Trench Lincs 22nd February 2026
- 2 hours ago
- 22 min read
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Good Morning,
We have arrived at the last Sunday in February, and hopefully, March will see a considerable uptick in the weather.
Australia has featured heavily in recent weeks, but today it is the turn of Singapore. Not a location that one instantly identifies with the First World War.
Alan Hicks receives a Mention in Dispatches this week for his sharp brain and an eye for dates, whilst Arthur Wood, John Pritchard, Steve Bramley and Dave Burkitt have all contributed topics of great interest, many with a local flavour.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday read?
FORTHCOMING EVENTS.
Next event - Lincoln & North Lincolnshire Branch, WFA - Monday, March 23rd 2026 - Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm start - Royal Naval Association Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG.
March 23rd - Chris Finn presents "Aviation in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli Campaigns".
A forced landing at Chocolate Hill, near Suvla Bay, Gallipoli.
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Next Meeting - Spalding & South Lincolnshire Branch, WFA – Thursday 26th February, 2026 - Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30 pm start - Spalding Baptist Church, Swan Street, Spalding, PE11 1BT.
Phil Watson – ‘The Lancers from the Boer War to the Great War’.
The talk examines and explains the evolving role of the Lancers during a period of great military and technological change along the time-line of the Boer War, when they fought in the traditional role of cavalry, following through with their transition, in both weaponry and tactics, to the industrialised trench warfare of the Great War and furthermore, at the legacy of the Lancers who would serve elsewhere in the non-mounted role.
Phil joined the Army as a boy soldier in 1977 and served with the 9th/12th Lancers for the whole of his military career. In 1998, he was commissioned from the ranks and eventually commanded HQ Squadron as a major, before leaving the Army after 35 years. Like many soldiers of his generation, he conducted his fair share of operational tours, which included the Gulf War. Phil’s interest in military history stems from being a boy collecting medals with his father to delivering Battlefield Study periods for his Regiment for over 20 years. When Phil left the Army, he was appointed the Assistant Regimental Secretary, where he continued to support his Regiment, totalling 48 years’ of service. Phil has published three works: The Last Charges; Audregnies: The Flank Guard Action and the First Cavalry Charge of the Great War, and Their Greatest Hour: The Rearguard Action of the 12th Lancers. In 2019, he studied his MA in military history at Wolverhampton, winning the Western Front Association’s ‘Derek and Esther Smith Award’ for his dissertation. Phil has returned to Wolverhampton for a PhD in the development of British military doctrine and its implementation by Douglas Haig, and is supervised by Dr Spencer Jones. In 2026, Phil was the Haig Scholar at the Douglas Haig Fellowship AGM.
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The East Midlands (Nottingham) WFA branch will hold their next speaker event on Friday 13th March 2026 at 7.30pm. The branch meets at St. Peter’s Church Hall, Church Street, Ruddington, NG11 6HA.
The speaker on this night is Vern Littley and his talk is ‘The Royal Artillery 1914-15.’
Everyone welcome.
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The Leadenham Military History Group’s next meeting will be on Tuesday 24th February 2026 at 7.30pm at Leadenham village hall.
This will be a two-part speaker event night.
SHOW and TELL: The Order of Patriotic War by Paul Robinson.
Soviets. SOURCE and the Spies Who Went Out to the Cold.
PRESENTATION: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission by Chris Finn.
The CWGC; its origins, its global commitment, its work today and some local stories.
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The Friends of the Lincoln Tank Group commence their 2026 season in March. The venue, as usual, will be the Royal Naval Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG with a 7.30pm start. Entry is £5, and everyone is welcome.
Thursday March 12th David Moore will speak about ‘The Chinese Labour Corps.’
NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Lincoln Tank Group will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th February 2026 at the Royal Naval Association Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln LN6 7BG.
Everyone is welcome to attend the AGM (It is not a speaker event) and new members are sought. Annual membership of FoLT is just £10 per annum, and membership includes unrestricted access to ANCESTRY and the BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES - which would cost in the region of £175pa if you took out individual subscriptions.
What is not to like? Please come along and you are assured of a warm welcome.
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A third group who meet at the Royal Naval Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG, is the Lincolnshire Aviation Society. The next meeting of LAS will be held on Thursday 19th March 2026 with a start time of 7.30pm.
