Prescot Roll of Honour

Service Details

The 2nd/5th battalion of the South Lancashire regiment was officially constituted at Liverpool on September 23rd, 1914, principally as a 'second line' unit for the 1st/5th battalion. It proceeded to Blackpool on 11th November to commence its training, although it was severely handicapped in the early days by a lack of uniforms and equipment.

Early in 1915, the battalion was moved to Tunbridge Well sin Kent, forming part of the Central Force for Home Defence, although training was still hampered by the lack of equipment. The battalion consisted of 37 officers and 1,203 other ranks, although a significant proportion of these were for Home Service only. In addition, a high turnover of personnel came about due to the large number of discharges on medical grounds.

In May of 1915, the first draft to replace casualties at the front was called for and 10 officers left immediately for France. A steady drain of men continued until November, when the 3rd/5th battalion was formed to act as a Dept for men who had been evacuated due to wounds or sickness, also supplying drafts to the first line battalion. The second line battalion was now able to form itself into a shape fir for the purpose of fighting.

As 1916 progressed, the battalion remained on Home Service, mainly constructing field fortifications for the protection of London, south of the Thames. In June, however, the battalion was moved to Ashdown in Kent to complete training in preparation for moving overseas. Orders were not received until Christmas 1916, however. Eventually, the battalion entrained at Farnborough on 16th February 1917 for Folkstone. Their departure for France was delayed by fog until the 20th, when they sailed on the s.s. 'Princess Henriette' with a full complement of officers and men.

Their early days in France were mobile, moving from Boulogne to Bailleul, then Oultersteene and finally to Armentieres. Here on 4th March, they moved into the front line trenches for the first time, relieving the men of the 2nd/4th battalion. AT this time, Armentieres was a 'quiet' sector and so the battalion passed the month of March suffering few casualties.

At the beginning of April, the unit was in Divisional reserve at Rue Dormoire. On 10th, a small party under 2/Lt Cocking carried out a raid on the German trenches near Bois Grenier to obtain identifications. They had all been specially trained for the task, but the enemy was on alert and the raid failed with the loss of its commander with 3 other ranks missing and 7 wounded. Amongst the missing men were Rfn. Robert Mutch and Sergeant Joseph Travis.

They now rest alongside each other in graves at Point-du-Hem Military Cemetery. It would appear that they had been buried by the Germans after the raid but were brought into Pont-du-Hem as part of the post-war battlefield clearance.



The Parish Magazine of 26th September 1917 reported 'To the long list of names of those of our gallant men who have given their lives for the Empire must now be added the following'. Included in the list is 'Pte. Robert Mutch, 20, of 5th South Lancs. It is thought that he was killed in action in April last. His home is 20, Cyprus Street'.

His service is commemorated on the Methodist Church Roll of Honour

An extract from BICC 'Link' magazine, April 1918

Private Mutch's Medal Index Card

Robert Mutch's grave at Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery