August 8th 1918 by Will Longstaff
Bournemouth
Private Harris 5th January 1918
Tom Percival Harris was born in Winterbourne Bassett, and he was the son of Thomas and Martha Harris of 5 Almshouses in Talbot Village, Bournemouth. According to the 1891 census, his parents were agricultural workers in Winterbourne Bassett. Tom Percival was 1 month old at this time. The family were living at Rose cottage in West Grafton in 1901, but they had moved to Talbot village by 1911. This village was founded between 1850 and 1862 by two sisters, Georgina and Mary Anne Talbot, for the benefit of the local poor who were dispossessed by the enclosure of common land and the right to free grazing, game and fuel.
Tom Harris enlisted in the Wiltshire Regiment and served in the 2nd battalion. His army number was 8540. The sequence of the army numbers indicates that he joined the army as a regular soldier in 1910.
Tom Harris began his war in Gibralter. The battalion landed in Belgium in October, 1914, and was effectively destroyed at Reutel near Ypres. At the end of the year, the reconstituted battalion held waterlogged trenches in the Fleurbaix area. In March 1915, the battalion suffered 400 casualties in fighting at Neuve Chapelle, and in May, 158 casualties at Festubert. Tom Harris survived this dreadful conflict, only to contract phthisis, or tuberculosis [TB], an infectious disease which commonly affects the lungs. He was evacuated to England, but never fully recovered, and was declared "no longer physically fit due to service". He was apparently discharged on July 23, 1915, but he may have served at the regimental depot in Devizes until 1918.
Private Harris 5th January 1918
Tom Percival Harris was born in Winterbourne Bassett, and he was the son of Thomas and Martha Harris of 5 Almshouses in Talbot Village, Bournemouth. According to the 1891 census, his parents were agricultural workers in Winterbourne Bassett. Tom Percival was 1 month old at this time. The family were living at Rose cottage in West Grafton in 1901, but they had moved to Talbot village by 1911. This village was founded between 1850 and 1862 by two sisters, Georgina and Mary Anne Talbot, for the benefit of the local poor who were dispossessed by the enclosure of common land and the right to free grazing, game and fuel.
Tom Harris enlisted in the Wiltshire Regiment and served in the 2nd battalion. His army number was 8540. The sequence of the army numbers indicates that he joined the army as a regular soldier in 1910.
Tom Harris began his war in Gibralter. The battalion landed in Belgium in October, 1914, and was effectively destroyed at Reutel near Ypres. At the end of the year, the reconstituted battalion held waterlogged trenches in the Fleurbaix area. In March 1915, the battalion suffered 400 casualties in fighting at Neuve Chapelle, and in May, 158 casualties at Festubert. Tom Harris survived this dreadful conflict, only to contract phthisis, or tuberculosis [TB], an infectious disease which commonly affects the lungs. He was evacuated to England, but never fully recovered, and was declared "no longer physically fit due to service". He was apparently discharged on July 23, 1915, but he may have served at the regimental depot in Devizes until 1918.
Tom Harris is buried in the churchyard at St. Mark’s church in Talbot. He was 29 years of age. He is remembered on the War Memorial at St. Mark’s church, and at East Grafton. According to the grave registration report, which was double-checked in 1925, his date of death was 01 January 1918. However other grave registration documents record the 5th June 1918 as his date of death. The date on his gravestone is January 5, 1918. The inscription reads “He loved honour more than he feared death”.
Operation Michael
Operation Michael was launched by the Germans in the Spring of 1918. This offensive restored a war of movement to the Western Front. Although the Germans captured considerable territory, and came very close to breaking through British defences, those defences remained unbroken. Ironically, the costly offensive enabled subsequent Allied operations to break through the defences of a far weaker German army later in the year. This may have been of little consolation to the many Bedwyn men who lost their lives facing the full onslaught of the Spring offensive.
Private Noyes 21 March 1918
William James Noyes was born in Burbage, and he was the son of George Steven and Sarah E. Noyes. In 1891, his parents were described in the Burbage census as general labourers. He was also the husband of Mary Jane Noyes, nee Taylor, of East Sands, whom he married in 1903.
He enlisted with Worcestershire Regiment, and he served in the 2/8 battalion. His army number was 260340.
In February 1918, the 2/8 battalion was reinforced with men from the disbanded 2/7 battalion of the Worcestershire regiment. There was a crisis of manpower in the British Army following the battles of 1917. The prime minister Lloyd George, distrusting the attritional strategy of Haig, was holding back the posting of replacements to the Western Front.
At the start of 1918, there were no continuous lines of British trenches facing the Germans at St. Quentin, and the British Army relied on a number of established redoubts. The 2/8 battalion occupied the Ellis Redoubt, which was built by 201 Field Company, Royal Engineers, in February 1918. The site lay near Fayet, north-west of St. Quentin, and was built on a south facing spur overlooking Ivry Alley trench. The Ellis redoubt contained a series of concealed machine gun posts surrounded by barbed wire designed to channel attackers into the guns. However on 21st March, the building of the redoubt was incomplete. On the morning of March 21st, battalion HQ and C company held the redoubt. Apparently there were two trench mortars, but only two machine guns in the redoubt. A heavy trench mortar had been sent to the redoubt, but it was not installed ready for action by March 22nd. The defences were not as formidable as may have been originally intended.
The forward outposts of the battalion lay west of Cepy farm, which was occupied by the Germans. The Bois de Rosees was occupied by the HQ of A company, and the village of Fayet by the HQ of B company. The platoons were distributed among a number of posts, linked by shallow trenches no more than waist deep. Neither labour nor materials had been sufficiently provided to build better defences, and few if any of the posts were protected with barbed wire. D company was deployed between the forward companies and the redoubt, and was reserved for counter attacks. One half of the company occupied Squash valley, and the other half part of Fayet village.
Operation Michael was launched by the Germans in the Spring of 1918. This offensive restored a war of movement to the Western Front. Although the Germans captured considerable territory, and came very close to breaking through British defences, those defences remained unbroken. Ironically, the costly offensive enabled subsequent Allied operations to break through the defences of a far weaker German army later in the year. This may have been of little consolation to the many Bedwyn men who lost their lives facing the full onslaught of the Spring offensive.
Private Noyes 21 March 1918
William James Noyes was born in Burbage, and he was the son of George Steven and Sarah E. Noyes. In 1891, his parents were described in the Burbage census as general labourers. He was also the husband of Mary Jane Noyes, nee Taylor, of East Sands, whom he married in 1903.
He enlisted with Worcestershire Regiment, and he served in the 2/8 battalion. His army number was 260340.
In February 1918, the 2/8 battalion was reinforced with men from the disbanded 2/7 battalion of the Worcestershire regiment. There was a crisis of manpower in the British Army following the battles of 1917. The prime minister Lloyd George, distrusting the attritional strategy of Haig, was holding back the posting of replacements to the Western Front.
At the start of 1918, there were no continuous lines of British trenches facing the Germans at St. Quentin, and the British Army relied on a number of established redoubts. The 2/8 battalion occupied the Ellis Redoubt, which was built by 201 Field Company, Royal Engineers, in February 1918. The site lay near Fayet, north-west of St. Quentin, and was built on a south facing spur overlooking Ivry Alley trench. The Ellis redoubt contained a series of concealed machine gun posts surrounded by barbed wire designed to channel attackers into the guns. However on 21st March, the building of the redoubt was incomplete. On the morning of March 21st, battalion HQ and C company held the redoubt. Apparently there were two trench mortars, but only two machine guns in the redoubt. A heavy trench mortar had been sent to the redoubt, but it was not installed ready for action by March 22nd. The defences were not as formidable as may have been originally intended.
The forward outposts of the battalion lay west of Cepy farm, which was occupied by the Germans. The Bois de Rosees was occupied by the HQ of A company, and the village of Fayet by the HQ of B company. The platoons were distributed among a number of posts, linked by shallow trenches no more than waist deep. Neither labour nor materials had been sufficiently provided to build better defences, and few if any of the posts were protected with barbed wire. D company was deployed between the forward companies and the redoubt, and was reserved for counter attacks. One half of the company occupied Squash valley, and the other half part of Fayet village.
Ellis Redoubt: Cepy farm, occupied by the Germans, at far right. Opposite the farm is Morlaix redoubt which does not appear to have been defended in March 1918. The Ellis redoubt is unlabelled as this map was published in February, prior to construction of the redoubt. It is represented by a square trench, east of Selency and above Ivry Alley trench. Squash valley lies south of Fayet, below Epicure trench. The elongated Fig wood lies south of Fayet, and is cut by Isigny Alley trench. Bois de Rosees is labelled Rose wood, immediately south of Squash valley. The label is partially obscured.
At dusk on March 20th, a thick mist descended on the woods and valleys surrounding St. Quentin, and in that mist the men were stood to. In the early hours of March 21th, an intense German artillery bombardment descended on the battalion. There were also gas shells exploding in the batallion area, and 18 men were gassed. At 09.30, the artillery fire slackened as German soldiers advanced in groups:
"Each little group of defenders fought an isolated battle against assailants from every side. For the German infantry were employing new tactics. Instead of advancing in regular "waves" they worked by "infiltration" penetrating the weak British line in small groups and then turning on the defensive posts from flank or rear. The mist aided their method, and the forward posts were overwhelmed one by one"
Each of the two forward companies occupied a frontage of nearly one mile, with no more than three posts in the firing line, and six posts in support. It cannot be of any surprise that the Germans could successfully overrun their positions. However, the battalion resisted to the end. One platoon from A company resisted until there were only 5 surviviors, then withdrew to the Ellis redoubt. The defences of Fayet collapsed under the overwhelming numbers of the attacking force, and only a few survivors from B company and part of D company escaped. In Squash valley, the remainder of D company waited for orders to counter attack which never came. After the capture of Fayet and of Fig wood, the Germans soon surrounded these two platoons of D company. Only a few survivors led by Captain Hall escaped to the Ellis redoubt, after a desperate bayonet charge through the Germans and into the surrounding mist.
By 10.20, the Germans began a series of assaults on the Ellis redoubt. After 11.30, the mist cleared, and effective rifle fire caused the Germans to hold back. At 14.00, the Germans withdrew to enable a severe bombardment to envelope the redoubt. The shelling caused many casualties and caused parts of the defences to crumble and collapse. On the lifting of the bombardment, there were fresh infantry attacks. These were not as strong as they could have been, as the Germans concentrated their assault on the neighbouring Enghien redoubt to the north. At this time, wounded men and the trench mortar teams, who had expended their ammunition, were evacuated from the post via a communication trench. Unfortunately, they encountered a large force of Germans near Holnon, and they were killed or captured.
At 16.30, Enghien redoubt fell. The Germans now concentrated their forces on the Ellis Redoubt, and subjected it to a hail of overwhelming crossfire. The survivors sustained many casualties, but fought on until ammunition was exhausted. The battalion defended its position for eight hours against overwhelming odds, but at 17.30, the Ellis redoubt was finally overrun:
"Two thirds of the defenders had been killed or wounded. Ammunition ran out, and it was no longer possible to hold back the enemy. The German infantry charged in with the bayonet and the remnant of the defenders were compelled to surrender" [Private Cull]
William Noyes may have died in the Ellis redoubt, or on one of the forward posts. He was one of 22 recorded fatalities. It is perhaps surprising that numbers were not higher given the intensity of the fighting. However all survivors, wounded or able bodied, were taken prisoners, except for a very small handful who escaped. There were 579 killed, wounded, or missing, in the battalion on this day.
William Noyes was 36 years old, and he has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 41, and on the war memorial in Burbage churchyard.
Private Palmer 21 March 1918
Second Lieutenant Gosling 21 March 1918
William Palmer was born in Little Bedwyn. The Palmer family lived in the area of Bedwyn Common.
William Robert Gosling was the husband of Edith Gosling of 33 Thistleland (Sicily cottages) in Little Bedwyn, which was north of Bedwyn Common.
William Palmer and William Gosling enlisted in the Wiltshire Regiment 2nd battalion. William Palmer‘s army number was 33477.
William Gosling joined C Company having arrived at the battalion from Rouen on October 6th 1917.
On November 19 1917, William Gosling assumed command of the company, but this was a temporary arrangement. On February 20th 1918, he was granted leave. Unfortunately his leave expired on March 10th, only 11 days prior to the start of the German offensive.
The story of the 2nd battalion similar in many ways to that of the 2/8 Worcestershire battalion. The battalion held the l’Epine de Dallon redoubt, which was located south west of St. Quentin, north of the Canal de Saint Quentin on the modern D90 road to Roupy. The redoubt was based around a courtyard farm, which has been restored to date.
Second Lieutenant Gosling 21 March 1918
William Palmer was born in Little Bedwyn. The Palmer family lived in the area of Bedwyn Common.
William Robert Gosling was the husband of Edith Gosling of 33 Thistleland (Sicily cottages) in Little Bedwyn, which was north of Bedwyn Common.
William Palmer and William Gosling enlisted in the Wiltshire Regiment 2nd battalion. William Palmer‘s army number was 33477.
William Gosling joined C Company having arrived at the battalion from Rouen on October 6th 1917.
On November 19 1917, William Gosling assumed command of the company, but this was a temporary arrangement. On February 20th 1918, he was granted leave. Unfortunately his leave expired on March 10th, only 11 days prior to the start of the German offensive.
The story of the 2nd battalion similar in many ways to that of the 2/8 Worcestershire battalion. The battalion held the l’Epine de Dallon redoubt, which was located south west of St. Quentin, north of the Canal de Saint Quentin on the modern D90 road to Roupy. The redoubt was based around a courtyard farm, which has been restored to date.
Battalion HQ and A company occupied the redoubt. C and D companies held forward posts, and B company held a sunken lane as a second line of defence. On March 20th, a party of men who were to 'remain out of battle' was evacuated; as news spread around the battalion of their departure, the men rapidly realised they were about to face a serious fight. The early hours of the 21st March started with an intensive bombardment. After dawn, a patrol was sent out into the mist, but was never heard of again:
"An intense enemy bombardment of our trenches and back areas with HE and gas shells at 4.30am and continued throughout the day. The enemy attacked at 10am with two Divisions on our Battalion front, and owing to the dense mist which prevailed broke through on our flanks and surrounded the Battalion in spite of the strong resistance which was offered"
The outlying companies were soon overrun, but there was no immediate attack on the redoubt. Incredible as it may seem, the Germans were not aware of the redoubt, until the mist clear and the garrison opened fire on them. The Germans initially attacked en masse, as if on parade, and were easily repulsed. However, they broke into the east perimeter of the redoubt and brought in two machine guns. The Germans were supported by one aircraft which made low altitude strafing runs over the battalion. At 13.30, the battalion, reduced to 50 men, were still holding out, but apparently ignorant of the their survival, a British artillery unit shelled the redoubt. When the bombardment ceased at approximately 14.30, the remnants of the battalion were rapidly surrounded. A few men managed to escape, but the remainder were killed or captured.
William Gosling probably died with C company in the forward posts, and he was awarded the Military Medal posthumously. The fate of William Palmer is unknown, other than to record he died in the defence of the L'Epine de Dallon redoubt. On April 2nd, the battalion war diary recorded the known casualties: 5 killed, 13 wounded, 614 missing. Most of the missing men were prisoners of war. Unfortunately the number of men killed was 96, a total which included William Palmer and William Gosling.
William Gosling was aged 25. The names of William Palmer and William Gosling are on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 64, and also on the war memorial in Savernake churchyard.
"An intense enemy bombardment of our trenches and back areas with HE and gas shells at 4.30am and continued throughout the day. The enemy attacked at 10am with two Divisions on our Battalion front, and owing to the dense mist which prevailed broke through on our flanks and surrounded the Battalion in spite of the strong resistance which was offered"
The outlying companies were soon overrun, but there was no immediate attack on the redoubt. Incredible as it may seem, the Germans were not aware of the redoubt, until the mist clear and the garrison opened fire on them. The Germans initially attacked en masse, as if on parade, and were easily repulsed. However, they broke into the east perimeter of the redoubt and brought in two machine guns. The Germans were supported by one aircraft which made low altitude strafing runs over the battalion. At 13.30, the battalion, reduced to 50 men, were still holding out, but apparently ignorant of the their survival, a British artillery unit shelled the redoubt. When the bombardment ceased at approximately 14.30, the remnants of the battalion were rapidly surrounded. A few men managed to escape, but the remainder were killed or captured.
William Gosling probably died with C company in the forward posts, and he was awarded the Military Medal posthumously. The fate of William Palmer is unknown, other than to record he died in the defence of the L'Epine de Dallon redoubt. On April 2nd, the battalion war diary recorded the known casualties: 5 killed, 13 wounded, 614 missing. Most of the missing men were prisoners of war. Unfortunately the number of men killed was 96, a total which included William Palmer and William Gosling.
William Gosling was aged 25. The names of William Palmer and William Gosling are on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 64, and also on the war memorial in Savernake churchyard.
Corporal Biggs 21 March 1918
Joseph Biggs was born in Brighton, and was the husband of Florence Kate Gregory of 27 Forest Hill in Great Bedwyn. They married in August 1917, and she was sadly to be widowed within a year.
He enlisted in August 1914 with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and his army number was 275269. He served in the 17th Heavy Trench Mortar battery, which was attached to the 17th Division, V Corps. He was wounded in the leg in July 1915, but later returned to service. On February 1918, command of his battery passed directly to V Corps.
In March 1918, the battery was located west of Cambrai, in the area north of Flesquieres. The Germans overran the area on March 21st despite the resistance of the divisions of V Corp. Due to lack of leadership, V Corp was caught off balance by the Germans, and within several days it was forced to retreat across the Somme battlefield of 1916. Most of the fighting occurred between Flesquieres and the Canal de Nord.
Joseph Biggs fate is unknown, but he may have been a victim of artillery fire. German artillery searched out known artillery locations prior to their infantry offensive.
Joseph Biggs was aged 39, and is buried with one other man from his battery at Faubourg D'amiens Cemetery, Arras, in grave VII B13. Joseph Biggs name is also on the war memorial at Great Bedwyn.
Joseph Biggs was born in Brighton, and was the husband of Florence Kate Gregory of 27 Forest Hill in Great Bedwyn. They married in August 1917, and she was sadly to be widowed within a year.
He enlisted in August 1914 with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and his army number was 275269. He served in the 17th Heavy Trench Mortar battery, which was attached to the 17th Division, V Corps. He was wounded in the leg in July 1915, but later returned to service. On February 1918, command of his battery passed directly to V Corps.
In March 1918, the battery was located west of Cambrai, in the area north of Flesquieres. The Germans overran the area on March 21st despite the resistance of the divisions of V Corp. Due to lack of leadership, V Corp was caught off balance by the Germans, and within several days it was forced to retreat across the Somme battlefield of 1916. Most of the fighting occurred between Flesquieres and the Canal de Nord.
Joseph Biggs fate is unknown, but he may have been a victim of artillery fire. German artillery searched out known artillery locations prior to their infantry offensive.
