His Service Record
Pomeroy, Edward 40467
Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment
4th Battalion
Acting Sergeant
Ancestry Effects Record for Edward Pomeroy
Fold3 Pension Record for Edward Pomeroy
A transcription record for E Pomeroy 40467 from Forces War Records
A search of the National Achives and a subsequent purchase, (signed in so free purchase) allowed the download of the above record. It also has two Regimental Numbers, which explains why Forces War Records has both numbers.
Again Ancestry has a rescanned copy. Issued Victory Medal and British War Medal posthumously.
The above Roll of Individuals entitled to the Victory Medal and/or British War Medal granted under Army Orders, has Pomeroy, Edward and Edwards, Amos. The relevance of the latter will become apparent below.
The Territorial 1/7th Battalion spent the first seven months of the war in England and Gibraltar but landed at Le Havre in March 1915. Attached to 23rd Brigade in 8th Division, it served on the Western Front until July when it was amalgamated with 1/8th Battalion.
Men of 1/7th Battalion The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1915 [Image number: 91190] National Army Museum
This is a photo from the National Army Museum and is very very unlikely to include Edward Pomeroy, and if it does in is just random.
Edward Pomeroy Regimental number is G/40467. Perhaps a number nearby in the sequence will give us an idea about his signup date. A lot of records were lost in WW2, which could explain the lack of signup records for Edward Pomeroy. A near number is, G/40470 - Amos Edwards Born 1879 Middlesex. Wo 363 - First World War Service Records 'Burnt Documents'.
From the scraps of burnt records. Amos Edwards, of 1 Cave House Cottages, High Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex, a British Subject, 36 years old, an Unmarried Mill Hand, who had previously served in the 20 Hussars for 12 years, signed up in December 1915.
His next of kin is listed as George Edwards, his brother, of the same address. Military History, Home 20 March 1916 to 19 September 1916 (i.e. UK) and France from 20 September 1916. Decorations, British War Medal 1914 - 16 and Victory Medal.
Terms of Service, War. Service reckons from 20 March 1916.
Embarked Folkstone 20 September 1916, disembarked Boulogne 20 September 1916.
Posted to 1/7th Middlesex 20 September 1916. Posted to 4th Battalion Middlesex 30 September 1916. Joined 4th Battalion Middlesex 3 October 1916. Noted as Missing on 16 April 1917.
From the Medical Record, the initial sign up or Medical was on 11th December 1915 at Uxbridge and again on 20 March 1916 at Hounslow. Amos Edwards was 36 years old, 5ft 6in tall and 144lbs in weight.
... Enlistment 8th Middlesex Regt. Number 6364 later G40469.
Using yet another soldier's records, the order of information is, and the dates from Amos Edwards;-
General Service, Attested -- 11/12/15
General Service, To Army Reserve -- 12/12/15
Mobilized -- 20/3/16
Posted -- 21/3/16
Appointed L/C -- 19/5/16 (Not Edward Pomeroy)
Posted -- 20/9/16
Posted -- 30/9/16
Now, to reiterate, these are not the records of Edward Pomeroy. However, there is only a small difference in time a number between G40469 or G40470, and Edward Pomeroy G40467. I therefore assume that Edward's initial military history is very similar.
Not only do we get an idea of when Edward Pomeroy signed up and his initial posting, we may have resolved the additional number. Have another look at the Roll of Individuals. Amos Edwards also has his number amended on the roll to account for the number whilst with the Territorials, the 1/7th Middlesex. The brunt papers initial regimental number of 6364 is the number the Roll is amended to. Two other soldiers on the page also start with a four digit number, I conclude therefore that Edward Pomeroy 5338 is the short period he was with 1/7th Middlesex before being posted to the 4th Middlesex on, I suspect, 3 October 1916. I will use this date for the start of the Troop movements of the 4th.
Troop Movements
WW1 Troop Movements and ORBATS for Edward Pomeroy - 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
Orders of Battle (ORBATS) are documents produced by the military to show the hierarchical structure, command organisation and disposition of units for particular engagements of the British Military. At the highest level they show a breakdown of the units involved in entire conflicts, the First World War in this case, including Divisional and Brigade commanding officers, the organisation of the divisions right down to the battalion level along with their attached units from for example, the Royal Artillery. With the ORBATS you are able to determine exactly where units were on a given date and the battle, action or event they took part in.
