Home. Origins of the Battalion.
Page 1. Start of the First World War.
Page 2. To the Ypres Salient.
Page 3. Ypres. The Battle of St Julien.
Page 4. April 1915. Ypres. Gas.
Page 5. Battle of St Julien losses.
Page 6. New Division Name.
Page 7. The Battle of Bellewaarde.
Page 8. Bellewaarde Losses. Sanctuary Wood.
Page 9. Neuve Eglise, Kemmel Sector.
Page 10. August 1915. To Armentieres.
Page 11. Sep/Oct 1915. Armentieres.
Page 12. October 1915. Armentieres.
Page 13. Oct/Nov 1915. Armentieres.
Page 14. Nov/Dec 1915. To Merris.
Page 15. Back to the Ypres Salient.
Page 16. Jan 1916. Armagh Wood.
Page 17. Feb 1916. Hill 60.
Page 18. Mine Explosion.
Page 19. Feb 1916. Ypres. Hill 60.
Page 20. Armagh Wood. CO Killed.
Page 21. Mar/Apr 1916. Kemmel.
Page 22. Apr/May 1916. Fletre. Kemmel.
Page 23. June 1916. Friendly Fire Kemmel.
Page 24. Jun/Jul 1916. Kemmel.
Page 25. July 1916. Kemmel.
Page 26. Aug 1916. To the Somme.
Page 27. Battle of Flers Courcelette.
Page 28. Sep 1916. Flers-Courcelette.
Page 29. The Thiepval Memorial.
Page 30. Flers-Courcelette. Losses.
Page 31. Flers-Courcelette. Attack repelled.
Page 32.Training. Martinpuich.
Page 33. In the Line near Flers.
Page 34. Nov 1916. Martinpuich. Flers.
Page 35. Flers. To Belloy.
Page 36. Feb/Mar 1917. Belloy.
Page 37. April 1917. To Arras.
Page 38. Capt D.P. Hirsch. V.C.
Page 39. The Arras Memorial.
Page 40. The Arras Memorial.
Page 41. Arras Burial Sites.
Page 42. Arras. Famechon.
Page 43. May 1917. Famechon. Bayencourt.
Page 44. June 1917 Back in the Line. Arras.
Page 45. Sep 1917. Arras. Wancourt.
Page 46. Oct 1917. Back to Ypres.
Page 47. Nov 1917. Passchendaele.
Page 48. Jan 1918. Ypres.
Page 49. Feb 1918. Last of Ypres.
Page 50. The Battle of St Quentin.
Page 51. German Offensive. Michael.
Page 52. German Advance. Pozieres Memorial.
Page 53. Losses on both sides.
Page 54. From the Somme to the Lys.
Page 55. April 1918. Battle of Estaires.
Page 56. Ploegsteert Memorial.
Page 57. From the Lys to the Aisne.
Page 58. German Offensive. Blucher-Yorck.
Page 59. May 1918. 150th Brigade decimated.
Page 60. End of the 4th Yorks.
Page 61. Last Weeks of War.
Page 62. Prisoners of War.
Page 63. Prisoners of War.
Page 64. Prisoners of War.
CONTRIBUTED EMAILS
Links for 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment
Mail Form
|
.
 |
MAY 1918. GERMAN OFFENSIVE ON THE AISNE. BLUCHER-YORCK.
19th May. Diary - "After a heavy bombardment the enemy raided our forward parts at Carponiere Vincent. Enemy took two prisoners. Flanking fire from our Lewis Guns caused the enemy casualties."
21st to 26th MAY. Relieved by 5th Yorks and moved back into reserve at Beaurieux where training continued.
Overall command in the sector was in the hands of a French General Duchene, who was replaced after the disastrous events of the next few days. Against the wishes of the British he placed the mass of his troops in the forward trenches, which meant that there were no reserves if the Germans broke through. Neither had lines of defence trenches been prepared.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
203733 Pte Thompson John. Born at Bewcastle, Cumberland and enlisted at Brampton. Killed in action on the 24th. Place of commemoration not yet found.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
..
 |
German Advance on the Aisne 1918.
26th/27th May.
At night on the 26th the Btn were back in the Front line with the 4th East Yorks on their left and the other Brigades of the Division to the right.
There had been fore-warning of an offensive from a Pole who had been taken prisoner.
Suddenly at 1 a.m the German line leapt into flame with a bombardment that was said to be the most violent the 50th Division had ever experienced.