The speaker on this occasion is LAS Chairman, Chas Parker, who will speak about ‘Spotting in the Seventies.’
Given Chas’ background, I suspect that this talk will be about the Royal Observer Corps.
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Please click on this link to read the Metheringham Airfield latest newsletter.
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David Gray has been in touch, and I am very pleased to publicise the 2026 programme of events at the Peterborough Military History Group.
The Peterborough Military History Group meets at the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery in Priestgate, Peterborough, PE1 1LF, on the second Wednesday of every month, 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Everyone welcome, especially new faces.
March 11th Nigel Denchfield
'Digging Up Dad's Spitfire.' The talk covers Nigel’s dad and his time in the RAF. From training through to joining 610 Squadron towards the end of the Battle of Britain. He was then shot down over France to become a POW.
April 8th Andy Stuart
'Tales from the Great War.' The story of Arthur Walton, my grandad.
May 13th Stuart Orme
'Two Men, One King, and a Town Through Civil War.'
Explore the story of two families, a grand mansion, and a town during the most tumultuous period in British history and learn how Huntingdon was a microcosm of the experience of the country through the Civil Wars.
June 10th Geoff Turtle
'The Rising Sun Air Force.'
From Inception to Capitulation.
July 8th Jan Gray
'First World War Trench Diseases.'
August 12th David Lister
'Jerry doesn't like UP!'
Germany is often seen as the leader in Rocket technology during the Second World War. In reality, Britain used rockets far more widely and consistently than the Germans. This has largely been ignored and confused by post-war commentators simply due to naming conventions. Find out more, and Peterborough's links (small that they are) to that story.
September 9th Jerry Porter
'Goodnight Darling, God Bless You.'
The talk tells the story of a mother (Jerry’s great grandmother) who lost a son.
Based on a wealth of primary source letters, photos and artefacts passed down in the family, it illustrates her life on the home front, two of her sons’ preparations for deployment overseas, the younger one’s brief service in the front line and his mother’s perhaps surprising reaction to the news that he has been killed in action. It also covers her own experience of coming under enemy attack, and her visits to France in the early 1920s to visit her son’s grave.
October 14th Jo Fedorak
'The German V2 Rockets of WW2.'
November 11th Ted Gray
'British and American Tanks on the Russian Front.'
December 9th John Chester
'Tradition and Honour - its effect on Command rulings.'
The Great War saw men flock to the recruiting offices, ready to join up and go and fight the foe, led by our great military leaders. This talk takes a look at how tradition and honour affected some of the thoughts and ideas these leaders had on what constituted the way to 'do' this war, and how good some of their decisions weren't.
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This week there is a special award of a ‘deerstalker hat and magnifying glass’ to TL’s very own Super Sleuth, Alan Hicks. Alan has gone above and beyond a Sherlock Holmes level of sleuthing, and putting his two and two together, he has arrived at a remarkable conclusion.
Alan was very moved by Sergeant William McNally’s VC citation which featured in TL on 11th January and now writes; ‘Well done on another great Trench Lincs this week. I was interested in the additions to the Leonard Keyworth VC story with Jane Harrison's close family connections. I was also curious when I read about your research into her husband's great uncle Ernest Edward Harrison. Something pinged in my brain!! [It certainly did – Ed]
When I wrote the piece about Leonard Keyworth VC's family connection to my friend Carol's late husband Mike Keyworth, I said that I had been moved by the absolute bravery of a William McNally VC that you and your contributor John Pykett had introduced in the superb Trench Lincs edition of 11th January.
Serjeant McNally had been awarded his VC for single handedly, and with utter disregard of his personal safety rushing a machine gun post, capturing the gun and killing the gun team. This he did on 27th October 1918 in Northern Italy during an operation across the River Piave. His citation also records further unbelievable bravery, capturing another machine gun and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy a couple of days later at the village of Vazzola.
I then noted that in your research into Ernest Edward Harrison that he was killed on 27th October 1918 in Northern Italy and his final resting place is in the village of Tezze which is a couple of miles from the banks of the River Piave. So Ernest was killed on the same day as William won his VC! The River Piave, the villages of Tezze and Vazzola are all within 5 miles of each other.
