John Thomas Houseman was aged 21 years & 2 months when he was attested for entry to the Military
service in February 1916.

A medical examination took place that recorded him as standing 5’ 8” inches tall and having a chest
measurement of 37 inches. He was found fit for service.

John was employed as a horseman at the time of his enlistment. His address is given as Moorhouse
Farm, Badsworth, Yorkshire.

He was single, and gave as his next of kin his father Thomas J Houseman of Brearton Grange, Brearton.

He signed the declaration on the attestation form, swore an oath and received the “King’s shilling”. John
was then accepted into the army as a Private and was allocated number 2923.

He joined the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Pontefract on the 23 February and was placed on
the reserve on the 25 February. This meant that he had signed up but was sent back to civilian
employment until he was called up.

He was called up on the 18 April 1916. At some stage in 1916 he was transferred to the 2/9th Bn The
Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), number 353375, which at the time was in Essex. He was then
transferred to the 29th Bn Middlesex Regiment on the 8 December 1916. This was a works battalion
formed at Mill Hill, London. It had moved to Thetford, Norfolk early in 1917.

John was then transferred to the 15th Bn Highland Light Infantry on the 24 July 1917, still a Private, number
353137. This may have been the date that he went to France but the record does not show a date of
leaving the UK, his diary says that he was sent out to France on the 27 June.

John Thomas arrived in France as part of the 14th Brigade 32nd Divison.

Formed in Great Britain in May/June 1915 from the Locally Raised or Pals Battalions from various parts
of the country. Arrived in France in November 1915.  Served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

John Thomas served in France and Flanders, with the 32nd  Division, most probably taking part in:

1917

Battle of Messines (Capture of Oppy Wood (28 June))


1918

The First Battle of the Somme (First Battle of Arras (28 March) and the Battle of Ancre (5 April)).

The Battle of Amiens (8-11 November)

The Second Battle of the Somme (Battle of Albert (21-23 August) and the Second Battle of Bapaume
(31 August - 3 September ))

Battles of the Hindenburg Line (Battle of St Quentin Canal (29 September - 2 October) and the Battle
of Beaurevoir (3-5 October )).

Final Advance in Picardy (Battle of Sambre (4 November)).




Soon after, on the 11 November the Armistice agreement was signed.


John was demobilised from Clipstone Camp, Nottingham, on March 2nd 1919. His medical category was
"A1". After returning home to his father's address at Brearton Grange, Ripley, Knaresborough, John went
to work for Mr A. Dean, Yew Tree Farm, Morley near Derby on March 28th 1919.


Because of his overseas service in a theatre of war he was qualified to wear the British War Medal and
Victory Medal.

According to John’s diary he was wounded on the 28th November 1917.

The HLI museum tell me that on the 28 Nov the Bn was at Bellevue, support, Shell Holes. He
also mentions St Quentin which you can see above. The diary notes of being wounded again on
the 4th November 1918 which fits in with the Battle of the Sambre which according to the HLI
museum did include the 15th  btn HLI. This was the last attack the Battalion was involved in, it
took place at Ors preparatory to crossing the Oise Canal, where the Battalion captured Locquigno
and Wallhein Farms

1st Battalion
August 1914 : in Ambala, India. Part of the Sirhind Brigade in the 3rd (Lahore) Division.
Moved to France via Egypt, landing at Marseilles 1 December 1914 (some weeks after the other Brigades of the
Division).
December 1915 : moved to Mesopotamia.
January 1917 : left the Division and moved to the Tigris Defences.
September 1917 : attached to 51st Brigade in 17th Indian Division in Mesopotamia, where it then remained.

2nd Battalion
August 1914 : at Aldershot. Part of 5th Brigade in 2nd Division.
14 August 1914 : landed at Boulogne.

3rd (Reserve) Battalion
August 1914 : at Hamilton. A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to Portsmouth. Moved in May 1915 to Malleny
and in July 1918 to Haddington where it then remained as part of the Forth Garrison.

4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
August 1914 : at Hamilton. A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to Plymouth. Moved in May 1915 to
Haddington, going on to Hawick in early 1917. Moved late that year to Wormit and in September 1918 to Arbroath as
part of the Tay Garrison.

1/5th (City of Glasgow) Battalion
August 1914 : at Garnethill, Glasgow. Part of HLI Brigade in Lowland Division. Moved on mobilisation to Dunfermline.
11 May 1915 : formation became 157th Brigade in 52nd (Lowland) Division.
26 May 1915 : sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, going via Egypt (5-28 June) and Mudros (1 July), landing at Cape
Helles on 3 July.
8 January 1916 : evacuated from Gallipoli to Mudros and arrived Egypt in February.
11 April 1918 : Division left Egypt, battalion arrived Marseilles 17 April for service on Western Front.

