Victor James Ormerod

 

Lance Corporal 9962
1st Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps

Victor was the son of Elizabeth Ormerod, of 27 Northumberland Grove, Park Lane, Tottenham, London, and the late James Ormerod.

He died on 17 September 1914, aged 23, whilst serving with 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, and is commemorated on the La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial in France.

The Memorial commemorates nearly 4,000 officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force who died in August, September and the early part of October 1914 and who have no known grave.

The record of 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1914, is recorded in British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Westlake.

The entries for the Battalion, to the end of September 1914 are shown below.

"AUGUST

Salamanca Barracks, Aldershot. Part of 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. Entrained at Farnborough (12th). Arrived Southampton and sailed for France. Arrived off Havre during night. Sailed up the Seine early morning (13th) and to rest camp near the racecource at Rouen. Entrained (14th). Travelled via Amiens, Arras, Cambrai to Vaux Audigny. Arrived 1 pm. and to billets at Hannappes. To Landrecies (21st), Hargnies (22nd). Advanced to Givry near Mons (23rd) and entrenched north of the village during afiernoon. Came under shell and rifle fire. Began retreat (24th), marching via Treaux and Malplaquet to Bavai then through Aymeric, Pont-sur-Sambe to Maroilles (25th). In support of 1st Royal Berkshire during action at bridge on the Sambre west of village during night Continued retreat to Venerolles (26th), Mont d'Ourigny (27th), via La Fere to Amigny (28th). "C" Company took up positions around bridge at Condren. "B" company relieved "C" Company during morning. Marched to Coucy-le-Châteaux (30th), via Soissons to St. Bandry (31st).

SEPTEMBER

To Forêt Domeniche de Retz (1st) and took up covering line on northern edge. Came under heavy shell fire. Moved back through wood during evening. Casualties - Lieutenant PG. Chadworth-Musters and 12 other ranks wounded. Marched via Betz to La Cong. Farm near Trilbardou (2nd), via Meaux, Trilport, Montceaux and Pierre Levée to Bilttarteatux Farm (3rd), to Voisins (4th), via Luinigny to Chaurrtes. Began advance (6th), marching to Château-de-la-Fontelle then St. Siméon (7th). War Diary noted reinforcement of 2 officers and 100 other ranks arrived. Strength now 1,130. Moved forward via Rebais, La Bone and La Trétoire to La Noue (8th). Crossed the Marne at Charly (9th) then to Coupru. Moved via Marigny to Hautesvesnes (10th). Enemy engaged on Vierley-Chezy road. War Diary records that the Germans surrendered after 1½ hours fighting having lost some 80 killed and wounded. 450 prisoners taken. A report of the action published in The King's Royal Rifle Corps Chronicle records that the Battalions strength was 1,150 and that for the enemy, a German rearguard, about 1,200 with a battery of field guns. Casualties - 10 other ranks killed, Lieutenants R.H. Woods, A.L Bonham-Carter, Second-Lieutenants H.W. Butler, R.A. Banon and 60 other ranks wounded. Bivouacked at Chevillon. Marched to Walée (11th), Mont Hussard (12th), Duisel (13th), Verneuil (14th). Battalion divided and advanced either side of 1st Royal Berkshire. "B" and "C" Companies to the right came under attack. War Diary records that the attack came from infantry to the front and machine guns on the flank and situated in a wood about 700 yards north of Tilleul - "They put up a very good fight and killed a large number of the enemy" before retiring to Tilleul. During the night the companies advanced to de Courelan then Malval but at midnight withdrew back to Verneuil. On the left, "A" and "D" Companies contacted 1st Irish Guards. War Diary records that this was by a road running north from Soupir, the men after some skirmishing driving the enemy through a wood and inflicting high casualties. The companies dug in on edge of wood under shell fire from the heights near Braye. Captains A.F.C. Machlaclan, DSO, G. Makins, MVO and Second-Lieutenant H.C. Lloyd wounded. "B" and "C" Companies joined "A" and "D" Companies in trenches near Soupir (16th). Lieutenant J.S. Alston wounded (19th). Lieutenant F.W. Cavendish-Bentinck wounded and Battalion relieved (20th). "A" and "D" Companies to Verneuil, "B" and "C" to Moussy. Casualties (l4th-20th) - 27 killed, 5 officers and 136 other ranks wounded, 8 missing. Moved to Oeuilly (21st), Bourg (25th). Relieved 1st Cameron Highlanders in tenches [sic] near Beaulne (26th). Enemy attack repulsed (27th). Lieutenant-Colonel E. Northey (Commanding Officer) wounded. Lieutenant A H. Brocklehurst wounded (28th). War Diary records trenches and "C" Company in the valley north of Beaulne heavily shelled (29th). Casualties - 3 killed 11 wounded."

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that Victor died of wounds on 17 September 1914. The Database also notes that Victor was born in Enfield, Middlesex, and resided in Stratford, Essex.

The Army Register of Soldiers' Effects records that Victor joined in the Army on 27 January 1911, and was an electrician prior to enlisting. His effects were left to a Miss Lottie Arrowsmith following his death.

La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial
Victor's name commemorated on the La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial