Frederick Rhodes Plant
18 May 1892 - 17 August 1964

Harold George Plant
1 September 1894 - 1991

Written and researched by John Catlif

This is the story of local soldiers Private Frederick Rhodes Plant and his brother Private Harold George Plant.

Their father, Reice Rhodes Plant, married Sarah Ellen Mumford in 1888; Reice was a Railway Wagon Builder by trade, employed by the Cannock Chase Colliery for most of his working life.

Reice married Sarah Ellen Mumford in 1888.

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When Reice and Sarah married they lived in Ball Lane, Burntwood. In the 1891 census they had two daughters, Catherine and Elsie. Also living at the same address were Annie Plant (Dressmaker, Sister, aged 27) and Miriam Alice Mumford (Sister-in-Law aged 20).

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In the 1901 census the family were living at 4 Farewell Lane, Burntwood, with their seven children. They were now Caretakers of the school in Coulters Lane, and living in the Old School House.

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The Elizabeth Ball Charity School was built in 1769 on the corner of Church Road and Coulter Lane. The Plaque above the door of the School reads “This School was erected and endowed by Mrs Elizabeth Ball for the education of the poor children of this neighbourhood A. D. 1769. Go and Do Likewise”. A house was erected next to the School for the master. 

After the opening of Burntwood School in Church Road in 1879, the Elizabeth Ball School was used as a Sunday school, with average attendances of 250 on Sundays; it was also used as a Night School. In 1890 it was reopened as a School but by 1898 it had closed down again. In 1904 a School Hall was erected, and the the Old School House was occupied by the Caretakers. The Hall was used for the Sunday school, also Meetings and Social gatherings, mainly connected with the Parish Church. The Hall was the venue of Dances, Weddings and Concerts. 

Before 1921-1923 Reice was Caretaker of the Hall and lived in the Old School House, his daughter Lilian and her husband Alfred Derry were Caretakers from 1923 until 1944.

 Reice and Sarah finally moved to 18 Church Street, Chasetown, where they lived until their deaths. Reice`s daughter Lillian taking care of him during his later years at this address.

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The Plant children Frederick and Harold and siblings spent their childhood living in Burntwood, Frederick attended the Burntwood No 1 School, in Church Road. This School was opened in 1879 with 200 pupils; by 1896 the average attendance was 185 boys and girls, and 100 infants. Robert Mofatt was Master, and Miss Ada Spark Assistant Mistress, Miss Harriet Martin infant`s Mistress and Miss Annie Derry Assistant Mistress.

The 1870 Education Act allowed areas to elect School boards to provide Elementary Education for 5-13 year old’s, they could charge fees generally 3d or 4d per week., to be paid out of local rates, and also receive local grants. Board Schools ended with the passing of the 1902 Education Act. Councils were then made responsible for all types of education.

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Frederick completed the required 350 attendances each year, for 5 years, at Burntwood Council School. On the 1st December 1905 aged 13 years, he was deemed of a satisfactory standard by the Stafordshire Education to be beneficially employed.

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Frederick probably worked locally for a while, possibly with his father Reice on the railways. However, he had always enjoyed painting and decided to serve an Apprenticeship in Painting Coachwork and Sign Writing. He became employed by a business in Derby and left home in Burntwood, to live with the Bakewell family at Talbot Cottage, Eggington Road, Hilton, Derbyshire.

His Apprenticeship involved undertaking correspondence courses in commercial lettering and sign writing with the International correspondence schools of London. He was a good scholar and on 23 January 1914, as part of his Apprenticeship, had completed work on the Drawing Plate called Railroad Block with 94%.

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Extract from the 1911 Census showing Frederick Plant living as a lodger with the Bakewell family

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The Great War started in August 1914 and Fred was one of the first to enlist. He joined the King`s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, joining up at Burton upon Trent on 19 November 1914, aged 22 years. 

Private 20166 Frederick Rhodes Plant soon saw action in France in campaigns 1915-1916, and was awarded a medals for his actions. His role was one of stretcher bearer to the front line.