Zoomed in to the area surrounding Arras.
Edward Pomeroy assumed to have Embarked to France on 20/09/1916
Background picture of the situation before he arrived at his posting to the 4th Battalion.
Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of Flers-Courcelette - 17/09/1916
Location: area of Gird Trench. German success in overall British victory. This battle saw the first use of massed tanks as an offensive weapon.
After the failure of the major Somme Offensive or 'Big Push' on 1st July, Haig wanted a breakthrough by mid-September and before the onset of winter. An attack was planned to involve 11 Divisions of infantry and mounted cavalry, supported by tanks and artillery across a 12,000 yard front, from Courcelette in the north to Lesboeufs and Morval in the south.
21st Division in XV Corps, Fourth Army were in reserve during the opening of the battle. 64th Infantry Brigade moving forward on 16th September to assist 41st Division to continue their attack on Gird Trench and Gird Support, south-west of Gueudecourt.
9th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and 15th Durham Light Infantry led the attack, 1st East Yorkshire Regiment and 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in support. Suffering heavy casualties from artillery and machine-gun fire before they had even reached their start point, the attackers were unable to reach the first objective before falling back.
Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of Morval - 25/09/1916
Location: area of Goat Trench. British victory. Preparations for an ambitious offensive against Morval, Lesbouefs, Gueudecourt and Martinpuich were delayed by inclement weather but the attack was eventually started on 25th September.
In the attack, 21st Division were on the right flank of XV Corps, Fourth Army, attacking the trench systems south-west of Gueudecourt known as Gird Trench and Gird Support. 110th Infantry Brigade were on the left, 8th Leicestershire Regiment and 9th Leicestershire Regiment the lead battalions, 64th Infantry Brigade on the right, 1st East Yorkshire Regiment and 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, the lead battalions.
1st Lincolnshire Regiment were attached from 62nd Infantry Brigade in support, due to pass through the lead battalions once they had secured their first objectives. Finding the wire in front of their advance almost intact, 1st East Yorkshire Regiment and 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were unable to make a great deal of headway but suffered very heavy casualties before retiring.
1st Lincolnshire Regiment coming up support also suffered casualties before the same obstacles. However on the left, 9th Leicestershire Regiment and 8th Leicestershire Regiment were more successful.
Overcoming stiff resistance they had a hard fight in gaining a position in Gird Trench, 9th Leicestershire Regiment clearing Goat Trench and New Trench in the process. At 06.00am the following morning, a bombing party from 7th Leicestershire Regiment supported a tank in clearing more of Gird Trench to the right of Pilgrim's Way, and Gueudecourt was occupied that evening.
Battles Of The Somme - Capture Of Gueudecourt - 26/09/1916
Location: Gueudecourt. British victory. In the general advance of 25th September 1914, 21st Division in XV Corps, Fourth Army, had attacked from north-east of Flers towards Gueudecourt.
Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of The Transloy Ridges - 01/10/1916
Location: Gueudecourt. Indecisive. Final British Fourth Army offensive during the Battle of the Somme.
The Battle began well with the capture of Eacourt L'Abbaye as well as advances along the Albert to Bapaume road to take Le Sars. However, there were no substantial gains or losses for either side.
On the opening of the battle on 1st October, 21st Division in XV Corps, were in trenches north and west of Gueudecourt. Holding this position during the day, they were relieved by 12th Division during the night of 1st-2nd October.
Edward Pomeroy assumed to have joined the 4th Middlesex on 3rd October 1916.
Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of The Ancre - 13/11/1916
Location: Beacourt-sur-l'Ancre. British victory. The attack of the British Fifth Army against German First Army along the River Ancre between Thiepval and Beaumont Hamel was the final large-scale British attack on the Somme before winter set in.
Involving divisions of II Corps and V Corps, the main effort came from V Corps with 63rd, 51st , 2nd and 3rd Divisions all in action against positions north of the Ancre. Preceded by seven days of artillery bombardment, including on the final evening poison gas, the attack was a great success.
