Royal Sussex Regiment - 12th (2nd South Downs) Battalion

Royal Sussex Regiment - 12th (2nd South Downs) Battalion

The 11th, 12th and 13th Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment, consisting of approximately 4,500 men, were known colloquially as “Lowther’s Lambs”. This was a reference to local MP Claude Lowther, who had taken personal responsibility for raising the battalions. The 12th and 13th Battalions, supported by the 11th, were sacrificed in a diversionary raid on the Boar’s Head salient at Richebourg on 30th June 1916 in an attempt to draw German attention away from the main Somme battle area further south. The Battle at Boar’s Head lasted less than five hours, but the Southdowns Brigade lost 17 officers and 349 other ranks. Over 1,000 men were wounded or taken prisoner, and the 13th Battalion was all but wiped out. June 30th 1916 was subsequently known as “The Day Sussex Died”. This community remembers the lives of men who served with the 12th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, whether they took part in the battle at Boar's Head or not, and includes all those who died, were wounded, or somehow survived relatively unscathed.

Created by: , Yvonne27542

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  • British Army SD/2396 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

    British Army G/6625 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for Robert Henry Lucas

    Born 1893

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/1772 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for Joe Mace

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/2112 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • British Army 1437 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

    British Army 230303 Private Labour Corps

  • British Army SD/2212 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for John George Sumner

    Born 1897

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/1859 Corporal Royal Sussex Regiment

    British Army SD1859 corporal Royal Sussex Regiment

    British Army 1859 Sergeant Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Died 1916

    British Army SD/1912 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for Herbert Arthur Simmons

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/1457 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for Charles Reginald Smart

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/2018 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for Leonard Leighton Moody

    Born 1895

    Died 1916

    British Army 1977 Corporal Royal Sussex Regiment

    British Army Second Lieutenant Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for Cyril Bartlett

    Born 1892

    Died 1917

    British Army 85 Private Australian Voluntary Hospital

    British Army Major Royal Sussex Regiment

  • British Army Second Lieutenant att 1st Lancashire Fusiliers

    British Army Captain Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for Frederick George Richford

    Born 1876

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/1858 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Profile picture for Frederick William Sexton

    Born 1888

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/5132 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

    British Army SD/5132 Private Royal Sussex Reg't 12th Batt

    British Army Royal Sussex Reg't

  • Profile picture for Nelson Victor Carter

    Born 1887

    Died 1916

    British Army Royal Garrison Artillery

    British Army 4 Company Sergeant Major Royal Sussex Regiment 12th Battalion

    British Army 4 Acting Regimental Sergeant Major Royal Sussex Regiment 12th Battalion

  • Profile picture for William Henry Clarke

    Born 1886

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/3746 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Born 1896

    British Army G/3409 Corporal Royal Sussex Regiment 9th Bn.

    British Army G/3409 Private Royal Sussex Regiment 13th Bn.

  • Profile picture for Thomas George Chapple

    Born 1892

    Died 1918

    British Army SD/1287 Private Royal Sussex Regiment 12th (2nd South Downs) Battalion

    British Army SD/1287 Private Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd Battalion

  • Born 1895

    British Army 2354 Private Royal Sussex Regiment Depot

    British Army 2354 Private Royal Sussex Regiment 3rd Battalion

    British Army 230440 Private Labour Corps 612 Employment Company

  • Profile picture for Herbert Alfred Henty

    Born 1897

    Died 1916

    British Army SD/1360 Private Royal Sussex Regiment 12th (2nd South Downs) Battalion