1/6th (City of Glasgow) Battalion
August 1914 : at Yorkshill Street, Glasgow. Record same as 1/5th Bn.

1/7th (Blythswood) Battalion
August 1914 : at Bridgeton, Glasgow. Record same as 1/5th Bn.

8th (Lanark) Battalion
August 1914 : at Lanark. Part of the Lothian Brigade, unattached to a Division and on Scottish Coast Defences.
Seems to have been disbanded by May 1916.

1/9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion
August 1914 : at Greendyke Street, Glasgow. Part of HLI Brigade in Lowland Division. Moved on mobilisation to
Dunfermline.
5 November 1914 : left the Division and landed in France.
23 November 1914 : joined 5th Brigade in 2nd Division.
30 January 1916 : left the Division and became GHQ Troops.
29 May 1916 : joined 100th Brigade in 33rd Division.

2/5th (City of Glasgow) Battalion
Formed in Glasgow in September 1914 as a second line battalion. Moved to Dunfermline by August 1915.
Was named 21st Bn between November 1915 and January 1916.
Moved in March 1916 to Danbury, going on to the Curragh in January 1917, Dublin in August, and back to the Curragh
in November 1917.
Disbanded in Ireland by May 1918.

2/6th (City of Glasgow) Battalion
Formed in Glasgow in September 1914 as a second line battalion. Record similar to 2/5th Bn.
Was named 22nd Bn between November 1915 and January 1916.
Moved in March 1916 to Maldon and then movements as 2/5th Bn.

2/7th (Blythswood) Battalion
Formed in Glasgow in September 1914 as a second line battalion. Moved to Dunfermline by August 1915.
Was named 23rd Bn between November 1915 and January 1916.
Moved in March 1916 to Danbury, going on to Galway and Naas in January 1917 and on to Dublin in August 1917.
Disbanded in Ireland by the end of 1917.

No 2/8th Bn was formed.

2/9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion
Formed in Glasgow in September 1914 as a second line battalion. Moved to Dunfermline by August 1915.
Was named 24th Bn between November 1915 and January 1916.
Moved in March 1916 to Maldon, going on to the Curragh in January 1917 and on to Dublin in August 1917.
Disbanded in Ireland by the May 1918.

3/5th and 3/7th Battalions
Formed at home bases in March 1915.
8 April 1916 : renamed as Reserve Battalions at Ripon.
1 September 1916 : now at Catterick, 5th absorbed the 7th Bn. Also absorbed 6th Bn in July 1917. Moved to
Edinburgh in September 1917 and to Bridge of Allan in December 1917 where it remained as part of the Forth
Garrison.

3/6th and 3/9th Battalions
Formed at home bases in March 1915.
8 April 1916 : renamed as Reserve Battalions at Ripon.
1 September 1916 : now at Catterick, 6th absorbed the 6th Bn. 6th then absorbed by 5th Bn in July 1917.

21st Battalion
On 1 January 1917, the 9th Provisional Bn at Deal became 21st Bn HLI. The 9th had been formed from Home Service
personnel from the TF Bns of the regiment in 1915. was at Sandwich in late 1917, Deal again in january 1918 and
finally Ramsgate from May 1918.

10th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Hamilton in August 1914 as part of K1 and placed under orders of 28th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division.
Moved to Bordon and in March 1915 went on to Bramshott.
Landed at Boulogne 12 May 1915.
6 May 1915 : attached to South African Brigade in same Division.
14 May 1916 : transferred to 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and amalgamated with 11th (Service) Bn to form
10/11th Bn.
1 February 1918 : transferred to 119th Brigade in 40th Division.
16 February 1918 : transferred to 120th Brigade in same Division.
6 May 1918 : reduced to cadre.
3 June 1918 : transferred to 34th Division.
16 June 1918 : transferred to 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division at Boulogne and returned to England. Moved to
Brookwood near Aldershot.
21 June 1918 : rebuilt by absorbing 22nd battalion and retitled as 10th Bn.
5 July 1918 : landed at Boulogne.

11th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Hamilton in August 1914 as part of K1 and attached to 28th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division.
Record same as 10th Bn.
14 May 1916 : transferred to 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and amalgamated with 10th (Service) Bn to form
10/11th Bn.

12th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Hamilton in September 1914 as part of K2 and attached to 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. Moved to
Bordon and in March 1915 went to Romsey. Moved to Chisledon Camp (Salisbury Plain) in April 1915.
Landed at Boulogne 10 July 1915.
3 February 1918 : transferred to 106th Brigade in 35th Division.

13th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed in Gosport in November 1914 as a K4 Service Battalion and attached to 97th Brigade in original 32nd Division.
10 April 1915 : became a Reserve Battalion and moved in May to Stobs. Moved on to Catterick in October 1915, going
on to Leven in April 1916.
1 September 1916 : converted into 52nd Training Reserve Battalion of 12th Reserve Brigade at Leven.