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Frederick was involved in some of the heaviest fighting of the War around LA Boisselle on the Somme. It was here that he was injured on 8 July 1916. He received a total of eleven wounds to his right ankle, right knee, left leg, left buttock, back and left arm. However, it was the three wounds to his left arm and fractured humerus that were the most serious. Some years later he told his son that he heard a shell coming over, dived down and caught the blast on his left side. Severely wounded he walked two miles to the nearest Field Hospital.

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Pictures 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D

Pictures 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and 21E
The Bamforth “Fight the Good Fight” postcard series from the First World War

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Whilst Frederick was an apprentice and living in Hilton, Derbyshire, he used to attend dances held in the local village halls; it was at one of these that he first met Elsie Adams. Their friendship continued throughout the War years and Fred`s subsequent 13 month recovery at Norfolk War Hospital. It was here that he wrote a short poem to Elsie.

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Frederick married Elsie Adams in Wirksworth Parish Church on 4 October 1922.

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After the War, Fred set up a business in the garage next door to his home at 71, Lichfield Road, Burntwood. He also operated a Taxi Business from the premises using large American cars, (Essex, Buick, and Star). He employed part time drivers to take families to Rhyl for their holidays. During the week he organized trips to the racecourse at Warwick.

Fred was in partnership with his brothers, Len and Harold. The garage acted as an agent for Raleigh, Ariel, and Royal cycles, and all three brothers worked there repairing them.

Frederick Plant in later life

Harold George Plant

Research shows that, whilst Frederick was serving in the King`s Own Royal Lancashire Regiment, his brother Harold George Plant was employed as a Linotype Operator for the Lichfield Mercury. Harold joined the West Yorkshire Regiment as a Private with regimental number 57191. It is thought that he signed on in Lichfield.

The Lichfield Mercury is an old newspaper with a long history. The current Lichfield Mercury can be traced back to a newspaper that was first printed in September 1877 at 36-38 Bird Street. It was printed there until the mid-1960s, when printing was transferred to Tamworth. The old Bird Street premises were demolished in 1972, and new editorial and advertising offices were opened in the grade II listed building at 17 Bird Street. Until 2010 or 2011, the Lichfield Mercury had offices in Breadmarket Street. The Lichfield Mercury is now published by the Tamworth-based company Central Independent Newspapers which is part of the Daily Mail group.

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Pictures 37A, 37B, 37C, 37D and 37E
Extracts from the service record of Harold George Plant

Harold was awarded the Military Medal and was entitled to add MM after his name.

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West Yorkshire Regiment during WW1

Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and moved from a policy of maintaining the status quo to a more aggressive position. He did not renew a treaty with Russia, aligned Germany with the declining Austro-Hungarian Empire and started to build a Navy rivalling that of Britain. These actions greatly concerned Germany’s neighbours, who quickly forged new treaties and alliances in the event of war. On 28th June 1914 Franz Ferdinand the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated by the Bosnian-Serb nationalist group Young Bosnia who wanted pan-Serbian independence. Franz Joseph's the Austro-Hungarian Emperor (with the backing of Germany) responded aggressively, presenting Serbia with an intentionally unacceptable ultimatum, to provoke Serbia into war. Serbia agreed to 8 of the 10 terms and on the 28th July 1914 the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, producing a cascade effect across Europe. Russia bound by treaty to Serbia declared war with Austro-Hungary, Germany declared war with Russia and France declared war with Germany. Germany’s army crossed into neutral Belgium in order to reach Paris, forcing Britain to declare war with Germany (due to the Treaty of London (1839) whereby Britain agreed to defend Belgium in the event of invasion). By the 4th August 1914 Britain and much of Europe were pulled into a war which would last 1,566 days, cost 8,528,831 lives and 28,938,073 casualties or missing on both sides.

The Regiment raised 35 Battalions and was awarded 57 Battle Honours and 4 Victoria Crosses, losing 12,700 men during the course of the war.

1st Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed at Lichfield as part of the 18th Brigade of the 6th Division then moved to Dunfermline and then Cambridge.
10.09.1914 Mobilised for war and landed at St. Nazaire and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1914
The actions on the Aisne heights.
1915
The action at Hooge.
1916
The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval, The Battle of Le Transloy.
1917
The Battle of Hill 70, The Cambrai operations.
1918
The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bailleul, The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge, The Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge, The Advance in Flanders, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of Beaurevoir, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle.
11.11.1918 Ended the war at Fresnoy N.E. of St. Quentin.

