From Sheep Fair to Slaughter

William Henry Cunningham was born in 1892 in Rugeley, Staffordshire, the son of Thomas and Hannah Cunningham (nee Mills). William had two sisters Edith (born 1886) and Gertrude (born 1895) and two brothers Thomas (born 1899) and Reginald (born 1909).

William’s younger brother Thomas would become the father in law of my Aunt Dorothy Hollins.

In 1911 William was working in the local colliery below ground as a rope rider and living with the family at 74 Sheep Fair, Rugeley. His father was working above ground at the colliery as a banksman.

 By 1917 his parents moved and were living at 18 Queen Street just a few houses from George, William and Charles Hollins. George despite his time having expired had re-enlisted and in December returned to France serving with the Royal Engineers.

William was serving as a Private with A Company 1^st Battalion the North Staffordshire Regiment and had sailed to France on the 5^th March 1915 along with my Great Uncle Benjamin Hollins.

On 14^th January 1917, after nearly two years in France and Flanders Private William Henry Cunningham aged 26 was killed in action alongside his comrade from D Company Lance Corporal Ernest James Wood from Tooting, London.

Both are buried at the Philosophe British Military Cemetery at Mazingarbe, which lies between Bethune and Lens.

Philosophe Military Cemetry (CWGC)

The loss for the Cunningham family was as you would expect great, as this newspaper article in the Staffordshire Advertiser 12^th Jan 1918 shows

Cunningham – In loving memory of Pte. W. Cunningham (40010), 1^st North Staffordshire Regiment, killed in action Jan 14, 1917. Twelve months have gone and still miss him. Friends may think the wound has healed. But they little know the sadness deep within our hearts concealed – From his loving Father, Mother, Brother and Sisters.

Although it is unclear how William meet his death, the following story published in the Stoke Sentinel By Richard Ault  (Posted: August 29, 2016) highlights the conditions and daily danger for the men of the 1^st Battalion during their time at the Somme in August 1916. William of course was part of A company.

The 1st Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment was a battle hardened unit of fighting men. They had been on the Western Front for two years by the time the Somme offensive was launched.

Yet, while the less experienced troops of the Pals battalions and the Territorial Force, like the 1st/5th and the 1st/6th North Staffords, were ordered over the top on July 1, 1916; the 1st North Staffords were kept in reserve.

They first took over a section of the British front line on the Somme on August 9, 1916, near Guillemont village, a key position in the German defence system which had resisted all attempts at capture during the early phases of the Battle of the Somme.

Those defences meant the Germans were able to bring down concentrated machine gun and artillery fire onto any unit attempting to take the village.

That was the position facing the 1st North Staffords when they arrived in the lines in August, 1916. Yet their role in the fight for Guillemont would not be an especially dramatic one, their job was not to attack with rifles and Mills Bombs, as they had done many times before. Instead, they were sent out with shovels, to dig another trench.

The front line was in a poor state after weeks of fighting, and the British top brass had realised that to reduce casualties during any attack on Guillemont, the amount of space between the British and German lines must be reduced.

Their job was to dig a new trench, closer to the German lines, meaning the British attackers would have less distance to cross, and the German machine guns less time to do their murderous work.

Although, this time, the 1st North Staffords wouldn't be fighting, that didn't mean that their job was any less dangerous.

That menial task would require them to move 100 yards closer to the enemy, with its wealth of artillery and rapid fire weapons, under cover of darkness, and to dig.

The North Staffords took over the line on August from the 1st/10th (Scottish) Battalion of the Kings (Liverpool Regiment), who had made a costly and failed attack on Guillemont.

As soon as dark fell, members of the North Staffordshire battalion went out into No Man's Land to help carry back men who had been wounded during that attack.

That first night, the North Staffords were supposed to start digging the new trench, but the order came in to postpone the task. One company of men, A Company, was already in 'Teale Trench', ready to start the work. During that night Teale Trench was shelled heavily by the enemy and one soldier, Private Francis Cliffe, from Hilton, was killed – the first man of the 1st North Staffords to be killed on the Somme.

The next night, at 11.45pm, the order was given to start digging. The men of A Company went out to start the job. Only C Company would join them before dawn. The men of B Company arrived late, and D Company did not managed to get started.

It wasn't long before the noise attracted the attention of German observers based at forward listening posts. The message soon got back to the commander of the enemy artillery barrage.

The night was dark and the British worked quickly, knowing their best chance of survival was to dig as quickly as possible. The dark of night made it difficult for the enemy artillery fire to pick them out – yet that did not stop the Germans from trying.

