Somme Commemoration Bedlington

To commemorate the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme, and in particular to remember the losses of the Tyneside Scottish, a parade and church service was held in Bedlington, on 10 July 2016.

Bedlington lay in the heart of the SE Northumberland Coalfield and provided many recruits to the Tyneside Scottish. The effect of the 1st July would have started to arrive in the communities around that time 100 years ago. The notifications of death on the impersonal Army Form B104, the last letters home, would cause grief for many families, whilst for others relief as they find that their loved ones survived. One of the biggest concentration of causalities in the country was Bedlington  where over 60 men was lost from a small community.

Anxious families awaiting the postman
West Sleekburn July 1916

 The parade, led by the City of Newcastle Pipe Band Battery, had representation from 204 (Tyneside Scottish) Battery, the Tyneside Scottish Branch Royal Artillery Association, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Association, Northumbria Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps.
 

City of Newcastle Pipe Band
lead the Parade

Bedlingtom Somme Commemoration Parade

  The church service in Bedlington St Cuthbert's Church included civic and military leaders, local community as well as families from those who fought with the Tyneside Scottish on the Somme.
 

St Cuthbert's Bedlington
Northumbria ACF

 

Ex Reflect Somme - Tyne Cot

Tyne Cot
Cross of Sacrifice

Tyne Cot Memorial

Tyne Cot
Northumberland Fusiliers Tyne Cot Memorial
Northumbria ACF

Ex Reflect Somme - 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA

2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA
Ypres Extension Cemetery

On the 24th May 1915 the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA were at Potijze, two miles NE of Ypres. The Brigade had deployed one month earlier as part of the Northumbrian Division and was immediately engaged in the 2nd Battle of Ypres.

The Germans had released gas and tried to breakthrough the British lines, but were held by gallant actions of Canadian and British troops.

Gas Attack 2nd Battle of Ypres

The 50th Northumbrian Division were used to reinforce formations fighting in the Salient. The 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA deployed in support of 28th Division.

2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA Location 24th May 1915

It was on the 24th May the Germans renewed their attack on this date in an attempt to
capture the Bellewaarde Ridge. The Brigade War Diary of records intensive artillery fire from the early morning.

At 7pm a German shell exploded on No. 1 gun killing 5 of the detachment and severely wounding the No 1. The war dairy records the loss of;

Corporal JA Carr and Gunners JW Clarke, G Robinson, JW Rowbottom, AW Venus.

At 08:30 Driver Wilson was killed.

The six men were buried at 11:20

 The Gunners remains were discovered  in 2013. They were identified from their shoulder titles which identified them as members of the North Riding Battery from the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA.  Two of the six men could be identified; Gunners JW Rowbottom, AW Venus.

They were all reinterred on April 20th 2016 at a ceremony held in Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Cemetery. In the presence of the British Ambassador to Belgium and families, a burial party from 4th Regiment RA finally laid the men to rest.

World War One Soldiers laid to rest - a farewell for six fallen heroes

Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Cemetery

The opportunity was taken whilst in Ypres to visit the graves.

North Riding Battery Graves
Ypres Town Extension Cemetery

The six men are buried in Plot F II - Graves 33 to 38



F II Grave 33

A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR
Royal Field Artillery

F II Grave 34

A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR
Royal Field Artillery

 F II Grave 35

1308 Gunner
A.J. ROWBOTTOM
Royal Field Artillery

F II Grave 36

A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR
Royal Field Artillery

F II Grave 37

A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR
Royal Field Artillery

 F II Grave 38

1817 Gunner
A.W. VENUS
Royal Field Artillery






At the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate on the eve of the 1st July 2016 I laid a wreath in memory of the men of the 6 Gunners of the 2nd (Northumbrian) Brigade Royal Field Artillery.

Ex Reflect Somme - Menin Gate 1st July 2016

 

Menin Gate
1st July 2016



Ex Somme Reflect - Ypres Yorkshire Trench Display

In the Flanders Field Museum is a video and display of items being excavated from the Yorkshire Trench. The Yorkshire Trench was discovered in 1992, and included trenches from 1915 and 1917, and a dugout.

The trench is located in the centre of an industrial area to the north of Ypres.



Fascinating model and a display of the artefacts found can be seen in the museum.



