Oadby Baptist Church FWW Booklet

Their
Name
Liveth
for
Evermore
Oadby Baptist Church
In honour of the men from
Oadby Baptist Church
who gave their lives
for freedom during
the Great War
1914-1918
“They rest in God’s Love”
C.H. ELLIOTT + M. SUMMERLAND + B.G. BOULTER
H. SUMMERLAND + W. MARKHAM + R. CHAMBERLAIN
F. STURGESS + T. GRAINGER + E.W. MATTHEWS
W. FENWICK + C.E. MATTHEWS + A. BENNETT
S.T. ALLEN + S.C. POTTERTON + O. MELLOWES
“Their Name Liveth for Evermore”
2
Introduction
In the autumn of 1914 the Baptist Council approved a Manifesto on the Great War. It
affirmed that Baptists stood for peace “where the sacred rights and liberties of men are not
imperilled”. It supported the British Government in its decision to go to war. The issue
was very clear: “We believe the call of God has come to Britain to spare neither blood nor
treasure in the struggle to shatter a great anti-Christian attempt to destroy the fabric of
Christian civilisation.”
As early as 9 October 1914 the first Baptist Chaplains were serving in the British army.
Baptists saw the Great War as a righteous war in defence of the innocent (Following
German atrocities in Belgium). Many Baptist churches cared for Belgian refugees. Many
Belgian refugees found haven in Leicester.
Meanwhile considerable numbers of Baptists flocked to the Colours to join the army
and navy. This was out of a sense of justice - fighting as a soldier of the King - for the
Kingdom of God.
After the war, on Sunday, 6 June 1920, Mr Hebert Sturgess-Wells unveiled the
memorial tablet to the fifteen Sunday School Scholars, from Oadby Baptist Church, who
were killed in action or died whilst serving in the army. All in all, it is thought that 88
men connected with the Church or Sunday School had joined the Colours. The decision
to erect the Memorial Tablet is clearly recorded in the minutes of the church meeting
proposed by Mrs Baker and seconded by Mrs S Hurst at a meeting on December 3rd 1919.
The men from Oadby were mostly associated with the boot and shoe trade, they came
from London Road, East Street and Spencer Street. Some had prior military experience.
They signed up for the regulars, territorials and Kitchener’s New Army. Amongst the
dead were two brothers, two 18 year olds, the oldest, as far as we can tell, was 41 years old.
They had much in common as brothers in arms but they also shared one faith.
Nigel Atter Researcher and Author
Spring 2014
Editors note – we would love to hear from you if you have any information about these men or their
stories. Contact details on back page
3
Stanley
Tom Allen
Private 14453, 9th Battalion,
Leicestershire Regiment who died on
14 July 1916.
The 9th (Service) Battalion Leicesters were formed at Leicester during September
1914 as part of Kitchener’s new army and attached as Army Troops to 23rd
Division. Prior to enlisting Tom had lived on London Road, Oadby and worked
as a Shoe Hand Riveter. During April 1915 the Battalion was transferred to 110th
Brigade, 37th Division.
After completing training the Battalion was posted overseas and landed at Le
Havre on 28 July 1915. The full strength of the Battalion at this time was 26
Officers and 872 men.
On 7 July 1916 the 9th Leicesters were transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st
Division to support actions during the battle of the Somme. Shortly afterwards
the 9th Leicesters occupied Mametz Wood on the southern edge of the battlefield
and attacked German positions protecting Bazentin-le-Petit Wood and the village
of Bazentin-le-Petit.
On 14 July the task of the 110th Brigade was to attack the German second
line of trenches at Bazentin Ridge. The Brigade moved into position to attack
from Mametz Wood. There was very heavy shelling from the Germans and heavy
casualties ensued including all the Company Officers.
Sadly Stanley was killed in action and left a widow and child.
Stanley is remembered with Honour at Thiepval Memorial, France
Reference Pier and Face 2C & 3A
For further detail see
The Manuscript 9th (Service) Battalion Leicester Regiment: War Diary
(County records office).
Richardson, M. The Tigers: 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th (Service) Battalions of the Leicestershire
Regiment (Barnsley, 2000)
4
Archibald
Bennett
Private, 5094, 1/4th Battalion, Leicestershire
Regiment who died on 07 October 1916, Age 19.
Son of Frederick and Sarah Ann Bennett,
of 10, Beaumont Street, Oadby.
Before the war Archibald had worked as a boot clicker for the Leicester
Cooperative Society. On enlistment, 9 August 1915, he joined the 3rd/4th
Leicesters and later transferred to the 1/4th Battalion.
1/4th Battalion
The Battalion landed at Le Havre on 3 March 1915. Archibald’s service on the
western front commenced on 18 April 1916 when he embarked at Southampton,
he landed at Rouen on 20 April 1916.
During August to October the 1/4th Leicesters were in Divisional reserve at
Pommier. There was “a lot of shelling, and trench mortaring. An occasional
raid. And every now and then a gas attack”. The Battalion was in the vicinity of
Bienvillers au Bois and Hannescamps. The men between raids and gas attacks we
were kept busy repairing ther trenches damaged by shell fire and the wet weather.
Sadly Archibald contracted pneumonia on 5 October 1916 and passed away
just two days later, on 7 October 1916, whilst being treated at No. 45 Casualty
Clearing Station.
Archibald is remembered with Honour at Warlincourt Halte British
Cemetery, Saulty, France
Grave Reference II. H. 4
For further detail see
Captain Milne, J. Footprints of the 1/4th Leicestershire August 1914 to November 1918
(Leicester, 1935)
5
Bertie Gilbert
Boulter
Private, 59204, 8th Battalion, West Yorkshire
Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own) who died on 10
June 1918, Age 18. He was the only son of Harry and Ada
Boulter, of Sunnydene Villas, Spencer Street, Oadby. Bertie was
educated at The Newarke School, Leicester, which he attended
from 1913 to 1915.
1/8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion
On the 30 January 1918 the Battalion
became part of the 185th Brigade, of
the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division,
absorbing the 2/8th Battalion and renamed
the 8th Battalion on 1 February 1918.
On 21 March 1918 the German Army
launched a huge offensive against the
Allies on the Somme battlefield. This
offensive was codenamed Kaiserschlacht
(The Kaiser’s Battle). It was to last until
the summer of 1918. The 62nd Division
was in action at Gommecourt on the
Somme. During this period 51 men from
the 8th Battalion West Yorks were killed
and are buried at Bienvillers.
Remembered with Honour at Bienvillers Military Cemetery, France
Grave Reference XX. D. 1
and Clarence House, 46 Humberstone Gate, Leicester - Newarke School
memorial.
For further detail see
Wyrall, E. History of the 62nd (West Riding) Division 1914-1919.
(Naval and Military, 2003)
6
Rowland
Chamberlain
Driver, L/32341, “A” Battery. 175th Brigade.,
Royal Field Artillery who died on 11 November 1918
Age 23.
Husband of Constance Matthews, of Strangers Row,
Leicester Road, Oadby, Leicester.
Remembered with Honour at Cambrai East Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: II. B. 42
For further detail see
Colonel Wylly, H. C. History of the 1st and 2nd Battalions. The Leicestershire Regiment in
the Great War. (Aldershot, 1928)
7
Charles
Elliott
Lance Sergeant 200577, 2/4th Battalion,
Leicestershire Regiment who died
on 11 April 1917, Age 36. Husband of Mrs E. E.
Elliott, of Conway Villas, Spencer Street, Oadby.
Before the war Charles had been a Boot Machine Operator. He enlisted into the
2/4th (Territorial Battalion) Leicestershire Regiment on 21 September 1914. He
rose through the ranks from Private to Lance Serjeant.
The Battalion was formed at Leicester during September 1914 and stationed
at The Magazine. It became part of the 2nd Lincoln and Leicester Brigade, 2nd
North Midland Division.
During January 1915 the men were billeted at Luton and by July 1915 were
at St Albans. In August 1915 the formation became the 177th Brigade, 59th (2nd
North Midland) Division. There is a memorial to this Division in Leicester
cathedral.
The unit was posted to Ireland in April 1916, following the Easter Uprising,
only returning to England in January 1917, being posted to Fovant, Wiltshire.
