It's a long way to Tipperary

Oldbury, Langley and Warley Local History have unveiled a blue plaque dedicated to Jack Judge, the composer of the WWI Marching Song “Tipperary”.

At the ceremony was the granddaughter of Jack Judge, Gillian Nicklin, Alderman Martin Prestidge and local history expert Dr Terry Daniels who is the Chair of the Oldbury Local History Group.

The Plaque is on the wall of the Rights and Equality Sandwell in Oldbury overlooking the site where Jack Judge sold fish before his career as a Music Hall performer and Composer.

His Son was Private John Judge 35506 8th Bn RWF John Judge born 1897 Oldbury Worcestershire son of Jack Judge and Ann Jane of 23 Low Town Oldbury Birmingham. He had brothers Thomas b.1902, James b.1905 and sister b. Jane Ann 1900.One of the songs that became famous during the Great War “It’s a long long way to Tipperarry” one of the troops famous marching songs as popular at home as on the battlefields of France and Flanders. Written and composed by Jack Judge and Harry Williams first recorded in 1914. Jack’s son John enlisted Birmingham 30th Oct. 1915 into the RWF at the age of 18 years 11 months at the James Watt Recruiting Station, James Watt Street, he stood 5ft 8inches tall, brown hair, grey eyes, weighed 125lbs, 35 inch chest with 2 inch expansion. Posted 3rd Bn for training at Litherland 5th Nov.1915 

Posted 8th Bn and with the MEF 25th April he embarked at Devonport 28th April 1916. Disembarked Basra 1st June. Admitted to hospital Sheikh Saad on 1st July rejoined his unit 19th Aug.1916. Killed in action at Basra 15th Feb.1917 Remembered on Basra Memorial panel 15 Iraq. Total service; Home 30th Oct.1915 until 24th April 1916; MEF 25th April 1916 until 15th Feb. 1917. British War and Victory medal.

On this day in RWF history - 30th August 1918

Have you seen the fantastic Flintshire War Memorials website?

http://www.flintshirewarmemorials.com/memorials/hawarden-memorial/hawarden-sodliers-2/richard-hugh-jones/

On the 2nd October, 1917, Richard Hugh had enlisted. He was killed less than a year later, on the 30th August 1918 aged 19. Less than 3 months later the war was over!

Can you help us find photos of the RWF who fell in WW1?

ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY 25TH AUGUST 1918

Today 1918, Lance Corporal Henry Weale of Shotton, North Wales was awarded the Victoria Cross after his gallantry at Bazentin-le-Grand in France.
Henry was serving with the 14th battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The British advance was being held up German machine gun posts which Weale was ordered to neutralise.

"When his Lewis gun failed him, on his own initiative, he rushed the nearest post and killed the crew, then went for the others, the crews of which fled on his approach. His dashing action cleared the way for the advance, inspired his comrades and resulted in the capture of all the machine-guns."

Henry Weale survived the war and lived in Rhyl until his death in 1959.

Killed today 1918, Private Henry Hutt of Llandudno who also served with the 14th battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

25th August 1756 ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

2nd Battalion formed for the first time at Leicester, 1756

This was the first time that the Regiment had a 2nd Battalion. It lasted only for two years, but was reactivated many times during the Regiment’s history, the longest period being the ninety years from 1858  to 1948.

14th August 1900 ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

14th August 1900 ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

2nd Bn at relief of Peking [Beijing], China, 1900
A secret society known as ‘Boxers’ was dedicated to the extirpation of all foreigners from the Chinese empire. Missionaries were murdered and foreign legations in Peking besieged. An international force was dispatched, including 2 RWF from Hong Kong. The force was opposed on its journey by rail and foot to
Peking which it reached on 13 August, nearly 2 months after it set off from the coast. The next day the RWF and US Marines entered via the sewers. The battle honour PEKIN 1900 was granted and the link with United States Marine Corps was forged.

20th July 1916 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Cpl JJ Davies and Pte A Hill won VCs, 1916

10 RWF attacked Delville Wood in support of the South Africans. In the dark Cpl Davies and six men became separated from their company. From a shell hole they held up a German counter-attack and then drove the enemy off with the bayonet. Later Pte Hill, acting on his own, dispersed twenty of the enemy before helping to bring in some wounded men under enemy fire. They both received a VC.

On the 20th July 1916, at Delville Wood, Corporal Davies and eight men were surrounded during an enemy counter-attack. Taking cover in a shell hole, they repulsed the attackers with grenades and rapid fire. He then followed up the retreating party of Germans and bayoneted several of them. All the officers had become casualties, Corporal Davies, badly wounded in a shoulder, took charge and led two attacks and kept a tight control of the reserves.

On the 20th July 1916, at Delville Wood, when the battalion had deployed under very heavy fire for an attack he dashed forward, when the order to charge was given, and meeting two of the enemy suddenly, bayoneted them both. He was sent later by his platoo, sergeant to get in touch with the company, and finding himself cut off and almost surrounded by some twenty of the enemy, attacked them with bombs, killing and wounded many and scattering the remainder. He then joined a sergeant and helped him to find the way back to the lines. When he got back, hearing that his Company Officer and a scout were lying out wounded, he went out and assisted in bringing in the wounded officer, two other men bringing in the scout. Finlly, he himself captured and brought in as prisoners two of the enemy.