Joseph Biggs was aged 39, and is buried with one other man from his battery at Faubourg D'amiens Cemetery, Arras, in grave VII B13. Joseph Biggs name is also on the war memorial at Great Bedwyn.
Private Martin 22 March 1918
Oliver Henry Martin was born in Little Bedwyn in 1877, and was the son of John Martin [1842 - ] and Fanny Meadham [1848 - 1906]. He was also the husband of Rhoda Louisa Mills of Horsell Hill, and they had 8 children.
Oliver Martin enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry, and he served with the 7th battalion. His army number was 32035.
On March 21st 1918, the 7th battalion lay at Curchy, a small village north-west of Nesle. This area was some distance from St.Quentin, and would not have been immediately affected by the fighting. The battalion was part of 20 Division, which was held in reserve in order to be used for counter attacks. However, the Division was fed piecemeal into a losing battle to shore up the defences of the retreating 5th Army. In the late afternoon, the battalion was transported by lorry to prepare a defensive position at St. Simon, south east of St, Quentin. This village lay along the canal de Crozat, [now known as the canal de St.Quentin], below the junction with the canal de Somme.
Oliver Henry Martin was born in Little Bedwyn in 1877, and was the son of John Martin [1842 - ] and Fanny Meadham [1848 - 1906]. He was also the husband of Rhoda Louisa Mills of Horsell Hill, and they had 8 children.
Oliver Martin enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry, and he served with the 7th battalion. His army number was 32035.
On March 21st 1918, the 7th battalion lay at Curchy, a small village north-west of Nesle. This area was some distance from St.Quentin, and would not have been immediately affected by the fighting. The battalion was part of 20 Division, which was held in reserve in order to be used for counter attacks. However, the Division was fed piecemeal into a losing battle to shore up the defences of the retreating 5th Army. In the late afternoon, the battalion was transported by lorry to prepare a defensive position at St. Simon, south east of St, Quentin. This village lay along the canal de Crozat, [now known as the canal de St.Quentin], below the junction with the canal de Somme.
The battalion arrived at dusk and the men were initially told to dig in on the north east bank of the canal. These orders were countermanded, and the battalion moved south west of the canal. Two or three companies dug in along the canal at St. Simon. 'A' company with elements of battalion HQ were positioned in an area of marshy woodland behind the forward companies. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Troyte-Bullock, had been told that there would be troops on his right flank towards Jussy, but he later commented: "As a matter of fact only the troops we ever did get in touch with in that direction was the Huns on the morning of the 23rd".
At dawn on March 22nd, the battalion faced an intense fog which deprived the men of forward visibility. According to one account, the day was described as "quiet so far for as the Somerset men were concerned", and much of the time was spent improving the defences. However the area was subjected to "promiscuous hostile shelling". Other accounts record that the artillery fire was intense, and it worked over British defences observed by the Germans earlier in the day. There was also much low level strafing from the German airforce, and at least one hostile machine gun, was firing across the canal. This quiet day resulted in the death of 24 men in the battalion, including Oliver Martin. More men were killed on March 22nd than on the following day when the battalion actually engaged with the advancing German infantry.
On March 23rd, German cavalry was reported to the front, and the canal bridge at St. Simon was blown. However the charges placed on the bridge at Jussy railway bridge failed to explode. After crossing the canal, the Germans soon isolated and surrounded the battalion. The forward battalions was effectively destroyed, with approximately 400 men taken prisoner. There were 15 soldiers killed, and only parts of A company escaped from the action at St. Simon.
The author of the war diary recorded that there were only 61 survivors of the battalion on March 26th. However, many soldiers of the battalion fought alongside other units during the retreat from St. Quentin. When the battalion was reformed at Quevauvilliers on the 2nd April, there were several hundred men from St. Simon, as well as 500 replacements.
[The History of the Somerset Light Infantry by Brendan Moorhouse].
Oliver Martin was over 40 years of age when he died. The roll of honour in Little Bedwyn church states incorrectly that he died in 1917. His name is on the Pozieres Memorial, Panel 25 and 26.
At dawn on March 22nd, the battalion faced an intense fog which deprived the men of forward visibility. According to one account, the day was described as "quiet so far for as the Somerset men were concerned", and much of the time was spent improving the defences. However the area was subjected to "promiscuous hostile shelling". Other accounts record that the artillery fire was intense, and it worked over British defences observed by the Germans earlier in the day. There was also much low level strafing from the German airforce, and at least one hostile machine gun, was firing across the canal. This quiet day resulted in the death of 24 men in the battalion, including Oliver Martin. More men were killed on March 22nd than on the following day when the battalion actually engaged with the advancing German infantry.
On March 23rd, German cavalry was reported to the front, and the canal bridge at St. Simon was blown. However the charges placed on the bridge at Jussy railway bridge failed to explode. After crossing the canal, the Germans soon isolated and surrounded the battalion. The forward battalions was effectively destroyed, with approximately 400 men taken prisoner. There were 15 soldiers killed, and only parts of A company escaped from the action at St. Simon.
The author of the war diary recorded that there were only 61 survivors of the battalion on March 26th. However, many soldiers of the battalion fought alongside other units during the retreat from St. Quentin. When the battalion was reformed at Quevauvilliers on the 2nd April, there were several hundred men from St. Simon, as well as 500 replacements.
[The History of the Somerset Light Infantry by Brendan Moorhouse].
Oliver Martin was over 40 years of age when he died. The roll of honour in Little Bedwyn church states incorrectly that he died in 1917. His name is on the Pozieres Memorial, Panel 25 and 26.
Corporal Tull 23 March 1918
Charles George Tull was the son of the late R. William and Sarah Tull, and he was born in 1889.
Charles Tull enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served in the 1st Battalion, C Company. His army number was 8942. He was a recipient of the DCM. The battalion was in 99 Brigade, 2 Division.
On March 22nd, the battalion was in reserve at Manancourt. Patrols were sent out in the direction of Equancourt and Etricourt, villages which lay along the Canal du Nord, some 13 kilometres north of Peronne and 12 kilometres south-east of Bapaume. No contact was made with the Germans. However, the following day was not a good day for the battalion. Nobody seemed to know what was going on, and confusion and disorganization reigned supreme:
"At 9.30 am A & B Companies were moved to EQUANCOURT to strengthen the line held by 23/RF and were soon in touch with the enemy fighting a stubborn rearguard action all day and withdrawing by stages through VALLULART WOOD - YTRES - BUS - ROCQUIGNY whence the survivors rejoined 1st line Transport near LE TRANSLOY at night"
Equancourt lay directly east of Etricourt, The battalion retreated northwards through Valluart wood, over the canal tunnel, and then to Ytres (off the map). Meanwhile C company, with Charles Tull, held a defensive rearguard position from the Beetroot factory, north of Etricourt, south towards the railway line.
Charles George Tull was the son of the late R. William and Sarah Tull, and he was born in 1889.
Charles Tull enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served in the 1st Battalion, C Company. His army number was 8942. He was a recipient of the DCM. The battalion was in 99 Brigade, 2 Division.
On March 22nd, the battalion was in reserve at Manancourt. Patrols were sent out in the direction of Equancourt and Etricourt, villages which lay along the Canal du Nord, some 13 kilometres north of Peronne and 12 kilometres south-east of Bapaume. No contact was made with the Germans. However, the following day was not a good day for the battalion. Nobody seemed to know what was going on, and confusion and disorganization reigned supreme:
"At 9.30 am A & B Companies were moved to EQUANCOURT to strengthen the line held by 23/RF and were soon in touch with the enemy fighting a stubborn rearguard action all day and withdrawing by stages through VALLULART WOOD - YTRES - BUS - ROCQUIGNY whence the survivors rejoined 1st line Transport near LE TRANSLOY at night"
Equancourt lay directly east of Etricourt, The battalion retreated northwards through Valluart wood, over the canal tunnel, and then to Ytres (off the map). Meanwhile C company, with Charles Tull, held a defensive rearguard position from the Beetroot factory, north of Etricourt, south towards the railway line.
The defence of this position was hopeless. In front of their forward line there were two road bridges and two railway bridges across the canal. Before C company could fully establish a defensive position, the Germans had crossed the canal and attacked their positions. They were forced to retreat:
"we withdrew by stages via the cemetery at ETRICOURT, LECHELLE WOOD LE MESNIL-EN-ARROUAISE-ROCQUIGNY, where the residue attached themselves to troops of the 47th Divn"
The cemetery, known to the Germans as 'Etricourt Old English Cemetery' is now 'Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British cemetery, Manancourt'.
The retreat took C company in a northwesterly direction. Lieutenant Colonel Hunt was killed while attempting to rally all troops around Lechelle wood, which lay west of Lechelle. To get to this small wood, C company must have passed Four Winds farm, the location of of an RFC aerodrome which had already been hastily abandoned. It was subsequently occupied by Baron von Richthofen's Jagdgeschwader 1, although briefly for one week. C company continued westward to Mesnil en Arrouaise until meeting with troops from 47th Division at Rocqiugny.
Casualties during the last week of March were 542 men, of which 20 were reported killed, 86 wounded, and 83 missing. The figure do not add up, but during this trying week, few figures did. Charles Tull was one of the fatalities, who lost his life between Etricourt and Le Mesnil.
Charles Tull was 29 years of age. He has no known grave, and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Bay 7. His name is also on the war memorial at East Grafton church
"we withdrew by stages via the cemetery at ETRICOURT, LECHELLE WOOD LE MESNIL-EN-ARROUAISE-ROCQUIGNY, where the residue attached themselves to troops of the 47th Divn"
The cemetery, known to the Germans as 'Etricourt Old English Cemetery' is now 'Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British cemetery, Manancourt'.
The retreat took C company in a northwesterly direction. Lieutenant Colonel Hunt was killed while attempting to rally all troops around Lechelle wood, which lay west of Lechelle. To get to this small wood, C company must have passed Four Winds farm, the location of of an RFC aerodrome which had already been hastily abandoned. It was subsequently occupied by Baron von Richthofen's Jagdgeschwader 1, although briefly for one week. C company continued westward to Mesnil en Arrouaise until meeting with troops from 47th Division at Rocqiugny.
Casualties during the last week of March were 542 men, of which 20 were reported killed, 86 wounded, and 83 missing. The figure do not add up, but during this trying week, few figures did. Charles Tull was one of the fatalities, who lost his life between Etricourt and Le Mesnil.
Charles Tull was 29 years of age. He has no known grave, and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Bay 7. His name is also on the war memorial at East Grafton church
Lance Corporal Williams 25 March 1918
Leonard Montagu Williams was born in April 1892 in Great Bedwyn. He was the son of Charles and Mary Williams of 56 York Road. In 1911, his father was a Domestic Gardener, and Leonard was a Grocery assistant in Newbury. He married Lucy Ellen Napper in 1915, probably before he enlisted in October.
Leonard Williams enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps, and served in the 140th Field Ambulance. His army number was 66831. He was sent to Framce in December 1915, as part of the 41st Division, and served on the Western front from 1916 to 1917. In November 1917, his Division was redeployed in Italy on the river Piave.
In early March 1918, the 41st Division returned to France, in the area between Doullens and Mondicourt. The Field Ambulance was in a forward area to attend to walking and lying wounded, but these areas were always subject to shelling. On March 25th, the 140th Field Ambulance was located at Bucquoy, a few miles east of Gommecourt, at a place called Haines Camps, probably after withdrawing from Achiet le Grand. The retreat of the 139th Field Ambulance, which belonged to the same division, was described thus:
"The journey was a nightmare, the roads blocked with transport, guns, men, horses, dead everywhere, shelling continuous and even the walking wounded needing evacuation by horse ambulance. There was no halt"
Leonard Williams died of his wounds incurred during days of utmost confusion, with numerous halts during the retreat, and constant demands to attend to the wounded.
Leonard Williams was 25 years of age. He died at the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital in Doullens, and he was buried at Doullens Communal cemetery Extension No1. His grave is VB64. His name is remembered on the war memorial at Great Bedwyn.
Leonard Montagu Williams was born in April 1892 in Great Bedwyn. He was the son of Charles and Mary Williams of 56 York Road. In 1911, his father was a Domestic Gardener, and Leonard was a Grocery assistant in Newbury. He married Lucy Ellen Napper in 1915, probably before he enlisted in October.
Leonard Williams enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps, and served in the 140th Field Ambulance. His army number was 66831. He was sent to Framce in December 1915, as part of the 41st Division, and served on the Western front from 1916 to 1917. In November 1917, his Division was redeployed in Italy on the river Piave.
In early March 1918, the 41st Division returned to France, in the area between Doullens and Mondicourt. The Field Ambulance was in a forward area to attend to walking and lying wounded, but these areas were always subject to shelling. On March 25th, the 140th Field Ambulance was located at Bucquoy, a few miles east of Gommecourt, at a place called Haines Camps, probably after withdrawing from Achiet le Grand. The retreat of the 139th Field Ambulance, which belonged to the same division, was described thus:
"The journey was a nightmare, the roads blocked with transport, guns, men, horses, dead everywhere, shelling continuous and even the walking wounded needing evacuation by horse ambulance. There was no halt"
Leonard Williams died of his wounds incurred during days of utmost confusion, with numerous halts during the retreat, and constant demands to attend to the wounded.
Leonard Williams was 25 years of age. He died at the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital in Doullens, and he was buried at Doullens Communal cemetery Extension No1. His grave is VB64. His name is remembered on the war memorial at Great Bedwyn.
Private Blanchard 25 March 1918
William Blanchard was born in Rockley, and he lived in Easton Royal. He was the son of James and Susan Blanchard of Ogbourne St. Andrew. His father was from Ogbourne St. George, but he worked as a shepherd in Easton Royal.
William Blanchard enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment, and served in the 1st battalion. His army number was 21041.
The 1st battalion was in reserve at the beginning of the German offensive. On March 24th, it held a line east of Fremicourt, which lay to the east of Bapaume, on the road to Cambrai.
“In the morning the enemy shelled the whole of the Battn Trench System fire being directed by hostile aeroplanes; the absence of our planes was noticeable. Our guns retaliated but unfortunately there was a considerable amount of short shooting causing several casualties”
The situation deteriorated when the German infantry arrived. The battalion held off a frontal assault but were finally outflanked:
“In the afternoon there was an intensive bombardment by the enemy and about 4p.m. the enemy assaulted. Fighting was in progress but the attack had for all practical purposes failed on the Battn front when the CO received a verbal message over the telephone to retire at once. This was passed on to the Coys but at the same time the two Battns on the right flank broke and came back leaving the Coys in the front system in the air. They attempted to come back as ordered but were practically exterminated by machine gun fire”
The battalion regrouped at Achiet Le Petit, which lies north-west of Bapaume and just outside the old Somme battlefield of 1916. There were only 57 men in the battalion counted that night, and 413 casualties were recorded. The following day the battalion was shelled in the afternoon, but suffered no casualties. When British brigades on both flanks retired in the evening, the battalion, upon the initiative of the commanding officer, retired to Pusieux. There followed a night march to Gommecourt, where the battalion arrived at 06.00 on March 26th, back at the start line of the 1916 Somme battle.
Although the death of William Blanchard is recorded for March 25th, he may have died on the previous day. The cemetery where he is buried lies east of the battalion position on March 24th, which seems to indicate his death took place at Fremicourt. One other soldier from the battalion lies in the cemetery in an adjacent grave.
Between the 20th and the 26th of March, 95 men reported killed in the battalion. A few men are buried at Achiet Le Petit, but the vast majority have no known grave, and are remembered on the Arras Memorial.
William Blanchard was 20 years, and he is buried in Lagincourt Hedge cemetery, grave II A4. His grave lies in plot II which was created by the Germans who buried him as an unknown soldier. His name is also on the roll of honour in Christchurch Cadley (now moved to St. Mary’s church, Marlborough).
Private Skitrall 2nd April 1914
William Lewis Skitrall was the son of the late Walter Skitrall and the widowed Ellan Lay of Little Shoddesden near Ludgershall. His parents were married at Burbage in 1887, and his father’s occupation in 1891 was hurdle maker.
William Lewis Skitrall enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served with the 2nd battalion. His army number was 203041. He was previously in the Somerset Light Infantry with an army number of 20978.
The battalion was not involved in the initial fighting. It was a reserve battalion, billeted in St Martin au Laert. On March 22, it travelled by train from Arques to Guillancourt, and then marched to Chaulnes. At midnight, it was moved by omnibus to the Somme, between Roncy-le-Grand and Pargny. As it subsequently moved to Bethencourt, the battalion came under artillery fire.
The entries for the battalion war diary for the beginning of April record a period of overdue rest:
01 April: "Battalion relieved in the Line by the French Army and proceeded to Cottinchy into Billets"
02 April: "Battalion billeted in Cottinchy"
However this information is inconsistent with the records of the Commonwealth War Grave Commission, which reveal that 55 men from the battalion were killed on April 2nd. Unfortunately the war diaries for the last week in March are lacking in detail. Although officers, and soldiers in the battalion with known graves appear to have had specific recorded days of death, men with unknown graves appear to have been given an arbitrary date of death for April 2nd.
It is therefore difficult to identify the fate of William Skitrall, other than to conclude he died during one of three periods of intense fighting between March 24th and March 31st.
Private Noon 5th April 1918
William Charles Noon was born in Froxfield, and he was the son of Jesse and Maria Noon of Highclere in Berkshire.
William Noon enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served with the 5th Battalion. His army number was 15589.
The battalion was not involved in the first few days of the offensive. On March 22nd, the men travelled by omnibus to Morlancourt, and then marched to Martinsart. After a few days, the battalion was withdrawn to Warloy, but then moved up to Bouzincourt to halt the Germans. This village lay northwest of Albert, behind the British lines held before the battle of the Somme in July 1916.
William Blanchard was born in Rockley, and he lived in Easton Royal. He was the son of James and Susan Blanchard of Ogbourne St. Andrew. His father was from Ogbourne St. George, but he worked as a shepherd in Easton Royal.
William Blanchard enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment, and served in the 1st battalion. His army number was 21041.
The 1st battalion was in reserve at the beginning of the German offensive. On March 24th, it held a line east of Fremicourt, which lay to the east of Bapaume, on the road to Cambrai.
“In the morning the enemy shelled the whole of the Battn Trench System fire being directed by hostile aeroplanes; the absence of our planes was noticeable. Our guns retaliated but unfortunately there was a considerable amount of short shooting causing several casualties”
The situation deteriorated when the German infantry arrived. The battalion held off a frontal assault but were finally outflanked:
“In the afternoon there was an intensive bombardment by the enemy and about 4p.m. the enemy assaulted. Fighting was in progress but the attack had for all practical purposes failed on the Battn front when the CO received a verbal message over the telephone to retire at once. This was passed on to the Coys but at the same time the two Battns on the right flank broke and came back leaving the Coys in the front system in the air. They attempted to come back as ordered but were practically exterminated by machine gun fire”
The battalion regrouped at Achiet Le Petit, which lies north-west of Bapaume and just outside the old Somme battlefield of 1916. There were only 57 men in the battalion counted that night, and 413 casualties were recorded. The following day the battalion was shelled in the afternoon, but suffered no casualties. When British brigades on both flanks retired in the evening, the battalion, upon the initiative of the commanding officer, retired to Pusieux. There followed a night march to Gommecourt, where the battalion arrived at 06.00 on March 26th, back at the start line of the 1916 Somme battle.
