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LIGHTBOBS
43RD LIGHT INFANTRY. 1914-1919
Extracted from : A short history of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 1741-1922 for the young soldiers of the Regiment By R.B. Crosse.

Kut al Amara, 1915. Ctesiphon. Defence of Kut al Amara. Khan Baghdadi.

With the entry of Turkey into the war on the side of Germany in the opening days of November, 1914, came the necessity of safeguarding British interests in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf by despatching a force from India. Other reasons for the despatch of this force included the maintenance of British prestige in the East, the protection of the new British oilfields on the Karun River, and the attempt to keep the Arab population out of the war. On November 19th, 1914, the 43rd, as part of the 17th (Abmednagar) Infantry Brigade, 6th (Poona) Division, Indian Expeditionary Force “D,” embarked at Bombay for Mesopotamia, and reached Camp Magil, above Basra, on December 5th, moving to Kurna on the 29th.

On January 20th, 1915, the Regiment took part in a reconnaissance up the Tigris, and sustained 14 casualties, but for the first few months of the year little of interest happened, though the British camps were subjected to constant sniping at the bands of Arabs employed by the Turks, and to shelling by the Turkish guns. Small parties of the 43rd were engaged at various times in punitive expeditions.

On May 31st the Regiment took part in the successful advance north of Kurna, which brought about the capture of Amara on June 2nd; on this occasion advancing to the attack in long canoes called “Ballums,” which were punted across the marshes. The division began to move up the Tigris from Amara on September 2nd, encountering the Turks in a strongly entrenched position, from which, after heavy fighting, they were driven with severe loss on the 28th, in the Battle of Es Sinn, or Kut, that place being then captured. The casualties in the 43rd amounted to 3 officers and nearly 100 other ranks. Resuming the forward march on October 8th, the Regiment was heavily engaged in the Battle of Ctesiphon, on November 22nd, and following days. General Townshend’s Division fought with the greatest valour, capturing the Turkish trenches and several guns, only to be robbed of complete victory by insufficient numbers to meet the heavily reinforced enemy. As it was, over 1,000 prisoners were taken, and with these and the wounded, the withdrawal of the British force was able to be carried out. But the 43rd had suffered severely, 7 officers having been killed, 6 wounded, and the losses in other ranks amounting to about 450. Notwithstanding, the Regiment formed the rearguard for the whole of the way back to Kut-al-Amara, arriving there on December 3rd. The siege which followed, commemorated on the King’s Colour of all battalions of the Regiment, began on December 7th, 1915, when the Turks completed the investment of the place, and lasted until April 29th, 1916, when its gallant but starving defenders were made prisoners of war. On December 24th and 25th the 43rd was heavily engaged in repelling an attack in which the enemy’s casualties were estimated at no  less than 700. During the four long months which followed, the garrison withstood with patience and resolution all the rigours of a siege, wondering often if the floods would prove a greater enemy than the Turks, yet hoping always that relief would come at any moment. Time after time they were dis­appointed, for the Turks, reinforced frequently, beat back every attempt of the relieving force to hew its way through, until finally the 43rd, reduced to 9 officers and some 300 others, (Only ninety of these were alive at the end of the war) and the rest of the division, were starved into sur­render.

Meanwhile a new 43rd had been raised in December 1915, as a Provisional Battalion, which on February 15th following joined, at Wadi, a force assembling for the relief of Kut. It took part in the attack on the Dujailah Redoubt on March 8th, and on the Sanna-y-at position on April 5th and 6th, suffering very heavily, and was in action again on the 9th and 22nd. 
 
After the fall of Kut-al-Amara, the new 43rd was employed for a considerable period in the back areas and on the lines of communication.
During the winter of 1916-17 it was holding the blockhouse line south-east of Kut-al-Amara, and remained there till after the fall of Baghdad; eventually moving to the Euphrates front in October 1917.

On March 26th and 27th, 1918, the Regiment was again in action, and took part in the Battle of Khan Baghdadi. Here it marched and fought continuously for thirty-six hours, at the end of which the Turkish force surrendered to the advanced guard, and remained in this neighbourhood until after the Armistice with Turkey had been signed.

Demobilization began early in 1919, and in February the cadre moved down to Basra, and sailed from Mesopotamia for home on March 4th. 

Arriving at Aldershot on April 12th, the cadre was embodied in what was at first a Provisional Battalion being formed from some twenty different regiments, for service in the North Russian Relief Force. Brought quickly up to strength, this Battalion was ordered to be known as the 1st Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and in May it left for Archangel.

