For sale is a set of medals comprising: 1914 – 15 Star, British War and Victory Medals (1914 – 18) all impressed named 11012 PTE J. SCHOFIELD. S. LANC. R. They come with copies of MIC, medal rolls, extracts war diary and Commonwealth War Graves Commission extract.
James Schofield from Hulme, Manchester, was serving with ‘B’ Company, 6th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment when he was killed in action on 9/8/1915 at Gallipoli during the Battle of Sari Bair.
The 6th Battalion was formed at Warrington in August 1914 as part of K1 and came under command of 38th Brigade in 13th (Western) Division. It sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915 and landed at Mudros (Lemnos) 2 July. It proceeded to Gallipoli and landed at W Beach at Cape Helles, where it remined from 7 – 31st July then returned to Mudros.
It was redeployed to landed at Anzac Beach 4/8/1915.
From the war diary:
6th August: VICTORIA GULLOY shelled from 4:45 am to 7:00am and again in the evening from 4:45 pm until after dark. 68 casualties. The Bn left bivouac at 10:45 pm and arrived at CHAILAK DERE at 4:30 am on the 7th
7th August: Advanced up the CHAILAK DERE in support of the New Zealand Army Corps.
8th August: Ordered to follow Royal Warwick Regiment and to be ready to advance at 4:15 am. The rear half of the Royal Warwick Regt lost touch with leading half Bn and the Bn was still close to 39th Brigade HQ at 5:00 am.
At 9:30 am the Bn was ordered to advance up the ASHYL DERE and join in the attack. On reaching the attacking troops found that the attack had ceased shortly after dark. D Coy was sent forward to relieve the Worcester Regt and entrench. B Coy and ½ A Coy to its right & the other ½ A Coy joining up with the 10th Ghurkas. G Coy in support. The naval searchlight from one of our ships interfered with entrenching for 3 hours.
9th August: At 1:30 am orders were received to creep up the hill and assault at 5:15 am. The 6th Ghurkas under Major ALLANSON & 2 Corps, 6th South Lancs Regt under his orders on our right, the whole to be in conjunction with the attack by 5 Battery Artillery bombardment 4:30 am to 5:15 am. The Bn advanced and occupied the Turkish trenches with few casualties, Unfortunately, attack by the other 5 Bns had been delayed & the Bn and the 6th Ghurkas were not able to hold on to the position won and were compelled to retire back to line held by 6th Ghurkas. 3 Coys of the Battalion held on to GHURKA HILL until relieved by the R. Warwick Regt. When the companies returned to the regiment line. 1 Coy remaining in support of R. Warwick regt.
Initially posted as missing he was later declared killed in action. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.
His MIC records M.P.D. (missing presumed dead).