2nd Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed at Malta.
14.09.1914 Embarked for England arriving at Southampton and moved to Hursley Park, Winchester to join the 23rd Brigade of the 8th Division.
05.11.1914 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1915
The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The action of Bois Grenier.
1916
The Battle of Albert.
1917
The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of Langemarck.
1918
The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne 1918, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Final Advance in Artois.
11.11.1918 Ended the war at Tertre west of Mons, Belgium.

3rd (Reserve) Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed at York then moved to Whitley Bay where it remained throughout the war.

4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed at York and then moved to Falmouth and then to Redcar.
April 1916 Moved to West Hartlepool where it remained.

1/5th 1/6th & 1/7th Battalion Territorial Forces
04.08.1914 The 1/5th stationed at York, the 1/6th stationed at Bradford and the 1/7th stationed at Leeds, all as part of the 1st West Riding Brigade of the West riding Division then moved to Selby and then Strensall and back to York.
Mar 1915 Moved to Gainsborough.
15.04.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne.
15.05.1915 Formation became the 146th Brigade of the 49th Division which engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1915
The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The defence against the first Phosgene attack.
1916
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette.
1917
Operations on the Flanders Coast (Hush), The Battle of Poelcapelle.
1918
The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Bailleul, The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge, The Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge, The Battle of the Scherpenberg, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of Valenciennes.
11.11.1918 Ended the war at Evin-Malmaison north of Douai, France.

1/8th Battalion (Leeds Rifles) Territorial Forces
04.08.1914 Stationed at Leeds.
as part of the 1st West Riding Brigade of the West riding Division then moved to Selby and then Strensall and back to York.
Mar 1915 Moved to Gainsborough.
15.04.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne.
15.05.1915 Formation became the 146th Brigade of the 49th Division which engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1915
The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The defence against the first Phosgene attack.
1916
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette.
1917
Operations on the Flanders Coast (Hush), The Battle of Poelcapelle.
30.01.1918 Transferred to the 185th Brigade of the 62nd Division absorbing the 2/8th battalion to form the 8th Battalion.
1918
The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Selle, The capture of Solesmes, The Battle of the Sambre.
11.11.1918 Ended the war at Mont Plaisir west of Maubeuge, France.

2/5th & 2/6th Battalion Territorial Force
28.09.1914 The 2/5th formed at York and the 2/6th formed at Bradford on the 12.09.1914, both then moved to Matlock to join the 185th Brigade of the 62nd Division.
May 1915 Moved to Thoresby Park and then Retford and then Newcastle.
Jan 1916 Moved to Salisbury Plain.
June 1916 Moved to Somerleyton near Lowestoft and then Bedford.
Jan1917 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1917
The Operations on the Ancre, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The first attack on Bullecourt, The German attack on Lagnicourt, The Battle of Bullecourt, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, The Cambrai Operations.
31.01.1918 The 2/6th disbanded.
1918
The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Tardenois.
13.08.1918 The 2/5th disbanded in Vauchelles area.

2/7th Battalion Territorial Forces
15.09.1914 Formed at Leeds then moved to Matlock to join the 185th Brigade of the 62nd division.
May 1915 Moved to Thoresby Park and then Retford and then Newcastle.
Jan 1916 Moved to Salisbury Plain
June 1916 Moved to Somerleyton near Lowestoft and then Bedford.
Jan1917 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1917
The Operations on the Ancre, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The first attack on Bullecourt, The German attack on Lagnicourt, The Battle of Bullecourt, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, The Cambrai Operations.
1918
The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras.
16.06.1918 Reduced to cadre and returned to England.
19.06.1918 Absorbed by the 18th battalion of the York & Lancaster Regiment at Brighton.

