close, London EC1, and are pictured below.

On 17th September 1914, the Lee family’s third son, Leslie Horace Lee, a 19-year-old insurance clerk, joined the 24th London Regiment and embarked for France on 15th March 1915. His experience of army life may not have been a particularly happy one as he was awarded 14 days Field Punishment No: 1 in May for neglect of duty. Soon after he suffered a gunshot wound to the foot, which necessitated his return to England. Leslie returned to France in June 1916 and was again wounded at Messines on 7th June 1917, this time suffering a gunshot wound to his right hand. He served the rest of the war in the Army Pay Corps. 

On 29th November 1915, Henry Cecil and Percy Robert Lee followed the example of their younger brother and joined up, attesting for service in the 15th London Regiment for the duration of the war. Herbert’s surviving Attestation Papers state that he was 23 years 3 months old, almost 5’ 6” tall, and of fair physical development. He also signed army form E.624 affirming his willingness "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom." Herbert's first service number was 4915 while his brother Percy, the next in line, was given 4916.

After a period of basic training, the two brothers found themselves embarking at Southampton on 5th May 1916 and on their way to the Western Front. On 29th May, they finally joined the 1/15th London Regiment at Calonne Ricouart, where the Battalion was refitting and cleaning up after having some intense fighting repelling a German attack on the Vimy Ridge the previous week. In September, Percy Lee was sent back to England suffering from trench fever and was perhaps fortunate to miss the attack on High Wood on 15th September. Later in the war, Percy was posted to the 2/15th London Regiment. On his way to join his unit in Palestine, he was drowned at sea when HMT Aragon was torpedoed by a German U-boat outside the port of Alexandria on 30th December 1917. Herbert Lee most probably took part in the attacks on High Wood and the Butte de Warlencourt during the last phase of the Battle of the Somme but in October 1916, he too was on his way back to England, where he would spend a month in hospital.

On 24th February 1917, Herbert again embarked at Southampton for a return to the Western Front. Landing at Le Havre the following day, he was first posted to the 1st Entrenching Battalion before eventually rejoining the 1/15th Londons on 25th June. On 11th November 1917, Herbert was wounded in the face by the accidental detonation of a grenade. A note in his Service Papers records: “The man was on a working party filling in a cable trench. Apparently one of the party struck a Mills grenade buried in the ground and exploded it. The accident happened at about 7pm.”

The incident merited a mention in the 1/15th Londons’ War Diary and a subsequent inquiry into the “accidental wounding of Ptes Lee & Gale” took evidence from two witnesses.

531630 L.Cpl. Frederick Ralph Stent stated: “On night of 11/12th inst, I was in charge of party of 6 men working on pipe line leading from NAVAL TRENCH to GAVRELLE. ARRAS Rd. Ptes LEE & GALE were picking & shovelling on chalky ground to fill in cable trench. I heard an explosion resembling that of a MILLS No 5 bomb and the two men shouted out that they were hit. I was within 10 yds of the men when the accident occurred.”

533079 Pte. Victor Cleaver gave a similar account: “On night 11/12th inst, I was one of the party working on the cable trench from NAVAL TRENCH to ARRAS-GAVRELLE Rd. I was working near the NAVAL TRENCH end about 5 yds from Ptes LEE & GALE. They were picking the chalk and filling in the trench. I heard an explosion and the two men in question shouted out that they were hit.” Herbert was taken to the 42nd Casualty Clearing Station but his wounds proved to be slight and he was able to rejoin the Battalion a month later. On 13th January 1918, he was given 14 days leave to England.

On the evening of 19th March 1918, the 1/15th Londons took over a support line trench called Lincoln Reserve on Beaucamp Ridge near Villers Plouich and were expecting a quiet spell of routine trench warfare. However, an intense bombardment by the Germans on the morning of 21st March convinced them that an attack was imminent. In the confused fighting of the next few days, the Battalion was forced to withdraw and Herbert Lee was one of the many British soldiers taken prisoner by the advancing Germans. He was reported missing on 22nd March and would spend the remaining months of the war in a German prison camp at Metz.

In December 1918, Herbert was repatriated to England and on 27th February 1919, having served a total of 3 years and 91 days, he was discharged from the army. On 19th April, he married Francis Louisa Hewlett at the Parish Church of St Mary in Newington. The 1921 Census records the couple living at 26 Cavour Street, the next street down from Alberta Street, where the rest of the Lee family were still living. At this time, Herbert was again working as a bookkeeper for Evans Sons, Lescher & Webb but in 1922 found a new position with Gallaher Ltd, the tobacco manufacturer where his father worked. 

In the last part of his life, Herbert Cecil Lee was living at 15 Blakenham Road, Upper Tooting, SW17. He died at Brompton Hospital, Chelsea, on 16th March 1955, his effects being valued at £2,665 10s. 9d. and left to his second wife, Constance Ada Lee.

