Commanding Officers of the 7th Battalion
Successive schemes and experiments continued until 1906/1907, when the movement for reform finally bore fruit in the measures by which Lord Haldane framed the new military system. The forces of the country were reorganised into three main groups—the forces overseas, the Expeditionary Force and the Territorial Force, the latter being enlisted for home defence and formed on the cadre of the old Yeomanry and Volunteers.
Responsibility for home defence was entrusted to the new Territorial Force, which was organised into permanent Brigades and Divisions on the pattern of the Regular Army, so as to provide a force able to take the field against an invasion. That recognition of the value of the Volunteer units was marked by a new designation, and the two Volunteer Battalions of the County were entitled the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment. Orders were given that the renumbered Territorial Battalions were in future to wear the same uniform and badges and to carry the same Colours (but it was not until after the World War 1 that the Territorial Battalions displayed on their Colours the Regimental Battle Honours) as the Regular Battalions.
At the time of the Haldane reorganization, the command of the 7th Worcestershire was held by Colonel E. V. V. Wheeler.
1914 (September) 2/7th Battalion formed at Kidderminster.
1915 (January) 2/7th Battalion attached to 2nd Gloucester and Worcester Brigade, 2nd South Midland Division.
1915 (April) 3/7th Battalion formed at Worcester.
1915 (May) 1/7th Battalion became part of 144th Brigade, 48th Division.
1916 (April) 3/7th Battalion became 7th (Reserve) Battalion on 8th April 1916.
1916 (October) 7th Reserve Battalion (3/7th) absorbed the 8th Reserve Battalion (3/8th).
1918 (February) 2/7th Battalion disbanded in France (6th February 1918).
1919 (April) Kidderminster: 1/7th Battalion was disembodied (2nd April 1919).
Battalion was disbanded on the 1st April 1967.
Below is a list of all the officers who have commanded the 7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment from 1908 to 1967.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT EACH OFFICER MY BE OBTAINED BY CLICKING ON THE INDIVIDUAL SURNAME
1/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment |
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Surname |
Forename/s |
First Commissioned in to |
From |
To |
Edward Vincent Vashon |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Apr. 1908 |
Feb. 1910 |
|
John Whitmore |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Feb. 1910 |
Nov. 1914 |
|
Alexander Ramsey |
Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) |
Nov. 1914 |
1917 Jul. |
|
Francis Martin |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Jul. 1917 |
Jul. 1921 |
|
Edward Francis |
Sherwood Foresters |
1921 Jul. |
1928 |
|
Christopher Garrett |
Gloustershire Regiment |
1928 |
May 1932 |
|
William Ralph |
Worcestershire Regiment |
May 1932 |
Nov. 1936 |
|
Robert Harry |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Nov. 1936 |
Sep. 1939 |
|
John |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Sep. 1939 |
Jun. 1940 |
|
Thomas Prince Lloyd |
Dorset Regiment |
Jun. 1940 |
Oct. 1941 |
|
Ronald Valentine Cecil |
Sherwood Foresters |
Oct. 1941 |
Aug. 1942 |
|
Joseph Patrick |
Royal Inniskillings |
Aug. 1942 |
Nov. 1942 |
|
Edwin Francis Stanley |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Nov. 1942 |
Mar. 1944 |
|
Alonzo John |
South Wales Borderers |
Mar. 1944 |
May 1944 |
|
John Buckley |
Worcestershire Regiment |
May 1944 |
Jun. 1944 |
|
Charles Arthur |
South Staffordshire |
Jun. 1944 |
Feb. 1945 |
|
Thomas Alexander |
Cameronians |
Feb. 1945 |
Aug. 1945 |
|
John Buckley |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Aug. 1945 |
Oct. 1945 |
|
Sidney Hugh Curwen |
Cheshire Regiment |
Nov. 1945 |
Jan. 1947 |
|
Thomas Arthur William |
Royal Irish Fusiliers |
Jan. 1947 |
Feb. 1947 |
|
Henry James Cumming |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Mar. 1947 |
Jun. 1951 |
|
Derrick Norrington |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Jun. 1951 |
May 1955 |
|
Arthur Harley |
Worcestershire Regiment |
May 1955 |
Apr. 1958 |
|
Edward Reed Ward |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Apr. 1958 |
Mar. 1961 |
|
Russel Ernest |
Cheshire Regiment |
Mar. 1961 |
Mar. 1964 |
|
John Wilson |
Worcestershire Regiment |
Mar. 1964 |
Mar. 1967 |
Note:
Lieut.-Colonel A. R. Harman was invalided home sick on the 19th January 1916. Major F. M. Tomkinson took over temporary command until Lieut.-Colonel A. R. Harman rejoined from hospital on the 10th May 1916 and resumed command of the 1/7th Battalion.
Lieut.-Colonel F. M. Tomkinson went sick and was invalided on the 29th November 1917. Major H. W. Adshead to over temporary command until Lieut.-Colonel F. M. Tomkinson returned and resumed command on the 4th March 1917.
Lieut.-Colonel F. M. Tomkinson took over temporary command of 145th Brigade on the 3rd June 1918 and Major J. P. Bate, M.C. (1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment officer) took over temporary command of the 1/7th Battalion. On the 21st June 1918 Lieut.-Colonel F. M. Tomkinson resumed command of the 1/7th Battalion.
2/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment |
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Surname |
Forename/s |
First Commissioned in to |
From |
To |
Edward Vincent Vashon |
Worcestershire Regiment |
1914 |
1915 |
|
Peyton |
Algernon George |
Worcestershire Regiment |
1915 |
May 1916 |
Leslie Claude |
Worcestershire Regiment |
May 1916 |
Oct.1917 |
3/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment |
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Surname |
Forename/s |
First Commissioned in to |
From |
To |
Charles William |
1st Volunteer Bn. Worcestershire Regt. |
Apr. 1915 |
Sept. 1916 |