Over 7000 enemy troops were taken prisoner and four German divisions had to be relieved due to the number of casualties sustained. 37th Division were not initially in action as a division on the Ancre, the individual brigades being sent up on 13th November to reinforce other attacking divisions.
63rd Infantry Brigade and 111th Infantry Brigade reinforcing 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and 112th Infantry Brigade reinforcing 2nd Division. 111th Infantry Brigade, 13th King's Royal Rifle Corps, 13th Royal Fusiliers and 13th Rifle Brigade being involved in the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division capture of Beacourt-sur-l'Ancre on 14th November.
At noon on 15th November the 37th Division took over the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division front at Beacourt-sur-l'Ancre with the 63rd Infantry Brigade and 111th Infantry Brigade. 112th Infantry Brigade rejoining from 2nd Division on 17th November.
37th Division held this part of the line until relieved by 7th Division at 06.00am on 26th November. The Divisional Artillery was also in action from 13th November, covering 63rd (Royal Naval) Division until 15th November and then 37th Division once it had take over the front.
German Retreat To The Hindenburg Line - 29/03/1917
Location: Hamelincourt. German tactical victory. Known to the Germans as 'Operation Alberich', this was a strategic German withdrawal to a series of fortifications that had been planned and built during the winter of 1916-1917.
Built on the highest ground possible and following an alignment 45km shorter than the current trench lines, it would require less troops to garrison as losses on the Eastern Front led to troop transfers. To complete the withdrawal the Germans carried out a 'scorched earth' policy to ensure that anything which might be useful to the Allies was destroyed.
Buildings were demolished, roads and railways mined, bridges blown up and water courses poisoned. When the retreat to the Hindenburg Line began, 21st Division in VII Corps, Third Army were at Halloy, spending a period out of the line in training exercises.
Moving up on 29th March they took over the front line around Hamelincourt, pushing forward towards Croisilles during the night of 30th and 31st March, 1st Lincolnshire Regiment were attacked by a German bombing party during 31st March. On 2nd April 12th Northumberland Fusiliers and 13th Northumberland Fusiliers of 62nd Infantry Brigade, together with the divisions on either side of them, attacked between Henin-sur-Cojeul and Croisilles, 1st Lincolnshire Regiment covering both flanks.
Map showing Hindenburg Line and and Arras inset.
Battle of Arras
Battle Of Arras - First Battle Of The Scarpe - 09/04/1917
Location: Cross of Sacrifice, Coejeul Cemetery. German defensive success in overall Allied victory. Part of a large Allied offensive to break through German front lines and attack reserves of troops and materials.
British advance before dawn and through inclement (sleet, snow, strong winds) weather. The primary objective on the first day of the offensive was the Observation Ridge north of the Cambrai to Arras road.
On the right flank of the attack, 21st Division in VII Corps, Third Army were holding a front of around 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Henin-sur-Cojeul. Facing the prepared fortifications of the Hindenburg Line, only 64th Infantry Brigade on the left attacked on 9th April.
Advancing on Henin Hill, east of Henin-sur-Cojeul, to cover the right flank of 30th Division who were attacking Neuville Vitasse further north. 9th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were on the left, 15th Durham Light Infantry in the centre and 1st East Yorkshire Regiment on the right.
Temporarily held up by uncut wire, the troops were able to advance once 64th Trench Mortar Battery had used their Stokes Mortars as artillery pieces to blow gaps through the wire, enabling the brigade to seize the trenches on the summit of Henin Hill. However the failure of the 30th Division advance made the position of the troops on Henin Hill extremely vulnerable.
10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry moved up to reinforce the position during the night, but the survivors of the four battalions were still not holding the position in large enough numbers to hold a large German counter-attack on 10th April. Henin Hill was finally taken by the Division on 12th April as the German army pulled back.
21st Division moving on into Heninel later in the day. Further advances were made east into the Hindenburg Line on 13th and 14th April, following which the Division were relieved by 33rd Division.
