Path of the 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment 

updated 2/9/04

Stationed  at -

        Portland 1904 - 1906

        Bordon Camp  1906 - 1908

        Lichfield  1908 - 1911

        then for a short time at Shorncliffe and Portland

        December 22nd 1912 sailed for Malta till 1914

Under Lieutenant Colonel W.C. Loring arrived in England from Malta September 19th 1914. Assigned to 22 Brigade under Brigadier-General Lawford, in the 7th Division commanded by Major-General T.Capper.

Other battalions in the 7th were - 2nd Queens, 1st South Stafford's and 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

7th Division, 22 Brigade, XV Corps, 4th Army

1914

June 1914

Men of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment go ashore at Scutari, Albania as part of an international peace keeping force. As a result of the Balkan Wars, Albania had received its independence from the Ottoman Empire in July 1913. Consequently, an internal conflict broke out between Albanians and Montenegrins. Similar to the present united nations protection force, the force was sent to keep the peace. The Force consisted of a battalion each from Italy and Austria: a detachment of French Infantry: two companies of German Marines: the band and two companies from the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The HQ of this peace keeping force was in the town of Scutari, in a fortification known as the Citadel. In 1924 an unidentified 2nd Royal Warwick's Officer contributed to the regimental magazine, The Antelope, concerning the battalions involvement in this period of 'entente' so close to the outbreak of war:

               ' The country around Scutari is well wooded and water is plentiful. it was a very pleasant life, and the men got on well with the soldiers of other nationalities, carrying on their conversations in an unknown language as only a British soldier can do. They were most friendly with the French and Austrians, with whom we were stationed in some old Turkish barracks.

                A considerable number of the German and Austrian NCOs spoke English well, and I was informed by a German that as a punishment for small offences they were given the task of English to learn.

                A somewhat unusual sight was to see the flags of the five nations flying side by side on the Citadel.

                The German officer took great interest in everything we did, and as their mess was next door to ours they frequently came in to see us and ask numerous questions as to how we did things and about the army in general. As they had no band with them they asked if they might come route marching with us twice a week, which they were given permission to do. When the band stopped playing their officers would give the word of command and they would begin to sing.

                On Saturday July 4th ( six days after the Archduke's assassination in Sarajevo ), we received sudden orders to leave Scutari, being ordered to march thirty five miles the following day and embark on a ship which would be waiting for us.

                On hearing this the German officers invited us to dinner that night, and gave us a very cheery time. They asked us why we were leaving so suddenly, but no mention was made of war. We had no knowledge of what had happened, but suspected that if a war had not already been declared it was about to be.'

October 6th 1914

Landed at Zeebrugge.

Intended in first instance to cover the retreat of the Belgium Army and the Navel Brigade from Antwerp.

October 9th

They entrained for Ghent and on the 10th October were sent forward to support French Marines holding a position 4 miles out of town. there they spent 2 days with the Germans close to hand and no chance of rest.

October 14th

Retreated to Ypres.

October 16th and 17th

Moved east of Ypres to Zonnebeke

October 18th

Slight advance made to Becelaere and Kruseik

October 19th

Attack on Menin, Royal Warwickshire's on the right. Dadizeele was passed without opposition, but came under heavy shell fire approaching Kezelberg. Once cleared they moved on to Kleythoek. Ordered to retreat after the Germans received large reinforcements. The Royal Welsh fusiliers came under heavy artillery fire. The Royal Warwickshire's suffered less; but 'B' company which was in advance was heavily shelled during the retreat.

After billeting for the night at Zonnebeke the battalion marched next morning to the Château of Herentage above Dumbarton Lakes on the Menin Road, in a position of reserve for the whole Division. In the afternoon the Germans attacked the rest of 22nd Brigade on the ridge east of Zonnebeke, and the 2nd Royal Warwickshire was hastily brought up. Just before dark the Coldstream Guards arrived and at midnight the Royal Warwickshire were able to close to their right to billets at Zonnebeke.

October 21st

Gerry made another heavy attack on the 22nd and the Royal Warwickshire's were thrown in near the cross roads east of Zonnebeke to restore the fight. At the end of the day the battalion still held the ridge, but there were gaps in the line and the casualties had been severe. The night was dark, and it was with difficulty that at midnight the troops were mustered in the rear of the ridge and marched back through Zonnebeke, now deserted and battle worn. Though the men had been scarcely able to keep awake whilst on the ridge, they had at once to dig trenches in the rear of the village.

