LCC index
CHAPTER IV.
Western Front, 1916.
In December, 1915, Sir John French returned to England, and on the 19th of the
month Sir Douglas Haig was appointed commander-in-chief of the British forces.
During the winter the British took over from the French the sector from Lens to
Arras, so that in the early part of 1916 the line held by them started north of
Ypres, passed near Armentieres, Bethune, Lens and Arras and reached practically
to the river Somme. The length was about 90 miles, out of a total length from
the North Sea to Switzerland of about 350 miles, and for its defence in July
660,000 infantry and cavalry were available. In addition there were great
numbers of artillery as well as of units, near the front and at the various
bases, dealing with health services, supply, transport, etc.
The first serious operation in 1916 in the British sector was the capture by the
Germans on 14th February, after a heavy bombardment and the explosion of several
mines, of the Bluff, a low bank on the Comines canal nearly three miles S.S.E.
from Ypres. Like Hill 60, about one mile to the north, it conferred upon the
side holding it facilities for observation and so was the scene of fierce
fighting. In fact one trench changed hands so frequently that it gained the name
of " International Trench." A British counter-attack in a rain-storm on the
night of the I5th/i6th failed, but in another attack just before dawn on 2nd
March not only the lost ground but an additional area was captured.
At St. Eloi, a mile or more to the west, the positions were reversed. On 27th
March six mines were exploded under the German trenches, portions of which were
seized. The consolidation of the new position proved difficult and, after
numerous bombardments and counter-attacks during the next four weeks, our men
withdrew on 27th April to the line held before the operations began.
Of the remaining operations the most notable were the fighting, chiefly by the
12th Division, in the Loos salient in April and May, a German attack at the Vimy
Ridge near Souchez in the middle of May, and a German attack near Hooge and
Zouave and Sanctuary Woods early in June. The last two were undertaken in the
hope that troops and munitions would be diverted to the threatened points, and
that the preparations, then well advanced, for the Battle of the Somme would be
impeded. To prevent this no effort was made to recover the ground lost near
Souchez, and at Hooge only the area essential for the safety of the line was
attacked and captured.
In these, or in similar engagements the casualties mentioned below occurred
during the first half of 1916. On 6th January H. E. L. White (9th Rifle Brigade,
Tram.) was killed near Ypres, on the 11th J. G. J. Waite (7th Kings Royal
Rifles, Tram.) probably in the same neighbourhood, and S. A. Parkington (15th
Royal Welch Fusiliers, Tram.) near Richebourg, and on the 21st Sergeant E. W.
Lord (8th Gloucester, Educ). On 27th January Corporal James Skeggs (9th Royal
Fusiliers, Tram.) died at Netley Hospital of wounds received on 4th November,
1915. Lieut. E. T. Morgan (15th Royal Welch Fusiliers, Educ.) died at Merville
on 7th February of wounds received near Richebourg two days before, Lance-Corp.
A. G. Rose (15th London, Educ.) on the 12th, and J. A. Braybrooke (18th
Middlesex,
Tram.) near Cambrin on the 29th. G. E. Rolfe (11h Middlesex, Tram.) died at
Abbeville on 16th March of wounds received on the 5th, G. H. Downie (5th Dragoon
Guards, Asylums) on the 16th, Lance-Corp. George Wright (1st Middlesex, Tram.) near Cambrin on the 18th, Cecil Hodgkinson (R.E., Tram.) at Aveluy near Albert on the
25th, and H. G. Ashdown (4th Royal Fusiliers, Parks) on the 27th. P. T. Ketcher
(20th London, Educ.) died at Camiers near Boulogne on the 29th of wounds
received on the 20th.
In April H. M. F. Quick (9th Royal Fusiliers, Tram.) was killed near Loos on the
5th, A. W. Roberts (5th Wilts, Tram.) on the 8th, W. A. Butlin (6th R. Berks,
Tram.) near Albert on the 19th, Lance-Corp. James Smythe (R.W. Surr., Tram.)
near Vermelles on the 20th, and Sergeant Frank Sturtridge (6th London,
Educ.) near Vimy on the 30th. Capt. P. E. Fairley, D.C.M. (18th London, Educ.)
wounded on 6th April lingered on until 4th February, 1919, when he died in
hospital in Co. Armagh. Lieut. B. R. Baker (17th Royal Fusiliers, Educ.) was
killed near Bully Grenay on 3rd May, Sergeant Mark Cutler (2nd Grenadier
Guards, Tram.) probably near St. Jean on the 6th, William Swainsbury (R.F.A.,
Parks) near Arras on the 7th and A. F. Canivet, B-es-L., B-es-Sc, (French Army,
Educ.) on the 31st. Sergeant E. C. Laver (R.F.A., Tram.), wounded near
Arras on 11th March, died in England on 19th June. Michael Doolin (2nd R. Munster
Fusiliers, Tram.) was killed on 25th June in a raid on the enemy's trenches
south of Hulluch, Sergeant E. J. Perry (7th Middlesex, Educ.) near Hebuteme
on the 26th, and Lieut. P. F. Gethin (8th Devons, Educ.) near Mametz on the
28th. Lieut. L. H. Kenny (8th Suffolk, Educ.) was missing after a trench raid on
the night of 26th/27th June. Sergeant V. M. Elliott (2/4th Oxford and
Bucks L.L, Educ.) died at Merville on 1st July of wounds received in a raid on
the enemy's trenches near Laventie.
