The Northumberland Fusiliers and the Great War

1. The Northumberland Fusiliers and the Great War

2. 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers • When war broke out in August 1914 they took on a defensive role and after additional training they proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme and Battles of the Lys and Hindenburg Line.

3. The Fusiliers in World War One The Northumberland Fusiliers raised more battalions during the war than any other of the regular army regiments, 51 in all.

5. 14th (Service) Battalion was taken while they were carrying out basic training at Halton Park

6. The regiment expanded from seven pre-war to 52 battalions of which 29 served overseas. The battalions mostly saw action on the Western Front, but also in Macedonia, Gallipoli, Egypt and Italy.

7. They earned 67 battle honours and won five Victoria Crosses

8. James Johnson ‘For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the morning of the 14th October 1918, during operations by strong patrols. He repelled frequent counter attacks and for six hours under heavy fire he held back the enemy. When at length he was ordered to re fire he was the last to leave, carrying a wounded man. Three times subsequently this officer returned and brought in badly wounded men under intense enemy machine-gun fire. His valour, cheerfulness and utter disregard for danger inspired us all.’

9. Sidney Brewin ‘He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during an advance while in charge of a carrying party. Despite being severely wounded himself, he refused to return to the dressing station until he had completed his tasks.’

10. St Eloi Attack The momentum of the Fusiliers' attack was slowed by the German barbed wire defences. This illustration shows the determined men trying to get through the wire, suffering torn flesh and clothing. But the attack was before dawn and should not show any daylight. The high parapet of the German trench is nowhere to be seen and the trench itself does not look destroyed as in fact it was. The first Germans they came across were either buried under mud or too dazed to resist but these Germans look as if they are ready to fight, except for the overweight man in a helmet. The Fusiliers themselves are wearing the newly issued steel helmets which replaced the soft khaki forage caps in 1916.