A Victor's Story
Company Quartermaster Sergeant Victor Adolphus Milsom Royal Warwickshire Regiment
The Man Victor Adolphus Milsom was born in Alum Rock, Birmingham on 27th February 1895, son of William Henry, an Accountant and Matilda nee Griffin. He was one of four children, sadly only his sister Dorothy surviving and she was born in 1903. At the time of the 1901 census Victor was living with his family at 17 Bowyer Road, Aston, his maternal Grandmother Elizabeth Griffin also living with them. Ten years later they were living at 71 Ellesmere Road in Saltley and Victor shown as still attending school; being educated at King Edward VI School in New Streeet, Birmingham. In 1911 aged 16, Victor began working for Wrights Ropes in Birmingham, an international company specialising in all types of rope, especially long lengths and steel and hemp. Following the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Victor enlisted into the 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a Private with service number 1200. He rose to the rank of Corporal, was posted to France on 21st November 1915 and promoted again to Quartermaster Sergeant with the 21st Trench Mortar Battery. The TMB were often the focus of infantry grumbling - for a front-line trench mortar was certain to draw enemy fire, although the TM Batteries played an important part in gaining the ascendancy in both attack and defence. Victor survived the war, was discharged to the Z Class Reserve and awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals.
He resumed his job with Wrights as a Commercial Clerk and by 1920 was still living with his parents at 27 Hallewell Road. Three years later during the third quarter of 1923 he married Doris Marie Greene in Bromsgrove and they lived at 73 Selwyn Road, Edgbaston. By 1935 they had moved to 43 Sandgate Road and by 1937 to 236 Robin Hood Lane, Hall Green. Victor and Doris had one son, Barry. During World War II Victor now aged 44 became an Air Raid Warden and was awarded the Defence Medal. Victor and Doris subsequently divorced, and he moved to 21 Stroud Road, Shirley and on 31st December 1948 was awarded a Long Service Certificate from the Directors of Wrights Ropes for 37 years service. The next year on 14th April 1949 aged 54 he married again, Amy Warren formerly Sargent in the Birmingham Register Office, his son Barry acting as a witness, and H A Hughes officiating as Registrar. Three years later on 31st December 1951 Victor was awarded another long service certificate from Wrights, this time for 40 years service, together with a Helvetia wrist watch. It is not known if he retired at this time or continued working and by now was living at 41 Stroud Road, Shirley. Victor was a keen cyclist all his life and it was not unusual for him to cycle from Shirley to Rhyl. He drove his car until late in life and was a good handyman. Described by his daughter in law as a gentle, kind man, but always very formal. Victor died in his sleep and peacefully on Sunday 18th February 1979, in Solihull Hospital. His funeral service was held at Robin Hood Crematorium at 2.20pm on Thursday 22nd February and his ashes scattered in the grounds.
The Story The medals awarded to Victor Adolphus Milsom were acquired by chance and following a call from his Daughter-in-Law who had been passed details by the Royal British Legion. She wanted Victor to be remembered, and for his medals and related ephemera to go to someone who would care for them. A visit was made to have a look and as always it was a bitter sweet experience to see a group of medals and related artefacts that had once belonged to someone, but were now looking for a new custodian. An agreement was reached and the money paid was put towards a memorial stone for Victor’s son Barry, who had died recently. Most details on Victor’s biography was gathered from Ancesry.com, although his Daughter-in-Law does have a lot more personal detail and possibly photographs to add. A visit will be made in early 2014 to try and expand his biography.
DUTIES OF COMPANY QUARTERMASTER-SERGEANT
1. He is responsible to the Officer Commanding his Company for the accurate preparation of all Company returns, requisitions, and documents other than those rendered by the Company Sergeant- Major, and that they are rendered punctually at the time appointed. He will keep a list of documents showing date required, and to whom rendered. He will keep a nominal roll of every man in his Company, showing in detail all information which is likely to be required.
2. He will keep separate lists of all public, Battalion and Company property in possession of the Company, showing distribution and date of each article, and will bring to notice any that are unserviceable, or that have been the prescribed period in wear.
3. He will personally receive and give over all arms, equipment, clothing, necessaries, accommodation, etc., for the Company, carefully noting all damages and deficiencies. He will see that every article is properly marked previous to issue. He will attend all barrack inspections and make an immediate report of any damage .in rooms in his charge. In such cases as might result in accident, injury to health, or loss of property, if not attended to with promptitude, a daily report will be sent in until the damage is rectified.
4. He will obtain the signature of non- commissioned officers in charge of rooms for the bedding in each room, and will witness the transfer in all cases where a change in the non-commissioned officer in charge takes place. The signature of every non-commissioned officer and man will be obtained for the bedding in his possession. The bedding in Company store will be verified frequently.
5. He will take .all inventories of effects of men reported absent or admitted to hospital, awarded detention, or otherwise non-effective, and will see that the effects are returned to Company store. Prior to Court of Inquiry on a deserter he will obtain from the Quartermaster the official names and prices of all articles deficient.