Charles’ service in France was sadly very short. Landing on 25 February 1917
the men endured the harsh winter conditions in collapsing trenches. They were
to see combat against the Hindenburg Line. The German positions were strongly
defended by thick belts of barbed wire and numerous machine guns. During one
of these attacks Charles was mortally wounded on 11 April 1917.
Charles is remembered with Honour at Bouvincourt Communal
Cemetery, France
North East part of the cemetery
For further detail see
Lt. Col. Jamie J.P.W. The 177th Brigade (Leicester, 1931)
Lt. Col. Bradbridge E.U. 59th Division 1915-1918 (Chesterfield,1928)
8
William
Fenwick
Private, 9203, 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire
Regiment who died on 10 April 1916.
William had worked as a farm labourer before signing up to the Colours. He had
originally joined the 1st Battalion Leicestershire regiment on 24 May 1911. He
transferred to the 2nd battalion on 5 January 1913. We know that William had
two spells in hospital at Ranikhet on the North West Frontier (15 September 1913
[Malaria] and 25 May 1914) before the First World War.
At the outbreak of the First World War the 2nd Battalion was based at Ranikhet.
It was shipped from India to France as part of the Garhwal Brigade of the 7th
Indian Division. On the 12 October 1914 the Division landed at Marseilles for
service in France.
The Battalion took part in the assault on the German positions at Neuve
Chapelle. The Garhwal Brigade’s Indian battalions were held up by uncut wire,
however, the 2nd Battalion Leicesters led an attack and succeeded in forcing a way
through overwhelming the Germans holding the trenches covering the village and
woods at Neuve Chapelle.
The 2nd Leicesters were transferred to the 28th Indian Brigade in Egypt, on the
7 November 1915. They landed at Basra during December 1915 and became part
of the Tigris Army Corps or the Kut Relief Force. Cholera and dysentery took
a very heavy toll on the troops. Indeed disease was a significant factor affecting
the welfare and fighting capacity of the men. Conditions for the injured and
dying were truly appalling with insufficient medical staff and supplies to treat the
wounded. Significant actions took place at the Battle of Sheikh Saad, the Battle of
the Wadi and the assault on the Dujaila Redoubt.
On the 3 April a draft of 296 men arrived from England. Shortly afterwards,
on 5 and 6 April the Turkish positions were heavily bombarded and the first line
trenches captured. The 2nd Leicesters formed part of the 28th Brigade. They
advanced in broad daylight upon entrenched positions without artillery support
over an open plain. A total of 1100 men in the 28th Brigade fell in the attack.
A further assault on Sannaiyat was carried out on the morning of the 7 April,
the Brigade again suffered many casualties. On the 9 April there was a further
unsuccessful attack. The men were exhausted, lacked reinforcements, rations and
had been exposed to exceptional climatic (bad weather resulting in flash floods)
9
and physical obstacles. The relief effort of Kut came to an end with unsuccessful
assaults on the Turkish positions at Sannaiyat. It is believed William died of
wounds.
In the course of almost four months fighting the Tigris Army Corps lost over
23000 officers and men. The men at Kut were starved into submission. Major
General Townsend the commanding officer and 12500 British and Indian soldiers
were taken into captivity.
William is remembered with Honour at Amara War Cemetery, Iraq
For further detail see
Richardson, M. Fighting Tigers Epic Actions of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment
(Barnsley, 2002)
Wylly, H.C. History of the 1st & 2nd Battalions of the Leicestershire Regiment in the Great
War. (Aldershot, 1928)
10
Tom
GraInger
Lance Corporal, 7786, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire
Regiment who died on 13 November 1915, Age 26.
Son of Mr T. G. Grainger, of 4 London Road, Oadby, and the
late Mrs Grainger. Tom was one of ten children, having five
brothers and four sisters.
Before the war Tom worked as a shoe hand
in Leicester. Upon joining the Colours,
on 27 September 1905, he was just 18 years
and 10 months old. He signed up for three
years with the Colours and nine years in
the Army Reserve. Tom had eight months
training at Colchester during 1906. He was
then posted to Shorncliffe Camp prior to
being posted overseas. On 5 February 1907
the transportship SS Plassey shipped him
out to India. He was posted to Belguam on 28 February 1907 and was stationed
there until 11 February 1911. Tom was then posted to Madras for two years,
from the 13 February 1911 to 4 February 1913. Tom also served at the 7th Indian
Division’s headquarters at Bareilly and at Ranikhet on the North West Frontier.