All through the night the North Staffords worked – and all through the night they were shelled by the enemy. Sometimes the bombs would explode harmlessly in the mud. Other times shrapnel would rip into flesh and one of the soldiers would cry out and collapse into the mud.

By the end of the night, the battalion had dug 120 yards of trench. But six men had been killed during the night.

They had not been involved in a single attack or trench raid during this time. This gives some indication of the daily losses experienced by the British army.

William Henry Cunningham is remembered on the Rugeley War Memorial.

Rugeley War Memorial (photo by Allison Smith)

Rugeley losses at the Somme

Herbert Vernon was born in 1890 in Brereton, Rugeley, Staffordshire, he was the youngest son of Joseph and Jane Vernon (nee Heaton). He had 4 older brothers, John (born 1875), Joseph (born 1882), George (born 1880) and Samuel (born 1885) and one older sister Selina (born 1877) all were born in Brereton.

In 1911, Herbert, aged 21, was living with his parents and older brother Samuel at 16 Talbot Road, Brereton and was working as a miner, as was his brother and father.

Herbert had married Eliza Fisher at St. Michael’s Church, Brereton in 1912 and had their first son Herbert W Vernon in 1913.

In 1911 Eliza was living at 40, Brereton Road working as a Jappener (Box Maker), her older brothers James and Albert and father James were working at the local colliery.

Eliza’s brother, James Fisher was married to my second cousin (twice removed) Harriet Hollins, and had been killed on the 13^th Oct 1915 during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt

Herbert’s brother Joseph, was married to my Grandaunt Elizabeth Ann Renshaw and was serving with Royal Army Medical Corps.

Herbert Vernon was serving with the 1^st Battalion Grenadier Guards and had enlisted in March 1915.

The battle of the Somme, which had began on the 1st July with such heavy losses continued to rumble on, inflicting heavy casualties on both sides for little territorial gain. During this continued fighting Herbert Vernon, aged 26, was killed in action on the 12th September. 

The local newspaper - The Lichfield Mercury published the news a couple of weeks later.

29^th Sept 1916 – Lichfield Mercury

Rugeley Casualties

Killed in Action. Official information has this week been received by Mrs E Vernon, Brereton Road, Rugeley, that her husband Private H. Vernon Grenadier Guards, was killed in action on Sept 12^th, He joined the Grenadier Guards March 1915 and has been out at the front since last April. Previous joining the Army was employed as a miner the Brereton leaves a wife and one child.

Herbert is commemorated on Pier and Face 8D Thiepval Memorial and on the Brereton War Memorial.

Herbert Vernon - Brereton War Memorial

Lost at the Somme

William Herbert Hollins (My third cousin once removed) was serving as a Lance Corporal with the 7^th Battalion Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry. He had enlisted in November 1915 and had been out in France since April 1916.

He was the oldest son of William and Amy Hollins (nee Saunders) and in 1916 he was just 19 Years old. His father William was working on munitions and his uncles had all joined up. Horace had been killed in April1916, Charles was still serving and George had just re-enlisted in the Royal Engineers after coming home following serving with the 6th North Staffords. His two aunt’s husbands - James Fisher, had just been killed at Hohenzollern Redoubt in October 1915 and Fred Williscroft had been discharged from the army in August 1914.

William Herbert Hollins

The battle of the Somme began on the 1^st July, with heavy losses for the attacking British forces including his half first cousin Albert Hollins. The battle dragged on throughout the following weeks and months into one of terrible attrition.
 

The 7^th DCLI were positioned in the ‘Brompton Road’ Trench, near Guillemont, which they had moved into on the 21^st August, having relieved the 3^rd Rifle Brigade and 12^th Royal Fusiliers who had ‘gained and retained’ the railway station’ after heavy fighting. They remained in this frontline trench under heavy bombardment with significant German counter attacks occurring on the 23^rd and 24^th August. The net was closing around the village and the Germans were desperate to retain this high ground, throwing artillery and ‘bombs’ at the Brompton Road line.  The DCLI’s final engagement in this area involved a heavy bombardment and follow up attack by the enemy who were targeting the supply lines to the frontline.

Bombarding the supply lines and DCLI HQ which was situated in and around the Station, plus an advance on the Brompton Road. Again the attack was repulsed and finally on the 25^th August the DCLI were relieved from the frontline and returned to Carnoy (3 miles South West of Trones Wood for R&R. 