Looking at today's TL and the edition from 11th January I read that after seeing action at Passchendaele, Private Ernest Harrison was transferred to Northern Italy with the 8th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, a battalion in 69th Brigade of the 23rd Division. Coincidentally, after seeing action both on the Somme and at Passchendaele, Serjeant William McNally was serving with The Yorkshire Regiment (The Green Howards) and was posted to the Italian front as part of the 8th Battalion, 69th Brigade, 23rd Division!!
Both these chaps were of similar age, in the same Battalion and in the same theatre at the same time. It looks highly likely to me that they certainly were comrades and it would be nice to think that possibly they might have been friends?
Jane's family seems to be awash with links to very brave young men who were awarded the highest honour for their valour.’
Once again Alan, well done for making the connection. It is quite remarkable that in the fighting on 27th October 1918, that cost Ernest Harrison his life, his battalion comrade, William McNally would carry out the most audacious act of bravery, win the Victoria Cross and survive the fighting and go on to live a full life until 1976. Such are the vagaries of war.
William McNally VC.
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Continuing to tidy up the loose ends from last week’s TL, Dave Burkitt writes; ‘Thanks Jonathan for another good read. [My pleasure Dave – Ed]
Further to Melvin's visit to The Freemason's Hall in London. I am a member and a regular visitor to The Union Jack Club in London. In the entrance hall to the club, is a full list, together with photos of every recipient of the Victoria Cross, the photos fill up three walls of the club. (I wonder if Arthur knows about them?) The club is situated just over the road from Waterloo station, and I'm sure that the door keeper would allow a visitor to have a look if you called in.
Very interesting too is your section on the 7th Lincoln's involvement in the fighting for The Bluff. I hadn't realised how many they had lost during it. I've visited the Bluff on a number of occasions and have the photos which my dad took when he visited the site in the early 1920's (I'm sure I let you have some copies of the photos?) Anyway that was obviously the reason why dad wanted to go back there, I didn't know that they had lost so many.’
Dave was quite correct. In 2022 we visited a number of locations that Dave’s father, Fred, had fought at during his service with 7th Lincolns.
If you could afford it, battlefield tourism became big business in the 1920’s as veterans returned as Fred Burkitt did, or families went to visit the graves of their dead relatives.
My favourite moment came during a visit to Hill 60, where we recreated one of Fred’s original photos. In the colour 2022 photo, Dave Burkitt is in the foreground.
Fred Burkitt and pals at the concrete bunker at Hill 60 in the 1920s.
Our re-creation of the photo in 2022. Dave is kneeling at the front.
Fred Burkitt received ‘Blighty’ wounds at Passchendaele, which saw him return to the UK for treatment and eventually convalescence. Much to Fred’s great displeasure, when he was fully recovered, he was drafted to the Leicester’s rather than back to the Lincolns, and ‘did his bit’ with them until the end of hostilities.
If you ever find yourself in Nettleham, go into the church and look for the Great War Roll of Honour. There you will see Fred’s name.
For most of us, our relationship with the men who served in the Great War is usually grandfather or even great-grandfather, but for Dave and his brother John, it was their father who served so bravely.
Lest We Forget.
Fred Burkitt's name on the Nettleham Roll of Honour.
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Last week, I commented on the fact that no one had attempted a pencil or ink sketch of a British WWI tank. On this front, Alwyn Killingsworth dropped me a line and writes; ‘In recent editions of TL, you threw down the gauntlet and asked for sketches of WW1 tanks. Sadly, I am no artist and therefore would not wish to inflict upon the readership any of my efforts.
However, I did think the attached may prove interesting. Both sketches are contained in the autograph book of Charlie Maughan. Charlie was employed as chief tank tester/driver at Fosters in Lincoln. Indeed, in 1917, Fosters employed at least 14 tank testers with Charlie as Foreman.
The first sketch is of a medium A whippet, drawn by S. Edwards in September 1918. Fosters were responsible for the design of the medium A, being the sole producers of the entire 200 tanks that were ordered by the war office. The medium A first saw active service in France and Flanders in March of 1918.
Sadly, the autograph book does not contain any further information as to who S. Edwards was, or his connection to tank production. All in all, though, I believe Mr. Edwards has produced a good likeness of this type of tank.
The second sketch is a little more unusual, although it does contain a depiction of rhomboid tank in the top left corner. I believe the sketch speaks for itself. On this occasion, the artist is unknown.
Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day Ltd., was another firm concerned with tank production in the Great War. This firm was a leading member of the Associated Group of Tank Engine Builders, which carried out valuable work in connection with the development and construction of tank engines during the war. The group was composed of the principal firms of engine builders in the Manchester area. During the war years, 1914- 1918, this firm’s factory at Hazel Grove, near Stockport in Cheshire, in addition to producing their standard range of diesel engines, also developed a special type of oil engine for installation in the 'tank' which was first used in 1916 and revolutionised ideas in warfare. MKIV tanks were also manufactured from its Glasgow works.’
Thank you Alwyn for your contribution and bringing these sketches to our attention.
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On a similar theme, Gary Radford wrote in, like Alwyn, to say that he was not an artist. However, Gary is a very clever modeller, and sent me some snaps of two tanks that he has built and displayed recently – a MKIV British tank and a German A7V.
I know that Tony Nutkins also models at this level of skill, and both Gary and Tony have the knack when it comes to painting the models. My attempts are so flat, but Tony and Gary somehow add so much realism by their spray paint methods.
Here are Gary’s models.
Unpainted.
Such realism in the paint work.
German A7V.
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Arthur Wood has come to the fore once again. This week from Arthur’s collection, here are the headstone for John Dimmer VC, and the Thiepval Memorial panel for Thomas Wilkinson VC, both Victoria Cross winners who featured in Trench Lincs last Sunday.
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Last year we looked at underage soldiers who had served in the Lincolnshire Regiment. A 16-year old Drummer will appear in next Sunday’s ‘In Memoriam’ on 1st March, and on the same theme, I was delighted to hear from Steve Bramley once again.
Steve comments; ‘During the course of some research I have found something that I consider unusual, that may interest you and the Trench Lincs readers at some point. I seem to remember you commenting in one issue about finding an underage soldier? I think that I may have discovered another one.
Private 13225 James Samuel Fricker, 8th Lincolns, KIA 26/9/15 at Loos and has no known grave. Attached are pictures of his SDGW entry (note wrong date of death) his CWGC entry and the 1911 Census. I believe that James had just turned 17.
The unusual thing is that his brother Henry Alfred (aged 19) was Killed in Action on the same day BUT with the 8th East Kent Regiment!
His mother would not have been notified of both losses immediately as James was reported missing, no consolation at all.’
The Fricker family in the 1911 Census.
Both James and Henry are recored as dying on 27th September - an error.
What a terrible tragedy for the Fricker family, to lose two sons on the same day but serving with different battalions and regiments.
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John Pritchard, has caught the family research bug in recent times, and I am delighted to have been able to help him on occasions.
This week, John writes; ‘During a clearing out of my mother’s bungalow, a cardboard box was found on a shelf with lots of photographs, and a single letter in an envelope.
The letter was addressed to my grandma (My father’s mother) Nellie Alice from Captain William John Smallman, informing her that James Pritchard (Nellie’s husband) had been wounded.
The letter reads:
18th Middlesex Regiment,
BEF,
France.
3rd March 1916.
Dear Mrs. Pritchard,
I have some very unpleasant duty to perform, and that is to tell you that your dear husband was wounded the day before yesterday.
I was at the hospital today seeing him, and the first time I called he was having a good sleep, so I went away and the second time I called he was awake.
I had a chat with him and although he was in a little pain he seems quite cheerful.
The doctor told me that the wound is dangerous. He has great hopes of his recovery, the fact of his being young and healthy is very much in his favour.
Now you mustn't worry yourself un-necessarily, I know it is very hard for you being away from him, but must rest assured that he is in good hands and pray hard that the good God will bring him safely back to you again.
I do not for a moment doubt that he will come through safely.
I am quite upset about it because he was my BEST Sergeant.
He has never given me a moment's trouble, always doing his duty cheerfully and was very much liked by his brother soldiers.
I am sending you a cheque for 17/6 pence which represents the money he had when he was wounded, (21 Francs).
Now do try and cheer -up and look on the bright side of things, if I can do anything for you, please write and let me know, I will be only too pleased.
Yours sincerely,
W.J. Smallman. (Capt.)
This then started a search for further details, which with the assistance from Jonathan, the various army documents were found (attestation papers, service record, medal record and discharge certificate), which were placed with two pictures.
The first picture frame shows James in uniform having finished his training at Catterick, about to go to France. Nellie is seated with their son, Wilfred Stanley on the knee.