2/8th Battalion Territorial Forces
15.09.1914 Formed at Leeds then moved to Matlock to join the 185th Brigade of the 62nd division.
May 1915 Moved to Thoresby Park and then Retford and then Newcastle.
Jan 1916 Moved to Salisbury Plain.
June 1916 Moved to Somerleyton near Lowestoft and then Bedford.
Jan1917 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1917
The Operations on the Ancre, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The first attack on Bullecourt, The German attack on Lagnicourt, The Battle of Bullecourt, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, The Cambrai Operations.
01.02.1918 Absorbed by the 1/8th battalion to form the 8th Battalion.

3/5th & 3/6th Battalion Territorial Force
25.03.1915 Formed at York and Bradford.
08.04.1916 Moved to Clipstone and became the 5th and 6th reserve battalions.
01.09.1916 The 5th absorbed the 6th as part of the West Riding Reserve Brigade Territorial Force.
Oct 1917 Moved to Rugeley, Cannock chase.
Summer 1918 Moved to Suffolk and then Southend.

3/7th & 3/8th Battalion Territorial Force
25.03.1915 Formed at Leeds.
08.04.1916 Moved to Clipstone and became the 7th and 8th Reserve Battalions.
01.09.1916 The 8th absorbed the 7th as part of the West Riding Reserve Brigade Territorial Force.
Autumn 1917 Moved to Rugeley, Cannock chase.
1918 Moved to Ireland and then Clonmaney, County Donegal as part of the 27th Reserve Brigade.

9th (Service) Battalion
25.08.1914 Formed at York as part of the first New Army (K1) and moved to Belton Park, Grantham as part of the 32nd Brigade of the 11th Division.
April 1915 Moved to Witley Camp, Godalming
03.07.1915 Embarked for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros.
06.08.1915 Landed at Suvla Bay and engaged in various actions against the Turkish Army including;
The Battle of Sari Bair.
20.12.1915 Evacuated from Gallipoli to Egypt due to severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather.
07.02.1916 Arrived in Egypt and took over part of the Suez Canal defences.
01.07.1916 Moved to France landing at Marseilles and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Thiepval.
1917
Operations on the Ancre, The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle.
13.11.1917 Absorbed 400 men of all ranks from the Yorkshire Hussars to become the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion.
1918
The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre.
11.11.1918 Ended the war Bettignies north of Maubeuge, France.

10th (Service) Battalion
03.09.1914 Formed at York and then moved to Wareham as part of the 50th Brigade of the 17th Division.
May 1915 Moved to Romsey.
14.07.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1915
Holding the front lines in southern area of Ypres salient.
1916
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Delville Wood.
1917
The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Second Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Roeux, The First Battle of Passchendaele, The Second Battle of Passchendaele.
1918
The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre.
11.11.1918 Ended the war at Fontaine S.W. of Maubeuge, France.

11th (Service) Battalion
10.09.1914 Formed at York and then moved to Frensham as part of the 69th Brigade of the 23rd Division.
01.12.1914 Moved to Oudenarde Barracks, Aldershot.
Feb 1915 Moved to Folkestone & Maidstone and then Bramshot.
26.08.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1915
Trench familiarisation as part of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions and then took control of the front line at Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road and at Bois Grenier.
1916
Relieved the French 17th Division in the Carency sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River. The German Attack on Vimy Ridge, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval, The Battle of Le Transloy, The capture of Le Sars.
1917
The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The First Battle of Passchendaele, The Second Battle of Passchendaele.
14.11.1917 Moved to Italy to strengthen Italian resistance after a recent disaster at the Battle of Caporetto and engaged various actions including;
The fighting on the Asiago Plateau, The Battle of Vittorio Veneto, The passage of the Piave and The Battle of Monticano.
04.11.1918 Ended the war near Porcia west of Pordenone, Italy.

12th (Service) Battalion
16.9.1914 Formed as part of the Third New Army (K3) and moved to Halton Park, as part of the 63rd Brigade of the 21st Division and then moved to Leighton Buzzard area.
May 1915 Moved to Halton Park and then Witley Park and then Godalming.
Sept 1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre.
16.11.1915 Transferred to the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Division which engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1916
The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of the Ancre.
1917
The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Second Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux, The Third Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Cambrai 1917.
17.02.1918 Disbanded and formed the 10th Entrenching Battalion with the 8th East Yorkshire Regiment.

13th (Reserve) Battalion
Oct 1914 Formed at York as a service battalion of the Fourth New Army (K4) as part of the 90th Brigade of the 30th Division.
10.04.1915 Moved to Harrogate and became a 2nd Reserve Battalion and the Brigade became the 2nd Reserve Brigade.
Oct 1915 Moved to Rugeley, Cannock Chase.
01.09.1916 Became the 8th Training Reserve Battalion.

14th (Reserve) Battalion
Nov 1914 Formed at Falmouth as a service Battalion of the Fourth New Army (K4) as part of the 103rd Brigade of the 34th Division.
Jan 1915 Moved to Penzance.
10.04.1915 Became a 2nd Reserve Battalion.
May 1915 Moved to Lichfield and then Brocton, Cannock Chase in the 3rd Reserve Brigade.
01.09.1916 Absorbed the Training Reserve battalions of the 3rd Reserve Brigade.

15th (Service) Battalion (1st Leeds)
Sept 1914 Formed at Leeds by the Lord Mayor and the City and then moved to Colsterdale.
June 1915 Moved to Ripon and joined the 93rd Brigade of the 31st Division.
10.08.1915 Taken over by the War Office and moved to Fovant, Salisbury Plain.
Dec 1915 Moved to Egypt and took over a section on the Suez Canal defences.
Mar 1916 Moved to France and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Ancre.
1917
Operations on the Ancre, The Third Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Oppy Wood.
07.12.1917 Amalgamated with the 17th Battalion to form the 15/17th Battalion;
1918
The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest, The attack at La Becque, The capture of Vieux Berquin, The Battle of Ypres, The action of Tieghem.
11.11.1918 Ended the war at Renaix, Belgium.

16th (Service) Battalion (1st Bradford) & 18th (Service) Battalion (2nd Bradford)
Sept 1914 The 16th formed and the 18th Formed on 22.01.1915 at Bradford by the Lord mayor and the City.
Jan 1915 Moved to Skipton and then Ripon as part of the 93rd Brigade of the 31st Division
10.08.1915 Taken over by the War Office and moved to Fovant, Salisbury Plain.
Dec 1915 Moved to Egypt and took over a section on the Suez Canal defences.
Mar 1916 Moved to France and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Ancre.
1917
Operations on the Ancre, The Third Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Oppy Wood.
07.12.1917 The 16th amalgamated with the 17th Battalion to form the 15/17th Battalion.
15.02.1918 The 16th disbanded in France.
15.12.1918 The 17th disbanded in France.

17th (Service) Battalion (2nd Leeds)
Dec 1914 Formed at Leeds by the Lord Mayor and the City as a bantam battalion.
Jan 1915 Moved to Ilkley and then Skipton.
June 1915 Moved to Masham, Yorkshire and joined the 106th Brigade of the 35th Division.
27.08.1915 Taken over by the War Office and then moved to Salisbury Plain.
01.02.1916 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western front including;
1916
The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The fighting for Arrow Head Copse and Maltz Horn Farm, The fighting for Falfemont Farm.
Following medical examination many bantam battalions were disbanded as many men were under weight and unfit.
1917
The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The fighting in Houthulst Forest, The Second Battle of Passchendaele.
16.11.1917 Left 35th Divisions for XIX Corps on railway work.
07.12.1917 Amalgamated with the 15th Battalion.

19th & 20th (Reserve) Battalions
Aug 1915 The 19th formed at Clipstone from the depot companies of the 15th & 17th battalions.
Aug 1915 The 20th formed at Clipstone from the depot companies of the 16th & 18th battalions both as local reserve battalions.
01.09.1916 Became the 88th & 89th Training Reserve Battalions of the 21st Reserve Brigade in Blyth area.

21st (Service) Battalion (Wool Textile Pioneers)
24.09.1915 Formed in West Riding by the Lord Mayor and the City of Leeds.
June 1916 Mobilised for war and landed in France, joining the 4th Division as a pioneer Battalion.
11.11.1918 Ended the war at Montignies area east of Valenciennes.