Sergeant R. W. Braham (R.F.A., Educ.) was awarded the M.M. for gallantry
during April at Vimy Ridge and Co. Sergeant -Maj. C. W. Froome (16th
London, Educ.)
the D.C.M. on 2nd June, the details not being known. Sergeant. A. Prentice and
Corporals A. E. Brereton and W. H. Nash, all of the Oxford and Bucks L.L and
Education, received the M.M., the first named for rescuing a wounded comrade,
and the others for various acts of gallantry during a trench raid in front of
Laventie on 29th June.
Vimy Ridge.
The fighting on Vimy Ridge to the south of Souchez in May, 1916, when many of
the Council's staff were killed, was briefly as follows. At evening on 15th May
the British exploded several mines in No Man's Land and the craters were
occupied by troops from the 25th Division. On the 21st the Germans heavily
bombarded the position, and during the night of the 21st /22nd, while the 47th
Division was relieving the 25th, they captured the craters and even parts of our
trench system in rear. As already stated, it was not thought worth while to
drive them out. The casualties included Sergeant Arthur Favell (21st London,
Educ.) killed on the 18th, Sergeant. T. P. Chick (15th London, Comp.), H. W.
Babington (15th London, Educ), A. H. Russell (15th London, Arch.) and J. A.
Wynne (15th London, Educ.) on the 22nd, Sergeant L. S. Duck (21st London,
Solr.), Lance-Corp. Albert Burgess (21st London, Pub. Cont.) and Sergeant. S. E.
Hill, B.Sc, (20th London, Educ.) on the 23rd, and Corp. Ebenezer Kirby (R.F.A.,
Tram.) on the 24th. Lance-Corp. L. J. Mayer (20th London, Pub. Cont.) died at
Abbeville on the 31st of wounds received on the 21st, and on 3rd June Lieut. L.
T. Taylor (8th Loyal N. Lancs., Educ.) died at Aubigny of wounds received on
21st May.
Battle of the Somme, 1916.
Since February, Verdun, an important point in the French line of defence, had
been furiously assaulted but, although the defence severely taxed the French
resources, the Germans, even at the cost of more than 300,000 casualties,
achieved no definite result. To relieve the pressure and also to prevent the
transfer of German troops to the Italian or Russian fronts an offensive by the
French and British was planned at the junction of the two armies in the valley
of the Somme.
Modern armies consume such great quantities of supplies that even in stationary
warfare very careful arrangements have to be made to maintain them; during an
offensive their needs are increased out of all proportion. For the Battle of the
Somme vast stocks of ammunition and stores had to be accumulated, and on the
British front alone many miles of new railways were constructed, more than 120
miles of water mains were laid, new roads and bridges were built and old ones
were improved. In addition many miles of communication trenches, assembly
trenches, assault trenches and trenches for telephone wires had to be dug.
The country from Ypres to Loos, formerly part of the province of Flanders, which
witnessed the British conflicts at the end of 1914 and throughout 1915 is not
unlike certain portions of the eastern districts of England. It is flat or
gently undulating, and divided into fields by ditches, small streams and high
hedges, with many farms dotted about. The country to the south, the scene of new
and greater conflicts, is a rolling, chalk country, for the most part waterless,
which rises steadily to heights of 500 feet or more. It is quite open, except
for woods on many of the hill-crests, and the farms are grouped into small
compact villages situated every mile or so at road junctions. In such country
the defenders have good observation and good fields of fire, while the
attackers, even if they find it difficult or impossible to obtain cover, are
able, in ordinary weather and under ordinary conditions, to move their infantry
freely in any direction.
The position to be attacked by the British was the high land running
north-westward from the Somme to St. Pierre Divion, where it was cut by the
valley of the Ancre, and then northward to Gommecourt. The German first system
of trenches was on the forward, that is the southern and western slopes, their
second on the hill-crests 3,000 to 5,000 yards in rear, and still farther back
there were the elements of a third line.
The first two lines were exceptionally strong. The chalk soil enabled dug-outs
to be prepared at a depth which made them practically safe from bombardment, the
villages and woods had been turned into fortresses, the trenches were protected
by belts, forty feet wide or more, of barbed wire often as thick as a man's
finger.