The second picture frame shows both James and Nellie seated, with their son, Wilfred Stanley standing between them.
James is wearing a badge on his lapel of the suit jacket, awarded to ex-servicemen who had been wounded in service for the nation, this was to stop the "white feathers" being handed out. [The Silver War Badge – Ed]
Jonathan sourced for my reference, the battalion's war history;
A Miner's Pals Battalion at War: "The History of the 18th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (1st Public Works) Pioneers of the 33rd Division".
World War 1; Volume 1.
“1st March 1916:
Lt-Col Skey attended Battalion H.Q. to discuss various points about the work of the battalion.
Two N.C.O's were wounded during night wiring work.
Private Joseph Albert Braybrook, born in Saffron Walden, lived in Clapton Park, Middlesex, and enlisted in London, died of his wounds.
He is buried in the Cambrin Churchyard Extension 1.”
This is the date when Sargent James Pritchard was wounded, and one of the work party was mortally wounded.
Before this search for family history, "Grandad Jim" only mentioned the jam jar on the mantelpiece with four bullets inside; he would say, "Jerry tried to kill me, but he didn't!!"
The most recent information from the National Archives and with further assistance from Jonathan; William Smallman (attained the rank of Major) survived the war, and emigrated to South Africa in 1921.
All this started from finding a tatty letter in a box of black and white photographs!’
You can see a copy of Captain Smallman’s letter to Mrs Pritchard by clicking on these links.
It really makes me smile to see that John has caught the bug for family wartime research. I know that Alan Hicks’ sister and brother in law are also similarly hooked, following their trip last year to the Western Front. It makes me putting together TL each week all worthwhile.
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In the annals of Anglo-Singaporean history, no date is more infamous than February 15th 1942. On this day, having lost control of the island’s fresh water supplies, General Percival surrendered all British and Allied forces in Singapore to the Japanese.
However, did you know that on the same date, 15th February, twenty-seven years in earlier in 1915, Singapore once again leapt to the forefront of British history, when Muslim soldiers of the British Indian Army mutinied.
The Singapore Mutiny of February 1915 was one of the most serious military uprisings faced by the British Indian Army during the First World War. Taking place in the strategically vital British colony of Singapore, the mutiny exposed vulnerabilities within imperial strategic thinking and reflected the wider global tensions stirred by the war.
At the heart of the uprising was the 5th Light Infantry, a regiment composed largely of Muslim Rajputs and Pathans from northern India. In early 1915, the British Empire was deeply engaged in the First World War, fighting against the Central Powers, including the Ottoman Empire. Because the Ottoman Sultan was widely regarded as Caliph by many Sunni Muslims, British authorities worried about the loyalty of Muslim soldiers serving in their forces. These anxieties proved significant in Singapore.
Rumours circulated among the Sepoys that they were about to be deployed to fight fellow Muslims in the Middle East. At the same time, anti-British propaganda spread by Indian nationalists and agents linked to the Ghadar Party encouraged rebellion within Indian units across the empire. Poor leadership within the regiment, communication failures, and mistrust between British officers and Indian troops further heightened tensions.
The mutiny began on 15th February 1915, when Sepoys of the 5th Light Infantry turned on their officers. Several British officers were killed in the initial outbreak. The rebels then spread out across Singapore, attacking European civilians and freeing German prisoners of war who were being held on the island.
The background to the mutiny starts with the removal of British troops to the Western Front which left solely Indian troops in Singapore.
In October 1914 the all-Muslim 5th LI (comprised of Rajput Ranghars and Pathans) had been dispatched to Singapore to replace the 1st Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, which was rushed off to the BEF. The 5th LI was not combat ready; morale was low, communications poor, and leadership lacking. The commanding officer, Lt. Col. E. V. Martin, had been recently promoted from within the regiment, an unpopular choice even with the British officers.
Orders came for the 5th LI to leave Singapore for Hong Kong on 16 February. So little was Martin trusted that rumours flew that the 5th LI was going to be sent to the Middle East to fight against Muslims, contrary to the Fatwa of Mehmet V.
The 5th LI was guarding the 309 prisoners from the SMS Emden and other interned Germans, and one named Lauterbach, a reserve Oberleutnant who spoke Urdu, allegedly encouraged the troops to mutiny, promising German cooperation.
