GREAT WAR 1914-1919: THE HISTORY AND BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE 5TH BATTALION (PRINCE ALBERT’S) SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY

The title on the cover is misleading in that it refers to the 1/5th Battalion whereas the book is concerned not only with the 1/5th but also with the 2/5th Battalion. The original battalion (1/5th) was in the 43rd (Wessex) Division and went with it to India in October 1914, and served there till May 1917 when it moved to Egypt. Here it joined the newly formed 233rd Brigade which became part of the 75th Division, a new division and the last to be formed and one which included Indian Army battalions in each brigade. By the end of the war the structure of each brigade was that of an Indian Army division with three Indian/Gurkha and one British battalion. The division, and with it 1/5th Som LI, went to Palestine and took part in the fighting against the Turks. The 2/5th Battalion was formed in September 1914, part of the 45th (2nd Wessex) Division which also sailed for India, in December 1914. The battalion, however, continued on to Burma where it remained till May 1917 when it moved back to India where it saw out the war.
Both battalions sent drafts to Mesopotamia and their experiences are recounted in separate chapters. There is a roll of honour for each battalion and a list of honours and awards for each. In the roll of honour of both battalions there is a Private Bellringer; in the case of Charles Henry of 1/5th there is neither place nor date of death which are given for every other individual, while Marcel of 2/5th died in Mesopotamia on 21 December 1915 yet he is not listed among personnel of the draft shown on pages 94/95. Neither are listed in Soldiers Died. The book ends with the roll of officers who served between 1920 and April 1929