L.Cpl. L.W. Griffiths, 15th London Regiment.

A small Sports Medal for the London Territorial Athletic Sports, inscribed to L.Cpl. L. W. Griffiths, Civil Service Rifles, for the Marathon 1913. (28mm diameter)

L. W. Griffiths enlisted in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) in March 1909, was allotted service number 912 and joined the 6th Company. In June of the same year, the Companies were renamed with letters and the 6th Company became "F" Company. In November 1909, Griffiths was one of a number of recruits who had failed to qualify in Standard Test, Table A, and was required to carry out additional practices in order to reach the required standard. This appears to have been successful as he was appointed Lance Corporal on 15th April 1912 and in Regimental Orders No: 10 (November) 1912, he is listed as one of the men entitled to wear an Efficiency Star.

On 16th February 1913, Griffiths re-engaged for a further year with the Territorial Force and did the same the following year. However, on 4th May 1914, he was discharged at his own request.

Although the identification is by no means certain, L.W. Griffiths could be Lionel Warburton Griffiths, born in 1887, who appears on the 1911 Census as a municipal clerk (Territorial) working for the London County Council. He was commisioned as a Lieutenant in the 1/11th London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) and saw service in Gallipoli. Promoted to Captain, he later served with the Royal Fusiliers and was Mentioned in Dispatches.

This medal was manufactured by John Pinches, Medallist, of Albert Embankment, London. This company was founded c1841 and was taken over by the Franklin Mint of Philadelphia, USA, in 1969.

Sgt. Frederick Blanchard, Civil Service Rifles.

Victory Medal. 
5063 Sgt. F. O. Blanchard, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Frederick Oxley Blanchard was born in 1894 and in 1915 he was living at 94 Hemingford Road, Barnsbury and working as a shop assistant. He enlisted in the 15^th London Regiment for the duration of the war at Somerset House on 2nd September 1915. His surviving Attestation Papers state that he was 21 years 8 months old, 5’ 7” tall, and weighed 9st 4lbs. His actual army service was reckoned from 2nd December 1915 when he joined the Reserve Battalion of the 3/15^th Londons.

After a period of basic training, Frederick embarked for the Western Front, sailing from Southampton on 20th June 1916, passing through the Base Depot and finally joining the 1/15^th Londons in the field on 7th July 1916. At the end of July the Civil Service Rifles marched out of the pleasant village of Camblain l'Abbe and began the long march to the Somme sector.

It can be assumed that Frederick went through the later part of the Somme campaign, taking part in the attacks on High Wood on 15th September and the Butte de Warlencourt on 7th October, in which the Battalion suffered terrible casualties. Frederick seems to have been an efficient soldier as he was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 25th September, and promoted Corporal three days later.

Christmas Day 1916 was spent in the trenches but the men were in good spirits, having carried out a successful trench raid two days previously. Frederick was working on moving sandbags when he suffered an inguinal hernia that resulted in him being sent to the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 6th January 1917 and eventually back to England in early February. He spent time in hospitals in Norwich and Eastbourne before being sent to join the Reserve Battalion at Wimbledon.

Further advancement followed as he was appointed paid Acting Lance Sergeant on 18th July and promoted Acting Sergeant on 17th September. In June 1918, however, Frederick was reverted to the rank of Corporal by his C.O. because of neglect of duty. Unfortunately, his surviving service records do not give any details of what form this neglect took.

In November 1918, Frederick once again found himself with the 1/15^th London Regiment in France. The fighting was over and time was spent on playing sports and attending concerts and theatrical revues. According to the Regimental History: "After a really merry Christmas, the Battalion began to melt away. Demobilisation began in earnest with the New Year, and parties of twenty-five or thirty left for England almost daily." Frederick was promoted back to paid Acting Sergeant on 7th February 1919 and shortly after it was his turn to leave for England.

 

Frederick Oxley Blanchard was finally discharged from the army on 20th March 1919 after serving a total of 3 years and 110 days. His intended place of residence was back in Hemingford Road. On 17th July 1920, Frederick married Eva Constance Stocker at St Anne’s church, Tollington Park, Islington. In September 1921, he signed Army Form B.5112, acknowledging receipt of his British War Medal and Victory Medal.The whereabouts of the former are unknown and, interestingly, the rank on the latter appears to have been corrected to read "Sgt" despite the fact that Corporal was the highest rank he achieved while on active service during the war.

In the 1930s, Frederick and his wife moved to "Rose Cottage", Chequers Lane, Preston, Hitchin. There is a lot of information about their later life here. Frederick Oxley Blanchard passed away on 24th February 1979, leaving an estate of £29,934.