22nd (Labour) Battalion
April 1916 Formed at Millington near Pocklington.
May 1916 Mobilised for war and landed in France as part of the Fifth Army Troops.
May 1917 Became 18th & 19th Labour Companies of the Labour Corps.

1st Garrison Battalion
Aug 1915 Formed at Sheffield and went to Malta.

2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion
Mar 1916 Formed and stationed at Witley Bay.
Aug 1917 Became the 7th Battalion Royal Defence Corps.

51st (Graduated) Battalion
27.10.1917 Formed at Clipstone from the 242nd Graduated Battalion (previously the 10th Training Reserve Battalion) as part of the 207th Brigade of the 69th Division.
May 1918 Moved to Thoresby and then returned to Clipstone.

52nd (Graduated) Battalion
27.10.1917 Formed at Canterbury from the 277th Graduated Battalion (previously the 9th Training Reserve Battalion) as part of the 200th Brigade of the 67th Division.
Feb 1918 Moved to Clipstone and joined the 207th Brigade of the 69th Division.
May 1918 Moved to Thoresby and then returned to Clipstone.

53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion
27.10.1917 Formed at Rugeley, Cannock Chase from the 6th Young Soldier Battalion (previously the 13th West Yorkshire Regiment) as part of the Training Reserve of the 2nd Reserve Brigade. Later moved to Brocton and then back to Clipstone.

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The Lichfield Mercury edition of 13 September 1918 told readers that Harold George Plant, a Linotype Operator with the Lichfield Mercury, had been awarded the M.M. (Military Medal) for bravery and that he had been wounded in the right foot by shrapnel whilst fighting on the Marne.

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It is believed that Harold continued in his printing employ and later in his life worked for the Birmingham Post.

Item, Source and Credit

I am indebted to Helen Ralphs for her extensive collection of family photographs and family research.

