The Friends Of The Suffolk Regiment

  • Welcome
  • Introduction
    • The 'Family'
  • Publications
    • Operation 'Legacy'
  • Join Us
  • 'Honours and Awards'
  • Battlefield Tours
  • The Team
  • Friends News
  • Contact
  • Welcome
  • Introduction
    • The 'Family'
  • Publications
    • Operation 'Legacy'
  • Join Us
  • 'Honours and Awards'
  • Battlefield Tours
  • The Team
  • Friends News
  • Contact

OPERATION LEGACY
​A UNIQUE DAY-BY-DAY REMEMBRANCE, 2014 - 2018

follow below, the great war service of the suffolk regiment,
​from mobilisation to the armistice

A "Gentleman Ranker"

23/9/2017

 
Picture
Since 9th July, 2nd Suffolk had been commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel J.L. Lineman. 
The old CO; Lieutenant-Colonel Guy Stubbs had been appointed an instructor at the School for Senior Officers at Aldershot and had departed in early July. Stubbs had gained valuable knowledge during his front line service and it was that knowledge that the Army were keen to impress upon its officers. He had pressed hard to leave his desk job as a staff officer and managed to get command of the Battalion he was first commissioned into when it needed a new CO. Reluctantly, he accepted the position, knowing that he would have to leave his beloved 'Suffolk' and his men, though, he would return to command them again during the last year of the war.
The new 'Old Man' was a "gentleman ranker". He had worked his way up from the ranks starting his Army career in 1898, just before the Boer War. John Longhurst Likeman enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers and went with the Battalion to South Africa in 1899, taking part in the actions at Colenso, Spion Kop and later the Relief of Ladysmith. Remaining in Africa after peace was signed, he transferred to a job as a Quartermaster in Transvaal Repatriation Department, before in 1904, accepting a job in the British East African Police, where he was given the rank of Inspector.
Leaving the African Police in 1908 her returned home and was married. At the end of the year, John and his new wife, started their journey to Australia for a new life down under. Though the years in-between are unknown, he must have joined the Australian Army around 1914 and most probably came with them to Europe in 1915. His Inspector rank in the Police and previous service in the British Army most probably enabled a swift commission. He was to lead the Battalion through a tough, but successful time over the summer and winter of 1917.


Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Welcome to our online 'blog' charting the history of the many Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment and the part they played in the Great War.
    Starting back in March 2014, we have recorded the events of 100 years ago on the centenary of their happening.
    Keep checking back to see how the Great War is progressing for the men of the Suffolk Regiment.
    ​

    Archives

    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.