THEY FOUGHT WITH PRIDE

First World War Experiences

of the

2nd Battalion

The Monmouthshire Regiment

by

David Nicholas

Illustrated

CWMBRAN

Nicholas Publishing

2005

First Edition

Book Specification 

Condition / Description 

(please see foot of listing for rating key) 

NEAR FINE  : no dust jacket as issued, printed, laminated boards, minimal shelf rub at corners, light bumps to spine tail, slight fading to spine, hinges strong, binding firm, spot on p.4., small area of soiling at rear endpaper, remainder very clean & bright

They Fought With Pride

Illustrated throughout with black & white reproductions from photographs

The Great War shaped the history of the modern world, its memorials stand in every town and village. The 2nd Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment played a small part in a titanic struggle as war raged from 1914 to 1918. Many men volunteered to serve King and Country, playing an important and often forgotten role in the war. Its history is fading fast from living memory, no veterans of the Battalion remain to tell their story. This book attempts to place on record the service of men of the 2nd Mons, hoping that future generations will better understand the shocking reality that was experienced by all that served with the Battalion on the Western Front.

In 1914 the Battalion was very much made up of men from Abercarn, Blaenavon, Crumlin, Cwmbran, Llanhilleth, Monmouth, Usk and Pontypool, with its headquarters at Pontypool. The ages and experiences of the Battalion varied considerably from the Boy soldier right through to the veteran of the Boer War. Large numbers of them had worked underground and it was not long before the Battalion became well known for its efficiency in trench building.

The 2nd Mons were one of only a small number of Territorial Battalions to have been granted the 1914 Star. They were mobilised for active service on August 4th 1914 and remained on active service in Germany with the Army of Occupation until May, 1919. They obtained the first Distinguished Conduct Medal to be granted to a Territorial unit. Their honours list is probably as large as any Territorial Battalion. The number of men that served with the Battalion is believed to be 180 Officers and over 3,900 men. As the war progressed the nature of the Battalion changed as the number of dead and wounded began to grow. New drafts filling the ranks often came from other towns and cities.

This story is very much of the ordinary man who served their country on the battlefields of the Western Front. Leaving behind parents, wives, children and loved ones, often never to be seen again or returning with experiences that truly affected them for the duration of their lives. The experiences of those who served will never be truly understood, but I hope this book will provide both an insight and a memorial to those who served with the 2nd Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment.

This is the  First Edition, published by the author, Cwmbran, 2005.

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