Throughout this ‘rest’ period, the 7^th Battalion were repeatedly marching back to this sector at night to repair and rebuild trenches. The weather is noted as atrocious with persistent storms and heavy rain.

On the 29^th of August, the DCLI once again moved forward and relieved the 10^th Rifle Brigade. They had just completed a 9 hour fatigue (trench repairs) and were immediately moving straight back into action. New trenches had been dug and immediately attracted enemy fire, such that when the DCLI came up to take occupancy they found very little cover, many dead or wounded and the trenches literally ‘knee deep’ in mud.

This would have been William’s final experience as no sooner had the DCLI completed the relief of the frontline, the enemy shelling started once again.

The Battalion War diary for the night of the 30^th/31^st August reads as follows:

“Very wet night. Men very tired, many of the men developing a form of trench foot. Incessant bombardment in support and reserve trenches. Many tear or lachrymatory shells used by Hun in this area. Bombardment so heavy and general that attack by enemy was expected but did not materialise.”

It can be assumed that William lost his life during this bombardment, and due to the poor weather and terrain it’s not difficult to understand why his body remains unidentified or indeed lost.

Guillemont Station (Sept 1916)

This would have been directly behind William as he fought in the Brompton Road Trench.

William is commorated at the Thiepval Memorial on Pier and Face 6B. On the same panel are 5 comrades from the 7^th Battallion who were listed as killed on the 31^st August.

L.Cprl Edgar Fuller 15592 Age 25

Pte Ernest Came 22316

Pte Ernest Hazel Griggs 17455

Pte Archie Smith 24477 aged 27

Pte James Herbert Tullett 24347

The Coventry Evening Telegraph reported the news of William’s death on Saturday 23^rd September 1916

Mr & Mrs W. Hollins, 11 Francis Street have received official notice that their son Corpl. W.H. Hollins 23942, Duke of Cornwall LI was killed in action in France on August 30^th last. He enlisted on Nov 30, 1915 and was in France four months. Previous to joining the colours he was employed at Messrs. Matherson, Huxley and Watson Ltd.

The following notice appeared in the Coventry Evening Telegraph on the 30^th August the following year and the year after that.

Hollins – In Loving memory of Lance Corporal William Herbert Hollins, DCLI who was killed in action in France August 30^th 1916. Deeply mourned by father, mother, brothers and sisters.

He sleeps not in his native land,

But under foreign skies,

And far from those who loved him best

In a hero’s grave he lies.

With thanks to Stan Hollins who provided the original research.

At 12.30 Gas was heard

Sergeant Horace Hollins (My second cousin twice removed) was serving with the 10^th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers and on the 30^th April 1916 Horace was in the trenches at Kemmel, Belguim.

Originally from Rugeley, Staffordshire he had served in the Boer War and on his return had married Emily Leader in 1904 and then moved to Coventry working as an Iron Moulder.

Horace Hollins

The battalion war diary details the events of the early morning of the 30th April 1916.

War Diary – 10^th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers 30^th April 1916

Kemmel Trenches

At 12.30 gas was heard hissing from the cylinders and the cloud seen. Rapid fire was at once opened. Alarm gongs and Strombos horns were sounded. Gas was by far the thickest opposite our right at E.1, where the trenches were only 35 to 40 yards apart. Some men were gassed at this point before they could get their helmets properly adjusted, but in the main helmets were perfectly satisfactory.

The Germans had difficulty in leaving their lines, and only at one point did a few enter our trench, coming through the gap on our right into E.3, but they retreated when met by Lieut. Piercy and a few bombers. Capts. Bell and Follit took up the supporting platoons from Regent St. Dugouts, and by 1.21 the gas had cleared, and the situation was well in hand.

The gas came over in two waves. Regent St. Dugouts, Pall Mall, and Piccadilly were fairly heavily shelled, the barrage being just behind Regent St. Dugouts and the head of Regent St.

The Brig. Gen. was at Kemmel Shelters, and was in continuous communication with O.C> 10^th R.W. Fus.

As we had about 26 casualties and 50 cases of men suffering from gas, a company was asked for to reinforce Regent St. Dugouts, and one company to garrison G.H.Q. line at Lindenhoek in case the enemy renewed his attack.

When it got light some dead were seen near the enemy’s parapet, and two wounded were actually brought into our trench for purposes of indentification. Our heavy artillery must have done good work, as the Germans were not able to advance in large numbers, and their communications to the rear were being shelled by our lighter guns. Meanwhile 12” shells fell into their lines.

