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Thread: 100 Years Ago Today

  1. #1451

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    Apologies: News Flash, more information received late today added to Wednesday 21st June 1916 Snipers Times.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  2. #1452

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    You can't beat a late edition to add to extra sales Neil.
    Well done that man.
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  3. #1453

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    John MacLaren Erskine: VC (13 January 1894 – 14 April 1917) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

    Citation:
    For most conspicuous bravery. Whilst the near lip of a crater, caused by the explosion of a large enemy mine, was being consolidated, A/Sgt. Erskine rushed out under continuous fire with utter disregard of danger and rescued a wounded sergeant and a private. Later, seeing his officer, who was believed to be dead, show signs of movement, he ran out to him, bandaged his head, and remained with him for fully an hour, though repeatedly fired at, whilst a shallow trench was being dug to them. He then assisted in bringing in his officer, shielding him with his own body in order to lessen the chance of his being hit again.


    Erskine was born in 1894 to William and Elizabeth Erskine. He was 22 years old, and a Sergeant in the 5th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), British Army, during the First World War, when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 22 June 1916 at Givinchy, France.

    He was killed in action at Arras, France, on 14 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Cameronians Regimental Museum, in Hamilton Low Parks Museum, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

    Today we lost – 345

    Today’s losses include:
    The uncle of a George Cross winner in World War II who will be murdered in captivity
    The son of a member of the clergy
    The son of a Justice of the Peace
    The grandson of a Member of Parliament and Justice of the Peace
    Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:


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    Captain Leonard Herbert Sweet (Hampshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 23. His brother will die on service in August 1919 and they are sons of the Reverend Charles Francis Long Sweet Rector of Symondsbury.

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    Lieutenant John Christopher Hebblethwaite (Royal field Artillery) is killed at age 20. His brother was killed last October. He was the 2nd son of Rhodes and Louie Hebblethwaite of Highthorne, Husthwaite, Yorkshire. He was born at Leeds on May 31 1896. He was for a time at Southcliffe School, Filey before entering Oundle (Grafton) in May 1911. He left school in July 1914, and, immediately war was declared, he started to help in finding horses for the Army, but as soon as he was able, he enlisted in the Yorkshire Hussars, and was shortly afterwards offered a commission in the Royal Field Artillery, which he accepted (October 1914). After finishing his training at Larkhill, he proceeded to France in September 1915, being attached to the 6th Division. He was thus on the Ypres Salient all the time he was out in France. For consistent good work he was promoted Lieutenant in March 1916. On June 22 1916 he was killed by a chance shell, which also mortally wounded another officer.
    He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Vlamertinghe. An Officer wrote:”He took such a great interest in the Battery, and in all his work, and was in every way a first class subaltern. Besides which, we all liked him so very much for himself”.

    Second Lieutenant Trevor Allington Crosland (Welsh Fusiliers) is killed at age 19. He is the son of Thomas Pearson Crosland JP and grandson of T P Crosland MP DL. Second Lieutenant Trevor Allington Crosland was born 28 December 1896 of prosperous parents. His father was a woollen manufacturer, and they lived at Birkley Grange, Birkley, Huddersfield. Young Crosland attended Harrow 1911 to 1914 and Sandhurst [RMC] and was commissioned into RWF 11 August 1915. He was sent to the 2nd Battalion, and joined on 6 June next year. He had three weeks to live. Trevor was appointed to B Company, whose fate it was to be in the line when the largest German mine of the war exploded under them at what was subsequently called Red Dragon Crater. His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel 'Tibs' Crawshay wrote to Crosland senior:

    ‘….. he was a splendid boy and one of the sort we can ill spare. On night 21/22 at 2AM the enemy blew an enormous mine. I regret to say that the trench, in which your son was, was blown up. I am sad to say our casualties were heavy for the mine. They then attacked us after an intense barrage, but got badly defeated, leaving a certain number of dead in our trenches. It is really too sad, we all miss him, and everyone was very fond of him. I am afraid you will feel it very much. It will be some satisfaction to you to know he was a real soldier and leader of men. You will remember me – you brought your boy to see me when he joined. Knowing you as I do, and having seen you both together, my sympathy goes out more than I can say. I voice the opinion of my regiment. Tibs Crawshay.’
    Trevor received three other tributes. Two were from his Divisional General and from the Colonel of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. The third came from an unexpected source. Sergeant Roderick DCM wrote that
    ‘ ….. it seemed so hard that he should be taken from us so unexpectedly and on his first time in trenches. I am an old soldier, at least for the present time, and quite knew the value of your son. He showed great fortitude to fight, and I am sure he would have made a name for himself had he been spared’.
    Trevor Allington Crosland’s body was discovered in an isolated unmarked grave or cavity, with another officer who was subsequently identified as Captain Price-Edwards, on 1 July 1925 [the date is that provided by CWGC, at odds with the 'The War the Infantry Knew' year of 1926]. Both these officers were re-interred at Cabaret Rouge British Military Cemetery. The bundle of personal effects sent to Crosland senior was listed:
    ˇ gold wrist watch
    ˇ 2 pocket photo frames
    ˇ 1 cigar case
    ˇ bundle of letters
    ˇ cloth star

    Second Lieutenant Arthur Chaplain Banks (Welsh Fusiliers) is killed at age 22. Sergeant Arthur Banks his nephew and namesake will be awarded the George Cross for his courage during his captivity in the Second World War while being tortured and eventually murdered during the Italian campaign.

    Private Frederick Thomas Faulkner (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) is killed. He is the middle of three brothers who will be killed over a 5 month period.

    Private Ronald William Hill (Royal Fusiliers) is killed in action at Givenchy at age 22. In his pocket is found the message, “Do not let your faith in God be shaken, I do not fear death, rather am I proud to be able to lay down my life for my Country”.

    Home Front:
    Flt Sub Lt De beer, N.V. (Norman Vivian). RNAS. Accidentally Killed in a road accident 22 June 1916 when he was thrown from his motorcycle through the windscreen of a car on the Edgeware Road, London.


    Western Front:

    Germans narrow penetration of British trenches repulsed at Givenchy.

    Verdun:
    Heavy German attacks repulsed on both sides of the Meuse;
    French regain ground at Firmin Wood and Chenois Woods.
    New Phosgene gas (Green Cross) used at Fleury by the Germans.
    Unsuccessful German attack on Hill 329.


    Wednesday - 21 June 3:50 p.m. Three army corps, existing of 6 divisions with a total of 60,000 men come into action in order to prepare for the planned attack that will take place two days later. The preliminary bombardment causes less damage than expected but it served as a warning to the French with regard to the next attack. The French surrender at some places but in most cases the Germans are awaited by machine-gun fire. Sharpshooters try to eliminate the German officers, as is common with these kinds of attack. This attack is not successful either. Only at the left wing, between Fort Vaux and Fort Tavannes, the French fortifications are taken.

    (Note: later the officers can no longer be distinguished from the soldiers. Also at the battle of the Somme the German sharpshooters receive the order to shoot at English officers, who can be recognised by their sword belts and their high leather boots).

    This last attack is the first step towards the big offensive on 23 June, a scorching hot summer day. During this attack a new kind of poisonous gas is used for the first time. It is phosfine gas, which is lethal, but not for a couple of days and under the most horrible circumstances. It is expected that the French gas masks will not be able to withstand this new poisonous gas. On Thursday 22 June, at 10:00 P.M. the signal is given and 230 guns shoot 110,000 poisonous gas grenades. The French guns fall silent one by one; the poisonous gas seems to be working.

    Tunstills Men: Thursday 22nd June 1916:

    Billets at Enquin-les-Mines

    Training continued. Having been notified that they would have as little as six hours’ notice of their next move, all surplus stores, baggage and kit were despatched to the railway station at Berguette in preparation for the move. Meanwhile the opportunity was taken for the men to bathe.

    Brig. Genl. T.S. Lambert, commanding 69th Brigade, formally confirmed the sentence of the Field General Court Martial held the previous day in the case of Pte. Tom Darwin (see 22nd June).

    It was noted that 2Lt. William Neville Dawson (see 1st June), who had been reported as being unfit to continue as a platoon officer, had not yet reported at the War Office, as previously instructed, in order to resign his commission. It seems that the earlier order had not yet been acted upon as Dawson had remained with the Battalion.

    2Lt. Arthur Poynder Garratt (see 12th December 1915), serving with 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s, was “accidentally injured whilst wrestling at Amiens”.

    Pte. Edwin Everingham Ison (see 30th May), was discharged from hospital having been treated for three weeks at a variety of locations having been taken ill while serving with 1st Battalion, West Yorkshires.

    Eastern Front:

    Russians repulse attacks west of Minsk; Russians advance in Bukovina.

    Air Operations:

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 3

    2Lt Armstrong, J.L.P. (John Lewis Pasteur). 26 Squadron RFC. Killed in Action 22 June 1916. Whilst on patrol, was in aerial combat with a Fokker, East of Lines, Fe2b 5209 landed near Hulloch 7.30am Pilot Died of Wounds as a Prisoner of War, aged 25. [Observer, Sergeant G Topliffe was made a Prisoner of War].

    Flt Sub Lt De beer, N.V. (Norman Vivian). RNAS. (See Home Front).

    Capt Sweet, L.H. (Leonard Herbert). 29 Squadron RFC. (See today’s highlighted casualties).

    Western Front:
    Royal Flying Corps observers engage 198 targets (16 on June 23); 22 Anglo*-German air combats.
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    Germany: French bombers attack Karlsruhe (266 civilian casualties). Public outcry for protection across Germany.

    French agent David Bloch parachuted into Alsace in uniform, arrested on June 28, shot near Mulhouse on August 1.

    Claims:
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    Captain
    Arthur Gerald "Gerry" Knight claims his first kill. Flying a DH2 of 24 Squadron near Courcelette he shot down a LVG C.

    Major Charles Meredith Bouverie Chapman claims his first kill. Flying a DH2 of 24 Squadron near Courcelette he shot down a LVG C.

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    Adjutant Maxime Albert Lenoir claims his 5th kill. Flying for N23 he shot down an enemy aircraft near Douaumont-Etain.

    Leutnant Kurt Haber claims his 3rd kill. Flying for FF 6 he shot down a Farman west of Karlsruhe

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    Leutnant Ernst Hess claims his 2nd kill. Flying for Fokkerstaffel C he shot down a Nieuport 12 near Lancon, south of Grand Pre.

    Leutnant Max Ritter von Mulzer claims his 5th kill. Flying for KEK N, he shot down a F.E.2b near Loos. (See 2Lt Armstrong in RFC casualties above).

    Naval and Overseas Operations:


    HM Drifter Laurel Crown Crown (Skipper John Coull, Royal Naval Reserve), was lost on 22 June 1916 during minesweeping operations near Marwick Head when she struck another of the mines laid by U-75. She was was searching for bodies from the Hampshire (see June 6th), no doubt in the hope that Lord Kitchener’s body could be recovered
    All nine crew were lost.
    COULL John Skipper
    BAKER Thomas James Engineman ES 739
    DURRANT Charles Deck Hand DA 8421
    MITCHELL Robert Engineman ES 1461
    MURPHY Alfred Deck Hand DA 7018
    NICOLSON Murdo Deck Hand DA 7916
    PETRIE George Deck Hand DA 11223
    SLATER Robert Second Hand DA 4577
    STEPHENSON Clarence Percy Trimmer TS 3322

    Political:


    Demands of Allies accepted. M. Zaimis Premier. Embargo on Greek shipping relaxed.
    "Pacific blockade" of Greece suspended (see 6th).

    Attachment 200052
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-22-2016 at 15:55.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  4. #1454

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    My apologies for what may seem an extra effort on the VC today. I was wrapped up in this story as this is the Regiment my father served with in India during WW2.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  5. #1455

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    No apology needed Neil. He deserves every bit of attention you can give him! Thanks - great post. Mike

  6. #1456

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    Nice one Neil - keeping the flag flying and the typing pool very busy

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  7. #1457

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    Thank you for this excellent work, Neil!

  8. #1458

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    Hackett was born 11 June 1873 to John and Harriet Hackett of Nottingham, he worked as a miner for 23 years in the Nottingham and Yorkshire coalfields, and was married to Alice.

    After being rejected three times by the York & Lancaster Regiment for being too old, Hackett enlisted in the British Army on 25 October 1915, despite having been diagnosed with a heart condition. He spent two weeks of basic training at Chatham, joining 172nd Tunnelling Company. He later served with 254th Tunnelling Company, Corps of Royal Engineers. He was 43 years old and a Sapper in the British Army. He performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross on 22 June/23 June 1916 at Shaftesbury Avenue Mine, near Givinchy-les-la-Bassee, France.

    Hackett died in an attempt to help fellow miners when a tunnel collapsed at Shaftesbury Avenue Mine on 26 June 1916.

    Citation:
    For most conspicuous bravery when entombed with four others in a gallery owing to the explosion of an enemy mine. After working for 20 hours, a hole was made through fallen earth and broken timber, and the outside party was met. Sapper Hackett helped three of the men through the hole and could easily have followed, but refused to leave the fourth, who had been seriously injured, saying," I am a tunneller, I must look after the others first." Meantime, the hole was getting smaller, yet he still refused to leave his injured comrade. Finally, the gallery collapsed, and though the rescue party worked desperately for four days the attempt to reach the two men failed. Sapper Hackett well knowing the nature of sliding earth, the chances against him, deliberately gave his life for his comrade".

    Today we lost: 283

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Sergeant George Naden (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 28. His brother will be killed in September.

    Sergeant Arthur Guyton Purchas Brookfield (Auckland Infantry) dies of wounds at age 33. His brother was killed on Gallipoli last August.

    Lance Corporal Sydney W Carman (West Surrey Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed in October 1914.

    Private Joseph Reynolds Clark (Otago Infantry) is killed at age 42. His brother was killed last year on Gallipoli.

    Western Front

    Battle of Verdun: Germans take Hills 321 and 320, and Thiaumont Fort; take, but lose, Fleury; are repulsed at Les Eparges and on left bank of Meuse. [Bulk of position was captured on May 23rd and this date marks the limit of the German advance on Verdun.] (see 30th).

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    German artillery wearing gas masks prepare to advance.

    Friday - 23 June at 6:00 a.m. The attack starts; the gas has silenced the battery of guns in the hinterland but the front French lines, barely suffered from the gas attack. The German attack stagnates at an early stage. The attack of Fort Souville fails completely. Only in the centre of the attack successes are reported: the Thiaumont fortification is taken and Fleury is partly occupied. The village now has an important position in the German frontline.

    At 9:00 a.m. the French artillery revives. They aim their fire, following the Germans example, at the village of Fleury where the Germans and French are involved in man-to-man fights for every inch of land. In the meantime the fortification of Froideterre is taken as well and the French command post in Quatre Cheminees is besieged and captured. At the end of the afternoon the battle diminishes. The heat and thirst take their toll; the troops become exhausted and lack water and ammunition. The German army commanders are disappointed: the attack at Verdun has failed again.


    A French soldier: …and during the summer months the swarms of flies around the corpses and the stench, that horrible stench.
    If we had to construct trenches we put garlic cloves in our nostrils...

    The crises in the French defence:
    By now the French defence has manoeuvred itself into a crisis situation. French troops are panicking and fleeing through the streets of Verdun. Defence trenches are already being constructed in the city. Soldiers who are poisoned with gas can be seen everywhere. They lie on the ground screaming and suffer immensely. In a moment of panic they start with the evacuation of army units and supplies. The army commanders offer no co-ordination whatsoever and no one has any insight in the situation. In this period it is even considered, by Pétain and Nivelle as well, to vacate the right riverbank of the Muese. Pétain used as a motive for this that the Germans, if a breakthrough would occur, would gain power over a large part of the entire French artillery. This would mean a considerable setback for the fighting strength of the French army.

    Nevertheless they are afraid to take the risk because of the influence that the evacuation might have on the morale of the French people. The supreme command would be accused of the fact that the immense losses have been pointless and that surrendering Verdun will be considered a failure for the entire French nation. (Note: the same argument is used at German side!)

    Allegedly there even is a crisis situation at the Headquarters and Joffre and De Castelnau are supposed to be at a complete loss. That night Joffre even promises to send four new divisions, in spite of the fact that these troops are essential in the upcoming offensive at the Somme front. Mangin, who was dismissed, is called back.

    The fact that the Germans are not able to force a breakthrough is due to individual actions of French officers who individually organise the defence at the front. And to the French artillery that carries on with the barrage which causes the Germans to be stuck in their fortifications.

    Tunstills Men, Wednesday 21st June 1916:

    Billets at Enquin-les-Mines

    Training continued and orders were received that the Battalion would move next day, marching to Berguette Station and there entraining for Longueau (south-east of Amiens).

    Former member of Tunstill’s Company, Cpl. George Clark (see 11th March), now serving with ASC, was transferred to the Motor Transport Section based at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire; he (temporarily) lost his rank of Corporal on transfer and reverted to Private.

    The weekly edition of the Craven Herald carried further news of the recent death of Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw, D.C.M. (see 16th June):

    MALHAMDALE D.C.M. KILLED IN ACTION

    Great gloom was cast over Malhamdale when the sad news came that Sergt. Kayley Earnshaw, D.C.M., of Scosthrop, Airton, had been killed in France. He had seen service in South Africa, and was one of the first men to answer Capt. Tunstill's appeal for recruits when war broke out, and had been in France nearly a year with the 10th West Riding Regiment. It is only a few weeks since Sergt. Earnshaw was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for great gallantry, and he was expecting leave to come home to receive a presentation from his fellow Dalesmen as a token of their pride and esteem of his exploits.

    Sergt. Earnshaw was hit by a trench mortar and killed instantly. The greatest sympathy is felt for his widow and children in the loss of the brave man who brought so much honour to the Dale, and his name will ever be remembered both there and in his regiment where he was deservedly popular, and is deeply regretted by both officers and men.

    Eastern Front:

    Russians take Kimpolung (Bukovina) with 2,060 PoW and 7 MGs after 67 1/2-mile advance south.; heavy fighting near Pinsk (Pripet);total prisoners reported since 4 June, 144,000, with 4,031 officers and 219 guns.

    African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

    Russians repel several attack south of Trebizond.

    Air Operations:

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 4

    A Mech 2 Beer, W.G. (William George): RNAS posted to Capel Airship Station. Due to illness.