Although the death of William Blanchard is recorded for March 25th, he may have died on the previous day. The cemetery where he is buried lies east of the battalion position on March 24th, which seems to indicate his death took place at Fremicourt. One other soldier from the battalion lies in the cemetery in an adjacent grave.
Between the 20th and the 26th of March, 95 men reported killed in the battalion. A few men are buried at Achiet Le Petit, but the vast majority have no known grave, and are remembered on the Arras Memorial.
William Blanchard was 20 years, and he is buried in Lagincourt Hedge cemetery, grave II A4. His grave lies in plot II which was created by the Germans who buried him as an unknown soldier. His name is also on the roll of honour in Christchurch Cadley (now moved to St. Mary’s church, Marlborough).
Private Skitrall 2nd April 1914
William Lewis Skitrall was the son of the late Walter Skitrall and the widowed Ellan Lay of Little Shoddesden near Ludgershall. His parents were married at Burbage in 1887, and his father’s occupation in 1891 was hurdle maker.
William Lewis Skitrall enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served with the 2nd battalion. His army number was 203041. He was previously in the Somerset Light Infantry with an army number of 20978.
The battalion was not involved in the initial fighting. It was a reserve battalion, billeted in St Martin au Laert. On March 22, it travelled by train from Arques to Guillancourt, and then marched to Chaulnes. At midnight, it was moved by omnibus to the Somme, between Roncy-le-Grand and Pargny. As it subsequently moved to Bethencourt, the battalion came under artillery fire.
The entries for the battalion war diary for the beginning of April record a period of overdue rest:
01 April: "Battalion relieved in the Line by the French Army and proceeded to Cottinchy into Billets"
02 April: "Battalion billeted in Cottinchy"
However this information is inconsistent with the records of the Commonwealth War Grave Commission, which reveal that 55 men from the battalion were killed on April 2nd. Unfortunately the war diaries for the last week in March are lacking in detail. Although officers, and soldiers in the battalion with known graves appear to have had specific recorded days of death, men with unknown graves appear to have been given an arbitrary date of death for April 2nd.
It is therefore difficult to identify the fate of William Skitrall, other than to conclude he died during one of three periods of intense fighting between March 24th and March 31st.
- 24 March: The Germans attacked at dawn, crossing the river at Pargny, Bethencourt and Fontaine-lez-Pargny.The 2nd battalion entered the fray as the brigade reserve, providing a strong defence at Monks wood.
- 25 March: The events of this day may explain the difficulties of maintaining daily entries in the battalion war diary. The Germans attacked at 06.15 and found the defences weakly held. Mid morning, the battalion fell back to the south of Morchain, its brigade already outflanked. A strong force of 5,000 Germans attacked from the direction of Dreslincourt, which lay to the rear. The brigade had no reserve, and casualties were reported as very heavy. In mid afternoon, the battalion continued to fall back towards Omiecourt, with the enemy less than 1200 yards away, west of Pertain.
- 31 March: The fighting at Moreuil Wood was predominantly a Canadian affair. The 2nd battalion fought on the northern flank, and captured its objective, Hill 110 and Balloon wood. However, the small ridge between Balloon wood and Moreuil wood was held by the enemy, who were able to overlook the battalion positions. The battalion was relieved from its rather uncomfortable location in the early hours of the April 1st. The successful defence of Moreuil wood ended German ambitions to continue the advance. Although few realised it at the time, it was the very beginning of the end of the war. Despite many difficulties to come, the initiative would pass to the allies and they maintain it until Armistice day.
Private Noon 5th April 1918
William Charles Noon was born in Froxfield, and he was the son of Jesse and Maria Noon of Highclere in Berkshire.
William Noon enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served with the 5th Battalion. His army number was 15589.
The battalion was not involved in the first few days of the offensive. On March 22nd, the men travelled by omnibus to Morlancourt, and then marched to Martinsart. After a few days, the battalion was withdrawn to Warloy, but then moved up to Bouzincourt to halt the Germans. This village lay northwest of Albert, behind the British lines held before the battle of the Somme in July 1916.
On April 5th, the Germans put down an artillery barrage at 07.00, followed by infantry assaults. By 10.00. all attacks had been repulsed, but subsequent assaults in the afternoon secured the line held by A and C companies. One platoon of D company and B company still held fast on the right and at 14.30, the three reserve platoons of D company were used in a counter attack. They suffered 50% casualties due to machine gun fire.
On the battalion left flank, the 9th Royal Fusiliers succeeded in recapturing the positions formerly held by A company. A 600 yard gap remained in the centre where C company had been overrun. In the evening, another counter attack was launched by two companies of the 7th Royal Sussex, but was only partially successful.
The fighting had resulted in very heavy casualties. In the first few days of April, the battalion reported 243 fatalities, one of which was William Noon. On April 6th, the remaining men in the battalion were allocated to two composite battalions. A group of 100 men, survivors of A and B companies were passed to 9th Royal Fusiliers, and another of 90 men, the survivors of C and D companies were passed to the 7th Royal Sussex. According to the GWGC, 58 men from the 5th battalion died on this day.
William Noon was 23 years of age, and he has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 56 and 57, and also on the war memorial in Froxfield churchyard.
On the battalion left flank, the 9th Royal Fusiliers succeeded in recapturing the positions formerly held by A company. A 600 yard gap remained in the centre where C company had been overrun. In the evening, another counter attack was launched by two companies of the 7th Royal Sussex, but was only partially successful.
The fighting had resulted in very heavy casualties. In the first few days of April, the battalion reported 243 fatalities, one of which was William Noon. On April 6th, the remaining men in the battalion were allocated to two composite battalions. A group of 100 men, survivors of A and B companies were passed to 9th Royal Fusiliers, and another of 90 men, the survivors of C and D companies were passed to the 7th Royal Sussex. According to the GWGC, 58 men from the 5th battalion died on this day.
William Noon was 23 years of age, and he has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 56 and 57, and also on the war memorial in Froxfield churchyard.
Operation Georgette
By the beginning of April, the German offensive had run out of steam, and the British were able to stand firm in front of Amiens. However on April 9th, the Germans launched Operation Georgette south of Ypres in the hope of capturing the channel ports.
Private Hope 10 April 1918
Frederick Thomas Hope was the son of William Henry Hope and Annie Elizabeth Hillier of Burbage. His parents married in 1892. At the time of the 1891 census, his father was a railway packer or plate layer, who packed ballast under the railway sleepers. He was also a widower.
Frederick Hope enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment and served in the 1st Battalion. His army number was 33553.
By the beginning of April, the German offensive had run out of steam, and the British were able to stand firm in front of Amiens. However on April 9th, the Germans launched Operation Georgette south of Ypres in the hope of capturing the channel ports.
Private Hope 10 April 1918
Frederick Thomas Hope was the son of William Henry Hope and Annie Elizabeth Hillier of Burbage. His parents married in 1892. At the time of the 1891 census, his father was a railway packer or plate layer, who packed ballast under the railway sleepers. He was also a widower.
Frederick Hope enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment and served in the 1st Battalion. His army number was 33553.
The battalion was in trenches, north of the river Lys, and was attacked on the second day of the offensive. The battalion held a line near Ultimo crater, the result of one of 19 mine explosions detonated by the British at the beginning of the Messines ridge battle on June 7th 1917. This crater lay east of St. Yvon, north of Gheer, and north east of boundary of Ploegsteert wood. Zambuk Post lay east of the crater was connected by a communication trench Ultimo trench [right third of image]. Factory Farm crater lies directly south of Ultimo crater. Both mines were exploded from chambers excavated from a shared tunnel. Factory farm was formerly a mediaeval moated farm.
"After an extremely heavy bombardment the enemy attacked at 3.30a.m. and penetrated the line in both flanks of the Battn with the result that A Coy was cut off. After resisting the hostile attacks for more than 1 hour, D Coy retired to ZAMBUK POST and the Battn took up the line of ZAMBUK POST and ULTIMO CRATER which was held for the remainder of the day"
The battalion casualties were 15 men killed, 90 men wounded, and 78 men missing. The following day, the Germans captured Ploegsteert wood, and the battalion was forced to withdraw. Frederick Hope was one of the fatalities, but he probably did not die in the defence of the Zambuk Post. In 1920, his body was found on the banks of the river Lys close to the N515 road, north of Pont Rouge. The map reference for his original burial is Sheet 28sw u17 b73.
"After an extremely heavy bombardment the enemy attacked at 3.30a.m. and penetrated the line in both flanks of the Battn with the result that A Coy was cut off. After resisting the hostile attacks for more than 1 hour, D Coy retired to ZAMBUK POST and the Battn took up the line of ZAMBUK POST and ULTIMO CRATER which was held for the remainder of the day"
The battalion casualties were 15 men killed, 90 men wounded, and 78 men missing. The following day, the Germans captured Ploegsteert wood, and the battalion was forced to withdraw. Frederick Hope was one of the fatalities, but he probably did not die in the defence of the Zambuk Post. In 1920, his body was found on the banks of the river Lys close to the N515 road, north of Pont Rouge. The map reference for his original burial is Sheet 28sw u17 b73.
Frederick Hope was 20 years of age. He was an unknown British soldier until his body was discovered in 1920, and reburied in Strand Military Cemetery, grave VII Q8. The cemetery is south of St. Yvon. He is also remembered on the war memorial in Burbage
Private Godden 14 April 1918
Henry Charles Godden was born in Collingbourne Kingston, and was the son of David and Sarah Jane Godden of Collingbourne Kingston. He was also the husband of Annie Rose Godden of 160 Westcourt.
Henry Godden enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment, and he served with the 6th battalion. His army number was 22448.
The 6th battalion was located in trenches near Wyteschaete during the second week of April. The battalion went into the trenches east of the Messines ridge between Wambeke and Junction Buildings on the night of the 7th - 8th April with 591 men.
On April 10th, the Germans attacked:
"About 3.30a.m. fairly heavy shelling on the whole subsector began consisting of H.E. & gas shells. This continued practically without intermission the whole day though no gas shells fell after about 5.30a.m."
In the afternoon, there were increasing flank attacks, and the shelling increased in intensity. The battalion was able to maintain its position until 16.30. It was forced to withdraw in the evening, but ‘A’ and ‘B’ companies were surrounded, and either killed or taken prisoner.
On April 11th, the survivors of the battalion held a section of the new front line between Dammstrasse and Wytschaete. Most of the day was spent collecting stragglers and reorganising the battalion. The following day, the 6th battalion was withdrawn from the front line and retired to Rossignol camp near Kemmel. Only 180 men came out of line. The battalion received 270 reinforcements, and subsequently moved through Clytte to Babados in the evening. Henry Godden was almost certainly wounded during this period of fighting, and he died at Haringhe Casualty Clearing Station a couple of days afterwards.
On April 13th, a total of 390 men went back to the trenches in the evening, in order to defend the area of Messines ridge near the Spanbroek-Molen crater. On the day that Henry Godden died, the author of the battalion war diary recorded a period of calm:
"The 14th April was an abnormally quiet day; the enemy Artillery was more or less inactive"
This was the calm before the storm, for on April 16th, the Germans captured the Spanbroek-Molen crater. The battalion came out of line on 18th/19th April with only 254 men.
Henry Godden was 24 years of age and he was buried in Haringhe Bandaghem Military Cemetery, grave II. C. 19. There is no local memorial.
Henry Charles Godden was born in Collingbourne Kingston, and was the son of David and Sarah Jane Godden of Collingbourne Kingston. He was also the husband of Annie Rose Godden of 160 Westcourt.
Henry Godden enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment, and he served with the 6th battalion. His army number was 22448.
The 6th battalion was located in trenches near Wyteschaete during the second week of April. The battalion went into the trenches east of the Messines ridge between Wambeke and Junction Buildings on the night of the 7th - 8th April with 591 men.
On April 10th, the Germans attacked:
"About 3.30a.m. fairly heavy shelling on the whole subsector began consisting of H.E. & gas shells. This continued practically without intermission the whole day though no gas shells fell after about 5.30a.m."
In the afternoon, there were increasing flank attacks, and the shelling increased in intensity. The battalion was able to maintain its position until 16.30. It was forced to withdraw in the evening, but ‘A’ and ‘B’ companies were surrounded, and either killed or taken prisoner.
On April 11th, the survivors of the battalion held a section of the new front line between Dammstrasse and Wytschaete. Most of the day was spent collecting stragglers and reorganising the battalion. The following day, the 6th battalion was withdrawn from the front line and retired to Rossignol camp near Kemmel. Only 180 men came out of line. The battalion received 270 reinforcements, and subsequently moved through Clytte to Babados in the evening. Henry Godden was almost certainly wounded during this period of fighting, and he died at Haringhe Casualty Clearing Station a couple of days afterwards.
On April 13th, a total of 390 men went back to the trenches in the evening, in order to defend the area of Messines ridge near the Spanbroek-Molen crater. On the day that Henry Godden died, the author of the battalion war diary recorded a period of calm:
"The 14th April was an abnormally quiet day; the enemy Artillery was more or less inactive"
This was the calm before the storm, for on April 16th, the Germans captured the Spanbroek-Molen crater. The battalion came out of line on 18th/19th April with only 254 men.
Henry Godden was 24 years of age and he was buried in Haringhe Bandaghem Military Cemetery, grave II. C. 19. There is no local memorial.
78 Squadron RAF
Major Rowden 20 April 1918
Cuthbert Roger Rowden was born in Ealing, and was the son of Arthur Roger Rowden and Blanche Mary Hayward of Eastnor, Ledbury. He was also the husband of Frances Lilian Maud Jobson, whom he married September 12th 1917. They lived in Halcon, Redhill. The Rowden family originated from Upavon, and Arthur Roger Rowden married a Hayward from Tidcombe. Tragically, Blanche Hayward died soon after giving birth to Cuthbert. Cuthbert Rowden was educated at Rugby school.
Cuthbert Rowden entered Sandhurst in August 1914 and received his commission in November. He served with the 5th battalion, the Worcestershire regiment for a short period of time, before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer.
He was posted to France in December, just before his 18th birthday. At the battle of Neuve Chappelle in May 1915, his aircraft was brought down, and he was slightly wounded. He afterwards qualified as a pilot, and was sent to Egypt. He was awarded the MC for his actions in the Senussi campaign [Libya] in March 1916. In April, he was promoted to Captain, but shortly afterwards was severely wounded in the legs while bombing the Ottomans at Katia.
After being invalided home, he was promoted to Major, and given command of 78 Squadron. All before the age of 21. At the time of his death, he was the youngest Major in the Royal Air Force. The primary role of 78 Squadron was Home Defence, and it was based at Sutton’s farm, Hornchurch. Under his command, the Squadron became part of the Royal Air Force on April 1st 1918.
Cuthbert Rowden was accidentally killed while flying his Sopwith Camel over Essex. His engine failed to pick up when "blipping" over Suttons Farm, the aircraft stalled, and spun into the ground in a nose dive.
Major Rowden 20 April 1918
Cuthbert Roger Rowden was born in Ealing, and was the son of Arthur Roger Rowden and Blanche Mary Hayward of Eastnor, Ledbury. He was also the husband of Frances Lilian Maud Jobson, whom he married September 12th 1917. They lived in Halcon, Redhill. The Rowden family originated from Upavon, and Arthur Roger Rowden married a Hayward from Tidcombe. Tragically, Blanche Hayward died soon after giving birth to Cuthbert. Cuthbert Rowden was educated at Rugby school.
Cuthbert Rowden entered Sandhurst in August 1914 and received his commission in November. He served with the 5th battalion, the Worcestershire regiment for a short period of time, before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer.
He was posted to France in December, just before his 18th birthday. At the battle of Neuve Chappelle in May 1915, his aircraft was brought down, and he was slightly wounded. He afterwards qualified as a pilot, and was sent to Egypt. He was awarded the MC for his actions in the Senussi campaign [Libya] in March 1916. In April, he was promoted to Captain, but shortly afterwards was severely wounded in the legs while bombing the Ottomans at Katia.
After being invalided home, he was promoted to Major, and given command of 78 Squadron. All before the age of 21. At the time of his death, he was the youngest Major in the Royal Air Force. The primary role of 78 Squadron was Home Defence, and it was based at Sutton’s farm, Hornchurch. Under his command, the Squadron became part of the Royal Air Force on April 1st 1918.
Cuthbert Rowden was accidentally killed while flying his Sopwith Camel over Essex. His engine failed to pick up when "blipping" over Suttons Farm, the aircraft stalled, and spun into the ground in a nose dive.
Cuthbert Rowden was buried in the churchyard at St. Margaret’s church in Rottingdean, Sussex. He was aged 21 years of age. There is another memorial to Cuthbert Rowden, a stained glass window, in the parish church at Rottingdean. The glass represents St. Veronica and St. George. The glass was made by William Morris from the designs of the artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones; both artists were long dead when their work was dedicated to Cuthbert Rowden in 1919. His name is also remembered on the roll of honour at Tidcombe church, and on the roll of honour at Rugby school.
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Boiry St. Martin
Lance Corporal Blundy 28 April 1918
Albert Blundy was born in Burbage, and was the son of William and Martha Blundy. In 1891, his father was a general haulier in Burbage, and in 1901, the family were living at the White Hart Inn, in St Mary Bourne. However, they had moved to 172 Oxford Street, Rugby, by the outbreak of war.
Albert Blundy enlisted at Rugby with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and he served in the 2nd battalion. His army number was 10852.
During Operation Michael, the battalion fought a fighting retreat from Bertincourt to Martinsart, behind the old frontline of the 1916 battle of the Somme. At the end of March, the battalion was withdrawn to Varennes. The first two weeks of April were relatively peaceful, and the battalion received approximately 420 reinforcements. Unfortunately some of these men had measles, and they had to be quarantined.
On April 16th, the battalion moved to the frontline at Boiry St. Martin, six miles south of Arras, and relieved the 2nd battalion, Highland Light Infantry. The 1st battalion, Royal Berkshire regiment was on their right flank. Two men were wounded and the following day, one man was killed, 1 died of wounds, 2 men wounded, and 2 men were reported missing [taken prisoner]. Another man was wounded on April 20, but the battalion was relieved on April 22nd without further casualties.
On April 25th, the battalion returned to the frontline at Boiry St. Martin. There were no reported casualties until the battalion came out of line on the night of May 1st/2nd. On the day of Albert Blundy’s death, the war diary is rather terse: “April 28th. Inter company reliefs carried out”. On April 25th, the battalion had deployed a reinforced D company in the front line with with two platoons from A company. B company was in support and the remainder of A company in the rear. The inter reliefs were conducted to rotate the companies in the front line trenches.
