Key:

Front Line

Out of the Front Line

Key Events

20th Battalion movements

1914 1915

1.10.1914 – Woodcote Camp, Epsom, Surrey England (Training Camp)

“Ours is the 4th (Manchester) Company 3rd Battalion P.S.U. Corps. Epsom.”

22.11.1915 – Cambrin (training in the line)

“At first the noise of deathladen shells was rather disconcerting but one gets used to all things and they don’t worry us much now…”

3.12.1915 – Near Bethune (in the line)

“The number of Estaminets there are in this country is appalling. Every other house seems to be a Pub of some sort…

On the whole they must I think, in places such as these behind the line where Troops are always billeted, be making small fortunes at any rate enough after the war to replace most of the damage done.”

After the 1915 battles at Neuve Chapelle, AubersRidge and Loos, Bethune is a quiet sector of the Front with no major battles taking place and the lines hardly changing. The Battalion spend the next four months continually moving between the front line, support, reserve and rest.However the Battalion sustain casualties on a continuing basis during this time.

May 1915Battle of Aubers Ridge

September - October 1915Battle of Loos

13.12.1915 – Near Bethune (in the line)

“The mud was so bad that I saw many almost give in, and lie down in it for good. We had to cut them out of their waders and pull them out and over the mud.

It was appalling and all the time the German snipers were busy trying to locate us by the sound of our splashing and their bullets were passing sometimes near and sometimes afar off and it made you feel queer when they came near for as I told mother we were crossing the open : not in trenches.

4th August

Britain declares war on Germany

31st October

First issue of steel helmets to British troops.

March 1915Battle of Neuve Chapelle

11th September

The University and Public Schools Battalion are formed at Epsom as part of the Public Schools and University Men’s Force. It is one of the first of what come to be known as Kitchener’s New Army Pal’s Battalions.

Genuine battle photographs of men under fire are rare. This one shows the men of the 1/10th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool Regiment), known as the Liverpool Scottish, in the middle of an attack at Bellewaarde outside Ypres on 16 June 1915. It was taken by Private Fred Fyfe, a pre-war press photographer as he lay wounded.

November 1915

The 20th Battalion are sent to the Bethune area of France.

It was a great experience and although it was awful I shantkick if we have to go again soon. Though of course it wouldn’t matter if I did…

I saw some of my pals standing in stocking feet in 9 inches of mud and water, asleep.

It is wonderful what human endurance can put up with.”

Above - Craters near La Bassee, 1915

Photograph available at - © IWM (Q 49750)

Top left - newspaper clipping of Cpl. W.L. Croft in uniformAbove - No. 1 Company, Public Schools Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, marching through Ashtead Park Gates.Left - Interior of Hut, 19th Battalion Royal Fusiliers at Woodcote Park, EpsomBelow - General View of Woodcote Park Camp

2.1.1916 – South of Annequin (in the line)

“They made a mess of our wires too and I was one of the men who unfortunately had to go out and repair some. But one [sic] still whole. It’s rather a nerve racking job being out in the open with shells bursting round about.”

1916

Date Killed Wounded

13th - 15th February 10 17

13th - 15th March 6 29

17th - 21st April 4 17

22nd – 24th June 4 29

These types of casualty figures continued throughout April, May and June until the 9th July when the battalion was transferred to the Somme.

Xmas Day 1915 – Ham-en-Artois, France (Training)

“Last night 18 signallers and our Officer had a dinner : we had fowls, tongue, tined [sic] fruit, choclates [sic], wines, coffee, cigarettes and in fact everything we could lay our hands on.

We had a bottle of champagne each and I can assure you we were rather merry when we finished.”

10th February

Conscription begins in Britain as the Military Service act is introduced. As Walter’ recuperates in the UK the Battalion remain in

the Bethune, Cambrin, Annequin and Beauvry area until July 1916. They appear to take only 30 replacements, however they continue to receive casualties.

15.2.1916 – No.2 General Hospital, Le Havre, N.W. France(Walter wounded on the 14th at AnnequinFosse)

“I have a couple of flesh wounds in my buttocks, but I am in excellent health and spirits though I am somewhat fatigued after some rather rough experiences…

The waterproof socks reached me safely after some delay, but unfortunately they, together with all my belongings are lost for a shell hit my pack and blew it to smitherines [sic]…

I am now in hospital and all I have to my name is my tunic and the contents of my tunic pockets.”

Christmas 1915

The 20th Battalion are stationed at Ham-en-Artois

17.2.1916 – No. 2 General Hospital, Le Havre

“I was wounded about midnight on Monday the 14th, and spent the remainder of that night in a church about a mile behind the line…

We were in the train 24 hours or thereabouts and I never travelled so comfortably in my life.

The train was the most luxurious thing going and the property of the G.W.R…

One of the most pleasant things about being wounded is seeing English girls in their pretty nursing uniforms and to hear them speaking in the English tongue.”

24th April

Easter Uprising begins in Dublin lasting until the 1st

May.

21.2.1916 - 25.5.1916 –Walter recovers in hospital in the UK

21st May

Daylight Saving (British Summer Time) is introduced in Britain for the first time to encourage longer working hours in factories and on farms.

26.5.1916 – Walter transfers to Edinburgh to join the 29th UPS Reserve Battalion

Above - An image from The Pow=Wow: Unofficial Journal of the Universities and Public Schools (118th) Brigade. Christmas Number. December 16th, 1914.

Above - New Year’s card sent to soldiers at the front by Princess Mary, the 17 year old daughter

of King George V and Queen Mary, January 1915.

Above - Nurses looking after British and French wounded on an RAMC ambulance train near Doullens, 27th April 1918.

