A Tribute For Armistice Day

For the Remembrance Service 9th November 2025 at Holy Sepulchre church.

In the South aisle of this church, beneath a stained-glass window, is a brass plaque to the memory of the Officers and Men of the 1st Northamptonshire Regiment, who were killed, died of wounds or disease during the TIRAH campaign on the Northwest frontier of India in 1897. On November 9th, owing to a misinterpretation of orders, the regiment supporting the Northampton’s fell back leaving the flank open, allowing the rebel tribesmen to bring a heavy fire to bear on the battalion. With the light failing a small group of 14 men were cut off. Rather than leave their wounded to the mercy of the tribesmen, 2nd Lieutenant MACINTYRE and his men were overrun and killed, including 18-year-old Drummer Little, 128 years ago to this day.

In August 1914 Lance Corporal Parker, who was with the Battalion in the PUNJAB in 1897, was recalled from the reserve and mobilized. On the 12th of November 1914 he landed in France, issued with new equipment and boots, more than likely made in one of the boot and shoe factories in Northamptonshire, and would take part in the first battle of YPRES, the attempt to stop the German Army from reaching the Channel ports. By the 22nd of November 1914, the battalion that paraded on the Racecourse in September 1913, could only muster a handful of Officers and men left standing. L/Cpl Parker would find this War very different from the North West frontier of India.

During the First World War, the Northamptonshire Regiment would field the 1st and 2nd regular battalions, the 5th, 6th and 7th (Kitcheners) service battalions and the 4th Territorial battalion supported by the 1st garrison battalion. The 1st and 2nd battalions would advance on the 9th May 1915 at AUBERS Ridge, uncut wire, inadequate artillery support, the Germans in fortified bunkers with machines guns, at roll call, 970 men would become casualties, in killed, wounded and missing. This was the blackest day in the regiment’s history. In a German regiment opposite, was a Cpl ADOLF HITLER, a chance bullet or shell could have changed the course of history.

The 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions would serve in Belgium and France throughout the War, the 7th loosing LT.COL EDGAR MOBBS in July 1917 at PASSCHENDAELE. The 4th Territorial Battalion would in August 1915 land on the GALLIPOLI PENINSULAR and then in late December move to Egypt, advancing through the SINAI desert into PALESTINE. In April 1917 the Battalion would lose 21 Officers and 366 men killed, wounded or missing, at the 2nd battle of GAZA.

In the early morning of 11th November 1918, the 1st Battalion received the order to stand fast on the line reached at 11am. In early December 1918 the 1st Battalion crossed the border into Germany. The Regimental colours, preserved in the Regimental Chapel, which were kept safe in the Battalion depot during the War, were sent out and carried unfurled across the River Rhine.

In the Regimental chapel, dedicated in 1919 to the regiment’s dead in the Great War, is a memorial book, which contains the names of 6040 Officers and men who died. During the 1920’s and 30’s, a soldier from the Daily Guard, at Barrack Road, would march down to the church and turn a page in the book. In 1946, just under 1000 names would be added as a result of the Second World War.

During this War the 1st Battalion, already stationed in India, would fight in BURMA against the Japanese near to IMPHAL. The 2nd Battalion along with the 5th Territorial battalion in 1940 would be part of the B.E.F. in France. Both Battalions would withdraw through Dunkirk, in 1942 they would fight separately in AFRICA, SICILY and ITALY, and then into GERMANY and AUSTRIA. A 4th Battalion would serve in HOLLAND in 1945.