On 15 February 1909 Tom completed a training course which qualified him to
ride as mounted infantry. Whist also in India Tom gained a 3rd class certificate of
education and was awarded a good conduct badge.
Upon return to England he was transferred to the Army Reserve on 28 May
1913.
The Army Reservists were called up on 5 August 1914. As with the other 1st
Battalion lads, including Matthias Summerland from Oadby Baptist Church, Tom
took part in the Battle of 1st Ypres. During the battle the 1st Leicesters lost four
officers and 47 men killed or died of wounds, five officers and 134 men wounded.
Additionally there were 106 men missing in action. It is likely a high portion of
these were D Company men taken as prisoners of war.
Trench warfare set in following 1st Ypres and the men had to endure a truly
terrible winter in the trenches. The trenches were knee deep in near freezing mud
and water. To compound these hardships the Germans kept up constant shelling
and sniper fire. During the ‘quiet period’ of November and December 1914 there
were 25 officers and men killed and another 26 officers and men wounded.
11
A number of men were hospitalised having suffered from frostbite.
Following the singing of Christmas carols and songs and exchange of messages
of goodwill, on 24/25 December, some members of the Battalion took part in the
famous 1914 Christmas Truce. However, as least one member of the Battalion
was killed by German sniper fire on Christmas Day. With the return of bad
weather with open fraternisation gradually ebbed away and there was a return to
full hostilities.
The opening months of 1915 were reasonably quite. On 14 February 1915
Tom was appointed as a Lance Corporal. The 1st Leicesters were in and out of
the front-line but in time were transferred to the hazardous Ypres Salient at the
beginning of June 1915 and then to the ramparts of Ypres close by to the, now
famous Menin, Gate. During this time the Germans kept up heavy shelling,
including the use of 17” howitzers.
On 20 September 1915 Tom was wounded in action, receiving bomb wounds
to his head and hands. He was initially treated by the 17th Field Ambulance and
then transferred for further treatment at No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station. On 23
September 1915 Tom was shipped to England.
After a period of convalescence Tom recovered from his wounds and was
posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicesters on 23 October 1915 in preparation to return
to active service.
Tragically, Tom was involved in an accident at Patrington, where he was
knocked down by a car and died of the injuries he received, on 13 November
1915. A coroner’s inquest was held and a verdict of accidental death recorded.
Tom is buried with Honour at Oadby Cemetery
For further detail see
Wylly, H.C. History of the 1st & 2nd Battalions of the Leicestershire Regiment in the
Great War. (Aldershot, 1928)
Richardson, M. Fighting Tigers Epic Actions of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment
(Barnsley, 2002)
12
Walter
Markham
Private, 32967, 6th Battalion, Leicestershire
Regiment who died on 03 May 1917,
Age 41. Son of the late Richard and Matilda
Markham and husband of Millicent Markham, of
London Road, Oadby.
The 6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment entered the war on 29 July 1915
when they disembarked from Folkestone to Boulogne. During the battle of the
Somme they were engaged in offensive actions close to the village of Fricourt.
The assault against the German positions around Fricourt (July 1916) cost the
Battalion seven officers killed and 20 wounded, with approximately 500 men
killed, wounded or missing.
As a consequence to the Somme, in February 1917, the Germans withdrew
to the Hindenburg Line. This was a newly prepared position defended by thick
belts of barbed wire, bunkers, pillboxes and machine gun posts. On 3 May the
Leicesters were part of a major offensive against the Hindenburg Line. The
8th and 9th Battalions were to assault the German defences with the 6th and
7th Battalions acting as the Brigade Reserve. Unfortunately for the Leicesters
the Germans were very well prepared to withstand the attack – the 8th and 9th
battalions suffered particularly badly to
machine gun fire. The 6th Battalion was
ordered to assault Fontaine Wood in a
forlorn hope of assisting their comrades.