To the "ordinary" shells were added gas shells of four kinds - lachrymatory, sneezing, lethal and thermits. The D.L.I reported that all their trenches had been levelled. Most of the British Artillery batteries were taken out of action and telephone communication lost.
The shelling continued until 4.30 a.m. At 3.30 a.m through the morning mist and smoke the German Infantry began to advance behind a line of tanks.
They were met by a hail of fire which forced them behind the tanks.
The Germans broke through in many parts and by 6.30 the 150th Brigade found they had been outflanked on both sides.
No news was received from the 4th East Yorks, very few of whose men came back.
"The 150th Brigadier Gen Rees intended to hold the line with the 4th Yorks, but at 7.am discovered that they too had been overwhelmed on the line Mt Hermel-Tr Dehard and the enemy was fast approaching his HQ."
4th Yorks Diary - "Btn took up a support position round Craonelle and La Hutte. Enemy bombardment started about 1 a.m. Heavy gas shelling as far back as Maizy. The enemy broke through on our left and pushed on towards Beaurieux arriving there about 10 a.m. The enemy also came through on our right using tanks over the flat country to the East of Craonne. This party also pushed on towards Beaurieux and surrounded the Brigade in the line. The enemy then pushed on towards Maizy. All troops in Maizy and the few who had got out of Beaurieux then made a stand on the hills to the South of the village. At about 11.15 a.m. these troops were withdrawn from this position. The next position was held at Glennes and later a line on the hill North of Fismes." Divisional History - "No less than 227 Officers and 4,879 other ranks were killed, wounded or captured during the battle. Practically all those casualties occurring on the 27th, for after that date the 50th Division became intermingled with other Divisions, which were in a like condition; only a mere handful of the Infantry remained." |
|
...
 |
Soissons Memorial.
The Soissons Memorial. Situated in Soissons town the memorial commemorates over 4,000 men who died in the 1918 Battles of the Aisne and Marne.
87 Men of the 4th Yorks Btn were killed in action this day. The following 50 are commemorated on the Soissons Memorial.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201562 Cpl Bagley Thomas. Enlisted in Middlesbrough, N Yorks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46734 Pte Baines James. Home at - 14 Spencer St, Preston, Lancs, town of birth and enlistment. Age 19.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
235003 Pte Bannister Frederick. Home at 143 High St, Skelton in Cleveland, N Yorks. Enlisted at Salburn N Yorks. Age 22.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35637 Pte Brook[e]s Richard, John. Home at Bedminster Bristol, place of birth. Enlisted Bristol. Ex 4033 R Berks Yeomanry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200542 Cpl Brown Walter, Joseph. Born at Rugby and enlisted at Catterick, N Yorks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35622 Pte Butler William, James. Home at Frampton, Cotterhill, Bristol, place of birth and enlistment. Ex 3985 R Berks Yeomanry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200100 Pte Calvert Anthony. Home at - 1 Vine Cottages, Northallerton, place of enlistment. Born at North Ormesby, N Yorks. Age 28.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35104 Pte Carter William. Of Wealdstone Harrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35108 Pte Christmas Benjamin, Charles. Home at 88 Ealing Rd, Brentford, Middlesex. Born Brentford. Enlisted Chiswick. Age 19. Ex 34558 9th T R Battn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35124 Pte Cross Ernest. Home at38 Mansfield St, Foss Island Rd, York, place of birth and enlistment. Age 39. Ex 9th T R Battn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201854 Pte Day Alvery, Dodsley. Home at 20 Montrose St, Saltburn, N Yorks, place of birth and enlistment. Age 21.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201758 Pte Drinkwater Joseph. Home at Langley Moor Durham. Born at Brotton, N Yorks and enlisted at Whitby, N Yorks. Age 19. Son of the late John and Elizabeth Drinkwater.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
202277 Pte Essam Bertie. Born and enlisted in Northampton.Ex Northants Regt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22696 Pte Fleet Walter. Home at - Bridge Inn Yard, Thorngate, Barnard Castle, Co Durham. Born Greatham, Co Durham and enlisted at Stockton on Tees. Age 28.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29863 Sgt Foster Walter. Home at - Claythorpe Notts, place of birth. Enlisted at Newark. Age 27. Ex 32687 Notts Derby Regt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35630 Pte Gillions Victor, John. Born at Tottenham, Middlesex and enlisted at Aylesbury Bucks. Age 19.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
202285 Pte Goosey Charles. Born at Wellingborough, Northants and enlisted at Northampton. Ex 4794 Northants Regt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43572 Pte Green William. Born and enlisted at Leicester. Ex 87th T R Battn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35152 Pte Griffiths Thomas, Henry. Home at New Wortley, Leeds, place of birth and enlistment. Ex 9th T R Battn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35301 Pte Hall Albert. Home at - 359 Mossbay Rd, Workington, Cumberland, place of birth. Enlisted at Carlisle. Age 19. Ex 7th T R Battn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35160 Pte Harvey Sydney. Born and enlisted at Derby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35624 Pte Hazell Alec, James. Home at - 11 Wellesley St, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, place of enlistment. Born at Paddington, London. Age 19.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201162 Cpl Hunt Herbert, William. Home at - Newby Wiske, Northallerton, N Yorks. Enlisted at Thirsk, N Yorks. Age 23. Signal Company.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24751 L/Cpl Ireland Walter, J. Born and enlisted at Hull, Yorks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200905 L/Cpl Johnson Sydney Home at 17 Errington St, Brotton, place of birth. Enlisted at Skelton in Cleveland, N Yorks. Age 27. "Y" Company.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
....