Pte. John Dormann, 15th London Regiment.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Victory Medal. 
5059 Pte. J. A. Dormann, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

The birth of John Alexander Dormann was registered in 1887 and his baptism took place at St Peter’s church, Fulham, on 23^rd August 1893. He was the last of four sons born to Julius Joseph and Emma Dormann. Their four children were Julius (born December 1879), Albert Louis (born 1881), Edward (born July 1883) and John Alexander. The family lived in Rosaville Road, Fulham at least until 1888 but at some point after moved a few streets away to a four room dwelling at 84 Sherbrooke Road. The 1891 Census notes that Julius had been born in Switzerland and was working as a waiter.

By the time of the 1901 Census the three older boys were all employed but still living at home; Julius was a solicitor’s clerk, Albert worked as a grocer’s assistant and Edward was employed as a barber’s assistant. John, now aged 14, was presumably still at school.

After leaving school, John Dormann embarked on a career in the Civil Service and various mentions in the London Gazette chart his progress. In May 1906 he was appointed as a second division clerk and the following August he was assigned to the Post Office. In early 1910 he transferred to the Board of Trade.

The 1911 Census records the Dormann family as still living at 84 Sherbrooke Road, Fulham.  Julius, the father, now aged 57 was still working as a waiter. He and Emma had been married for 32 years. All four sons were single, still living at home, and doing the same jobs. At some point after this, the family moved a few doors down the street to 60 Sherbrooke Road.

On 25^th November 1915, John Alexander Dormann enlisted in the 15^th London Regiment for the duration of the war. His surviving Attestation Papers state that he was 28 years 9 months old, 5’ 7” tall, and of fair physical development. His occupation is given as a clerk with the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade. In addition, he signed army form E.624 affirming his willingness to serve outside the United Kingdom. John had had to apply to his employer for official permission to enlist and this was granted on 1^st December, following which he was embodied in the 3/15^th Londons and began his basic training. 

On 13th May 1916, John sailed from Southampton, arriving at the Base Depot at Le Havre the following day. On 15^th June, he joined the 1/15^th Battalion at Angres, north of Arras. Here, a number of selected men were busy rehearsing for a forthcoming trench raid.

On the night of 3rd July, the raiding party, their faces blackened with charcoal and equipped with the usual trench fighting weapons, including Mills bombs, coshes and bayonets, attempted to get into the German trenches. It seems the Germans suspected what was afoot and were able to bring down an artillery barrage, pinning most of the raiders down in their own front line trench. A few of the men managed to get across No Man’s Land but the raid was not a success; one officer was killed and numerous men wounded, including John Alexander Dormann, who suffered shrapnel wounds to his leg.

The Regimental History did not dwell on this incident, simply stating “Early in July the Battalion was ordered to raid the enemy trenches in the Bois en Hache, just north of Souchez, but although 5 officers and 100 other ranks were specially trained for the event, it was a dismal failure, and it has long been a forbidden topic of conversation in Civil Service Rifles circles.”

John was evacuated away from the front line to a Casualty Clearing Station and then on 5^th July 1916 to the 3^rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne. The next day, he was on his way to England, where he would spend 300 days (8^th July 1916 to 3^rd May 1917) at the Welsh Metropolitan War Hospital at Whitchurch near Cardiff. In a way, his “Blighty” wound could be seen as an incredible stroke of luck since he missed the later stages of the Somme Battles, in which the 1/15^th Battalion suffered terrible casualties in two costly attacks, first on 15^th September at High Wood and then on 7^th October at the Butte de Warlencourt.

Early in May 1917, John Dormann was granted 10 days’ leave to visit his family in Fulham and then, on 15^th June, he was again sailing from Southampton and heading back to the Western Front. He again passed through the Base Depot at Le Havre and on 12^th July was back with the 1/15^th Battalion. He had just missed another costly attack as the Battalion had had just over 200 casualties, including 56 killed, in the Battle of Messines Ridge in early June.

 

On 28^th November 1917, the Battalion took over part of the Hindenburg Line near Graincourt, and the following day John Dormann suffered a shrapnel wound to the left knee. This wound was not so serious as he rejoined the Battalion in early December only to suffer shrapnel wounds to his arm and back on 22^nd January 1918 while the 1/15^th was engaged in routine trench holding.

John was back with the Battalion when the Kaiser’s Battle opened on 21^st March 1918. The 1/15^th Londons were in support trenches in Lincoln Reserve on Beauchamp Ridge and under shell fire throughout the morning. By night, the forward battalions were ordered to withdraw and the Londons’ support trenches became the new front line. The situation became increasingly confused and the Battalion was ordered to fall back. At some time on 22^nd March 1918, John Dormann was reported as missing. Six months later, he was officially accepted as a POW in Germany.

Once the war was over, John Dormann was quickly repatriated back to the UK, arriving there on 27^th November 1918. He was discharged from the army on 19^th February 1919 and resumed his duties in the Civil Service. The London Gazette of 7^th November 1919 mentions his promotion to Market Officer in the Department of Overseas Trade. In 1922 he married Winifred Rose Cashin. His progress up the Civil Service ladder continued with promotion to Intelligence Officer, Senior Officer and Senior Staff Officer. In the New Year’s Honours List of 1947 he was awarded the MBE.