Casualties for the 6th Leicesters amounted
to 24 killed in action, one of whom was
Walter Markham.
Walter is remembered with Honour on the Arras Memorial
Panel 5
For further detail see
6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment War Diary (Record Office, Wigston)
Richardson, M. The Tigers: 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th (Service) Battalions of the Leicestershire
Regiment (Barnsley, 2000)
With thanks to Jeremy Banning for the photo of the Arras memorial.
13
Edgar Clarence
Matthews
Corporal, 16805, 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire
Regiment who died on 11 October 1916.
Edgar was a plumber before the war and lived on East Street, Oadby. He had risen
through the ranks and had been promoted to Acting Sergeant. From Edgar’s
Medal Index Card we can tell he joined the Leicestershire Regiment after the
qualifying period for the 1914/1915 Star, sometime post 31 December 1915.
The 2nd Battalion Leicesters arrived at Alexandria from France on 16
November 1915. On 6 December the Battalion reached the mouth of the River
Tigris and proceeded to Basra. The 2nd Battalion Leicesters was in the 28th
Infantry Brigade, which also contained the 51st Sikhs, 53rd Sikhs and 56th Punjabi
Frontier Force Rifles.
After the surrender of the British and Indian force at Kut on the 29 April 1916
the British and Turkish forces settled into comparative inactivity. However, the
heat during the summer months reached between 43 to 48 degrees Centigrade
- the air was muggy and oppressive. The daily ration was two hard tack biscuits,
a tin of bully beef and black tea. Fresh vegetables were unknown and medical
supplies were in scant supply. Many of the soldiers had fever or dysentery.
Plagues of black flies followed the men everywhere. Sniping and artillery fire was
kept up by both sides.
Edgar is remembered with honour at Amara War Cemetery, Iraq
Grave reference: IX. D. 26.
For further detail see
Richardson, M. Fighting Tigers Epic Actions of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment
(Barnsley, 2002)
Wylly, H.C. History of the 1st & 2nd Battalions of the Leicestershire Regiment in the
Great War. (Aldershot, 1928)
Field Marshal Lord Carver. The National Army Museum Book of The Turkish Front
1914-1918 The Campaigns at Gallipoli, in Mesopotamia and in Palestine (London, 2003)
http://www.royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/have-you-a-tiger/ (Accessed 21 March 2014)
14
Ernest William
Matthews
Private, 8890, 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment
who died on 13 September 1917, aged 28.
Ernest had been a Regular soldier before the war. He lived at
East Street, Oadby..
As a member of the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Ernest was stationed at Richmond and
remained in the UK throughout the war. It provided drafts for other Battalions
- in essence a home for training soldiers before they joined active units overseas.
The Regimental Depot remained at Richmond while the Battalion moved to war
stations at West Hartlepool, with detachments at Seaton Carew and South Gare.
Ernest is buried with Honour at Oadby Cemetery
15
William Oscar
Mellows
Private, 24632, 13th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
(Quebec Regiment), who died on 24 April 1915.
On the 24 April 1915 the Canadian
Expeditionary Force (CEF) was
engaged in the Battle of St. Julien,
the second Ypres gas attack, which
was intent on “cutting off the Ypres
Salient”. The Canadian Official
History states,
“…the 13th Battalion under
continual fire from front and rear,
retired and dug in… The entire
line from the Canadian boundary
with the 28th Division…was
now manned by the equivalent
of eight battalions. These were to
be attacked by at least three times
their number of German battalions… the 13th Battalion, whose position next to
the apex was now vulnerable from both front and rear, was ordered back to the
Gravenstafel Ridge. The three companies on the left fell back in good order; but of
the exposed company on the right, only a dozen men reached the ridge.”
William remembered with Honour at Poelcapelle British Cemetery,
Belgium
Grave Reference IA. F. 9
For further detail see
Colonel Nicholson, G. W. L. Official History of the Canadian
Army in the First World War, Canadian Expeditionary
Force 1914-1919. (Ottawa, 1962)
16
Sydney Clewlow
Potterton
Private, 204392, 12th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment
who died on 29 September 1918, Age 24.
