Searching for some RWF family members re 75th Anniversary of liberation of Reusel, Holland

Can you help?


Looking for family members of
LSgt. Herbert Hughes (4200194) 6th. Bat. Royal Welch Fusiliers.(Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales)
KIA 25th. September 1944 in Reusel.

Also looking for family members of

Fus. William Owen Traynor (4209383) 6th. Bat. Royal Welch Fusiliers ( Northwich, Cheshire, England) KIA 25th. September 1944 in Reusel.


This in connection with: 75th. Anniversary of the liberation of Reusel (Holland).



Contact Shirley@rwfmuseum.wales

Lt John Shingler MC

4 September 1918 ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Lieutenant J.S.M Shingler MC Died of Wounds

Lt John Shingler was commanding A Company of the 4th Battalion, The Royal Welsh Fusiliers  when he was mortally wounded by shell fire. 4 RWF were a pioneer battalion. Pioneer Battalions were used to conduct light engineering tasks in and to the rear of the front line. They were often also used in Tunnelling Operations. 4 RWF was a volunteer Territorial Force battalion recruited in Denbighshire, principally from the miners of the Wrexham Coal Fields. This made them suitable for pioneer duties and they were the first of the RWF Territorial Force Battalions to be deployed overseas on operations in France. The officers seen in the attached photograph are believed to include Shingler sitting on the left of the group. Notice on this group of officer’s jacket lapels they wear the crossed rifle and pickaxe badges which denote that these officers are from a pioneer battalion. They also have a coloured patch on their arms. 4 RWF served as the Pioneer battalion for the 47th (2nd London) Division. Units in this division were identified by the colour of the patch, either Yellow, Green or Red, dependent on the Brigade within the Division and then the shape of a playing card symbol (diamonds etc) to denote the Battalion within the Brigade. Unfortunately the colour of the 4 RWF patch was not recored. Notice also the nick names for the officers in the photo which were written on the rear of the photo.  Lt John Shingler’s service record is shown below. The final photograph shows John's temporary Grave in France.

Shingler J.S.M.    Lt     MC
John Stanley Marsh Shingler, was born at Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia, the son of Sarah Elizabeth and the late John Hilton Shingler of Scotland Street, Ellesmere. Shrops, was educated at Ellesmere College, and served with the College Contingent Junior Division, OTC. Was commissioned 2/Lt (11/11/14) to 4 RWF joining the battalion in France. Then converted to a  Pioneer Battalion in Sept 1915 in the 47th London Div, he was promoted Temp Lt (2/3/16) and Lt (1/6/16).Was gazetted (20/7/16) A/Capt and while working on the trenching and tramway along the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge, he was awarded the MC 6 Jul 1917 for an action on the 11/12th Jun at Bluff Tunnels. He commanded D Coy, but lost his company in the battalion re-organization 27 Jan 1918 when his coy was split into three platoons and transferred, one to each of the other Coys in the         battalion. Later he commanded A Coy (28/6/18) with the rank of A/Capt, was wounded in mopping up operations at St. Pierre Vasst Wood 2 Sept, and died of wounds 4 Sept 1918 age 25. Buried Dernancourt Communal Cemy Extension, France.

MC Citation :- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at a critical moment when hostile shell fire was constantly concentrated upon his platoon, who were working in a trench. He steadied and collected his men, going up and down the trench for the purpose, and showing utter disregard of his own safety while doing so. He led them then from the shelled area, afterwards taking them back to their work and completing it with success before day-light. Throughout the operation he has displayed coolness and untiring energy when employed on similar work.

MC (LG 25/8/17).

Brigadier General Arthur Lowry-Cole CB, DSO

9th May 1915 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY
Brigadier General Arthur Lowry-Cole CB, DSO died of wounds.
On this day Brigadier General Lowry-Cole died of wounds commanding the 25th Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, at the Battle of Aubers Ridge, France. He is buried at Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery, Fleurbaix Pas de Calais France Plot - E. 22. Arthur Lowry-Cole was the most senior Royal Welch Fusilier officer to die as a result of combat in the First World War.
His full service history can be seen below:
Cole, Arthur Willoughby George Lowry Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, was born 29 November 1860, eldest son of Colonel A L Cole.
He became a Second Lieutenant, 23rd Foot, 11 August 1880, and Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1 July 1881. He served with the Burmese Expedition, 1885-87 (Despatches [London Gazette, 2 September 1887] Medal with clasp). He became Captain 22 January 1890, and was Adjutant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 23 April 1894 to 30 January 1898.
Captain Cole served in West Africa, 1897-98 (Borgu Medal with clasp). From 31 January 1898 to 15 February 1901, he was employed with the West African Frontier Force; was promoted Major 11 January 1899. He served in West Africa (Northern Nigeria), 1900 (severely wounded); Munshi Expedition (in command), and Kaduna Expedition (Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April, 1901]; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 29 November 1902; clasp). Again in West Africa (Northern Nigeria), 1900, with the Expedition against Chief of Tawari; in command (Despatches [London Gazette, 18 April, 1902]; Medal with clasp).
He served in the South African War, 1901-2; commanded Depot Battalion, Green Point; in command of 17th Mounted Infantry Mixed Column; afterwards Commandant, Vryburg Sub-District (Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902]; Queen's Medal with five clasps). He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Arthur Willoughby George Lowry Cole, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, The Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa".
From 12 July to 6 November 1903, he held a temporary appointment as AAG in India, and was promoted Lieutenant Colonel 24 September 1904. He was again employed with the West African Frontier Force from 24 September 1904, to 24 September 1907; was given the Brevet of Colonel 27 October 1905; was in command of the Sokoto Expedition in 1906, for which he was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 2 July 1907], and was created a CB, 1907 (Medal and clasp). He was made Colonel 25 September 1907, and on 29 October 1907, became AAG, GSO1, Peshawar Division, India. In 1912 he was appointed to the charge of Administration, Northern Command. He served in the European War, and died of wounds received in action in May 1915. Brigadier General A W G L Cole married, in 1908, Marion Gertrude, widow of Lieutenant Colonel C H Thorold. (Cited from: http://www.militarian.com/…/colonel-arthur-willoughby-geor…/)
The Rifle Brigade History of WW1 says the following of his wounding:- "The remaining troops of the 25th Brigade were herded together in the front line and assembly sap in an advanced state of disorganisation; and were so found by the Brigadier when he arrived at 6.20am - forty minutes after the attack began. In these circumstances he ordered up his Brigade reserve (two companies of the 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment) and dispatched them in support of the 13th London Regiment with orders to bomb towards the 2nd Rifle Brigade (the only battalion to make any inroads) and join up with them. Almost immediately afterwards a further stroke of misfortune befell the attackers. In some mysterious manner, which has never been explained, an order to retire was circulated among the troops out in front (8th Division's account of the operation). It does not seem to have reached the 2nd RB, nor is there any record of it in their diaries, but from all directions men began retiring towards the original line. With conspicuous gallantry Brigadier General Lowry Cole sprang up on the parapet and succeeded in restoring order. The action cost him his life, for he was mortally wounded. This fatality put Colonel Stephens of the 2nd Rifle Brigade in command of the 25th Brigade. But Colonel Stephens was forward in the trenches captured by the 2nd Rifle Brigade, and it was some hours before he could be informed, and some hours later before he could leave his battalion in order to take over. (Cited from: http://www.militarian.com/…/colonel-arthur-willoughby-geor…/)