Sherwood Foresters - 6th Bn (TF)

Above, men of the 6th Bn march out of their annual camp, 1909.

This post will look at regimental numbering in the 6th (Territorial Force) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) between 1908 and 1914. The 5th and the 6th Battalions of this regiment were administered by the Derbyshire County Association whereas the 7th and 8th Battalions were administered by the Nottinghamshire County Association.

Until the 1st April 1908, the 6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters had been the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Sherwood Foresters and it was headquartered at 10 Corporation Street, Chesterfield, its eight companies drawing men from the following areas: 

A Company: Chesterfield

B Company: Chapel-en-le-Frith with drill stations at Edale, Hathersage, Peak Dale and Chinley

C Company: Buxton, with a drill station at Ashbourne

D Company: Bakewell, with a drill station at Stoney Middleton

E Company: Wirksworth, with drill stations at Cromford and Matlock

F Company: Staveley, with drill stations at Clowne, Eckington and Brimington

G Company: Claycross, with drill stations at New Tupton and South Wingfield

H Company: Whaley Bridge, with drill stations at New Mills, Disley and Hayfield

By August 1914 the battalion formed part of the Notts & Derby Infantry Brigade in the North Midland Division. 

Here are some sample regimental numbers and joining dates for the the 6th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters.

21 joined on the 1st April 1908 

1134 joined on the 22nd April 1909

1216 joined on the 10th February 1910 

1317 joined on the 30th January 1911 

1524 joined on the 11th January 1912 

1870 joined on the 14th April 1913 

2121 joined on the 16th February 1914 

2250 joined on the 15th August 1914 

A reserve or ‘second-line’ battalion was formed at Chesterfield on the 14th September 1914, the original 6th Battalion now becoming the 1/6th Battalion and the new reserve battalion becoming the 2/6th Battalion. A 3/6th Battalion would be formed at Chesterfield on the 1st March 1915. The 2/6th Battalion would serve overseas from February 1917 but the 3/6th never did so, becoming the 6th Reserve Battalion in April 1916 and ultimately being absorbed by the 5th Reserve Battalion. 

Use the regimental numbers above to estimate when a man would have joined this battalion between 1908 and August 1914. For example, if your man had the number 1111 and lived in Bakewell, he would have joined probably in March or April 1911 and probably served with D Company which was the Bakewell company. 

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To search for photos of your Sherwood Foresters ancestors, check my British Army Ancestors website.