Description
1914-15 trio and Meritorious Service Medal – 12th battalion Cheshire Regiment.
1914-15 Star, 16490 Pte H. White, Ches.R.; British War and Victory Medals, 16490 Sjt H. White. Ches.R.; Meritorious Service Medal (Geo V) 16490 Sjt H. White. 12/Ches.R.;(Matching set on miniatures but MSM is a Geo VI example)
Harry White was born in Hulme, Lancashire in 1886.
He enlisted on the 11th September 1914, and is confirmed in his service papers as serving in the 12th battalion Cheshire regiment.
His MIC shows he landed in France on the 6th September 1915.
His papers also confirm he served in Salonica
M.S.M. Awarded in the “Peace Gazette” 3rd June 1919.
Demobilised 11th May 1919.
Condition – GVF
His service record, MIC, Medal rolls etc are all available on Ancestry.
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The 12th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed at Chester in September 1914 Assigned to the 66th Infantry Brigade within the 22nd Division, the battalion saw initial action in France before serving the remainder of World War I in the demanding Salonika (Macedonian) theatre.
Formation & Western Front Deployment Sept 1914 – Sept 1915
Raised in Chester, the battalion trained across England before deploying to France. Landing at Boulogne on September 6, 1915, they served a brief stint in the trenches on the Western Front.
Deployment to Salonika Nov 1915 – Jan 1916
Re-routed to the Mediterranean as part of the Allied expeditionary force, the battalion landed at Salonika, Macedonia, to stem the Bulgarian advance along the Balkan front.
Early Balkan Operations Aug 1916 – May 1917
Engaged in brutal mountain warfare, capturing Horseshoe Hill in August 1916 and participating in the Battle of Machukovo. They later held lines during the costly First Battle of Doiran in spring 1917.
The Assault on Pip Ridge September 18, 1918
Spearheaded the heroic but devastating attack on Pip Ridge during the Second Battle of Doiran. Facing machine guns, flamethrowers, and heavy artillery, the battalion fought until reduced to just 60 to 70 survivors.
Throughout the campaign, the battalion endured harsh mountain terrain, freezing winters, and rampant malaria, which claimed more casualties than combat. For its heroic sacrifice at Pip Ridge—which helped break the Bulgarian lines and force Bulgaria’s surrender days later—the 12th Battalion was awarded the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme. Following post-armistice duties in Bulgaria, the battalion was disbanded in late 1919.