On June 25th it was in action against the Bolsheviks on the River Vaga, in the attack on Ignatofskyia, and later, in September, after further desultory fighting, withdrew to the base and returned home in October, 1919.

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      • 1916-1917 2/1st BUCKS THE SOMME
      • 1917 2/1st BUCKS THE GERMAN RETIREMENT
      • 1917 2/1st BUCKS ST QUENTIN APRIL TO AUGUST 1917
      • 1917 2/1st BUCKS 3RD YPRES
      • 1917 2/1st BUCKS ARRAS & CAMBRAI
      • 1918 2/1st BUCKS ST QUENTIN TO DISBANDMENT
    • 1ST BUCKS 1939-1945 >
      • 1939-1940 1BUCKS MOBILISATION & NEWBURY
      • 1940 1BUCKS FRANCE & BELGIUM
      • 1940 1BUCKS HAZEBROUCK
      • HAZEBROUCK BATTLEFIELD VISIT
      • 1940-1942 1BUCKS
      • 1943-1944 1BUCKS PREPARING FOR D DAY
      • COMPOSITION & ROLE OF BEACH GROUP
      • BROAD OUTLINE OF OPERATION OVERLORD
      • 1944 1ST BUCKS NORMANDY D DAY
      • 1944 1BUCKS 1944 NORMANDY TO BRUSSELS (LOC)
      • Sword Beach Gallery
      • 1945 1BUCKS 1945 FEBRUARY-JUNE T FORCE 1st (CDN) ARMY
      • 1945 1BUCKS 1945 FEBRUARY-JUNE T FORCE 2ND BRITISH ARMY
      • 1945 1BUCKS JUNE 1945 TO AUGUST 1946
    • BUCKS BATTALION BADGES
    • BUCKS BATTALION SHOULDER TITLES 1908-1946
    • 1939-1945 BUCKS BATTALION DRESS >
      • UNIFORM
      • HEADDRESS
      • INSIGNIA & DRESS DISTINCTIONS
      • STEEL HELMETS
  • ROYAL BUCKS KINGS OWN MILITIA
  • BUCKINGHAMSHIRE'S LINE REGIMENTS
    • REGIMENTS CONNECTED TO BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
    • 14TH (BUCKINGHAMSHIRE) REGIMENT
    • 85TH (BUCKS VOLUNTEERS) KINGS LIGHT INFANTRY
  • ROYAL GREEN JACKETS
    • BATTLE HONOURS
    • ROYAL GREEN JACKETS A BRIEF HISTORY
    • RGJ BADGES
    • RGJ BADGES 2
    • RGJ BADGES OF RANK
    • RGJ TRADE BADGES
    • RGJ BAND BADGES
  • OXFORDSHIRE & BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY 1741-1965
    • OXF & BUCKS LI INSIGNIA >
      • OXF & BUCKS LI BADGES
      • HEAD DRESS BADGES 1882-1965
      • SHOULDER TITLES 1885-1965
      • REGIMENTAL BUTTONS 1881-1965
    • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS & TRADITIONS >
      • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS 1914
      • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS & DRESS 1939
      • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS 1941
      • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS 1951
    • REGIMENTAL DRILL >
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1931
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1932
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1935
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1937
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1944
      • LIGHT INFANTRY DRILL 1951
    • REGIMENTAL DRESS >
      • REGIMENTAL UNIFORM 1741-1896
      • REGIMENTAL UNIFORM 1741-1914
      • 1894 REGIMENTAL DRESS
      • 1897 OFFICERS DRESS REGULATIONS
      • 1900 DRESS REGULATIONS
      • 1931 REGIMENTAL DRESS
      • 1939-1945 REGIMENTAL DRESS
      • 1950 OFFICERS DRESS REGULATIONS
      • 1960 OFFICERS DRESS REGULATIONS (TA)
      • 1960 REGIMENTAL MESS DRESS
      • 1963 REGIMENTAL DRESS
      • 1958-1969 REGIMENTAL DRESS
    • HEADDRESS >
      • HEADDRESS 1741-1894
    • REGIMENTAL CREST
    • BATTLE HONOURS
    • REGIMENTAL COLOURS >
      • 1895 REGIMENTAL COLOURS 1741-1895
      • 1961 REGIMENTAL COLOURS 1741-1961
    • BRIEF HISTORY
    • REGIMENTAL CHAPEL, OXFORD >
      • 1931 REGIMENTAL CHAPEL
      • 1931 REGIMENTAL CHAPEL DESCRIPTION
      • 1931 REGIMENTAL CHAPEL DEDICATION SERVICE
      • 1950 1939-45 ROLL OF HONOUR
      • 1950 1939-45 ROH DEDICATION SERVICE
    • THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918 >
      • REGIMENTAL BATTLE HONOURS 1914-1919
      • OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 SUMMARY INTRODUCTION
      • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 SUMMARY
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 SUMMARY
      • 1/4 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 2/4 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 1/1 BUCKS BATTALION 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 2/1 BUCKS BATTALION 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 5 (SERVICE) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 6 (SERVICE) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 7 (SERVICE) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 8 (SERVICE) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
  • 1st GREEN JACKETS (43rd & 52nd) 1958-1965
    • 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND) 1958-1965
    • 1959 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1959 REGIMENTAL MARCH IN OXFORD
    • 1959 DEMONSTRATION BATTALION
    • 1960 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1961 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1961 THE LONGEST DAY
    • 1962 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1963 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1963 CONVERSION TO “RIFLE” REGIMENT
    • 1964 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1965 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1965 FORMATION OF ROYAL GREEN JACKETS