The remainder of the day was quiet. In the evening about 10pm the gas alarms were heard on our right, and the alarm was taken up by us. E trenches reported no gas; F trenches reported very slight, which subsequently turned out to be a mistake, arising from clouds of smoke from bursting shells and trench mortar bombs.

Note: It is extremely difficult under these conditions to judge whether gas is present or not when helmets are worn. During the evening trench F.5 was taken over by 1^st G. H., we leaving two Lewis guns and one bombing squad.

Casualties :

Killed - 5 O.R.

Killed (Gassed) - 3 O.R.

Wounded - 2/Lt E. Vaughan and 24 O.R.

Wounded (Gassed) - Capt. E.W. Bell, 2/Lt E.W. Edwards and 45 O.R.

From Commonwealth War Graves Commission website

The eight soldiers killed were:

Lance Corporal H Dudley (aged 21)

Pte. J.T. Fisher

Pte. T harries (aged 21)

Pte. Michael Hester (aged 30)

Pte. Francis Valentine Horton (aged 27)

Pte. Charles Shepley

Pte Frank Sigley (aged 25)

And

Sgt. Horace Hollins (aged 37)

He left behind his wife, Emily, who at the time of Horace’s death had moved back from Coventry and was living back in Rugeley at 73, Queen Street and his two children Harold (aged 10) and Mabel (aged 8)

All eight are buried in Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetry in Belguim, which is located about 9 Kms south west of Leper on a road connecting Leper to Kemmel.

It is not known which three were killed by gas.

Horace's death was reported in the local papers of both Rugeley and Coventry.

26^th May 1916 – Lichfield Mercury

Rugeley sergeant killed in action. Information has been received that sergeant Horace Hollins, of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, has been killed in action. Sergeant Hollins was a reservist. He joined the Grenadier Guards in 1900 and fought in the Boer War. On the outbreak of the present war he joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers and was soon promoted to the rank of sergeant. He is the second son of bandmaster Hollins, of Rugeley, who has served upwards of fifty years with the colours. He was for 37 years in the old volunteers. Bandmaster Hollins has had 4 sons and 2 sons in law, all of whom have answered their countrys call. Sergeant George Hollins, 1/6 th North Staffords, has just returned from the front, his time having expired. Charlie has been discharged and William, who was a member of the old volunteers, is now working on munitions. A son-in-law Private Jim Fisher, was one of the first Rugeley men to be killed in action, and his other son in law has been discharged from the army.

Coventry Telegraph

Coventry Military Band

Sergeant Hollins Killed

Seventeen members of the Coventry Military Band are serving with the colours, and of those Sergt. Horace Hollins has been recently killed in action. Corpl. W. Owen, another member, was the first of the bandsmen to be wounded.

Sergt. Hollins came from a military family. His father has thirty-seven years of military service to his credit, and all his brothers have served as volunteers, Territorials, or Regular soldiers. His younger brother has recently come to Coventry for munitions work after thirteen months of active service in France. His brother in law was killed in action a short time ago while rescuing wounded comrades. Sergt. Hollins served through the South African campaign and shortly after the outbreak of the present war was called to the colours and rejoined his old regiment the Grenadier Guards. He then served as instructor in several depots, and finally went to the front with the 10^th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was home on leave a month ago, and was killed on the Sunday following his return. In his early career he was a bandsman in the North Staffordshire Regiment, serving with his father and three brothers. When he came to Coventry he joined the Coventry Military Band, and played with them for twelve years. He was very popular among local bandsmen, and by his straightforwardness and honesty of purpose earned the respect and good wishes of all his associates. He leaves a widow and two children.

Horace is also remembered on the Ancient Order of Foresters role of honour memorial in Rugeley and the Rugeley war memorial.

Ancient Order of Foresters Memorial - Rugeley

His second cousin and my Great Uncle Edward Hollins sounded the Last Post when the Memorial was first dedicated.

Returning home to Rugeley

On the 10^th April 1916 Acting Sergeant George Hollins returned home to Rugeley, his time in the army having expired. George had been serving in the 1/6^th North Staffordshire Regiment arriving with the rest of the Territorials in France on the 5^th March 1915 originally as a private before being promoted to acting sergeant.

George Hollins

George Hollins (my second cousin twice removed) was the youngest child of William and Sarah Hollins (nee Wood) and was born in 1886 in Rugeley, Staffordshire. He had 3 brothers; William (born 1875), Horace (born 1879) and Charles (born 1884) and two sisters Mary Ann (born 1877) and Harriet (born 1881).

