Photograph "Somewhere in France" Feb 1916

[Pinetree]

During WWI my Grandfather was a Staff Sergeant with the AOC and looked after the guns.  I have a photograph of him with 6 others on the back of which he has written "Somewhere in France" Feb 1916 and has listed his fellow sitters as:

Sgt Dent 'A' Batt
RSM Welch
Sgt MacCormack 'A' Batt
Sgt Hutton           "    "
Sgt Guire AVC      "    "
Sgt Shave, farrier "    "

I would love to find out more about this group if at all possible but maybe there is too little information to go on.  If anyone recognises any of the names and has a connection I would be happy to pass on a copy of the photograph.

Any help much appreciated,

Pinetree

[Rudolf H B]

Hello

There are several Dents in the Royal Field Artillery.

What's the full name of your grandfather, do you have his service number?

Kind regards

Rudolf

[Pinetree]

Hello Rudolf,

My Grandfather was Henry Hazell Mims.  The only record I have of his military service is his medal card.  This confirms he was an Armt. (presumably armament) Staff Sergeant in the AOC and gives his regiment number as T. 949.

Pinetree

[jim1]

I think I may have found one of them.
Walter Shave 77837 Farrier Sgt.  R.H.A. A/172 Bde. (A Batt.)
Went on the SWB list 1918.
Brigade C/O Major Seebag Montefiore.
In 1916 Walter would have been 42. Does he look that age ?
The 172 Bde. was attached to the 36th. Ulster Div.
1916
The whole Division finally took over a complete section of the front line on 7 February, between the River Ancre and the Mailly-Maillet to Serre road. Division HQ was at Acheux. In the first week of March, the Division extended its front, the 109th Brigade taking over the sector south of the Ancre, known by the name of Thiepval Wood.
The Division remained in the Western Front in France and Flanders throughout the rest of the war and took part in the following engagements:
The Battle of Albert in which the Division attacked at the Schwaben Redoubt near Thiepval.
The Division was relieved on 2 July, having suffered 5104 casualties of who approximately 2069 died.
Battle of the Somme 1916

1917
The Battle of Messines, in which the Division captured Wytschaete
The Battle of Langemarck
Third Battles of Ypres 1917
The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood

1918
The Battle of St Quentin

This map, an extract of a larger map from the British Official History, shows the ground over which the Ulstermen attacked on 1 July. Their front line skirted the northern edge of Thiepval wood, facing a gentle upward slope toward Schwaben Redoubt, a defensive complex in the second main German trench system north of Thiepval.

[Pinetree]

Jim,

Thank you so much for that I am sure it is right because I know my Grandfather served under Major Seebag Montefiore.

Sgt. Shave in the picture could well be 42.  My Grandfather would have been 28 in 1916 and I would say he looks to be the youngest of the sitters.

I think I may have a candidate for RSM Welch - I have found a Philip Welch who retired as a Chelsea pensioner in 1905, rank ACTING SERGEANT MAJOR (COLOR SERGEANT).  In 1911 he was a uniform outfitter in Clapham.  He was born in 1865 so would have been 51 in 1916, would that be too old or do you think he is a possibility?  I would say he is the oldest on the photograph.

Thank you again for your help, it's amazing to find out where "somewhere in France" was almost 100 years later 

Pinetree

[jim1]

51 is too old.

jim

[Rudolf H B]

Temporary Regimental Serjeant Major
George Amos Welch

British Army Royal Field Artillery,
Service #L/32710

[jim1]

Temporary Regimental Serjeant Major
George Amos Welch

British Army Royal Field Artillery,
Service #L/32710

Looks like your man.
Re-enlisted 1915 after completing his 21 years under the Colours. Aged 45.
Transferred on re-enlistment to the 172nd. Brigade.
Promoted to full RSM 1917 while with the 36th. Div.

Found 4  Sgt. McCormack's RFA. None with an "a"
Found 5 Sgt. Dent's RFA.

[Pinetree]

I am now the current custodian of my Grandfather’s war diaries and have found the photograph was taken on 13 February 1916 at/near Cayeux shortly before “moving up to the line”

Sunday Feb 13th

Sundry jobs in the morn and cleared up the billet. Had a visit from the Howitzer Bde. Tiffy. Attended to buffers of A Batt. They are firing tomorrow. Wrote Mother & George. Had tea here in the billet with Sgt. H and 3 French children visitors. Had our photos taken twice.

Pinetree