Albert Blundy was killed at Boiry St. Martin. This area was very quiet, compared with the fighting at Ypres, but there were disadvantages. Most of Boiry-St. Martin was under direct enemy observation, and the ancient routine of trench-work and reliefs was often conducted under shell-fire. The regular bursts of shelling also included a large proportion blue or yellow-cross gas, and two men from the battalion suffered gas wounds earlier in the month. When not in the frontline, the battalion rested at Blairville, a village about 1 mile west of Boiry St. Martin.
Albert Blundy was 25 years of age, and he was buried at Blairville Orchard cemetery, grave 1.B.1. This cemetery was in an orchard next to a farm. He was one of fifteen men buried in the orchard between March 23 and May 4 1918. In 1923, his body was exhumed, and moved to Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery at Souchez, grave R38. His name is not on a local memorial. He is remembered on the War Memorial, at St. Michael's church, and at the All Saints Memorial Chapel, all in Basingstoke.
Lance Corporal Blundy 28 April 1918
Albert Blundy was born in Burbage, and was the son of William and Martha Blundy. In 1891, his father was a general haulier in Burbage, and in 1901, the family were living at the White Hart Inn, in St Mary Bourne. However, they had moved to 172 Oxford Street, Rugby, by the outbreak of war.
Albert Blundy enlisted at Rugby with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and he served in the 2nd battalion. His army number was 10852.
During Operation Michael, the battalion fought a fighting retreat from Bertincourt to Martinsart, behind the old frontline of the 1916 battle of the Somme. At the end of March, the battalion was withdrawn to Varennes. The first two weeks of April were relatively peaceful, and the battalion received approximately 420 reinforcements. Unfortunately some of these men had measles, and they had to be quarantined.
On April 16th, the battalion moved to the frontline at Boiry St. Martin, six miles south of Arras, and relieved the 2nd battalion, Highland Light Infantry. The 1st battalion, Royal Berkshire regiment was on their right flank. Two men were wounded and the following day, one man was killed, 1 died of wounds, 2 men wounded, and 2 men were reported missing [taken prisoner]. Another man was wounded on April 20, but the battalion was relieved on April 22nd without further casualties.
On April 25th, the battalion returned to the frontline at Boiry St. Martin. There were no reported casualties until the battalion came out of line on the night of May 1st/2nd. On the day of Albert Blundy’s death, the war diary is rather terse: “April 28th. Inter company reliefs carried out”. On April 25th, the battalion had deployed a reinforced D company in the front line with with two platoons from A company. B company was in support and the remainder of A company in the rear. The inter reliefs were conducted to rotate the companies in the front line trenches.
Albert Blundy was killed at Boiry St. Martin. This area was very quiet, compared with the fighting at Ypres, but there were disadvantages. Most of Boiry-St. Martin was under direct enemy observation, and the ancient routine of trench-work and reliefs was often conducted under shell-fire. The regular bursts of shelling also included a large proportion blue or yellow-cross gas, and two men from the battalion suffered gas wounds earlier in the month. When not in the frontline, the battalion rested at Blairville, a village about 1 mile west of Boiry St. Martin.
Albert Blundy was 25 years of age, and he was buried at Blairville Orchard cemetery, grave 1.B.1. This cemetery was in an orchard next to a farm. He was one of fifteen men buried in the orchard between March 23 and May 4 1918. In 1923, his body was exhumed, and moved to Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery at Souchez, grave R38. His name is not on a local memorial. He is remembered on the War Memorial, at St. Michael's church, and at the All Saints Memorial Chapel, all in Basingstoke.
Arras
Sapper Goodman 3rd June 1918
John Goodman was born in Bermondsey, Surrey, and he was presumably related to the Goodmans in Church Street, Great Bedwyn. He was married to Emily Goodman, who at the time of his death lived at 52 Clyde Street, Pontymister, Newport in Monmouthshire.
John Goodman enlisted with the Royal Engineers in the rank of Pioneer or Sapper, and he served with the 64th Motor Air Line Section. His army number was 325912.
An air-line section was responsible for setting up telephone/telegraph cables on light poles. John Goodman’s unit would have been equipped with lorries to lay out and maintain these cables. The section would have been attached to a Division or higher army organisation. It would not have been responsible for laying front line cables, which were often buried or temporarily left on the surface. John Goodman died of wounds, possibly as the result of shelling. He would have died in the 57th Casualty Clearing Station, which was stationed at Aubigny, and which suggests his wounds were inflicted in the area of Vimy, north of Arras.
John Goodman was 24 years of age, and he is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, grave IVH 25. His name is on the war memorial in Great Bedwyn churchyard, and also the war memorial at Newport.
Sapper Goodman 3rd June 1918
John Goodman was born in Bermondsey, Surrey, and he was presumably related to the Goodmans in Church Street, Great Bedwyn. He was married to Emily Goodman, who at the time of his death lived at 52 Clyde Street, Pontymister, Newport in Monmouthshire.
John Goodman enlisted with the Royal Engineers in the rank of Pioneer or Sapper, and he served with the 64th Motor Air Line Section. His army number was 325912.
An air-line section was responsible for setting up telephone/telegraph cables on light poles. John Goodman’s unit would have been equipped with lorries to lay out and maintain these cables. The section would have been attached to a Division or higher army organisation. It would not have been responsible for laying front line cables, which were often buried or temporarily left on the surface. John Goodman died of wounds, possibly as the result of shelling. He would have died in the 57th Casualty Clearing Station, which was stationed at Aubigny, and which suggests his wounds were inflicted in the area of Vimy, north of Arras.
John Goodman was 24 years of age, and he is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, grave IVH 25. His name is on the war memorial in Great Bedwyn churchyard, and also the war memorial at Newport.
Italy
Italy declared war on Austria in May 1915. The Italian front was reinforced with Commonwealth forces between November 1917 and November 1918, following the Italian defeat at Caporetto. Medical units were established behind the front until 1919. Many units however were recalled to France in reaction to Operation Michael.
Gunner Martin 15 June 1918
Thomas Martin was born in Wishaw, Scotland, and he was the son of John Martin and Agnes McCreadie (d1892) of 184 Cambusnethan Street, Wishaw, Lanarkshire. His parents married on 20 Dec 1872 in the Church of Scotland, Glasgow Road in Wishaw. His wife Norah lived at Bloxham Lodge in Great Bedwyn.
Italy declared war on Austria in May 1915. The Italian front was reinforced with Commonwealth forces between November 1917 and November 1918, following the Italian defeat at Caporetto. Medical units were established behind the front until 1919. Many units however were recalled to France in reaction to Operation Michael.
Gunner Martin 15 June 1918
Thomas Martin was born in Wishaw, Scotland, and he was the son of John Martin and Agnes McCreadie (d1892) of 184 Cambusnethan Street, Wishaw, Lanarkshire. His parents married on 20 Dec 1872 in the Church of Scotland, Glasgow Road in Wishaw. His wife Norah lived at Bloxham Lodge in Great Bedwyn.
Thomas Martin enlisted with Royal Garrison Artillery, and served with 247th Siege Battery. His army number was 98552.
He accompanied his unit to France on 30 December 1916. The 247th Siege Battery was deployed to Italy in December 1917. At this time, six French infantry divisions and five British infantry divisions were sent to Italy.
He accompanied his unit to France on 30 December 1916. The 247th Siege Battery was deployed to Italy in December 1917. At this time, six French infantry divisions and five British infantry divisions were sent to Italy.
Thomas Martin died of his wounds on the opening day of the battle of the Piavvo Rivre. This battle was initially planned by the Austrians, but Allied artillery destroyed many of the forming up trenches, and the Italian army took the initiative. An Austrian bombarbment preceded an attck which overrun allied artillery:
"In the early hours of the morning, I think it was on the 15th June, all hell broke loose. We were not too badly affected by shell fire except that, at half hourly intervals, a huge shell came over. I thought it must be a twelve-inch. Just missed us and went down to the valley below. The first one scared the pants off us, it was like standing on a railway line with an express train coming at you. Half hour an hour later, on the dot, came another, and so it went on, each one seeming to miss the hut by a few feet and then carrying on to the valley below. Now we had the jitters a few minutes to the half hour, lay down on the floor and hoped it would pass us by"
"The Austrian/German infantry had broken through and got among our artillery positions. The Austrian artillery could no longer fire in case they hit their own troops, and ours were being over-run. Later in the afternoon the British/French infantry counter-attacked and the position was restored"
[Tom Herbert's Lost Years 1917-1919]
The Austrians briefly established a bridgehead on the western bank of the river 5 miles deep, but were unable to to hold it. Thomas Martin was wounded on this day, and evacuated to Montecchio, which was the location of the 9th, 24th, and 39th Casualty Clearing Stations. After he died of his wounds, he was buried in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery.
Thomas Martin was 36 years of age, and is buried in grave 2C 5. He is also remembered on the Savernake war memorial.
"In the early hours of the morning, I think it was on the 15th June, all hell broke loose. We were not too badly affected by shell fire except that, at half hourly intervals, a huge shell came over. I thought it must be a twelve-inch. Just missed us and went down to the valley below. The first one scared the pants off us, it was like standing on a railway line with an express train coming at you. Half hour an hour later, on the dot, came another, and so it went on, each one seeming to miss the hut by a few feet and then carrying on to the valley below. Now we had the jitters a few minutes to the half hour, lay down on the floor and hoped it would pass us by"
"The Austrian/German infantry had broken through and got among our artillery positions. The Austrian artillery could no longer fire in case they hit their own troops, and ours were being over-run. Later in the afternoon the British/French infantry counter-attacked and the position was restored"
[Tom Herbert's Lost Years 1917-1919]
The Austrians briefly established a bridgehead on the western bank of the river 5 miles deep, but were unable to to hold it. Thomas Martin was wounded on this day, and evacuated to Montecchio, which was the location of the 9th, 24th, and 39th Casualty Clearing Stations. After he died of his wounds, he was buried in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery.
Thomas Martin was 36 years of age, and is buried in grave 2C 5. He is also remembered on the Savernake war memorial.
Great Bedwyn
Private Hatter 2nd August 1918
Alfred Charles Hatter was born in Great Bedwyn, and he was the son of George and Alice Hatter of the High Street, Great Bedwyn. In 1911, he was boarding in Marlborough, and was employed as a carpenter. He married Emily Deadman of Southcott Road, Pewsey, in 1914.
Alfred Hatter enlisted at Pewsey with the Army Ordnance Corps in December 1915, and his army number was 59320. He was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers, but his battalion is not known. He was discharged, and awarded a Silver War Badge, which indicated discharge due to wounds or sickness.
Alfreds Hatter’s brother, Herbert, also died in the Great War, and he too is buried in Great Bedwyn churchyard.
Private Hatter 2nd August 1918
Alfred Charles Hatter was born in Great Bedwyn, and he was the son of George and Alice Hatter of the High Street, Great Bedwyn. In 1911, he was boarding in Marlborough, and was employed as a carpenter. He married Emily Deadman of Southcott Road, Pewsey, in 1914.
Alfred Hatter enlisted at Pewsey with the Army Ordnance Corps in December 1915, and his army number was 59320. He was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers, but his battalion is not known. He was discharged, and awarded a Silver War Badge, which indicated discharge due to wounds or sickness.
Alfreds Hatter’s brother, Herbert, also died in the Great War, and he too is buried in Great Bedwyn churchyard.
Alfred Hatter is buried in Great Bedwyn churchyard. He was 24 years of age. His widow chose an inscription for the stone: "Until the Day breaks". His name is on the war memorial at Great Bedwyn churchyard.
There is also a memorial at Devizes, which was erected by the Oddfellows Society Lodge , of which he was a member. The friendly societies arose in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, as a means of providing benefits for working men in the event of sickness or infirmity in later life, in return for a weekly subscription or premium, and the largest of these groups was the Oddfellows, which, by 1848, had some 260,000 members, and received £340,000 in annual subscriptions.
There is also a memorial at Devizes, which was erected by the Oddfellows Society Lodge , of which he was a member. The friendly societies arose in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, as a means of providing benefits for working men in the event of sickness or infirmity in later life, in return for a weekly subscription or premium, and the largest of these groups was the Oddfellows, which, by 1848, had some 260,000 members, and received £340,000 in annual subscriptions.
The Hundred Days
The failure of the ambitious spring offensives brought the Germans heavy casualties, exhaustion, low morale, and a general lack of supplies. Crown Prince Rupprecht wrote on July 20th: “We stand at the turning point of the war: what I expected first for the autumn, the necessity to go over to the defensive, is already on us, and in addition all the gains which we made in the spring, such as they were, have been lost again”. The Germans had gambled on victory, and lost. The initiative now past to the allies. On July 24th, they decided to launch a series of attacks in succession. The first attack began at Amiens on August 8th. Australian, British, and Canadian divisions, supported by 400 tanks, 2,000 artillery pieces, and 800 aircraft, drove a gap 15 miles wide deep into German defences. The Germans suffered 27,000 casualties of which 12,000 surrendered.
The battle of Amiens was the prelude to the Hundred Days, when the Allies were able to maintain the momentum in continually pushing back the Germans. By November, the British were back where the war had started for them, Mons in Belgium; and this is where the war ended for the British on Armistice day. However the journey to Mons incurred heavy casualties. Such was the price of victory in this dreadful war.
Damery
Sergeant Bushnell 11 August 1918
Walter Thomas Bushnell was born in Hungerford, and he was the son of Edward and Lydia Bushnell of Hungerford. In 1920, his father was described as a bill poster, town hall keeper, clerk to the market and town crier. His father was born in Hungerford, and his mother was born in Chilton.
Walter Bushnell enlisted with the Dorset Regiment, and served in the 1st battalion. His army number was 17808. He also held the rank of Lance Sergeant.
In August 1918, the 1st battalion was part of 14th Brigade in 32nd Division, which was assigned to the Canadian Corp in the 4th Army. It was not involved in the first days of the Battle of Amiens, and on August 9th was held in reserve in the Beaucort Area. The following day, the battalion moved to the front line on Quesloy ridge, opposite the village of Damery. Colonel Thwaytes, who commanded the 1st battalion, issued orders for the following day. On Sunday 11th August, the battalion was to capture and hold Damery Wood and Damery Village:
As the companies of the battalion formed up, they were subjected to intermittent shelling. Two 5.9 shells fell in the middle of C Company a few minutes before zero hour, turning the place into a shambles. At 09.30, British artillery began to bombard German defences. Unfortunately, the barrage landed at 500 yards range, beyond the German front line:
"The barrage arrangements had been made on the information of the previous night, and came down some five hundred yards in front of the assaulting troops. Many German machine guns were left inside the barrage so that the Royal Scots, on our left, could make little progress. The attack being held on this side enabled the enemy in Parvillers to devote some attention to the Dorset's attack on the right"
Consequently when the 1st battalion advanced, the four companies were met by intense machine gun fire. Eight tanks supported the action:
"As these companies stepped over the parapet they were met with a deadly and concentrated machine gun fire from Parvillers. It seemed a miracle that the whole Battalion was not decimated on the starting line. An anti-tank gun concealed in the cornfield put six out of the eight tanks sent up to assist the Brigade out of action almost immediately"
The two surviving tanks apparently entered Damery village, but having no infantry support withdrew. B company succeeded in reaching Bois Milieu (Payen copse). Unfortunately they suffered heavy casualties attempting to move east of the copse and were forced to withdraw: "The fact that they received most of their casualties on the eastern edge of Payen Copse was verified by the Canadians some days afterwards when they successfully advanced and buried our killed who had been left on the battlefield". William Bushnell was one of the men from B company who was buried by the Canadians. He fell in front of the 1916 German trenches, nearly 500 metres short of Payen wood.
A company advanced between B and C companies. As C company "had been cut to pieces", A company received no support on its right flank, and machine gun fire from Damery village checked their advance "short on the road leading from the village to the copse". D Company gained touch with the French on their right, and advanced close enough to Damery, to observe enemy troops running away from the village. The company went straight for the village but were checked by intense machine gun fire from Bois en Z (Z wood).
The failure of the ambitious spring offensives brought the Germans heavy casualties, exhaustion, low morale, and a general lack of supplies. Crown Prince Rupprecht wrote on July 20th: “We stand at the turning point of the war: what I expected first for the autumn, the necessity to go over to the defensive, is already on us, and in addition all the gains which we made in the spring, such as they were, have been lost again”. The Germans had gambled on victory, and lost. The initiative now past to the allies. On July 24th, they decided to launch a series of attacks in succession. The first attack began at Amiens on August 8th. Australian, British, and Canadian divisions, supported by 400 tanks, 2,000 artillery pieces, and 800 aircraft, drove a gap 15 miles wide deep into German defences. The Germans suffered 27,000 casualties of which 12,000 surrendered.
The battle of Amiens was the prelude to the Hundred Days, when the Allies were able to maintain the momentum in continually pushing back the Germans. By November, the British were back where the war had started for them, Mons in Belgium; and this is where the war ended for the British on Armistice day. However the journey to Mons incurred heavy casualties. Such was the price of victory in this dreadful war.
Damery
Sergeant Bushnell 11 August 1918
Walter Thomas Bushnell was born in Hungerford, and he was the son of Edward and Lydia Bushnell of Hungerford. In 1920, his father was described as a bill poster, town hall keeper, clerk to the market and town crier. His father was born in Hungerford, and his mother was born in Chilton.
Walter Bushnell enlisted with the Dorset Regiment, and served in the 1st battalion. His army number was 17808. He also held the rank of Lance Sergeant.
In August 1918, the 1st battalion was part of 14th Brigade in 32nd Division, which was assigned to the Canadian Corp in the 4th Army. It was not involved in the first days of the Battle of Amiens, and on August 9th was held in reserve in the Beaucort Area. The following day, the battalion moved to the front line on Quesloy ridge, opposite the village of Damery. Colonel Thwaytes, who commanded the 1st battalion, issued orders for the following day. On Sunday 11th August, the battalion was to capture and hold Damery Wood and Damery Village:
- D Company were ordered to capture Bois Damery.
- C Company to attack Damery Village from the north west.
- A Company to attack Damery Village from the north east.
- B Company to seize Bois Milieu (Payen copse).
As the companies of the battalion formed up, they were subjected to intermittent shelling. Two 5.9 shells fell in the middle of C Company a few minutes before zero hour, turning the place into a shambles. At 09.30, British artillery began to bombard German defences. Unfortunately, the barrage landed at 500 yards range, beyond the German front line:
"The barrage arrangements had been made on the information of the previous night, and came down some five hundred yards in front of the assaulting troops. Many German machine guns were left inside the barrage so that the Royal Scots, on our left, could make little progress. The attack being held on this side enabled the enemy in Parvillers to devote some attention to the Dorset's attack on the right"
Consequently when the 1st battalion advanced, the four companies were met by intense machine gun fire. Eight tanks supported the action:
"As these companies stepped over the parapet they were met with a deadly and concentrated machine gun fire from Parvillers. It seemed a miracle that the whole Battalion was not decimated on the starting line. An anti-tank gun concealed in the cornfield put six out of the eight tanks sent up to assist the Brigade out of action almost immediately"
The two surviving tanks apparently entered Damery village, but having no infantry support withdrew. B company succeeded in reaching Bois Milieu (Payen copse). Unfortunately they suffered heavy casualties attempting to move east of the copse and were forced to withdraw: "The fact that they received most of their casualties on the eastern edge of Payen Copse was verified by the Canadians some days afterwards when they successfully advanced and buried our killed who had been left on the battlefield". William Bushnell was one of the men from B company who was buried by the Canadians. He fell in front of the 1916 German trenches, nearly 500 metres short of Payen wood.