    PO Mech Bendixen, C.C. (Carl Cette): RNAS, Squadron 3, Armoured Car Division, Russia. Died of dysentery at Vladikaukas, 23 June 1916 aged 31.

    Sgt Benson, J. (John): RFC, 26 (South African) Squadron. (Presumably in East Africa).

    A Mech 1 Honnor, F.W.: RNAS.

    Claims:

    Western Front:

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    Capitaine-Commandant Fernand Maximillian Leon Jacquet claims his 3rd kill. Flying for 1ere in a Farman he shot down a Fokker type near Couckelaere.

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    Leutnant Kurt Wintgens claims his 7th confirmed kill. Flying for FA6 he shot down a Nieuport 16 (1334) near Blamont. (See Neutrals/USA)

    Southern Front:

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    LinienschiffsleutnantGottfried Freiherr von Banfield claims his 2nd confirmed kill today. He was flying for Trieste NAS in a Lohner M (L-16) and shot down an FBA FB near Trieste. Banfield was the Empire's highest scoring naval ace and the only Austro-Hungarian airman to receive the Empire's highest honor: the Knight's Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa. An excellent marksman, he scored all nine victories from flying boats. Participating in more than 400 sorties against the enemy, he was the first Austro-Hungarian airman to score a victory at night. Flying a Lohner two-seater on 27 June 1915, he scored his first victory, downing an Italian balloon near the mouth of the Isonzo River. In February 1916, he assumed command of the naval air station at Trieste for the duration of the war. Following his marriage to Countess Maria Tripcovich of Trieste in 1920, Banfield became head of his father-in-law's shipping company.


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    Feldwebel Julius Busa claims his 1st and 2nd kill today. He was flying for Flik 14 in a Lloyd C.II (42.45) and shot down an enemy aircraft near Rudnia airfield. His observer was Hermann Klecker.

    Naval and Overseas Operations:


    Shipping Losses:

    Burma: UK: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the Norh Sea 15 nautical miles (28km) east of Harwich with the loss of 7 of her crew.

    Citta di Messina: Italy: The auxiliary cruiser was sunk in the Adriatic Sea 20 nauticalmiles (37km) east of Otranto, Apulia by SM U-15, Austro-Hungarian Navy.. All on board survived.

    Fourche: France: The Bouclier-class destroyer was torpedoed and sank in the Adriatic Sea 20 nautical miles (37km) east of Otranto, Apulia by SM U-15, Austro-Hungarian Navy.

    Giuseppina: Italy: The full rigged ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Vinaros, Castellon, Spain by SM U-35, Kaiserliche Marine.

    Herault: France: The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 45 nautical miles (83km) north west of Cabo San Antonia, Spain by SM U-35, Kaiserliche Marine.

    "Brussels" (G.E.R. steamer) captured by German T.B.D.

    Neutral:

    USA:


    (As a mark of respect to this aviators home country I have published his details here)
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    Victor Emmanuel Chapman (April 17, 1890 – June 24, 1916) was a French-American pilot. He was the first American pilot to die in the war. Chapman was born in New York to essayist John Jay Chapman and Minna Timmins (who died in 1898). He and his father moved to France soon after. In France, Chapman obtained dual-citizen status as a French and US citizen.

    His father re-married, to Elizabeth Chanler, a sister of William A. Chanler from the Astor family and Dudley-Winthrop family, when Chapman was a teenager. Chapman returned to the United States in his late teens to attend Harvard University. After graduating, Chapman returned to Europe, spending time in France and in Germany.

    When World War 1 broke out, his father and stepmother moved to London, England. However, Chapman decided to stay in France, joining the French Foreign Legion on August 30, 1914, and served in the 3rd March regiment of the Legion. He became friendly with four men during his days on the trenches: a Polish fighter who was known only as "Kohl", and American Alan Seeger, Henry Fansworth, and David King. The trio of Americans watched as Kohl was killed by a bullet while walking with his friends.

    After Kohl's death, Chapman and two other friends, (Norman Prince and Elliot Cowdin), were given an opportunity to fly in a fighter airoplane. Chapman requested transfer to the Aeronautique Militaire, the army's air arm. He attended flight school and was certified as a pilot.

    Chapman flew many missions for the 1st Aviation Group and was commissioned a sergeant. He was chosen as one of the founding members of N.124, the Escadrille Americane, also known as the Lafayette Escadrille. On June 17, 1916, he was flying over the Verdun sector when he was attacked by four German airplanes. During the engagement, Chapman suffered a head wound, most likely from an attack by then four-victory German flier Walter Hohndorf. Chapman landed his airplane safely, with Höhndorf getting his fifth victory as a result.

    While recovering Chapman found out that his friend, Clyde Balsley had been wounded in a separate incident. Prior to his last flight Chapman put loaded oranges onto his aircraft, intending to take these to Balsley who was in hospital recuperating from his wounds.
    Chapman was attacked north of Douaumont by German flying ace Leutnant Kurt Wintgens, a close friend of Höhndorf. With Wintgens flying a Halberstadt D.II that day against Chapman's Nieuport 16, Wintgens soon gained the upper hand.

    Chapman earned many medals and commendations during his military career. Chapman was interested in the arts and in writing. He often found inspiration to write while he was in the middle of battles, and many of the letters he sent to his father were written in these circumstances. A book of these letters, called Letters from France, was published after his death. In his memory, the composer Charles Martin Loeffler, a friend of Chapman's father, composed his quartet Music for Four Stringed Instruments He was buried at the Meuse-Argonne American cemetery and Memorial in France and a cenotaph in his honor was erected in St. Matthew's Episcopal Churchyard, Bedford New York.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-23-2016 at 16:45.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  9. #1459

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    Thank you Neil. What an extraordinary act by William Hackett! Mike

  10. #1460

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    Thanks for your time and effort in doing this post.

  11. #1461

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    Saturday June 24th 1916

    Today we lost: 282

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Sergeant John Thomas Pymm MM (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother will be killed in December this year.

    Seaman Angus MacLeod (HMS Victory) dies on service after being released from internment in Holland for medical reasons at age 27. His is the third of four brothers who lose their lives in the Great War.

    Private Ellis Moores (Cheshire Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother was killed last July on Gallipoli.


    Western Front


    The Allies opened up an artillery barrage along a 25-mile front against German trenches on the Somme.

    Battle of Verdun:

    French counter-attack regains some ground; Germans occupy part of Fleury, their farthest point of advance.
    The headquarters of the Vth army receive the request to be more economical with men, materials and ammunition. The German supreme Command expects a large allied attack in the Somme area and a large Russian offensive at the eastern front, which has started on Sunday 4 June, demands all attention as well.
    Von Knobelsdorf wants to launch a very last attack on Verdun. Ceasing the attacks would mean that the German troops have to retreat because the terrain that is conquered so far, is extremely difficult to defend. The question remains how the terrible sacrifices will ever be justifiable if the conquered area is given up voluntarily?

    Tunstills Men, Wednesday 21st June 1916:

    Billets at Enquin-les-Mines

    The Battalion’s move to the Somme area began with Lt. Leonard Hammond (see 8th May) and a loading party proceeding to Berguette by motor lorry at 11.45am to begin entraining supplies ahead of the arrival of the men. The move was a matter of some urgency and strict orders were issued to ensure that there were no unnecessary delays. The Battalion transport, along with Lewis gun limbers, mess carts etc. were to follow immediately behind the loading party and Sgt. George Smitham (see 25th April) was to, “select the most convenient place for the issue of tea on the Lamres - Mollinghem road, west of Mollinghem. Tea to be ready for issue on arrival of Battalion. This must be done without delay and the cookers proceed as quickly as possible to Berguette Station”. Five NCOs were also to cycle to Berguette, ahead of the main party. Company Commanders were to ride to Berguette where they would then hand their mounts over to Transport Officer, Lt. Charles Wolffe (see 11th May) for them to be boarded onto the train. 2Lt. John Smith (see 28th May) and one NCO from each Company were detailed to follow in rear of the Battalion and “bring along any stragglers”. In the event the march of over ten miles, which the Battalion began at 2.25pm, was completed in three hours with only a single, ten-minute, stop to take tea from Sgt. Smitham and his colleagues. The Battalion arrived just in time to be swiftly loaded into box wagons, with an average of 45 men per truck, to begin their journey. The train pulled out at 6pm.
    The train journey lasted through the night, taking more than eight hours to cover just ninety miles. Lt. **** Bolton (see 8th June) later recalled, not surprisingly, that it was “a night with very little rest”. The route passed through Lillers, Chocques, Calonne Riccart, St Pol and Doullens, Vignacourt and Amiens before arriving at Longueau at 2.30am on 25th June.

    Prior to the move, 2Lt. William Neville Dawson (see 22nd June), who had been reported as being unfit to continue as a platoon officer, finally left the Battalion. He travelled to Boulogne, and from there, next day, to Folkestone.

    2Lt. Arthur Poynder Garratt (see 22nd June), serving with 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s, who had suffered an injury whilst wrestling two days’ earlier, left his Battalion for further medical treatment. His injury was now diagnosed as being a “simple fracture of left fibula”.

    Eastern Front:

    Russians checked in Lutsk salient;

    Austrians driven out of Bukovina.

    Southern Front:

    Artillery preparation by Italians from Brenta to Adige (Trentino).

    Bulgars cross Greek frontier.

    African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

    Germans defeated on Lukigura River (German East Africa).

    General van Deventer drives them back on to Central Railway.

    Air Operations:

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: No reported RFC casualties today.

    Claims:

    Western Front:

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    Citation on his Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur:
    Capitaine Albert Louis Deullin: Flying for N3 he shot down a balloon. A pilot with exceptional initiative and sang-froid, endlessly seeking battle against enemy planes. Wounded on 2nd April 1916 during the course of aerial combat, he returned to his Escadrille before being completely rehabilitated. Since his return he has had twelve auspicious combats. On 30th April, he attacked oont blank an enemy plane and downed it in front of our trenches. Already cited twice in army orders.

    Southern Front:

    LinienschiffsleutnantGottfried Freiherr von Banfield claims his 3rd confirmed kill today. He was flying for Trieste NAS in a Lohner M (L-16) and shot down an Macchi L.I. in the Gulf of Trieste. (See 23rd)

    Naval and Overseas Operations:

    Shipping Losses: No shipping losses reported today.

    Political:

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    Ulster Nationalists vote to accept David Lloyd George's proposals for an Irish settlement.

    Embargo on Greek shipping suspended.

    Neutral:

    USA:

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    Golf: US Open won by Chick Evans (Amateur) June 1916.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  12. #1462

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    Thanks again Neil - just one week to go before arguably the biggest day in the entire war - shout if you need editorial support pulling the Somme piece together.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  13. #1463

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    Planning well under way. But July 1st will be a 2 piece special.

    Quote Originally Posted by Hedeby View Post
    Thanks again Neil - just one week to go before arguably the biggest day in the entire war - shout if you need editorial support pulling the Somme piece together.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  14. #1464

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    25 Miles of artillery bombardment - ye Gods, the noise must have been extraordinary. I assume the RFC was up there doing their observation bit too. Thanks Neil

  15. #1465

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    Arthur Hugh Henry Batten-Pooll VC MC (25 October 1891 – 21 January 1971) He was 24 years old, from Bath and was previously an officer with the Somerset Light Infantry and the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers. He had requested to be transferred to an infantry regiment where one was likely to see action, was then a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of The Royal Munster Fusiliers, British 1st Division.


    Citation:
    "On 25 June 1916 near Colonne, France, Lieutenant Henry-Batten-Pooll was in command of a raiding party when, on entering the enemy's lines he was severely wounded by a bomb which broke and mutilated all the fingers of his right hand. In spite of this he continued to direct operations with unflinching courage. Half an hour later during the withdrawal, while personally assisting in the rescue of other wounded men, he received two further wounds, but refusing assistance, he walked to within 100 yards of our lines when he fainted and was carried in by the covering party."


    He later achieved the rank of Captain.

    His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, London.


    John William Alexander Jackson VC (13 September 1897 – 4 August 1959) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC).

    Jackson was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1916 for selfless courage under heavy fire while rescuing his comrades near Armentieres, France. Jackson is the youngest Australian to have been awarded a Victoria Cross. His was the first VC to be won by an Australian on the Western Front.


    John William Alexander Jackson was born on 13 September 1897 on "Glengower" station, near Gunbar. Known as William or Bill, he was the fourth child of John Gale Jackson and Adelaide Ann (née McFarlane). His mother died in 1905 and her six surviving children were raised by Adelaide’s parents at "Seaton Park" (a district property). William and his siblings attended the Gunbar School and William later found employment on local properties.


    On 15 February 1915, Jackson enlisted in the AIF, Australian Imperial Forces in the first group of volunteers from Gunbar. In order to do so, with his father's approval, Jackson had raised his age by one year.


    Placed in the 17th Batalion (5th Infantry Brigade) Jackson embarked for Egypt in May 1915 for initial training. On 20 August he was landed at Gallipoli and fought at Kaiakij Aghala (Hill 60). Six weeks later Jackson was hospitalised with severe dysentery. He recovered in a military hospital in Cairo and on 15 February 1916 rejoined his battalion only days before it embarked for France as part of the 2nd Division.
    On 10 April Jackson's Division took over a forward position in the eastern Amentieres section of the Western Front. As a prelude to what became known as the Battle of the Somme, orders were issued for raids to be carried out on enemy positions between 20 and 30 June 1916.
    On the night of 25 June, Jackson was acting as a scout for a party of forty soldiers, as they carried out an assault on the forward trenches of a Prussian infantry regiment, south-east of Bois Grenier (near Armentičres). During the assault Jackson captured an enemy soldier and returned with him through no man’s land. Prisoners were valued for the purpose of interrogation. On learning that some of his party had been hit in the intense shelling and gun-fire, Jackson returned to no man's land. He helped to bring in a wounded man, before going out again. While assisting Sergeant Camden to bring in the seriously wounded Private Robinson, a shell exploded nearby. The blast rendered Camden unconscious, blew off Jackson’s right arm above the elbow and inflicted further wounds to Robinson.


    Despite the loss of his arm, Jackson managed to return to his trenches, claiming he only felt "a numbing sensation". An officer applied a tourniquet to his arm, using a piece of string and a stick, and Jackson returned to no man’s land for another half an hour until he was satisfied there were no wounded men left on the battlefield.


    The hospital ship St. Patrick took Jackson from Boulogne to England where the remainder of his right arm was amputated. While recovering in an Australian military hospital near London, it was announced that Jackson had been awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) "for his great coolness and most conspicuous bravery while rescuing his wounded comrades while under heavy enemy fire". Approval of Jackson’s VC was gazetted on 8 September 1916, five days prior to his nineteenth birthday.


    Two weeks later, approval was gazetted of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) to Private Jackson and to Sergeant Camden for their part in the rescue of wounded soldiers that night.


    Today we lost: 371


    Today’s losses include:


    The grandson of an Admiral
    Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War


    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Second Lieutenant Matthew Arden Phillimore (Essex Regiment attached Royal Engineers) is killed in action at age 20. He was a King’s Scholar of Westminster and Exhibitioner at Christ Church, Oxford and grandson of Admiral ‘Sir’ Augustus Phillimore.


    Second Lieutenant William Brabazon Owens (Royal Engineers) dies at home. His brother will die of wounds next January.


    Lance Corporal Henry George Butler (North Staffordshire Regiment) is killed at age 28. His brother will be killed in October 1918.


    Private William Reginald Pimm (Lancaster Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother was killed last month.


    Home Front


    Easter Rising: Casement treason trial opens, death sentence on June 29.


    Western Front


    Preliminary British bombardment along Somme front and northwards.


    Flanders: B.E.F. shell Lens.


    Battle of Verdun:
    Heavy fighting at Fleury.
    French thwart attempted German advance west of Fort Thiaumont.
    French gains in Fumin-Chenois Woods.
    War Minister General Roques visits.


    Tunstills Men, Sunday 25th June 1916:


    On trains en route from Berguette to Longueau.
    The long train journey from Berguette finally ended with arrival at Longueau at 2.30am. At 4am the Battalion was again on the march, making the ten-mile journey back via Amiens to Fremont (north of Amiens) where they finally occupied their new billets at 9am. Lt. **** Bolton (see 24th June) remembered the march as seeming, “unusually long and tedious”. Remarkably, there had again been few men who had failed to complete the arduous march, although one who did fall out was Tunstill’s Man Pte. Richard Butler (see 24th October 1915). He already had something of a disciplinary record and on this occasion he was found guilty of “falling out without permission on the line of march”; his punishment was to be confined to barracks for three days.
    Not surprisingly, the remainder of the day was spent, “having a complete kit inspection and resting”.

    2Lt. Eric John Lassen left the Battalion, having been transferred to the Royal Engineers; he had been with 10DWR for less than a month (see 27th May).


    L.Cpl. Albert Joseph Acarnley (see 8th June), who would later serve as a commissioned officer with 10DWR, was released from hospital after spending 17 days being treated for myalgia and “PUO” (pyrexia of unknown origin); these were the typical features of what was often known as ‘trench fever’. He re-joined 2nd Royal Berkshires on active service.


    Eastern Front:

    Russian advance from Bukovina; fighting on Dniester.


    Southern Front:

    Great Italian advance from the Brenta to the Adige.


    Trentino: Italians retake Asiago, Posina and Arslero regained (June 27), as Austrians begin silent and orderly general retreat from salient (night June 25) to prepared line holding 2/3 of gains since May 15 (until June 26).


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    Italian artillery in the mountains.


    Salonika: Sarrail told he may have to attack soon with French and Serbs alone.


    African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:


    East Africa: British forces defeat the Germans at Makunda on the Lukigura River.


    Armenia: Turks after surprise crossing of Pontic Alps overwhelm 19th Turkistanski Regiment. By June 30 within 15 miles of coast road but held at ‘Serpent Rock Hill’.


    Cyrenaica: Sayyid Idris meets Allied Mission for talks (*until September). Anglo-Italian Agreement not to sign separate deal with Senussi (June 31, France adheres March 1917).


    Air Operations:


    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 1


    A Mech 1 Tompkins, G.P. (George Philip) 7 Squadron RFC. Missing in Action - Died of Wounds 25 June 1916 aged 24. His death was assumed by 17 July 1916, his body was found in August 1916.

    Royal Flying Corps spots 154 targets (5 German batteries silenced), fights 16 air combats and shoots down 6 German kite*-balloons.


    Claims:


    Western Front:

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    Captain Albert Ball: Claims his 5th kill. Flying for 11 Squadron in a Nieuport 16 (5173) He shot down balloon. Albert Ball was the first British ace idolized by the public. An engineering student when the war began, he joined the 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion of The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) and was promoted to Serjeant on 29 October 1914. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. Described as an "introspective little chap," Ball was a loner with strong religious convictions who soon established a reputation as a fearless pilot and excellent marksman


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    Captain James Douglas Latta: Claims his 3rd kill. Flying for 1 Squadron in a Nieuport, he shot down a balloon south of Wervicq. The younger son of J. G. Latta, James Douglas Latta was educated at University College School, London. When the war began, he and his brother, John Latta, enlisted in the London Scottish. Both of them transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. 2nd Lieutenant James Latta received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2067 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Norwich on 16 November 1915. Flying Nieuport scouts in 1916,



    Eastern Front:


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    Podporuchik Ivan Alexandrovich Orlov: Claims his 2nd Kill. Flying for 7th Fighter Detachment (IRAS) in a Nieuport 11, he shot down an Aviatic B.III near Podgaitsy.



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    Praporshik Vasili Ivanovich Yanchenko: Claims his 1st kill. Flying for 7th Fighter Detachment (IRAS) in a Nieuport 11, he shot down an Aviatic B.III (30.30) near Podgiatsy.



    Naval and Overseas Operations:


    Admiralty post* Battle of Jutland inquest with Jellicoe and Beatty agrees to improve armour protection.


    Shipping Losses: 8


    Bear: United States: The cargo ship ran aground at Cape Mendocino, California and was a total loss.


    Canford Chine: United Kingdom: Cargo ship shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3km) off Calella, Catalonia, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine. Her crew survived.


    Checcina: France: The brig was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea of Barcelona,Sapain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine.


    Clara: Italy: Cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 85 nautical miles (157km) north of Majorca, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine.


    Daiyetsu Maru: Japan: Cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Barcelona, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine. Her crew survived.


    Fournel: France: Cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Barcelona, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine. Her crew survived.


    San Francisco: Italy: The barque was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 25 nautical miles (46km) off Barcelona, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine.


    Saturnina Fanny: Italy: Full rigged ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 18 nautical miles (33km) off Barcelona, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine.

    Political:


    Russian Tsar Nicolaas II fires minister of Foreign affairs Sasonov


    Roger Casement trial begins.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  16. #1466

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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeemagnus View Post
    25 Miles of artillery bombardment - ye Gods, the noise must have been extraordinary. I assume the RFC was up there doing their observation bit too. Thanks Neil
    You certainly have picked up the Devon phrases there Mike . Ye Gods is an expression often heard from my Plymouthian wife here in the wilds of Brittany


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  17. #1467

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    Monday June 26th 1916
    Today we lost: 521

    Today’s losses include:

    The grandson of the 14th Viscount Hereford
    The son of a General
    The son of an Admiral
    The son of a member of the clergy
    Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Major Herbert Wilson Stenhouse DSO (West Surrey Regiment and GSO 31st Division Headquarters) is killed at age 36. He is the son of Major General W. Stenhouse.

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    Lieutenant Humphrey William Devereux (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. His younger brother will be accidentally killed in November 1917 when his airship goes down northeast of Westry. They are sons of Rear Admiral the Honorable Walter Bourchier Devereux and grandsons of the 14th Viscount Hereford.


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    Second Lieutenant Frederick Gordon Hughes (12th Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend S J Hughes and had finished a brilliant University Course and held his chair as professor less than two years when he went to England with the McGill University Corps, PPCLI later transferred to Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Private Hugh Dunn (Durham Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 26. His brother will die of wounds in March 1918.

    Captain Harold Price MC (22nd Northumberland Fusiliers/3rd Royal Irish) . After a raid on enemy trenches he is made aware that one of his men is missing. He goes back out and it shot to death at age 25 in the rising morning light. Harold Price Creek in British Columbia (he was a land surveyor in British Columbia) which flows into the Suskwa River is named in his honor.


    Born in British Columbia, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Price of Vancouver, members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in that City. He, after passing through Public and High Schools in Vancouver, studied at the local branch of McGill University in Science and Art. In civil life he was a British Columbia Land Surveyor, which qualification he obtained on attaining his majority. Immediately on the outbreak of War he entered the 22nd Royal Fusiliers as a private and after training was gazetted as a Captain in the 3rd Tyneside Irish, he being also gazetted as Adjutant of that Battalion, but which position he subsequently resigned. His work in connection with the Tyneside Irish brought him in close touch with Jesmond Presbyterian Church, and he made a point of attending the services with regularity.

    With his Brigade and Battalion he went to France early in January, 1916, and his valuable work and courage brought him distinction he being twice mentioned in Dispatches and awarded the Military Cross. Subsequently on the night of 25th-26th June, 1916, he was killed at La Boiselle he having been out with some of his men attacking a point in the German lines, and on his return with his men found one missing, and going back to the enemy lines to search for his comrade was killed.

    Home Front:

    7,000 Vickers Barrow engineers lose strike against partial call-up (until July 3).

    Western Front

    British patrols active.

    Battle of Verdun:
    French gains near Fort Thiaumont but two-brigade attack fails at Fleury. German attacks west of Hill 304 and near Fleury. French 407th Regiments 1,200 survivors (from 2,800 on June 21) withdrawn.

    Tunstills Men, Sunday 25th June 1916:


    Longueau

    After the arduous journey of the previous days, the day was set aside for rest. The weather, meanwhile, took a marked turn for the worse, with showers during the day and heavy rain overnight.

    Meanwhile the Divisional Trench Mortar Battery, already in position in the Auchonvillers sector on the Somme (see 16th June), began to take their part in the bombardment of the German lines ahead of the planned advance. Over the course of the next five days they would fire a total of over eight hundred rounds before being withdrawn on 30th June.

    Pte. Robert Cresswell (see 7th June ) was transferred from no.2 Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport to the nearby no.3 Convalescent Hospital to continue his recovery following treatment for haemorrhoids.

    Formal confirmation was sought from the offices of the most senior officers in the Army (Chief of the Imperial General Staff; Adjutant General and Quarter Master General) that 2Lt. William Neville Dawson (see 24th June), who had been reported as being unfit to continue as a platoon officer, and had recently returned to England, should be called upon to resign his commission.

    Cpl. Archie Allen (see 11th June),serving with the Army Service Corps in France, was discharged to duty having been treated in hospital for the previous two weeks following a bout of tonsillitis; he would later serve as a commissioned officer with 10DWR.

    A grant of probate was confirmed in favour of Fred Pickles in the administration of the estate of his late brother 2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles (see 19th June). His effects were valued at Ł79 15s.
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    African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

    Russians advance west in northern Persia.

    Turks prepare to leave Mosul.

    Turks driven from Lake Urmia (Persia).


    Air Operations:

    Royal Flying Corps observers engage 161 targets.
    5 FE2b's (1 lost) of No 25 Squadron including Capt A W Tedder (future Air Marshal of RAF) shoot down 2Fokker E's; 3 German kite-balloons brought down in flames.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 4

    A Mech 2Chadwick, H.L. (Herbert L.) 25 Squadron, RFC. Died of Wounds 26 June 1916 aged 20 (See Claims).

    2Lt Collison, E.H. (Edgar Henry) RFC. Accidentally Killed while flying 26 June 1916 aged 25 in Maurice Farman Shorthorn (1893).

    A Mech 1 Payne, A.A. 15th Reserve Squadron RFC.

    Cpl Smith, J.S. RFC.

    Claims:]

    Western Front:

    Captain Lancelot Lytton Richardson. Claims his 2nd confirmed kill. Flying a F.E.2b for 25 Squadron. His observer this day was AM2 Leslie Court. He shot down a Fokker E (FTL) near Annoeullin.

    Captain James Douglas Latta (see 25th June). Claims his 3rd confirmed kill. Flying a Nieuport for 1 Squadron he shot down a balloon south of Wervicq.

    Leutnant Max Ritter von Mulzer (see 22nd June and RFC losses above). Claims his 6th confirmed kill. Flying for KEK N he shot down an F.E.2b.

    Naval and Overseas Operations:

    Shipping Losses: 2

    Astrologer: United Kingdom: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the Norrth Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3km) south south east of Lowestoft, Suffolk with the loss of eleven of her crew.

    HMT Tugela: Royal Navy: The trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk with the loss of nine of her crew.

    Political:

    France: Serb Prime Minister Pasic visits Paris.

    General demobilisation ordered in Greece.

    Germans threaten to stop Swiss coal supply if their cotton purchases are not delivered.

    Neutrals:

    Switzerland: *Germany threatens coal supply if cotton purchases not delivered.

    Rumania: 9 killed in Galati workers anti-war demo.

    USA: Cleveland Indians experiment with numbers on their jerseys (one game).
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-26-2016 at 14:50.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  18. #1468

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    You certainly have picked up the Devon phrases there Mike . Ye Gods is an expression often heard from my Plymouthian wife here in the wilds of Brittany
    Hey Paul, where in Brittany would that be? We owned a place for 18 years west of Rennes, near a small village called Domagne. Got friends all over too; Rennes itself, one of my favourite cities, Douarnenez; St Malo. Fond memories and regret leaving, but it was necessary I'm afraid! Hope you are ok there - you seem to be having as many problems as we are by the sounds of things.

  19. #1469

  20. #1470

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    Some late additions to Monday from news just in. Check air operations for a well known name.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  21. #1471

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    Thanks again and again for your time and effort.

  22. #1472

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    Tuesday June 27th 1916

    Today we lost: 527

    Today’s losses include:

    A man killed by friendly fire

    The son of a member of the clergy

    A Vancouver British Columbia police constable

    Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Lieutenant Frederick Leonard Pusch DSO (Irish Guards) is killed by a sniper at age 20. His brother, who is the best friend of A A Milne will be killed in six weeks.

    Second Lieutenant Wallace George Langford (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) dies of wounds at age 20 received two days before trying to rescue his men when they are being bombed by trench mortars. His brother will be killed in September of this year.

    Corporal Percy Grenfell Simmonds (Liverpool Regiment) is killed in action. He is the son of the Reverend Delasaux Egginton Mount Simmonds Vicar of St Andrew’s Ramsbottom.

    Private John Biswell (Bedfordshire Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother was killed last month.

    Private Robert McLean (Central Ontario Regiment) is killed in action at age 29. He was a constable with the Vancouver Police Department.

    Private David Saxton (Lancashire Fusiliers) is killed. His brother died of wounds last December.

    At 22:30 last night a patrol is sent out by the Yorkshire Regiment. They find the German wire uncut so they work cutting wire until 01:10. The raiding party gets into the German trenches at 01:30 and then at this very moment the enemy front trench is heavily bombarded by British artillery in error. Four members of the raiding party are killed and 15 wounded among the dead is. Second Lieutenant Cecil Hawdon (Yorkshire Regiment) killed by friendly fire from British artillery at age 20. He has two brothers, one will be killed and the other dies both in November 1918.

    Western Front

    British reconnaissance raids from La Bassee canal to Somme line.

    German attack repulsed at Ypres.

    Battle of Verdun: Germans repulsed at Fleury.

    Tunstills Men, Tuesday 27th June 1916:

    Fremont

    The day was, “devoted to physical training and getting all ranks fit”, which proceeded despite heavy showers. The exercises were in preparation for the part the Battalion was due to play in the opening stages of the British advance which was scheduled to begin in two days’ time. Writing many years later, Lt. **** Bolton (see 25th June), recalled that, “We quickly learnt of the great attack which was about to be launched, and it was strongly rumoured that we were to take part in the pursuit across open country after the first attack broke through the enemy lines as it was bound to do. Disillusionment was not long in coming.”

    2Lt. Henry Kelly (see 20th June) joined the Battalion; he had arrived in France a week earlier.

    L.Sgt. Mark Allan Stanley Wood, serving with 16th West Yorkshires, was admitted to 93rd Field Ambulance, suffering from dyspepsia (acute indigestion). He had only been back with his unit for ten days after a previous bout of illness (see 17th June). He would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR.

    Eastern Front:

    Germans repulsed in Riga and Dvinsk areas.

    German Hentig enters Chinese Turkestan, escapes Russian cordon.

    Russian advance from Kolomea (Bukovina).

    Southern Front:

    Italians take Posina and Arsiero; continued advance from the Bernta to the Adige.

    Trentino: Italians resume pursuit too slowly.

    Carnia*: Italian XII Corps ‘rectification operations’ (until June 29) cost 3,662 casualties.

    African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

    East Africa: British Lake Force (2,000 soldiers, Crewe GOC since June 17) advances south from river Kagera and via Lake Victoria. Major-General Gill and part of 3,000-strong Portuguese Expeditionary Force land (until September 6) at Lourenco Marques.

    Arab Revolt: Fakhri Pasha sorties from Medina, massacres Arab suburb; Feisal blockades at distance.

    Air Operations:

    157 active German batteries reported by Royal Flying Corps.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 1

    Lt Bird, E.H. (Eric Hinckes) aged 22, during an aerial combat. 25 Squadron RFC.

    Claims:

    Western Front:

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    Hauptman Oswald Boelcke: Claims his 19th confirmed kill. Flying for FA 62 he shot down a Nieuport near Douaumont.

    Eastern Front:

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    Polkovnik Aleksandr Alexandrovich Kozakov: Claims his 2nd confirmed kill. Flying a Nieuport 10 for 19th Corps Fighter Detachment. He shot down an Albatros C near Lake Drisvjaty.

    Southern Front:

    Tenente Alessandro Buzio: Claims his 1st kill shared with Consonni De Bernardi and Guido Nardini. Flying a Nieuport 10 for 75a near Verona.

    Sergente Guido Nardini: : Claims his 1st kill shared with Consonni De Bernardi and Alessandro Buzio. Flying a Nieuport 10 for 75a near Verona.

    Naval and Overseas Operations:

    Shipping Losses: 5

    Mongibello: Italy:Cargo ship sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93km) off Port Mahon, Minorca, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine.

    Pino: Italy: Cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110km) off Port Mahon, Minorca, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine.

    Roma: United Kingdon: Cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93km) east of Minorca, Spain by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine. Her crew survived.

    Waalstrom; Netherlands: Cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4km) north east of the Shipwash Lightship.

    Windermere: United Kingdom: Cargo ship was scuttles in the Mediterranean Sea 58 nautical miles (107km) south south east of Port Mahon by SM U-35 Kaiserliche Marine. 12 crew were lost.

    Political:

    Austria: A letter from the ambassador in Berlin says ‘Monarchy can no longer survive the war’.

    Greece: King signs demobilization decree,Greek Government order general demobilisation (see 21st).

    Recommendations of Allied Economic Conference ratified (see 14th).

    Chinese navy threatens to revolt.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-28-2016 at 02:39.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  23. #1473

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    8 days in, 6 to go.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  24. #1474

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    Thanks for you time and effort for doing this.

  25. #1475

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    lol, I had better start swatting up on next weeks news, great job thus far Neil

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  26. #1476

  27. #1477

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    Double post concelled this one. Check next post.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-28-2016 at 11:06.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  28. #1478

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    James Hutchinson VC (9 July 1895 – 22 January 1972) was 20 years old, and a private (Fusilier) in the 2/5th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers on 28 June 1916 when his actions in Ficheux, France earned him the Victoria Cross.

    Citation:
    For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy's position this soldier was the leading man, and, entering their trench, shot two sentries and cleared two of the traverses.
    After our object had been gained and retirement ordered, Private Hutchinson, on his own initiative, undertook the dangerous task of covering the retirement, and he did this with such gallantry and determination that the wounded were removed into safety. During all this time this gallant soldier was exposed to fierce fire from machine-guns and rifles at close quarters.
    He later achieved the rank of corposal.

    Anniversary:
    Assassination of The Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, in Sarayevo, Bosnia. His wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, also killed.

    Today we lost: 524

    Today’s losses include:

    An Artist

    The former President of the University of Dublin Literary Society

    A mathematics teacher

    A man whose twin will be killed later in the Great War

    A family that will lose four sons in the Great War

    Multiple sons of members of the clergy

    Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Lieutenant Arthur Theodore Stephenson (Liverpool Regiment) is killed in action at age 31. He is the son of the Reverend Robert Stephenson.

    The artist Second Lieutenant Percy Francis Gethin (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 41.

    Second Lieutenant Joseph Reid (Dublin Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 28. He has been the president of the University College Dublin Literary Society and a friend of Hilaire Belloc and George Moore.

    Second Lieutenant William Hall Jowett (Liverpool Regiment) dies of wounds in hospital at age 22. His twin brother will die of wounds in September 1918.

    Second Lieutenant Owen Llwellyn Johns (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 24. He is the son of the Reverend Thomas Johns.

    Company Sergeant Major Percy William Chandler (Bedfordshire Regiment) dies of head wounds at age 31. His brother was killed in March 1915.

    Corporal George Dawson (Royal Engineers) is killed in action at age 33. He was a mathematics teacher at Aberdeen Grammer School.

    Lance Corporal Harold Stanley Radford (Sussex Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother will be killed in August.

    Rifleman Robert Gribben (New Zealand Rifle Brigade) dies of wounds at age 28. His brother died of wounds last February.

    Private Frank Sturdy (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 20. His brother will die on service in November 1919.

    Sapper William Sloan (Canadian Engineers) is killed in action. He is one of four brothers who will lose their lives in the Great War.

    Private John Lukins (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed three days before his brother is killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Acting Bombardier Bernard Ashton (Royal Garrison Artillery attached Trench Mortar Battery) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed in May 1915.

    Home Fronts

    Russia: CoS Alexeiev suggests to Tsar a military dictator for supply.

    Germany*: Liebknecht given 2 years hard labour (increased to 4 years on August 23) and dismissed from Army; 55,000 workers hold 3-day protest strikes.

    Britain: 400 German firms reported still trading.

    Western Front

    Somme: Zero day for Allied offensive postponed until 1 July (rain).

    Battle of Verdun:

    Heavy fighting at Fleury and Hill 321;

    French grenade attacks near Hill 329 and Thiaumont Works.

    German counter*attacks fail

    Tunstills Men, Wednesday 28th June 1916:

    Fremont

    As the British assault troops were made ready to launch their attack in the early hours of 29th June, so 10DWR were ordered to move closer to the front line to be ready to take their part in the actions of subsequent days.
    During the morning orders were received that the Battalion should be ready to march eight miles to new billets and bivouacs in and around Molliens au Bois, departing at 9.15pm.