Horace was serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers and had been out in France since September 1915, William had been a member of the old Territorials and was now working on munitions and Charles had been discharged from the army, Mary Ann’s husband Fred Williscroft had been discharged from the army in September 1914 and Harriet husband James Fisher had been killed on 13^th October 1915 during the assault on the Hohenzollern redoubt.

George had married Emily Mary Hiley in 1907 at St. John the Baptist, Armitage. In 1911 they were living at 24 Queen Street, Rugeley with their had two children George (Born 1908) and Sarah (Born 1911), with George working as a bricklayer. 

At that time (1911) most of George’s family were living close by. His parents William and Sarah lived at 64 Queen St, with his sister Harriet, his brother Charles lived at 45 Queen Street and his sister Mary Ann was living at 66 Queen St with her family.

George's father, William, was a well known local bandmaster and all the family were members of the local territorial band.

From Factory to the Front Line

On the 30^th November 1915 William Herbert Hollins, aged 18, enlisted with the 7^th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

William Herbert Hollins

He was the oldest child of William and Amy Hollins (nee Sanders). He was born in 1897 in Longford, Warwickshire.

He had 3 sisters Amy (born 1899), Elsie (born 1901) and Nellie (Born 1902) and four brothers Percy (born 1904), Sidney (born 1908), Reginald (Born 1910) and Kenneth (Born 1912).

In 1911, the family were living at 11 Francis St, Coventry. William eventually gained employment at Messrs. Matherson, Huxley and Watson Ltd. The company was an Iron, Brass and Aluminium Founders and suppliers of Castings for Motors. 

His father worked as an Iron Molder as did his uncle Horace Hollins who lived just a few doors away at No. 1 Francis Street.

His uncle’s Horace, George and Charles were all serving and his two aunt’s husbands - James Fisher, had just been killed at Hohenzollern Redoubt and Fred Williscroft had been discharged.

Acknowledgements

With thanks to Stanley Hollins for providing the photograph.

Grandad goes to War

On the 27^th November 1915 my Grandfather, Arthur Hollins, aged just 18, serving as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery arrived in France.

Arthur Hollins RFA

Arthur Hollins was born on the 18^th February 1897 in Rugeley, Staffordshire the youngest child of Benjamin James and Ann Hollins (Nee Hodson). He had one sister, Mary Ann (born 1884 in Woodseaves) and three brothers Benjamin (Born 1887 in Rugeley), who had just died of wounds , just two weeks prior to Arthur arriving in France. Benjamin had also been badly gassed at the front, James (Jimmy Born 1891 in Rugeley), who had also been wounded in the attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt and Edward (Ted Born 16^th March 1895 in Rugeley) and was also serving in the army.

Arthur Hollins on Horseback WW1

In 1911, the family were living at 27 Bow Street, Rugeley. Arthur (aged 14) was still at school, his father, Benjamin, was a labourer above the ground at the colliery, James was a horse Driver in the local mine, Edward (aged 16 in 1911) also worked in the mines. His sister Mary-Ann was employed doing domestic duties and her daughter Ada Scott Hollins (aged 7) was also with the family..

North Staffs under attack

The 1/6^th North Staffords including my Great Uncle's Benjamin and James Hollins as well as other ancestors such as JamesFisher and George Hollins had been in the Trenches since the 25^th September. 

Benjamin Hollins

The weather conditions were wet and showery and the battalion had suffered eight casualties (all wounded) during this stint in the front line (trenches 33-35) during the on-going fighting following the initial assault at the Battle of Loos.

At 6.30pm on the 30^th September 1915, 100 years ago today, the Germans attacked from an unexpected direction.

The battalion War Diary entry for the 30^th Sept reads as follows

At 6.30pm the enemy exploded a mine just outside trench 35 right – Parapet for about 20 yards was knocked down – Crater about 25 yards diameter and 20 feet deep. Rapid fire was at once opened and enemy made no attempt to attack. The enemy at the same time heavily bombarded the wood at back, the battalion headquarters and support trenches. All telephone communication to batteries and Brigade was interrupted. Artillery support was obtained through 1/5^th North Staffs Head Quarters. The enemy showed themselves a good deal over their parapet and it is believed that our rifle fire – bombing and shelling reply was very effective.

Casualties - 6 Killed, 14 Wounded, 1 Missing

The six causalities killed were

Pte. L. H. Bond - Grave Ref D3

Pte. W Smalley - Grave ref D2

Pte. R. Smith - Grave ref D2

Pte H. Davies (aged 26) - Grave Ref D3 - Husband of Nellie Davies, of 13, Tixall Rd., Littleworth, Stafford.