  • REGULAR BATTALIONS 1741-1958
    • 1st BATTALION (43rd LIGHT INFANTRY) >
      • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1741-1914 >
        • 43rd REGIMENT 1741-1802
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1803-1805
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1806-1809
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1809-1810
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1810-1812
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1812-1814
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1814-1818
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1818-1854
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1854-1863
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1863-1865
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1865-1897
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1899-1902
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1902-1914
      • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 >
        • 1914 >
          • 1914 AUGUST - DECEMBER
        • 1915 >
          • 1915 OVERVIEW
          • 1915 JANUARY - FEBRUARY
          • 1915 MARCH - MAY
          • 1915 JUNE - JULY
          • 1915 AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
          • 1915 SEPTEMBER BATTLE OF ES SINN
          • 1915 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER
          • 1915 BATTLE OF CTESIPHON.
          • 1915 THE WITHDRAWAL FROM CTESIPHON.
          • 1915-1916 THE SIEGE OF KUT-AL-AMARA >
            • 1915 DECEMBER SIEGE AT KUT-EL-AMARA
        • 1916 >
          • 1916 SIEGE OF KUT-AL-AMARA
          • 1916 SIEGE OF KUT-AL-AMARA CO's ACCOUNT
          • 1916 ATTEMPT TO RELIEVE KUT
          • 1916 JULY - DECEMBER 43RD REFORMED
        • 1917
        • 1918
        • 1919
      • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
        • 1939 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER
        • 1940 JANUARY - MAY 9TH
        • 1940 MAY 10TH - 26TH
        • 1940 MAY 27th - 31st
        • 1940 JUNE - DECEMBER
        • 1941 JANUARY - DECEMBER
        • 1942 JANUARY - DECEMBER
        • 1943 JANUARY - 1944 MAY
        • 1944 JUNE - AUGUST
        • 1944 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER
        • 1944 OCTOBER BATTLE OF S'HERTOGENBOSCH
        • 1945 JANUARY - JUNE
      • 1 OXF & BUCKS 1946-1958 >
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1946
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1947
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1948
        • 1948 FREEDOM PARADES
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1949
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1950
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1951
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1952
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1953
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1954
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1955
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1956
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1957
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1958
    • 2nd BATTALION (52nd LIGHT INFANTRY) >
      • 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY 1755-1881 >
        • 1755-1802 52nd FOOT
        • 1803-1805 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1806-1809 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1809-1810 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1810-1812 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1812-1814 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1814-1818 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1818-1854 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1854-1863 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1865-1881 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
      • 2 OXF LI 1881-1907
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1908-1914
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 >
        • 1914-1919 OVERVIEW
        • 1914 >
          • 1914 MOBILISATION
          • 1914 THE RETREAT FROM MONS
          • 1914 BATTLE OF THE MARNE
          • 1914 THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE
          • 1914 TO FLANDERS
          • 1914 THE BATTLE OF LANGEMARCK
          • 1914 WOOD FIGHTING 24/10 - 10/11
          • 1914 NONNE BOSSCHEN
          • 1914 WOOD FIGHTING 12-16 NOVEMBER
          • 1914 THE CLOSE OF 1914
        • 1915 >
          • 1915 BETHUNE SECTOR JAN-MAY
          • 1915 BATTLE OF FESTUBURT
          • 1915 FURTHER TRENCH WARFARE
          • 1915 BETHUNE AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
          • 1915 THE BATTLE OF LOOS
          • 1915 BETHUNE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
        • 1916 >
          • 1916 BETHUNE SECTOR JANUARY-JUNE
          • 1916 VIMY SECTOR JUNE - JULY
          • 1916 SOMME - GUILLEMONT
          • 1916 SOMME SECTOR AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
          • 1916 SOMME SECTOR OCTOBER 1916
          • 1916 SOMME - BATTLE OF THE ANCRE