1.   Photograph of the 1888 wedding of Reice Plant and Sarah Mumford © Helen Ralphs.
2.  Photograph of Reice and Sarah Plant and their family  © Helen Ralphs.
3.   Copy of the birth certificate for Frederick Rhodes Plant © Helen Ralphs
4.   Extract from 1891 census showing Reice and Sarah Plant and their family © Ancestry
5.   Extract from 1901 census showing Reice and Sarah Plant and their family © Ancestry
6.   The Elizabeth Ball Charity School on the corner of Church Road and Coulter Lane © Helen Ralphs
7.   Photograph of 18 Church Street, Chasetown © Helen Ralphs
8.   Family photograph of the Plant Family © Helen Ralphs
9.   Church Road School © Helen Ralphs
10.  Frederick Plant's Labour Certificate © Helen Ralphs
11.  Frederick Plant's Percentage Certificate from the International Correspondence Schools © Helen Ralphs
12.  Extract from the 1911 Census showing Frederick Plant living as a lodger with the Bakewell family© Ancestry
13.  Frederick Plant's Scholarship Certificate from the International Correspondence Schools © Helen Ralphs
14.  Frederick Plant (kneeling} with other employees at the coach painting business in Derbyshire © Helen Ralphs
15.  Pip, Squeak and Wilfred cartoon characters from the Daily Mirror © Service Medals Melbourne (http://www.servicemedalsmelbourne.com.au/news/pip-squeak-and-wilfred/82350)
16.  "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred", the 3 British campaign medals: the 1914-15 Star; the British War Medal and the Victory Medal © Wikimedia Commons
17.  Certificate of Discharge for Frederick Rhodes Plant © Helen Ralphs
18.  Extract from The Great War website for La Boisselle and the Lochnagar Crater © http://www.greatwar.co.uk/somme/memorial-lochnagar-crater.htm
19.  Extract from the 1916 British Trench Map 57D.SE.4 (Albert), scale 1:20,000 Edition 2D with trenches corrected to 15 August 1916 © McMaster University Digital Archive
20. Photograph of Lochnagar Crater © http://www.somme-battlefields.com/
20A. British troops running along the lip of the Lochnagar mine crater at La Boisselle, 23rd October 1916 © Imperial War Museum
20B. Interior of the Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle, August 1916 © Imperial War Museum
20C. La Boisselle mine crater, October 1916 © Imperial War Museum
20D. British graves with human bones on the surface in the Lochnagar mine crater at La Boisselle, 21 September 1917 © Imperial War Museum
21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and 21E. The Bamforth “Fight the Good Fight” postcard series from the First World War © http://themowdog.blogspot.com and http://www.crichparish-ww1.co.uk/ww1webpages/postcardsgoodhead.html
22. Details of the wounds sustained by Frederick Rhodes Plant © Helen Ralphs
23A. Medal Card for Frederick Rhodes Plant © Ancestry
23B. Medal Roll for Frederick Rhodes Plant © Ancestry
24A. Norfolk War Hospital © https://www.davidbakerphotography.com/projects/care-institutions/the-history-of-st-andrews-asylum-norfolk-lunatic-asylum-annexe-uk
24B. Staff and patients at Norfolk War Hospital © https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANTIQUE-POSTCARD-WW1-NORFOLK-amp-NORWICH-HOSPITAL-PATIENTS-amp-STAFF-EST-1918-/202318628325?rmvSB=true&nma=true&si=Ur66Xy22w05VwcmIuc1u6f9YOCc%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
25A. Norfolk War Hospital © Helen Ralphs
25B. Norfolk War Hospital: photograph showing Frederick Plant in the centre © Helen Ralphs
26. Honourable discharge for Frederick Rhodes Plant © Helen Ralphs
27. Poen written by Frederick Plant for his sweetheart Elsie Adams © Helen Ralphs
28. Painting by Frederick Plant showing his artistic side © Helen Ralphs
29. Photograph of Frederick Plant’s wife Elsie Adams © Helen Ralphs
30 and 30A. Marriage of Frederick Plant and Elsie Adams at Wirksworth Parish Church, 4 October 1922 © Helen Ralphs
31. Marriage register entry for the wedding of Frederick Plant and Elsie Adams at Wirksworth Parish Church, 4 October 1922 © Helen Ralphs
32. Photograph of St. Mary’s Parish Church, Wirksworth, Derbyshire © Wikipedia
33A. Frederick Plant with his son © Helen Ralphs
33B. Frederick Plant’s garage partnership with his brothers © Helen Ralphs
33C. Plant bicycle repain workshop © Helen Ralphs
33D. Plant Brothers Cycle Repairs © Helen Ralphs
34A. Frederick Plant and his wife Elsie pictured in later life with niece Freda and granddaughter Helen at his home in Rawnsley Road © Helen Ralphs
34B. Frederick Rhodes Plant © Helen Ralphs
35A. Photograph taken during the demolition of the original Lichfield Mercury office in Bird Street © Robert Mullarkey
35B. The grade II listed building in Bird Street where the Lichfield Mercury was printed © Patrick Comerford (http://www.patrickcomerford.com/2015/07/an-old-friend-in-lichfield-is.html)
35C. The Lichfield Mercury office in Breadmarket Street © Patrick Comerford (http://www.patrickcomerford.com/2015/07/an-old-friend-in-lichfield-is.html)
36. Harold Plant`s medical card, today we would probably describe him as slightly built. He was 5ft 4.5” and 117 lbs at 22 years of age © Ancestry
37A, 37B, 37C, 37D and 37E. Extracts from the service record of Harold George Plant © Ancestry
38. Award of the Military Medal to Harold George Plant © Find My Past
38A. Extract from the announcementof the award of the Military Medal to Harold George Plant © London Gazette
38B. Full page from the London Gazette that includes the announcement of the award of the Military Medal to Harold George Plant © London Gazette
39. Medal roll showing the entry for Harold George Plant © Ancestry
40. Medal card for Harold George Plant © Ancestry
41. The West Yorkshire Regiment during the First World War © Forces War Records
42. Cover for Harold George Plant’s Discharge Documents 16 January 1919 © Ancestry
43. Extract Babout Harold George Plant from the Lichfield Mercury edition of 13 September 1918 © Lichfield Mercury and Find My Past
44, A family picture of Harold George Plant and his wife taken later in his life © Helen Ralphs