The Cross of Sacrifice in Coejeul Cemetery marks the action of 64th Infantry Brigade at Henin Hill. The original wooden marker erected on the spot in 1919 is now in the Chapel of the East Yorkshire Regiment in Beverley Minster.
Private H. Waller, 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions on Henin Hill on 10th April.
Battles Of Arras - First Battle Of The Scarpe - 09/04/1917
Location: Orange Hill Cemetery. Allied victory, part of a large Allied offensive to break through German front lines and attack reserves of troops and materials. British advance before dawn and through inclement (sleet, snow, strong winds) weather.
The primary objective on the first day of the offensive was the Observation Ridge, north of the Cambrai to Arras road. Secondary objectives were the village of Feuchy plus the German second and third trench lines.
South of the road, a trench known as the Monchyriegel, a major supply route and key element of the German trench system in the area, was the main objective but Delville Wood, Tilloy-des-Mofflaines and the Bois-de-Boeufs had to be taken first. During the opening of the offensive, 37th Division were the Corps Reserve of VI Corps, Third Army, as they advanced between the River Scarpe and the Arras to Cambrai road, east of Arras.
Taking up positions in Battery Valley during the afternoon, 111th Infantry Brigade and 112th Infantry Brigade moved forward just before 19.00pm to exploit the position achieved by 15th Division, in order to swing right and continue the attack on Monchy-le-Preux. The advance seems however, to have taken a direction rather too much to the south.
With the result that instead of moving through 15th Division, they instead veered into the areas of 12th and 3rd Divisions outside Feuchy. Here they met the same impenetrable field of barbed wire which had halted those two divisions with the same result.
The two brigades remained in line east of the Feuchy to Feuchy Chapel road. 63rd Infantry Brigade, however, did manage to keep direction and established a position at the north end of Orange Hill, well up to the third objective and in touch with 15th Division.
Renewing the advance on 10th April, 63rd Infantry Brigade swung round to the south whilst, 111th Infantry Brigade and 112th Infantry Brigade attempted another attack on Monchy-le-Preux. 111th Infantry Brigade attacking the village itself, 10th Royal Fusiliers and 13th Royal Fusiliers the leading battalions.
Moving out from the north of Orange Hill, they swung left to approach Monchy through the woods on the west, reaching a position around 600 yards west of the village before heavy shell-fire caused them to halt and dig in. 112th Infantry Brigade on the right advanced towards the La Bergere crossroads, 10th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and 11th Royal Warwickshire Regiment clearing the trench system around the crossroads with tank support, whilst 6th Bedfordshire Regiment captured La Folie Farm (Folie Farm).
Battles Of Arras - Capture Of Monchy-Le-Preux - 11/04/1917
Location: 37th Division Memorial, Monchy-le-Preux. British victory. The village, situated on high ground overlooking largely flat land was the key for control of the Arras battlefield.
British troops had advanced over three miles on 10th April, but their offensive fell short of Monchy-le-Preux. Vital to their objectives the offensive on the village was renewed on 11th April.
37th Division in VI Corps, Third Army, had been in Corps Reserve during the opening of the attack, moving through the leading divisions to attack Monchy-le-Preux during the afternoon of 9th April. The village being held by German 3rd Bavarian Division.
111th Infantry Brigade continuing that attack on 10th April, they had reached a position in woods around 600 yards to the west of the village before heavy shell-fire caused them to halt and dig in for the evening. 154th Field Company, Royal Engineers assisting in the construction of a new trench line as the weather worsened.
At 05.00am on 11th April, 111th Infantry Brigade attacked again, through what was now a driving snowstorm, 13th Rifle Brigade and 13th King's Royal Rifle Corps the lead battalions, 10th Royal Fusiliers and 13th Royal Fusiliers in support. As 13th Royal Fusiliers rushed forward to establish themselves north of the village, the other three battalions assaulted the village itself, with the aid of four tanks.
Facing stiff resistance from machine-gun posts among the houses and cellars, the two lead battalions had secured the village by 09.00am, where they linked up with 10/11th Highland light Infantry of 15th Division who had managed to force their way through from the north. 8th Cavalry Brigade following the infantry and tanks into the village, at 10.30am, 63rd Infantry Brigade were ordered to pass through Monchy-le-Preux and continue the attack east with them.