6. He will keep a book for each Battalion tradesman, and articles are not to be taken to the shops for repair unless accompanied by the book. The trades- man will initial the receipt, enter the charge for repair, and return the book. The amount entered in the book should agree with the charges at the end of the pay period.
7. Requisitions for writing paper, etc., for men in hospital which are duly counter-signed by the Medical Officer, are to be complied with as soon as possible.
8. He will not do guards, nor perform the duties of Company Orderly Sergeant unless specially ordered. He is excused Battalion parades on the last day of each period of the pay list except those parades ordered as strong as possible.
9. He will see that each barrack room occupied by the Company has a door card of Battalion pattern. Cards will also be furnished for the quarters of married non- commissioned officers and men.
10. When any man is transferred to another company or unit, his document will be rendered to the Orderly Room on the day of transfer.
11. He will keep the Pay and Mess Roll and otherwise carry out the duties of Company Accountant.
12. He is responsible for the cleanliness of cookhouses, latrines, etc., in possession, or vicinity, of his Company. He will use every endeavour to reduce bar- rack damages to a minimum, and will see that all charges are paid for by the individuals responsible.
13. He will attend at the changing of all barrack utensils, sheets, etc., and note all damages chargeable to the Company.
Note - Any point which may arise regarding the duties of Company Sergeant-Majors and Company Quartermaster-Sergeants not covered by the above orders will invariably be submitted for the decision of the Commanding Officer.
Trench Mortar Batteries
Formation and development. In 1914, no organisation existed for trench mortars as the weapons simply did not exist in the British army. Along with the early and faltering development of the weapons, the organisation into batteries was rather haphazard and was left to local command. The infantry, artillery and engineers were all involved from time to time. By December 1915, high command ordered that light mortar units would be manned by the infantry and the medium/heavy units by the Royal Field Artillery. In March 1916, the medium trench mortar batteries formally came under the command of Divisional artillery, while the light Stokes batteries left battalion-level control and came under brigade command. At this time, each Division was given a Divisional Trench Mortar officer, the batteries were numbered, and a badge was introduced to identify mortar personnel.
Armaments. In 1914, the Army was not equipped with trench mortars. The German Army had three types of Minenwerfer, although perhaps only as few as 160 in all. These weapons soon became a dreadful hazard for the scratch trenches in Flanders, the heavy weapon in particular firing a large canister bomb that could destroy many yards of trench. In response, the British authorities decided not to copy the German design on the basis of their inherently unsafe ammunition. Twelve experimental 3.7-inch mortars, with 545 rounds of ammunition, arrived in France in December 1914. They proved to be inaccurate,with a tendency to premature explosion. Forty ancient Coehorn mortars, firing spherical ammunition using black powder charges,were obtained from the French,and were actually fired at the battles at Neuve Chapelle and Aubers Ridge. They were nicknamed Toby mortars, after the officer whose initiative led to their acquisition. In desperation for a short-range artillery weapon, the infantry and engineering workshops improvised, making a variety of weapons,many more dangerous to the firer than to the target. Other devices built to achieve the same effect included catapults. During the first part of 1915, trench mortar production was pitifully small: 75 supplied in the first three months, then 225 in the second. However, the main bottleneck was in providing ammunition: only 8,816 rounds in the first Quarter, and 42,753 in the second. Various models including 1.57-inch, 2-inch, and 4-inch had joined the 3.7-inch in the poor fare with which the Army was supplied. The breakthrough came in mid 1915, with the acceptance of the 3-inch Stokes mortar. This had been invented in January 1915 by Wilfred Stokes: a design of brilliant simplicity, which became standard issue in the Army for several decades. (200 4-inch Stokes projectors were also made, for gas-filled ammunition. 27 of these fired smoke mortars in the opening barrage at Loos in September 1915). The first production order for 1,000 weapons was issued in August, and 304 were issued in the final Quarter of 1915, of which 200 went to training schools. The Stokes mortar could be operated by skilled crews to have a very high rate of fire, with a number of rounds - perhaps up to nine - in flight at any one time. By the time of the Battle of Loos in September 1915, the mortars had been arranged into 61 four-gun batteries. GHQ proposed to provide each Division with 6 light batteries, 2 medium and 1 heavy; but this had not been achieved even by the opening of the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. By May 1916 it was decided to standardise on three types: the 3-inch Stokes ('light'), the 2-inch Medium (superceded in 1917 by the 6-inch Newton Mortar), and the 9.45-inch Heavy. The latter became available towards the end of 1916, after failed experiments in the summer. The army also called these 'Flying Pigs'. By 1918 each Division had 24 Stokes and 12 Medium mortars, and a few 9.45-inch Heavy weapons.
Trench Mortar Tactics. Trench mortars were used in a variety of defensive and offensive roles, from the suppression of an enemy machine-gun, sniper post or other local feature, to the coordinated firing of barrages. Larger mortars were sometimes used for cutting barbed wire, especially where field artillery could not be used, either because of the danger of hitting British troops or where the effect of the fire could not be observed. Experience on the Somme revealed that use of Stokes mortars in an offensive close-support role had been limited by the reluctance of some commanders to sacrifice rifle strength to provide parties required to carry the ammunition which the weapons so quickly consumed.