Son of James and Catherine Potterton, of
16, Regent Street, Oadby.
Prior to enlistment Sydney had worked as a labourer
for Thomas Wright. He originally enlisted with 4th
Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, on 1 April 1915.
There was a period of Home Service until 4 March
1916 when the Battalion was posted to France.
Sydney was posted to ‘C’ Company on 4 April 1916,
For a short time he was temporarily attached
to 46th Division’s Sanitary Section. Sydney was
awarded a Good Conduct badge on the 1 April 1917.
On 2 April 1918 Sydney was admitted to casualty
clearing station with a gunshot wound to the face, nose and upper jaw. He was
transferred to England on the hospital ship Jan Breydel and was treated at the
Military Hospital, Sycamore Road, Nottingham. He convalesced there from 14
April 1918 until 4 May 1918.
He was granted furlough from 4 May to 13 May 1918 and on 13 May 1918 was
posted to ‘B’ Company 1/4th Leicesters at North Somercotes. Although based at
North Somercotes on 10 August 1918 it was reported that he had overstayed his
leave and ordered to return to his unit by the Military Police of Leicester.
Sydney was posted overseas again on 21 August 1918. By this time the British
Expeditionary Force was advancing and had broken the deadlock of trench warfare.
Sydney was transferred to 12th Battalion Norfolk Regiment on 25 August 1918,
which was part of 94th Brigade, 31st Division. The units were involved in fighting
during the Battle of Hazebrouck.
Sadly on 29 August 1918 Sydney died of wounds, received in action, whilst at
17 Casualty Clearing Station, France. His mother received the dreadful news via
telegram on 5 October.
Remembered with Honour at La Kreule Military Cemetery,
Hazebrouck, Belgium.
Grave Reference IV. A. 16
17
Frank
Sturgess
Private, 15600, 9th Battalion, Leicestershire
Regiment who died on 1 October 1917.
Before the war Frank lived at 6 Spencer Street,
Oadby and was employed as a Tramway’s
Conductor with Leicester Corporation. Frank
was tall and well-built when compared to his
compatriots, being 5’ 7½” and ten stone in
weight.
Frank joined the Colours on 5 October 1914, he was married and almost 34
years old. He joined the 6th (Service) Battalion on 25 October 1914. During
training, Frank was admitted to hospital with Bronchitis on 16 March 1915 for
32 days.
On 15 January 1915 Frank was appointed acting Lance Corporal. However,
on the 25 May 1916 he reverted to a Private at his own request. He entered
active service on 29 July 1915.
According to Frank’s ‘Casualty Form – Active Service’, he was evacuated
from the field on 25 June 1916 to No. 19 Casualty Clearing Station. On
29 June he was admitted to No. 1 General Hospital, Etretat (Le Havre), for
treatment for Pyrexia (fever) of Unknown Origin (PUO). On 1 July 1917
Frank was shipped home to England aboard the HM Hospital Ship Astruias.
He was admitted to hospital in the UK for treatment just two days later.
His second period of active service commenced on 11 August 1916. On
29 August 1916 Frank was admitted to hospital in the field with a, not yet
diagnosed (NYD) fever. He was discharged to duty on 10 September 1916 and
rejoined his unit.
Many people think of the 3rd Ypres (Battle of Passchendaele) as a futile
British offensive. However, the early engagements in the late summer/earlier
autumn led to some significant advances. The Germans then sought to regain
some of this lost ground. The action on the 1 October lasted from 4am in the
morning until 11pm at night. The 9th Leicesters had recently relieved the 32nd
Australian Infantry Battalion and were positioned in shell holes to the east of
Polygon Wood. The Germans commenced their attack with a heavy barrage
18
and smoke screen. They attacked through the smoke screen. The Leicesters sent
up SOS flares to bring a barrage down upon the attacking Germans. Meanwhile
the Leicesters repelled the Germans with Lewis Gun and rifle fire. A second wave
attack was mostly driven off but a proportion of the British line was driven back.
A counter attacked was ordered which was successful.
The Germans continued shelling Polygon Wood and many casualties ensued.
Reinforcements were called for and men from the 7th Battalion Leicesters arrived
to lend their support. Extremely heavy shell fire continued and the Germans also
used aircraft to support the attack. One plane flew as low as 200 feet and was shot
down and destroyed.