October 22nd

rest, no German attack

October 23rd

The enemy threatened to push through Polygon Wood to the south of Zonnebeke, and a company of Royal Warwickshire's was consequently detached to assist the South Stafford's.

October 24th

At dawn the three remaining companies were sent to recover lost trenches where the Germans had broke through in Polygon Wood. The wood was thick and difficult to keep direction, but after hard close fighting the Germans were driven back. Then the 3 companies came under heavy machine gun fire from a small farm house. This was assaulted and cleared, then they advanced another mile and recovered the lost trenches which they held till evening. Casualties were over 100.

October 25th

Rest

October 26th

Moved to Zandvoorde under Major P.J. Foster. Here they received fresh reinforcements of 190 men.

October 27th

Held trenches under heavy fire, being forced in the afternoon to withdraw a part of their line. At night they were relieved and bivouacked near Klein Zillebeke.

October 29th

When the battle was at its height the royal Warwickshire's were ordered to counter attack, but was held up by machine gun fire and forced to dig in, two companies having a narrow escape from being surrounded. All next day they held their trenches under heavy bombardment.

October 30th

By morning many of the trenches had been blown in and their occupants buried, the battalion on the left under strain gave way. The Royal Warwickshire's had in consequence to swing back their own left to a fresh line which they were ordered to hold at all costs.

After this the battalion now numbering little over 100 men remained for three days in brigade reserves in the woods.

For nine consecutive days and nights officers and men had little sleep, day after day under heavy artillery fire they held the trenches, which they had dug in haste the previous night, and had never lost a trench until it had actually been blow in by the enemy's shells.

November 4th

Brigade withdrawn.

November 6th

Recalled for counter attack

November 7th.

Brigade advance at dawn in four lines and capture the enemy positions. The Royal Warwickshire and South Stafford's form a composite battalion under the command of Captain Valentine.

For three weeks the 7th Division had withstood repeated attacks of the enemy. Though outnumbered at the end Ypres was un-captured and for the time secure. But of the heroic division there was only left one fifth of its original numbers. In the 2nd Royal Warwickshire the losses had been particularly heavy. Officers - seven killed, 6 wounded and 10 prisoners of war, of the men there were hardly enough to make one weak company.

The first battle of Ypres continued for some days after the withdrawal of the 7th Division, but the German attacks gradually died away until there final defeat on November 17th. The first phase of the war had come to an end.

After their withdrawal from the fighting line the 2nd battalion had a weeks rest in billets where there numbers were restored by the arrival of strong drafts from England.

November 14th

They went again into the trenches at Fleurbaix but now they had regular periods of rest whilst there numbers gradually increased until on December 12th they mustered 22 officers and 989 other ranks.

December 18th

Ordered to capture the German positions at Bois Grenier before Le Maisnil. Immediately the attack began the enemy opened fire with rifles and machine guns. Still the battalion advanced, some men got to within a few yards of the enemy trenches. But the casualties were so heavy that the attack failed in its objective, and what remained of the battalion was forced to return to its own lines. The total casualties of other ranks were nearly 300.

'General Capper in a Divisional order congratulated the battalion on their 'gallant effort' which though unsuccessful had been of great use and service to the general plans of the allied army.'

1915

January 1915

Trenches in a bad condition, could only be held in sections, each of which was cut off from communication with the other, but with hard work under heavy shelling the men made good their dugouts.

The 2nd Royal Warwickshire's remained in the trenches before Le Maisnil till March 1915, then it was stationed a little further south near La Bassée, and in October at Cuinchy.

Notes from other sources - January - February

Carried out tours in trenches near Tourquet. Rested at Rue Delpierre, La Toulette and Rue Bataille when out of front line. War Diary shows the execution of No. 8737 Private A. Pitts on the 8th February, shot at 7.30am at Rue Bataille for desertion. On 20th, three men died from injuries due to dug-out falling in.