 |
Soissons Memorial.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43581 Pte Johnson James, Archibald. Born at Arrochar, Dumbartonshire and enlisted at Gateshead, Co Durham.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35314 Pte Kelly John, Patrick. Home at - 19 Field St, Miles Platting, Manchester, place of enlistment. Born at Collyhurst, Lancs. Age 19. "X" Company.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201183 Pte Lumley James, William. Home at - 25 Willow St, Middlesbrough, N Yorks, place of enlistment. Died. Age 33.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26297 Pte Maybray William, Cecil. Home at - 20 Kensington Rd, Middlesbrough, N Yorks. Born at Thornaby on Tees. Age 20.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30840 L/Cpl McCabe Patrick. Born and enlisted at Middlesbrough, N Yorks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201890 Pte Metcalfe Godfrey. Home at East Witton, Middleham, N Yorks. Enlisted at Bedale, N Yorks. Age 28.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22717 Pte Oxley John. Home at S Bank, Middlesbrough, place of enlistment. Born at Darlington, Co Durham. Age 28.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200536 Cpl Peacock Ernest. Home at Catterick N Yorks. Enlisted at Northallerton, N Yorks. Age 20.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
265324 Pte Rennison Arthur. Home at N Ormesby, Middlesbrough N Yorks, town of birth and enlistment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48445 Pte Richards Charles. Born and enlisted at Wolverhampton. Age 18. Ex 87th T R Battn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
205032 Pte Smith Albert. Home at 41 Pearson Rd, Birkenhead. Enlisted at Middlesbrough, N Yorks. Age 37.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20920 Pte Smith John. Born at Guisborough and enlisted at Middlesbrough. N Yorks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
204616 Pte Smith William. Home at Monkseaton Durham, place of birth. Enlisted at North Shields.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
242504 Pte Spoors William. Home at 7 Prudhoe Place, Newcastle upon Tyne. Enlisted at Sheerness. Age 24.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34718 Pte Strawford Ralph. Home at Tyr, Nant, West Cross, Glam. Born Bristol, Enlisted at Swansea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
202961 Pte Summers Herbert. Home at Horden, Co Durham. Enlisted at Sunderland.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
205397 Pte Tapkin John, F. Born at Willington Quay, Northumberland and enlisted at South Shields.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45585 Pte Thomas John, Henry. Born and enlisted at Middlesbrough, N Yorks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61508 Pte Thomas John, Thomas. Born and enlisted at Swansea, Glamorgan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35572 Pte Tummey Leonard. Home at Bromsgrove Worcs, place of birth. Enlisted Stourbridge.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31753 Pte Vernon Joseph, Edwin. Home at 4 Beaumont St, Oadby, Leicester, place of enlistment. Born at Batley Yorks. Age 38.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
260094 Pte Wagstaff Frank. Home at Yeldon, Sharnbrooke, Beds and enlisted at Rushden.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14566 Pte Webster James. Born and enlisted at Sunderland, Co Durham.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46821 Pte Wilson Walter, Henry. Home at Cambleforth, Selby, Yorks, place of birth. Enlisted at Goole. Age 19.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48073 Pte Wood Claude, Albert. Home at 39 Talbot St, Nottingham, place of birth. Enlisted at Plymouth. Age 36.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
