Lives of the First World War

Source information

ID: 6202025

Reference: ADM339

Title: Royal Naval Division Service Records 1914-1920

Description: The British Royal Naval Division was made up of men from the Royal Navy and its reserve forces. These men, who were not needed at sea, fought on land alongside the Army during World War One. The records cover more than 50,000 officers and ratings who joined the Royal Naval Division or who passed through Crystal Palace, London when it was used as an initial training centre during the First World War.

UPP: GBM/ADM339/6779

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 8629826

Title: Able Seaman Horace Holmes 28/12/1897 - 27/09/1918

Description: Able Seaman Horace Holmes 28/12/1897 - 27/09/1918 Drake Bn, Royal Naval Division Horace was born in Walsall, the son of George and Annie Holmes of 333, Pleck Road, Walsall. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on Wednesday 23/08/1916 and was drafted to France on Monday 04/12/1916. Together with the Anson and Hawke Bns, his bn attacked and seized the town of Graincourt, south of Inchy, on the day of his death. The attack commenced at 5.50 am from positions in the west of Moeuvres with the Drake Bn supporting the Anson Bn. At 2.15 pm a heavy bombardment was laid on Anneux and Graincourt after which the Royal Naval bns advanced and took both villages. A German counter attack at 6.30 pm was beaten off without loss.

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