Photograph available at - © IWM (Q 8749)

Above - The Military Service Act, 1916 © IWM (Art.IWM PST 5161)

6.7.1916 – Edinburgh (training)

“You will be pleased to hear that I have come out 4th in the bombing exam out of 32 men and am now a 1st class bomber.”

10th July

The Battalion arrive at Amiens, ten days after the start of the Battle of the Somme. The casualties they had sustained in the last six months are surpassed in a period of forty eight hours.

23rd July

The battalion are immediately taken out of the line and move to BuireSur L’Ancre, near to Albert where Walter arrives with 700 replacements.

27.7.1916 – Somme (out of the line with the 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers)

“We are actually with the old battn and you will be pleased to hear that I am in the same old signal section so I am amongst pals…

This Battalion has suffered very badly in the recent fighting and is almost entirely outed.”

28.8.1916 – Montauban, France.(in support)

“On the ridge about 2 miles away one can plainly see German shells bursting and here we feel as safe as though we were in England. Some of the transport men are playing foot ball [sic] and others are playing cards out in the sunshine, and yet only 5 miles away it is a hell on earth where men are being blown to pieces, and where the greatest struggle of the greatest war is being fought.”

31.7.1916 – Buire Sur L’Ancre, France (training)

“Only 3 signallers were left and a new section has been formed and the signal officer who is an old UPS man of this battn… has been pleased to give me another stripe so that I am now a full Corporal and 2nd NCO of the section so that I am quite happy for signalling as you know has always interested me…

Will you send by return a pair of Brass signal flags to be worn on the arm, you can get them at a shop at the ‘Spot’.”

1st July

Start of the Battle of the Somme. On the opening day, the British Army suffers 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 killed - its heaviest ever casualty toll in a 24 hour period.

20th July

The battalion are in action at High Wood. They incur another 391 casualties including their Battalion Commander, Lt. Colonel Bennett, in 24 hours.

Date Killed Wounded

16th – 19th July 30 59

20th July 142 249

3rd – 8th November 24 84

21st August

The Battle of the Somme documentary film is released for viewing in 34 cinemas in London. Nationwide release follows a week later. The film is the first documentary to show actual footage of men fighting in battle. It is seen by more than 20 million people.

26th September

The village of Thiepval is captured on the Somme. Later the site of the great Memorial to the Missing.

Above - The earth settles following the explosion of the mine beneath Hawthorn Ridge, Redoubt on 1st July, 1916.

Above - a photograph illustrating ‘Methods of Throwing Grenades’ from The Training

and Employment of Bombers manual, 1916

Above - Lt. Col. Bennett D.S.O. 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

Above - The Thiepval Memorial, for the dead of the Battles of the Somme of

World War I with no known grave

Right - Postcards from ALBERT (Somme) Après le bombardement –

After the Bombardment collected by Pte. P. N. Wright, 21st UPS Battalion,

Royal Fusiliers.

Above - Photo postcard of Signalmen from the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 1911.

27.10.1916 – Bernafay Wood

”The weather alterably freezes and rains and as a consequence out [sic] feet and legs are in a slight degree mortifying. Our feet are just lumps of puffy white flesh which are never warm and which hurt intolerably all the time.

Shells are bursting incessantly and one never knows when our own end will come. Our clothes are really and truly ¼ “ thick with wet and cold mud and to keep the matches dry we have them under our shirts…I sometimes think that death would be a happy release. However we hang on and at times are quite cheerful, as long as we can get food we seem alright but sometimes that fails and then we get very down. But for the Lords sake don’t worry about me, I am alright really and this cant last forever.”

9.10.1916 – Doullens, France (training)

“We have been having a very nice time lately being billeted in a real town where there is civilian life going on all around us.”

The 20th Battalion remained in the area of Arras and the Somme taking part in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe in April and the advance to the Hindenburg Line in May and June.

They continue to sustain heavy casualties:

In July 1917 the Battalion move to Dunkirk for training and later to support the Belgium Army.

They move into the Ypres Salient during early October taking part in the later stages of the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

Casualties continue to be sustained. In November 30 are killed and 71 wounded /MIA. Of these, 50 casualties are incurred on the 28th November alone.

In February 1918 the 20th Battalion is disbanded and its members sent to other Battalions in the Regiment.

5.11.1916 – Walter is wounded for a second time.

11.11.1916 – No. 1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples

“My present adddress [sic] is Ward C No. 1 Canadian General Hospital, APS 11 BEE [sic]. Am going on alright. Was hit on the night of the 5th, all down left side head, hand, body, and, thigh but not below knee. Am feeling pretty well washed out but as I am not maimed in any way don’t worry. With luck be in England for Xmas.”

19th November

The Battle of the Somme ends in snow and heavy rain after 142 days of fighting. The 20th Battalion remain in the general area until the end of July 1917.

17.11.1916 – Corporal Walter Croft dies at the age of 23.

18.11.1916 – Walter Croft is buried at Etaples Military CemeteryAbove - Trench foot as seen on an

unidentified soldier during World War I Above - Walter Croft's grave in Etaples Cemetery, France

The main British battle in 1916 was fought north of the River Somme between 1st July and 19th November.

It is now perhaps best remembered for its heavy casualties. On the opening day the British army suffered its heaviest ever losses in any 24 hour period: almost 20,000 dead and 60,000 wounded.

Above - The Battle of the Somme. Photograph available at -© IWM (Q 52)Right - Aerial photograph of the Somme, 1916

Date Killed Wounded or Missing in Action (MIA)

April 1917 71 140

May 1917 23 102