Yorkshire Trench Model
In Flanders Field Museum

Yorkshire Trench Artefacts Display
In Flanders Field Museum

 

Ex Reflect Somme - Menin Gate 1st July 2016

On the evening of 1st July 2016 laid a wreath at the 30394th evening ceremony of the Last Post at the Menin Gate.

Menin Gate
1st July 2016

The wreath was laid in memory of the Gunners of the 2nd (Northumbrian) Brigade Royal Field Artillery who had been recently laid to rest in the Ypres Town Extension Cemetery.

Ex Reflect Somme - 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA

 

Menin Gate
1st July 2016

Cadets from Northumbria ACF laid wreaths for the Armey Cadet Force, Tyneside Scottish and Tyneside Irish

Northumbria ACF
Menin Gate
1st July 2016

LAST POST ASSOCIATION 1st JULY 2016 



Ex Somme Reflect - Knott Brothers Commemoration

The Ypres Reservoir Cemetery contains the graves of the Knott Brothers, the sons of Sir James Knott who founded a Trust in memory of his lost sons.

Knott Brothers
Major JL Knott DSO & Captain HB Knott

Ypres Reservoir Cemetery

 James Knott was a wealthy entrepreneur who lived at Close House, Wylam, prior to the First World War.  He had made his fortune through his shipping line, Prince Line Limited which he set up in 1895. It grew to be the third largest in the World.

 

In 1914 on the outbreak of World War One, two of his sons, Henry Basil and James Leadbitter, volunteered to join the Army and were commissioned into the 9th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

Captain Henry Basil Knott died of wounds on the 7th September 1915 whilst serving with the 9th NF in the Ypres Salient. The 9th NF were in the line at Bois Carre close to the village of Vierstraart when he received a shot to the head. He was taken to No 10 Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Siding, Poperinghe where he died. He was buried in nearby at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

James Leader Bitter Knott transferred to the 10th Battalion West Riding Regiment. He was awarded the DSO in the Birthday Honours of 3rd June 1916.

On the 1st July 1916 Major JL Knott was Battalion 2 I/C and the 10th West Riding's were in the front line facing the heavily fortified village of Fricourt. Following the detonation of a mine a position named the Tambour the Battalion advanced quickly through the German first line defences, but were caught by heavy machinegun fire from the second line devastating the Yorkshire men. The 10th West Yorks suffered the heaviest casualties of any Battalion on the First Day of the Somme, they included Major James Leadbitter Knott.  He was buried in Fricourt New Military Cemetery.

James Knott was devastated by the loss of his sons, and decided to sell the Prince Line.  After the War he used his fortune to commission a number of memorials and a set up a charitable trust dedicated to the memory of his sons.

  He used his considerable influence to have the bodies of both his sons brought together, and they were buried alongside each other in Ypres Extension Cemetery.

On the 1st July 2016, the opportunity was taken to lay a wreath at the Knott Brothers graves in Ypres, exactly 100 years after the loss of Major JL Knott on the Somme.



Major JL Knott & Captain HB Knott
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery 

Capt HB Knott

Major JL Knott DSO

Ex Reflect Somme - Gunner Officer Ovillers Military Cemetery

Whilst the infantry bore the brunt of the casualties on the first day of the Somme, the Gunners were firing in support and suffered counter battery fire. The Ovillers Cemetery contains one Gunner who was killed on the 1st July - Second Lieutenant William Christie Hickman, RFA.

 



2nd. Lieut. William Christie Hickman
KIA 1st July 1916



2nd. Lieut. Hickman was serving with 'B' Battery175 (South Staffordshire) Brigade Royal Field Artillery, part of the 34th Divisional Artillery. Born in 1889/90, he was educated at Marlborough College, then proceeded to Caius College Cambridge, where hr gained a MA. After Cambridge he went to Canada, returning home on the outbreak of war.

After joining the Army he was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery 17th May 1916.

2nd Lieut. William Christie Hickman
Royal Field Artillery 

He joined the 175 (South Staffordshire) Brigade on the Somme in France.

 

175 (South Staffordshire) Brigade Royal Field Artillery

The Brigade, as part of the 34th Divisional Artillery were deployed just outside Albert, north of the road to Bapaume.