Movement in the British trenches became extremely difficult due to German
sniper and machine gun fire. At the end of the assault the Kings Own Yorkshire
Light infantry relieved the Leicesters.
Frank was killed in action or died of wounds on 1 October 1917.
During October 1917 the 9th Leicesters took 313 casualties 55 of whom were
killed. Frank left a wife, Lillian Gertrude, and son, Stanley Thomas who resided at
49 Cross Street, Oadby.
Frank is remembered with Honour
at Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Panel 50 to 51
For further detail see
The Manuscript 9th (Service) Battalion Leicester Regiment: War Diary
(County records office).
Richardson, M. The Tigers: 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th (Service) Battalions of the Leicestershire
Regiment (Barnsley, 2000)
19
Harry
Summerland
Gunner, 123132, 286th Siege Battery, Royal
Garrison Artillery (RGA) who died on 27 May
1917, Age 34. Son of Susan Summerland, of 1, Fern
Bank, 3 London Road, Oadby. He was brother of Matthias
Summerland.
The 286th Siege Battery, RGA was formed at
Portkil Battery, Kilcreggan, near Greenock, on
9 Nov 1916. The first draft being posted from
the Clyde Royal Garrison Artillery (Territorial
Force). On 23 Nov 1916 the Battery moved
to Ewshott, not far from Aldershot, for
preliminary training.
The Battery was then posted to the Tournai
Barracks, Aldershot, on 19 January 1917 for
more advanced training. On 2 Feb 17 the
battery was stationed at Lydd before it entrained for Bristol, armed with 4.8” BL
MkVI howitzers. The Battery embarked for France on the 30 March 1917.
When Harry’s unit landed at Boulogne. The next day, the Battery had a strength
of six officers, one WO, five serjeants and 145 NCOs and men. It was posted
to Bailleul via Arques and Sylvestre-Cappel on 10 April 1917. Two guns of the
Battery were brought into position at Mellerruis, behind the Ypres salient on the
night of 25 April and these guns fired their first rounds on 26 April.
On the 11 June 1917 the Battery moved to Reninghelst via La Clytte and came
under 70 Heavy Artillery Group in XIX Corps.
Harry is remembered with Honour at La Clytte Military Cemetery,
Belgium
Grave reference II. D. 15
For further detail see
286th Siege Battery War Diary at Kew - WO 95/324. (The War Diary details actions from
March 1917 to January 1918.)
20
Matthias
Summerland
Private 7973, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire
Regiment who died on 25 October 1914. Son
of Susan Summerland, of 1, Fern Bank, 3 London Road,
Oadby. He was brother of Harry Summerland.
When Matthias enlisted, on 21 August 1906, he had a fresh completion, grey eyes, a mole
on the left hand side of his chin and light brown hair. He had worked as a Shoe Hand prior
to joining the army. He stood 5’ 7½ ” - quite tall compared to most of his contemporaries.
Matthias enlisted into the 1st Battalion Leicesters for seven years with the colours and
five years in the reserve. He transferred to the 2nd Leicesters on 6 November 1907 and
was stationed at Shorncliffe prior to embarkation overseas to India. We know he served
at Belgaum from 30 November 1907 to 11 February 19011. The 2nd Battalion was then
posted to Madras, where he served until 4 February 1913. Matthias returned to England
and was transferred into the Army Reserve. Prior to the outbreak of war he was employed
by the Post Office.
The day after war was declared Matthias, together with all the other Leicester reservists,
was mobilised and billeted at Glen Parva Barracks.
The reservists were quickly entrained for Fermoy, Ireland, where the 1st Battalion
was stationed. Matthias and the other reservists arrived on 9 August. However, by 14
August the Battalion was on the move, travelling to England via Holyhead. They joined
the 6th Division based around Cambridge and Newmarket on 19 August at a camp on
Coldham Common. Here training was resumed and all three Brigades of the Division
(16th, 17th and 18th Infantry Brigades) came together. On 27 August the Division moved
to Grantchester and stayed there for ten days. The final reservists replaced men unfit for
combat.
