Harold and Sam GIBBONS - 1/5th Leicestershire, Appeal for information Options

[chimmpee]

Hi I'm hoping somebody might be able to help...

I'm researching my grandfather and great-uncle Harold and Sam Gibbons who served as privates in the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment throughout the First World War.

Harold was born in 1896 and Sam in 1892/3.

I've done a fair bit of research already but I think their service records must have been the ones lost during the German bombing in 1940.

What I have found so far is that they joined in 1914, first went to France in February 1915, and were demobbed in January 1919.

Harold had the regimental number 1690 and his brother Sam was 1691, although both were renumbered in 1917 to 240240 and 240241 respectively.

They both got the Victory and British medals, and the 1915 Star.

Both have four chevrons on their right cuffs in 1919 photos, while Harold appears to have a single chevron on his left cuff in a 1916 picture.

This is where I come to a blank. I would love to know what battles the 1/5th fought in, if and when they ever came home, and if anyone's relatives knew them, wrote about them or has pictures of them??

I think it's amazing that two brothers who fought side by side for nearly four years both survived the war and came home physically unscathed, if somewhat emotionally damaged.

Attached File(s)

 Gibbons1a.jpg ( 33.92K ) Number of downloads: 1

 

[sotonmate]

chimmpee,

Harold's chevron on his left sleeve is a wound stripe.
The 1/5 Leicesters were part of 138 Brigade of 46 Division. You will see the activity of the Division here in the Long Long Trail (LLT) which can be accessed at top left of this page:

http://www.1914-1918.net/46div.htm

You should try to get to Kew to read the Battalion War Diary which is kept there under WO95/2690 and runs from Mar 1915 to May 1919.

Sotonmate

[jay dubaya]

Welcome to the forum chimmpee,

you can download 'The Fifth Leicestershire' as a free e-book here, the pdf version is better.
Wound Stripes were awarded each separate time a man was wounded.

cheers, Jon

 wound_stripe__2_.jpg ( 8.11K ) Number of downloads: 0

[Llew]

Hello Chimmpee,

The left hand dates are enlistment dates and the 28.02.1915 was the date of entry in to France.

01.09.1913. 28.02.1915. 1667 1/5TH


24.09.1913. 28.02.1915. 1716 1/5TH
20.10.1913. 28.02.1915. 1720 1/5TH

Best of luck with your search.

Regards. Llew.

[Llew]

Some of the 1/5th Battalion War Diary entries,

The 1/5th Battalion Zillebeke 23.07.1915

The War diary for today records. Zillebeke. At 6.55pm small mine exploded under enemy’s gallery opposite A.1. At 7.00pm exploded large mine under enemy’s salient. At 7.01pm artillery opened fore on crater and enemy supports. The redoubt in salient completely destroyed. Enemy’s casualties estimated at 40. At 9.22pm enemy exploded large mine in front of trench 5.B. destroying portions of parapet and inflicting 40 casualties. Enemy trench mortared the crater, thus hindering work of rescue and of linking crater with line of defences. 2nd Lt’s R. C. Lawton, E. E. Wynne and N. C. Marriott having arrived from England have been taken on the strength of the Battalion. Officers, NCO’s and men of the 17th Division were attached to the Battalion for instruction during the last tour of duty. This remedied to some extent the wastage in the Battalion which at one time contained only 9 Company officers and 474 trench rifles.

The 1/5th Battalion 13.10.1915 Hohenzollern Redoubt

On the 12th October 1915 the Battalion marched the ten miles from the village of Hesdigneul to the Redoubt in “fighting order”, with great coats rolled and strapped to their backs. They arrived at 10.00pm at Vermelles, and the following eight hours were spent packed solid in communication trenches. Each soldier carried six sandbags and every third a shovel. As you could imagine, none of them slept and the lucky ones had a drink before our artillery opened up at noon on the 13th October. The enemy artillery responded fifteen minutes later, and at 1.00pm we released chlorine gas, and disastrously for us an enemy shell shattered some containers in our frontline. At 2.00pm our troops, many wearing gas helmets went “over the top” and bayonet charged the enemy positions. Terrific machine gun fire tore into them and a shrapnel barrage added to the heavy casualties. Hours passed and furious hand to hand fighting took place and repeated bayonet charges drove the enemy back, who in turn counter attacked. After darkness fell Lance Corporal Clayson saved many lives by dragging wounded back to our trenches, and Capt. Barton spent hours in No Mans land giving morphine and water to the dying. When food and drink was brought up during the night the men had their first meal for twenty four hours, but still no sleep. The morning of the fourteenth was very misty and this became smog as the Germans continued to use shrapnel and gas shells throughout the day. It was at 8.00am on the fifteenth that the relief was completed and buses took most of our troops back to Hesdigneul. The 1/5th Battalion lost four offices, six wounded, two gassed and thirty five men killed, one hundred and thirty two wounded and twenty two gassed.
The War Diary for today records,

