Lt.-Col. Ernest L. Chambers, officer commanding the battalion on 1st July 1916. Photograph by kind courtesy of John Facer. Click to enlarge

Lt.-Col. Charles Bertram Charlesworth, who took over command of the battalion on 11th August 1917. Charlesworth was one of the colliery owners and had previously commanded the battalion's C Company. Information and photograph by kind courtesy of John Facer. Click to enlarge

12/57 Herbert Massey, 24th December 1915. Herbert transferred to the Royal Engineers, and was posted to France in March 1915, subsequently winning the Military Medal. An excellent photograph shows Herbert in a captured German trench at Fricourt on 1st July 1916. Information and photograph by kind courtesy of John Facer. Click to enlarge

12/61 Sam Facer. Sam survived the war, despite being caught in a German gas bombardment of the Nieppe Forest on 21st April 1918. Information and photograph by kind courtesy of Sam's son, John Facer. Click to enlarge

12/97 William Townsend. William was wounded and taken prisoner at Serre on 1st July 1916. Information and photograph by kind courtesy of John Facer. Click to enlarge

12/159 William Heald and his wife Annie. William looked after the pit ponies at Old Roundwood Colliery before joining the battalion as a farrier. He returned to Old Roundwood after the war. Information and photograph by kind courtesy of John Facer. Click to enlarge