    However, at 3.30pm the orders were rescinded and the Battalion was instead instructed to stand fast. This was occasioned by the postponement of the opening of the infantry assault for the Battle of the Somme due to the incessant heavy rain and the forecast of a continuation of the same over the coming days.

    Eastern Front:

    Heavy fighting on Lutsk salient;

    Austrians defeated on 25-mile front east of Kolomea; 10,000 prisoners reported;

    Germans repulsed in Riga district.

    Southern Front:

    Italians regain half the trenches lost during the Austrian offensive.

    Trentino:Italian cavalry reach Pedescala (north-east of Arsiero).

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    Isonzo – First major gas attack on Italian Front (until June 29): with help of hydrocyanide gas shells, Austrians inflict 6,600 casualties on sleeping Italian 21st and 22nd Divisions between Mt Cosich and sea in night raid before Regina Brigade and 10th Regiment regain trenches, but Austrians lose 1,988 (416 PoWs) men including gas fatalities from blowback.

    African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

    Arab Revolt: 3 British ships land 8 Egyptian mountain guns, 4 MGs and 3,000 rifles at Jeddah.

    Persia: Baratov’s 8,500 men and 14 guns hold Turk 2nd Division at Karind until night retreat on Kermanshah (evacuated on June 30).

    Lake Victoria: 320British soldiersland and occupy Bukoba.

    Air Operations:

    Heavy rains and low cloud until June 30 restricts operations.

    111 Royal Flying Corps personnel casualties since June 1 and 17,000 hours flown.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 1

    A Mech 1 Kenny, J.J. (John Joseph). Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II', H.M. Training Establishment. Died of sickness 28 June 1916 aged 25

    Claims: No claims today.

    Naval and Overseas Operations:

    SS Messanabie arrives at Liverpool from Canada with troops including Filip Konowal (Canadian Infantry) who will win the Victoria Cross in August 1917.

    Shipping Losses: 3

    Knuthenborg: Denmark: Collided with the Rhone in the North Sea off Nornsea, Yorkshire. Crew rescued by the Rhone.

    Mercurius: United Kingdon: The dredger struck a mine in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6km) south east of Lowestoft, Suffolk with the loss of 6 of her 7 crew.

    Serpente: Regia Marina: A Siro-Class torpedo boat collided with Citta di Bari and sank in the Adriatic Sea.

    Political:
    Liebknecht sentenced to two years H.R.L. and dismissal from Army.

    Britain and France completely abandon London Declaration.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-28-2016 at 11:07.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  29. #1479

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    Thursday June 29th 1916
    Today we lost: 503

    Today’s losses include:

    A skilled polo player

    The son of a Justice of the Peace

    Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Captain Laurence Henry Bloy (Lancashire Fusiliers) dies of wounds received the previous day at age 23. His brother will be killed in December 1917.

    Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Richard Henry Talbot (Royal Naval Air Service) is accidentally killed at home at age 28. He is the son of ‘the Honorable’ Alfred Talbot.

    Second Lieutenant William David Semple (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) is killed in action at Monchy-le-Bois at age 21. He is the son of Lieutenant Colonel ‘Sir’ David Semple and his younger brother will die of wounds in the last week of the war.

    Second Lieutenant James Herbert Neynor MacLeod (King’s Own Scottish Borderers) is killed at age 29. He is the son of Norman Neville MacLeod JP.

    Corporal Frederick William Hunter (Auckland Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. His brother will be killed in September of this year and he was a splendid horseman and skilled polo player. He represented Waikato in the Savill Cup in 1913.

    Private Albert LeMesurier De Lisle (Eastern Ontario Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. His brother will be killed in September of this year.

    Private William Brennan (Otago Infantry) is killed at age 21. His brother died during training at home in March 1915.

    Private V G Le Feaver (East Kent Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother will be killed next May.

    Western Front

    Somme: Pre-bombardment continues.

    Champagne: German first and second line trenches taken at Tahure;

    Battle of Verdun: German attack on Hill 304 repulsed

    Tunstills Men, Thursday 29th June 1916:

    Fremont

    There was an improvement in the weather and the day remained fine. In the morning the Battalion undertook a ten-mile route march and in the afternoon the men were instructed in the construction of bivouacs from waterproof sheets, in preparation for their move closer to the front line.

    2Lt. Arthur Poynder Garratt (see 24th June), serving with 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s, who had been injured a week earlier, left hospital in Rouen to return to England, onboard the Hospital Ship St. George. On his arrival at Southampton he was transferred to Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital, Millbank, London, for treatment to his fractured leg.

    Pte. Edwin Everingham Ison (see 22nd June), re-joined his unit, 1st Battalion, West Yorkshires, a week after having been discharged from hospital following a bout of illness.

    Eastern Front:

    Germans repulsed north-east of Vilna.

    Austria: Vienna Crown Council attacks CoS Conrad for first time, Emperor orders him to give more info.

    Air Operations:

    78a Squadriglia formed.

    Mesopotamia: Royal Navy Air Service detachment withdrawn but 4 Royal Navy Air Service kite*-balloons arrive.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 5

    2Lt MacNamara, K.P. (Kevin Parnell), 24 Squadron RFC. Missing - Killed in Action 29 June 1916.

    AB Searle, H.C. (Harry Carew), H.M.S. 'Ark Royal', Anti-Aircraft Corps, RNAS. Died of trench fever 29 June 1916 aged 28

    Lt Talbot, G.R.H. (Geoffrey Richard Henry), RNAS. Accidentally Killed 29 June 1916 aged 28

    Flt Lt Geoffrey Richard Henry Talbot (28,) RNAS, Dover. Flying a Nieuport Type 10 (3968), Crashed on take-off.

    A Mech 1 Abraham Alf Hampson (24) died of injuries 30.6.16

    Claims:

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    Frint

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    Kostrba

    Hauptmann Johann Frint. Frint was an Oberleutnant in Infantry Regiment No. 65 when the war began. While stationed on the Russian front, he was very badly wounded on 14 November 1914. Despite injuries that prevented him from returning to service with the infantry, he succeeded in transferring to the air service and was posted to Flik 23 after completing his training as an observer. Claims his 3rd, 4th and 5th confirmed kill. Flying a Hansa-Brandeburg C.I with Pilot Heinrich Kostrba, for Flik23 they shot down 3 Farmans near Val d’Leogra.

    Naval and Overseas Operations:

    Turkish steamers sunk by Russians in the Black Sea.

    Shipping Losses: 4

    Carlo Alberto: Italy: Sailing vessel sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Sicily by SM U-35, Kaiserliche Marine.

    Giuseppina:Italy: Barquentine was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Sicily by SM U-35, Kaiserliche Marine.

    HMT Hirose:Royal Navy: Naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Aldeburgh, Suffolk, with the loss of ten crew.

    Teano:United Kingdom: Cargo ship was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 24 nautical miles (44km) north west of Marettimo, Italy by SM U-35, Kaiserliche Marine. Her crew were rescued by the Norwegian ship Molina.

    Political:

    Britain – Easter Rising: British Foreign Office send Casement diary homosexual extracts to US, Foreign Minister Grey rules against further copying on June 30.

    Neutrals:

    USA: Roger Casement found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death.

    U.S. demands apology from Austria for the sinking of the "Petrolite".

    Boeing aircraft flies for 1st time.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-29-2016 at 13:55.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  30. #1480

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    Another handsome edition Neil.
    I am very impressed.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  31. #1481

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    Many thanks Neil. Good to know that James Hutchinson actually survived, not only his ordeal, but the war! Percy Francis gethin is not an artist I had ever heard of before today. Shall look him up.

  32. #1482

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    Nelson Victor Carter VC (6 April 1887 – 30 June 1916) was born on 6 April 1887 to Richard Carter, of Hailsham; husband of Kathleen Carter, of 33 Greys Road, Old Town, Eastbourne. His date of birth is often stated as the ninth, but his birth certificate states the sixth.
    He was 29 years old, and a company sergeant major in the 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. He was awarded the VC for his actions on 30 June 1916 at Boar's Head, Richebourg L’Avoue, France.

    Citation:
    For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack he was in command of the fourth wave of the assault. Under intense shell and machine gun fire he penetrated, with a few men, into the enemy's second line and inflicted heavy casualties with bombs. When forced to retire to the enemy's first line, he captured a machine gun and shot the gunner with his revolver. Finally, after carrying several wounded men into safety, he was himself mortally wounded and died in a few minutes. His conduct throughout the day was magnificent.
    .....................................................................................................................................................
    At 03:15 two battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment, the 12th and 13th, with the 11th in reserve, go over the top at The Boar’s Head salient in the German lines near the small village of Richebourg l’Avoue in northern France. This is a diversionary attack is meant to confuse the enemy as to the extent of attacks on the Somme tomorrow. The 12th advance on the right, with the junction of the 12th/13th being the tip of the Boar’s Head, where an old communications trench runs from the British parapet across to the German front line. Going forward in the half darkness, the smoke bombardment intended to screen their advance drifts across the leading waves causing some confusion.

    Not long after the British bombardment ceases, the Germans emerge from their dugouts and machine-gun fire starts to rake No Man’s Land. Officers in the leading companies begin to fall and it is left to Warrant Officers and NCOs to take over. Among these is Company Sergeant Major Nelson Victor Carter (12th Battalion). Armed with only a revolver, Carter leads his men forward and takes over when his company commander falls. When his group reaches the German lines, the wire is in places uncut, but they manage to affect an entry in a few places. Carter leads his men in and succeeds in reaching the support line. Here he expects to find the 13th Battalion, but there is no sign of them. After a few hours, German counter-attacks force them back and the position is abandoned with heavy losses. CSM Carter then assists in the evacuation of the wounded from No Man’s Land until he goes out one last time and is shot by a sniper, dying within a few minutes at age 29. For his actions on this day CSM Carter will be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

    With the 13th Battalion the situation is even worse. The smoke bombardment drifts into the attackers and the men totally lose their direction. Some end up advancing at an angle across No Man’s Land exposing their flanks to the Germans. Again on reaching the German front line, most of the wire is intact. Very few of the 13th ever make it into the German trenches. By the close of operations only a handful of survivors have made their way back to the British lines.

    The 11th is not committed as a complete unit. However ‘D’ Company has gone in as a carrying party. It is almost entirely wiped out including Second Lieutenant Francis Gricewood, whose brother died of illness earlier this year serving in the same battalion.

    As roll calls are made back in the British lines the total casualties for the morning’s fight are placed at 15 officers and 364 other ranks killed or died of wounds, and 21 officers and 728 other ranks wounded.
    Among the dead are dozens of tragic stories including seven sets of brothers killed. Private Edward and Lance Corporal Frederick Bristow are killed serving with the 13th while Private Harold Summer also of the 13th and Sergeant John George Summer, age 19, of the 12th die of wounds received together. Private James George Honeyset (13th) a veteran of the South Africa War is killed at age 36 while his brother Private Cecil Honeyset of the same battalion is killed at age 29. Two more brothers in the 13th Privates Jesse and R Botting are both killed as are Private Frank (12th) age 27 and Private Leonard Blaker (13th) age 29. The Blurton brothers of the 12th Battalion also fall. Lance Sergeant Tom Pain Blurton age 20 and Private Eric Brian Blurton who is killed at age 19. Finally three brothers of the Pannell all Privates are killed. Charles John (13th) age 39 and his two brothers Alfred (13th) and William (12th).


    Today we lost: 996

    Today’s losses include:

    The grandson of the Count Messina of Malta

    Multiple sons of members of the clergy

    Multiple sons of Justices of the Peace

    A Victoria Cross winner

    A West Sussex Police Sergeant

    Multiple brothers killed together include a single set of three brothers killed together

    Multiple families that will lose two, three and four sons

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Colonel Charles Maunoir Sumner (South Lancashire Regiment) dies at home at age 59. He is the son of the Reverend John Maunior Sumner Rector of Buriton.

    Lieutenant Colonel William Frederick Stringer (Army Service Corps, Assistant Director of Transport on the General Staff at the War Office) dies in London of heart failure at age 43.

    Captain Wilfrid Jervis Davis (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 25. His younger brother will be killed in 1918 as a lieutenant in the same regiment.

    Second Lieutenant Alan Oswald Miles (Gloucestershire Regiment) is killed in action at age 27. He is the only son of the late Reverend Canon Charles Oswald Miles and a master at Pembroke Lodge.

    Second Lieutenant Robert Edward Thorne Huddart (Rifle Brigade) is killed by shell fire at age 31. He is the son of the Reverend G A W Huddart.

    Second Lieutenant Percy George Hall (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 23. He is the son of James Robert Hall JP DL.

    Second Lieutenant Francis Julius Maria Grisewood (Sussex Regiment) is killed at age 36. He is the middle of three brothers and sons of Harman Grisewood JP and his wife Concetta the daughter of Count Messina of Malta who will lose their lives in the Great War this year.

    Sergeant Clifford Wharfedale Mather (New Zealand Rifle Brigade) dies of wounds received six days earlier at age 27. He is the son of the late Reverend J J Mather. Lance

    2nd Corporal Walter Sydney Whiting (4th Signal Company Royal Engineers) dies of wounds received two weeks before at age 33. He is the son of the Reverend Frederick William Whiting.

    Another pair of brothers, twins Leonard and William Crossley die serving as Riflemen in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at age 31 and are killed buried in adjacent graves in Berks Cemetery Extension.

    Sapper Charles Weston Hodgin (Royal Engineers) dies of wounds at age 19 received two days before. He is the son of the late Councillor James Henry Hodgin.

    Acting Bombardier William Robert Challis (Royal Field Artillery) dies in Mesopotamia. His brother was killed in September 1914.

    Private Peter P Williams (Essex Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother died on service in Canada in 1915.

    Private Frederick Bradford (Sussex Regiment) is killed at age 32. He is the second of four brothers who are killed in the Great War.


    Home Fronts

    France: Alcohol duties increased.

    Britain: Army Council takes over 1916 hay and straw crops. D H Lawrence rejected for military service at Bodmin.


    Western Front

    General Douglas Haig reports "The men are in splendid spirits"

    Somme: Continued Allied bombardment on Western Front.

    Battle of Verdun: French recapture Fort Thiaumont. 65 French divisions have engaged against 47 German. June losses: French 67,000, German 51,567 (including 4 divisions which were losing 71-90% of their infantry).

    Tunstills Men, Friday 30th June 1916:

    Fremont

    New orders were received which saw the Battalion move off at 4.25pm and march two miles south-east to Coisy. An advance billeting party had been despatched at 2pm but found billets to be very scarce and many officers and men were left to bivouac out in the open.

    Lt. **** Bolton (see 27th June) was admitted to 69th Field Ambulance, suffering from inflammation of the face and neck.

    The Divisional Trench Mortar Battery, which had been in action in the Auchonvillers sector for the previous five days (see 26th June) was withdrawn back to Mailly-Mailllet; they would remain there until re-joining 23rd Division on 18th July. Their War Diary makes only a brief reference to the tumultuous events which would follow next day, “Infantry attacked early next morning on a 16-mile front; held up opposite Beaumont Hamel”.

    69th Brigade War Diary recorded casualties for the Brigade for the month of June:
    Killed 3
    Accidentally killed 0
    Died of wounds 0
    Wounded 12
    Accidentally wounded 2
    Missing 0


    10DWR’s casualties were recorded as:
    Killed 3
    Accidentally killed 0
    Died of wounds 0
    Wounded 11
    Accidentally wounded 0
    Missing 0

    It should be noted that these casualty figures take no account of the deaths of Pte. Edward Tetlow (see 8th June), who was killed whilst attached to 181st Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, nor of Pte. Thomas Smith (see 20th June), who died of wounds sustained while attached to 176th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.

    The official cumulative casualty figures for the Battalion since arriving in France were now:

    Killed 30
    Accidentally killed 4
    Died of wounds 3
    Wounded 161
    Accidentally wounded 43
    Missing 3

    Eastern Front:

    Brusilov Offensive continues: Battle of the Strypa ends (see 11th).

    Galicia: 2 Austrian divisions from Italian Front begin arriving at Nadworna and Delatyn.

    Southern Front:

    Trentino:Italian counter-offensive in the Trentino continues

    African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

    Armenia: General Abatsiev’s 10,000 men capture Bitlis after surprise night bayonet charge in blizzard, taking 1,000 PoW and 20 guns. 2 Russian battalions land at Atina to advance on Trebizond, 60 miles in the west, more land at Mapavri (night 6/7). General Lyakhov occupies Rize, port 30 miles from Trebizond (March 8), drives Turks beyond river Kalopotamus on March 9.

    Mesopotamia: *Gertrude Bell arrives at Basra to be Arab Bureau representative

    Air Operations:

    Western Front: 6 RE7s of No 21 Squadron Royal Flying Corps bomb Lille St Saveur station engine sheds (repeated and successfully with 336 lb bomb, first use from 7,000-8,000 ft on July 1). Escort on both raids 2 Martinsyde and 2 Morane planes.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 2

    Cpl Candy, W.H.M. (William Henry Minter). 30 Squadron, RFC. Captured when British Garrison at Kut-el-Amara surrendered 29 April 1916. Died 30 June 1916 as a Prisoner of War in Turkish Hands.

    A MEch 1Hampson, A. (Abraham "Alf"). Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II', Dover Station. Died of accidental injuries 30 June 1916 aged 24. which had been received when Nieuport Type 10 Scout 3968, flown by Flt. Lt. G R H Talbot, engined stalled in a turn, it sideslipped and crashed

    Claims: 3

    Oberleutnant Heinrich Lorenz claims his 1st confirmed kill. FlyingKG1 for he shot down a Caudron near St Quentin. After serving with the infantry, Lorenz transferred to the German Air Force on 1 September 1915.

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    Leutnant Kurt Wintgens claims his 8th confirmed kill. Flying for FA 6 he shot down a Farman SW of Château-Salins.

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    Captain Phillip Bernard "Bruce" Prothero claims the 1st of 2 kills in a Bristol Scout flying for 24 Squadron, RFC. He shot down a enemy aircraft near Grandcourt. The son of Edward Douglas and Margaret Caroline Prothero, Phillip Bernard Prothero with Princess Louise's 4th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. 2nd Lieutenant Prothero received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1906 on a Caudron biplane at Ruffy-Baumann School, Hendon on 17 October 1915. Posted to 24 Squadron. When asked why he always wore a kilt on combat missions, Prothero replied "You wouldna have me taken prisoner in disguise would you now laddie?"