John Alexander Dormann appears to have retired to Southend, where his death was registered in the first quarter of 1968. He was 80 years old.

From Private To Colour Sergeant.

British War Medal 1914 - 1920.
Victory Medal.
1998 A. C. Sjt. S. L. Clements, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Sidney Leopold Clements was born in Forest Gate, Essex, and is listed on the 1901 Census as a 16 year old clerk, living with his father Stephen, a 55 year old stationer, and his siblings, Ethel (18), Olive (14) and Stafford (13). The family home was an 8 room dwelling at 39 Windsor Road, Forest Gate. The 1911 Census records Sidney as still living at home with his father. Interestingly, his occupation is given as registrar to the North Western Uruguay Railway Company.

On the day following the outbreak of the Great War, Sidney Clements presented himself at Somerset House in order to enlist in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles). His attestation papers note that he had previously served as a territorial soldier with the same Regiment. The papers describe him as 5' 9" tall and of good physical development.

On the 17th of March 1915, the 1/15th Londons landed in France and, as a member of the original Battalion, Sidney Clements became one of the "17th of March Men", henceforth the proudest title bestowed on the men of the Civil Service Rifles. Sidney served on the Western Front until late November 1915, when he was admitted to the 1st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples. He was suffering from jaundice.

On the 7th February 1916, Sidney Clements rejoined the 1/15th Battalion and now began his rapid rise through the ranks. He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 3rd March and paid Lance Corporal a week later. He was promoted to Corporal on 6th April, appointed Lance Sergeant on 25th July and promoted to Sergeant on 4th September.

There followed another spell in hospital, this time in England at the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington. Sidney was suffering from leg ulcers and although they rapidly improved with treatment, he had to stay in hospital for two months. Discharged from hospital on 25th November 1916, Sidney joined the 15th London Regiment's Depot and stayed in England until being posted back to the 1/15th Battalion on 17th July 1917.

On 22nd September, he was appointed Acting Colour Sergeant. Apart from two weeks' leave to England in early September 1918, Sidney would serve the rest of the war on the Western Front with the 1/15th Londons. He was appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 9th January 1919, and finally sent back to England to be demobbed a month later. He was discharged from the army on 12th March 1919. On the 2nd July 1921, Sidney Clements received the two medals shown here. 

 

When the history of the Civil Service Rifles came to be written after the war, Captain P. Davenport, M.C., who chronicled the deeds of the 1/15th Battalion, acknowledged his indebtedness to several gentlemen, including S. L. Clements, who had helped in the preparation of the work. Sadly, as recorded in the National Probate Calendar of England and Wales, Sidney Leopold Clements of Barcombe, St Brannock's Road, Ilfracombe, Devonshire died on 22nd December 1933 at the Devon Mental Hospital, Exminster, Devonshire. His effects, valued at £434 2s 4d, were left to his widow, Clarissa Isobel Clements.

Wounded At The Butte De Warlencourt.

Victory Medal.
4756 Pte. E. L. Sackett, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Edward Leslie Sackett, the son of Edward and Rose Ellen Sackett, was born on 29th May 1896 in Blackheath, London. A daughter, Gladys Winifred, was born to the couple the following year. By the time of the 1901 Census, the family were living at 179 Horncastle Road, Skirbeck, Boston, Lincolnshire, where Edward's father was working as a tailor's cutter. Ten years later, as recorded on the 1911 Census, the family, now consisting of Edward (36), Rose (36), Edward (14), Gladys (13) and their third child, Sidney Charles Norman (8), were living at 93 Victoria Road, Charlton. In June 1912, young Edward joined the Post Office as a boy clerk, and achieved advancement to assistant clerk in December 1913 and clerk in May 1915.

Like many young men of his generation, Edward joined the army, enlisting in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House on 22nd November 1915. His Attestation Papers state his age as 19 years 6 months and record that he had blue eyes, a pale complexion, dark brown hair, "fair" physical development and that he was 5' 7" tall. On enlistment, Edward had signed Army Form E.624, agreeing "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom." On 5th May 1916, he sailed from Southampton to Havre on his way to join the 1/15th Londons on the Western Front.

Edward joined the Battalion on 29th May, shortly after their involvement in some minor operations on the Vimy Ridge in which the Battalion, particularly 'B' Company suffered heavily. In late summer 1916, the 1/15th Londons moved to the Somme, taking part in two costly attacks, firstly at High Wood on 15th September and then at the Butte De Warlencourt on 7th October. In the words of the Regimental History "The losses on the 7th of October amounted to five officers, 344 other ranks, and although numerically they are not quite so great as at High Wood, it should be remembered that on this occasion the Battalion was not more than 500 strong at the outset." It was in this latter attack that Edward Sackett suffered a serious head wound causing a fracture of the skull. He spent ten days in hospital in France and was then evacuated back to England.

