Category: Finsbury Rifles
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 3rd May to 9th May.
In early May the Battalion moves to El Shatt, and settles in before beginning a 7 day tour of duty and providing men to support defence work. On the 7th of May, the Rifles receive an order to provide 350 Officers and men, for a Desert Column. Date 3/5/16 Battalion parades…
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The Finsbury Rifles, our local regiment
Who were the Finsbury Rifles? The Finsbury Rifles, or the 11th (County of London) Battalion, part of the London Regiment, was one of the many cogs in the large machine of Britain’s Armed Forces. It was a volunteer unit of the Territorial Force (a forerunner of today’s modern army reserve) which…
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 26th April to 2nd May 1916.
This passage charts the busy life at camp, while the troops were stationed at Kubri, along the Suez Canal. We see much coming and going of Captains and Lieutenants, as they lead Advance Parties, return from hospital or even head to England. In the photo above we can see the proximity of…
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 19th April to 25th April 1916.
In this post, the Diary records a visit from HRH Edward Prince of Wales on Easter Sunday, which was marked with concerts and sports. The Prince of Wales was unable to serve on the front line, due to his position as the heir to the throne. However, he was commissioned…
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 12th April to 18th April 1916.
In this passage, the Finsbury Rifles move to Kubri, further along the Suez Canal. We see how the Canal is used to transport supplies while the Battalion marches at 5.30 am, following the procedure practised on their Route Marches. Classes are held, once the new camp is sufficiently established, and…
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 5th April to 11th April 1916.
The Battalion moves to Shallufa on the Southern side of the Suez Canal. This is the beginning of a period in which the Rifles will work on inter-canal defences in various camps around the Canal. The Suez Canal was part of a vital supply route between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and thus…
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 29th March to the 4th April.
The Battalion prepares to move to Shallufa. Date 29/3/16 Normal camp routine. Order received that battalion would shortly proceed to SHALLUFA and an advance party under 2nd Lieut HL WINDSOR sent ahead. Date 30 to 31/3/16 Normal camp routines. Date 1/4/16 Normal camp routine. Date 2 to 3/4/16 Normal camp routine.…
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 28th February to 28th March.
This post takes us from the end of February into March. This passage covers more than our usual week in the War Diary, as the diary itself lumps numerous days together. This reminds us of the often repetitious nature of camp routine, when a Regiment was not facing battle. Within this…
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 23rd February to 27th February 1916.
Date 23 to 25/2/16 Normal camp duty. Date 26/2/16 Normal camp duty. Lieut Windsor returns to duty. Date 27/2/16 Normal camp routine. Lieut Doyle RAMC returns to duty. For any unfamiliar terms, please explore the Glossary.
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Finsbury Rifles, Away from the Western Front. 17th February to 22nd February 1916.
Still stationed at Mena, we see that the Regiment have opened a Miniature Range for firing practice, at the camp. We also see more evidence of the ebb and flow of different Ranks leaving and returning to duty. Date 17 to 19/2/16 Normal Camp Routine. Lt. and T.A. Tutin returns…
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