A company advanced between B and C companies. As C company "had been cut to pieces", A company received no support on its right flank, and machine gun fire from Damery village checked their advance "short on the road leading from the village to the copse". D Company gained touch with the French on their right, and advanced close enough to Damery, to observe enemy troops running away from the village. The company went straight for the village but were checked by intense machine gun fire from Bois en Z (Z wood).
In the evening, the line was taken over by the 3rd Canadian Division took over from 32nd Division, and the survivors of the 1st battalion returned to Beaucourt. The battalion suffered a large number of casualties: 33 men killed, 247 men wounded, and 42 missing. The CWGC record 86 fatalities for August 11th. According to the war diary, many of the wounded and missed were later confirmed as dead. One of these men was Walter Bushnell. This is the only recorded action involving the death of a Bedwyn man, where tanks were employed.
Colonel Thwaytes reflected on the battle: "Looking back on this engagement I cannot emphasise too strongly the lack of definite information and the haste with which all plans had to be made. The only real chance of success was to have advanced under cover of darkness. As it was, from the moment the Battalion left their starting position they were visible and subject to intense, aimed, machine gun fire"
The battalion attack on Damery failed due to a persistent lack of co-ordination. The French under General Mathieu held the right flank, and planned a coordinated advance with the British. However, the British revised the zero hour first from 04.20 to 07.00, when it was found to be impossible for 14 Brigade to be in position in time, and then to 09.30, primarily due to difficulties in bringing up tanks. There were 8 tanks of 5th (tank) battalion to support the attack on Damery. Not all of this information was effectively communicated to the French, who by 07.00 were committed to their attack on Z wood. This attack failed without supporting fire from the British. For the same reason, the advance of D company on Damery village was checked by enfilade fire from Z wood. The French finally captured Z wood on August 16th.
The failure of the advance of the 5/6th battalion, the Royal Scots, on the village of Parvillers resulted in intense machine gun fire from Parvillers being directed against B company, as it attempted to advance beyond Bois Mileiu. With insecure battalion flanks, it was not possible for the companies of the battalion to secure Damery village.
The initial artillery barrage appears to have been launched on the old 1916 German trenches at 500 yards range, beyond the old 1916 French trenches at 300 yards range, which were occupied by the German forward posts. Consequently the barrage was ineffective in destroying German machine gun and trench mortars and these subsequently inflicted casualties on the 1st battalion. There was no plan for a creeping barrage, which would have been more effective, nor any means of altering the artillery plan once the barrage had begun.
The tanks unfortunately suffered heavy casualties with only two tanks out of eight tanks surviving the advance to Damery, and entering the village. The two tanks later withdrew due to absence of infantry, whose advance had already been checked. There appears to have been little coordination between tank and infantry, but his may have been to the loss of so many tanks, whose crews fought so bravely.
Walter Bushnell was 31 years of age. He was originally buried on the battlefield, and his grave was marked by a cross, at map reference 66E.NE L27 D34. In 1919, he is was reburied in Bouchoir New British Cemetery, grave IIID 86. His stone was inscribed “Never Forgotten” upon request of Mr HJ Bushnell of the Bridge, Hungerford, possibly Herbert Bushnell, vaccination officer for Hungerford in 1920. His name is also on the war memorial in Great Bedwyn churchyard, and at the war memorial in Hungerford.
Colonel Thwaytes reflected on the battle: "Looking back on this engagement I cannot emphasise too strongly the lack of definite information and the haste with which all plans had to be made. The only real chance of success was to have advanced under cover of darkness. As it was, from the moment the Battalion left their starting position they were visible and subject to intense, aimed, machine gun fire"
The battalion attack on Damery failed due to a persistent lack of co-ordination. The French under General Mathieu held the right flank, and planned a coordinated advance with the British. However, the British revised the zero hour first from 04.20 to 07.00, when it was found to be impossible for 14 Brigade to be in position in time, and then to 09.30, primarily due to difficulties in bringing up tanks. There were 8 tanks of 5th (tank) battalion to support the attack on Damery. Not all of this information was effectively communicated to the French, who by 07.00 were committed to their attack on Z wood. This attack failed without supporting fire from the British. For the same reason, the advance of D company on Damery village was checked by enfilade fire from Z wood. The French finally captured Z wood on August 16th.
The failure of the advance of the 5/6th battalion, the Royal Scots, on the village of Parvillers resulted in intense machine gun fire from Parvillers being directed against B company, as it attempted to advance beyond Bois Mileiu. With insecure battalion flanks, it was not possible for the companies of the battalion to secure Damery village.
The initial artillery barrage appears to have been launched on the old 1916 German trenches at 500 yards range, beyond the old 1916 French trenches at 300 yards range, which were occupied by the German forward posts. Consequently the barrage was ineffective in destroying German machine gun and trench mortars and these subsequently inflicted casualties on the 1st battalion. There was no plan for a creeping barrage, which would have been more effective, nor any means of altering the artillery plan once the barrage had begun.
The tanks unfortunately suffered heavy casualties with only two tanks out of eight tanks surviving the advance to Damery, and entering the village. The two tanks later withdrew due to absence of infantry, whose advance had already been checked. There appears to have been little coordination between tank and infantry, but his may have been to the loss of so many tanks, whose crews fought so bravely.
Walter Bushnell was 31 years of age. He was originally buried on the battlefield, and his grave was marked by a cross, at map reference 66E.NE L27 D34. In 1919, he is was reburied in Bouchoir New British Cemetery, grave IIID 86. His stone was inscribed “Never Forgotten” upon request of Mr HJ Bushnell of the Bridge, Hungerford, possibly Herbert Bushnell, vaccination officer for Hungerford in 1920. His name is also on the war memorial in Great Bedwyn churchyard, and at the war memorial in Hungerford.
Miraumont
Private Doggett 24 August 1918
Thomas Herbert Doggett was born in East Grafton on 30th April 1895, and was the son of James Doggett and Rosa Jackman of Alton Priors. In 1901, James Doggett was a grocer and the village postmaster in East Grafton.
Thomas Doggett enlisted with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and served with the 16th Battalion (Birmingham Pals) in C Company. His army number was 35267.
In August 1918, this battalion was part of 15th Brigade in 5th Division. After the successful battle of Amiens, Third Army's IV Corps was tasked with capture of Bapaume. The 5th Division was one of two reserve divisions for this operation.
On August 21st, the New Zealand Rifle Brigade seized the village of Puseiux, north west of Miraumont. The men of 5th Division then passed through the new front line with the objective of capturing Achiet le Petit. At this time the Germans held the Irles Ridge, Miraumont, and the slopes east of the Dovecote. Fighting for the 16th battalion concentrated on the seizure of the Albert - Arras railway line north of Miaraumont. A steep embankment defended by several German machine gun posts provided a major obstacle. Early morning mist concealed their movements, but when it burned off by 09.00, the Germans launched a number of unsuccessful counter attacks. By the end of the day, the battalion was further ahead of the rest of the division, and fell back to railway line to consolidate its defences.
The battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Deakin. Beyond the railway line, he encountered a battery of 5.9 howitzers firing into the advancing line of the 95th Brigade. Accompanied by a few men, he immediately charged the guns, and himself shot down some of the the gunners. This action took place north west of Irles, and by the end of the day, the battalion captured 350 prisoners, and 29 field and machine guns. There were 66 casualties in the battalion, of which 12 men were killed or subsequently died of their wounds. Thomas Doggett probably died of wounds received this day.
On August 24th, the battalion continued their advance with an attack on Irles, a village directly east of the railway line. At 11.00, C company advanced behind a creeping barrage into three belts of barbed wire defended by machine guns. Eleven men of the battalion were killed in this attack.
Thomas Doggett was 19 years of age, and he is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery at Gezaincourt, grave IVD 3. In March 1918, there were three casualty clearing stations at Gezaincourt, and the cemetery was begun the following month. There is no local memorial. His name is on the war memorial at Woodborough.
Private Doggett 24 August 1918
Thomas Herbert Doggett was born in East Grafton on 30th April 1895, and was the son of James Doggett and Rosa Jackman of Alton Priors. In 1901, James Doggett was a grocer and the village postmaster in East Grafton.
Thomas Doggett enlisted with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and served with the 16th Battalion (Birmingham Pals) in C Company. His army number was 35267.
In August 1918, this battalion was part of 15th Brigade in 5th Division. After the successful battle of Amiens, Third Army's IV Corps was tasked with capture of Bapaume. The 5th Division was one of two reserve divisions for this operation.
On August 21st, the New Zealand Rifle Brigade seized the village of Puseiux, north west of Miraumont. The men of 5th Division then passed through the new front line with the objective of capturing Achiet le Petit. At this time the Germans held the Irles Ridge, Miraumont, and the slopes east of the Dovecote. Fighting for the 16th battalion concentrated on the seizure of the Albert - Arras railway line north of Miaraumont. A steep embankment defended by several German machine gun posts provided a major obstacle. Early morning mist concealed their movements, but when it burned off by 09.00, the Germans launched a number of unsuccessful counter attacks. By the end of the day, the battalion was further ahead of the rest of the division, and fell back to railway line to consolidate its defences.
The battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Deakin. Beyond the railway line, he encountered a battery of 5.9 howitzers firing into the advancing line of the 95th Brigade. Accompanied by a few men, he immediately charged the guns, and himself shot down some of the the gunners. This action took place north west of Irles, and by the end of the day, the battalion captured 350 prisoners, and 29 field and machine guns. There were 66 casualties in the battalion, of which 12 men were killed or subsequently died of their wounds. Thomas Doggett probably died of wounds received this day.
On August 24th, the battalion continued their advance with an attack on Irles, a village directly east of the railway line. At 11.00, C company advanced behind a creeping barrage into three belts of barbed wire defended by machine guns. Eleven men of the battalion were killed in this attack.
Thomas Doggett was 19 years of age, and he is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery at Gezaincourt, grave IVD 3. In March 1918, there were three casualty clearing stations at Gezaincourt, and the cemetery was begun the following month. There is no local memorial. His name is on the war memorial at Woodborough.
Salonika
Private Brooks 1st September 1918
Stanley John Brooks was born in Burbage, and he was the son of William Joseph Brooks of Burbage and Kate Nash of Collingbourne Ducis. During the war, they lived at Swing-gate in Collingbourne Ducis.
Stanley Brooks enlisted with the Hampshire Regiment and served in the 10th Battalion with C Company. His army number was 16691.
The 10th battalion fought in Gallipoli from August 1915 until the end of September. The battalion was then deployed to Salonika, where it remained until the end of the war. In September 1918, the battalion took part in the successful capture of the Roche Noir Salient, and it was here that Stanley Brooks lost his life. The war with Bulgaria ended 4 weeks later, on the 30th of September.
The Roche Noir Salient lay west of the river Vadar, and formed an approximate square of 1,000 yards, which jutted out far in advance of the main Bulgarian line. There were three ravines in the salient which were used as communication trenches. The plan was to rush across no-mans-land at 17.30 with a barrage starting six minutes later in order to take the Bulgarians by surprise.
On August 31st, the battalion dumped all spare kit in Pactol ravine at 08.00, and moved to the frontline in the evening to Parallel II. At 17.30 on September 1st, the attack began with D company followed by B company in reserve. By 18.00, A Company had captured Les 2 Roches, C Company had captured La Roche Noire, and D company had captured La Table.
Not everything went smoothly. The battalion war diary records that :
“At 1810 hrs A & C Companies advanced on final objectives and in places got in front of our 18 pounder barrage. This was unavoidable owing to the heavy shelling at the time, and the great difficulty in observing either our own barrage or the action of troops on either flank”
Both A company and C company endured heavy shelling throughout the rest of the evening, but by 21.00, the last strongpoint, Dos de Mulet, had been captured. The 10th battalion suffered 179 casualties; 47 men were killed and 132 men were wounded. Stanley Brooks was one of the C Company fatalities.
Stanley Brooks was 22 years of age, and he is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, grave E980. The cemetery lies on the edge of the town of Polykastro (Karasouli) which is 73 kilometres from Thessaloniki, between the River Axios (Vardas) and the south end of Lake Ardzan (now a reservoir). There is no local memorial, but his name is on the war memorial in St. Andrews churchyard, Collingbourne Ducis.
Private Brooks 1st September 1918
Stanley John Brooks was born in Burbage, and he was the son of William Joseph Brooks of Burbage and Kate Nash of Collingbourne Ducis. During the war, they lived at Swing-gate in Collingbourne Ducis.
Stanley Brooks enlisted with the Hampshire Regiment and served in the 10th Battalion with C Company. His army number was 16691.
The 10th battalion fought in Gallipoli from August 1915 until the end of September. The battalion was then deployed to Salonika, where it remained until the end of the war. In September 1918, the battalion took part in the successful capture of the Roche Noir Salient, and it was here that Stanley Brooks lost his life. The war with Bulgaria ended 4 weeks later, on the 30th of September.
The Roche Noir Salient lay west of the river Vadar, and formed an approximate square of 1,000 yards, which jutted out far in advance of the main Bulgarian line. There were three ravines in the salient which were used as communication trenches. The plan was to rush across no-mans-land at 17.30 with a barrage starting six minutes later in order to take the Bulgarians by surprise.
On August 31st, the battalion dumped all spare kit in Pactol ravine at 08.00, and moved to the frontline in the evening to Parallel II. At 17.30 on September 1st, the attack began with D company followed by B company in reserve. By 18.00, A Company had captured Les 2 Roches, C Company had captured La Roche Noire, and D company had captured La Table.
Not everything went smoothly. The battalion war diary records that :
“At 1810 hrs A & C Companies advanced on final objectives and in places got in front of our 18 pounder barrage. This was unavoidable owing to the heavy shelling at the time, and the great difficulty in observing either our own barrage or the action of troops on either flank”
Both A company and C company endured heavy shelling throughout the rest of the evening, but by 21.00, the last strongpoint, Dos de Mulet, had been captured. The 10th battalion suffered 179 casualties; 47 men were killed and 132 men were wounded. Stanley Brooks was one of the C Company fatalities.
Stanley Brooks was 22 years of age, and he is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, grave E980. The cemetery lies on the edge of the town of Polykastro (Karasouli) which is 73 kilometres from Thessaloniki, between the River Axios (Vardas) and the south end of Lake Ardzan (now a reservoir). There is no local memorial, but his name is on the war memorial in St. Andrews churchyard, Collingbourne Ducis.
The Hundred Days
Beselare
Private Hazell 17 September 1918
Frederick Peter Peverell Hazell was born in Summertown, Oxford, and was the son of Thomas John and Charlotte Emily Hazell of 54 Stratfield road, Summertown. In 1887, the family lived in Burbage, as Frederick Hazell’s father was a railway signalman, employed by the GWR.
In 1891, they lived in the High Street with their first six children. Seven siblings were born in Burbage, although one sadly died shortly after birth. By 1896, the family had returned to Summertown. Frederick Hazell was born on 9th April 1896 and was baptised at Wolvercote on 24th May 1896.
Frederick Hazell originally enlisted with the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and his service number was 29044. However, he was posted to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and served with the 9th Battalion. His army number was 47012.
Frederick Hazell died of wounds, apparently incurred in the most unusual and tragic set of circumstances:
"He had been in hospital suffering from laryngitis, but was taken out to fight in the front line. On returning to safety at night he was challenged at the gate by the sentry, and as he could not speak he was thought to be the enemy, and shot"
The battalion was south east of Beselare, facing the village of Terhand at the end of September.
Frederick Hazell was 22 years of age, and he is buried in the La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, grave III.E.6. Although used by casualty clearing stations, at the time of his death this was not the case, for there were no longer stations there. His father chose Rest In Peace as the stone inscription. His name is on the Roll of Honour of St Andrew’s Church, Old Headington.
Roclincourt
Private Chandler 18 September 1918
Roland Chandler was born in Burbage, and he was the son of William John Chandler and Elizabeth Liddiard of Church Farm. His parents married in 1884. In the 1891 census, his father was described as a small farmer. There were two sons, Herbert and Percy. Roland was born shortly after completion of census.
Roland Chandler enlisted in the York and Lancaster Regiment and served in the 1/4 Battalion, otherwise known as the Hallamshire battalion. His army number was 46646. The battalion served in 148th Brigade, 49th Division.
Roland Chandler died in the frontline which lay east of Roclincourt, 4 miles north of Arras. The battalion had moved into line on September 13th. Over a period of 7 days there was no major fighting, nevertheless, the battalion suffered 29 casualties. On September 18th, one man was wounded and one man was killed. Roland Chandler was that unfortunate man.
Roland Chandler was 28 years of age, and he was buried at Duisans British Cemetery Etrun, grave VI. H. 23. This cemetery was a few miles west of Roclincourt. His name is also on the war memorial in Burbage churchyard. Miss M Chandler inscription but no record of it.
Beselare
Private Hazell 17 September 1918
Frederick Peter Peverell Hazell was born in Summertown, Oxford, and was the son of Thomas John and Charlotte Emily Hazell of 54 Stratfield road, Summertown. In 1887, the family lived in Burbage, as Frederick Hazell’s father was a railway signalman, employed by the GWR.
In 1891, they lived in the High Street with their first six children. Seven siblings were born in Burbage, although one sadly died shortly after birth. By 1896, the family had returned to Summertown. Frederick Hazell was born on 9th April 1896 and was baptised at Wolvercote on 24th May 1896.
Frederick Hazell originally enlisted with the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and his service number was 29044. However, he was posted to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and served with the 9th Battalion. His army number was 47012.
Frederick Hazell died of wounds, apparently incurred in the most unusual and tragic set of circumstances:
"He had been in hospital suffering from laryngitis, but was taken out to fight in the front line. On returning to safety at night he was challenged at the gate by the sentry, and as he could not speak he was thought to be the enemy, and shot"
The battalion was south east of Beselare, facing the village of Terhand at the end of September.
Frederick Hazell was 22 years of age, and he is buried in the La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, grave III.E.6. Although used by casualty clearing stations, at the time of his death this was not the case, for there were no longer stations there. His father chose Rest In Peace as the stone inscription. His name is on the Roll of Honour of St Andrew’s Church, Old Headington.
Roclincourt
Private Chandler 18 September 1918
Roland Chandler was born in Burbage, and he was the son of William John Chandler and Elizabeth Liddiard of Church Farm. His parents married in 1884. In the 1891 census, his father was described as a small farmer. There were two sons, Herbert and Percy. Roland was born shortly after completion of census.