At 6.00am Battalion in place in Reserve trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench Fosse 8 commenced. At 1.00pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50pm. At 2.00pm assault. 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against Hohenzollern Redoubt. 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment attacked from 2nd line followed by the Mommouthshire Regiment. Redoubt captured but lines checked and stopped by machine gun fire from Mad Point, Madagascar, and South Face, also heavy rifle fire Fosse and Dump trench. First two lines as almost all Company Officers became casualties. Redoubt and half of North Face was held – Little Willie and Big Willie still in enemy hands. At 3.00pm B Company sent up to reinforce centre and left of Redoubt followed by A and part of D Companies. Machine guns in position along original frontline now held by C Company and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along Little Willie by grenade party under Lt. C. H. F. Wollaston. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30pm ground now held consisted of front face of Redoubt and up to Little Willie and point 60. Remainder of Redoubt untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original frontline trench. Many A and B Companies still remained in the Redoubt during the whole of next day.

The 1/5th Battalion Cambrin 05.12.1917

The War diary for today records. Cambrin Trenches, weather very cold and frosty but otherwise fine. Trenches are consequently dry and no gum boots are required. Enemy quiet all day. Very little shelling or trench mortaring. At 6.00am enemy raided our extreme right front line Lewis gun post. Enemy party apparently about six strong arrived with revolvers and cudgels crept close up to the post in the dark, rushed it, shot one sentry through the lung and made their escape taking the other sentry before the waiting men could come to the rescue. The Lewis gun was knocked over its parapet but not taken. This was again rendered possible by the entire absence of any wire round the post strong enough to be an obstacle. Search was made for the missing man and his helmet was found some yards from the post, but no trace could be found of him, so he is presumably a prisoner. Large wiring parties have been out along the front every night during this tour but unfortunately other post had been considered more important than this one. 2nd Lt. Boarland rejoined the Battalion from Brigade schools to replace 2nd Lt. Watherston. Night cold and posts, French boards very slippery indeed. One man of A Company shot through the neck and killed.

The 1/5th Leicester’s Richebourg 05.09.1918

The War Diary for today records, Richebourg, 5.00am enemy bombed Battalion front with guns of all calibres. Direct hit obtained on B Company HQ 2 Sergeants, 2 runners and 2 servants wounded. Sergeant Bottomley and Private G. S. Bott (runner) subsequently died of wounds. Latter had been Company runner for very long time and rendered invaluable service. No other casualties caused. Lt. T. H. Ball went to Army School. Orders received that Division would be relieved by 19th Division at once. Relief to start at dusk. 9.00pm 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment marched via Route B and relieved the Battalion. Just before relief quietness of enemy led High Command to suspect further withdrawal. Patrols sent out to gain touch and enemy found still strongly holding line east of original German front line. CSM Passmore of A Company killed by machine gun fire while returning from reconnaissance.


Regards. Llew.

[chimmpee]

Hi
Many thanks for these extracts. Are they from the Fifth Leicestershire by JD Hills? Or are these from another source?? Best wishes.

Some of the 1/5th Battalion War Diary entries,

The 1/5th Battalion Zillebeke 23.07.1915

The War diary for today records. Zillebeke. At 6.55pm small mine exploded under enemy's gallery opposite A.1. At 7.00pm exploded large mine under enemy's salient. At 7.01pm artillery opened fore on crater and enemy supports. The redoubt in salient completely destroyed. Enemy's casualties estimated at 40. At 9.22pm enemy exploded large mine in front of trench 5.B. destroying portions of parapet and inflicting 40 casualties. Enemy trench mortared the crater, thus hindering work of rescue and of linking crater with line of defences. 2nd Lt's R. C. Lawton, E. E. Wynne and N. C. Marriott having arrived from England have been taken on the strength of the Battalion. Officers, NCO's and men of the 17th Division were attached to the Battalion for instruction during the last tour of duty. This remedied to some extent the wastage in the Battalion which at one time contained only 9 Company officers and 474 trench rifles.

