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11th (Service) Battalion Border Regiment in the First World War
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The LonsdalesThe 11th (Service) Battalion Border Regiment, also known as the Lonsdale Battalion was a 'Pals' battalion formed of three detachments at Carlisle, Kendal and Workington by the Earl of Lonsdale and an Executive Committee. The Battalion became a well-trained, disciplined unit of volunteers that answered Field Marshal Earl Kitchener's call to arms - to fight for King and Country. Men that had grown up together enlisted together and “during these formative days of the Battalion’s earliest history it became clear to everyone in the Border Counties that this really was a Battalion of 'Pals,' of comrades, and of Border men.” - The Lonsdale Battalion Border Regiment, September 1914 to June 1915
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Battalion HistoryThe Lonsdale Battalion was formed by Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, and an Executive Committee with the approval of the War Office on 17 September, 1914. The Executive Committee raised four companies, all financed by the Earl of Lonsdale himself from his personal funds. Discover almost four years of the Battalion's history through formation, training and front line action.
The Battalion History
The Lonsdale Battalion – On This DayOn this day is a listing of historical daily events associated with the movements actions of the Lonsdale Battalion between 1914–1918. An event is a term used to describe a particular action or set of actions such as: a reference to bayonet training, digging entrenchments, receiving orders, front line fighting and a variety of simple reports including casualty figures, among many others. → Please note this information refreshes every day.
On this day in history (23 April)
1915
- “....the names of any men in their Companies who are specially skilled millwrights, fitters, tool-makers, turners, drillers, gear-planers, grinders, capstan hands, millers, profile universal and vertical planers, slotters, crossmillers, rifling machinists, lapping machinists, reamering machinists and chambering machinists desiring temporary release from the Army for employment in armament workshops.” [1]
1916
- Battalion in isolation camp at Contay Wood (measles) involved in training and small working parties.[2] Training continues during the whole period of isolation.[3]
- Private J.J. Tallentire (18130) writes to the Workington Star and Harrington Guardian:
- “Dear Sir, I take great pleasure in writing to let you know that I received your beautiful parcel of cigarettes, tobacco, etc., and I thank you very much indeed. Where we are you can’t get hold of a cigarette like Old Tom. I see the parcel has been to my Regiment: but I have got it all right. I hope you may have a good Easter. I haven’t much news for you, but if the sods do not give in before long, they will be made to, and they deserve all they get.”[4]
- H. Ward writes to the Workington Star and Harrington Guardian:
- “Dear Sir, having received the parcel of cigarettes you so kindly sent me, I wish to thank you for your goodness in thinking about the boys out here. The night that parcel arrived I shared them round to the Platoon, and not having had a fag for a day or two we lit up for an enjoyable smoke; but alas! Fritz must have smelt them and got angry, for he started bombarding us, and made an attempt to attack. It was pretty warm; but we are still smiling. Thanking you once more. Private W. Humes also wishes to be remembered to you.”[5]
1918
- Deaths: Aiken, Maxwell (30133 Pte.)
References / notes
Material from Timeline/Chronology of the Lonsdale Battalion (September 1914 - May 1915) are sourced from the DLONS/L/13/13 Lowther Estate Archives. Entries from this timeline are reproduced here with kind permission of Jim Lowther and are not available under the license of this site. Please do not publish these extracts on other publicly visible media without prior permission from the copyright holder.
- ↑ Record No. DLONS/L/13/13/128
- ↑ A group of soldiers (or prisoners) that are assigned to perform manual tasks or duties, for their own or other units.
- ↑ 11th Battalion War Diary, April 1916
- ↑ We'll Make Them Give in – Workington Star and Harrington Guardian. Published 12 May, 1916.
- ↑ Made Fritz Angry – Workington Star and Harrington Guardian. Published 12 May, 1916.
Document LibraryThere were a wide range of documents recorded and compiled between the Lonsdale's formation and eventual disbandment in 1918. The documents offer detailed information on the actions and day-to-day running of the Battalion at a time of war. These include, but are not limited to: orders, reports, notes, instructions, messages, honours, awards and press appreciations.