The battle is usually regarded in three phases, the first from 1st to 17th July
when a footing was gained on the hill-crest between Delville Wood and Bazentin-le-Petit
, the second from 17th July to the first week of September when violent
counter-attacks were beaten off and our position on the whole of the high land
was made good, and the third from September to November when an advance was made
down the further, that is the eastern and northern, slopes, and our gains were
extended on both
First Phase, 1st/17th July.
From 24th June the enemy's line from Maricourt to Gommecourt, a distance of
twenty miles, was bombarded almost continuously, and gas was discharged at
frequent intervals. At 7.30 a.m. on 1st July, a calm summer day, after a short
final bombardment of exceptional violence accompanied by the discharge of smoke
and the explosion of many mines, the attack was launched. Counting from the
right, the 30th, 18th and 7th Divisions were successful at Montauban and Mametz,
a distance of about five miles, and the 21st, 34th and 8th were partially
successful at Fricourt, La Boisselle and Ovillers. On the left, in spite of
initial successes, the 32nd and 36th failed near Thiepval, the 29th and the 4th
near Beaumont Hamel, the 31st at Serre and the 56th and 46th near Gommecourt.
One cause of the failure was that the Germans expected that the main attack
would be in this sector and consequently they had greatly strengthened their
defences and had brought up large numbers of guns.
Even as it was, our men at Thiepval, Serre, Gommecourt, and elsewhere reached
points to which British troops did not penetrate again until after several
months of weary fighting. These scattered groups, cut off from their supports
and supplies by a heavy barrage, were attacked in rear by parties of the enemy
who, by withdrawing to positions of safety, had escaped our bombardments. It is
not surprising that, out-numbered and short of ammunition and bombs, they had to
withdraw, and that few of them regained their own lines in safety.
In spite of heavy counter-attacks the success on the right was exploited and
during the next few days Fricourt, Bernafay and Caterpillar Woods and La
Boisselle fell. About the 5th the weather broke and to the horrors of the battle
were added the misery and discomfort of heavy rain. Contalmaison and Mametz Wood
were captured on 10th July and, as some progress had been made at Trones Wood on
the right and Ovillers on the left, a general attack on the enemy's second line
was possible.
Accordingly on the night of 13th /14th July our troops advanced nearly a mile
and in the darkness took up position unobserved just below the crest. At 3.25 on
the morning of the 14th, when there was only sufficient light to distinguish
friend from foe, the attack opened. Trones Wood was captured by the 18th
Division, Longueval by the 9th, the Bazentins by the 3rd and 7th, and ground to
the west of Bazentin-le-Petit by the 21st, 1st and 34th, while some troops even
reached High Wood but were ordered to retire. On the 15th Delville Wood and
Waterlot Farm to the south were captured, and on the 16th Ovillers, after a
heroic resistance for more than two weeks, surrendered.
Capt. (afterwards Major) A. C. Hancock (R.A.M.C, Asylums) received the M.C, for
devotion to duty at Montauban when he led a rescue party in the open under heavy
fire and rescued twenty-eight wounded men. Lieut. John Lever (13th R.
Fusiliers, Educ.) won the M.C. for conspicuous bravery at Mametz Wood. Major C.
C. B. Morris (R.A.S.C, L.F.B.) also won the MC. about this time but details are
lacking. The M.M. was awarded to Corp. A. S. Devis (12th M.G.C., Tram.) for
rescuing a wounded man, and to Sergeant. J. E. Bailey (1st R. Welch
Fusiliers, Asylums) for his gallantry at the capture of Bazentin-le-Petit.
The fighting up to 17th July resulted in the capture of seven miles of the
enemy's front system and three of his second, numerous strongly-fortified
villages and woods, 54 guns, 82 machine-guns and trench mortars, and over 10,000
prisoners.
These varying successes and failures were of course accompanied by long lists of
casualties, and on 1st July alone twenty-three of the Council's staff were
killed, namely Sergeant. J. E. Simons (8th E. Surrey, Tram.) near Montauban, M.
W. Bevan (1st Dorsets, L.F.B.) near Albert, Capt. John Foley (25th Northumberland.
Fusiliers, Educ.) near La Boisselle, Lieut. R. M. Stainton (10th York and Lancs,
Educ.) near Ovillers, Capt. F. S. Blake (2nd S. Wales Borderers, Comp.), and
Sergeant. Douglas Kirkcaldy (1st Borders, Asylums) near Beaumont Hamel, Lieut.
F. W. Wareham, Lieut F. B. Freeman and Corporal T. G. Jeynes, all of them 8th
Royal Warwicks and Education, between Beaumont Hamel and Serre, Lieut. Thomas
Moody, B.Sc. (4th London, Educ), Corporal S. A. Ebbetts (5th London, Educ),
Alfred Cook (5th London, Educ), V. J. Terrell (5th London, Educ), James
Leverington (9th London, Tram.), Lance-Corp. E. W. Hatcher (9th London, Educ),
W. G. Rowland (9th London, Compt.), Reginald Shears, A.R.LB.A. (9th London,
Arch.), Lance-Corp. H. Williams (14th London, Educ), G. A. C. Moxley (,14th
London, Educ), Arthur Alderton (14th Lond.on Asylums), F. M. Sampford (16th
London, Tram.), Co. Sergeant-Maj. C. W. Froome, D.C.M. (16th London.,
Educ.) and Sec. Corp. C. W. Shipton (R.E., Ch. Engr.) at or near Gommecourt.