By plan the mutiny started around 3:30 P.M. on the 15th. The four Rajput companies of the 5th LI plus about 100 men from the Malay States Guides Mule Battery swarmed out, killing the two British duty officers. The mostly Pathans of the remaining four companies refused to participate and hid.
The mutineers divided into groups. One was sent to obtain more ordnance from the Tanglin Barracks magazines, another to kill Lt. Col. Martin and other officers at their residences and the last to release the Germans, held at Alexandra Barracks. There the Sepoys killed ten British soldiers, three Sultanate troops, and one German. Three British soldiers and one German were wounded but survived, as did the eight RAMC personnel in the hospital, one of whom managed to escape under heavy fire to raise the alarm. The Sepoys expected the Germans to join them, but they declined, even refusing to accept rifles. About 35 Germans did choose to leave the compound, contemplating escape.
Moving through the city the mutineers killed a number of Chinese civilians at Keppel Harbour and Pasir Panjang, while a large force attacked Lieutenant-Colonel Martin's bungalow. Fortunately for Martin and the three men with him at the time a detachment of eighty men of the Malay States Volunteer Rifles had been training nearby, and they joined in the defence of the bungalow. The siege lasted through the night, but when morning came the defenders were still there, and already the mutiny was almost over.
Meanwhile, more officers had been killed, although not Martin, who attempted to rally the Pathans but failed. The Tanglin Barracks occupied 210 acres and was too big for the mutineers to fortify, so the Sepoys roamed the streets, targeting civilians randomly. But without strong leadership and without German assistance, the mutiny never had a chance of success.
Since it was the middle of the Chinese New Year, the majority of the Chinese in the Singapore Volunteer Corps were unavailable, but a scratch force of British garrison personnel, Royal Marines from HMS Cadmus and some Sultanate soldiers fought desperate little running skirmishes with the mutineers throughout the 15th and 16th . On the 17th 158 Japanese marines, plus French and Russian sailors, came ashore and promptly defeated the largest group of the Sepoys in a sharp battle after which many surrendered and the rest dispersed into hiding.
On the 20th the 1st/4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry arrived from Burma and cleared the pockets of resistance. By the night of 22 February all was secure.
A Court of Inquiry was convened on 23 February, first held in secret but later publicly, which concluded on 15 May, resulting in 47 death sentences, 184 prison sentences and several transportations. Public executions were conducted at Outram Prison, witnessed by a crowd estimated at 15,000.
Public execution of 47 mutineers.
Casualty lists vary, but at least 40 loyal soldiers and as many as 18 civilians died. Mutineer casualties are not known.
Lt. Col. Martin, despite the defence of his bungalow, was heavily criticised by the subsequent Court of Inquiry, and retired. The only action he saw in the Great War was the defence of his own house against his own men. The remnant of the 5th LI was sent to Africa, then to Aden and served credibly. Nevertheless, it was disbanded in 1922.
After the Singapore Mutiny the British were unwilling to garrison colonies exclusively with Indian units, which placed a further strain on their manpower. All Indians residing in Singapore were required to register, causing ill feelings among a mostly loyal community. In order to enhance Singapore's internal security, the British passed the "Reserve Force and Civil Guard Ordinance" in August 1915, requiring compulsory military service from all male subjects between 15 and 55 years of age who were not already serving in the armed forces, volunteers, or police.
The Singapore Mutiny had significant implications. Though limited in scale compared to later anti-colonial movements, it revealed cracks in the structure of imperial rule during wartime. It also highlighted the influences of global politics: events in Europe and the Middle East reverberated in Southeast Asia, influencing soldiers thousands of miles from the main battlefronts.
In the longer term, the mutiny became part of the broader narrative of resistance within colonial armies. While British accounts often portrayed the event as a breakdown of discipline fuelled by rumour and external agitation, later historians have emphasized the complex mixture of religious solidarity, nationalist sentiment, and local grievances that contributed to the revolt.
Memorial to the British dead in Victoria Hall, Singapore.
Memorial in St. Andrew's cathedral, Singapore.
Memorial to the men of the RGA, killed in the uprising.
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Just for a change, we will finish this week with our usual colourised photograph, but not from Chris at Colour by CJS.
Whilst browsing Great War photos, I came across this handsome young Welshman who had local regimental connections and served in the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. The 59th Division is one of my favourite topics, as they were branded as a Second Line Territorial Force division, and many of you may remember my recent talk, ‘Were the Second Line Territorials Second Rate Soldiers?’