March 10th 1915

The 7th Division was in reserve

March 12th

The 2nd Royal Warwickshire advanced under heavy fire to join in repelling the German counter attack, and for three days afterward held an exposed position in the front line at Moulin du Piétre. During this time one officer and twenty six men were killed while 2 officers and eighty six men were wounded.

The second battle of Ypres may be said to have ended on May 13th, when the British thrust at Festubert had caused the German attack to slacken. In bringing about that result the 2nd Royal Warwickshire's had its share. The primary objects of the attack at Festubert were to assist the French in their fighting in Artois, and if possible to capture the Aubers Ridge, for the sake of which the battle of Neuve Chapelle had been fought. The fighting in this quarter began on May 9th, when the 2nd battalion were under heavy fire in the trenches all day.

Notes from other sources March - April

Relieved by Canadian troops 1st March and to billets at Fleurbaix. Moved to Laventie on 2nd and took over billets at Fort d'Esquin. Took over front line trenches on 5th. In division reserve during battle of Neuve Chapelle 10th, moved up to reinforce forward trenches 12th. 9 dead 36 wounded. Casualties next day, 80 killed wounded or missing, back to billets on 14th, front line 17th, Laventie 18th.

Moved up into local reserve 7th April, front line 11th. Relieved 14th then to billets at La Gorgue. Moved to Meteren 28th April

May 16th

Of more importance was the battle on May 16th, when the most successful incident was the work of the 22nd brigade on the right. At dawn the 2nd Warwick's were in the trenches north of Rue du Cailloux, where they held the lines in support. After the attack by the Royal Welch Fusiliers had developed, first "A" and "B" companies and then one platoon of "C" company were sent forward to reinforce them, whilst two platoons of "D" occupied a part of the captured trenches. All these companies advanced with great dash and quickness and arrived at the desired objective. Ultimately when the furthest position became untenable through enfilade fire they had to fall back. Meantime the rest of "C" and "D" kept in touch with the Scots Guards on the left at Quinque Rue.

May 17th - 18th The battalion held the captured trenches in support.

Apart from its effect in other quarters the engagement had been an important local success. The enemies line had been pierced on a front of over 3 miles, and for the greater part of that distance the whole front line system of the German trenches had been captured.

A few days later General Lawford when inspecting the Royal Warwickshire's congratulated them on there conduct and said -

" For three days and three nights you were under a continuous artillery fire - one of the most trying ordeals for a soldier - whilst waiting to advance. When you did advance you got the Germans on the run, and next time you attack I hope you may pursue them still further."

During this battle 2 officers were killed and 4 wounded . The casualties in other ranks was just over 200.

Notes from other sources -May

To La Gorgue 5th, assembly trenches 8th. War Diary records - advanced 6.30am from assembly trenches and occupied 'G' trenches. Battalion under continuous shellfire until following morning. Moved into 'M' trenches on 10th. Leaving at 8pm and marching to Essars. To Locon 12th, support trenches north of Rue de Cailloux 15th. Took part in battle of Festubert. War diary records that the companies advanced with great dash and quickness and arrived at desired objective. Forced to withdraw later due to enfilade fire. Holding captured German line at dusk 16th. Relieved 18th and to billets at Vendin-lez-Bethune. Casualties totalled 207 killed wounded or missing. Moved to Le Cornet Bourdois 19th

June - Moved to Le Casan 2nd, trenches north of Givenchy 4th, relieved and to Marias 9th. To Mount Bernonchon 12th, Le Casan 14th, trenches near Festubert 16th, Le Casan 19th, trenches 25th, Marias 28th

For the 2nd Royal Warwickshire  the months of June, July and August 1915  were uneventful.

September 25th 1915 - The Battle of Loos

In the attack that day the line of the 7th Division was facing Cité St. Elie and the Hulluch Quarries five miles north of Loos

The Royal Warwickshire's went over the top at 6.30 in the morning. In the face of a terrific fire they reached the first line of trenches to find that the wire was not cut. Private Arthur Vickers on his own initiative and the utmost bravery ran forward in front of his company , and standing up in broad daylight under heavy fire cut two gaps in the wire. This awarded him the Victoria Cross. Continuing to advance through the Quarries the battalion carried the second line also without much difficulty, but on reaching St. Elie at 9.30 were checked. They held on until dusk, when owing to the retirement of the 9th Division on their right they were compelled to fall back.