Capt. H. C. Harris (6th R. W. Kents, Educ.) was killed on the 3rd at Ovillers
and S. G. Barnes (9th London, Educ.) died on the 4th of wounds received at
Bayencourt to the west of Hebuterne on the 2nd. On the 7th Lieut. E. L. J.
Stockdale, B.Sc. (10th Lanc. Fusiliers, Pub. Health) was killed near
Contalmaison, and Lieut. A. D. G. Procter (8th R. Fusiliers, Educ), Samuel
Lower (8th R. Fusiliers, Tram.), Lance -Corp. Richard Elliott (9th R.
Fusiliers, Tram.) and C. H. Edwards (9th R. Fusiliers, Tram.) near
Ovillers. Capt. E. A. Haselden (nth W. Yorks, Educ.) died on the 9th of wounds
received near Contalmaison on the 4th. On the 10th E. J. Davies (15th R. Welch
Fusiliers, Tram.) and Frank Pearce (14th R. Welch Fusiliers, Tram.) were
killed, both at Mametz Wood, W. C. Rice (13th Rifle Brigade, Tram.) on the 11th
near La Boisselle, and on the 12th Lance-Corp. H. A. Cole (6th Dorsets, Tram.)
died of wounds received two days before at Mametz Wood. Mark Humphrey (R.F.A.,
Tram.) died on the 15th of wounds received on the 14th, probably in this sector.
Acting-Quartermaster C. A. W. Walpole (R.F.A., Tram.) was killed on the 15th,
and Alfred Ridgewell (1st Middlesex, Asylums) on the same date near Bazentin-le-Petit.
Ernest Davis (10th R Fusiliers, Educ.) died on the 23rd of wounds received
near Pozieres on the 15th.
Second Phase, 17th July to 9th September.
By this time the enemy had brought up strong reserves and, as our line formed a
pronounced salient, it was almost a question, not whether the position could be
improved, but whether even it could be maintained. Longueval and Delville Wood,
at the apex of the salient, were under fire from three sides, and during a
violent attack on the 18th the Germans captured part of the village and of the
wood. As a set off against this we gained a footing in High Wood on the 20th,
and advanced on the 23rd along much of the front between Guillemont and Pozieres.
On the 25th the last named place fell, and between the 27th and the 29th
Delville Wood and Longueval were cleared. Our attacks on Falfemont Farm and
Guillemont on 30th July and 8th and 16th August with the object of straightening
out the salient all failed, but on the 18th Guillemont station and part of the
village were captured, and on 3rd September the whole passed into our hands.
In the meantime our men had fought their way almost step by step towards Mouquet
Farm near Thiepval and to the high ground which enabled them to overlook
Martinpuich and Courcelette. Following upon a general attack on 3rd September
along the line as far north as the Ancre, Falfemont Farm and Leuze Wood were
captured on the 5th, and another general attack on the 9th gave us possession of
Bouleaux Wood and Ginchy. The two months' fighting from 17th July yielded little
more than the two weeks before that date, but the enemy's resistance was now
broken and henceforward the advance was comparatively rapid.
Lieut, (afterwards Lt.-Col.) W. Parkes (S. Wales Bord., Educ.) won the M.C. for
conspicuous gallantry in action. " He rallied troops which had lost their
officers and displayed great coolness and courage. He continued to do fine work
till he was severely wounded." Capt. (afterwards Lt.-Col.) C. F. Healey (8th R.
Dub. Fusiliers, Educ.) was awarded the M.C. for conspicuous bravery at
Ginchy on 9th September.
On the same date Sergeant. W. Brawn (London, Educ.) won the D.C.M. when at Leuze
Wood he assumed command of three companies, re-organised them and superintended
the consolidation of the captured position under very heavy fire for thirty
hours. J. H. Counter (1st Devons, Ch. Engr.) won the M.M. for digging out, under
heavy shell fire, several of his comrades who had been buried in a dug-out by
the explosion of a shell, Lieut. T. E. Cresswell (R.N. Div., Arch.) was awarded
the M.C. for conspicuous gallantry in action at Beaucourt on 13th September
when, although severely wounded, he continued to lead his men with great courage
and determination.
In this fighting the undermentioned members of the staff were killed: Sergeant
Percy Walton (R.F.A., Asylums) on the 18th to the west of Fricourt, Lieut. C. J.