On his return, Edward was initially attached to the 15th London Regiment Depot but on 11th July 1917, he was transferred to the 616th (HS) Employment Company of the Labour Corps. He appeared before a medical board on 12th September 1917 and according to the report made at that time "On date mentioned he was wounded by a piece of HE shell which caused fracture and depression of skull (L. Frontal bone), was taken to No 2 General Hospital at Havre where he remained 10 days where a trepanning operation was performed and some pieces of bone removed. He was then taken to the Royal City of Dublin Hospital where he remained 9 weeks. An operation was done there to remove a small piece of metal from behind left ear. He was then discharged hospital and returned to this unit." The report continued "There is still a considerable depression at the site of the fracture. L. Frontal region. He is quite unfit for any exertion and gets quite giddy. No signs of paralysis and no history of it. Sight and hearing both good."

Edward Sackett was discharged from the army as "being no longer physically fit for war service" on 1st December 1917, having served for 2 years and 10 days. His Discharge Papers describe him as a "reliable and well conducted man." Three years after being wounded on the Somme, he was still suffering from headaches and giddiness, was categorised as having a 40% disability and was incapable of sustained work. Despite this, in 1923 he married Ethel Loten and lived to a ripe old age, finally passing away at the age of 94 in Southampton in February 1991.

An Electrical Engineer in the Civil Service Rifles.

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State", "Transvaal", "South Africa 1901" & "South Africa 1902".
8015 Sapr. J. E. Collins, Electrical Engineers, Royal Engineers.

British War Medal 1914 - 1920.
Victory Medal with MID Emblem.
530738 A.W.O. Cl 2. J. E. Collins, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

James Edghill Collins was born in the parish of St Stephen's in London in late 1880 and baptised on 7th December of that year. He was the second son of James Edghill Collins, a manufacturer of gold lace, and his wife Fanny, who had married in 1873 and were living at 9 Bloomfield Road, Shepherd's Bush. By the time of the 1891 Census, the family had moved to 130 Lime Villas, Hampstead, and consisted of ten members: James (44), Fanny (40), Mabel (15), Margarite (14), Largent (11), James (10), Dora (8), Reginald Hugh (5), Guy (2) and baby Gladys St John. Also living with the family were a resident governess, a cook and a nurse.
James Edghill Collins enlisted in the London Electrical Engineers R.E. (Volunteers) in 1899. Two years previously, Queen Victoria had approved the formation of this new unit, whose duties included the operation of searchlights to help defend major ports. Following the outbreak of war with the Boers in South Africa, James joined the regular Electrical Engineers R.E. on 7th February 1901. His Attestation Papers describe him as having a dark complexion, hazel eyes and dark hair. He was 5' 9" tall, weighed 136lbs and had a slight scar on the outside of his right hand. His religion was given as Church of England, his trade as Electrical Engineer and his next-of-kin was his mother, Fannie Collins, living at 12 Quex Road, Kilburn.

James Edghill Collins served as a sapper with the Royal Engineers ("B" Company Electrical Engineers) in South Africa from 25th March 1901 until 15th May 1902, earning entitlement to the Queen's South Africa Medal with five clasps. He was paid a £5 "South African War" gratuity in November 1902 and continued to serve in the Volunteers till 1908, by which time he had been promoted to Sergeant.

On 22nd July 1908, James, now aged 27, married Phyllis Ethel Martin in the parish church of Kennington, his parents, brother Largent and sister Margarite acting as witnesses. A daughter, named Phyllis Ethel after her mother, was born to the couple in 1910. The 1911 Census records the family as living at 14 Wiltshire Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey. James was now working as a Service Observation Officer for the National Telephone Company. A second child, Jack Edghill, was born in June 1914.
 

In August 1914, the Collins family were living at 14 Gilpin Avenue, East Sheen. Four weeks after the outbreak of the Great War, James presented himself at Somerset House and enlisted in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles). At the age of 33, he was probably a bit older than most of the recruits but his previous military experience must have stood him in good stead as on 19th September he was promoted to Sergeant. In February 1916, he signed Army Form E.624, agreeing "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom." Promotion to Company Quartermaster Sergeant followed on 20th March 1916.

 

James was sent to the Western Front to join the 1/15th Battalion of the Civil Service Rifles on 4th March 1917, reverting to the rank of Sergeant and initially he seems to have spent some time attached to the 7th Royal Irish Rifles. In due course, he rejoined the 1/15th and further promotion followed, first to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant in November 1917 and then to Acting Warrant Officer (Class II). He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 7th April 1918. On 2nd January 1919, James Collins was on his way home to England, and was finally discharged from the army at the 15th London Regiment Depot on 30th January 1919.