Cpl. Charles Edward Collins (aged 40) - Grave Ref D2 - Eldest son of the late Charles and Elizabeth Collins, of Forebridge. Staffs.

Pte. S Rowley - Grave Ref D3

All six are buried in the Blauwepoort Farm Cemetery in West-Vlaanderen, Belguim.

The missing solider is likely to have been Pte. Harold Young (aged 23) who was the son of Charles and Annie Young of 92, Dale St, Burton-on-Trent and who is commemorated on panel 55 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Band of Brothers

On the 27th September 1915 Horace Hollins, my 2nd cousin twice removed, arrived in Boulogne, France with the 10th Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Horace was born in 1879 in Rugeley, Staffordshire to William and Sarah Ann Hollins (nee Wood). He had one older brother, William (born 1875) and two younger brothers, George (born 1886) and Charles (born 1884) as well as two sisters, Mary Ann (born 1877) and Harriet (born 1881). Both Mary Ann and Harriet were married, to Fred Williscroft and James Fisher respectively.

The family had a military background, Horace’s father; William had served in the army for 37 years as a colour sergeant and in the territorials and was well known in Rugeley as the local military band master. All his brothers and brothers in law played in the band and all had answered their country’s call out the outbreak of war.

Horace himself had previously been a solider with the Grenadier Guards, enlisting in 1900 and serving throughout the Boer War. Shortly after the outbreak of the Great War he re-joined his old regiment serving as an instructor in several depots before joining the Royal Welch Fusiliers as a Sergeant.

Horace had married Emily Leader (Born Rugeley 1882) in 1904 at St. Augustine’s church, Rugeley. They moved to Coventry shortly afterwards, where Horace joined the Coventry Military Band. They had two children Harold James (born 1906) and Mabel (born 1908). By 1911 Horace was working as an Iron Moulder and the family were living at 1 Francis St, Foleshill, Coventry.

His elder brother William had also moved to Coventry around the same time as Horace and was also working as an Iron Moulder (Motor parts) and was living with his wife Amy (nee Saunders) and his seven children (another son was born in 1912) at 11 Francis St, Coventry.

The Big Push at last - The Battle of Loos

Tom Hollins, (my half cousin 3 times removed) had recently arrived in France with the 8th (service) Battalion, Royal West Kent (Queens own) Regiment.

The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos.

Early on the 25th September the Divison had moved forward to Vermelles, where it spent the day anticipating what lay ahead for them in the big push, listening to the guns and watching wounded and prisoners coming down from the front. The battalion finally moved back to some trenches and came under shellfire for the rest of the day.

British Army advancing at Loos

The men went into action the next morning (the 26th September) with little water or food and very short of sleep. The plan for the attack was made to advance down a gentle slope to the Lens – La Bassee Road, beyond which it rose gradually towards the German trenches. The Bois Hugo was key to the situation as it flanked the approach. Unfortunately, the Germans had counter attacked Bois Hugo, dislodged the defenders and filled the wood with machine guns.

At 11am, on cessation of the bombardment, the brigade advanced with the 8th Royal West Kent on the left of the leading line. It had been exposed since daybreak to heavy artillery fire but had found enough shelter in the old German trenches to escape heavy casualties.

They advanced steadily under artillery and rifle fire, to which machine gun fire from the flank was added. They swept through the first trenches and at last reached the rearward wire only to find it practically intact.

The position was desperate. Despite gallant attempts to get through the wire, all most could do was to throw themselves on the ground and attempt to return the enemy’s fire. For some time they hung on despite heavy losses, but to no avail the rest of the attack had failed and the position was hopeless.

One by one almost every remaining officer was shot down and to hang on any longer could only involve further useless sacrifices. The last remnants of the battalion fell back as best they could over the long distance to the Lens – La Bassee road.

Of the 24 officers and 800 men who had gone into action only one officer (Lt. Tillie) and 250 men remained effective.

Tom’s brother, Albert was serving with the 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry and was also involved in the Battle of Loos. He too had only recently arrived in France and for these units of the new army this was to be their baptism of fire.

Albert Hollins

The Somerset Light Infantry 8th Battalion War Diary for the period covering the Battle of Loos reads as follows.

On the morning of the 25th we marched to Vermelles and deployed to go into action about  7pm on the 25th September. B and C companies went to the Hullach –Lens Road, held the road for the night of the 25th and on the morning of the 26th were counterattacked by the enemy and ordered to retire by the Brigade mayor at 1pm. They returned to 1st line trenches and held them until 8am 27th September when they marched to bivovac near Vermelles and joined A and D companies there.