Fox (1st R.W. Kents, Educ.) and S. V. Scutt (1st R.W. Kents, Tram.), on the 22nd
at Longueval, Lieut. W. F. B. Willis (1st D.C.L.L, Educ.) and Sergeant F.
C. Lambert (1st D.C.L.L, Asylums) near Delville Wood, and Charles Archer (2nd R.
Sussex, Educ.) on the 23rd, Corporal George Bull (1st E. Surr., Tram.) on the
26th, D. A. Cole (24th R. Fusiliers, Educ.) on the 27th, Lance-Corp. J. H.
Taylor, A.R.I.B.A. (R.A.M.C, Arch.) on the 28th, and Lieut. H. L. Petrie (2nd
R.O.S.B., Educ.) on the 30th, all near Longueval, and H. J. Ash (24th R.
Fusiliers, Educ.) on the 31st near' Delville Wood. Bombadier Tom Rose (R.F.A.,
Educ.) died at Rouen on 2nd August of wounds received near Mametz Wood on
19th July. Capt. O. H. Peters, M.B., B.S., D.P.H. (R.A.M.C, Pub. Health) died at
Corbie-sur-Somme on 4th August of wounds received in this sector a few days
before, and J. B. Owens (9th R. Fusiliers, Tram.) at Boulogne on the 11th
of wounds received near Pozieres on the 5th. Sergeant. A. E. Bristowe (13th
Rifle Brigade, Educ.) was killed on the 7th near Mametz Wood and Sergeant J. H.
B. Cope (17th Middlesex, Educ.) on the 8th, Albert Martin (9th E. Surrey, Tram.) on
the 12th, Lance-Corp. Sidney Priest (8th Buffs, Tram.) on the 13th and Sergeant.
F. J. Whiteley (7th Rifle Brigade., Educ.) on the 18th, all near Delville Wood,
Herbert Miller (13th Middlesex, Tram.) on the 18th near Guillemont, Lieut. W. H.
Bissley (8th R. Berks., Educ.) on the 19th near High Wood, A. B. Cope (R.F.A.,
Comp.) on the 20th at Montauban, C. J. Denly (R.F.A., Educ.) on the 23rd near
Mametz Wood, Sergeant. W. A. Lowes (R.F.A., Asylums) on the 25th at Bazentin-le-Petit,
Sergeant. F. C. Pocock (3rd Worc, Tram.) also on the 25th, Henry Crane (9th
Rifle Brigade, Parks) on the 29th near Delville Wood, David Haslum (R.F.A.,
Tram.) on the 31st near Longueval.
On 3rd September Sergeant E. A. Head (Parks), Corporal H. W. Veaser
(Parks) and Corporal G. W. J. Holt (Ch. Engr.), all of the 17th Kings Royal
Rifles, were killed
near Beaumont Hamel, Sergeant G. E. Corkett and P. H. Edwards, both of the
16th Rifle Brigade and Tramways, near Hamel, and Lieut. P. A. Bick (2nd R. Irish
Rgt., Arch.) and Sergeant Jacob Robinson (9th E. Surr., Parks) near Ginchy.
On the 4th Capt. H. S. Cameron, B.Sc. (Educ.) and Sergeant A. W. Sterry
(Tram.), both of the 1st Norfolks, were killed near Falfemont Farm, and Lieut.
P. S. Worner (9th Devons, Educ.) near Ginchy, on the 7th Sergeant R. H.
Newbold (2nd London, Educ.) near Guillemont and E. P. Finnessy (R.F.A., Tram.)
near Montauban and on the 9th Robert Jessop (5th London, Educ.) near Guillemont.
On this same day Corporal T. B. Butler (M.G.C., Asylums) died at Rouen of wounds
received on 18th August near Martinpuich.
Third Phase, September to November.
In another general attack on 15th September Flers was captured by the 41st
Division and New Zealand troops assisted by several tanks, Martinpuich by the
15th and Courcelette by the Canadians. High Wood, reached by cavalry during the
fighting on 14th July, had been attacked by the 33rd and 51st Divisions later in
the month and by the 1st on 3rd September, but each time without permanent
success. Out-flanked by the fall of Flers, it was at length captured on the 15th
by the 47th Division after sharp fighting. On the 18th an advance was made
towards Morval.
These were the best results which, since the beginning of the battle, had been
obtained in any one operation. A further advance on the 25th resulted in the
capture of Morval by the 5th Division, and Les Boeufs by the 6th and the Guards,
while next day Gueudecourt fell to the 21st Division and Combles to the 56th.
The enemy was thus cleared from much of the high land which he had held for the
previous two years and instead of overlooking our trenches was now overlooked by
them. Thiepval, on the left of the advance, where the attack had failed on 1st
July, still continued to offer a resolute and obstinate resistance. However on
the 26th, in conjunction with the operations on the right at Gueudecourt and
Combles, Mouquet Farm was captured by the Canadians and the 11th Division, and
by the morning of the next day the whole of Thiepval had been seized by the 18th
Division.