Interestingly, Reginald Hugh Collins also worked as an electrician and served in the Great War as a sapper with the 14th Divisional Signals Company, Royal Engineers, earning entitlement to a British War Medal and Victory Medal pair like his brother, James.

Colour Sergeant Cook, The Civil Service Rifles.

Edward VII Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.
389 C. Sjt. W. Cook, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

The Territorial Force came into being on 1st April 1908, following the reforms of the Secretary of State for War, Richard Haldane. The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 combined the old volunteer, militia and yeomanry units into new formations. The 12th Middlesex Civil Service Rifle Volunteers, discarding their old grey uniforms in favour of khaki, became the newly-formed 15th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment. Men who had been serving in the former were required to attest for the new formation throughout April 1908. Colour Sergeant Cook's service number would indicate that he was the 389th man to attest. In the Regimental Orders for July 1908, he is listed as the highest ranking NCO in No. 6 Company. He is included in the Battalion's list of marksmen in 1908, with a score of 148 points, an achievement surpassed by only 17 other men in the Battalion. He was also entitled to wear four "Efficiency Stars".

 The Regimental Orders for February 1909 list the 21 men awarded the Volunteer Long Service Medal and 31 men awarded the newly-instituted Territorial Force Efficiency Medal. Colour Sergeant Cook was one of the latter. This medal was granted to all men who completed 12 years' service with a minimum of twelve trainings, past service in the Volunteers being admissible, provided that the whole period of service was continuous. At 5.45pm on 10th May 1909, the Battalion paraded at Somerset House for the presentation of these medals by Major-General V. J. Dawson, C.V.O., Commanding 2nd London Division.

Gallantry At High Wood, September 1916.

GV Military Medal.
3950 Pte. F. A. G. Stodart, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Frederick Adolphus Gerald Stodart, the son of James William and Isabel Stodart, was born in 1888. The family are listed on the 1911 Census as living in an 8 room house at 77 Lucien Road, Tooting. By this time, James (62) and Isabel (51) had been married for 28 years and had had nine children, seven of whom were still alive. The oldest was William James Walter, aged 27, a clerk with an engineering firm. He would enlist in the Royal Engineers in 1916 but see only home service during the war. Next was Constance (25), Isabel (24), a basinette saleswoman, Frederick himself (22), a clerk with the railways, Percival Ernest (20), an advertising agent's clerk who would enlist in 1915 and serve with the Middlesex and Essex Regiments and the 2nd Life Guards, Norman (18), a clerk with an engineering firm and Archibald (16), a patent agent's clerk.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Frederick Stodart, now residing with the family at 2 Charlemont Road, Tooting, enlisted in the 3/15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House on 7th June 1915. His Attestation Papers describe him as just over 5' 5" tall and of good physical development. His religion is noted as Presbyterian. Following a period of basic training, he was sent to the Western Front to join the 1/15th Londons late in January 1916.

The 1/15th Londons, as part of the 47th (London) Division, were involved in the later stages of the Somme campaign and took part in the attack on High Wood on 15th September. A description of the battlefield can be read here. Zero hour for the attack was fixed at 5.50am but "B", "C" and "D" Companies of the Civil Service Rifles had been instructed to crawl out of their trenches and form up in No Man's Land before the actual time in order to be aligned with "A" Company, who were on the extreme right. The former Companies drew a murderous fire from rifles, machine guns and German artillery but "A" Company were able to get across to the German front line with comparatively little loss and were soon engaged in hand-to-hand fighting for the German first and second trenches. Bombing along the trench, trying to establish contact with "B" Company, they soon realised they were alone and, to make matters worse, the tanks that should have led the attack had failed to show up. The attack was in danger of stalling but the situation was saved by the Brigade Stokes mortar battery, which fired nearly 800 rounds in 20 minutes, pounding the German line in front of "C" and "D" Companies and enabling them to get forward and take their objectives. By evening, the whole of High Wood was in British hands and the 15th Londons were digging in in their new trench.

The following day was spent consolidating the new position, all the time under heavy shelling. In the evening, the men moved forward again to a half scraped trench only two feet deep. They set to digging decent cover and no sooner had they finished than they had to stand to in expectation of a German counter attack. And so it went on: a succession of alarms, intense bombardments and standing to. "It was indeed a trying time for all", according to the regimental history. Frederick Stodart had distinguished himself in the fighting and his bravery was recognised by the award of the Military Medal. On the 17th September, he suffered a shrapnel wound to his right hand and thumb. This heralded the end of his active service and on 21st September 1916, Frederick was invalided back to England. He was discharged from the army in March 1917 and awarded a Silver War Badge (no: 152101) and a pension of 20 shillings a week, subject to review after six months. He died in 1955 in Southend on Sea, leaving a wife, Gladys Eva Millicent, whom he had married in 1934 and who lived on until May 1981.

An Immediate Award Of The MM.