The document library
Lonsdale Battalion War DiarySome regimental war diaries are sparse in detail, whilst others are descriptive. Today, they are pivotal to learning about the daily lives of the men and the bitter fighting they endured. The Lonsdale's war diary offers a complexity of daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries, casualties, maps and various other appendices covering their time in France and Flanders.
The battalion war diary
Roll of HonourThe 11th Battalion Roll of Honour has been transcribed as it was printed in HMSO’s Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19, Volume 39, The Border Regiment. This is a complete list of men killed whilst serving in the Lonsdale Battalion during the war. Many of the soldiers that served in the Lonsdale Battalion also served in other battalions of the Border Regiment, some even transferring from entirely different regiments, the most common of these being the Herefordshire, Essex and Liverpool Regiments.
The roll of honour
Quotes—Lt. Col. P.W. Machell, Commanding the Battalion, Record of the XIth (Service) Battalion (Lonsdale) - In France.
—Major P. G. W. Diggle, 2nd in Command, Record of the XIth (Service) Battalion (Lonsdale) - In France.
Image GalleriesPeruse over a collection of images of the Lonsdales during their initial training period at Blackhall Camp, Carlisle, before being shipped over to France. See the men in their civvies lining up for roll call, engaged in bayonet training and aiming drills, digging entrenchments and physical exercise. Plus, see photos of officers, individuals, groups, obituaries, cap badges and other insignia.
The grandstand at Blackhall Racecourse
Digging entrenchments
Physical drill
Aiming drill
Inspection by Lord Lonsdale
Newspaper ArticlesSeveral Cumberland and Westmorland newspapers reported on the Lonsdales between 1914 – 1918. Reports on the war, notes of the week, the terrible conditions at the front, casualties and obituaries, to name a few provide the reader with a glimpse into a world where hardships were a fact of life, and the horrors of war and losing your friends were a daily routine. Here's one fine example of a chap writing home about his experience of being wounded.
Lonsdales Wounded On Way To Trenches
Corporal J. Smith, 11th Borders in a letter to his parents on December 19th, says: -
Just a few lines to let you know that I have been wounded, but I am going on champion.
A piece of shrapnel went clean through my right thigh while I was going into the trenches with my mates. There were two of us knocked out at the same time. We had a bit of rotten luck that day, and the trenches are four feet deep with mud and water. It was very hard for us, seeing we were new to the place. I went through an operation on Wednesday night… They took the tube out of my wound today. I expect I’ll be sent home any time about Christmas… The doctors and nurses are very nice to the wounded. They will do anything to help you… How is everybody at Workington? Give my kind regards to all.
Living day to day surrounded by death and the fear of never seeing loved ones again made the propaganda drive all the more effective as those at home learned about their sons and fathers fighting for the freedoms that many of us today take for granted. The press in recent times, however, enlighten us with stark reminders of bygone times and more often than not, heartwarming tributes of those who served over 100 years ago.Lonsdales in the press
Helping out with our projectsInterested in helping out around here? There is always something to write, discover and learn about the Lonsdale Battalion and the Border Regiment. As you can see from the menu on the left there are several projects that are a work-in-progress. Take a look at the recent changes made to the site to see what has been happening lately.
Our largest on-going project is the Lonsdale Battalion on this day... project. This is a listing of historical events associated with the actions of the Lonsdales, from formation in 1914 through to its disbandment in 1918. Whenever we learn something new and interesting about the Lonsdales we like to include what we can in the interest of free and accessible knowledge. Every project, however, no matter how large or small is just as important as the next, which is why they are of equal value and interest. Currently there are many other site projects either on the go or waiting to be started, and this is where we need your help in making these available for everyone.
If you are interested in helping out you can contact us with any questions you may have about any of the projects. Alternatively, if you have spotted any errors and omissions, would like to create news pages or simply edit some existing ones, you can do so by creating a new account and off you go. We look forward to seeing you around.
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