Lieut, A. C. Dancer (5th Dorsets, Educ.) for conspicuous gallantry in the
fighting at Thiepval and Mouquet Farm was awarded the M.C. " He estab-
lished and maintained communications throughout the operations with great
courage and skill. On one occasion he himself killed several enemy snipers."
About this time also Sergeant J. H. Taylor (R.W. Surrey, Parks) was
awarded the D.C.M. " for conspicuous gallantry in action. He commanded his men
with
great courage and initiative, holding a front line position until relieved."
Sergeant T. F. Watkins (R.F.A., L.F.B.) was awarded the M.M.
Between 1st and 3rd October the enemy's fourth system of defences was breached
by the 47th Division, at and near Eaucourt I'Abbaye, and on the 7th the
23rd captured Le Sars and the 20th advanced to the east of Gueudecourt. At this
point when great results were in prospect, even the cutting off or enforced
withdrawal of the enemy as far as Arras and the river Scarpe, the weather, which
for some time had been unfavourable, completely broke up. A month's incessant
rain made the roads, already much damaged by the traffic and shell-fire, almost
impassable either for troops or supplies, and in the mists aeroplane
reconnaissance was impracticable. The enemy thus had time in which to
re-organise his troops and to construct new defences.
Except therefore for the operations in the valley of the Ancre the battle, after
more than three months' continuous fighting, died down with our line on the
forward slope of the ridge running through Les Boeufs, Gueudecourt and Le Sars.
Sergeant L. Willey (1st E. Surrey, Housing) was awarded the M.M. for bravery
shown at Combles on 25th September when, after all the officers of his company
had become casualties, he re-organised half the company, consolidated the new
position and held it until relieved on the night of the 26th. Sergeant F.
Hills (London, Educ.) gained the M.M. at Eaucourt I'Abbaye on 8th October when
he carried out a most successful reconnaissance under heavy fire, and about this
time Sergeant S. Simpson (London, Educ.) also received the same
decoration. Captain A. B. Raffle (R.A.M.C, Pub. Health) was awarded the M.C. for
general distinguished service.
The casualty lists were very heavy, the deaths among the Council's staff being
as follows: On 10th September W. H. Hird (5th London, Educ.) was killed near
Guillemont, B. E. Clarke (7th Middlesex, Educ.) on the 11th and J. G. Armes (3rd
London, Tram.) on the 12th, both near Leuze Wood, while H. O. Wood (1st
Middlesex,
Stores) and Sergeant T. W. Peel (8th Middlesex, Asylums) died on the latter
date of wounds received on the 10th and 11th respectively. On the 15th
Sergeant H. G. Maidment (2nd London, Educ.) was killed near Combles, James
Gleadall, Sergeant, C, J. Cotter, and A, F. Warren, all 7th Middx, and Educ, at
Leuze
Wood, A. E. Hentsch (10th R.W, Surr., Parks) and Corporal G. W. Stannard (2nd
Gren,adierGuards,, Educ.) at Flers, and at High W^ood Corporal B. A. Geis (7th
London, Estates and Valn,), Lieut. W. A. Burrows (8th London, Educ), A. T.
Harling (Arch.), H. A, W. Knight (Educ.) and Lancelot Palmer (Educ), all of the
15th Londons, Sergeant G. O. Patterson (17th London, Parks), Lieut. T. H.
Rowson (19th London, Educ), Lieut. C. H. H. Roberts, M.C. (21st London, Educ),
Sergeant J. C. Mills (23rd London, Tram.), and H. O. Beardmore (25th London,
Parliamentary). On the same date Harry Ashley (R.F.A., Tram.) was killed near
Mametz, and J. A. Clarke (5th Rifle Brigade, Pub. Health) and Walter Cappleman
(10th Rifle Brigade, Tram.) probably near Gueudecourt. W, A. Head (23rd London,
Educ), Sergeant G. T. Springbett (11th R.W. Kents, Educ.) and Lance-Corp.
H. A. Overton (15th London, Stores), wounded on this date, died on the 16th, the
17th and the 18th respectively.
Frank Russell (Educ), Norman Lynes (Educ), W. W. Beverley (Tram.) and
Lance-Corp. Fred Wholey (Educ), all of the 7th Middlesex, and G. F. Pearson, B.Sc
(5th London, Educ.) were killed on the 16th at Leuze Wood, and Alfred Page (15th
London, Solr.), H. G. Rees (15th London, Educ) and Alfred Reeve (23rd London,
Tram.) at High Wood. Lieut. W. G. Beaumont-Edmonds (22nd London, Clerk) was
killed on the 17th at High Wood and Lance-Corp. A. V. Weston (13th E. Surr.,
Tram.) near Flers. P. St. C. Selman (17th London, Pub. Health) wounded at High
Wood about this date died at Rouen on the 18th and on the latter date Capt. T.