When the battalion was mustered at midnight there were present no officers and only 140 men.

Lieut-Colonel Lefroy and 2 of his officers had been mortally wounded, 7 killed , 7 wounded , 1 taken prisoner. Of the men 64 were killed, 171 wounded and 273 were missing.

Lieut H.P. Williams Freeman was attached to the battalion next day, and under his command the remnant remained in the trenches until September 29th.

During the next few months there is no incident in the History of the Royal Warwickshire's which is mentioned. But one after another of the eleven battalions were sent south, and in June 1916 they were all ready to take part in the mighty conflict which was about to begin.

December 5th

It entrained at Lillers for Salens.

1916

The unit did not return to the trenches until February 1916, when it held a line near Morlancourt to the south of Albert. Remaining there until June 1916.

The Battle of the Somme 1916

The British attack on July 1st 1916, extended from Gommecourt to Maricourt.

East from Albert, in the Fifteenth Corps, the 7th Division with the 2nd Royal Warwickshire lay before Mametz. While the attack in the north had been a failure the attack in the south was a success. There in the 7th Division the attack on Mametz was made by the 91st and 20th Brigades whilst the 22nd Brigade was in reserve, the 2nd Royal Warwickshire holding the trenches vacated by the assaulting troops in the rear of the 20th Brigade. On the left the 2nd Gordon's were checked by uncut wire. Then in the afternoon at 3.30pm, after a 30 minute bombardment  two companies of the 2nd Royal Warwickshire were sent (to push forward to Bunny Trench) their assistance, and the whole line advancing captured Mametz, together with numerous prisoners; Captain Alan Hodgkinson, who was later killed took no less than 200 with the aid of a sergeant and four men. By 4 - 5pm Mametz was in British hands and Bunny Trench was occupied

The two other companies afterwards moved forward, and for four days longer the battalion held an advanced position with the 91st brigade.

July 1st to 5th

Between July 1st to the 5th the 2nd Royal Warwickshire had 4 officers killed ( 2 in the assault on Mametz) and 2 wounded, the other casualties being 3 killed and 114 wounded or missing. The result of the five days fighting in the southern district was that we had captured the whole of the enemy's first defence over a front of six miles, including the villages of La Boiselle, Fricourt, Mametz and Montauban.

July 16th

 The 7th Division had been successful before the two Bazentin's. On July 14th the 20th brigade had stormed the trenches before Bazentin-le-Petit, and the 2nd Royal Warwickshire moving up in support had sent one company to assist the Royal Irish in clearing the wood, where there was severe fighting at close quarters before the outskirts of the village were gained. Meantime the other companies had pushed on in a running fight towards Bazentin-le-Grand, beating off the German attacks and consolidating their position. At night the whole battalion was concentrated north east of Bazentin-le-Petit, where in spite of constant shelling they promptly dug in, and held their post all through the next day. Their losses had been 1 officer and 41 men with about 200 casualties.

August 1916

2nd Battalion resting out of line

Saturday 26th August

22 Brigade relieve a rifle brigade of 14 Div

September 3rd

The British Army attacked along its whole front from the Ancre to the extreme right, where our French allies joined in. the 7th and 5th divisions had both returned to the fighting line and were on the right. The attack of the 7th division was made at Ginchy by the 22 brigade. The Welsh Fusiliers to the north were held up, but the Manchester's fought their way into the village, and on the south the 2nd royal Warwickshire gained a footing. "D" company on the left had to form a defensive flank and were forced to dig in early in the attack; the other three companies reached their objectives and also dug in. But when in the course of the afternoon the Manchester's were driven back from Ginchy, it was decided in view of the heavy casualties to withdraw the brigade. Communication with the men of the Royal Warwickshire in their advanced positions was, however, difficult. One detachment, under Captain Williams Freeman, held on for thirty six hours, whilst another under Lieut H.S. Harrowing, actually maintained themselves close to Ginchy for 5 days after the brigade had been relieved.

After 3rd September the second battalion is sent north to hold trenches at Ploegsteert Wood. Whilst there Captain and Quartermaster W.N. Hyde was killed by a chance shell on October 16.

1917

At the beginning of 1917 the second battalion had been at Beaumont Hamel since the beginning of December 1916.