    Naval and Overseas Operations:

    Germany:
    Chancellor Bethmann again informs Admiral Scheer of his opposition to unrestricted U*-boat operations.

    Baltic: Indecisive small British naval action.

    North Sea: *First German 15 inch-gun battleship Bayern joins Fleet (sister Baden likewise February 1917).

    North Sea: First Royal Navy minelaying submarine E24 lays minefield close to Elbe, but lost on next sortie (March 21).

    Mediterranean Sea: During June German U-boats sink 43 merchant ships or 67,125t out of total (all seas) 87,293 t. During June French Marine Ministry rebukes Bizerta Prefet Maritime for suggesting convoy answer to U-boats

    Shipping Losses: 3

    Moeris: United Kingdom: Cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 46 nautical miles (85km) south east of Cape Sidero, Crete, Greece by SM UB-44, Kaiserliche Marine, with the loss of three of her crew.

    SM U-10: Kaiserliche Marine: Type U9 submarine struck a mine in the Gulf of Finland and sankwith the loss of all 29 crew.

    HMT Whooper: Royal Navy: Naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 4.5 nautical miles (8.3km) norh of Southwold, Suffolk with the loss of nine of her crew.

    Political:

    British Government conclude further agreement with the Netherlands Overseas Trust for rationing of Holland (see November 23rd, 1915).

    Neutrals:

    Portugal: Portuguese seize 4 German ships at Madeira.

    USA: Gore-Mclemore Senate Resolution against American sailing in belligerent ships and denying passports, but defeated on March 7.

    USA: Krupp representative Captain Tauscher acquitted of conspiracy charges. US Commissioner of Navigation reports 125,000t of shipping building for foreign owners (mainly British).

    USA: 22nd US Golf Open: Chick Evans shoots a 286 at Minikahda Club MINN.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-30-2016 at 16:01.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  33. #1483

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    JUNE 30th 1916: Battle of the Somme Special Edition

    Background

    Strategic developments

    The Western Front 1915–1916.
    Allied war strategy for 1916 was decided at the Chantilly Conference from 6–8 December 1915. Simultaneous offensives on the Eastern Front by the Russian army, on the Italian Front by the Italian army, and on the Western Front by the Franco-British armies, were to be carried out to deny time for the Central Powers to move troops between fronts during lulls. In December 1915, General Sir Douglas Haig replaced Field Marshal Sir John French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig favoured a British offensive in Flanders close to BEF supply routes, to drive the Germans from the Belgian Coast and end the U-Boat threat from Belgian waters. Haig was not formally subordinate to Joffre but the British played a lesser role on the Western Front and complied with French strategy. In January 1916, Joffre had agreed to the BEF making its main effort in Flanders, but in February 1916 it was decided to mount a combined offensive where the French and British armies met, astride the Somme River in Picardy before the British offensive in Flanders. A week later the Germans began an offensive against the French at Verdun. The costly defence of Verdun forced the French army to commit divisions intended for the Somme offensive, eventually reducing the French contribution to 13 divisions in the Sixth Army, against 20 British divisions. By 31 May, the ambitious Franco-British plan for a decisive victory, had been reduced to a limited offensive to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun with a battle of attrition on the Somme.

    The Chief of the German General Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn, intended to end the war by splitting the Anglo-French Entente in 1916, before its material superiority became unbeatable. Falkenhayn planned to defeat the large amount of reserves which the Entente could move into the path of a breakthrough, by threatening a sensitive point close to the existing front line and provoking the French into counter-attacking German positions. Falkenhayn chose to attack towards Verdun to take the Meuse heights and make the city untenable. The French would have to conduct a counter-offensive on ground dominated by the German army and ringed with masses of heavy artillery, leading to huge losses and bring the French army close to collapse. The British would then have to begin a hasty relief offensive and would also suffer huge losses. Falkenhayn expected the relief offensive to fall south of Arras against the Sixth Army and be destroyed. If such Franco-British defeats were not enough, Germany would attack the remnants of both armies and end the western alliance for good. The unexpected length of the Verdun offensive and the need to replace many exhausted units at Verdun, depleted the German strategic reserve placed behind the Sixth Army, which held the Western Front from Hannescamps, 18 kilometres (11 mi) south-west of Arras to St. Eloi, south of Ypres and reduced the German counter-offensive strategy north of the Somme, to one of passive and unyielding defence.

    Prelude

    Anglo-French plan of attack

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    Anglo-French offensive preparations

    Aircraft

    For long-distance reconnaissance and bombing and attacks on the German air service, the 9th (Headquarters) Wing of the Royal flying Corps (RFC) was moved to the Somme front, with 21, 27, 60 squadrons and part of 70 Squadron. The Fourth Army had the support of IV Brigade, with two squadrons of the 14th (Army) Wing, four squadrons of the 3rd Wing and 1 Kite Balloon Squadron, with one section for each corps. Corps squadrons, 3, 4, 9 and 15 had 30 aircraft for counter-battery work, 13 aircraft for contact patrol, 16 for trench reconnaissance, destructive bombardment and other duties and there were nine aircraft in reserve. VII Corps was given 8 Squadron with 18 aircraft and 5 Kite Balloon Section. The strength of the RFC in the Somme area was 185 aircraft against the German 2nd Army aircraft establishment, which also had to face the Aviation Militaire on the south bank of the Somme. (The Anglo-French air effort considerably outnumbered the Germans opposite until mid-July.) Protection for corps aircraft was to be provided by standing patrols of pairs of aircraft and offensive sweeps by the two army squadrons. Bombing attacks were to be made on the railways behind the German front, with the main effort beginning on 1 July, to ensure that damage could not be repaired in the days after the beginning of the offensive. Troops, transport columns, dumps and headquarters behind the battlefront were to be attacked and the ammunition depots at Mons, Namur and Lille were to be specially attacked. The French Sixth Army had 201 aeroplanes.

    Artillery


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    The British had substantially increased the amount of artillery on the Western Front since the Battle of Loos in late 1915 but the length of front to be bombarded, led to a five-day preparatory bombardment being planned, after debate about the merits of a short "hurricane bombardment", due to a lack of guns to fulfil the destruction of German field defences and be certain to cut barbed wire, given uncertain weather and the dependence of the artillery on air observation. The artillery had to cut barbed wire and neutralise German artillery with counter-battery fire. The British artillery fired more than 1.5 million shells, more than in the first year of the war and another 250,000 shells were fired on 1 July, which could be heard on Hampstead Heath, 165 miles (266 km) away. While this weight of bombardment was new for the British, it was common on the Western Front; the French Second Battle of Artois in May 1915, had been preceded by a six-day bombardment in which over 2.1 million shells were fired. On the Somme, while British shell production had increased since the shell scandal of 1915, quality was poor and many shells failed to explode. Shrapnel was virtually useless against entrenched positions and required accurate fuze settings to cut wire but very little high explosive ammunition had been manufactured for field artillery. The French Sixth Army had 552 × heavy guns and howitzers, with a much larger supply of H.E. ammunition for field artillery and far more experienced personnel.

    Cavalry


    In March the two British cavalry corps were disbanded and the divisions distributed to the armies and the new Reserve Corps, under the command of Gough, which was reinforced and became the Reserve Army in June. The Reserve Army cavalry was to operate combined with infantry and artillery, ready to act as a "conveyor belt", to exploit a success by the Fourth Army, with the 25th Division in the lead followed by two cavalry divisions and then II Corps. In mid-June, II Corps was moved from the Reserve Army, which was subordinated to the Fourth Army; the French Sixth Army had four cavalry divisions. In late June favourable intelligence reports and the reduction of the French commitment for the Somme offensive, led to a change of plan by the British. Should the German army collapse, the cavalry was expected to follow-up a breakthrough, capture Bapaume and take post on the right flank, to provide a flank guard of all-arms detachments facing east, as the main body of cavalry and the infantry advanced northwards. The 1st, 2nd (Indian) and 3rd cavalry divisions were to assemble by zero hour 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Albert around Buire, Bresle, Bonny and La Neuville, ready to move forward or remain and then return to billets behind Amiens, depending on events.

    Infantry


    A BEF manual published on 8 May 1916 (SS 109: Training of Divisions For Offensive Action), described successions of lines to add driving power to the attack, to reach the objective and have the capacity to consolidate the captured ground against counter-attack. In the Fourth Army Tactical Notes of May 1916, battalions were allowed to attack on a front of 2–4 platoons in 8–4 waves about 100 yards (91 m) apart. Supporting lines were to pass through leading ones, to avoid excessive demands on the energy and ability of individual soldiers. Weight of numbers was rejected and each platoon was to carry half the burden of a brigade attack for a few minutes, before being relieved by a fresh wave. Platoons were divided into functions, fighting, mopping-up, support and carrying, where the fighting platoons were to press on, as the moppers-up secured the ground behind them. Support and carrying platoons could pick their way through artillery barrages, with the tools and weapons needed to consolidate and defeat German counter-attacks. Some troops in carrying platoons had about 66 pounds (30 kg) of equipment and tools, whereas troops in the advanced platoons carried a rifle, bayonet, 170 rounds of ammunition, iron rations, two grenades, pick, shovel or entrenching tool, four empty sandbags, two gas helmets, wire cutters, a smoke candle and a water-bottle. In the French army, the experience of 1915 showed that despite the power of French bombardments, infantry would enter a chaotic environment, full of German pockets of resistance and individuals who had been by-passed. By mid-1916 much of the French infantry in the Sixth Army had been trained as specialists, either rifle-and-bayonet men, bombers, rifle grenadiers or light machine-gun crews. Attacking waves were spread wider and companies trained to manoeuvre in small groups, to get behind surviving German defences, as Nettoyeurs de Tranchées ("trench cleaners") armed with hand-grenades and revolvers, searched captured ground for stray Germans and hidden machine-gunners, although such methods did not come into general use until later in the year.

    Supply


    From 1 January – 3 July 1916 the BEF was reinforced by 17 divisions and the number of heavy guns increased from 324 to 714. The new divisions needed 5112 supply trains a week to meet daily needs and a large number of extra trains, to transport heavy artillery ammunition. Until mid-June, ammunition supply for the BEF needed 5–12 trains per week, then rose to 45–90 trains per week, to deliver a stock of 148,000 long tons (150,000,000 kg) of munitions. Ammunition expenditure became a concern by 12 July but deliveries to the area behind the Fourth Army kept pace, although transport from railheads to the guns was not always maintained. In the weeks before 1 July, an extra seven trains a day were sufficient to deliver ammunition. In the rear of the Fourth Army, huge encampments were built for troops, horses, artillery and workshops, dumps were filled with equipment, reservoirs and pipelines; power stations, light railways roads and telephone networks were constructed. Over 2,000,000 imperial gallons (9,100,000 l) of petrol per month was needed for the lorry fleet, moving supplies up to 3 miles (4.8 km) from railheads to the front line and a million Brodie helmets were delivered between January and June. In the French Sixth Army sector, one railway line from Amiens led to Bray on the north bank but on the south bank there were no rail lines, so road-trains carried supplies from Amiens to Foucaucourt. In the 37th Division area, 91,420 man-hours were needed to dig 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) of trenches, jumping-off points, command-posts, dug-outs, machine-gun emplacements and ammunition stores and for wiring and maintenance.

    Intelligence


    In March and April, eight German divisions were believed to be in reserve opposite the British, from the Somme to the North Sea coast and then reserve divisions behind the German Fourth Army were moved south behind the German 6th Army. From 4–14 June, the success of the Brusilov Offensive became apparent and agent reports showed increased railway movement from Belgium to Germany. The final BEF military intelligence estimate before 1 July, was that there were 32 German battalions opposite the Fourth Army and 65 battalions in reserve or close enough to reach the battlefield in the first week. Five of the seven German divisions in reserve had been engaged at Verdun and it became certain that divisions from France had gone to the Eastern Front. Men of the 1916 conscription class were appearing among German prisoners of war, suggesting that the German army had been weakened and that the British could break down the German front line and force a battle of manoeuvre on the defenders. In late June, the British part of the Somme plan was amended, for the rapid capture of Bapaume and envelopment of German defences north to Arras, rather than to the south at Péronne. An increase in the number of trains moving from Germany to Belgium was also discovered but the quality of German troops opposite the British was thought to have been much reduced. The true number of German divisions in reserve in France was ten, with six opposite the British, double the number known to the British. Reports of work continuing on the German defences opposite the Fourth Army in March and April, led the planners to adopt a less optimistic view, particularly due to the news about very deep shell-proof shelters being dug under German front trenches, which proved far less vulnerable to bombardment.

    The British inherited a number of mine workings and the chalk soil of the Somme was ideal for tunnelling. Mines were used to destroy the German defences and to provide shelter in no man's land for the advancing infantry. Eight large and eleven small mines were prepared for the first day of the battle; three large mines of 20 long tons (20,000 kg) and seven mines around 5,000 lb (2,300 kg). When the mines were blown, infantry would rush forward to seize the crater. The largest mines, each containing 24 long tons (24,000 kg) of ammonal, were on either side of the Albert–Bapaume road near La Boisselle, Y Sap mine north of the road and Lochnagar mine to the south. The other large mine was beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt near Beaumont Hamel, containing 18 long tons (18,000 kg) of explosive. The mines were to be detonated at 7:28 a.m., two minutes before zero hour, except for the Hawthorn Ridge mine, which was sprung at 7:20 a.m. One of the small mines, at Kasino POint, was mistimed and blew after the infantry attack had commenced. The Somme mines were the largest yet in the war.

    Plan of attack

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    British planning for the offensive began in April, with a Fourth Army proposal for a methodical advance to the high ground around Thiepval and thence to the Bapaume–Péronne road. Haig had exhaustive negotiations with Joffre and rejected the concept in favour of the capture of the ridge north of Péronne, to assist a French crossing of the Somme further south. Diversion of French divisions to Verdun and the assumption by the British of the main role in the Somme offensive, led to revisions of the plan towards an ambitious attempt at strategic attrition, through a breakthrough and a battle of manoeuvre with distant objectives. The French Sixth Army (General Marie Emile Fayolle) in GAN, the northern army group commanded by General Ferdinand Foch, was the last of the three armies originally intended as the French contribution. Joffre, placed XX Corps north of the Somme, next to the British XIII Corps, the southernmost Fourth Army formation.

    Anglo-French objectives, north bank of the Somme, 1 July 1916

    British plans were made by a process of negotiation between Haig and Rawlinson, in which Haig became more optimistic at what could be achieved early on, given the examples of Gorlice-Tarnow in 1915 and at Verdun in 1916. Rawlinson favoured a methodical attack from the beginning of the offensive, in which belts of the German defences about 2,000 yards (1,800 m) deep, would be pulverised by artillery and then occupied by infantry. An attempt to reach deeper objectives, towards the German second position, risked infantry being counter-attacked, beyond the cover of field artillery but had the advantage of exploiting a period when German artillery was being withdrawn.

    On 16 April, Rawlinson announced the objectives to the corps commanders, in which III, X and VIII corps would capture Pozičres, Grandcourt and Serre on the first day and XIII and XV corps would have objectives to be agreed later. On 19 April, Rawlinson wrote that an attempt to reach the German second line on the first day was doubtful, an extension of the attack in the south on Montauban required another division and the inclusion of Gommecourt to the north, was beyond the capability of the Fourth Army. Rawlinson also wrote that long bombardment was dependent on the French, the availability of ammunition and the endurance of gun-crews; the exploitation of a successful attack would need a substantial number of fresh divisions.
    The process of discussion and negotiation between Haig and Rawlinson, also occurred between Rawlinson and the corps commanders and between corps and divisional commanders. For the first time definite daily objectives were set, rather than the objectives of the attack be unlimited and discretion was granted in the means to achieve them. When the frontage of attack had been decided, corps headquarters settled the details and arranged the building of the infrastructure of attack, dug-outs, magazines, observation posts, telephone lines, roads, light railways, tramways, liaison with neighbouring corps and the RFC. For the first time, the army headquarters co-ordinated the artillery arrangements with an Army Artillery Operation Order, in which tasks and timetable were laid down and corps artillery officers left to decide the means to achieve them.
    On 16 June, Haig discussed the Anglo-French intentions for the campaign, which were to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun, assist Italy and Russia and to inflict losses on the German army, through the capture of Pozičres Ridge from Montauban to the Ancre and from the Ancre to Serre as a flank guard, then to exploit the position gained, according to the way the battle developed. If German resistance collapsed, an advance east would be pressed far enough to pass through the German defences and the attack would turn north, to envelop the German defences as far as Monchy le Preux near Arras, with cavalry on the outer flank to defend against a counter-attack. Should a continuation of the advance beyond the first objective not be possible, the main effort could be transferred elsewhere, while the Fourth Army continued to mount local attacks.
    On 28 June, the Fourth Army headquarters instructed that should the initial attacks cause the German defence to collapse, the closest infantry would exploit without waiting for cavalry and the 19th and 49th divisions in local reserve, would be committed along the Albert–Bapaume road and parallel to it to the north. The cavalry which had assembled 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Albert, was not to advance until roads had been cleared for their advance. Haig had formulated a plan in which a local or a big success could be exploited but Rawlinson had a much more modest intention, of small advances onto high ground and pauses to consolidate, ready for German counter-attacks, which led to an "unhappy compromise".

    German defensive preparations

    Many of the German units on the Somme had been there since 1914 and had made great efforts to fortify the defensive line, particularly with barbed-wire entanglements so that the front trench could be held with fewer troops. Railways, roads and waterways connected the battlefront to the Ruhr from where material for minierte Stollen (dug-outs) 20–30 feet (6.1–9.1 m) underground for 25 men each had been excavated every 50 yards (46 m) and the front had been divided into Sperrfeuerstreifen (barrage sectors). After the Herbstschlacht (Autumn Battle) in 1915, a third defence line another 3,000 yards (2,700 m) back from the Stutzpunktlinie was begun in February and was nearly complete on the Somme front when the battle began. German artillery was organised in a series of sperrfeuerstreifen (barrage sectors); each officer was expected to know the batteries covering his section of the front line and the batteries ready to engage fleeting targets. A telephone system was built, with lines buried 6 feet (1.8 m) deep for 5 miles (8.0 km) behind the front line, to connect the front line to the artillery.

