9 Sergeants   

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During August 1914 the men of County Durham contributed to Lord Kitcheners call and stepped forward in their thousands to help fight against Germany believing that they'd be home by Christmas.

Amongst those men was my Grandfather John C. Robinson DCM, MM  better known as Jack, who served with the 14th (Service) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, one of the "New Armies" He enlisted in August 1914, underwent his basic training and on 11th September 1915 landed in Boulogne and entered the theatre of war.

Throughout the campaign John C Robinson would see action at the Battles of Loos, Arras, Ypres, The Somme, and Cambrai amongst others. It was during the Ypres campaign of July 1916 that he would win his Military Medal with 'B' Company of the 14th Durham's. He would later go onto to win the Distinguished Conduct Medal during October 1916 again with 'B' Company of the 14th Durham's as they mounted attacks on Shine trench, taking it from the enemy as they fought their way towards the village of Les Boeufs on the Somme, having earlier taken part in a successful attack on a system of enemy trenches known as the Quadrilateral near the village of Ginchy.

He would rise to the rank of Acting Company Sergeant Major and upon disbandment of the 14th Durham's on the 1st February 1918 transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major. He was de-mobilised in 1920.

My Grandad, sitting on the right of the above photograph was one brave soldier amongst very many brave soldiers. He was also very lucky. He survived the war and returned home to my Grandma.

The photograph intrigues me and is the reason for this web page.

All of these men are NCO's ( Non Commissioned Officers) of the rank of Sergeant or Warrant Officer. There are 9 of them. Five of these men are decorated for gallantry. Four of them display ribbons for the Military Medal. Two of them for what I believe to be the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The photograph was taken after the actions of Flers - Courcelette in 1916.

I know all about my Grandad and his gallantry award. I was lucky enough to know and love him until his death in 1970, but what of the other men?

Who are they? Where are they from? What is the story of each one of them? Did they survive the war?

This is where you come in. This is where I need your help.

9 Sergeants, but 8 are unknown to me. Who are they?

Follow the link to the 8 Sergeants page and there you will find a high resolution image of each individual.

Can you tell me about any of them? Are you related? Do you have an image of them? Are you in possession of their medals? Do you have a story to tell?

Contact me at:-

ninesergeants@live.com