Chapter 10b – Aisne

Tuesday, 28th May At 1am, the German 10th Divn crossed the Vesle near Bazoches sur Vesle and pushed on to the woods of Dole. The 5th Guards Divn crossed the Vesle to the…

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Chapter 5d – Arras trenches

Historical Context The Arras offensive, which is now officially referred to as the Battle of Arras, ended on the 24th of May. Although more limited actions did continue in the area right through…

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Chapter 5b – 2nd Battle of the Scarpe

Preparations were originally focused on launching another offensive on the 21st of April on a front stretching nine miles from Croisilles to Gavrelle, but high winds and poor visibility prevented the artillery and…

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Chapter 5c – 3rd Battle of the Scarpe

The next day the three Infantry Bdes were on the move towards the front line again; this time the billeting area was centred on villages south of Arras. The 149th Bde relocated to…

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Chapter 9 – The Lys

“The whole Battalion was infected with youthful vigour and expectancy, from our young Commanding Officer (Capt JV Gregory, MC), with youthful veterans like Essex 1 , Nicholson 2, and Davison 3, other older but no…

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Family Resources

Artifacts and Documents that your family may possess

Typical examples of the postcards sent to family and friends by fusiliers from the training units, rest camps and frontline are shown at the head of the main pages on this website.

Paybook
Paybook

This is page 2 and 3 from the: 'Soldiers Pay Book for Use on Active Service'.

It records the fusiliers' name, rank, service number, regiment, battalion, company, date of Attestation, age on enlistment and daily rate of pay

(Image courtesy of Mr N. Galloway)

Short Service Enlistment Document
Short Service Enlistment Document

Army Form B 2512a - Short Service Attestation

The recruits' name, age, address, marital status, profession and date of attestation appear on this form

(Image courtesy of Dr D. J. A. McCaffrey)

Army Form B.103 - Casualty Form, Active Service

Death Notification
Death Notification

Army Form B.104- 82 - Death Notification

The fusiliers' name, rank, number, unit and date of death on are this form.

(Image courtesy of Mrs Ure)

 

Effects Form 123
Effects Form 123

Army Form 123A - Personal Effects Form

Sent by the War Office to the benefactors of the deceased soldiers' will (or as in this case, a document that constitutes a will). Gives the fusiliers' name, rank, battalion and benefactor.

(Image courtesy of Mrs Ure)

Army Form 146 - Personal Effects
Army Form 146 - Personal Effects

Army Form 146 - Personal Effects

Informs the deceased fusiliers' next of kin that all personal effects have been returned to the Officer-in-Charge Territorial Force Records (York) and that he is authorised to forward them. May list the personal effects.

(Image courtesy of Mrs Ure)

Army Form B.178 - Medical History

Burial Note
Burial Note

Burial Note

Letter sent to the family of the deceased, by Territorial Force Records (York), informing them of the date and place of burial. Also records address of next of kin, the fusiliers' name, rank, number and battalion.

(Image courtesy of Mrs Ure)

Certificate of Transfer to Army Reserve
Certificate of Transfer to Army Reserve

Army Form - Certificate of Transfer to Army Reserve

In addition to name, rank and number, this certificate records the individuals' year of birth, physical description, total number of years and days he has served with the colours and the units he has served with. The certificate, issued by No1 Infantry Records (York), also indicates whether gold braid or wound distinctions can be worn on his uniform.

(Image courtesy of Mr N. Galloway)

Certificate of Discharge
Certificate of Discharge

Army Form B. 2079 - Certificate of Discharge

This form, issued by No1 Infantry Records (York), gives name, rank, number and unit. Medals, Clasps, Decorations and Mentions in Dispatches. Place and date of enlistment. Reasons for discharge. Time served with colours and in Army Reserve. Date of birth, discharge and physical description.

(Image courtesy of Mr N. Galloway)

Railway Ticket Application Form O.1800
Railway Ticket Application Form O.1800

Army Form O.1800 - Railway Ticket Application

(Image courtesy of Mr N. Galloway)

Grave Location Letter
Grave Location Letter

Grave location

Letter from the 'Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries' at the War Office

(Image courtesy of Dr D. J. A. McCaffrey)

Victory Medal Notification
Victory Medal Notification

Army Form W.5112 - Notification of Medal Award

Victory Medal Notification
Victory Medal Notification

Victory Medal - Notification of Medal Award

Sent to the individual, along with appropriate medal, by No1 Infantry Records, York. This particular medal was awarded to Private Alexander McCaffrey.

(Image courtesy of Dr D. J. A. McCaffrey)

1914-15 Star
1914-15 Star

 

Awarded to all personnel serving in any theatre of war against the enemy, between 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915. Recipients of the 1914/15 Star will also have been awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

(Image courtesy of Dr D. J. A. McCaffrey)

Victory Medal (Reverse)
Victory Medal (Reverse)

Victory Medal 1914-19

The medal was awarded to all ranks of the fighting forces, to civilians under contract, and others employed with military hospitals who actually served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 (inclusive). Recipients will have been awarded at least one other medal. i.e. 1914/15 Star. Data is held on 913 fusiliers, from the 4th Bn, known to have been awarded this medal. This particular medal was awarded to Private Alexander McCaffrey.

(Image courtesy of Dr D. J. A. McCaffrey)

British War Medal
British War Medal

British War Medal

Awarded to all ranks who rendered services to His Majesty's Forces between the 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918, or who had served in a theatre of war. Recipients of the 1914/15 Star will also have been awarded the British War Medal. This particular medal was awarded to Private Alexander McCaffrey.

