World War One
The 2nd Mons were one of only a small number of Territorial Battalions to have been granted the 1914 Star. They were mobilised for active service on August 4 th 1914 and remained on active service in Germany with the Army of Occupation until May 1919. In November 1914, the Battalion entered the trenches near the Belgium Town of Ypres. Large numbers of the soldiers had served underground and it was not long before the Battalion became well known for its efficiency in trench building. They had the honour of obtaining the first Distinguished Conduct Medal to be granted to a Territorial Unit. Their honours list is probably as large as any Territorial Battalion.
In 1914 the Battalion was very much made up of men from Abercarn, Blaenavon, Crumlin, Cwmbran, Llanhilleth, Monmouth, Usk and Pontypool, with its headquarters at Pontypool. The ages and experiences of the Battalion varied considerably from the boy soldier right through to the veteran of the Boer War.