Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article – Friday October 23rd, 1914

DO YOU KNOW

That fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion Leicestershire about to go abroad?

(Lawrence was one of these Famous ‘First Fifty’ as they would be forever remembered – only 22 would return)

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

LOCAL NEWS

Fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits who have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion for France received their clothes yesterday preparatory to leaving for Luton to-day (Friday).

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

COALVILLE TERRITORIALS LEAVE THIS MORNING
ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF

Fifty of the Territorial Reserves selected to make up the 5th Battalion at Luton left Coalville for that place by the 9 o’clock train this morning (Friday) amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The railway station, bridge, and approaches thereto, were crowded with hundreds of people, and the Coalville lads had a much hearty send-off. The crowd included the Vicar, curate and many of the leading residents of the town and district. The Territorials looked very smart in their new uniforms and before they left they found in their pockets packets of cigarettes and chocolates, a pleasant surprise which a number of Coalville ladies and gentlemen had thoughtfully prepared for them. While waiting for the train they and the crowd sang “It’s a long way to Tipperary” and other popular martial airs, and the train left amid ringing cheers.

Coalville Times article – Friday November 6th, 1914

LOCAL CHIT CHAT

Several of the Coalville friends of the fifty Territorial Reserves who left here for Luton last Friday have received letters which show that the men are in excellent spirits. Upon arrival at Luton they were allotted to various companies and were billeted at houses in the town, being supplied with warm blankets, and the food was stated to be good and plenty of it. It is just possible that they may have left Luton by now, as a letter received from one of them yesterday, stated they were mobilising on Wednesday and were expected to leave for an unknown destination. Since arriving at Luton on Friday they have had gun practice, several long marches and engaged in mimic warfare.

Coalville Times article – Friday June 25th, 1915

COALVILLE BROTHERS IN THE TRENCHES

TWO OF THE FIRST FIFTY

Our photographs are of the brothers Lawrence and Thomas Usherwood, sons of Mr T. Usherwood, M.R. engine driver, who resides in Highfields Street, Coalville. Both are privates in the Leicestershire Territorial Regiment, 5th Battalion, and were among the first batch of fifty to leave Coalville. They have for some time been taking their turn in the trenches and their letters home, some of which have appeared in our column, are of a cheery nature. Both are in Sergt.-Major R. Hill’s Company. The sergeant-major has been on a visit to Coalville this week and says all the men are in wonderfully good spirits. Before the war Lawrence Usherwood was engaged at Messrs. Stableford and Co’s works, and his brother Tom worked in the office of Messrs. Wootton Bros.

Coalville Times article – Friday September 22nd, 1916

Corporal Lawrence Usherwood, of the Leicestershire Regiment, who was one of the first fifty Territorials to leave Coalville for the war, is at home on leave this week?

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 14/12/2017