January 11

The 7th division attack, the 2nd battalion were not actively engaged, but were employed in opening up communication trenches in the rear of the attack.

March 1st

Moved to front line at Puisieux

March 17

The 2nd royal Warwickshire had occupied Courcelles without opposition, but were afterwards for a fortnight in reserve.

March 31st

The battalion moved up to the front line at St. Leger and Croisilles.

April 1st .

7th Division in conjunction with the Australians attacked a ten mile front, the 2nd royal Warwickshire were in reserve that day, but on the night of April 2/3 pushed forward their outposts to within 700 yards of the Hindenburg Line.

May 3rd

The Australians broke through the Hindenburg Line east of Bullecourt. on that day the 22 were in reserve.

May 4th .

The 2nd Royal Warwickshire attack north east at Ecoust. under heavy machine gun fire unable to get forward they dug in in scattered posts along the railway embankment before Bullecourt. Late in the afternoon with the first royal welsh fusiliers about 200 men under Captain V.J. Sharkey push forward, the village like a maze made them suffer heavy casualties. In two days they lost 2 officers and 13 men while 10 officers and 223 men were either wounded or missing.

May 5th.

Relieved at night for a short rest. a week later they are moved back to cellars at Ecoust in readiness for a fresh attack next day.

May 13th 

Went forward and penetrated into Bullecourt on the right, withdrew later in the morning. 4 officers wounded  and 55 casualties in other ranks.

July

The 2nd royal Warwickshire had served near Ecoust and Bullecourt till the end of July

August

A month was then spent in camp at Mory and Blairville, the battalion entrained for Eecke on August 29.

September 1st.

Made route march to Meteren, where with pious care they renovated the graves of the men of the 1st battalion who had been killed there nearly three years before. the next few weeks were devoted to training.

September 29th.

The battalion went up to camp at Dickebusch near Ypres.

October 4th

In reserve at Zillebeke Lake

October 9th .

Attack at dawn from a position east of Polygon Wood, having for its first objective Judge Copse near Reutel. On the left "D" company carried Judge Copse whilst on the right "C" company reached a line north of the cemetery. Nevertheless the position was difficult and confused and the casualties were heavy. the other two companies were sent forward and in the course of the afternoon the parties of the enemy who remained in the copse and the cemetery were disposed of and connection established on either flank. The whole attack had resulted in the capture of the German position at Reutel. The 2nd Royal Warwickshire was relieved at night. their casualties were 6 officers killed ,5 wounded, of other ranks 54 were killed and 258 wounded or missing.

November 19th .

The first of the royal Warwickshire battalions to leave for the Italian front was the 2nd, which entrained at Hesdin on November 19th, 1917 and, making the journey by the Riviera, reached Cera on November 24th, whence it marched to Musano behind the lines in ten days. the next few weeks were spent in billets behind enemy lines were the troops were trained in hill fighting.

1918

January 18th.

The 2nd were the first to take over a line of trenches on the Montello. The Montello rises steeply on the west bank of the Piave, and was held by posts along the river, with a line of resistance on top of the cliffs. After France the trenches were by comparison peaceful, but patrols across the Piave were adventurous and sometimes difficult. the mountain streams rise and fall with great rapidity, and the Piave in flood ran with a powerful current. a crossing then could only be made by the aid of a rope fastened to the shore, and anyone who slipped or lost hold was certain to be washed away and drown.

April.

The 2nd was at Monte del Busilbollo, where on the 16th April a very successful raid was made on the Austrians at Ambrosini. but the first nine months of 1918 were generally uneventful, except for a brief period of the Austrian offensive in June.

September

The 2nd royal Warwickshire moved down to the neighbourhood of Treviso, where they received instruction how to cross a small river in boats.

October 20th.

22 brigade took over a line at Salletuol on the Piave.

October 25th

Attack on island of Grave di Papadopoli.

October 27th

Main attack when a bridgehead was secured the Royal Warwickshire was in support.

October 29th

Royal Warwickshire reached Vazzola on the Monticano, as advanced guard of the brigade.

October 30th.

The river was crossed, when the battalion marched nineteen miles to Cavuzano, on the Livenza  without opposition.

November 1st.

Marched as advance guard to Pordenone.

November 4th.

Crossed the Tagliamento

Armistice