Wandsworth and Battersea Battalions in the Great War (7 reviews)
by Paul McCue
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Found in: World War One Books
London Books
Hardback
240 pages
ISBN: 9781848841949
Published: 28 April 2010
by Paul McCue
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Found in: World War One Books
London Books
Hardback
240 pages
ISBN: 9781848841949
Published: 28 April 2010
£25.00
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In 1915 Lord Kitchener extended his famous “Your Country Needs You” recruitment campaign by appealing to the Mayors of the London Metropolitan Boroughs, urging each Mayor to raise a unit of local men for active service overseas.
In south-west London, the response from two neighbouring boroughs, Wandsworth and Battersea, could not have been more different. In Wandsworth, Mayor Dawnay personally took up the challenge and soon recruited, for the East Surrey Regiment, double the number of men needed for an infantry battalion. In Battersea, however, there was initially no more than lukewarm interest, partly due to the local Territorial Force unit, the 23rd London Regiment, having expanded from one to three battalions thanks to thousands of earlier volunteers.
But as Wandsworth’s efforts bore fruit, Battersea too pledged to raise a full infantry battalion. Mirroring the different political leanings of the two boroughs, Mayor Simmons pledged Battersea’s battalion to the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment.
Wandsworth’s 13th East Surreys and Battersea’s 10th Queen’s both served with honour and distinction. But they, and the communities from which they came, also suffered thousands of men wounded and killed. This sacrifice cemented links with France, Belgium and Italy that continue today. From the early tragic death of an adventurous boy of just 15, to the heroic deeds of a dustman who won the Victoria Cross, this book describes the pain and the glory of the volunteers of Wandsworth and Battersea on the Western Front.
Born in Yorkshire in 1958 , Paul McCue graduated from the University of Birmingham. His working life began with Laker Airways. He is currently a Director in an inner London local authority. Interests in local and military history led him to research and write Dunsfold, Surrey’s Most Secret Airfield (1992). This was followed by SAS Operation Bulbasket and Behind Enemy Lines with the SAS, both with Pen and Sword
Paul McCue lives in Surrey.
In south-west London, the response from two neighbouring boroughs, Wandsworth and Battersea, could not have been more different. In Wandsworth, Mayor Dawnay personally took up the challenge and soon recruited, for the East Surrey Regiment, double the number of men needed for an infantry battalion. In Battersea, however, there was initially no more than lukewarm interest, partly due to the local Territorial Force unit, the 23rd London Regiment, having expanded from one to three battalions thanks to thousands of earlier volunteers.
But as Wandsworth’s efforts bore fruit, Battersea too pledged to raise a full infantry battalion. Mirroring the different political leanings of the two boroughs, Mayor Simmons pledged Battersea’s battalion to the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment.
Wandsworth’s 13th East Surreys and Battersea’s 10th Queen’s both served with honour and distinction. But they, and the communities from which they came, also suffered thousands of men wounded and killed. This sacrifice cemented links with France, Belgium and Italy that continue today. From the early tragic death of an adventurous boy of just 15, to the heroic deeds of a dustman who won the Victoria Cross, this book describes the pain and the glory of the volunteers of Wandsworth and Battersea on the Western Front.
Born in Yorkshire in 1958 , Paul McCue graduated from the University of Birmingham. His working life began with Laker Airways. He is currently a Director in an inner London local authority. Interests in local and military history led him to research and write Dunsfold, Surrey’s Most Secret Airfield (1992). This was followed by SAS Operation Bulbasket and Behind Enemy Lines with the SAS, both with Pen and Sword
Paul McCue lives in Surrey.
Another excellent addition to Pen & Sword’s ever growing and impressive histories of specific battalions and units during the great war. Well researched and written with a wealth of illustrations this is a fitting... [read full review]
Great War Handbook
The author has done his job well, produced an informative and well-researched history and I am glad to have it in my - now quite large - Service battalion sectionThe Western Front Stand To! Magazine
In 1915 Kitchener extended his famous cry ‘’your country needs you’’ by calling for each Mayor in London to raise a local unit for active service overseas. This is the story of one of themPennant Magazine
A worthy addition to the series and a commended purchase for those with an interest in the parent regiments or boroughs.SOFNAM Newsletter Spring 2011
The year was 1914, the six month war, which was to be over by Christmas had suffered great casualties, a harrowing scar in a proud British barrier. It was evident to both the British army... [read full review]Tom
In 1915 Lord Kitchener extended his famous “Your Country Needs You” recruitment campaign by appealing to the Mayors of the London Metropolitan Boroughs, urging each Mayor to raise a unit of local men for active... [read full review]Spartacus Educational
Paul McCue starts each section with a detailed history of each area in question. This is important, but I would probably give a very bried overview of the early history, with more emphasis on the... [read full review]Daly History Blog
The 9th East Surrey in the Great War
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