The Newcastle Commercials

The Newcastle Commercials written by Ian S. Johnson, edited by Nigel Cave and published by Pen & Sword Books – £25.00 – Softcover – Pages 680

The planning for the raising of what was to become 16th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, started within two days of the outbreak of the war. The initial efforts took on a more professional look within a month, when the Newcastle Chambers of Commerce set about raising money and aiming to raise several battalions in response to Lord Kitchener’s call for men.The outcome was a Pals battalion, the 1st Newcastle Commercials.

Arriving in France at the end of 1915, the battalion, like so many others of its type, had its first experience of a major action on the Somme on 1st July 1916, in its case in the forlorn attempt to capture the German front line village of Thiepval. The outcome is well known; a disaster that ravaged the battalion’s ranks. However, the battalion was reinforced, reorganised and took its part in actions at Ovillers and along the Ancre as the battle grinder on over the next four and a half months.

In 1917 it was involved in the advance on the Hindenburg Line and was then transferred to the North Sea coast, with the intention of taking part in the daring plan to launch a major amphibious landing behind the German lines in the summer. This was thwarted by a masterly pre-emptive German counterstroke. By the end of the year the battalion was engaged in operations in the northern part of the Salient after the Battle of Third Ypres (Passchendaele) had formally ended. In early February 1918 the battalion was disbanded as part of a general reorganisation of the BEF, which saw divisions losing three of their twelve infantry battalions.

In outline it is a common story; but, as for all the Pals battalions, its unusual origins and its very close connection to a local area, in this case, Newcastle, provides an enduring fascination for today’s generation. Ian Johnson has worked extraordinarily hard to gather documents from members of the battalion – letters, diaries and recollections – as well as numerous photographs. He has prepared extensive appendices on its membership and its casualties. The outcome is a fitting tribute to these young men from Newcastle men of a century ago who, for whatever motive, answered their country’s call, all too many of whom paid for it with their lives or their health.

This book basically tells you the whole story of the Newcastle Commercials, 16th (S) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in the Great War. We have here every single detail you could ask for here from the house to the kitchen sink thrown in too. It looks at the soldiers, the war, battles they were involved in, the stories, the achievements the honours and the history. There is so much information and detail, this book has been written as if it’s someone’s life’s work, so huge credit to the author and editor. Also in the book is a wealth of photographs, diagrams and newspaper adverts etc following the battalion which gives the book a good bit of credit. This is a  hugely impressive book an awesome book to recommend to others who love their Great War history.