WW1 RND DRAKE BATTALION POW ITEMS
HISTORY
The Drake Battalion was a unit within the World War I Royal Naval Division (RND), which comprised naval personnel serving on land.It fought at major campaigns like the Gallipoli and the Western Front, where it saw heavy fighting at battles such as the Somme and Arras. The battalion experienced significant casualties throughout the war but played a crucial role in key engagements.
Key campaigns and battles
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Antwerp:
In 1914, the RND, including the Drake Battalion, was deployed to defend Antwerp, but the division suffered heavy losses and was forced to withdraw, with some troops being interned in the Netherlands.
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Gallipoli:
In April 1915, the battalion participated in the Gallipoli landings. It fought in the trenches against Turkish forces at Cape Helles, sustaining heavy casualties before being withdrawn.
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Western Front:
After Gallipoli, the RND was refitted and transferred to the Western Front, where the Drake Battalion saw continuous action. It participated in the Somme Offensive in late 1916 and the Battle of Arras in 1917.
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Last battles:
The battalion fought in the final stages of the war, participating in the Battle of Passchendaele and the final British offensive to break through the Hindenburg Line. The last original Royal Naval Battalions were disbanded in early 1918 due to heavy casualties.
Notable facts
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Composition:
The Drake Battalion was the 1st Battalion of the 1st Royal Naval Brigade, which was part of the Royal Naval Division.
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Commanders:
The battalion's commanding officer was Commander C.R. Samson.
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Casualties:
The division as a whole suffered an estimated 47,000 casualties by the end of the war.
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Later service:
After the war, the RND was transferred to Army command, and the Drake Battalion was disbanded, with its surviving members being integrated into the British Army.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This is an interesting set of items. It starts with a lovely Walnut framed photo with the frame having been made by a WW1 Royal Naval detachment (RND) Sailor whist he was a POW of the Germans, obviously he was captured on the Western Front. There are also a DRAKE Bn hat badge, DRAKE Bn shoulder title, RND shoulder title, RN cloth hat badge and a DRAKE Bn sweetheart badge (pin missing). All the items come in a case with a glass top.
An interesting lot of items from a DRAKE Bn POW from the RND who lost 47,000 sailors/soldiers who fought on land.