    The Somme defences had two inherent weaknesses which the rebuilding had not remedied. The front trenches were on a forward slope, lined by white chalk from the subsoil and easily seen by ground observers. The defences were crowded towards the front trench, with a regiment having two battalions near the front-trench system and the reserve battalion divided between the Stutzpunktlinie and the second line, all within 2,000 yards (1,800 m) and most troops within 1,000 yards (910 m) of the front line, accommodated in the new deep dugouts. The concentration of troops at the front line on a forward slope, guaranteed that it would face the bulk of an artillery bombardment, directed by ground observers on clearly marked lines. Digging and wiring of a new third line began in May, civilians were moved away and stocks of ammunition and hand-grenades were increased in the front-line.

    By mid-June Below and Rupprecht expected an attack on the 2nd Army, which held the front from north of Gommecourt south to Noyon, although Falkenhayn was more concerned about an offensive in Alsace-Lorraine, then a possible attack on the 6th Army, which held the front north of the 2nd Army, from St. Eloi close to Ypres to Gommecourt. In April Falkenhayn had suggested a spoiling attack by the 6th Army but lack of troops and artillery, which were engaged in the offensive at Verdun, made it impractical. Some labour battalions and captured Russian heavy artillery were sent to the 2nd Army, Below proposed a preventive attack in May and then a reduced operation from Ovillers to St. Pierre Divion in June but got only one extra artillery regiment. On 6 June, Below reported that an offensive at Fricourt and Gommecourt was indicated by air reconnaissance and that the south bank had been reinforced by the French, against whom the XVII Corps was overstretched, with twelve regiments to hold 36 kilometres (22 mi) and no reserves. In mid-June, Falkenhayn remained sceptical of an offensive on the Somme, since a great success would lead to operations in Belgium, when an offensive in Alsace-Lorraine would take the war and its devastation into Germany. More railway activity, fresh digging and camp extensions around Albert opposite the 2nd Army was seen by German air observers on 9 and 11 June and spies reported an imminent offensive. On 24 June, a British prisoner spoke of a five-day bombardment to begin on 26 June and local units expected an attack within days. On 27 June, 14 balloons were visible, one for each British division but no reinforcements were sent to the area until 1 July and only then to the 6th Army, which was given control of the three divisions in reserve behind it. At Verdun on 24 June, Crown Prince Wilhelm was ordered to conserve troops, ammunition and equipment and further restrictions were imposed on 1 July, when two divisions were put under Falkenhayn's control By 30 June, the German air strength on the 2nd Army front was six Feldflieger-Abteilungen (reconnaissance flights) with 42 aircraft, four Artillerieflieger-Abteilungen (artillery flights) with 17 aeroplanes, Kampfgeschwader 1 (Bomber-Fighter Squadron 1) with 43 aircraft, Kampfstaffel 32 (Bomber-Fighter Flight 32) with 8 aeroplanes and a Kampfeinsitzer-Kommando (single-seat fighter detachment) with 19 aeroplanes, a total of 129 aircraft

    All was ready for the Battle to begin at 07.30hrs tomorrow!
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-30-2016 at 15:56.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  34. #1484

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    Thanks for the detailed account of one of my areas local heroes Neil.
    The 30th June 1916 is known as 'The day Sussex died' due to the high number of casualties from the 'Southdown Battalions' aka 'Lowther's Lambs' in the Battle of the Boar's Head. Just one diversionary action from the, delayed, big push that was to come the following day, though it appears that the Royal Sussex didn't know that it was a diversionary 'raid'. The action lasted 5 hours and is largely forgotten in light of what was to come the following day.

    Some links for those interested:
    http://www.royalsussex.org.uk/richeb...he-boars-head/
    http://www.eastsussexww1.org.uk/day-sussex-died/
    http://www.eastsussexww1.org.uk/lowthers-lambs/
    http://royalsussex-southdowns.co.uk/


    SWMBO's Great Uncle was a L/cpl in the 11th Battalion but he didn't survive to June 30th, being KIA around Pas de Calais on June 3rd. Both he and Carter are both named on the same war memorial in Hailsham.

    Listen to the wraiths of morning in Flanders fields of grey,
    Can you hear The Royal Sussex who came and went away
    And linger still in graves unknown amidst the furrow and the thorn.
    But never flinched, duty done, these sons of Sussex bred and born.

    Anon

    http://www.kingandcountryopera.co.uk/ww1-sources
    Last edited by flash; 06-30-2016 at 01:55.

    "He is wise who watches"

  35. #1485

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    Cheers Dave.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  36. #1486

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    Another mammoth edition and supplement Neil.
    Well done that man.
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  37. #1487

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    Cheers Rob. Love doing this but doing lots of reading for tomorrow's news near broke my heart.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  38. #1488

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    A couple of interesting addenda for 30 June 1916:
    First German 15 inch-gun battleship Bayern joins Fleet (sister Baden likewise February 1917).

    The German Chancellor Bethmann again informs Admiral Scheer of his opposition to unrestricted U-boat operations.

  39. #1489

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    Yes, at the same time there was a meeting of the Imperial German Naval staff were certain considerations were put forward for U Boat commanders where merchant t ships were concerned. There is a wealth of information that could be included. Unfortunately most escape the net and time to be included. But many thanks for poiting these facts out.

    Neil

    Quote Originally Posted by zenlizard View Post
    A couple of interesting addenda for 30 June 1916:
    First German 15 inch-gun battleship Bayern joins Fleet (sister Baden likewise February 1917).

    The German Chancellor Bethmann again informs Admiral Scheer of his opposition to unrestricted U-boat operations.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  40. #1490

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    Fantastic edition Neil - very jealous that you get to do tomorrow - have to say you must have a top editor in chief - letting the new boy loose on arguably the biggest day of the entire war.
    Good luck for tomorrow, I know how much work (and emotion) you have out into it. Can't wait to sit down with a pint and read all about it.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  41. #1491

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    Actually Chris you don't want to read it. This has been arguably the hardest report I have ever had to put together. I only hope I have done the lads justice.

    R.I.P.

    Quote Originally Posted by Hedeby View Post
    Fantastic edition Neil - very jealous that you get to do tomorrow - have to say you must have a top editor in chief - letting the new boy loose on arguably the biggest day of the entire war.
    Good luck for tomorrow, I know how much work (and emotion) you have out into it. Can't wait to sit down with a pint and read all about it.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  42. #1492

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    Thanks a bundle Neil and Dave too, for the Roayal Sussex links.

  43. #1493

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    BATTLE OF THE SOMME SPECIAL EDITION


    Battle of the Somme, 1916


    First phase: 1–17 July 1916

    First day on the Somme, 1 July

    The "First day on the Somme", was the opening day of the Battle of Albert (1–13 July 1916). Nine corps of the French Sixth Army, the British Fourth and Third armies, attacked the German 2nd Army of General von Below, from Foucaucourt on the south bank to Serre, north of the Ancre and at Gommecourt 2 miles (3.2 km) beyond.
    The objective of the attack was to capture the German first and second positions from Serre south to the Albert–Bapaume road and the first position from the road south to Foucaucourt.

    The German defence south of the road mostly collapsed and the French had "complete success" on both banks of the Somme, as did the British from Maricourt on the army boundary, where XIII Corps took Montauban and reached all its objectives and XV Corps captured Mametz and isolated Fricourt.

    Bn Co: “The hour has struck! 7.30am has arrived. The first wave goes over carrying the creeping barrage on its back. We wait. Instantly the enemy put down a counter barrage missing us by inches. Thanks to the steep slope of Speyside we are immune. We step off at a steady pace”.

    “Again I look southward from a different angle and perceive the heaped-up masses of British corpses suspended on the German wire in front of the Thiepval stronghold, while live men rush forward in orderly procession to swell the weight of numbers in the spider’s web. Will the last available and previously detailed man soon appear to do his futile duty unto death on the altar of sacrifice? We march on.”

    “It is now late afternoon. Most of my officers are dead and wounded. I send for twelve more, who have been held in reserve, to swell the corpse roll. Other reinforcements arrive only to be thrown into the melting pot for a similar result. The Germans launch an overwhelming counter-attack which proves successful.“

    “At 10pm the curtain rings down on the hell. The cost? Enormous. I have seventy men left, all told, out of seven hundred.”

    The III Corps attack either side of the Albert–Bapaume road was a disaster, making a substantial advance next to the 21st Division on the right and only a short advance at Lochnagar Crater and to the south of La Boisselle, with the largest number of casualties of the day being incurred by the 34th Division.
    Further north, X Corps captured part of the Leipzig Redoubt, failed opposite Thiepval and had a great but temporary success on the left, where the 36th Division overran the German front line and captured Schwaben and Stuff redoubts.

    Brigade Officer: The time was drawing near for the renewal of the attack, for another useless slaughter. Casualties in officers had been extremely heavy, and the battalions were somewhat disorganised. “This is sheer lunacy,” said the general. “I’ve tried all day to stop it. We could creep up to the edge of the wood (Mametz Wood) by night and rush it in the morning, but they won’t listen to me.....it breaks my heart to see all this”.

    (Later)
    “You mark my words, they’ll send me home for this; they want butchers, not brigadiers. They’ll remember now that I told them, before we began, that the attack could not succeed unless the (enemy) machine guns were masked. I shall be in England in a month”.

    It was nearly midnight when we heard that the last of our men had withdrawn from that ridge and valley leaving the ground empty, save for the bodies of those who had to fall to prove to our command that machine guns can defend a bare slope! He had saved the brigade from annihilation...six weeks later the General was sent home.

    German counter-attacks during the afternoon, recaptured most of the lost ground and fresh attacks against Thiepval were defeated, with more great loss to the British.

    On the north bank of the Ancre, the attack of VIII Corps was another disaster, with large numbers of British troops being shot down in no man's land.

    Cyril Jose: “It seemed I was alone in a field of dead men,” he later wrote. “They were all the result of the few minutes going across. That’s where we lost most of our men.

    “Out of our battalion, 27 answered roll call after the battle. Twenty-seven out of about 900 or 1,000 men. Men went down like corn before a scythe.”

    All he could do was lie motionless, bar those grasps for water in the intense summer heat, as he bled and pondered what he could do to survive. Cyril was only 16.

    The VII Corps diversion at Gommecourt was also costly, with only a partial and temporary advance south of the village.

    The German defeats from Foucaucourt to the Albert–Bapaume road, left the German defence south of the Somme incapable of resisting another attack and a substantial German retreat began, from the Flaucourt plateau towards Péronne, while north of the river, Fricourt was abandoned.

    The British army had suffered its highest number of casualties in a day and the elaborate defences built by the Germans, had collapsed from Foucaucourt south of the Somme, to the area just south of the Albert–Bapaume road on the north side of the river, throwing the defence into a crisis and leaving the Poilus "buoyant". A German counter-attack north of the Somme was ordered but took until 3:00 a.m. on 2 July to begin.

    Pte. A. Mathews, 4th City of London Regt: “Shells were bursting all around me and it was only the shelter of the trench I was lying in which saved me from being blown to atoms, but it had the disadvantage of hiding me from anybody passing by.” (later) “Somebody came near me, nearly treading on me, and it proved to be an officer on patrol with a party of NCO’s of the London Scottish. I told him my story and he went away for the stretcher bearers. I was stuck fast in the ground and they use a shovel to free me. As gently as possible they lifted me on to the stretcher and carried me out of no-man’s land.”

    (Mathews had been shot and suffered a compound fracture of the hip. He lay in no-man’s land for 14 days before being rescued).

    Several truces were negotiated, to recover wounded from no-man’s land north of the road.
    Against Joffre's wishes, Haig abandoned the offensive north of the road, to reinforce the success in the south, where the Anglo-French forces pressed forward towards the German second line, preparatory to a general attack on 14 July.

    Todays Losses:

    The Fourth Army took 57,470 casualties, of which 19,240 men were killed.

    The French Sixth Army had 1,590 casualties.

    The German 2nd Army had 10,000–12,000 losses.


    Battle in Detail:

    French Sixth Army

    XXXV Corps

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    South of the river the XXXV Corps with the 51st, 61st and 121st divisions and 20 batteries of heavy artillery, attacked with the 61st Division, two hours after the offensive began on the north bank, as right-flank guard for the colonial divisions near the river. A French attack of any great size had been considered impossible by the German command and the German infantry had been stretched over far wider fronts than on the north bank. The French preliminary bombardment caused severe casualties and equipment losses, many machine-guns and mortars being destroyed. When the attack began concealed by mist, the German defenders were surprised and overrun. The French artillery had c. 10 heavy batteries per 1-kilometre (0.62 mi) of front, numerous aircraft observers, whose pilots flew so low over Estrées that German soldiers could see their faces and 18 observation balloons opposite the German 11th Division. The division had only two field artillery regiments and part of one sent as reinforcement, with no heavy guns for counter-battery fire, except for periodic support from a small number of heavy guns covering all of the south bank.

    The German artillery group around Estrées, Soyécourt and Fay, attempted a systematic bombardment of the French front line on 30 June and the French replied with 2,000 heavy shells on one German field regiment alone, which knocked out three guns. By the time of the attack of 1 July, German artillery on the south bank had been hit by 15,000 French shells and was almost silent by 11:00 a.m. Only eight heavy batteries were available to the Germans on the south bank and at 9:30 a.m., the French barrage lifted off the German front line and three mines were blown under a redoubt at the village of Fay. A measure of surprise was gained, despite losses to German flanking fire from beyond the southern flank of the attack. Grenadier Regiment 10 had been subjected to a "torrent" of fire overnight, which had forced the German infantry to shelter in mine galleries. A gas bombardment was synchronised with the French infantry attack and the mine explosions at 10:00 a.m. killed many of the sheltering troops. By 2:00 p.m. the German defences had been overwhelmed and the garrisons killed or captured; such reinforcements as existed were moved forward, to occupy the second position south of Assevillers.

    I Colonial Corps


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    On the south bank the I Colonial Corps with the 2nd, 3rd, 16th Colonial and the 99th Territorial divisions and 65 heavy batteries, also attacked two hours after the main assault. The 2nd and 3rd Colonial divisions advanced between XXXV Corps and the river and overran the first line of the German 121st Division, holding the line south from the Somme, in fifteen minutes and took Dompierre and Bequincourt. On the French left flank, Frise held out until the village was re-bombarded and then taken by 12:30 p.m. after a second attack. The 2nd and 3rd Colonial divisions began probing 2,500 metres (2,700 yd) of the German second position held by the III Battalion, Infantry Regiment 60 around Assevillers and Herbécourt, Assevillers falling at 4:00 p.m. Herbécourt was attacked from the north-west at 5:30 p.m. and then recaptured by a German counter-attack. The Colonial divisions took c. 2,000 prisoners for very few French casualties. The attack on the south bank had advanced 2 kilometres (1.2 mi).

    XX Corps


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    North of the Somme, the French XX Corps, with the 11th, 39th, 72nd and 153rd divisions and 32 batteries of heavy artillery, attacked with the 11th and 39th divisions. The assault began at 7.30 a.m., with the commanders of the 1st Liverpool Pals and the French 153rd Infantry Regiment advancing together. At the forward bastion known as Bois Y, north-west of Curlu, which contained many machine-guns and was protected by Menuisiers Trench 200 metres (220 yd) further forward, the attack went "like clockwork". The 79th Regiment, which had a final objective 1,500 metres (1,600 yd) beyond the start line, found that the French bombardment had destroyed much of the German fortifications and that the creeping barrage kept the Germans under cover. Only at Bois Favičre in the 39th Division area, where part of the wood was held by the Germans for several days and at Curlu in the 11th Division area on the north bank, were the Germans able to conduct an organised defence.

    The 37th Regiment of the 11th Division attacked Curlu and received massed small-arms fire; the regiment was repulsed from the western fringe of the village before attacks were suspended for a re-bombardment, by which time the village was outflanked on both sides. Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 6 recorded the first attack at 9:00 a.m., after drumfire which began at 6:00 a.m., followed by two more until drumfire fell again at 4:00 p.m. and the remaining garrison was ordered to retire. Most of the Bavarian regiment was thrown in piecemeal, from the Somme to Montauban and destroyed, having 1,809 casualties. The French did not exploit their success because the British did not advance to their second objective beyond Montauban. Four counter-attacks from Hardecourt were repulsed, by mid-morning 2,500 prisoners had been taken and an advance of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) had been achieved.

    British Fourth Army


    XIII Corps

    Montauban

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    The southern flank of the British line was held by XIII Corps which attacked Montauban, with the New Army, 30th Division and 18th Division. The 30th Division took its objectives by 1:00 p.m. and the 18th Division completed its advance by 3:00 p.m. German defences in the south were far less developed than those north of the Albert–Bapaume road and could be observed from territory held by the British and French. The infantry advanced behind a creeping barrage and had the benefit of the heavy artillery of French XX Corps to the south. Much of the German artillery in the area was put out of action, during the preliminary bombardment and the German second and third lines were unfinished, with no deep dug-outs except in the first trench. On the right of the British attack, most of the German infantry and machine-guns were destroyed before the British advance and a river mist hampered the remaining defenders. In the chaos, Bernafay and Trônes woods were reported lost before midday and all available men, including clerks and cooks were ordered forward to the second position. The 12th Reserve Division, was ordered to prepare a counter-attack from Montauban to Mametz overnight but at midnight the division had only reached the second position. The 30th Division had 3,011 casualties, the 18th Division lost 3,115 and Reserve Infantry Regiment 109 lost 2,147 men; Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 6 had 1,810 casualties.

    XV Corps


    Mametz

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    The village was attacked by the 7th Division, which on the right had only 100–200 yards (91–183 m) of no man's land to cross. The infantry advanced behind a creeping field artillery barrage, lifting slowly according to a timetable, towards a standing barrage fired by the heavy artillery, which lifted to the next objective at set times. The right and central brigades attacked on a 1,800-yard (1,600 m) front, from support trenches behind the British front line. Crossing no man's land led to few casualties but far more were inflicted, as the battalions advanced uphill 700 yards (640 m) to the village. The east end of the village was captured but several attempts on the north and west ends were repulsed. After a series of bombardments and when British troops further south began to menace the supply routes of the garrison, resistance collapsed and the village was occupied.

