Ray Westlake Knihy

The author has painstakingly compiled a comprehensive compendium of the exact movements of every regiment involved on the various battlefields in France and Flanders during World War One.

The Territorials 1908-1914 is a unique, comprehensive record of the part-time soldiers who made up the Territorial Force that supported the regular army in the years immediately before the outbreak of the First World War. The origin, aims and organization of the Territorial Force are described as well as the terms of service, recruitment, equipment and training. But the bulk of the book consists of details of over 600 Territorial units plus a comprehensive account of every city, town or village associated with them. Essential information on the all the infantry formations is supplied, but also covered are the yeomanry, the artillery, the engineers, the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Army Service Corps.

The author's previous three books in this series - British Battalions on the Somme, 1916, British Regiments at Gallipoli andBritish Battalions in France and Belgium, 1914 have achieved all that they set out to do. On the historical side it is now agreed by a large number of grateful historians, researchers, museum curators, librarians etc. that for the first time they are able to establish quickly and conveniently what part each unit played in these important campaigns. It was also intended to provide family historians with a means of tracing the war service of their relatives. This again has been accomplished. British Battalions in France and Belgium, January- June, 1915 sets out with the same objectives in mind, on this occasion providing a unique account of the 291 infantry battalions of the British Army that served in France and Belgium from 1st January to the end of June, 1915. Over 500 volumes of war diaries and unit histories have been consulted, along with personal memoirs and diaries. Detailed records of movements, both in and out of battle areas and on a day-by-day basis, being covered in the same meticulous style as before.

The Battle of the Somme was the bloodiest battle of the First World War. Here, the author has collated all the information gathered, to produce a comprehensive compendium of the exact movements of every battalion involved in the battle.

This Index has been extended from those included with Major Becke s original five-volume work (confined generally to Divisional and Brigade references) so as to provide, for the first time, references to the smaller formations battalions, artillery batteries, field companies, field ambulances, machine gun companies, trench mortar batteries, mobile veterinary sections etc. that made up the several divisions covered by Order of Battle of Divisions Parts 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B. Page references have been recorded by part number, followed by a forward slash, then page number. In this way a unit appearing on pages 21 of Part 2B and 45 of Part 3A, for example, is shown in the Index as: 2B/21...3A/45. To gather the complete story of a unit (as recorded by Becke) it is recommended that the researcher, having dealt with the main Order of Battle tables and General Notes sections (both indexed) set out for each division, then reads the pages dealing with Formation, Battles, and Engagements (not indexed) where often additional references have been made. Likewise, Notes on Order of Battle pages (not indexed) should also be studied thoroughly. It has not been felt necessary to include Part 4 (Army Council, GHQs, Armies and Corps) in this Index as the existing Contents and Index pages are comprehensively set out and adequate.

Introduced in 1878, the Home Service Helmet featured a distinctive helmet plate that has become a coveted item among militaria collectors. The book delves into the historical significance and evolution of this iconic headdress, highlighting its appeal and the intricate details that make it a prized possession for enthusiasts.

Focusing on the historical development of British infantry regiments, this book details the formation dates, colonel names before 1751, title changes, and battle honors up to 1881. It offers insights into uniforms and badges, including badge authorization dates valuable for collectors. The text also highlights regimental histories for further research and presents information about the 110th to 135th Regiments of Foot, many of which were short-lived. With 146 illustrations, primarily in color, it serves as a comprehensive reference organized by regiment.

The book offers a detailed account of the campaigns and overseas services of English and Welsh line infantry regiments established after the British Army's 1881 reorganization. Spanning from Tangier in 1662 to Bosnia in the 1990s, it includes comprehensive records of each regiment's movements, battles, and engagements. Key features encompass campaign details, regimental titles, nicknames, uniform descriptions with facing colors, badges, insignia, and rare photographs that showcase the history and evolution of these military units.

Focusing on the structure of Line Infantry Regiments from 1881 to the onset of the First World War, this book provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the 'Regimental Family.' It builds upon a previous guide covering earlier regiments and includes detailed information on new 'Territorial' or 'Country Regiments,' alongside their Militia, Volunteer, and Territorial Force Battalions, as well as Cadet units. With 627 color plates and contemporary photographs, it serves as an invaluable reference for those interested in British Army history.

Featuring 143 color images, this guide explores British cavalry uniforms and badges from 1660 to 1914 through old prints, pictures, and postcards. Each image is accompanied by detailed descriptions, providing insight into the historical context and evolution of military attire. This visual resource serves as a valuable reference for enthusiasts of military history and collectors of vintage memorabilia.