S. Rushworth, A.R.LB.A. (7th London, Housing) was killed at High Wood. W. G. N.
Hannaford (R. Engrs., Arch.) died at Rouen on the 23rd of wounds received in the
Somme area on the 18th, and J. W. W. Powlesland, M.M. (4th Grenadier Guards,
Tram.) at Gueudecourt on the 25th. The losses at Thiepval included Lance-Corp.
J. Woodcock (12th Middlesex, Stores) on the 26th, and John Thompson, M.M., and C.
J. Jeffery, both of the 7th Buffs and Tramways, on the 30th. S. J. Best (20th
London, Ch. Engr.) was killed at Flers' on 1st October, C.Q.M.S. Fred Woodhouse
(6th R. Berks., Educ.) near Thiepval on the 2nd, E. A. Trew (18th Kings Royal
Rifles, Educ.) at Eaucourt I'Abbaye on the 3rd and G. H. Gordon (R.F.A., Educ.)
died at Rouen on the 4th of wounds received near Combles a week before, and Co.
Sergeant-Maj. J. P. Edwards (26th R. Fusiliers, Arch.) in England on the
7th October of wounds received near Flers on 15th September.
Another day on which the staff suffered heavily was 7th October. Lieut. J. H.
Allender (1st London, Comp.), Lieut. L. C. Haycraft (Educ), and Co.
Sergeant-Maj. T. C. Pope (Educ.) of the 4th Londons, Lance-Corp. J. F. Ore and
Lance-Corp. A. J. Ames (7th Middlesex, Educ), and probably D. Daly (7th London,
Educ), and E. J. Titcomb (7th London, Tram.) were killed near Les Boeufs,
Lance-Corp. R. W. Daly (6th R.W. Rents, Parks).. C. M. Coleman (9th R.
Fusiliers, Tram.) and Corp. C. J. Mitchell (9th R. Fusiliers, Asylums)
near Gueude- court, F. W. Trotman, B.Sc. (Comp.), Corp. R. A. McMillan (Pub.
Health) and H. W. Lawrance (Arch.) of the 15th Londons, and F. W. Peterson and
S. H. Potter, both of the nth R.W. Rents and Tramways, at Eaucourt I'Abbaye.
On the 8th Lance-Corp. C. A. Raymond (11th R.W. Surr., Educ.) was killed,
probably near Eaucourt I'Abbaye, E. R. Porter (5th London, Clerk) and A. E.
Haward (5th London, Educ.) near Le Transloy, and G. A. Gaywood (M.G.C., Tram.)
probably near Gucude-court. On the 10th Lieut. R. E. Brewer (R.F.A., Educ) was
killed near Carnoy, and Nelson Laurence (1st London, Asylums) in the area of the
Somme, and on the same date Battery O.M.S. Harry Kelcey (R.F.A., L.F.B.) died at
Rouen of wounds received at High Wood at the beginning of the month, and
Lance-Corp. Arthur Clark (16th London, Stores) of wounds received on the 9th.
Lieut. Charles Sizeland (7th Norfolks, PMuc.) was killed near Le Transloy on the
12th, Lieut. S. S. Boden (M.G.C., Educ.) near Le Sars and Corporal L. M, Marks
(11th Essex, Tram.) near Gueudecourt on the 15th, Lieut. William Davis (9th
Middlesex, Educ.) near Gueudecouit on the 18th, Lance- Corp. W. E. Stower (16th
Middlesex, Asylums) near Flers on the 20th, Lieut. T. E. Parry (2nd Lanc.
Fusiliers, Educ.) near Gueudecourt, and E. J. P. Longley (2nd Rifle Brigade,
Est. and Valn.) near Les Boeufs on the 23rd, and Lieut. Archibald Steven (8th
Glouc, Educ) near Thiepval on the 25th. Bombardier F. J. Archer (R.F.A., Tram.),
wounded on 2nd November near Sailly, died the same day and W. T. Chesterman (1st
R.W. Surr., Tram.) was killed on the 3rd between Les Boeufs and Combles.
Battle of the Ancre.
The failure at Thiepval and Beaumont Hamel on 1st July and the partial success
at the former on 26th September have already been referred to Our advance over
the high land east of Thiepval to the line Les Boeufs — Gueudecourt — Le Sars
threatened to cut off the Germans in the valley of the Ancre round about Hamel
and Beaucourt, but the continual rain put an end to that advance. It was
therefore decided to deal with the enemy positions on the Ancre by direct
assault. Early in November the weather improved, with frost in place of rain. On
13th November, after a bombardment lasting 48 hours, the attack was launched in
a mist and at almost every point was completely successful. On this or
succeeding days the 19th and 39th Divisions captured St. Pierre Divion and land
to the east, the 63rd was successful at Beaucourt, the 51st at Beaumont Hamel
and the 2nd to the north thereof. The number of prisoners taken was 7,200.
