William Bernard Whitmore

The Birmingham Pals - Terry Carter

This is by far the most useful book for researching the battalions. Published in 1997 by Pen and Sword, it gives a full history of the wartime service of the three Birmingham battalions, complete with many pictures. Available in large-format paperback for £17.95.

Reflections on the Battlefield: From infantryman to chaplain 1914-1919 - Robert J Rider

Robert Rider joined the 14th Royal Warwickshire Battalion in 1915, and served with it until he was commissioned as a chaplain in 1917 and transferred to a different brigade. He started writing his memoirs in the twenties, but it took until 2002 until they were published by Liverpool University Press. Available in paperback for £17.95, or hardback for £44.95.

The book has been reviewed by Battlefields of the Great War, and The History Gateway.

The First Birmingham Battalion in the Great War 1914-1919 - J E B Fairclough

This book was written in 1933 (published by Cornish Brothers), and is subtitled 'Being a history of the 14th (Service) Battalion of the Royal  Warwickshire Regiment'. This first hand account provides another personal perspective on what it was like to serve with the battalion. It also includes a roll of honour and casualty list. It is almost impossible to find nowadays (though you could try here), but can be read at Birmingham Central Library.

We have a copy of this book — if you would like a small section photocopied for you, please ask.

The 15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (2nd Birmingham Battalion) in the Great War - Major C Bill

This book was written in 1932 and also published by Cornish Brothers. Like Fairclough's book on the 14th Battaltion, it is a first hand account and includes a roll of honour and casualty list. It is almost impossible to find nowadays (though a copy is available from Godfrey Whitmore Books). There are also two copies at the Birmingham Central Library.

We have a copy of this book — if you would like a small section photocopied for you, please ask.

This rare book has recently been republished by DP & G Military Publishers, and is available from them for £25+p&p.

Birmingham City Battalions Book of Honour - Sir William Bowater

I have seen this book  described variously as being published in 1919 by W & T Avery and in 1920 by Sherrat & Hughes. Sir William Bowater was the Alderman of the City, Honorary Colonel of the 14th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and chairman of the City Battalions Equipment Committee. The book contains a history of the battalions (from 1915 to early 1917), medals awarded and casualties, and photographs of each platoon. Like Fairclough's book, above, it is virtually impossible to find (though again you could try here), but can be read at Sutton Coldfield Reference Library.

A CD-ROM version of this book is available from Midland Historical Data, for just £10.

Soldiers Died: Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Originally published in 1921 by HMSO, the Soldiers Died in the Great War series spanned 81 volumes and listed 635,000 soldiers and 37,000 officers who perished in the War. These volumes have now republished by J B Hayward/Savannah Publications in 1989. The Royal Warwickshire Regiment is covered by Volume 11, and lists all those who died: alphabetically within their battalions. Each entry shows the place of birth, place of enlistment, regimental number, rank, regiment, cause of death, theatre of war, date of death. Available for £20. (The complete set of 81 volumes is also available on CD-ROM).