A and D companies participated in the attack on Hill 70 the night of 25th -26th September and retired about 12 noon on the 26th when they went into support line in old German trenches and were joined on the morning of the 27th September by B and C Companies.

The casualties in the Battalion numbered 15 officers, 271 other ranks, 15 mules and one horse. The Battalion stayed in bivovac near Vermelles.

Their half cousin and my Great uncle, Benjamin Hollins, serving in the 1/6th North Staffordshire Regiment had been in the brigade reserve for most of September. On the 25th September the regiment moved back into trenches reliving the 1/5th South Staffordshire regiment in trenches 33-36.

The conditions were described as showery and they suffered 4 casualties, all wounded. They remained in the trenches in wet and showery weather for the next few days suffering 4 more wounded.

The British had suffered heavy losses for very little gain and following significant counter attacks the relative positions of the opposing forces largely remained unchanged following the battle of Loos.

Of the 10,000 troops who went over the top in the Battle of Loos some 8,000 casualties were recorded in the first four hours of the attack, with the British suffering some 58,000 casualties as the battle dragged on until the middle of October.

Another Rugeley recruit arrives in France

100 years ago on the 10th September 1915  Albert Hollins  (my half cousin 3 times removed) arrived at Le Havre, France with the 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry.

The battalion had left Southampton on the 9th and arrived in the early morning of the 10th. They spent the rest of the day at rest camp before setting out for Watten, northern France.

Albert Hollins

Albert Hollins, was born in 1894 in Rugeley, Staffordshire, the youngest son of Thomas and Hannah Hollins (nee Wood) of Sandy Lane, Rugeley. He had an elder sister Mary Ann (born 1880) and two older brothers, William (born 1889) and Tom (born 1891).

In 1911, Albert was working as a grocery shop assistant, Tom was a clerk in the grocery trade, William on the other hand worked as a labourer producing iron and his father worked as a hewer in the coal mines.

Albert had enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry on the 1st September 1914 and prior to enlistment had been employed by Siemens.

His brother Tom was serving with the Royal West Kent Regiment and had arrived in France a few days before Albert on the 30th August

From Rugeley to Boulogne

On August 30^th 1915, Tom Hollins (My half 1st Cousin 3 times removed) who was serving as a Private with the 8^th (Service Battalion) Royal West Kent Regiment arrived in Boulogne, France.

Tom was born in Rugeley, Staffordshire in 1891, the third child of Thomas and Hannah Hollins (nee Wood). He had an elder sister Mary Ann (born 1880) and brother William (born 1889) and a younger brother Albert (born 1894). He was 5ft 7in tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.

In 1911 the family were living at Sandy Lane, Rugeley. Tom was working as a Clerk in the Grocery trade and his younger brother Albert working as a grocery shop assistant. His elder brother William was working as a Labourer with iron Ore and his father was working as a coal miner.

His brother Albert had also joined up and was serving with the 8th Battalion (Prince Albert's) Somerset Light Infantry and was also awaiting deployment to France.

Another Rugeley Recruit arrives in France

On the 22^nd June 1915, James Fisher, aged 27, of the 1/6^th North Staffordshire Regiment arrived in France.

James Fisher 1/6th North Staffords

James Fisher was born in 1887 in Rugeley, Staffordshire. The eldest of ten children, in 1911 he was living with his parents James and Mary Anne Fisher (nee Glaze) and his 5 brothers, Albert, John, George, William and Frederick and 4 sisters, Eliza, Sarah, Elsie and Harriet at 40 Brereton Road, Rugeley. James along with his brother Albert and father were working as coal miners.

James had married Harriet Hollins (my 2^nd cousin twice removed) the daughter of William and Sarah Ann Hollins (nee Wood) between January and March 1914 and their son also called James was born later on in 1914. 

In 1911 the Hollins family was living at 64 Queen Street, Rugeley. Harriet was seven years older than James and in 1911 was working as a Tin Box Grainer. Her father William was a labourer in the local Phoenix Tanyard.

His brother Albert had been discharged from the 1/6th North Staffords on the 18th January 1915 

The 1/6^th North Staffords, since arriving in France in March 1915, had settled into a rotational routine of 4 to 5 days in the trenches followed by 4 to 5 days resting in camp before returning back to the front lines. Each period in the trenches had seen the regiment suffer casualties, it’s recent tour had been no different on the 19^th June the 1/6^th lost one officer Killed and one wounded, 3 other ranks killed, one died of wounds and five more wounded. 

