Pte John BEETHAM

[boblynn]

Hoping someone can help. Pt John BEETHAM was a member of the Border Regiment in WW1 and killed on 27 January 1917, near Le Transloy in the Somme region. I am going to France in June and am looking for any info on what was happening at the time. I know there was a bit of an action that day, and a VC was won by Sgt Mott also of the Border Regt. Does anyone have access to maps of that area showing the trench lines in January 1917, in particular where Landwehr Trench was located? I know it is south of Le Transloy, but no more detail than that.

Also could SKS look up his service record?
Any help much appreciated.

 

[dochines]

He is clearly listed in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site, which if you have not looked at is a very tasteful site. It will show you that he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and his army record number was 27920.


dochines

 

[duckweed]

Try www.worldwar1.com/tg...
www.1914-1918.net/
somme1916.6.forerumer...
www.roll.of.honour.c
Channel 4 used to have a good site, don't know if it's still available.
The Imperial War museum has published on the net some of the war diaries I believe
There are also companies that take people to visit the war graves that have quite good info sites. Just Google it.

 

[izabel]

The Border Regt museum might be able to help you

King's Own Royal Border Regimental Museum
Queen Mary's Tower
Carlisle Castle
Carlisle CA3 8UR
Tel. 01228 532774
Fax 01228 545435
Email: korbrmuseum@aol.com

 

[boblynn]

Thanks all for your info. I have been on the CWGC site. I aggree very good site. I have also been in touch with the Border Regt museum, who were also very helpful. They sent me a copy of the war diary of the period, which was very detailed regarding the action on 27 Jan 1917, but without a map is difficult to follow.

Thanls again all for your help.

Bob

 

[izabel]

Heres some sites that might help

english.turkcebilgi.com/Battle_of_the_Somme_(1916)

leoklein.com/itp/somme/texts/liddell_hart_1930.html

spiderbites.nytimes.com/articles/free/free191610.html

www.militarybadges.org.uk/mimage/trench.htm

wfbt.muon.org.uk/content/view/22/54



Harold William Russell served with the Battalion and died of wounds received from shrapnel in COWS trench, Le Transloy in February, 1917. He lingered 36 hours in the field hospital and upon passing away he was buried next door in the Bernafey Wood British cemetery. He was a machinist from Sydney and aged 33 years. Initially his parents received a communication saying he was wounded but as they had heard nothing further presumed he was making a full recovery, wrong, next letter he was dead. His parents were still communicating with the Army into 1922! All they received of his possessions were a gauntlet, arm band and a small tin.

 

[boblynn]

Thanks for that. I will have a look at the sites.

Bob

 

[duckweed]

You obviously haven't looked up this site yet
http://www.firstworldwar.com/photos/maps.htm

 

[izabel]

Well done Duckweed. What a brilliant site. Isnt funny how you can go round in circles looking for a site and it just appears on this site.