On 2th June 1916 the start of what would be 6 days of bombardment commenced. The 175th Brigade's prime task was wire cutting in the area of the 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

Views of the Bombardment of German Wire and Defences La Boisselle

Source: Imperial War Museum

 

On the 1st July the Brigade were firing a creeping barrage in support of the 4 Tyneside Scottish Battalions, the War Diary recording hearing their Pipers leading the men into Battle. The German artillery retaliated and shelled the gun lines. In the ensuring chaos, 2nd. Lieut. Hickman  was posted missing, but a statement from a wounded soldier in hospital confirmed he had been killed on the 1st July was killed by the first German shell to hit the gun position. William Christie's wife was informed of his death in a telegram she received on 15th July 1916.

Second Lieutenant William Christie Hickman is buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery.


CWGC INFORMATION

HICKMAN, W C
 

Exactly 100 years after he was killed on 1st July 1916, I was in the Ovillers Cemetery and able to pay respects to a fallen Artillery Officer.

2nd. Lieut. William Christie Hickman
KIA 1st July 1916
IJ 100 years later 1st July 2016

Ex Reflect Somme - Ovillers Military Cemetery

IJ & CG
Ovillers Military Cemetery

 

Ovillers Military Cemetery is situated 1 km north of La Boisselle. It originated as a battle cemetery behind a dressing station. After Armistice, it was expanded as the fallen from the battlefields of Pozieres, Ovillers, La Boisselle and Contalmaison were buried in the cemetery.

Cross of Sacrifice
Ovillers Military Cemetery

 

CWGC OVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

 



Ovillers Military Cemetery

The Cemetery contains 3,440 graves of which 2,480 are unidentified. Of the 960 identified casualties, 290 are recorded as bring killed on 1st July. The proximity to La Boisselle and lying on the top of  what was called Mash Valley the effect on the Tyneside Brigades who advanced can be seen, with 76 Tyneside Scottish and 27 Tyneside Irish graves. There are many unidentified Tyneside Scots, many of who would have probably lost their lives on 1st July 1916.

