Derbyshire Lads: The Sherwood Foresters: 1st Battalion

1st Battalion

24th Brigade, 8th Division

Outline History

1914: When war broke out in August 1914 the 1st Battalion, a regular (i.e. professional) army unit, was in Bombay, India. It was hastily recalled home and arrived at Plymouth on 2 October. The battalion was immediately attached to 24th Brigade, 8th Division assembling at Winchester. 8th Division consisted of regular battalions recalled from far flung parts of the Empire so required little time for training. In November the Division moved to France to back up the initial forces of the BEF.
1915: Involved in: Battle of Neuve Chappelle, Battle of Aubers, Actions of Bois Grenier.
1916: Involved in: Battle of Albert (Montauban, Mametz, Fricourt, Contalmaison and La Boisselle), part of the Battle of the Somme. For more details of the 1st Sherwood Foresters and the Battle of the Somme, see Dr. Mike Briggs' 'Chesterfield Sherwoods on the Somme' website.
1917: Involved in: German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, Battle of Pilkem, Battle of Langemarck.
1918: Involved in: Battle of St. Quentin, Somme Crossings, Battle of Rosieres, Action of Villers Bretonneux, Battle of the Aisne, Battle of the Scarpe (including the capture of Monchy le Preux), The final advance to Artois.

War Diary Extracts

Report on the Offensive Operations from 8th - 10th May 1915 - Jacob Rivers won his Victoria Cross during this time.
18th October 1916 - 29th October 1916 - compiled by Chris Baker, from the 'Long Long Trail' website

Biographies of 1st Battalion Men

Adams, Benjamin William. Private, killed in action, 4th March 1917. [www.oldnotts.co.uk]
Garrett Elijah. Corporal, killed in action, 28th August 1918. [Derbyshire Lads 1914-1918]
Jones, Reginald Francis. Private, killed in action, 5th July 1916 [www.jacksdale.org.uk]
Marshall, Francis Harold. Private, killed in action, 4th March 1917, aged 22 [www.jacksdale.org.uk]
Parry, Henry. Corporal, later Sapper, Royal Engineers. [by Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis]
Rivers, Jacob VC. Private, 1st Battalion, killed in action, 12th March 1915 [wikipedia]
Udall, George Henry. Private, killed in action, 21st November 1917 [www.jacksdale.org.uk]

Books

Wylly, H.C. 1st and 2nd Battalions the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) in the Great War.

Trivia

The 1st Sherwood Foresters played in the FA Cup in 1893-94, being knocked out by Luton Town after a replay (score 2-1)


Navigation
1st Battalion 24th Brigade, 8th Division Outline History 1914: When war broke out in August 1914 the 1st Battalion, a regular (i.e. professional) army unit, was in Bombay, India. It was hastily recalled home and arrived at Plymouth on 2 October. The battalion was immediately attached to 24th Brigade, 8th Division assembling at Winchester. 8th Division consisted of regular battalions recalled from far flung parts of the Empire so required little time for training. In November the Division moved to France to back up the initial forces of the BEF. 1915: Involved in: Battle of Neuve Chappelle, Battle of Aubers, Actions of Bois Grenier. 1916: Involved in: Battle of Albert (Montauban, Mametz, Fricourt, Contalmaison and La Boisselle), part of the Battle of the Somme. For more details of the 1st Sherwood Foresters and the Battle of the Somme, see Dr. Mike Briggs' 'Chesterfield Sherwoods on the Somme' website. 1917: Involved in: German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, Battle of Pilkem, Battle of Langemarck. 1918: Involved in: Battle of St. Quentin, Somme Crossings, Battle of Rosieres, Action of Villers Bretonneux, Battle of the Aisne, Battle of the Scarpe (including the capture of Monchy le Preux), The final advance to Artois. War Diary Extracts Report on the Offensive Operations from 8th - 10th May 1915 - Jacob Rivers won his Victoria Cross during this time. 18th October 1916 - 29th October 1916 - compiled by Chris Baker, from the 'Long Long Trail' website Biographies of 1st Battalion Men Adams, Benjamin William. Private, killed in action, 4th March 1917. [www.oldnotts.co.uk] Garrett Elijah. Corporal, killed in action, 28th August 1918. [Derbyshire Lads 1914-1918] Jones, Reginald Francis. Private, killed in action, 5th July 1916 [www.jacksdale.org.uk] Marshall, Francis Harold. Private, killed in action, 4th March 1917, aged 22 [www.jacksdale.org.uk] Parry, Henry. Corporal, later Sapper, Royal Engineers. [by Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis] Rivers, Jacob VC. Private, 1st Battalion, killed in action, 12th March 1915 [wikipedia] Udall, George Henry. Private, killed in action, 21st November 1917 [www.jacksdale.org.uk] Books Wylly, H.C. 1st and 2nd Battalions the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) in the Great War. Trivia The 1st Sherwood Foresters played in the FA Cup in 1893-94, being knocked out by Luton Town after a replay (score 2-1)