Roland Chandler enlisted in the York and Lancaster Regiment and served in the 1/4 Battalion, otherwise known as the Hallamshire battalion. His army number was 46646. The battalion served in 148th Brigade, 49th Division.
Roland Chandler died in the frontline which lay east of Roclincourt, 4 miles north of Arras. The battalion had moved into line on September 13th. Over a period of 7 days there was no major fighting, nevertheless, the battalion suffered 29 casualties. On September 18th, one man was wounded and one man was killed. Roland Chandler was that unfortunate man.
Roland Chandler was 28 years of age, and he was buried at Duisans British Cemetery Etrun, grave VI. H. 23. This cemetery was a few miles west of Roclincourt. His name is also on the war memorial in Burbage churchyard. Miss M Chandler inscription but no record of it.
Italy
Private Spanswick 30 September 1918
Alfred Edward Spanswick was the son of Richard Spanswick and Eliza Ann Barley of 70 High Street in Burbage. His parents married in 1877, and in 1891, his father was employed as a groom in Easton Royal.
Alfred Spanswick enlisted in October 1914 with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and served in the 7th battalion. His service numbers was 15025. He was one of six Burbage men who served in the battalion in 1914. Over 24 Wiltshire men served in the battalion, primarily because recruitment in Ireland was lower than England. Lord Kitchener transferred recruits who had applied for over subscribed English regiments to Irish regiments in September 1914.
The 7th battalion served in Gallipoli in 1915. Alfred Spanswick was wounded in the knee, and evacuated to the Citadel Hospital in Cairo. He rejoined his battalion, which was sent to Salonika. In 1916, the main enemy was not the Bulgarians, but the threat of malaria from mosquitoes. In September 1917, the battalion sailed for Egypt without Alfred Spanswick in order to be deployed on the western front. On 23 May 1918, the 7th Battalion left Alexandria, and landed at Marseilles. The battalion subsequently served as a pool of reinforcements for other battalions.
Many men from the 7th batallion had suffered from malaria contracted in the Struma Valley in Thessalonica, and Alfred Spanswick was one of these men. After he recovered, he was transferred to 711th (Employment) company in the Labour Corps, and his service number became 304134. This company was formed in Salonika in 1917. In September 1918, Alfred Spanswick left Greece for England. Unfortunately he contracted pneumonia, and he was landed in Italy to receive medical attention. He died in hospital at Taranto, his illness being complicated by his former bout of malaria.
Alfred Spanswick was 23 years of age, and he is buried in Taranto Town Cemetery Extension, grave III. J. 6. His mother chose the inscription Peace Perfect Peace. His name is also on the war memorial in Burbage churchyard. [One of his grave registration documents reports a date of death as September 29th].
Alfred Spanswick continued a correspondence with the Reverend Hubert Sands during the war. In October 1914, he wrote about training at the Curragh. In April 1918, then serving with 711th (Employment) company, Labour Corps, he made a donation of 5s. to a memorial fund. Little did he know that his own name would appear on a village memorial?
Private Spanswick 30 September 1918
Alfred Edward Spanswick was the son of Richard Spanswick and Eliza Ann Barley of 70 High Street in Burbage. His parents married in 1877, and in 1891, his father was employed as a groom in Easton Royal.
Alfred Spanswick enlisted in October 1914 with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and served in the 7th battalion. His service numbers was 15025. He was one of six Burbage men who served in the battalion in 1914. Over 24 Wiltshire men served in the battalion, primarily because recruitment in Ireland was lower than England. Lord Kitchener transferred recruits who had applied for over subscribed English regiments to Irish regiments in September 1914.
The 7th battalion served in Gallipoli in 1915. Alfred Spanswick was wounded in the knee, and evacuated to the Citadel Hospital in Cairo. He rejoined his battalion, which was sent to Salonika. In 1916, the main enemy was not the Bulgarians, but the threat of malaria from mosquitoes. In September 1917, the battalion sailed for Egypt without Alfred Spanswick in order to be deployed on the western front. On 23 May 1918, the 7th Battalion left Alexandria, and landed at Marseilles. The battalion subsequently served as a pool of reinforcements for other battalions.
Many men from the 7th batallion had suffered from malaria contracted in the Struma Valley in Thessalonica, and Alfred Spanswick was one of these men. After he recovered, he was transferred to 711th (Employment) company in the Labour Corps, and his service number became 304134. This company was formed in Salonika in 1917. In September 1918, Alfred Spanswick left Greece for England. Unfortunately he contracted pneumonia, and he was landed in Italy to receive medical attention. He died in hospital at Taranto, his illness being complicated by his former bout of malaria.
Alfred Spanswick was 23 years of age, and he is buried in Taranto Town Cemetery Extension, grave III. J. 6. His mother chose the inscription Peace Perfect Peace. His name is also on the war memorial in Burbage churchyard. [One of his grave registration documents reports a date of death as September 29th].
Alfred Spanswick continued a correspondence with the Reverend Hubert Sands during the war. In October 1914, he wrote about training at the Curragh. In April 1918, then serving with 711th (Employment) company, Labour Corps, he made a donation of 5s. to a memorial fund. Little did he know that his own name would appear on a village memorial?
The Hundred Days
Ribecourt
Driver Fry 1st October 1918
Thomas Edwin Fry was born in 1878, and was the husband of Sarah Fry of Oxenwood.
He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery, and served in the 124th Brigade, 'A' Battery. His army number was 150520.
The 124th Brigade consisted of two 6-gun batteries of 18-pounders in 1918. This brigade was attached to 37 Division, and in September 1918, 'A' Battery was probably supporting the attack on Trescault on September 12th. By October 1st, the defences of the Canal du Nord had been breached, and the forward battalions of the Division were threatening Crèvcoeur sur l'Escaut on the St. Quentin canal.
Little is otherwise known of his war service or place of death. He may have died as a result of counter battery fire, or through accident. He was buried at Ribecourt British Cemetery. This cemetery was started in November 1917, but for after the battle of Cambrai, it lay close to the frontline until it was abandoned during the German offensive of March 1918. Ribecourt sur Tour was recovered in September 1918, and the cemetery was reused. Thomas Fry was probably buried here after being killed in proximity to the area.
Thomas Fry was 40 years of age. There is no local memorial at Grafton, but he is on the Fosbury war memorial.
Ribecourt
Driver Fry 1st October 1918
Thomas Edwin Fry was born in 1878, and was the husband of Sarah Fry of Oxenwood.
He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery, and served in the 124th Brigade, 'A' Battery. His army number was 150520.
The 124th Brigade consisted of two 6-gun batteries of 18-pounders in 1918. This brigade was attached to 37 Division, and in September 1918, 'A' Battery was probably supporting the attack on Trescault on September 12th. By October 1st, the defences of the Canal du Nord had been breached, and the forward battalions of the Division were threatening Crèvcoeur sur l'Escaut on the St. Quentin canal.
Little is otherwise known of his war service or place of death. He may have died as a result of counter battery fire, or through accident. He was buried at Ribecourt British Cemetery. This cemetery was started in November 1917, but for after the battle of Cambrai, it lay close to the frontline until it was abandoned during the German offensive of March 1918. Ribecourt sur Tour was recovered in September 1918, and the cemetery was reused. Thomas Fry was probably buried here after being killed in proximity to the area.
Thomas Fry was 40 years of age. There is no local memorial at Grafton, but he is on the Fosbury war memorial.
Crystal Palace
Ordinary Seaman Weston 5th October 1918
Harry Redvers Weston was born in Burbage om August 3, 1900, and he was the son of Michael John Whittle Weston and Mary Jane, nee Bailey, of 34 West Street, Malmesbury. His father was born in Cirencester and his mother in Malmesbury. Harry had five brothers and sisters, one of whom, Muriel, also died in 1918 at the age of 12.
Harry Weston enlisted with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. He was posted to the Royal Navy training depot, HMS Victory II, at the time of his death. His service number was Bristol PZ/2635, and his basic training would have led him to serve as a Stoker or Engine Room Artificer. HMS Victory II was established at Crystal Palace during the war. The grounds, the 1911 Festival of Empire buildings, and the Crystal Palace building itself were used as offices, billets, as well as for training.
He was one of three men who died of illness, probably of influenza or Spanish Flu, on this Saturday:
Griffiths, Reginald R, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, Mersey Z 6158, illness
Weston, Harry R, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, Bristol Z 2635, illness
Willliams, Oswald, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, Wales Z 5339, illness
Another 45 men died of illness at Crystal Palace over the following 7 days.
Ordinary Seaman Weston 5th October 1918
Harry Redvers Weston was born in Burbage om August 3, 1900, and he was the son of Michael John Whittle Weston and Mary Jane, nee Bailey, of 34 West Street, Malmesbury. His father was born in Cirencester and his mother in Malmesbury. Harry had five brothers and sisters, one of whom, Muriel, also died in 1918 at the age of 12.
Harry Weston enlisted with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. He was posted to the Royal Navy training depot, HMS Victory II, at the time of his death. His service number was Bristol PZ/2635, and his basic training would have led him to serve as a Stoker or Engine Room Artificer. HMS Victory II was established at Crystal Palace during the war. The grounds, the 1911 Festival of Empire buildings, and the Crystal Palace building itself were used as offices, billets, as well as for training.
He was one of three men who died of illness, probably of influenza or Spanish Flu, on this Saturday:
Griffiths, Reginald R, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, Mersey Z 6158, illness
Weston, Harry R, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, Bristol Z 2635, illness
Willliams, Oswald, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, Wales Z 5339, illness
Another 45 men died of illness at Crystal Palace over the following 7 days.
The Hundred Days
Artois
The breaking of the Hindenburg Line was followed by a general advance of the Allied Armies. However the area east of Arras was still held by the Germans. No large scale offensives were planned, but small scale actions often took place.
Private Chapman 7th October 1918
Frederick Chapman was born in Froxfield, and he was the son of Jasper Chapman and Sarah A Chapman of 39 Froxfield in that village. He was also the husband of Bertha Ann Barnes of Aldbourne. They married in December 1910, and lived at Harlow cottages in Froxfield. Prior to his army service, he followed his father's trade as a blacksmith.
Frederick Chapman enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment at Froxfield, and his army number was 34392. However, on being sent overseas, he was posted to the 1st battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. Subsequently his army number was 42212.
The 1st battalion was located north of Arras, where it held a series of trenches between Oppy and Gavrelle. These villages were the scene of severe fighting in the summer of 1917, and several Bedwyn men had lost their lives there. Some trenches were held by the British, some were deserted, and others were still occupied by the Germans. Beyond these villages lay further German defences, known as the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line and the Drocourt-Queant Line. These defences were dominated by Greenland Hill, and the British decided to capture it on October 7th.
The 8th Division conducted operations between the 3rd and 9th October 1918, to pierce the Fresnes-Rouvroy line. The battalion played a supporting role south of Oppy, where it was required to clear out German machine nests between Oppy and Gavrelle.
Artois
The breaking of the Hindenburg Line was followed by a general advance of the Allied Armies. However the area east of Arras was still held by the Germans. No large scale offensives were planned, but small scale actions often took place.
Private Chapman 7th October 1918
Frederick Chapman was born in Froxfield, and he was the son of Jasper Chapman and Sarah A Chapman of 39 Froxfield in that village. He was also the husband of Bertha Ann Barnes of Aldbourne. They married in December 1910, and lived at Harlow cottages in Froxfield. Prior to his army service, he followed his father's trade as a blacksmith.
Frederick Chapman enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment at Froxfield, and his army number was 34392. However, on being sent overseas, he was posted to the 1st battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. Subsequently his army number was 42212.
The 1st battalion was located north of Arras, where it held a series of trenches between Oppy and Gavrelle. These villages were the scene of severe fighting in the summer of 1917, and several Bedwyn men had lost their lives there. Some trenches were held by the British, some were deserted, and others were still occupied by the Germans. Beyond these villages lay further German defences, known as the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line and the Drocourt-Queant Line. These defences were dominated by Greenland Hill, and the British decided to capture it on October 7th.
The 8th Division conducted operations between the 3rd and 9th October 1918, to pierce the Fresnes-Rouvroy line. The battalion played a supporting role south of Oppy, where it was required to clear out German machine nests between Oppy and Gavrelle.
At 05.00. the attack was preceded by a short period of Trench mortar fire. B company successfully attacked the German Oppy Support trench with its adjoining saps, Cruet and Chalk. Thirty-eight prisoners and four machine-guns were captured.
Subsequently, D company launched a second attack, bombing their way up a link trench to the main trench of the Fresnes - Rouvroy Line. All went well until they run out of grenades and the Germans counter attacked. They were forced to fall back. However C company passed through D company, and successfully drove the Germans back, and captured the main trench.
In the evening, a small party captured a couple of trench mortars in the ruins of Nevereuil, which had been firing on the battalion of Sherwood Forresters which had captured Oppy.
The battalion suffered 19 casualties. One man was killed and 18 men were wounded. That one man was Frederick Chapman. It may have been one of the German mortars that ended his life.
Frederick Chapman was 29 years of age, and he has no known grave. His is remembered at the Vis En Artois Memorial Panel 6. His name is also on the memorial at Froxfield churchyard.
Subsequently, D company launched a second attack, bombing their way up a link trench to the main trench of the Fresnes - Rouvroy Line. All went well until they run out of grenades and the Germans counter attacked. They were forced to fall back. However C company passed through D company, and successfully drove the Germans back, and captured the main trench.
In the evening, a small party captured a couple of trench mortars in the ruins of Nevereuil, which had been firing on the battalion of Sherwood Forresters which had captured Oppy.
The battalion suffered 19 casualties. One man was killed and 18 men were wounded. That one man was Frederick Chapman. It may have been one of the German mortars that ended his life.
Frederick Chapman was 29 years of age, and he has no known grave. His is remembered at the Vis En Artois Memorial Panel 6. His name is also on the memorial at Froxfield churchyard.
Sambre
Private Green 12 October 1918
James Green was born in Tottenham, Middlesex. He was the brother of Charles Henry Green, who was killed in July 1915. His mother was Caroline Marsh of Wexcombe. She had remarried after the death of her husband in 1907, and moved from London to Wiltshire. The tragedy of losing her losing her two sons was compounded by the loss of her step-son, Fred Marsh, in August 1916.
Unfortunately such experience of loss was not unique during this dreadful war. Let no one blandly state of the Bedwyn men that their deaths were not in vain, or that they bravely sacrificed their lives. Most of them died horribly in awful circumstances, and they endured their hardships in hope of surviving the war, returning to their families, and enjoying peace. Sadly, as the publication of the Chilcott report confirms, we still have vainglorious political leaders who will needlessly risk the life of our servicemen by sending them ill equipped and ill prepared into needless conflict. They will never learn.
James Green enlisted with the Middlesex Regiment. He was originally posted to 2/7 battalion, and served in Egypt in 1915. However, in June 1916, his battalion was disbanded, and he transferred to the 4th battalion. His army number was TF241326.
In October 1918, the 4th battalion was part of 63 Brigade in 37 Division. After the capture of Cambrai, the Germans attempted to establish a new line of defence on the river Selle. The area between Cambrai and the river was defended by organised resistance centres based on villages and woodland. The 4th battalion was involved with the pursuit to the Selle between the 9th and 12th of October.
On the 10th October, the 37th Division reached the western slopes overlooking the Selle. In the afternoon, the division intended to establish bridgeheads on the eastern bank of the river, and the New Zealand 1st Brigade, 1st Wellington on the right and 2nd Auckland on the left, moved forwards to protect the north flank of the Division. A narrow bridge was thrown over the river half a mile up-stream from the New Zealand brigade boundary, and forward elements of 37the Division crossed in the evening. Two companies of 1st Wellingtons croosed by the same bridge at 04.30 on October 11th, as the bridge at Briastre was destroyed. The companies made their way back to Biastre in the area of the factory, and prepared for an assault on the railway line.
Dawn on October 11th disclosed the New Zealand and British positions to the Germans, who directed heavy machine gun fire from the Solesmes road and railway line. German artillery became active on the western bank, and further infantry movement became impracticable. Despite artillery support during the day, the troops on the east bank were continually exposed to machine gun and sniper fire. In the evening the survivors of right Wellington company were relieved by 37th Division troops. These were troops from the 4th Middlesex battalion, which included James Green.
An attack on the railway line was planned for 05.00 on October 12th. At zero hour an artillery and machine gun barrage began. Unfortunately German machine guns at Belle Vue railway halt survived and imposed their own barrage which which a second artillery bombardment at 11.45. The Middlesex battalion succeeded in reaching the high ground south of Biastre, but without the capture of Belle Vue by the New Zealanders, their position was too exposed to hold. James Green probably died in the initial attack on the railway line, and his body was found no more than 200 yards from the track.
A final attempt by two Wellington companies at 18.00 succeeded in capturing the railway halt at Belle Vue, and by nightfall, Biastre was secured. 1st battalion, Wellington, lost 28 other ranks killed, 76 wounded, and 11 missing. A total of 29 men from the 1st battalion Middlesex, were killed on October 12th.
The Selle is now only a few feet wide, and is no longer as wide as apparently described in October 1918. The railway line east of the village ran from Solesmes to Le Cateau but no longer exists.
Private Green 12 October 1918
James Green was born in Tottenham, Middlesex. He was the brother of Charles Henry Green, who was killed in July 1915. His mother was Caroline Marsh of Wexcombe. She had remarried after the death of her husband in 1907, and moved from London to Wiltshire. The tragedy of losing her losing her two sons was compounded by the loss of her step-son, Fred Marsh, in August 1916.
Unfortunately such experience of loss was not unique during this dreadful war. Let no one blandly state of the Bedwyn men that their deaths were not in vain, or that they bravely sacrificed their lives. Most of them died horribly in awful circumstances, and they endured their hardships in hope of surviving the war, returning to their families, and enjoying peace. Sadly, as the publication of the Chilcott report confirms, we still have vainglorious political leaders who will needlessly risk the life of our servicemen by sending them ill equipped and ill prepared into needless conflict. They will never learn.
James Green enlisted with the Middlesex Regiment. He was originally posted to 2/7 battalion, and served in Egypt in 1915. However, in June 1916, his battalion was disbanded, and he transferred to the 4th battalion. His army number was TF241326.
In October 1918, the 4th battalion was part of 63 Brigade in 37 Division. After the capture of Cambrai, the Germans attempted to establish a new line of defence on the river Selle. The area between Cambrai and the river was defended by organised resistance centres based on villages and woodland. The 4th battalion was involved with the pursuit to the Selle between the 9th and 12th of October.
On the 10th October, the 37th Division reached the western slopes overlooking the Selle. In the afternoon, the division intended to establish bridgeheads on the eastern bank of the river, and the New Zealand 1st Brigade, 1st Wellington on the right and 2nd Auckland on the left, moved forwards to protect the north flank of the Division. A narrow bridge was thrown over the river half a mile up-stream from the New Zealand brigade boundary, and forward elements of 37the Division crossed in the evening. Two companies of 1st Wellingtons croosed by the same bridge at 04.30 on October 11th, as the bridge at Briastre was destroyed. The companies made their way back to Biastre in the area of the factory, and prepared for an assault on the railway line.