On the 22^nd June the 1/6^th North Staffords were at “Aldershot” Camp, with showery weather. On the 25^th June the battalion marched with the rest of the brigade to Hutments One mile North East of Ouderdom, Belguim.

The North Staffords arrive in France

On the 5^th March 1915 My Grand Uncle Benjamin Hollins arrived in France with the 1/6^th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment.

Benjamin Hollins

Benjamin Hollins was born in 1887 in Rugeley, Staffordshire. He was the eldest son of Benjamin and Ann Hollins (nee Hodson). Benjamin had an elder sister Mary Ann and 3 younger brothers James, Edward and Arthur (my Grandfather).

Benjamin was married to Hilda Pedley in 1908 at St. John the Baptist in Armitage and they had two young sons Benjamin was four and Henry two. A daughter Mabel had died as an infant in 1911. Hilda was from Penkhull, Stoke and was the daughter of Henry and Emma Pedley.

In 1911 they were living with the Pedley family at 2 Ricardia Terrace, Armitage and Benjamin was working as a plumber.

The 1/6^th battalion had arrived in Southampton from Saffron Walden on the 1^st March. C and D companies embarked on the 2^nd on-board the S.S. Balmoral for Le Harve. Headquarters and A & B companies embarked on the 4^th on-board S.S. Empress Queen arriving at Le Harve on the 5^th March 1915, 100 years ago today.

Arriving with him was his brother James Harry Hollins, William Henry Cunningham, George Hollins

James Hollins, Benjamin's younger brother was born in Rugeley in 1891. The 1911 census shows him living with his parents and siblings at 27 Bow Street in Rugeley. he was working as a horse driver in the local colliery. His brother Edward Hollins also worked in the mine (it is likely that he too arrived in France at the same time, but this is not confirmed) as did his father Benjamin.

William Henry Cunningham, (My Auntie's Uncle in law) was born in Rugeley in 1892 and was the oldest son of Thomas and Hannah Cunningham (nee Mills). In 1911 he was living with his parents at 74 Sheep Fair, Rugeley and was working as colliery rope rider below ground, his father also worked at the mine as a bankman above ground.

Benjamin Hollins 2nd cousin, George Hollins was mentioned in a later newspaper report as being "out with the Territorials in March 1915" (Lichfield Mercury 6th Sept 1918) so again it would seem likely he embarked with the rest of the North Stafford's. George was the son of William and Sarah Ann Hollins (nee Wood) and brother in law to Frederick Williscroft and James Fisher. He was born in 1886 in Rugeley and married Emily Mary Hiley in 1907 at St. John the baptist Church in Armitage. By 1915 they had two children George born in 1908 and Sarah in 1911 both born in Rugeley.

100 Years on...The story of my family in the Great War 1914-18

In the halcyon summer of 1914 the world stumbled inevitably, it seems now, towards a global conflict that would effect a whole generation. My hope, in this blog, over the next four years is to chronicle some of the stories and details of that human catastrophe as they effected my ancestors exactly 100 years before.

I can only claim to be a keen amateur family historian, so there may be mistakes or omissions as I go along, these are all honestly made and I would welcome advice, suggestions and any additional information that I haven't uncovered as yet. I'm sure there is plenty of information easily available on family history websites and maybe once I've retired after winning the lottery I will have the money to add to the family archives!

I hope my family, friends and long lost relatives which I'm slowly uncovering around the world through my family history research like this blog and find it interesting to them and if they wish to contribute their own WWI ancestor stories that would be very welcome.

My Grandfather - Arthur Hollins

Having spent many enjoyable years researching my ancestors I amazed how many must have been involved in WWI, many I have no service details for, but for that generation, it was rare for someone of active service age not to have been called to the colours in some way. So my research will continue and occasionally new information will come to light after the centenary of that event has passed. This blog is not intended to be a finished, polished academic study, but rather an organic and forever growing testimony to my family ancestors, so I hope you will forgive any chronological errors.

Sadly much of information that is easily obtainable concerns those that did not return home and I suppose we are all lucky that our direct ancestors did and that we are able to relate their stories.

This blog, rather than featuring stories of daring exploits and boys own capers is more about how ordinary young men left their family homes in Rugeley, Staffordshire, Wimbledon and Hackney for far flung fields of conflict, the horrors of which I cannot even begin to understand. I hope only to honour their memory in some small way and this blog over the next four years is my tribute to my family ancestors in the 1914-18 First World War.

Tony