Staffordshire’s War Horse – Christ Church
Read the story of the Staffordshire war horse, Christ Church, in the Warhorse article published by the Sunday Mercury
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Welcome to our blog. Here you’ll find contributions from local historians and experts on the subject of Staffordshire’s involvement in the Great War, and on the commemorative events taking place throughout the County.
Search for a Lost Mural
Lee Dent and Richard Pursehouse of the Chase project are searching for a 69-foot mural created by the men of the Staffordshire regiments to commemorate their part in the Great War. The Sunday Mercury tells the tale of the search BSM.07.1ST.SM.024 BSM.07.1ST.SM.025.
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Miners and World War 1
In Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding districts thousands of miners lived and worked at the outbreak of the so called War to end all Wars (1914-1918). Miners were divided into two sections, one half were in Europe fighting and getting killed and wounded in the trenches, the other half were still in Great Britain fighting for…
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Who was Bohemian Jack ?
Jack Braithwaite was executed by firing squad on October 29th 1916. At his court martial he openly admitted – ‘I am not a born soldier, just a Bohemian journalist.’ Now, 100 years later, an official pardon has been issued by Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, and his name will be included at the Shot…
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Lance Corporal Harry Billing
Harry Billing, aged 20 – 1/5 the Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment – was one of seven Leek men to die on the first day of the Battle of the Somme – 1st July 1916 – the worst single day for the town in terms of casualties in any war. He was the eldest of five children and…
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Anzacs, New Zealand and Cannock Chase
Geoff McMillan from Waikanae in New Zealand was in Staffordshire last April to attend the ANZAC Commemoration at the Commonwealth War Graves on Cannock Chase where his uncle is buried. He became aware of the ‘Staffordshire Knot’ and was surprised to see a cap with the insignia at a World War 1 display – funded by Sir Peter…
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Sergeant John Mulliner MM
During the First World War John Mulliner, a soldier in the North Staffordshire Regiment who was born in Madeley, was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in action against the enemy. Like so many awards of the Military Medal no citation exists nor is there any other record stating the exact circumstances that resulted in…
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Researching a Relative’s Service in the Great War
Researching the war service of a relative during the Great War can be a rewarding experience, but anyone wishing to undertake such a project must be prepared for disappointments or even the possibility of drawing a complete blank. However, when in 1993 Andrew Thornton began to uncover the story of his Great-Grandfather, Private (later Company-Sergeant-Major) William…
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Uriah Talbot
Uriah Talbot was born at Hednesford in 1896 and was the second son of Henry Charles and Emily Ann Talbot. Henry came from Congreve, Staffordshire and was a coal miner and his wife came from Brewood, Staffordshire. The couple had married at Cannock in 1889, and Emily’s maiden name was Bailey. Their first child was…
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Captain Worthington, a Bible and the Battle of Loos
On October 13th 1915, Captain Worthington, a 29 year old officer of the North Staffordshire Regiment, was one of the first men to climb out of a trench onto the parapet leading his troops to attack the German machine position at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Facing a hail of bullets he was one of the few…
Read more ▸News Archives
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Staffordshire’s War Horse – Christ Church
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Search for a Lost Mural
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Miners and World War 1
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Who was Bohemian Jack ?
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Lance Corporal Harry Billing
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Anzacs, New Zealand and Cannock Chase
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Sergeant John Mulliner MM
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Researching a Relative’s Service in the Great War
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Uriah Talbot
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Captain Worthington, a Bible and the Battle of Loos