Trench Mortar Units. By March 1916, most Divisions had three Medium Batteries, designated X, Y and Z. For example, in the 24th Division they would be X.24,Y.24 and Z.24. There was also the Heavy Battery, designated V, such as V.24. The light Stokes batteries under each Brigade took their number from the Brigade, so for example 123rd Brigade in the 41st Division included 123rd TM Battery from June 1916. Z Battery was in most cases broken up in February 1918, with personnel redeployed to the other batteries.
Formation and development. In 1914, no organisation existed for trench mortars as the weapons simply did not exist in the British army. Along with the early and faltering development of the weapons, the organisation into batteries was rather haphazard and was left to local command. The infantry, artillery and engineers were all involved from time to time. By December 1915, high command ordered that light mortar units would be manned by the infantry and the medium/heavy units by the Royal Field Artillery. In March 1916, the medium trench mortar batteries formally came under the command of Divisional artillery, while the light Stokes batteries left battalion-level control and came under brigade command. At this time, each Division was given a Divisional Trench Mortar officer, the batteries were numbered, and a badge was introduced to identify mortar personnel.
Armaments. In 1914, the Army was not equipped with trench mortars. The German Army had three types of Minenwerfer, although perhaps only as few as 160 in all. These weapons soon became a dreadful hazard for the scratch trenches in Flanders, the heavy weapon in particular firing a large canister bomb that could destroy many yards of trench. In response, the British authorities decided not to copy the German design on the basis of their inherently unsafe ammunition. Twelve experimental 3.7-inch mortars, with 545 rounds of ammunition, arrived in France in December 1914. They proved to be inaccurate,with a tendency to premature explosion. Forty ancient Coehorn mortars, firing spherical ammunition using black powder charges,were obtained from the French,and were actually fired at the battles at Neuve Chapelle and Aubers Ridge. They were nicknamed Toby mortars, after the officer whose initiative led to their acquisition. In desperation for a short-range artillery weapon, the infantry and engineering workshops improvised, making a variety of weapons,many more dangerous to the firer than to the target. Other devices built to achieve the same effect included catapults. During the first part of 1915, trench mortar production was pitifully small: 75 supplied in the first three months, then 225 in the second. However, the main bottleneck was in providing ammunition: only 8,816 rounds in the first Quarter, and 42,753 in the second. Various models including 1.57-inch, 2-inch, and 4-inch had joined the 3.7-inch in the poor fare with which the Army was supplied. The breakthrough came in mid 1915, with the acceptance of the 3-inch Stokes mortar. This had been invented in January 1915 by Wilfred Stokes: a design of brilliant simplicity, which became standard issue in the Army for several decades. (200 4-inch Stokes projectors were also made, for gas-filled ammunition. 27 of these fired smoke mortars in the opening barrage at Loos in September 1915). The first production order for 1,000 weapons was issued in August, and 304 were issued in the final Quarter of 1915, of which 200 went to training schools. The Stokes mortar could be operated by skilled crews to have a very high rate of fire, with a number of rounds - perhaps up to nine - in flight at any one time. By the time of the Battle of Loos in September 1915, the mortars had been arranged into 61 four-gun batteries. GHQ proposed to provide each Division with 6 light batteries, 2 medium and 1 heavy; but this had not been achieved even by the opening of the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. By May 1916 it was decided to standardise on three types: the 3-inch Stokes ('light'), the 2-inch Medium (superceded in 1917 by the 6-inch Newton Mortar), and the 9.45-inch Heavy. The latter became available towards the end of 1916, after failed experiments in the summer. The army also called these 'Flying Pigs'. By 1918 each Division had 24 Stokes and 12 Medium mortars, and a few 9.45-inch Heavy weapons.
Trench Mortar Tactics. Trench mortars were used in a variety of defensive and offensive roles, from the suppression of an enemy machine-gun, sniper post or other local feature, to the coordinated firing of barrages. Larger mortars were sometimes used for cutting barbed wire, especially where field artillery could not be used, either because of the danger of hitting British troops or where the effect of the fire could not be observed. Experience on the Somme revealed that use of Stokes mortars in an offensive close-support role had been limited by the reluctance of some commanders to sacrifice rifle strength to provide parties required to carry the ammunition which the weapons so quickly consumed.
Trench Mortar Units. By March 1916, most Divisions had three Medium Batteries, designated X, Y and Z. For example, in the 24th Division they would be X.24,Y.24 and Z.24. There was also the Heavy Battery, designated V, such as V.24. The light Stokes batteries under each Brigade took their number from the Brigade, so for example 123rd Brigade in the 41st Division included 123rd TM Battery from June 1916. Z Battery was in most cases broken up in February 1918, with personnel redeployed to the other batteries.
Medal Details:
- 1914-15 Star: 1200 PTE.V.A.MILSOM. R.WAR.R.
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 1200 CPL. V.A.MILSOM. R.WAR.R.
- Victory Medal: 1200 CPL. V.A.MILSOM. R.WAR.R.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as issued.
Page last updated 15 Jun 14