Tyneside Scottish Ovillers Military Cemetery recorded as died 1st July 1916

Pte	J G	ANDERSON		'23/1178'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	D	ATKINSON		'22/435'	22nd	(TS)
Pte	J E	BELL		'20/502'	20th	(TS)
Pte	R	BENSON		'20/998'	20th	(TS)
Pte	W	BONE		'20/309'	20th	(TS)
Pte	F W	BRIDGES		'21/1361'	21st	(TS)
Sjt	J H	CAMPBELL		'20/715'	20th	(TS)
Pte	N	CARTWRIGHT		'20/1260'	20th	(TS)
Pte	G E	CHIPCHASE		'20/722'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J H	COOMBE		'20/522'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	CORKIN		'20/1246'	20th	(TS)
L/Cpl	F	COULEY		'20/95'	20th	(TS)
Capt	J B	CUBEY			23rd	(TS)
CSM	R A	DALE		'20/8'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	DAVIDSON		'20/231'	20th	(TS)
Sjt	F	DICKSON		'20/150'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J W	DIXON		'20/1025'	20t	(TS)
L/Cpl	W	DIXON	MM / Bar	'20/1619'	20th	(TS)
Pte	R	DOBINSON		'20/1026'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	ELLIOTT		'201756'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	FENWICK		'22/371'	22nd	(TS)
Pte	J	FLOCKHART		'23/518'	23rd	(TS)
L/Cpl	G W	FYFE		'20/237'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	W	GALLON		'23/722'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	S	GIBSON		'20/781'	20th	(TS)
Pte	T	GORDON		'20/786'	20th	(TS)
Pte	M	GRAHAM	MM / Bar	'21/929'	21st	(TS)
Pte	C D	GUY		'20/409'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J W	HETHERINGTON		'23/862'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	J	HOGG		'20/1301'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	HOLMES		'23/214'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	R	HOLMES		'20/326'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	HOLYOAK		'23/1321'	23rd	(TS)
Sjt	J	HOOD		'23/482'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	E	HOPKINS		'20/178'	20th	(TS)
Pte	T	HOPPS		'20/1480'	20th	(TS)
Pte	R W	JAMES		'23/893'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	W	JAMIESON		'21/789'	21st	(TS)
2/Lt	A H	JARMAN			20th	(TS)
Pte	F	JOHNSON		'20/1071'	20th	(TS)
Pte	G R	JOISCE		'20/572'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	KERR		'20/1685'	20th	(TS)
Pte	W G	LATTY		'23/638'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	T G	MARLEY		'20/1629'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	MARTIN		'20/845'	20th	(TS)
Pte	E	MILBURN		'22/1234'	22nd	(TS)
Pte	J	MILLAR		'21/152'	21st	(TS)
Pte	J	McGILL		'23/1382'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	J	NASBY		'20/1344'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J K	NELSON		'23/491'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	G J	NUGENT		'22/1306'	22nd	(TS)
Sjt	J A	PATTERSON		'23/590'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	T	PENCOTT		'22/661'	22nd	(TS)
Pte	W	PINKERTON		'21/562'	21st	(TS)
Pte	J E	PROUD		'23/112'	20th	(TS)
Pte	D	ROBERTSON		'20/632'	20th	(TS)
L/Cpl	J	ROBINSON		'20/633'	20th	(TS)
Sjt	C	ROBSON		'20/637'	20th	(TS)
L/Cpl	J	RUSSELL		'20/472'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J C	SCOTT		'22/438'	22nd	(TS)
Pte	T W	SCOTT		'20/1149'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	SMITH		'22/1614'	22nd	(TS)
Pte	T	SPOORS		'22/1515'	22nd	(TS)
L/Cpl	T L	STEWART		'20/921'	20th	(TS)
L/Cpl	S L	SUTTON		'23/1249'	23rd	(TS)
Cpl	H	TAIT		'23/606'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	J	TEASDALE		'29/78'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	THOMPSON		'20/673'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J P	THOMPSON		'21/1180'	21st	(TS)
Pte	R	THOMPSON		'20/940'	20th	(TS)
Sjt	W	TUNLEY		'23/1372'	23rd	(TS)
2/Lt	F A	VENUS			20th	(TS)
Pte	W	WALKER	MM / Bar	'20/684'	20th	(TS)
Pte	J	WILKINSON		'20/488'	20th	(TS)
Pte	A	WILSON		'23/790'	23rd	(TS)
Pte	W	WILSON		'20/1609'	20th	(TS)

Tyneside Irishh Ovillers Military Cemetery recorded as died 1st July 1916

Pte	J	BERRY	'25/768'	25th	(TI)
Pte	R	BITTLESTONE	'24847'	26th	(TI)
Lt	J R C	BURLURAUX		27th	(TI)
Sjt	P	BUTLER	'24/348'	24th	(TI)
Pte	J W	CUMMINGS	'24/1386'	24th	(TI)
Pte	F	GRAHAM	'27/287'	27th	(TI)
Pte	W	GRUNDY	'26/923'	26th	(TI)
Pte	J	HABERSHAW	'25/273'	25th	(TI)
Pte	W	HALL	'24/1684'	24th	(TI)
L/Col	L M	HOWARD		24th	(TI)
Pte	C A	HUGHES	'24/611'	24th	(TI)
Pte	T S	JEFFERS	'24650'	26th	(TI)
L/Cpl	J	LANGFORD	'26/399'	26th	(TI)
Pte	J	LARGUE	'26/383'	26th	(TI)
Pte	H	LEWINS	'26/1048'	26th	(TI)
Cpl	R	MACKIE	'24/118'	24th	(TI)
Pte	W	MATHEWSON	'24/1694'	24th	(TI)
Capt	B D	MULLALLY		26th	(TI)
Pte	P	McCABE	'24/1353'	24th	(TI)
Pte	J E	McMILLAN	'25/1140'	25th	(TI)
Pte	R S	RYOTT	'26/604'	26th	(TI)
Pte	R	STANLEY	'24/1502'	24th	(TI)
2/Lt	H R C	SUTCLIFFE		24th	(TI)
Capt	A	THOMPSON		24th	(TI)
L/Cpl	M	TYMAN	'26/1275'	26th	(TI)
Capt	F L	VERNON		26th	(TI)
Pte	M	WAKE	'24/435'	24th	(TI)
Pte	T	WALTON	'26/1329'	26th	(TI)