          • 1916 SOMME SECTOR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
        • 1917 >
          • 1917 JANUARY-APRIL
          • 1917 ARRAS APRIL-JUNE
          • 1917 JULY-NOVEMBER
          • 1917 CAMBRAI NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
          • 1917 CAMBRAI NOVEMBER 30TH - DECEMBER 6TH
        • 1918 >
          • 1918 JANUARY - MARCH
          • 1918 GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE
          • 1918 APRIL - AUGUST
          • 1918 AUGUST THE ADVANCE TO VICTORY
          • 1918 SEPTEMBER
          • 1918 OCTOBER
          • 1918 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
        • 1939-1941
        • 1941-1943 AIRBORNE INFANTRY
        • 1944 PREPARATION FOR D DAY
        • 1944 PEGASUS BRIDGE-COUP DE MAIN
        • Pegasus Bridge Gallery
        • Horsa Bridge Gallery
        • COUP DE MAIN NOMINAL ROLL
        • MAJOR HOWARDS ORDERS
        • 1944 JUNE 6
        • D DAY ORDERS
        • 1944 JUNE 7-13 ESCOVILLE & HEROUVILETTE
        • Escoville & Herouvillette Gallery
        • 1944 JUNE 13-AUGUST 16 HOLDING THE BRIDGEHEAD
        • 1944 AUGUST 17-31 "PADDLE" TO THE SEINE
        • "Paddle To The Seine" Gallery
        • 1944 SEPTEMBER ARNHEM
        • OPERATION PEGASUS 1
        • 1944/45 ARDENNES
        • 1945 RHINE CROSSING
        • OPERATION VARSITY - ORDERS
        • OPERATION VARSITY BATTLEFIELD VISIT
        • 1945 MARCH-JUNE
        • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI DRESS 1940-1945 >
          • UNIFORM
          • HEADDRESS
          • CLOTH INSIGNIA
          • STEEL HELMETS
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1946-1947 >
        • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1946
        • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1947
  • MILITIA BATTALIONS
    • MILITIA BATTALIONS INTRODUCTION
    • 3rd MILITIA BATTALION (ROYAL BUCKS KINGS OWN MILITIA)
    • 4th MILITIA BATTALION (OXFORDSHIRE MILITIA)
    • 3 (SPECIAL RESERVE) BN OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919
  • TERRITORIAL BATTALIONS
    • 4th (TERRITORIAL) BATTALION
    • 1/4th & 2/4th (TF) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
      • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 >
        • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
      • 2/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 2/4 (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 2/4 (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 2/4 (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 2/4 (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
    • 4th & 5th (TA) OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
      • 4th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1944 >
        • 4th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1940
        • 4th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1942
        • 4th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1942-1944
      • 5th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
        • 5th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1940
        • 5th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1942
        • 5th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1942-1944
  • WAR RAISED/SERVICE BATTALIONS 1914-18 & 1939-45
    • 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th (SERVICE) 1914-1918 >
      • 5 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 5 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 5 OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 5 OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 5 OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
      • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
      • 7 (SERVICE)Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1918-1919
      • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1918-1919
    • 6th & 7th Bns OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
      • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1945 >
        • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1942
        • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1942-1944
        • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1944
        • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1945
      • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1945 >
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JUNE 1940-JULY 1942
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JULY 1942 – JUNE 1943
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JULY 1943–OCTOBER 1943
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI OCTOBER 1943–DECEMBER 1943
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI DECEMBER 1943-JUNE 1944
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JANUARY 1944-JUNE 1944
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JUNE 1944–JANUARY 1945
  • "IN MY OWN WORDS"
    • THE SOMME REVISITED
    • REMEMBERING FROMELLES 1916-2011
    • MEN OF STEEL - HAZEBROUCK REMEMBERED
    • THE TALE OF A FEW BRIDGES - 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1944-45
  • CREDITS