(Image courtesy of Dr D. J. A. McCaffrey)

Military Medal (MM)
Military Medal (MM)

Military Medal (MM)

Awarded to 'other ranks' in recognition of gallantry in the field. Data is held on 49 fusiliers, from the 4th Bn, known to have been awarded this medal. This particular medal was awarded to John George Horne.

(Image Courtesy: Mrs P Horne) 

Military Cross
Military Cross

Military Cross (MC)

Awarded to junior officers in recognition of gallantry in the field. Data is held on 17 fusiliers, from the 4th Bn, known to have been awarded this medal.

 

Distinguished Conduct Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Data is held on 8 fusiliers, from the 4th Bn, known to have been awarded this medal.
 

Notification of War Badge award

Sent by No1 Infantry Records, York. Records the fusiliers' name, service number and unit.

(Image courtesy of Mr N. Galloway)

Silver War Badge
Silver War Badge

Silver War Badge

Awarded to men and women discharged from the army due to sickness or wounds. Data is held on 226 fusiliers, from the 4th Bn, known to have been awarded this medal.

Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19

Data is held on 14 fusiliers, from the 4th Bn, known to have been awarded this medal.

Memorial Plaque
Memorial Plaque

Memorial Plaque

Sent to the next of kin of those whose death was attributable to war service

Often referred to as the 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'Death Plaque'. (Spencer W. 2001:97)

Diameter 43/4 inches

Commemorative Scroll
Commemorative Scroll

Commemorative Scroll

Sent to the next of kin of those whose death was attributable to war service

(Image courtesy of Dr D. J. A. McCaffrey)

Memorial Scroll
Memorial Scroll

Memorial Scroll

(Image courtesy of Dr D. J. A. McCaffrey)

Letter from King George
Letter from King George

Letter from King George

(Image courtesy of Mr A. Meek)

Letter of Admiration & Gratitude
Letter of Admiration & Gratitude

Letter of Admiration & Gratitude

Rememberance Card
Rememberance Card

Rememberance Card

Band of Mercy
Band of Mercy 

Band of Mercy - Member's Declaration

Courtesy: Mr R. Charlton

Comrades of the Great War
Comrades of the Great War

Comrades of the Great War

Courtesy: Mr R. Charlton

Epaulette Badge - 5th NF
Epaulette Badge - 5th NF

Epaulette Badge - 5h NF

William Teasdale collection (Courtesy: Mrs L. Bryden)

Chapter 10a – Aisne

Redeployment to the Aisne Towards the end of April the 50th Divn was busy training and reorganising in the Roquetoire area when, rumours began to circulate of a move to another part of…

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Chapter 5a – 1st Battle of the Scarpe

Historical Context The allied plan to launch an offensive on two fronts in the spring of 1917 had started to take shape the year before, but it was put in jeopardy by the…

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Research Resources

The National Archives - Public Records Office (PRO), Kew

War Diaries

War Diary - 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - PRO Ref: WO 95/2828 & WO 2590

War Diary - 149th Brigade - PRO Ref: WO 95/2826 & WO 95/2827

War Diary - 50th Division -

Medal Rolls

Medal Roll - Silver War Badge - PRO Ref :WO 329/3134 through to WO 329/3143

Medal Roll - Victory Medal - PRO Ref: WO 329/683 through to WO 329/731

Medal Roll - Territorial Force Medal - PRO Ref: WO 329/3261

Medal Index Cards

PRO Resources page

The British Library, Colindale, NW London

Newspapers

Hexham Courant 1914 - 1919

Hexham Herald 1914 - 1919

Newcastle Evening Chronicle 1915

Author's note: Microfiche or CD-ROM copies of local newspapers are usually held in larger libraries ie. Newcastle or Hexham

Published Works

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Author's note: The Reverend Wilfrid Callin was attached to the 4th Bn during 1918

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(Author's note: Pte Norman Gladden served with the 7th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, 149th Bde, 50th Divn)

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(Author's note: 2nd Lt John Glubb was a regular soldier serving in the 7th Field Coy, Royal Engineers, attached to the 50th Divn).

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HMSO. (1922) Soldiers Died in the Great War. His Majesty's Stationary Office. England.

HMSO. (1992) Officers Died in the Great War. His Majesty's Stationary Office. England.

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MacMillan & Co. (1938) Official History of the War - Military Operations France & Belgium 1916. MacMillan & Co, St Martins St, London.

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Northumberland Fusiliers. (1908-20) St Georges Gazette - The Northumberland Fusiliers Magazine.

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The Army Council (1908) Regulations for the Territorial Force, and for County Associations, 1908. Reprint of Original Editionby The Naval & Military Press Ltd, Uckfield, East Sussex, England.

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Unpublished works

Colonel A.J Foster's Diary

Internet Websites

Ancestry.co.uk: www.ancestry.co.uk/

Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org

Imperial War Museum www.iwm.org.uk

Naval & Military Press www.naval-military-press.com

The National Archives (Public Records Office) www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

The National Archives www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk

Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers www.tyneside-scottish.co.uk

UK & Ireland Genealogy (GENUKI) www.genuki.org.uk

The Great War http://www.greatwar.co.uk

The Long Long Trail - The Story of the British Army in the Great War of 1914-1918 www.1914-1918.net/northfus.htm

The London Gazette: www.london-gazette.co.uk/

The Family

Go to the Family Resources page for more examples

Army documents - Select link to view a selection of army papers held by fusilier families.

Letters - Many letters were published in local newspapers, particularly during the early months of the war. Copies of letters would be gratefully received.

Medals - Select link for examples

Dog Tags

Photographs - Examples of photographs, in postcard form, appear at the head of most pages on this website.

Postcards - As above

Newspaper Articles - Select link for examples.

The Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland

Visit the fusiliers museum website at :

www.northumberlandfusiliers.org.uk