GV Military Medal.
530274 Cpl. - L.Sjt. P. J. Kelly, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Patrick Joseph Kelly was born in Belfast, the son of Sarah Kelly of 67 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast. By 1914, Patrick was living in London at 28 Elgin Avenue, Maida Hill, and was employed by the Civil Service Commissioners. He joined the 15th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House on 8th April 1914. He was 18 years and 2 months old and his Attestation Papers describe him as being 5' 11" tall and of good physical development.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, the 15th Londons prepared for active service. The 1/15th Battalion crossed over to France on 17th March 1915. Patrick Kelly, however, found himself transferred to "C" Company of the 2/15th Battalion, where he served in No: 10 Platoon. On 24th March, he signed Army Form E.624, stating his willingness "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom in the event of National emergency." Obviously a capable man, he was appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid), then promoted Corporal (paid) by the time the 2/15th arrived in France on 23rd June 1916. He would stay with the Battalion for the next two years, serving on the Western Front (23/06/16 - 21/11/16), Salonica (22/11/16 - 19/06/17), Egypt and Palestine (20/06/17 - 17/06/18) and back to France on 28th June 1918.
In August 1918, the 2/15th Londons were in positions opposite the Dranoutre Ridge. On the night of 21st/22nd August, the 2/14th Londons attacked the ridge and the following night the 2/15th Londons took over the newly-captured line, which was no more than a series of shell holes, and withstood a determined counter-attack. In the words of the Regimental History: "Under continual heavy artillery, trench mortar, and machine-gun fire, we helped to consolidate the new front line. Fighting patrols were pushed forward and great courage was displayed by members of the 2/15th, particularly Sergeant P. J. Kelly's patrol, "C" Company, at Locrehof Farm."
More details of the events are to be found in the account given by Captain Wills, quoted in "The Civil Service Rifles in the Great War" by Jill Knight. A second counter-attack was expected at any moment and Wills hastily organized a wiring party to strengthen their precarious position. "The men worked like Trojans and Kelly worked like three men. We all tore our hands on the wire but nobody minded." Patrick Kelly and his officer then prepared to wire in front of a near-by slag heap. Captain Wills' account continues: "Corporal Kelly and I approached the slag heap from the rear carrying a roll of barbed wire on a stake between us. Both of us had on wiring gloves ... As we approached ... a couple of men came round the left-hand side of the heap. I thought they were part of my wiring party and shouted at them asking what the hell they were doing. A second later a German stick bomb burst some few yards away and I realised that they were Boche. I am afraid I lost my head, tried to tear off my wiring gloves and get to my revolver. Not so Kelly, the Ulsterman, who kept his head and did not try to get off his gloves, but took out a Mills bomb, pulled the pin out with his teeth and threw it. The bomb exploded and got them both."

As Wills afterwards discovered, Patrick Kelly's quick thinking and decisive action had put two German machine-gunners, complete with gun, out of action and saved both their lives. For this Corporal Kelly was awarded an immediate MM. The two Germans had been part of the next counter-attack but, once again, the Civil Service Rifles held their position.
In early September, the Battalion was out of the line, enjoying a period of "rest", supplying working parties for road building and other tasks. On the 12th, a parade was held and Patrick Kelly and others who had been decorated for the Dranoutre operations were presented with ribbons by the Corps Commander.

In the last stages of the war, Patrick suffered a gun shot wound to the wrist, resulting in a degree of disablement of 40%. He was discharged from the army on 11th February 1919 and granted a pension of 12 shillings a week for 26 weeks. Apart from his Military Medal, he would also receive the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge and the King's Certificate for his service with the 15th London Regiment.

Wounded At Messines, POW At Bourlon Wood.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Victory Medal.
4779 Pte. W. C. C. Doughton, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

William Charles Cornelius Doughton was born in January 1888 and is recorded on the 1901 Census as the oldest of four children born to Henry and Francis Doughton, residing at 1 Queen's Terrace, Marylebone. By 1914, the family had moved to 5 Belgrave Gardens, Abbey Road, and William was working for Victor Jay & Company, a hat manufacturer located at 34 & 36 Southwark Bridge Road.

On 23rd November 1915, William attested for the Territorial Force, enlisting for the duration of the war in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House. His Attestation Papers describe him as 27 years and 10 months old, 5' 9" tall but with only "fair" physical development. Despite this, he was passed fit for service and signed Army Form E624, stating his willingness to serve overseas. For basic training, William was posted to the 3/15th Londons, the home service battalion stationed at Hazeley Down, where he was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 15th February 1916 and promoted to Corporal five months later. In April 1916, he married Marguerite Giles at St Paul's church in Clapham.

On 19th December 1916, William was sent to France, joining the 1/15th London Regiment on 30th December and reverting to the rank of Private. The Battalion had sustained heavy casualties in the later stages of the Battle of the Somme, firstly on 15th September at High Wood and then on 7th October at the Butte de Warlencourt, and William would have been one of many fresh reinforcements brought in to bring the Battalion up to strength. In early 1917, the 1/15th Londons were in the Ypres Salient contending with enemy activity and freezing winter conditions. In mid-January, the Germans, attired in white garments, took advantage of the snow covering No Man's Land and carried out a successful raid on the British trenches.