8th Cavalry Brigade being unable to advance in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, the attack was abandoned and the village consolidated. South of Monchy-le-Preux, 112th Infantry Brigade repelled two German counter-attacks against their positions at the La Bergere crossroads.
The 37th Division Memorial in Monchy-le-Preux commemorates the Division's capture of the village.
Battles Of Arras - Second Battle Of The Scarpe - 23/04/1917
Location: Greenland Hill. Inconclusive. On 23rd April 1917, the British launched an assault east from Wancourt towards Vis-en-Artois.
Elements of the 30th and 50th Divisions made initial gains, and were able to secure the village of Guemappe, but could advance no further east and suffered heavy losses. Farther north, German forces counter-attacked in an attempt to recapture Monchy-le-Preux, but troops from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment were able to hold the village until reinforcements from the 29th Division arrived.
British commanders determined not to push forward in the face of stiff German resistance and the attack was called off the following day. 37th Division in XVII Corps, Third Army, were in trenches north of Roeux on the north bank of the River Scarpe.
Attacking on 23rd April with all three brigades in the line, 111th Infantry Brigade on the left, 63rd Infantry Brigade in the centre and 112th Infantry Brigade on the right, their objectives were Greenland Hill and the Plouvain to Gavrelle road. 111th Infantry Brigade and 63rd Infantry Brigade gaining the trenches on the lower slopes of Greenland Hill, whilst 112th Infantry Brigade were held back by machine-gun fire from Roeux Chemical Works.
Edward Pomeroy Killed in Action on 23 April 1917.
Part of a conversation about the area in which Edward Pomeroy was killed on Great War Forum.
During the Battle of Arras, Greenland Hill became infamous for the number of men lost in its environs.
For instance the 6th Bn. KOSB lost over 400 men there on the 3rd May 1917.
The battlefield later became a large interchange for the A26 and A1 and E17 motorways.
A Google map satellite image with Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux, tagged and Greenland Hill shown on the 1917 map added in red text.
Bing Map with some of the villages and towns mentioned in the Troop Movements and War Diaries.
Key to Above Trench Map
Battles Of Arras - Second Battle Of The Scarpe - 23/04/1917 (Repeated to aid reading of Trench Maps)
Location: Greenland Hill. Inconclusive. On 23rd April 1917, the British launched an assault east from Wancourt towards Vis-en-Artois.
Elements of the 30th and 50th Divisions made initial gains, and were able to secure the village of Guemappe, but could advance no further east and suffered heavy losses. Farther north, German forces counter-attacked in an attempt to recapture Monchy-le-Preux, but troops from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment were able to hold the village until reinforcements from the 29th Division arrived.
British commanders determined not to push forward in the face of stiff German resistance and the attack was called off the following day. 37th Division in XVII Corps, Third Army, were in trenches north of Roeux on the north bank of the River Scarpe.
Attacking on 23rd April with all three brigades in the line, 111th Infantry Brigade on the left, 63rd Infantry Brigade in the centre and 112th Infantry Brigade on the right, their objectives were Greenland Hill and the Plouvain to Gavrelle road. 111th Infantry Brigade and 63rd Infantry Brigade gaining the trenches on the lower slopes of Greenland Hill, whilst 112th Infantry Brigade were held back by machine-gun fire from Roeux Chemical Works.
A sequence of three Trench Maps near Arras France, dated 4 March 1917, 25 May 1917, and 20 November 1917, showing the progress of the advance of the Allied troops. The last one is a zoom in showing the Trenches and names of the front on 20 November 1917 between the Chemical Works at the bottom and Greenland Hill at the top.
cipient of the pension was Kathleen M J, not explicitly but presumably Pomeroy. There is another entry in the same column which is dated 20/10/19 with Kathleen M J and Johnson, beneath that. Is that a new surname of the signature of the authorising officer. Given that above, in the Electors register of 1932, Kathleen Mary Josephine Pomeroy was living at the previously known address.
provided by somebody on Ancestry has the relevant information, including the families address.
Pepin the Short's father, was Charles Martel.