The 1/5th Battalion 13.10.1915 Hohenzollern Redoubt

On the 12th October 1915 the Battalion marched the ten miles from the village of Hesdigneul to the Redoubt in "fighting order", with great coats rolled and strapped to their backs. They arrived at 10.00pm at Vermelles, and the following eight hours were spent packed solid in communication trenches. Each soldier carried six sandbags and every third a shovel. As you could imagine, none of them slept and the lucky ones had a drink before our artillery opened up at noon on the 13th October. The enemy artillery responded fifteen minutes later, and at 1.00pm we released chlorine gas, and disastrously for us an enemy shell shattered some containers in our frontline. At 2.00pm our troops, many wearing gas helmets went "over the top" and bayonet charged the enemy positions. Terrific machine gun fire tore into them and a shrapnel barrage added to the heavy casualties. Hours passed and furious hand to hand fighting took place and repeated bayonet charges drove the enemy back, who in turn counter attacked. After darkness fell Lance Corporal Clayson saved many lives by dragging wounded back to our trenches, and Capt. Barton spent hours in No Mans land giving morphine and water to the dying. When food and drink was brought up during the night the men had their first meal for twenty four hours, but still no sleep. The morning of the fourteenth was very misty and this became smog as the Germans continued to use shrapnel and gas shells throughout the day. It was at 8.00am on the fifteenth that the relief was completed and buses took most of our troops back to Hesdigneul. The 1/5th Battalion lost four offices, six wounded, two gassed and thirty five men killed, one hundred and thirty two wounded and twenty two gassed.
The War Diary for today records,

At 6.00am Battalion in place in Reserve trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench Fosse 8 commenced. At 1.00pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50pm. At 2.00pm assault. 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against Hohenzollern Redoubt. 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment attacked from 2nd line followed by the Mommouthshire Regiment. Redoubt captured but lines checked and stopped by machine gun fire from Mad Point, Madagascar, and South Face, also heavy rifle fire Fosse and Dump trench. First two lines as almost all Company Officers became casualties. Redoubt and half of North Face was held – Little Willie and Big Willie still in enemy hands. At 3.00pm B Company sent up to reinforce centre and left of Redoubt followed by A and part of D Companies. Machine guns in position along original frontline now held by C Company and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along Little Willie by grenade party under Lt. C. H. F. Wollaston. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30pm ground now held consisted of front face of Redoubt and up to Little Willie and point 60. Remainder of Redoubt untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original frontline trench. Many A and B Companies still remained in the Redoubt during the whole of next day.

The 1/5th Battalion Cambrin 05.12.1917

The War diary for today records. Cambrin Trenches, weather very cold and frosty but otherwise fine. Trenches are consequently dry and no gum boots are required. Enemy quiet all day. Very little shelling or trench mortaring. At 6.00am enemy raided our extreme right front line Lewis gun post. Enemy party apparently about six strong arrived with revolvers and cudgels crept close up to the post in the dark, rushed it, shot one sentry through the lung and made their escape taking the other sentry before the waiting men could come to the rescue. The Lewis gun was knocked over its parapet but not taken. This was again rendered possible by the entire absence of any wire round the post strong enough to be an obstacle. Search was made for the missing man and his helmet was found some yards from the post, but no trace could be found of him, so he is presumably a prisoner. Large wiring parties have been out along the front every night during this tour but unfortunately other post had been considered more important than this one. 2nd Lt. Boarland rejoined the Battalion from Brigade schools to replace 2nd Lt. Watherston. Night cold and posts, French boards very slippery indeed. One man of A Company shot through the neck and killed.

The 1/5th Leicester's Richebourg 05.09.1918

The War Diary for today records, Richebourg, 5.00am enemy bombed Battalion front with guns of all calibres. Direct hit obtained on B Company HQ 2 Sergeants, 2 runners and 2 servants wounded. Sergeant Bottomley and Private G. S. Bott (runner) subsequently died of wounds. Latter had been Company runner for very long time and rendered invaluable service. No other casualties caused. Lt. T. H. Ball went to Army School. Orders received that Division would be relieved by 19th Division at once. Relief to start at dusk. 9.00pm 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment marched via Route B and relieved the Battalion. Just before relief quietness of enemy led High Command to suspect further withdrawal. Patrols sent out to gain touch and enemy found still strongly holding line east of original German front line. CSM Passmore of A Company killed by machine gun fire while returning from reconnaissance.


Regards. Llew.

[Llew]

Hello Chimmpee,

These are extracts from the battalion war diary.

Regards. Llew