    The west side of the village was attacked by the 20th Brigade which had to fight forward for most of the day, before the infantry pushed on to ground facing Mametz Wood and the Willow Stream, outflanking Fricourt to the north, though the objectives further beyond Mametz was not reached. Much of the front of the 7th Division was opposite Reserve Infantry Regiment 109 of the 28th Reserve Division, which should have been relieved on the night of 30 June and which received a warning of the attack from a listening station at La Boisselle. Most of the regiment was caught in the deep shelters under the front trench and cut off from telephone communication. Most of the supporting machine-guns and artillery was put out of action early on. Reinforcements were sent to the second position but not ordered to counter-attack due to uncertainty about the situation at Montauban and the need to secure Mametz Wood. The 7th Division had 3,380 casualties.

    Fricourt



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    The village of Fricourt lay in a bend in the front line, where it turned eastwards for 2 miles (3.2 km) before swinging south again to the Somme River. XV Corps was to attack either side of the village, to isolate the defenders and avoid a frontal assault. The 20th Brigade of the 7th Division was to capture the west end of Mametz and swing left, to create a defensive flank along the Willow Stream facing Fricourt from the south, as the 22nd Brigade waited in the British front line, ready to exploit a German retirement from the village. The 21st Division advance was to pass north of Fricourt, to reach the north bank of the Willow Stream beyond Fricourt and Fricourt Wood. To protect infantry from enfilade fire from the village, the Triple Tambour mines were blown beneath the Tambour salient on the western fringe of the village, to raise a lip of earth, to obscure the view from the village. The 21st Division made some progress and penetrated to the rear of Fricourt and the 50th Brigade of the 17th Division, held the front line opposite the village.

    The 10th West Yorkshire Regiment, was required to advance close by Fricourt and suffered 733 casualties, the worst battalion losses of the day and a company from the 7th Green Howards, made an unplanned attack directly against the village and was annihilated. Reserve Infantry Regiment 111 opposite the 21st Division, was severely damaged by the bombardment and many dug-outs were blocked by shell explosions. One company was reduced to 80 men before the British attack and a reinforcement failed to get through the British supporting artillery-fire, taking post in Round Wood, where it was able to repulse the 64th Brigade attack. The rest of the regimental reserves were used to block the route to Contalmaison. The loss of Mametz and the advance of the 21st Division made Fricourt untenable and the garrison was withdrawn during the night. The 17th Division occupied the village virtually unopposed early on 2 July and took several prisoners. The 21st Division lost 4,256 casualties and the 50th Brigade of the 17th Division lost 1,155 men.

    III Corps


    La Boisselle

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    The 34th Division a New Army division, attacked along the Albert–Bapaume road, which was aided by the blowing of the two largest mines either side of La Boisselle. South of the village, infantry from the Grimsby Chums got into the Lochnagar crater where they were pinned down. The Tyneside Scottish Brigade attacked up "Mash Valley" and against La Boisselle at the "Glory Hole". The Tyneside Irish Brigade was in reserve to advance and capture the second objective from Contalmaison to Pozičres.

    At zero hour the brigade started its advance from the "Tara–Usna Line", a reserve position behind the British front line, to cross 1-mile (1.6 km) of open ground before they reached no man's land. Despite machine-gun fire, a party of around 50 men advanced up "Sausage Valley", south of La Boisselle almost to the edge of Contalmaison. The survivors were captured after having made the furthest British advance of the day, about 4,000 yards (3,700 m). The positions of Reserve Infantry Regiment 110 were severely damaged in the bombardment but the regiment was forewarned of the infantry attack by a Moritz device, which eavesdropped on British telephone signals. The mine at Y Sap caused no casualties as the Germans evacuated the area in time but the mine at Schwaben Höhe (Lochnagar) temporarily trapped German troops in shelters nearby and the position was lost. The 34th Division suffered the worst casualties of the day, losing 6,380 men.

    Ovillers


    The 8th Division attacked the Ovillers spur, which was north of the Albert–Bapaume road. The division had to cross 750 yards (690 m) of no man's land and advance towards German trenches, which had been sited to exploit spurs running down from the ridge. The only approach to the German lines was up "Mash Valley", under the guns in La Boisselle to the south, Ovillers to the front and the Thiepval spur to the north. All three brigades attacked, the 23rd Brigade up Mash Valley, where c. 200 men reached the German second trench and then held about 300 yards (270 m) of the front trench, until 9:15 a.m. The centre brigade reached the second line, before being forced back to the British front line and the left-hand brigade managed to reach the third trench, while German counter-bombardments cut off the leading troops from reinforcements. The co-ordination of British artillery and infantry failed, the field artillery lifting to the final objective and the heavy artillery lifting an hour before the attack, leaving the German defenders unmolested as they repulsed the infantry. Ovillers was defended by Infantry Regiment 180, which lost 192 casualties in the bombardment. Many of the German fortifications were smashed, except on the right at The Nab. The British advance was met by massed small-arms fire at 100 yards (91 m), which cut down many men, after which a bombing fight began. British penetrations were contained by German troops in communication trenches on the flanks. The two battalions of the regiment in the area lost 280 casualties and the 8th Division losses were 5,121 men.

    X Corps


    Leipzig Salient and Thiepval
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    The salient and Thiepval village were attacked by the New Army 32nd Divisiion. The Glasgow Commercials advanced into no man's land at 7:23 a.m., until they were 30–40 yards (27–37 m) from the German front line. At zero hour, the British rushed the trench before the garrison could react and captured the Leipzig Redoubt. Attempts to exploit the success were met by machine-gun fire from the Wunderwerk and the British were not able to advance further. The capture of the redoubt was the only permanent success in the northern sector. The 49th Division in reserve, went forward during mid-morning in support of the 32nd Division, although the commander Major-General Rycroft, had suggested that it would have more effect by reinforcing the success of the 36th Division. The 146th Brigade attacked Thiepval through the 32nd Division area and then the 49th Division was ordered to send any uncommitted battalions direct to the 36th Division. The area was defended by two battalions of Reserve Infantry Regiment 99, whose machine-gun posts survived the bombardment and which began firing as soon as the British attacked. The 3rd Company of Infantry Regiment 180, was annihilated in hand-to-hand fighting at Leipzig Redoubt but the garrison of Thiepval emerged from the shelters and cellars of the village, before the British arrived and cut down the attackers with small-arms fire, leaving a "wall of dead" in front of the position. The 32nd Division lost 3,949 casualties and the 49th Division 590 casualties.

    Schwaben
    and Stuff redoubts


    The 36th Division attacked between Thiepval and the Ancre River against Schwaben Redoubt and gained a "spectacular victory". The preliminary artillery bombardment, which included support from French batteries firing gas-shell and a smoke screen from trench mortars, was more successful than on other parts of the front north of the Albert–Bapaume road. The infantry crept into no man's land before the attack, rushed the German front trench and then pressed on. The defeat of the neighbouring divisions left the 36th Division flanks unsupported and the German defenders on either side, were free to rake the division with flanking fire as well as fire from ahead. German artillery began a barrage along no man's land (sperrfeuer) which isolated the forward troops. The advance briefly reached the German second line at Schwaben and Stuff redoubts but in the absence of reinforcements and supplies, counter-attacks from three directions, forced the survivors back to the German front trench during the evening.

    Opposite the 36th Division, III Battalion, Reserve Infantry Regiment 99 and the I and III battalions of Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 8 were caused severe casualties by the British bombardment, which destroyed much of the front position, particularly west of Schwaben Redoubt, which was overrun so quickly that little return fire could be opened. II Battalion, Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 8 was ordered to recapture the redoubt but the order was delayed and all available troops were sent to attack from Goat Redoubt and Grandcourt. In the confusion, few of the German troops were able to assemble, the counter-attack began piecemeal and was repulsed several times, until a bombardment and another attack by two fresh battalions at about 10:00 p.m., forced the British out of the redoubt. The 36th Division lost 5,104 casualties.

    VIII Corps


    Beaumont-Hamel

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    The 29th Division attacked towards Beaumont-Hamel. Part of the attack was filmed and showed the detonation of a 40,000-pound (18,000 kg) mine, beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt at 7:20 a.m., ten minutes before the infantry attack began, which alerted the Germans. British troops failed to occupy all of the mine crater before German troops arrived and took over the far lip. Many troops of both brigades were shot down in no man's land, which was dominated by Redan Ridge and then caught by German artillery barrages. German white signal rockets were seen and taken for British success flares, which led the divisional commander Major-General de Lisle, to order the 88th Brigade from reserve, to exploit the success.

    The 88th Brigade included the 1st Newfoundland Regiment, which advanced on open ground from reserve trenches 200 yards (180 m) back from the British front line, to avoid the congestion of dead and wounded in communication trenches. Many of the Newfoundlanders became casualties to German small-arms fire while still behind the front line; some of the Newfoundlanders got across no man's land near Y Ravine but were held up by uncut wire. Most of the German shelters and Beaumont-Hamel were demolished and shell-craters overlapped. Reserve Infantry Regiment 119, who had been sheltering under the village in Stollen survived and with other units at Leiling Schlucht ("Y Ravine") and the Leiling and Bismarck dug-outs, engaged the British troops from the wreckage of the trenches. The Newfoundland Battalion suffered 710 casualties, a 91 percent loss, second only to that of the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, which lost 733 casualties at Fricourt, south of the Albert–Bapaume road. The 29th Division lost 5,240 casualties.

    Serre


    The 4th Division attacked between Serre and Beaumont-Hamel and captured the Quadrilateral ("Heidenkopf") but could not exploit the success, because of the repulse by the Germans of the attacks by the flanking divisions. Cross-fire from Beaumont Hamel and Serre and determined counter-attacks held up the division. No other gains were made and German counter-attacks recovered the position early on 2 July, by which time the division had suffered 4,700 casualties. The 31st Division, a New Army division made up of Pals battalions, was to capture Serre and then turn north to form the northern defensive flank of the Fourth Army. The 31st Division attacked uphill from several copses and the two attacking brigades were engaged by the Germans with small-arms fire, using 74,000 bullets to repel the attack. Small groups of the Accrington Pals and the Sheffield City Battalion, managed to cross no man's land and reach Serre and a party advanced 1.25 miles (2.01 km) to Pendant Copse, before being cut off and killed or captured. Reserve Infantry Regiment 121 was confronted by the British attack, before all the troops had emerged from their dug-outs and more than three infantry sections were blown up in the mine explosion at Hawthorn Redoubt, the rest of the garrison being trapped until the end of the attack. A counter-attack towards the redoubt by two platoons gradually bombed the British back; after an hour only the Heidenkopf ("Quadrilateral") remained in British occupation, which was re-captured during the night. Reserve Infantry Regiment 119 lost 292 casualties, Reserve Infantry Regiment 121 lost 560 men and Infantry Regiment 169 lost 362 casualties. The 4th Division ended the day back at its start line, having suffered 3,600 casualties.

    British Third Army


    VII Corps

    Gommecourt

    The Third Army under the command of General Edmund Allenby, was to mount a diversion north of the Fourth Army area, with the VII Corps of Lieutenant-General d’Oyly Snow. At the Gommecourt Salient, the German trenches curved around a chateau and its parkland and a gap of 1-mile (1.6 km) separated the Gommecourt diversion, from the northern edge of the main attack. Preparations for a pincer movement to capture the garrison in a pocket, were made as obvious as possible to attract German attention. The 56th Division had prepared jumping-off trenches in no man's land and when the attack commenced at 7:30 a.m. swift progress was made. The first three German trenches were captured and a party pushed on towards the rendezvous with the 46th Division. A heavy German barrage descended on no man's land, which made it impossible for reinforcements to move forward or for a trench to be dug, to form a defensive flank to the south and the survivors were forced to withdraw after dark. The 46th Division attack found that the German wire was uncut and the ground littered with unexploded mortar bombs. A smoke-screen intended to mask the infantry obscured their view and left the Germans with observation over the attack. The ground was particularly wet and muddy and few troops reached the German trenches; the remaining British troops overran the front line, where German troops were able to emerge from shelters not mopped-up by supporting battalions, having been pinned down in no man's land by a German counter-barrage and engage the British troops from behind.

    The British bombardment cut much of the wire at Gommecourt and demolished many trenches, particularly in the area of Infantry Regiment 170 opposite the 56th Division. The smoke-screen obstructed the beginning of the attack and the damage caused by the bombardment blocked many dug-out entrances; a counter-attack was swiftly mounted from Kern Redoubt (the Maze), which was not under attack. The counter-attack failed to stop the 56th Division reaching the third line of trenches, before a converging attack by Infantry Regiment 170, Reserve Infantry regiments 15 and 55 began. The British had consolidated and the counter-attack made little progress, until co-ordinated bombing attacks in the afternoon gradually recovered the position. Opposite the 46th Division, Reserve Infantry regiments 55 and 91 took post in time, engaged the attackers while they were crossing no man's land and failed to stop the loss of the front trench, until a counter-attack from the third trench "annihilated" the leading British troops; the German regiments had 1,212 casualties. The 46th Division had 2,445 losses, which was the lowest divisional loss on 1 July and the commander, Major-General Montagu-Stuart-Wortley, was dismissed for the failure. The 56th Division had 4,314 casualties.

    Air operations


    The British moved into the area of the Somme in mid-1915 and relieved the French Tenth Army at the end of February 1916. Photographic reconnaissance began in October 1915 and in March 1916 intensive British preparations commenced. The IV Brigade of the RFC was formed on 1 April 1916, with six squadrons of aeroplanes and a Kite Balloon squadron; the IV Brigade squadrons were the first to be increased from twelve to eighteen aircraft. On 25 April photographs were taken which revealed the German construction of a third position, from Flers to Le Sars, Pys, Irles, Achiet-le-Petit and Ablainzevelle. In mid-May and late June, the German defences opposite the Fourth Army were photographed again. Die Fliegertruppen des Deutschen Kaiserreiches (Imperial German Flying Corps) had six reconnaissance flights (Feldflieger-Abteilungen) with 42 aircraft, four artillery flights (Artillerieflieger-Abteilungen) with 17 aeroplanes, a bomber-fighter squadron (Kampfgeschwader I) with 43 aircraft a bomber-fighter flight (Kampfstaffel 32) with 8 aeroplanes and a single-seater fighter detachment (Kampfeinsitzer-Kommando) with 19 aircraft, a strength of 129 aeroplanes.
    The IV Brigade "corps" aircraft were to be protected with line patrols, by pairs of aircraft from the "army" squadrons and offensive sweeps by formations ofDH2’s.

    The concentration of aircraft for the offensive was completed by the arrival on 19 June of the Ninth (headquarters) Wing with three squadrons and one flight, which brought the number of aircraft on the Fourth Army front to 167, plus eighteen at Gommecourt. The bombing offensive by the RFC was intended to cut railway links behind the Somme front, south of the Valenciennes–Arras railway and west of the lines around Douai, Busigny and Tergnier. Trains were to be attacked in cuttings, railway bridges were to be bombed and the stations at Cambrai, Busigny, St. Quentin and Tergnier were to be raided and the German ammunition depots at Mons, Namur and the station at Lille were also to be attacked. British aircraft and kite balloons were to be used to observe the intermittent bombardment, which began in mid-June and the preliminary bombardment, which commenced on 24 June. Low cloud and rain obstructed air observation of the bombardment, which soon fell behind schedule and on 25 June, aircraft of the four British armies on the Western Front attacked the German kite balloons opposite; fifteen were attacked, four were shot down by rockets and one bombed, three of the balloons being in the Fourth Army area. Next day three more balloons were shot down opposite the Fourth Army and during German artillery retaliation to the Anglo-French bombardment, 102 German artillery positions were plotted and a Fokker was shot down near Courcelette.

    Accurate observation was not possible at dawn on 1 July due to patches of mist but by 6:30 a.m. the general effect of the Anglo-French bombardment could be seen. Observers in contact aircraft could see lines of British infantry crawling into no man's land, ready to attack the German front trench at 7:30 a.m. Each corps and division had a wireless receiving-station for wireless messages from airborne artillery-observers and observers on the ground were stationed at various points, to receive messages and maps dropped from aircraft. As contact observers reported the progress of the infantry attack, artillery-observers sent many messages to the British artillery and reported the effect of counter-battery fire on German artillery. Balloon observers used their telephones, to report changes in the German counter-barrage and to direct British artillery on fleeting targets, continuing to report during the night, by observing German gun-flashes. Air reconnaissance during the day found little movement on the roads and railways behind the German front and the railways at Bapaume were bombed from 5:00 a.m. Flights to Cambrai, Busigny and Etreux later in the day saw no unusual movement, although German aircraft attacked the observation aircraft all the way to the targets and back, two Rolands being shot down by the escorts. Bombing began the evening before with a raid on the station at St. Saveur by six R.E.7’s of 21 Squadron, whose pilots claimed hits on sheds and a second raid around 6:00 a.m. on 1 July hit the station and railway lines; both attacks were escorted and two Fokkers were shot down on the second raid.
    Railway bombing was conducted by 28 aircraft, each with two 112-pound (51 kg) bombs, at intervals after midday and Cambrai station was hit with seven bombs, for the loss of one aircraft.

    In the early evening an ammunition train was bombed on the line between Aubigny-au-Bac and Cambrai and set on fire, the cargo burning and exploding for several hours. Raids on St Quentin and Busigny were reported to be failures by the crews and three aircraft were lost. All corps aircraft carried 20-pound (9.1 kg) bombs, to attack billets, transport, trenches and artillery-batteries. Offensive sweeps were flown by 27 and 60 squadrons from 11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. but found few German aircraft and only an LVG was forced down. Two sets of line patrols were flown, one by 24 Squadron DH.2s from Péronne to Pys and Gommecourt from 6:45 a.m. to nightfall, which met six German aircraft during the day and forced two down. The second set of patrols by pairs of F.E.2b’s were made by 22 Squadron between 4:12 a.m. and dusk, from Longueval to Cléry and Douchy to Miraumont. 22 Squadron lost two aircraft and had one damaged but prevented German aircraft attacks on the corps aircraft.

    XIII Corps was watched by most of 9 Squadron, which saw the 30th Division troops take the line Dublin Trench–Glatz Redoubt by 8:30 a.m. and the 18th Division take Pommiers Trench and Pommiers Redoubt. At 10:00 a.m. an observer saw a line of flashes on the ground, from mirrors carried by 30th Division soldiers on their packs. The British troops moved along Train Alley towards Montauban. A German artillery battery began to fire from Bernafay Wood and the pilot machine-gunned the crews from 700 feet (210 m) and put the battery out of action. On return towards the British lines, the crew saw Montauban being occupied and 18th Division troops advancing up the ridge to the west of the village, the pilot flew low along the ridge and gave the troops a wave. By 11:15 a.m. mirrors were seen flashing along the north edge of Montauban.