Of course they weren’t!
The Boy from Borth Who Never Came Home.
In the quiet coastal village of Borth, where the waves of Cardigan Bay break against the shore, the memory of a fallen son endures. Captain Oswald Henry Feilden, a man of intellect and courage, was one of the millions who answered the call of duty during the First World War. His story, a poignant tapestry of a life cut short, is woven into the fabric of his Welsh homeland and the bloody fields of Flanders.
Born in 1887 in the seaside village of Borth, Cardiganshire, Oswald was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert and Emily Jane Feilden.
The family initially resided at 1, Cambrian Terrace, a place that would have been filled with the sounds of the sea and the close-knit community of a thriving 19th-century fishing and resort village. His upbringing in this picturesque setting, seven miles north of Aberystwyth on the estuary of the River Dyfi, undoubtedly shaped his character.
Oswald's education began at Llandovery College, a prestigious institution with a strong military tradition, where he studied from 1898 to 1900. He then went on to Aberystwyth University, where he earned his degree, further cementing his connection to the region. This period of intellectual growth and youthful promise stood in stark contrast to the path that lay before him.
In 1911, with the storm clouds of war gathering over Europe, Oswald joined the Leicestershire Territorials. He was commissioned into the 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, on 15th January 1912.
On 24th February 1917, Captain Feilden and his men landed in France, joining the 177th Brigade of the 59th Division on the Western Front. They were immediately thrust into the brutal fighting, participating in the German retreat to the formidable Hindenburg Line before moving to the infamous Ypres Salient.
September 1917 found the 2nd/5th Leicester’s in the Vormezeele area of Flanders, preparing for a major offensive. This was to be the Battle of Polygon Wood, a key phase of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele. The objective was to seize the high ground, including the strategically important Hill 37.
At 5:50 a.m. on 26th September 1917, under the thunderous roar of a creeping barrage, Captain Feilden led his men in the attack on Hill 37. The battle was fierce and the fighting desperate, but the Leicester’s achieved their objectives. However, victory came at a terrible cost. In the chaos of the assault, Captain Feilden was severely wounded.
[It is the attack on this day that features in my talk, and the attack in which Arthur Wood’s Great Uncle, Henry Hopkins was also killed - Ed]
He was evacuated to the 46th Casualty Clearing Station at Proven, a place grimly nicknamed 'Mendinghem' by the soldiers. For three days, he clung to life, but his wounds were too severe. On 29th September 1917, at the age of 30, Captain Oswald Henry Feilden died.
He was buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, alongside thousands of his comrades. The cemetery, designed by the renowned architect Sir Reginald Blomfield, is a place of serene and sombre beauty, a testament to the scale of the loss.
Back home, a nation mourned. Captain Feilden is commemorated on the war memorial at St. Matthew's Church in his beloved Borth, and on the Aberystwyth University War Memorial, a lasting tribute from the institution that had helped to shape him.
Bydd ei enw’n cael ei urddedio am byth.
His name shall be honoured forever.
In Memoriam the Lincolnshire Regiment 22nd February.
1915
7888 Private P Draper, 1st Battalion. Buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium.
9403 Private J Harman, 1st Battalion. – Ditto. –
1916
334 Private R Gruby, 10th Battalion, aged 21. Buried in Brewery Orchard Cemetery, France.
1917
27168 Private J Johnson, 8th Battalion, aged 20. Buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, France.
25507 Private Edwin Marriott, 8th Battalion, aged 42. Buried in Longunesse Souvenir Cemetery, France.
24173 Private W L C Tee, 5th Battalion. Buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, France.
1919
26589 Private William Eastwood, Depot. Buried in Putney vale Cemetery, UK.
57542 Private Arthur Edward Rousell, 1st Battalion, aged 20. Buried in Huish Episcopi Churchyard, UK.
2902 Private H L Waller, 15th Battalion. Buried in Worsbrugh Burial Ground, UK. **
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
** There was no 15th Battalion as such. Waller was transferred to the 413th Company Labour Corps.
I will have some very interesting news from St. Mary’s church in the Lace Market of Nottingham next Sunday.
Until next week,
All best wishes
Jonathan
© Jonathan D’Hooghe
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