4th Territorial Battalion

The 4th Battalion (Bn) was committed to several British sectors and took part in several assaults on the German front line, but during the Spring of 1918 it was purely rear guard actions in the face of successive German attacks.

Select the links below to learn more about the 4th Bn involvement in each of these sectors and battles.

Ypres Salient (Belgium)

21 Apr 1915 - 10 Aug 1916

Battle of St Julien

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Apr - 4 May 1915

Less than a week after their departure from Newcastle, the Bn are tasked, at very short notice, with a frontal assault on the German lines near the village of St Julien.

Battle of Bellewarde

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24 - 25 May 1915

After a heavy artillery bombardment and gas attack the Germans breach the front line near Turco Farm, to the north east of Ypres. The 4th Bn, at rest near Brielen, are called forward to support the 4th Divn between Turco Farm and the St Jean - Wieltje road.

11 - 19 Jun 1915

On the 10th of Jun the Northumberland Bde replaced the 7th Bde in the Sanctuary Wood trenches. On the 16th they gave fire support to the 9th Bde during an attack on Bellewarde.

Wulverghem

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21 Jun - 12 Jul 1915

Tour in a relatively quiet sector below the Messines Ridge.

Armentieres Sector

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16 Jul - 31st Dec 1915

The 50th (Northumbrian) Divn, including the 4th Bn, occupy trenches to the east of the town of Armentieres.

Hill 60

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1 Jan - 5 Feb 1916

7 - 14 Mar 1916

The 50th (Northumbrian) Divn man trenches in and around this notorious landmark, the 4th Bn taking its turn in the line.

Sanctuary Wood, Maple Copse

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9 Feb - 3 Mar 1916

The 50th (Northumbrian) Divn man trenches in and around this notorious landmark, the 4th Bn taking its turn in the line.

Armagh Wood

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Square Wood

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Wyschaete Sector

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3 Apr - Aug 1916

The Somme (France)

11 Aug 1916 - 8 Apr 1917

Battle of Flers - Courcelette

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15 - 22 Sep 1916

First set piece battle involving the 4th Bn. Assault on German trenches on the western edge of the infamous High Wood.

Morval

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25 - 28 Sep 1916

4th Bn held in reserve by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, but provided working parties by day and night.

Transloy Ridges

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1 - 18 Oct 1916

4th Bn held in reserve at Millencourt and spent most of the time training.

12 - 19 Nov 1916

The 4th Bn support attacks made by the 149th Bde on Gird Trench and Hook Sap.

Somme Trenches

Arras (France)

9 Apr 1917 - 17 Oct 1917

First Battle of the Scarpe

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9 - 14 Apr 1917

4th Battalion move to the front line south east of the town of Arras

Second Battle of the Scarpe

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23 - 24 Apr 1917

4th Battalion move to the front line near Wancourt Tower, south east of Arras

Front line near Cherisy

Incomplete

Passchendaele (Belgium)

18 Oct 1917 - 22 Feb 1918

Second Battle of Passchendaele

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The Somme (France)

23 Feb 1918 - 3 Apr 1918

Battle of St Quentin

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Somme Crossings

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Battle of Rosieres

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The Lys (France)

4 Apr - 26 Apr 1918

9 - 15 Apr 1918

Defensive actions by 50th (Northumbrian) Divn in the face of the second German Spring offensive launched in the River Lys area. The 4th Bns' role was to help defend the bridges over the River Lys in the small town of Estaires. After 24 hours of fighting the 4th, along with its sister Bns, was forced out of the town by the enemy. In the days that followed the whole Divn, sadly depleted in numbers, continued to fight but steadily withdrew to the northwest, until the enemy advance ran out of steam.

The Aisne (France)

27 Apr 1918 -

The Battle of the Aisne

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27 May - 6 Jun 1918 (German offensive)

The 4th Bn was decimated during the third and final German Spring offensive, with the majority of the men either killed or captured when their positions were overrun.

2 Jun 1918

Three composite battalions were formed out of all the fit men left in the 50th Division

5 Jul 1918

All the battalions of the 50th Division are reduced to training cadre strength, with all surplus personnel transferred to the Base. The 50th Divn is the reconstituted with completely different battalions.

15 Aug 1918

Cadre Bn joined the 118th Bde, 39th Divn as a Training Cadre on 16th Aug 1918. Disbanded 10th November 1918