12 replies to this topic

[Simon Jones]

Can anyone help with an outline of Aldington’s service career?  I have found various units given on web sources, i.e. that he was in the ranks with 8th Devons and 8th R Sussex, then commissioned into the 3rd or 9th R Sussex.  There is an MIC for a Pte 36179 Richard Aldington in the 11th Leicesters.
An outline with dates of the units that he served with would be very gratefully received.
thanks
Simon

[sotonmate]

Simon

There is a 2/Lt R Aldington in the Officer's papers at Kew,under WO374/726. This may or may not show his service before taking his commission.
I may or may not have time to look tomorrow.

Sotonmate

[Simon Jones]

Many thanks, Sotonmate.
S

[Paul Reed]

Simon - he served with 9th Royal Sussex in 1918 only, if I remember correctly. He certainly led a platoon into action at Wargnies le Grand on 4th November 1918, which he later based much of his novel on.

[Simon Jones]

Paul
I was hoping you would reply, that's very useful.  I am taking a poetry & prose tour next year and am doing some preliminary work.  I'll see what the officer file turns up and take a look at it & the War Diary next time I'm down at Kew.
thanks
Simon

[Paul Reed]

If you go to Wargnies le Grand and Wargnies le Petit, you can follow events quite well with the war diary. Many of the buildings are still there. Most of the dead are buried in Villers Pol Communal Cemetery Extension.

[Jerrymurland]

Enlisted may 1916 11th Devonshires.
Transferred 11th Leicesters November
France December 21st 1916 - served on Lens-La Bassee front in pioneers battalion
July 1917 Officers training at Lichfield.
2.Lt 9th Royal Sussex November 28th
joined battalion April 8th 1918
October took over as battalion signals/IT officer - promoted acting Captain

some 'discussion' about his war record - Barbara Guest maintains he did not fire a shot and his experiences were not a bad as 'he would like us to believe'.
Good poet though!!

Jerry

[Simon Jones]

Jerry & Paul
Thank you very much!
Simon

[Paul Reed]

some 'discussion' about his war record - Barbara Guest maintains he did not fire a shot and his experiences were not a bad as 'he would like us to believe'.
Good poet though!!

Jerry

Hmm - as a Sigs officer, I am sure that is right, and maybe even as a Platoon commander in 1918. He certainly went into action on 4th November. As for the statement "his experiences were not a bad as 'he would like us to believe' ", I cannot understand how anyone could make us a claim and seriously expect us to believe it. Who is Barbara Guest? A biograher?

[sotonmate]

Simon

WO374/726 Richard ADLINGTON has early attestation papers in for his Private rank and then goes on to his Commissioning as 2/Lt. I will send what I wrote from the file,it has been partly posted here already.
24.6.1916. 24965.11th Devonshires. Age 23 years and 11 months.Author. Home at Woodland Cottage, Martinhoe, N Devon. Wife Hilda.
Then to 44 Training Reserve Battalion.
21.12.1916.36179.6th Leicesters and to BEF
7.1.1917 to 11 Leicesters
1.6.1917 to Leicesters Depot
15.6.1917 to 14 Bn Training Reserve
10.8.1917 to Officer Cadet Bn 8th Leicesters
27.11.1917 discharged from the Ranks to Commission in 9th Bn Royal Sussex. Notice in London Gazette 19.12.1917.
Wounded as officer 25.4.1918
Released from Army as 2/Lt 14.2.1919.
Time at Home 24.6 to 20.12.1916
France 21.12.1916 to 31.5.1917
Home 1.6.1917 to 27.11.1917

Sotonmate

[Jerrymurland]

Paul, My info comes from The 'Complete War Poems of Richard Aldington' where there is a bigraphical section on p29. While he was at Newhaven he apparently underwent signals and 'technological' training. When the battalion signals officer was wounded RA took over and was promoted to acting Captain. Barbara Guest was a poet and critic.

Jerry

[Simon Jones]

sotonmate
Thank you very much indeed.  That is very useful.  
Thanks Jerry.  The file seems incomplete for his 1918 service, perhaps the War Diary will confirm this.
Simon

[Paul Reed]

Some interesting stuff here from Jerry and Sotonmate - I know Simon must have found it of interest, and so have I, thanks.