Dawn on October 11th disclosed the New Zealand and British positions to the Germans, who directed heavy machine gun fire from the Solesmes road and railway line. German artillery became active on the western bank, and further infantry movement became impracticable. Despite artillery support during the day, the troops on the east bank were continually exposed to machine gun and sniper fire. In the evening the survivors of right Wellington company were relieved by 37th Division troops. These were troops from the 4th Middlesex battalion, which included James Green.
An attack on the railway line was planned for 05.00 on October 12th. At zero hour an artillery and machine gun barrage began. Unfortunately German machine guns at Belle Vue railway halt survived and imposed their own barrage which which a second artillery bombardment at 11.45. The Middlesex battalion succeeded in reaching the high ground south of Biastre, but without the capture of Belle Vue by the New Zealanders, their position was too exposed to hold. James Green probably died in the initial attack on the railway line, and his body was found no more than 200 yards from the track.
A final attempt by two Wellington companies at 18.00 succeeded in capturing the railway halt at Belle Vue, and by nightfall, Biastre was secured. 1st battalion, Wellington, lost 28 other ranks killed, 76 wounded, and 11 missing. A total of 29 men from the 1st battalion Middlesex, were killed on October 12th.
The Selle is now only a few feet wide, and is no longer as wide as apparently described in October 1918. The railway line east of the village ran from Solesmes to Le Cateau but no longer exists.
James Green was initially buried directly south west of Briastre, east of a triangular wood, map reference 57b.e.25.a.4.7. It was marked by the Grave Registration unit with a wooden cross, and there were five other Middlesex graves. In 1920, his body was moved to Romeries communal cemetery extension, and he now lies in plot VD2.
Selle
Private Lovelock 13 October 1918
Ernest Charles Lovelock was born in Great Bedwyn in July 1897. He was the son of Lavinia Lovelock of Jockey Green. His father died a few years after his birth, and his mother then married a general labourer called James Cope in 1901. The family lived with Joseph and Mary Edwards, possibly the parents of Lavinia.
Ernest Lovelock enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and served with the 1/1 Welsh (Carnarvon) Heavy Battery. Hs army number was 109802, which indicates he enlisted after 1916. The battery originated as a territorial unit in Bangor and Llandudno. It landed in France in January 1916, and saw service on the first day of the Somme, near Serre. The battery became part of XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade in December 1917, and was equipped with 6 60 pounder guns. It ended the war in November 1918 as a part of 53 Brigade RGA.
The Canadian Corps captured Cambrai on October 9th 1918. However as elements of the 1st Army advanced beyond the city, German resistance increased as the enemy attempted to establish a new line of defence along the river Selle. As heavy artillery was moved forwards in preparation for an assault on the Selle, Ernest Lovelock may have become a victim of enemy shelling.
Ernest Lovelock was 21 years of age, and he is buried in Ramillies British Cemetery, grave D5. Ramilles village was captured by the Canadians on October 9th, 3 days before his death. He was probably buried there immediately after his death. His name is also on the war memorial in Great Bedwyn churchyard.
Private Rogers 20 October 1918
Frederick William Rogers was born in Godalming, and he was the son of Frederick and Emma Rogers of 10, Cortayne Road in Fulham. He was also the husband of Louisa Jane Smart. The couple married in 1904 in Bedwyn, but were living at 187 Mortimer Road, Kensal Rise, during the war. He may have been an employee of the Fulham Gas, Light and Coke Company.
Frederick Rogers enlisted with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, and served in the 1/4th Battalion. His army number was 200789. This battalion spent the first three years of the war in Singapore, before being recalled in Spring 1917. As part of 63 Royal Naval Division, the battalion saw action in November at Ypres. In February 1918, the battalion was transferred to the 19th Western Division, and served on the Somme, Ypres, and Aisne. In August, the battalion spent two months at Bethune, including action on Aubers ridge. However in October, the battallion moved east of Cambrai and participated in the battle of the Selle.
Frederick Rogers may have been wounded before the battalion arrived in the area between Cambrai and Selle, and certainly no later than the fighting at Selle. The details of his wounds and where he sufferred them is unknown.
Frederick Rogers was 37 years of age, and he is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, near Wimille. His grave is VI A28, and the grave stone inscription is “He did his duty Rest in Peace”. The cemetery at Terlincthun was begun in June 1918 when the space available for service burials in the civil cemeteries of Boulogne and Wimereux was exhausted. It was primarily used for burials from the base hospitals. His name is on the war memorial at Great Bedwyn.
Private Lovelock 13 October 1918
Ernest Charles Lovelock was born in Great Bedwyn in July 1897. He was the son of Lavinia Lovelock of Jockey Green. His father died a few years after his birth, and his mother then married a general labourer called James Cope in 1901. The family lived with Joseph and Mary Edwards, possibly the parents of Lavinia.
Ernest Lovelock enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and served with the 1/1 Welsh (Carnarvon) Heavy Battery. Hs army number was 109802, which indicates he enlisted after 1916. The battery originated as a territorial unit in Bangor and Llandudno. It landed in France in January 1916, and saw service on the first day of the Somme, near Serre. The battery became part of XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade in December 1917, and was equipped with 6 60 pounder guns. It ended the war in November 1918 as a part of 53 Brigade RGA.
The Canadian Corps captured Cambrai on October 9th 1918. However as elements of the 1st Army advanced beyond the city, German resistance increased as the enemy attempted to establish a new line of defence along the river Selle. As heavy artillery was moved forwards in preparation for an assault on the Selle, Ernest Lovelock may have become a victim of enemy shelling.
Ernest Lovelock was 21 years of age, and he is buried in Ramillies British Cemetery, grave D5. Ramilles village was captured by the Canadians on October 9th, 3 days before his death. He was probably buried there immediately after his death. His name is also on the war memorial in Great Bedwyn churchyard.
Private Rogers 20 October 1918
Frederick William Rogers was born in Godalming, and he was the son of Frederick and Emma Rogers of 10, Cortayne Road in Fulham. He was also the husband of Louisa Jane Smart. The couple married in 1904 in Bedwyn, but were living at 187 Mortimer Road, Kensal Rise, during the war. He may have been an employee of the Fulham Gas, Light and Coke Company.
Frederick Rogers enlisted with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, and served in the 1/4th Battalion. His army number was 200789. This battalion spent the first three years of the war in Singapore, before being recalled in Spring 1917. As part of 63 Royal Naval Division, the battalion saw action in November at Ypres. In February 1918, the battalion was transferred to the 19th Western Division, and served on the Somme, Ypres, and Aisne. In August, the battalion spent two months at Bethune, including action on Aubers ridge. However in October, the battallion moved east of Cambrai and participated in the battle of the Selle.
Frederick Rogers may have been wounded before the battalion arrived in the area between Cambrai and Selle, and certainly no later than the fighting at Selle. The details of his wounds and where he sufferred them is unknown.
Frederick Rogers was 37 years of age, and he is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, near Wimille. His grave is VI A28, and the grave stone inscription is “He did his duty Rest in Peace”. The cemetery at Terlincthun was begun in June 1918 when the space available for service burials in the civil cemeteries of Boulogne and Wimereux was exhausted. It was primarily used for burials from the base hospitals. His name is on the war memorial at Great Bedwyn.
Le Catelet
Private Russ 26 October 1918
Ewart Percy Russ was born in East Grafton, and he was the only son of Henry and Fanny Russ of 229, East Grafton.
Ewart Russ enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment, and he served in the 7th battalion. His army number was 18651. He was awarded the Military Medal during his service.
His battalion was part of 150th Brigade in 50th Division. At the beginning of October 1918, the XIII Corps allotted the 50th Division the difficult task of clearing Gouy and Le Catelet, and of gaining Prospect Hill. This action formed part of the assault on the Masnieres-Beaurevoir Line (Siegfried II Stellung - Hindenburg Line). Le Cateau lay 30 kilometers to the east.
On October 3rd, the 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 4th King's Royal Rifle Corps captured Le Catelet and Gouy, and the 1st King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry captured Prospect Hill. On this day, the 7th battalion was in support:
"0300. Battalion marched to HINDENBURG LINE in support of 50th Division. 1500. Battalion moved to BONY. 1700. Battalion relieved 1st K.O.Y.L.I. and 6th INNISKILLING FUSILIERS in position on PROSPECT HILL. 2200. Relief complete"
Bony lay west of Gouy. Apparently only part of Prospect Hill was in British hands, for .early the next day, the battalion was involved in an attack on a series of trenches (map 2 centre) to the north of Prospect Hill:
"0600. Battalion attacked and captured PROSPECT HILL and trenches to NORTH thereof. Captured:- PRISONERS 152 LIGHT FIELD GUNS 1 MACHINE GUNS 25 CARRIER PIGEONS 7 Position held all day, several heavy counter attacks being repulsed"
Private Russ 26 October 1918
Ewart Percy Russ was born in East Grafton, and he was the only son of Henry and Fanny Russ of 229, East Grafton.
Ewart Russ enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment, and he served in the 7th battalion. His army number was 18651. He was awarded the Military Medal during his service.
His battalion was part of 150th Brigade in 50th Division. At the beginning of October 1918, the XIII Corps allotted the 50th Division the difficult task of clearing Gouy and Le Catelet, and of gaining Prospect Hill. This action formed part of the assault on the Masnieres-Beaurevoir Line (Siegfried II Stellung - Hindenburg Line). Le Cateau lay 30 kilometers to the east.
On October 3rd, the 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 4th King's Royal Rifle Corps captured Le Catelet and Gouy, and the 1st King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry captured Prospect Hill. On this day, the 7th battalion was in support:
"0300. Battalion marched to HINDENBURG LINE in support of 50th Division. 1500. Battalion moved to BONY. 1700. Battalion relieved 1st K.O.Y.L.I. and 6th INNISKILLING FUSILIERS in position on PROSPECT HILL. 2200. Relief complete"
Bony lay west of Gouy. Apparently only part of Prospect Hill was in British hands, for .early the next day, the battalion was involved in an attack on a series of trenches (map 2 centre) to the north of Prospect Hill:
"0600. Battalion attacked and captured PROSPECT HILL and trenches to NORTH thereof. Captured:- PRISONERS 152 LIGHT FIELD GUNS 1 MACHINE GUNS 25 CARRIER PIGEONS 7 Position held all day, several heavy counter attacks being repulsed"
On October 5th, the 7th battalion remained in trenches north of Prospect Hill. In the afternoon, C company held positions at Vauxhall Quarry until relieved by A company in the evening. This quarry lay east (map 3) of la Pannere south. The actions at Prospect Hill were followed by an attack on Beaurevoir, which was hoped to cause the Germans to withdraw.
On October 6th, the specific task of the 50th Division was to capture the high ground north of Gouy and Le Catelet, between La Pannerie and Richmond Quarry. La Pannerie South was captured, but the left flank was held up by machine-gun fire from Hargival Farm and Richmond Copse. The 50th Division only established a line along the northern slopes of Prospect Hill through La Pannerie South to Hargival Farm, after the farm was captured by the 149th Brigade in the evening. Meanwhile, the 7th battalion participated in an attack on the right flank at Guisencourt farm:
"1130. Battalion attacked line NORTH of GUISENCOURT FARM together with 2nd R. MUNSTER FUSILIERS and 2nd NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. Battalion held up by barbed wire and machine gun fire. 2000. Battalion relieved by 149 BRIGADE and marched to BONY where it bivouaced in HINDENBURG LINE"
Over a three day period, the battalion suffered 222 casualties. Ewart Russ was one of the wounded in the fighting at Guizencourt farm, and he was subsequently evacuated to England. His wounds were treated in Nottingham Hospital, but he sadly succumbed to those wounds, no more than two weeks before Armistice day.
"1130. Battalion attacked line NORTH of GUISENCOURT FARM together with 2nd R. MUNSTER FUSILIERS and 2nd NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. Battalion held up by barbed wire and machine gun fire. 2000. Battalion relieved by 149 BRIGADE and marched to BONY where it bivouaced in HINDENBURG LINE"
Over a three day period, the battalion suffered 222 casualties. Ewart Russ was one of the wounded in the fighting at Guizencourt farm, and he was subsequently evacuated to England. His wounds were treated in Nottingham Hospital, but he sadly succumbed to those wounds, no more than two weeks before Armistice day.
St. Remy Chaussée
Private Davis 6th November 1918
William Thomas Davis was born in Burbage, and he was son of Thomas H. and Christina Davis, of 83 High Street in Burbage. His father was a shepherd, but described as a labourer in 1911.
William Davis enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment, and he served in the 7th battalion. His army number was 19499. His battalion was part of 150th Brigade in 50th Division. Ewart Russ of Grafton also served in this battalion. The two other battalions in 150th Infantry brigade were 2nd battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers and the 2nd battalion, the Royal Munster Fusiliers. All three battalions played a major part in the last battle of the 50th division, on the banks of the river Sambre.
The Last Battle
On November 1st 1918, the 50th division held a front line which ran along the western edge of the Forêt de Mormal, from Robersart in the north to Fontaine-au-Bois in the south. The battle of the Sambre was the last major operation on the Western Front before the Armistice. The 50th division was given the objective of the line of the Chaussee Brunehaut. This task involved an advance through the forêt de Mormal, the crossing of the river Sambre and an advance of over six miles through waterlogged ground to the final objective on the Chaussée Brunehaut east of St. Remy.
"The front line consists of scattered posts of infantry, lying up in ditches and hedgerows through Les Grands Chenes, Robersart and Fontaine-au-Bois. The group of villages in our front line are in very close country, consisting of small orchards and gardens, enclosed by high banks and thick hedges. The front line is by no means easy to find, and the unwary are liable to walk through into the arms of the Boche"
The dense woodland in front of the division added additional obstacles. In the first phase of this operation, the role of the three battalions was to advance in line to secure a footing in the Forêt de Mormal, by establishing a line running north-west through the forest, about 1,000 yards from its western edge.
The second objective was to occupy the high ground running identified on the map by a line drawn from Haute Cornée to Locquignol, some 1,200 to 1,500 yards further east. The woodland covers the watershed of numerous streams, which do not flow into the Sambre but flow north west to the Scheldt.
A third objective was to establish a line upon the road from Carrefour de l'Ermitage to Hachette farm, which would enable the brigade to secure a river crossing. The 150th Infantry Brigade was to attack with the 7th battalion on the right (south), and the Northumberland Fusiliers in the centre. The Royal Munsters on the left (north) were to advance north to capture the village of Le Preux, and to join up with the troops of the 18th Division.
Private Davis 6th November 1918
William Thomas Davis was born in Burbage, and he was son of Thomas H. and Christina Davis, of 83 High Street in Burbage. His father was a shepherd, but described as a labourer in 1911.
William Davis enlisted with the Wiltshire Regiment, and he served in the 7th battalion. His army number was 19499. His battalion was part of 150th Brigade in 50th Division. Ewart Russ of Grafton also served in this battalion. The two other battalions in 150th Infantry brigade were 2nd battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers and the 2nd battalion, the Royal Munster Fusiliers. All three battalions played a major part in the last battle of the 50th division, on the banks of the river Sambre.
The Last Battle
On November 1st 1918, the 50th division held a front line which ran along the western edge of the Forêt de Mormal, from Robersart in the north to Fontaine-au-Bois in the south. The battle of the Sambre was the last major operation on the Western Front before the Armistice. The 50th division was given the objective of the line of the Chaussee Brunehaut. This task involved an advance through the forêt de Mormal, the crossing of the river Sambre and an advance of over six miles through waterlogged ground to the final objective on the Chaussée Brunehaut east of St. Remy.
"The front line consists of scattered posts of infantry, lying up in ditches and hedgerows through Les Grands Chenes, Robersart and Fontaine-au-Bois. The group of villages in our front line are in very close country, consisting of small orchards and gardens, enclosed by high banks and thick hedges. The front line is by no means easy to find, and the unwary are liable to walk through into the arms of the Boche"
The dense woodland in front of the division added additional obstacles. In the first phase of this operation, the role of the three battalions was to advance in line to secure a footing in the Forêt de Mormal, by establishing a line running north-west through the forest, about 1,000 yards from its western edge.
The second objective was to occupy the high ground running identified on the map by a line drawn from Haute Cornée to Locquignol, some 1,200 to 1,500 yards further east. The woodland covers the watershed of numerous streams, which do not flow into the Sambre but flow north west to the Scheldt.
A third objective was to establish a line upon the road from Carrefour de l'Ermitage to Hachette farm, which would enable the brigade to secure a river crossing. The 150th Infantry Brigade was to attack with the 7th battalion on the right (south), and the Northumberland Fusiliers in the centre. The Royal Munsters on the left (north) were to advance north to capture the village of Le Preux, and to join up with the troops of the 18th Division.
November 4th
The artillery barrage began at 06.15. The howitzer batteries concentrated on the lines of advance, while the 18 pounders provided a creeping barrage, advancing 100 yards every six minutes. The 7th battalion advanced side by side with the Northumberland Fusiliers behind this barrage into a heavy ground mist, preceded by four tanks of the 9th Tank Battalion.
The German artillery interfered little with the infantry advance as their bombardment was concentrated on the villages of Fontaine-au-Bois and Robersart. In contrast, the enemy machine guns caused numerous casualties. The 7th battalion advanced in open order with two forward companies, D company on the left and C company on the right. A company was in support, 150 yards behind the leading companies, and B company in reserve, a further 300 yards behind the advancing front line. Each of the leading companies were allocated one tank, D company supported by a female tank, and C company by a male tank.
By 07.45, the two battalions crossed the road (D934) between Landrecies and Englefontaine, and at 09.00, they forded the l'Hirondelle Majeure (or Harpies) stream. Henceforth, the increasing density of woodland in the Forêt de Mormal rendered cooperation with tanks impractical. Due to the density of undergrowth, the companies no longer advanced in open order. The leading companies advanced in file along the roadside, with an advanced guard in front. There was no longer a creeping barrage, but the artillery continued with the bombardment of side roads ahead of the advance. By noon, the battalions reached their second objective, upon a line defined by La Haute Cornée and Locquignol.
The 151st Infantry Brigade now passed through 150 Infantry Brigade and continued the advance. Consequently the three battalions went into bivouac. By dusk, the 151st Infantry brigade was a short distance from the road between La Hachette Farm and Carrefour de l'Ermitage. Any further advance was halted as supplies could only be carried by packhorse; the Germans had put craters and other obstacles in the roads to cover their retreat. Insufficient rations and ammunitions were getting through to the forward troops.
November 5th
The 150 Infantry brigade passed through 141st Brigade to continue the advance, and crossed the Sambre river by a pontoon bridge which the Royal Engineers had built west of La Hachette farm. No more than a few 100 yards distance was the Pont d’Hachette. This river bridge was the objective of a small action at Moreilles in August 1914, where William Hoare, the first Bedwyn man to lose his life in the war, fought his first and last battle along La Rue des Juifs. Whether this bridge was demolished or standing in 1918 is unclear.
