Museum of the
Mercian Regiment

The Sherwood Foresters in the First World War

Summary of where the Sherwood Foresters fought in the first World War

There were 33 Sherwood Foresters Battalions for the First World War which fought at many locations on the Western Front.  The Sherwood Foresters were awarded 57 Battle Honors after the end of the war.
They earned distinction at the following Battles on the Western Front:
 

Armentieres 1914, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1916, Aisne 1914-18, France and Flanders 1914-18, Neuve Chappelle 1915, Loos 1915, Aubers, Hooge 1915, Ancre 1916, Somme 1916-18, Albert 1916-18, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozieres, Ginchy, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Thiepval, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Rosieres, Langemarck 1917, Passchendaele 1917, Messines 1917, Arras 1917-18, Cambrai 1917-18, Italy 1917-18, Vimy 1917-18, Scarpe 1917-18, Ypres 1917-18, Bapaume 1918, St Quentin Canal 1918, Pilckem, Menin Road, Kemmel, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, St Quentin, Villers Bretoneux Lys, Bailleul, Scherpenberg, Amiens, Drocourt-Queant, Epehy, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Beaurevoir, Courtrai, Selle, Sambre, Piave, Suvla, Landing at Suvla, Scimitar Hill.

The Western Front
The Western Front
Medals of Private Jacob Rivers VC
Medals of Private Jacob Rivers VC

Where the sherwood foresters fought in the First World War

25th April 1915

Gallipoli

The 9th Battalion took part in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. It gained a name for its stubborn fighting qualities similar to those of the 45th Foot some 100 years before.

The campaign came to an end January 1916. 

25th April 1915

12th February 1916

1st Garrison Battalion moves

On the 12th February the 1st Garrison Battalion moved to Alexandria in Egypt and ten days later moved to Port Said where they took up Garrison Duties to guard against any possible German or Turkish interest.

The battalion moved around Egypt. The were at Ismailia in November 1916 and Der El Belah (Suez Camp) in May 1917.

12th February 1916

April 1916

Easter Rising

The Territorial Battalions (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th & 2/8th) landed in Dublin. They remained in Ireland untill 1917, and then went to the Western Front. 

April 1916

November 1917

Italy 1917

The 11th Battalion moved to Northern Italy to assist against the German/Austrian forces. They won further renown for its successful stand at Asiago. In October 1918 the 11th Battalion returned to France and took part in the final offensive.

November 1917

First World WAR sHERWOOD fORESTER fACTS

Men served in the Regiment: 140,000

Battle Honours : 57

Victoria Cross’s awarded: 9

Men who did not come home: 11,409

Here at the museum we have books on the Sherwood Foresters in the First World War  for sale. Please  get in touch with by using the form at the bottom of the page.

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Foresters House
Army Reserve Centre
Swiney Way
Chilwell
NG9 6QX

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