In June, the Battalion was engaged in the Battle of Messines Ridge and it was here that William Doughton was wounded in the shoulder, but not seriously enough to merit his being evacuated to England. After four months out of the line at Le Treport and Le Havre, William was able to rejoin his unit in late October.

From 28th November till 6th December, the 1/15th London Regiment were in action in the vicinity of Bourlon Wood. On the 6th, the Battalion was subjected to a strong German attack and forced to withdraw from the village of Graincourt. Following a day of confused fighting, some of the Battalion found themselves surrounded by the enemy and, as darkness fell, attempted to slip through the lines and rejoin their comrades. Unfortunately, they ran into a large enemy force and were taken prisoner. William Doughton was one of those reported missing and later confirmed as a POW. He would spend the next year in captivity, only being repatriated to England in December 1918.

After serving for over three years, William was discharged from the army on 13th February 1919, his intended place of residence being given as 588 Wandsworth Road. He was lucky in one respect; his old employer, Victor Jay, was willing to offer him a position as a buyer and stock controller. His medals were issued to him in August 1921.

Taken Prisoner In The Kaiser's Battle.

1914 - 15 Trio.
2335 Pte. P. G. Dunn, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Percy Gordon Dunn was born on 23rd April 1895. The 1901 Census gives his family's address as 66 Chippenham Road, Paddington, and lists the eight family members: George, aged 47 and a Post Office sorter, his wife Elisa (34), and their children - Dorothy (11), Florence (10), Albert (8), Percy (5), Edith (3) and Cecil (8 mths). At some point before the outbreak of the First World War, the family moved to 147 Bravington Road, Paddington.
Percy attested for the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) on 31st August 1914, agreeing to serve for four years in the Territorial Force. His Attestation Papers describe him as aged 19 with good physical development. He was also just under 6', which was exceptionally tall for the early 20th century. On 9th September, Percy signed Army Form 624, agreeing to serve "in any place outside the United Kingdom in the event of National emergency."
After a period of basic training, Percy went to France with the 1/15th Londons on 17th March 1915; he was one of the original battalion, which landed in France on this day, the men earning themselves the proud title of "17th of March Men". Percy appears to have served with the Battalion through till March 1918, and would have taken part in the many battles and engagements that the 1/15th Londons were involved in. These include Festubert and Loos in 1915, Vimy Ridge, High Wood and the Butte de Warlencourt in 1916 and the Ypres Salient, Messines Ridge, Bourlon Wood and the Hindenburg Line in 1917. Percy was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 2nd November 1916 (shortly after the Somme battles at High Wood and the Butte, when there would have been a shortage of NCOs) and paid Lance Corporal in June 1917. (A lance corporal received 1s and 3d a day compared to the "shilling a day" paid to privates.)
On the morning of March 21st 1918, the Germans launched the Kaiser's Battle or "Kaiserschlacht", attacking along a 50 mile length of front held by battle-weary divisions of the British Third and Fifth Armies. As the line gave way and British troops fell back, retreating in the face of overpowering odds, the fighting became confused. The 15th Londons' Regimental History states: "There have been many attempts to write the story of the great retreat and, generally speaking, the experience of one battalion was much the same as that of any other. But it is well-nigh impossible to describe in detail the career of any unit throughout the most strenuous days of the fighting - the 21st to the 26th of March. During these days battalions often became split up into several parties engaged in different small fights, where none knew how the battle fared with their comrades in other parts of the field."

According to his Service Papers, Percy Dunn was reported missing on March 22nd. The Regimental History, on the other hand, describes March 22nd as a quiet day with March 23rd being "the most critical day in the career of the Civil Service Rifles in France." Certainly there was prolonged and confused fighting on the 23rd and by the afternoon 'D' Company, with their right flank "in the air" had been surrounded and most of the men were killed or captured. It is impossible to know whether it was here or in one of the "different small fights" that Percy was taken prisoner. What is known is that he suffered a gun shot wound in the thigh and, as noted on his Service Papers, he lost his extra lance corporal's pay once he was a prisoner.

In June 1918, a communication was received from the Central Prisoner of War Committee with the information that Percy was a POW at Sprottau Camp in Lower Silesia. (The town of Sprottau is now within the borders of Poland and goes by the name of Szprotawa.) He would be repatriated to England in late November, soon after the Armistice. Discharged from the army on 25th March 1919, Percy was awarded a King's Certificate, a Silver War Badge and a weekly pension, his wound having resulted in a 30% degree of disability. He had served 4 years and 207 days. In 1922, Percy married Lilian Holton. He died in Hampstead in 1974.