The 7th battalion completed the crossing of the Sambre river shortly before 13.00, and immediately pushed forward towards Basse Noyelles, which was reached at 16.30, despite some opposition. The battalion secured a footing on the far bank of the Grande Helpe river near Le Champ du Pare Farm, north of Noyelles. However, they could not overcome resistance at the main river crossing of Haute Noyelles. La Grande Helpe, which flows into the Sambre below Landrecies, crossed the frontage of 50th Division, and it was feared to have been reinforced by the Germans as a line of resistance. At last light, the battalion held a line 300 yards west of the Grande Helpe stream at Haute Noyelles.
As more troops crossed the river, the approaches to the bridge over sodden ground gradually became deep in mud, and the condition of the bridge increasingly unsafe. As a result the Northumberland Fusiliers, forming the rear of the column, experienced the greatest difficulties, and did not gain the far bank before some of their vehicles had fallen into the river. These, however, were successfully salved, and by 3 p.m. the whole Brigade had reached Rue des Juifs. As a result of the check to the advance of the 7th battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Royal Munsters were ordered to billet for the night on the Rue des Juifs.
November 6th
At daybreak heavy rain was falling, and it persisted throughout the day. The Germans thoroughly demolished the bridge at Haute Noyelles at 07.30. Therefore the 7th battalion continued the advanced over the captured bridge at Le Champ du Pare. Meanwhile the Royal Munsters left their billets on the Rue des Juifs at 06.00, and proceeded in open order across country to the village of Noyelles. On crossing a stream, A company came under enemy machine gun fire. Five platoons were dispatched by the 7th battalion to assault Noyelles from the north, but A company succeeded in capturing the village before their arrival. Later in the day, the Royal Engineers were called forwards to replace the bridge:
"an order came to reconnoitre and repair a destroyed bridge over a river at Noyelles. I rode off at once myself to have a look at it. It was a brick arch bridge over a small stream, but it was completely demolished"
The actual work was carried out the following day, Although the leading battalions had now passed to the east, the bridge was essential for supplies and the progress of the Division. The bridges was replaced the following day:
"Back to Noyelles with some sappers and the pontoon wagons. Completed a bridge during the day. We put a trestle bridge on a deviation, so as to leave the main road gap for the erection of a heavy bridge"
By noon, the three battalions of the 150th Infantry Brigade were assembled on the line of the road (D117) from Les Catiaux to Leval, with the 149th Brigade on their left. At 12.15, the two brigades advanced towards the line of the Chaussée Brunehaut (D951). Initially there was little or no resistance. By 15.30, the Royal Munsters and the 7th battalion reached the Avesnes to Leval railway line. However, the Northumberland Fusiliers were delayed by intense machine gun fire. Beyond the railway line, a countryside dominated by orchards and thick hedgerows concealed many German machine gun positions, and fire was received immediately east of the railway from the direction of the hamlet of Le Bout de Jean Ledoux, and in the distance from St. Rémy Chaussée. Dusk arrived with the battalions 200 yards short of their objective. In the pouring rain, the infantry floundered through the inky darkness to finally secure the Chaussée Brunehaut by 03.00.
The artillery barrage began at 06.15. The howitzer batteries concentrated on the lines of advance, while the 18 pounders provided a creeping barrage, advancing 100 yards every six minutes. The 7th battalion advanced side by side with the Northumberland Fusiliers behind this barrage into a heavy ground mist, preceded by four tanks of the 9th Tank Battalion.
The German artillery interfered little with the infantry advance as their bombardment was concentrated on the villages of Fontaine-au-Bois and Robersart. In contrast, the enemy machine guns caused numerous casualties. The 7th battalion advanced in open order with two forward companies, D company on the left and C company on the right. A company was in support, 150 yards behind the leading companies, and B company in reserve, a further 300 yards behind the advancing front line. Each of the leading companies were allocated one tank, D company supported by a female tank, and C company by a male tank.
By 07.45, the two battalions crossed the road (D934) between Landrecies and Englefontaine, and at 09.00, they forded the l'Hirondelle Majeure (or Harpies) stream. Henceforth, the increasing density of woodland in the Forêt de Mormal rendered cooperation with tanks impractical. Due to the density of undergrowth, the companies no longer advanced in open order. The leading companies advanced in file along the roadside, with an advanced guard in front. There was no longer a creeping barrage, but the artillery continued with the bombardment of side roads ahead of the advance. By noon, the battalions reached their second objective, upon a line defined by La Haute Cornée and Locquignol.
The 151st Infantry Brigade now passed through 150 Infantry Brigade and continued the advance. Consequently the three battalions went into bivouac. By dusk, the 151st Infantry brigade was a short distance from the road between La Hachette Farm and Carrefour de l'Ermitage. Any further advance was halted as supplies could only be carried by packhorse; the Germans had put craters and other obstacles in the roads to cover their retreat. Insufficient rations and ammunitions were getting through to the forward troops.
November 5th
The 150 Infantry brigade passed through 141st Brigade to continue the advance, and crossed the Sambre river by a pontoon bridge which the Royal Engineers had built west of La Hachette farm. No more than a few 100 yards distance was the Pont d’Hachette. This river bridge was the objective of a small action at Moreilles in August 1914, where William Hoare, the first Bedwyn man to lose his life in the war, fought his first and last battle along La Rue des Juifs. Whether this bridge was demolished or standing in 1918 is unclear.
The 7th battalion completed the crossing of the Sambre river shortly before 13.00, and immediately pushed forward towards Basse Noyelles, which was reached at 16.30, despite some opposition. The battalion secured a footing on the far bank of the Grande Helpe river near Le Champ du Pare Farm, north of Noyelles. However, they could not overcome resistance at the main river crossing of Haute Noyelles. La Grande Helpe, which flows into the Sambre below Landrecies, crossed the frontage of 50th Division, and it was feared to have been reinforced by the Germans as a line of resistance. At last light, the battalion held a line 300 yards west of the Grande Helpe stream at Haute Noyelles.
As more troops crossed the river, the approaches to the bridge over sodden ground gradually became deep in mud, and the condition of the bridge increasingly unsafe. As a result the Northumberland Fusiliers, forming the rear of the column, experienced the greatest difficulties, and did not gain the far bank before some of their vehicles had fallen into the river. These, however, were successfully salved, and by 3 p.m. the whole Brigade had reached Rue des Juifs. As a result of the check to the advance of the 7th battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Royal Munsters were ordered to billet for the night on the Rue des Juifs.
November 6th
At daybreak heavy rain was falling, and it persisted throughout the day. The Germans thoroughly demolished the bridge at Haute Noyelles at 07.30. Therefore the 7th battalion continued the advanced over the captured bridge at Le Champ du Pare. Meanwhile the Royal Munsters left their billets on the Rue des Juifs at 06.00, and proceeded in open order across country to the village of Noyelles. On crossing a stream, A company came under enemy machine gun fire. Five platoons were dispatched by the 7th battalion to assault Noyelles from the north, but A company succeeded in capturing the village before their arrival. Later in the day, the Royal Engineers were called forwards to replace the bridge:
"an order came to reconnoitre and repair a destroyed bridge over a river at Noyelles. I rode off at once myself to have a look at it. It was a brick arch bridge over a small stream, but it was completely demolished"
The actual work was carried out the following day, Although the leading battalions had now passed to the east, the bridge was essential for supplies and the progress of the Division. The bridges was replaced the following day:
"Back to Noyelles with some sappers and the pontoon wagons. Completed a bridge during the day. We put a trestle bridge on a deviation, so as to leave the main road gap for the erection of a heavy bridge"
By noon, the three battalions of the 150th Infantry Brigade were assembled on the line of the road (D117) from Les Catiaux to Leval, with the 149th Brigade on their left. At 12.15, the two brigades advanced towards the line of the Chaussée Brunehaut (D951). Initially there was little or no resistance. By 15.30, the Royal Munsters and the 7th battalion reached the Avesnes to Leval railway line. However, the Northumberland Fusiliers were delayed by intense machine gun fire. Beyond the railway line, a countryside dominated by orchards and thick hedgerows concealed many German machine gun positions, and fire was received immediately east of the railway from the direction of the hamlet of Le Bout de Jean Ledoux, and in the distance from St. Rémy Chaussée. Dusk arrived with the battalions 200 yards short of their objective. In the pouring rain, the infantry floundered through the inky darkness to finally secure the Chaussée Brunehaut by 03.00.
November 7th
During the period of November 4th - 6th, the 7th battalion suffered 83 casualties. Eleven men were killed, 71 were wounded, and 1 man was missing. Unfortunately, William Davis was one of the fatalities. He probably lost his life between the Les Catiaux to Leval road and the Chaussée Brunehaut. |
The Chaussée Brunehaut marked on French maps are the equivalent of Roman Roads marked on British maps. There are many Chaussée Brunehaut roads in this area of France. They are former roman roads restored by Queen Brunhilda in the sixth century. Six or seven of these roads meet at Bavay, north of the forêt of Mormal.
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William Davis was 20 years of age, and he is buried in the Fontaine-au-Bois communal cemetery, grave B16. In one of his grave registration documents, his rank is given as Lance Corporal, but elsewhere as Private. His mother requested Safe in the Arms of Jesus to be inscribed on the stone. His name is also on the war memorial in Burbage churchyard.
[7 Field Company RE War Diary. Captain Glubb MC diary]
Full Circle
Private Hoare 26th August 1914
Private Davis 6th November 1918
The first Bedwyn man to die in France was William Hoare, who is buried at Moreilles; the last Bedwyn man to die in France, William Davis, is buried 5 miles away from Moreilles, at Fontaine-au-Bois. William Hoare was from Great Bedwyn, which curiously is 5 miles from William Davis’s village of Burbage. Just as both villages lie in the shadow of Savernake forest, so their last resting place is overlooked by the forêt of Mormal.
Finally, two last observations; both men died during a period of persistent rain. William Hoare died on the Rue des Juifs. William Davis died before the Chaussée Brunehaut, a few miles to the east. Both men are separated by four long years of warfare, but both are united in death.
[7 Field Company RE War Diary. Captain Glubb MC diary]
Full Circle
Private Hoare 26th August 1914
Private Davis 6th November 1918
The first Bedwyn man to die in France was William Hoare, who is buried at Moreilles; the last Bedwyn man to die in France, William Davis, is buried 5 miles away from Moreilles, at Fontaine-au-Bois. William Hoare was from Great Bedwyn, which curiously is 5 miles from William Davis’s village of Burbage. Just as both villages lie in the shadow of Savernake forest, so their last resting place is overlooked by the forêt of Mormal.
Finally, two last observations; both men died during a period of persistent rain. William Hoare died on the Rue des Juifs. William Davis died before the Chaussée Brunehaut, a few miles to the east. Both men are separated by four long years of warfare, but both are united in death.
Brokenborough
Private Clark 10 November 1918
Cecil Herbert Clark had the misfortune to die on the day before the end of the war.
Cecil Clark was born in Burbage and was the son of Francis Clark and Natalia Moore Bearnes, of 30, Brokenborough, near Malmesbury. At the time of the 1891 census, his father was a butler in Burbage. Cecil Clark’s death was a second tragedy to affect the family, for his brother had been killed on October 26, 1917.
Cecil Clark enlisted with the Devonshire Regiment, and his army number was 43808. He served with the 13th Works Battalion, which was formed at Saltash in June 1916. The battalion later moved to Plymouth, where in April 1917, it was reformed as the 3rd Labour Battalion, Labour Corp. His new army number was 137528.
He probably saw no overseas service as both battalions was home based. These battalions consisted of men who were not medically fit for front line service. The cause of Cecil Clark’s death is unknown, perhaps an accident or illness?
Private Clark 10 November 1918
Cecil Herbert Clark had the misfortune to die on the day before the end of the war.
Cecil Clark was born in Burbage and was the son of Francis Clark and Natalia Moore Bearnes, of 30, Brokenborough, near Malmesbury. At the time of the 1891 census, his father was a butler in Burbage. Cecil Clark’s death was a second tragedy to affect the family, for his brother had been killed on October 26, 1917.
Cecil Clark enlisted with the Devonshire Regiment, and his army number was 43808. He served with the 13th Works Battalion, which was formed at Saltash in June 1916. The battalion later moved to Plymouth, where in April 1917, it was reformed as the 3rd Labour Battalion, Labour Corp. His new army number was 137528.
He probably saw no overseas service as both battalions was home based. These battalions consisted of men who were not medically fit for front line service. The cause of Cecil Clark’s death is unknown, perhaps an accident or illness?
Armistice Day
11 November 1918
The Armistice of November 1918 ended the war on the Western Front, but a peace treaty was not signed until the summer of 1919. Meanwhile the process of demobilisation began with priority to wounded and sick men, followed by regulars whose service was completed and finally conscripts. Some men did not return home until the end of 1919 or 1920. Some men never came home because of illness, in particular the influenza pandemic, Spanish flu.
Egypt
Lance Corporal Broadway 21 December 1918
Albert Edward Broadway was born in Durley, and he was the son of William and Hannah Broadway. His father was a gamekeeper in Durley according to the census records of 1881. At this time, a young Albert Broadway was three months old. By 1891, the family were living at Bedwyn Brail. Albert followed in his father's footsteps, and worked as a gamekeeper. In 1907, he married Laura Wyld of Newtown, and the couple were living with her parents in 1911.
Albert Broadway joined the Wiltshire Regiment and he served with the 1/4 Battalion. His army number was 35869. Evidence from his medal record card suggests that he may have initially enlisted with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and may have been seconded or temporarily transferred to the RAMC. The 1/4 battalion was originally the 4th territorial battalion in 1914, but was renamed after the creation of a second territorial battalion. It was sent to India where it provided internal security for three years.
In 1917, the battalion was deployed in Egypt, where it continued a similar role. In September 1918, the battalion participated in the battle of Meggiddo, north of Jerusalem in Palestine. Albert Broadway survived these years of war service, only to fall ill towards the end of the year.
Albert Broadway was probably a victim of Spanish flu, the influenza pandemic that spread across the world in 1918. More people died from this flu than from the conflicts of the Great War. One of the complications for survivors of the initial infection was pneumonia. Between 10 - 20% of victims died from the flu. Albert Broadway died of pneumonia in hospital.
Albert Broadway was 37 years of age, and he is buried at the Kantara War Memorial in Egypt, grave E376. An inscription 'The day thou gavest lord has ended' was provided by his widow. His name is also remembered on the Great Bedwyn war memorial.
Note: The Savernake team website has published a Bedwyn Roll of Honour, written by Jennifer Harrison. The details for Albert Edward Broadway are very different, and should be read.
Lance Corporal Broadway 21 December 1918
Albert Edward Broadway was born in Durley, and he was the son of William and Hannah Broadway. His father was a gamekeeper in Durley according to the census records of 1881. At this time, a young Albert Broadway was three months old. By 1891, the family were living at Bedwyn Brail. Albert followed in his father's footsteps, and worked as a gamekeeper. In 1907, he married Laura Wyld of Newtown, and the couple were living with her parents in 1911.
Albert Broadway joined the Wiltshire Regiment and he served with the 1/4 Battalion. His army number was 35869. Evidence from his medal record card suggests that he may have initially enlisted with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and may have been seconded or temporarily transferred to the RAMC. The 1/4 battalion was originally the 4th territorial battalion in 1914, but was renamed after the creation of a second territorial battalion. It was sent to India where it provided internal security for three years.
In 1917, the battalion was deployed in Egypt, where it continued a similar role. In September 1918, the battalion participated in the battle of Meggiddo, north of Jerusalem in Palestine. Albert Broadway survived these years of war service, only to fall ill towards the end of the year.
Albert Broadway was probably a victim of Spanish flu, the influenza pandemic that spread across the world in 1918. More people died from this flu than from the conflicts of the Great War. One of the complications for survivors of the initial infection was pneumonia. Between 10 - 20% of victims died from the flu. Albert Broadway died of pneumonia in hospital.
Albert Broadway was 37 years of age, and he is buried at the Kantara War Memorial in Egypt, grave E376. An inscription 'The day thou gavest lord has ended' was provided by his widow. His name is also remembered on the Great Bedwyn war memorial.
Note: The Savernake team website has published a Bedwyn Roll of Honour, written by Jennifer Harrison. The details for Albert Edward Broadway are very different, and should be read.
Great Bedwyn
Private Webster 11 June 1919
Thomas Webster was born in 1869 in Warwickshire, and he was the son of Joseph and Martha Webster. His father was the railway gateman at Crofton. Martha Webster died before 1898, and her husband married Emily, with whom a son George was born. George was killed at Ypres in 1917. In 1911, Thomas lived with his father and stepmother and worked as a chauffeur.
Thomas Webster enlisted with the 3rd battalion, the Devonshire regiment in 1915, and his army number was 3/6983. He served in France after May of that year. He was later transferred to the Wiltshire regiment, and his army number was changed to 33791. However, he was exempted from active service as medically unfit in September 1917. He was 48 years of age at this time, a remarkable age for an infantry soldier on the Western front. He probably service continued his service at the Wiltshire Regiment depot until he died of illness in 1919.
Private Webster 11 June 1919
Thomas Webster was born in 1869 in Warwickshire, and he was the son of Joseph and Martha Webster. His father was the railway gateman at Crofton. Martha Webster died before 1898, and her husband married Emily, with whom a son George was born. George was killed at Ypres in 1917. In 1911, Thomas lived with his father and stepmother and worked as a chauffeur.
Thomas Webster enlisted with the 3rd battalion, the Devonshire regiment in 1915, and his army number was 3/6983. He served in France after May of that year. He was later transferred to the Wiltshire regiment, and his army number was changed to 33791. However, he was exempted from active service as medically unfit in September 1917. He was 48 years of age at this time, a remarkable age for an infantry soldier on the Western front. He probably service continued his service at the Wiltshire Regiment depot until he died of illness in 1919.
Thomas Webster is buried in the churchyard at St. Mary's church, Great Bedwyn. He was 50 years old. His grave has a military headstone.
Salisbury
Private Grace 13 June 1919
Francis Reginald Grace was born in Manningford in 1899, and his parents were William Henry Grace and Emily Maud of Denford farm, near Hungerford.
He enlisted in the Hampshire regiment, with the 2nd battalion in 1916, and his army number was 357111.
He survived the war, only to fall sick in December 1918. He was returned to England, and dismissed from the army as no longer fit for active service. Suffering from TB, he was admitted to Harnwood Sanatorium. This sanatorium was opened in Salisbury with 21 beds for men in 1919. It was intended to enable patients to recover from the dreadful disease of tuberculosis, but sadly Francis Grace died there in June.
Records of his burial are unknown. His name is remembered at East Grafton. There appears to have been no official commemoration of the death of Francis Reginald Grace as a soldier. The cause of death was not considered to be attributable or aggravated by his war service. This may have been decided simply because Francis Grace was dismissed from the army prior to admission to hospital with TB.
END 1918