- Cambridgeshire Regiment
Link to Cambridgeshire Regiment 1914-18 web site
All units for the Cambridgeshire Regiment were Territorials. Four battalions were formed during the war, only one of which – 1/1 Bn – served overseas.
Cap badge for the Cambridgeshire Regiment. One of the few ‘regiments’ in the Territorial Army. (IWM INS 7266)
1/1 Bn Cambridgeshire Regiment
The 1/1 Bn Cambridgeshire Regiment was mobilised at the out break of war in Cambridge and went over to France in Feburary 1915.
Private 21927 Reginald (Charles Reginald Harper) Archer, KIA 14 October 1916, Thiepval Memorial (unknown) Formerly 1/1 Bn Cambridgeshire Regiment before transferring into Machine Gun Corps
- Cheshire Regiment
Link to – Cheshire Military Museum
The Cheshire Regiment had HQ at Chester. The regiment had 3 Regular battalions 1 of which was a Reserve unit, 12 territorial units 4 of which served overseas and 10 Service battalions.
Soldiers of ‘A’ Company, 11th Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment, occupy a captured German trench at Ovillers-la-Boisselle on the Somme. In this photograph one man keeps sentry duty, looking over the parados and using an improvised fire step cut into the back slope of the trench, while his comrades rest. (IWM Q 3990)
1 Bn Cheshire Regiment – 15 Brigade 5 Division
The 1 Bn Cheshire Regiment was a Regulars unit. At the out break of war they were stationed at Londonderry, they arrived in France on 16 August 1914. The battalion fought at all major offensives.
Private 26265 Thomas Jones, KIA 8 May 17, Arras Memorial
1/5 Bn Cheshire Regiment (Earl of Chester’s) – 14 Brigade 5 Division and 56 (London) Division
The 1/5 Bn Cheshire Regiment was a territorial unit. They were mobilised on 4 August 1914 at Chester and went over to France on 15 February 1915 when they were attached to 14 Brigade 5 Division. In November 1915 they were converted into a Pioneer battalion and moved to 56 (London) Division,
1/6 Bn Cheshire Regiment
The 1/6 Bn Cheshire Regiment were mobilised on 4 August 1914 at Stockport and went over to France in November 1914. The battalion served with various Brigades and Divisions. They saw action during the Battle of Festubert, the Somme, Third Ypres, Kaiser Offensive and 100 Days. The battalion was demobilised in January 1919.
Lance Corporal 14885 Percy Williams, KIA 24 September 1917, Tyne Cot Memorial (unknown)
(3/4 Bn) 4 Reserve Bn Cheshire Regiment
The 4 Reserve Bn Cheshire Regiment was formed in March 1915. Previously designated as 3/4 Bn until a name change in 1916. It was one of 4 training and reserve battalions based at Oswestry Park Hall and later at Kinmel Park, Rhyl.
Service Battalions
9 Bn Cheshire Regiment – 58 Brigade 19 (Western) Division
The 9 Bn Cheshire Regiment was a Service battalion formed at Chester on 13 September 1914. They went over to France on 19 July 1915 and first went into action during the Loos Offensive in September 1915. In 1916 they served on the Somme; in 1917 at hrd Ypres and in 1918 during the Kaiser Offensive and 100 Days. The battalion was demobilised from January1919 and by March was down to cadre strength.
Second Lieutenant Herbert M Owen, DoW 25 March 1918, St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens.
10 Bn Cheshire Regiment – 7 Brigade 25 Division.
The 10 Bn Cheshire Regiment was a Service battalion formed at Chester 10 September 1914. They went over to France on 26 September 1915. They served on the Somme in 1916, Third Ypres in 1917 and in 1918 the Kaiser Offensive. In June 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and returned to the UK and the next month was absorbed into 15 Bn South Wales Borderers.
13 Bn Cheshire Regiment (Wirral Pals Bn) – 74 Brigade 25 Division
The 13 Bn Cheshire Regiment, unofficially known as the Wirral Pals, was formed at Port Sunlight on 1 September 1914. They went over to France on 25 September 1915. They first saw action in May 1916 during the German attack at Vimy Ridge. Also in 1916 they served on the Somme; in 1917 at Third Ypres. In February 1918 as part of army reorganisation the battalion was disbanded with men transferring onto other units.
Private 202036 George Evans, DoW 7 June 1917, Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord.
Private 49866 Lawson E Edwards, KIA 1 February 1917, Berks Cemetery Extension.
- Cheshire Yeomanry see Yeomanry Regiments
- Coldstream Guards
Link to Coldstream Guards web site and Guards Museum
The Coldstream Guards are the oldest British regiment dating from 1650. it was a regular army unit and during the war had 4 battalions including a reserve and training battalion – Oswestry men served with 1 and 2 Bns. There were no Territorial or Service units. During WW1 the Coldstreams were some of the first troops that went to France and suffered heavy casualties at Mons and First Ypres. In August 1915 the 3 battalions were reorganised into the newly formed Guards Division. They were in action during 1915 at Loos, in 1916 on the Somme and in 1917 at Third Ypres as well as the Kaiser Offensive and 100 Days in 1918.
2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, 2nd Division, marching off from a village on the Westem Front, 17th August 1915. (IWM Q 28881)
1 Bn Coldstream Guards
2 Bn Coldstream Guards
Private 16197 Edward Davies, 2 Bn Coldstream Guards West Felton War Memorial
3 Bn Coldstream Guards
Private 15156 Harry Edwards. West Felton War Memorial
Troops of the Coldstream Guards with captured German MG 08/15 machine guns at Noreuil, 6 September 1918. (IWM Q 7056)
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Cyclist Battalion see Kent Cyclist
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