14th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Hamilton in July 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. Moved to Troon.
September 1915 : moved to Blackdown and attached to 120th Brigade in 40th Division.
2 March 1916 : absorbed the 13th Bn, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
June 1916 : landed in France.
Early 1917 : ceased to be a Bantam Bn.
6 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.
3 June 1918 : transferred to 34th Division.
17 June 1918 : transferred to 39th Division.
16 August 1918 : transferred to 197th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.

15th (Service) Battalion (1st Glasgow)
Often known by its original title of the Glasgow Tramways Battalion.
Formed in Glasgow on 2 September 1914 by the Lord Provost and City, with many recruits coming from the
Tramways Department. Moved to Gailes.
May 1915 : moved to Prees Heath and attached to 97th Brigade in 32nd Division. Moved in June 1915 to Wensleydale
and on to Salisbury Plain in August. Adopted by War Office 1 July 1915.
Landed at Boulogne 23 November 1915.
3 January 1918 : transferred to 14th Brigade in same Division.

16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Glasgow)
Often known by its original title of the Glasgow Boys Brigade Battalion.
Formed in Glasgow on 2 September 1914 by the Lord Provost and City, with many recruits coming from the Boys
Brigade. Moved to Gailes.
May 1915 : moved to Prees Heath and attached to 97th Brigade in 32nd Division. Moved in June 1915 to Wensleydale
and on to Codford in August. Adopted by War Office 1 July 1915.
Landed at Boulogne 23 November 1915.
22 February 1918 : became Pioneer Battalion in same Division.

17th (Service) Battalion (3rd Glasgow)
Formed in Glasgow on 10 September 1914 by the Chamber of Commerce. Moved to Troon.
Record same as 16th Bn.
11 February 1918 : disbanded in France.

18th (Service) Battalion (4th Glasgow)
Formed in Glasgow on 26 February 1915 by the Lord Provost and City as a Bantam Battalion. Moved to Girvan and in
May 1915 to Gailes.
June 1915 : moved to Masham and attached to 106th Brigade in 35th Division. Adopted by War Office in July 1915.
Moved to Salisbury Plain in August 1915.
1 February 1916 : landed in France.
Early 1917 : ceased to be a Bantam Bn.
23 September 1917 : absorbed HQ and two Squadrons of dismounted Glasgow Yeomanry and retitled as 18th
(Glasgow Yeomanry) Bn.

19th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Gailes in July 1915 from depot companies of 15th, 16th and 17th Bns. Moved to Ripon in October 1915 and
went on to Montrose in March 1916.
1 September 1916 : converted into 78th Training Reserve Battalion in 18th Reserve Brigade at Montrose.

20th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Ripon in October 1915 from depot companies of 18th Bn.
1 September 1916 : converted into 79th Training Reserve Battalion in 18th Reserve Brigade at Montrose.

22nd Battalion
Formed at Deal on 1 June 1918 but absorbed into 10th Bn at Aldershot on 21 June.

1st (Reserve) Garrison Battalion
Formed at Fort George around May 1916. Moved to Maryhill in January 1918.

51st (Graduated) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 201st Graduated Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it
had been 54th Battalion of the Training Reserve and up to September 1916 had been the 14th (Reserve) Battalion of
the Royal Scots. A training unit based at Cromer, it was part of 191st Brigade in 64th (2nd Highland) Division. Moved
to Holt in November 1917, Thetford in April 1918 and finally Fakenham in October 1918.

52nd (Graduated) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 205th Graduated Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it
had been 56th Battalion of the Training Reserve and up to September 1916 had been the 12th (Reserve) Battalion of
the Cameron Highlanders. A training unit based at Witton hall (Norwich), it was part of 192nd Brigade in 64th Division.
Moved to Kelling in April 1918 and in October went on to Sheringham.

53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 53rd Young Soldier Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before
that it had been 9th (Reserve) Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers. A basic recruit training unit based at
Kirkcaldy, it was part of the Lowland Reserve Brigade.

Royal Scots Regiment

2/9th  (Highlanders) Battalion

Formed at Edinburgh in September 1914. Moved to Peebles in May 1915.
November 1915 : attached to 195th Brigade, 65th  Division at Tillicoutry. Renamed 20th  Bn until
January 1916
Moved to Essex in March 1916, going on to Tralee in January 1917. Moved to Limerick in July 1917.
Disbanded near Fermoy in March 1918.













Middlesex Regiment

29th  (Works) Battalion
Formed at Mill Hill on 29 June 1916. By March 1917 was at Thetford. In April 1917, transferred to
the Labour Corps as 5th  Labour Bn.