AT THE FRONT
The War Diaries of the 17th Battalion (Stepney and Poplar Regiment), London Regiment
The East End of London contributed a sizeable number of men to multiple theatres of the war. One contribution came from the 17th Battalion (Stepney and Poplar) of the London Regiment. The headquarters of the regiment was found on Tredegar Road in Bow, and allowed men from the East End to volunteer in groups to serve their country or escape their lives. After training in St Albans, the men arrived in France at Le Havre in March 1915. The Stepney and Poplar Regiment was sent to the front at Loos. The majority of these first months consisted of work parties, transportation between positions and the constant threat of barrage by trench mortar and heavy artillery. Indeed, the first casualties of the war for the Stepney and Poplar battalion came from German artillery. They were soon to be placed in reserve, near a small industrial village, called Le Philosophe, which was located near a number of coal mines and railway tracks.
12th June 1915 – East of Village of Foss, South of Le Philosophe
A Company left firing line. D Company centre firing line. B Company in reserve in village. Orders received to the effect that this Battalion is attached to 140th Infantry Brigade and that we should be relieved from the front line that evening. Battalion relieved in front lines at 8pm by 7th City of London Battalion. March to billets A-B Companies and HQ in Le Philosophe. B, C, D Companies in billets at Mazingarbe. Transport still at Houchin. Battalion in billets and all correct at dawn next morning.
Map of the area around Loos in 1915 – Philosophe is located in the top left corner, the location of the reserves. The British lines are depicted in red, the German positions in green.
Despite the respite from frontline duties, it became apparent that postings to the reserves could be just as perilous for the men of the East End. After a long night of transportation, they faced the threat of constant bombardment. Despite attempting to carry on normal duties, it was a day that saw the battalion sustain a considerable number of casualties.
13th June 1915
Battalion still attached to 140th Infantry Brigade and in Brigade Reserve. Enemy shell very heavily during the day. HQ and billets of A-B Companies coming in for a bad time. Thorough inspections of kit carried out during the day. Divine services held this day by Mr Wood and Mr Atherton, Brigade chaplains.
Casualties as follows:
| Company |
Rank |
Name |
Nature of Casualty |
Remarks |
| A |
Rifleman |
White, F. |
Killed by shell @LE PHILOSOPHE |
Buried today |
| A |
“ |
Harris, E. |
Wounded in action by shell @LE PHILOSOPHE |
Taken to 142nd London Field Ambulance |
| A |
“ |
Fall, L.S. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Legg, J. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Ghunt, F. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Pitchfork G.L. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Heath, E |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Weller J.W. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Aldrich, A. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Saylor, H. B. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Carver, L. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Hagger, J. C. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Biggs, H.H. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Jones, J.W. |
“ |
“ |
| A |
“ |
Sweeney, J. |
“ |
“ |
| B |
“ |
Bonsall, R. J. |
Seriously wounded |
Taken to 142nd London Field Ambulance |
| A |
|
Still, A.W. |
“ |
“ |
The above were killed and injured by two high explosive shells. White and Bonsall had already been injured by one shell, but went back to rescue some civilians.
As the majority of these East End soldiers were billeted near miners’ cottages, it was conceivable that civilian mine workers could be found in the line of fire. Rifleman White was killed trying to affect a rescue. He was described as a “native of London” and his age was given as 21 one years old. His father, Mr D.H. White and mother Mrs L White lived on Mile End Road.
For the next few days, while awaiting orders, the battalion was held in reserve billets, under sporadic bombardment by heavy German artillery and incendiary bombing from German aircraft.
East End at War 