In the fighting near Beaumont Hamel Lieut, (afterwards Captain) F. G. Bull (23rd
R. Fusiliers, Clerk) gained the M.C., and in the same neighbourhood
Sergeant T. J. Sevier (R.A.M.C, Educ.) gained the M.M. on 16th November for
rescuing wounded under heavy shell fire. On 13th November H. F. Bentley
(R.N.V.R., Tram.) was killed near Beaucourt and S. H. Boot (5th Seaforth
Highlanders, Arch.) near Beaumont Hamel, on the 14th H. J. Dunford (Hon.
Artillery Co., Educ.) near Beaucourt and on the same date C. J. L. Jewell
(R.G.A., Tram.) died near Albert of wounds received the day before, probably in
this sector.
Summary.
The net immediate result of the Battle of the Somme was the piercing of the
enemy's lines on a front of some seven miles and to an average depth of three or
four miles, and the capture of 38,000 prisoners, 29 heavy guns, 96 field guns,
136 trench mortars and 514 machine guns. The enemy's withdrawal in the spring of
1917 south of the Scarpe and in the valley of the Somme was a further direct
result. Of much more importance, however, than the gain of ground or the capture
of prisoners, was the moral effect of the fact that our men had driven the
Germans out of strongly fortified positions and had held the positions so won
against frequent counter-attacks. Casualties of course had been heavy but the
enemy's losses both in men and material were not much less than ours.
In the second place the pressure on Verdun was relieved so effectually that in
the latter part of the year the French were able to win back much of the ground
lost in the earlier part and to capture many prisoners and guns. Finally the
enemy was prevented from moving troops to the Italian or Russian fronts
The losses admitted by the Germans were 444,933 which, in view of their methods,
might have to be increased by 50 per cent.
(Times Literary Supplement, 20th January, 1921, p. 34). The British losses in
July, 1916, were 196.081 (Capt. P. E. Wright, At the Supreme War Council, p.
121), but this rate was far from being maintained. Our total losses were 499,476
{ibid., p. 33). The French losses were less than the British. It must be
remembered, however, that the British casualty lists included the names of those
who received very light wounds; usually such light cases were not included in
the lists of the other belligerents.
Although only British operations are dealt with in this sketch it should be
stated that throughout the battle the French played a most prominent part. The
Germans were not expecting an attack from them so that their advance on our
right was most successful, particularly at first, and carried them almost as far
as Peronne. Then the German resistance stiffened, but all through the operations
the French continued to assist the right of our advance and to push the enemy
back on both sides of the Somme. Their total advance was from four to six miles
on a front of about fourteen miles.
General Fighting during the latter half of 1916.
Sergeant F. King (R.F.A., L.F.B.) was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry and
devotion to duty in action at Laventie on 23rd August, 1916, and Sergeant
E. M. Cronyn (R. Fusiliers, Asylums) the same decoration for bravery at
some place unknown. Sergeant J. V. Jeanes, M.M. (Gren. Gds., Asylums) for
bravery at Ypres was awarded a bar to his M.M.
The list of those killed in France during the latter half of 1916, apart from
those who lost their lives in the Battles of the Somme and the Ancre, includes
Corporal A. E. Stevens (2/15th London, Educ.) killed at Neuville St. Vaast on
3rd August, Lance-Corp. George Dormon (2nd Hamps., Tram.) in a gas attack near
Ypres on the 9th, Sergeant F. G. Golding (6th London, Arch.) on the 21st
of wounds received the day before, C. H. Barnes (9th R.W. Surr., Tram.) on the
night of the 21st/22nd, Louis Green (R.E., Educ.) on the 24th, Alfred Warren
(17th Kings Royal Rifles, Asylums) on the 25th of wounds received on 21st June,
and F, J. B. Saunders (2/15th London, Educ.) on the 31st near Arras.
W. J. Fell (loth R. Fusiliers, Educ.) was killed on 8th September,
Lance-Corp. H. R. Horwood (23rd London, Tram.) died at Havre on the 15th of
tetanus, and Lieut. J. C. Chalmers, M.M., {20th Northumberland Fusiliers, Educ.)
was killed, probably near Armentieres, on i6th October Chas. E. Palmer (4th R.
Fusiliers., Tram.) died of wounds on 6th November, Lieut. F. W. Lambe (4th R.
Berks., Educ.) died at Rouen on the 10th of wounds received the day before,
Lieut. W. L. Elliott (9th Rifle Brigade, Educ.) was killed near Arras on' the
21st, and Capt. G. N. Higginson (16th R. Fusiliers, Educ.) on the 23rd
near Beaumont Hamel. A. P. Phenix (12th Kings Royal Rifles, Tram.) died of
exhaustion when leaving the line at Les Boeufs on 15th December, and J. A.
Walker, B.Sc. (R.A.M.C., Educ.) and C. W. King (M.G.C, Educ.) were both killed
to the south-east of Ypres on 24th December.