Embarkation orders for France were received on 7 September. At Southampton they
boarded the Braemar Castle. The Leicesters landed at St Nazaire, on 10 September, after
being at sea for two days. The Division endured a long train journey arriving at Mortcerf,
East of Paris, early in the morning of 13 September. Here the Division was billeted. A long
march then commenced to the Aisne.
On the afternoon of the 20 September the 6th Division reached the British Army in the
line, at Courcelles as they were digging in, on the far side of the River Aisne. The Division
immediately relieved troops that had been fighting since the retreat from Mons and the
Battles of the Marne and the Aisne. On 21 September the Battalion relieved the Worcesters
and Royal Irish Rifles in the trenches at La Fosse Marguel. They suffered from enemy shell
fire and sniping.
Chocolates and cigarettes were issued to the men on 6 October. The following day they
were given a blanket per man as the nights were now terribly cold.
21
After being in the trenches for nine weeks, on the evening of 12/13 October the 106th
French Infantry relieved the 1st Leicesters. The Battalion entrained at Fismes on 13
October. A 30 hour train journey took them past Paris, branching off to St. Denis, Etaples
and Boulogne. The men were crammed 40 to each horse box. Some brave souls slept on
the roof. They disembarked at Cassel and marched via Oultersteene, Cruseobeau taking up
defensive positions at Croix Blanch on 17 October.
16th Infantry Brigade rejoined the 6th Division from the Aisne on 18 October. A push
was ordered and Radinghem was captured and then retaken by the Germans. The Brigades
of 6th Division held positions from Radinghem to Ennetieres and thence from Premesque to
Epinette.
The Leicesters were in defensive positions at Croix Blanche and then Rue Du Bois where
it relieved the West Yorkshire Regiment, in the line, at the Chemical Factory, under repeated
attacks and continuous enfilade gun fire. They suffered from heavy artillery and machine
gun fire and were counterattacked. The German artillery was able to dominate the battlefield
and it brought this considerable weight of fire onto the heads of the British infantry, along the
entire front. The BEF was heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
21 October 1914 the 1st Leicesters relieved 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment near
Rue du Bois. Battalion Head Quarters was established in the railway station at La Houssoie.
On 22 October the Leicesters were in the line, about the Rue du Bois, they were heavily
shelled with shrapnel and heavy howitzers all day. 13 men were killed and 25 wounded.
The following day, 23 October, the Battalion was again heavily shelled all day. The Germans
attacked at dawn and again at 4.30pm. Both attacks were repulsed and beaten off. However,
seven men were killed and 22 wounded.
On 24 October the situation became critical – the Germans massed for an infantry attack.
The Leicesters pulled back to the railway embankment at La Houssie. The following day,
25 October 1914, the Germans attacked in huge strength principally against ‘D’ Company.
Trenches were overrun and many D Company men were taken prisoners of war. The
Germans were then driven out of the lost trenches by dusk. The main action switched to
the level crossing just south of La Houssoie. Again the main thrust fell upon D Company.
“Close hand to hand fighting took place at the level crossing barrier”. Two Distinguished
Conduct Medals were awarded for bravery on this day. 1st Leicesters were ordered to retire,
and were withdrawn to rest and recover.
Seven officers had been killed or wounded including the Battalion Commanding Officer.
47 men were killed, with 134 wounded and 106 missing, amongst them was Matthias
Summerland.
Matthias is remembered with Honour at Ploegsteert Memorial, France
Panel 4
For further detail see
Richardson, M. Fighting Tigers Epic Actions of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment (Barnsley, 2002)
Colonel Wylly, H.C. History of the 1st & 2nd Battalions The Leicestershire Regiment In The Great
War (Aldershot, 1928)
1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment War Diary (Record Office, Wigston)
22
War Memorial, Oadby
23
Oadby Baptist Church contains the memorial
plaque to these men who made the ultimate
sacrifice in the cause of freedom. The church
continues to this day as a place of worship,
and with active children’s work, youth work
and regular weekly house groups for those
exploring the Christian Faith.
Oadby Baptist Church, Leicester Road, Oadby LE2 5BD
Telephone 0116 271 0811
Email [email protected]
24

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