    The XV Corps attack either side of Fricourt was observed by parts of 3 and 9 squadrons, which were able to report by evening that the 21st Division and the 34th Division to the north, had advanced deeply into the German defensive positions above Fricourt. The 7th Division had advanced beyond Mametz, forming a defensive flank on the left and linking on the right with XIII Corps. Troops from III Corps and XV Corps lit red flares, which were quickly reported by observers in contact-patrol aircraft. A balloon observer from 3 Kite Balloon Section was able to get the artillery to re-bombard Danzig Alley, after British troops were forced out by a German counter-attack and second British attack in the afternoon took the trench easily. Most of 3 Squadron watched over the disastrous III Corps attack at La Boisselle and Ovillers and saw the 34th Division troops reach Peake Wood north of Fricourt.

    The attacks by X Corps and VIII Corps, from Thiepval to Serre were observed by crews from 4 and 15 squadrons. Ground observers could see much of the battle and communications were not as badly cut as on other parts of the front. Some of the deeper British infantry advances could only be seen from the air, particularly those at Schwaben Redoubt and Pendant Copse. 4 Squadron reported the hurried withdrawal of German artillery, between Courcelette and Grandcourt during the afternoon and spotted the massing of German troops at 4:30 p.m. A special flight was sent to Thiepval and the pilot flew by at 600 feet (180 m) to examine the ground and report that the British attacks had failed. With 15 Squadron observing the disaster occurring to VIII Corps around Beaumont Hamel, the defeat of the British attacks and the repulse of the troops from the few areas where breakthroughs had occurred were reported by the aircraft observers.

    The VII Corps attack was observed by 8 Squadron, which had taken reconnaissance photographs during a period of clear weather the day before. The attack of the 46th and 56th divisions, had a standing patrol of one aircraft each from 6:45 a.m. – 3:25 p.m. and then one aircraft for both divisions. No red infantry flares were seen during the day; aircraft flew through the barrage to make visual identifications at low level and by the end of the day German ground fire had made three aircraft unserviceable. One aeroplane flew into a balloon cable near St. Amand, damaging the aircraft although the crew were unhurt. Reports from the observation crews related the fate of the leading troops of the 46th Division, who overran the German first line and were then cut off by German troops, as they emerged from underground shelters. Following waves intended to mop-up the German front line, were seen to be stopped in no man's land by artillery and machine-gun barrages. On the 56th Division front, observers watched the leading British troops capture the ‘Fist’, second and third lines before being cut off by another German barrage in no man's land. German infantry were seen to mass and then counter-attack, regaining the third line by midday, the second line by afternoon and the first line late in the evening.

    German 2nd Army

    By May 1916, eight German divisions held the front from Roye to Arras with three in reserve. The German defence of the south bank of the Somme was the responsibility of XVII Corps with three divisions. On the north bank the XIV Reserve Corps (Generalleutnant Hermann von Stein) with two divisions held the line from the Somme to the Ancre and the Guard Corps General Karl von Plettenberg) with three divisions held the ground north of the Ancre opposite Serre and Gommecourt. On 20 June, British heavy artillery bombarded German communications behind the front line as far back as Bapaume and then continued intermittently until the evening of 22 June. At dawn on 24 June, a shrapnel barrage began on the German front position and villages nearby. At noon, more accurate fire began before increasing in intensity around Thiepval as heavy batteries commenced firing and in the evening, a light rain turned the German positions into mud. On 25 June, heavy artillery-fire predominated, smashing trenches and blocking dug-outs.

    Variations in the intensity of fire indicated likely areas to be attacked, the greatest weight of fire occurring at Mametz, Fricourt and Ovillers; during the night the German commanders prepared their defences around the villages and ordered the second line to be manned. After an overnight lull, the bombardment increased again on 26 June, gas being discharged at 5:00 a.m. towards Beaumont Hamel and Serre, before the bombardment increased in intensity near Thiepval, then suddenly stopped. The German garrison took post and fired red rockets to call for artillery support, which placed a barrage in no man's land. Later in the afternoon huge mortar bombs began to fall, destroying shallower dug-outs, a super-heavy gun began to bombard the main German strong-points, as smaller guns pulverised the villages close to the front line, from which civilians were hurriedly removed.

    German troops billeted in the villages moved into the open to avoid the shelling and on 27 and 28 June, heavy rain added to the devastation, as the bombardment varied from steady accurate shelling to shell-storms and periods of quiet. At night British patrols moved into no man's land and prisoners captured by the Germans, said that they were checking on the damage and searching for German survivors. German interrogators gleaned information suggesting that an offensive would come either side of the Somme and Ancre rivers at 5:00 a.m. on 29 June. All of the German infantry stood to with reinforcements but the bombardment resumed in the afternoon, rising to drumfire several times. Artillery-fire concentrated on small parts of the front, then lines of shells moved forward into the depth of the German defences. Periodic gas discharges and infantry probes continued but German sentries watching through periscopes were often able to warn the garrisons in time to react. The bombardment on 30 June repeated the pattern of the earlier days, by when much of the German surface defences had been swept away, look-out shelters and observation posts were in ruins and many communication trenches had disappeared.

    On the night of 30 June – 1 July, the bombardment fell on rear defences and communication trenches, then at dawn British aircraft "filled the sky", captive balloons rose into the air at 6:30 a.m. and an unprecedented barrage began all along the German front, until 7:30 a.m., when the bombardment abruptly stopped. The remaining German trench garrisons began to leave their shelters and set up machine-guns in the remains of trenches and shell-holes, which proved difficult to spot and allowed the occupants to change direction, easily to face threats from all directions. Where the British infantry advanced close behind the barrage the German defenders were often overrun and at Montauban, Mametz and around Fricourt, the Germans were rushed, while most were still underground. Further north, the Germans had time to emerge and stopped most attacks in no man's land. In the 26th Reserve Division area, a front of 9,000 yards (8,200 m) from Ovillers to Serre, four regiments occupied the first line with two battalions each, one in the support line and one in reserve. The Germans emerged to see lines of British infantry in no man's land and opened rapid fire on them, lines and waves falling down, reforming and moving forward. Some German infantry stood on trench parapets to aim better and red rockets were fired to call for artillery barrages on no man's land, which shattered the British infantry formations. The survivors kept going and began a bombing fight close to the German line which, was defeated except at the Leipzig Redoubt, which was quickly sealed off by German flanking parties and between Thiepval and the Ancre, where the British advanced towards Grandcourt 3,000 yards (2,700 m) away. Several counter-attacks were mounted, which forced the British back to the German front trench after dark.

    Casualties


    Philpott wrote that the "gory scene" behind the British front showed that something had gone wrong. In the evening of 1 July, Haig wrote in his diary,
    North of the Ancre, VIII Division (sic) said they began well, but as the day progressed, their troops were forced back into the German front line, except two battalions which occupied Serre village, and were, it is said, cut off. I am inclined to believe from further reports that few of VIII Corps left their trenches.
    — Sir Douglas Haig

    VIII Corps had left their trenches and over 14,000 men became casualties. Edmonds wrote that for the loss of the United Kingdom and Ireland's "finest manhood" there was only a small gain of ground, although an advance of 1-mile (1.6 km) on a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) front and minor advances elsewhere, was the furthest achieved by the British since trench warfare began. Only 1,983 unwounded prisoners had been taken and none of the advances north of the Albert–Bapaume road had been held. Before the battle, Rawlinson had requested 18 ambulance trains but only three were provided and these departed part filled, before many the wounded had been brought to Casualt Clearing Stations, which had capacity for only 9,500 cases. Many casualties were left untended in the open and it was not until 4 July, that the Fourth Army medical services had treated all the wounded; some casualties reached hospitals in England still wearing field dressings. As night fell, survivors began to make their way back to the British trenches and stretcher-bearers went into no man's land. Major-General Ingouville-Williams, commander of the 34th Division, participated in the search and some medical orderlies continued during the next day.

    At Beaumont-Hamel, two British medical officers arranged a truce and in other places movement in no man's land was fired on. Posthumous Victoria Crosses were awarded to Robert Quigg and Geoffrey Cather for rescuing wounded. Some casualties survived for up to a week in no man's land, living on rations from dead soldiers' packs before being rescued. At 7:30 p.m., the Fourth Army headquarters believed that there had been 16,000 casualties, by 3 July the staff thought that there had been 40,000 losses and by 6 July the count had risen to 60,000 men. The final total of 57,470 casualties, 19,240 of whom had been killed, was not calculated for some time; the French Sixth Army had 1,590 losses and the German 2nd Army lost 10,000–12,000 men. In 2013, Whitehead wrote that 20,790 German casualties were suffered in early July, of whom 6,226 men certainly became casualties on 1 July, 1,912 soldiers became casualties before 1 July, during the Anglo-French preliminary bombardment or in the days afterwards and 12,642 troops were counted as missing.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 06-30-2016 at 21:47.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  44. #1494
    See you on the Dark Side......

  45. #1495

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    SATURDAY 1st July 1916

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    Eric Norman Frankland Bell
    VC (28 August 1895 – 1 July 1916 was born on 28 August 1895 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, present-day Northern Ireland, to Captain E. H. Bell.

    He was 20 years old, and a Temporary captain in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskillen Fusliers, attached to Light Trench Mortar Bty.
    Citation:

    For most conspicuous bravery. He was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery, and advanced with the Infantry in the attack. When our front line was hung up by enfilading machine gun fire Captain Bell crept forward and shot the machine gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties, which were clearing the enemy's trenches, were unable to advance, he went forward alone and threw Trench Mortar bombs among the enemy. When he had no more bombs available he stood on the parapet, under intense fire, and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter-attack. Finally he was killed rallying and reorganising infantry parties which had lost their officers. All this was outside the scope of his normal duties with his battery. He gave his life in his supreme devotion to duty.


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    Lieutenant Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather
    (11 October 1890 – 2 July1916) was born in the Streatham Hill area of south-westLondon. Cather was born on 11 October 1890 to R. G. Cather and Mrs. M. M. Cather. He joined the Artists Rifles as a 25-year-oldLieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Citation:
    For most conspicuous bravery. From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land', and brought in three wounded men. Next morning at 8 a.m. he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine gun fire and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice.



    Name:  Green VC.jpg
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Size:  64.7 KB John Leslie Green (4 December 1888 – 1 July 1916) born in Buckden, Huntingdonshire to John George and Florence May Green, Green attended Felsted School, and went on to study medicine at Dowing College, Cambridge, and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. At the outbreak of WW1 he had not yet completed his medical studies, but was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps. Green married Miss E M Moss on 1 January 1916 Green served as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 1/5th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). He saw action in the Battle of Loos. He was 27 years old, when he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross during the disastrous diversionary attack made by the 46th Division at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916 as part of the opening day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Citation

    For most conspicuous devotion to duty. Although himself wounded, he went to the assistance of an officer who had been wounded and was hung up on the enemy's wire entanglements, and succeeded in dragging him to a shell hole, where he dressed his wounds, notwithstanding that bombs and rifle grenades were thrown at him the whole time. Captain Green then endeavoured to bring the wounded officer into safe cover, and had nearly succeeded in doing so when he himself was killed.

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    Major Stewart Walter Loudoun-Shand (8 October 1879 – 1 July 1916) he was born in Ceylon but moved to South London for his schooling, he lived at 27 Alleyn Park Road Dulwich, and attended Dulwich College between 1891 and 1897 where he excelled at sport, especially cricket. He was one of the ten children of John Loudoun Shand and his wife Lucy, and was the second of the five brothers. His father, who originated from Scotland, adopted his middle name Loudoun as the first part of a double-barrelled surname, and all members of the family followed suit. His father, John Loudoun Loudoun-Shand (died 2 February 1932 at Craigellie, Alleyn Park, Dulwich, aged 86 years) was a prominent plantation owner in what was then called Ceylon. Arriving in the Island in 1864 Mr. Loudoun-Shand did a lot of planting chiefly in the Dimbula and ****oya districts and in 1879 and 1880 was elected Chairman of the Planters' Association of Ceylon in what was a difficult period. Known as "Silver-tongued Shand" due to his oratory prowess, in 1882 and 1884 he was Planting Member of the Legislative Council. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the Ceylon Association in London. Stewart's mother died in September 1930 in Ceylon. She had travelled there in 1872 to be married.


    Along with his four brothers, he attended Dulwich College. His eldest brother, William, followed his father into the planting business. Alexander, the third brother, became a Commander in the Royal Australian Navy and was the head of the Royal Australian Naval College. The youngest of the five brothers, Eric Loudoun-Shand was a rugby union international and recipient of the Military Cross. The fourth of Stewart's four brothers was C. B. Loudoun-Shand who resided Delta, Pussellawa for a while. He was known as 'Bosun' Loudoun-Shand and was the Colonel of the volunteer force 'The Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps' . Stewart himself had begun his military career early. When the Second Boer War broke out in 1899 he immediately volunteered and served with the Pembroke Yeomanry as a lance sorporal.


    He was 36 years old, and a temporary major in the 10th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.


    On 1 July 1916 near Fricourt, France, when Major Loudoun-Shand's company attempted to climb over the parapet to attack the enemy's trenches, they were met by very fierce machine-gun fire which temporarily stopped their progress. The major immediately leapt on the parapet, helped the men over it and encouraged them in every way until he was mortally wounded. Even then, he insisted on being propped up in the trench and went on encouraging his men until he died

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    William Frederick "Billy" McFadzean (9 October 1895 – 1 July 1916) was born in Lurgan, County Armagh. From Ulster, he was a 20-year-old rifleman in the 14th Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles. On 1 July 1916, during theBAttle of the Somme near Thiepval Wood, France, a box of hand grenades slipped into a crowded trench. Two of the safety pins in the grenades were dislodged. McFadzean threw himself on top of the grenades, which exploded, killing him but only injuring one other.


    Citation:


    No. 14/18278 Pte. William Frederick McFadzean, late R. Ir. Rif.
    For most conspicuous bravery. While in a concentration trench and opening a box of bombs for distribution prior to an attack, the box slipped down into the trench, which was crowded with men, and two of the safety pins fell out. Private McFadzean, instantly realising the danger to his comrades, with heroic courage threw himself on the top of the Bombs. The bombs exploded blowing him to pieces, but only one other man was injured. He well knew his danger, being himself a bomber, but without a moment's hesitation he gave his life for his comrades.

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    Robert Quigg (28 February 1885 – 14 May 1955) was born on 28 February 1885 in the townland of Ardihannon in the parish of Billy, near the Ginats Causeway, County Antrim. His father, Robert Quigg senior, worked as a boatman and tour guide at the Giant's Causeway. Quigg attended the Giant's Causeway National School. Like most young teenage boys from the rural areas of the time, he left school and sought work on local farms. He worked for a number of years on Forsyth's farm at Turfahun and on the MacNaghten estate at Dunderave. Quigg was a prominent member of the local Orange Lodge Aird LOL 1195; he played in the flute band. He was also a member of the Royal Black Institution and the William Johnston Memorial RBP 559.


    Quigg joined the Ulster Volunteer Force in January 1913, shortly after its formation and became commander of the Bushmills Volunteers. At that time, the UVF membership numbered over 100,000, with an estimated 40,000 bearing arms. In 1912, because of calls for Irish home rule, the Ulster crisis had deepened and Unionists perceived Ulster’s's constitutional position to be under threat. The Ulster Volunteer Force was formed to defend Ulster's position. At that time, the Ulster Volunteers were a legal force which had been empowered to carry out drilling and military preparations, with the proviso that it uphold the constitution.


    As the European crisis, and war between Britain and Germany, became imminent, a halt was called to the Ulster Volunteer Force's preparations in Ulster. Sir Edward Carson, in turn, offered the services of the Ulster Volunteer Force to the United Kingdom government against Germany. The Ulster Volunteer members, who volunteered to join the British Army, formed the bulk of the 36th Ulster Division. Thousands of its members volunteered for active service; one such was Quigg. In September 1914, he enlisted in the 12th Battalion of theRoyal Irish Rifles (Mid-Antrim Volunteers). His service number was 12/18645 and he held the rank of rifleman. His platoon officer was Sir Edward Harry Macnaghten, 6th Baronet, of the Macnaghten estate.


    Robert Quigg was awarded the VCfor "most conspicuous bravery" at the Battel of the Somme. Prior to the major offensive, his unit had been placed in the French village of Hamel, located on the north bank of the River Ancre. On 1 July, the Mid-Antrim Volunteers were ordered to advanced through the defences towards the heavily defended German lines. During the advance, they encountered fierce resistance from heavy machine-gun and shell fire. Quigg's platoon made three advances during the day, only to be beaten back on each occasion by German fire. The final evening assault left many hundreds of the 12th Battalion lying dead and wounded in "no man’s land". In the early hours of the next morning, it was reported that Lieutenant Harry Macnaughten, the platoon commander was missing; Quigg volunteered to go out into "no man's land" to try to locate him. He went out seven times to search for the missing officer, without success. On each occasion, under machine gun fire, he managed to return with a wounded colleague. The last man he dragged in on a waterproof sheet from within a few yards of the enemy's wire. After seven hours of trying, exhaustion got the better of him; Quigg was so exhausted that he had to give up. The body of Lieutenant Macnaghten was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.


    On 8 January 1917, Quigg received his Victoria Cross from King George V, at York Cottage, Sandringham. Upon his return to Bushmills, the people of the town and district turned out in force to welcome him home, including the Macnaghten household. Lady Macnaghten presented him with a gold watch in recognition of his bravery in attempting to find and rescue her son. Quigg reached the rank of sergeant before retiring from the army in 1926 (after he was badly injured in an accident). Later, in 1953, two years before he died, he met the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II. Quigg died on 14 May 1955 at Ballycastle, County Antrim. He was buried in Billy Parish Churchyard, with full military honours. A stone tablet dedicated to his memory sits at the foot of the Bushmills war memorial. In June 2016 the Queen unveiled a statue of him in Bushmills.


    The Russians also presented Quigg with the Medal of Order of St. George (Fourth Class), the highest award of the Russian Empire for non-senior officers. The First and Second classes were only given on the personal decree of the Emperor. The Third and Fourth classes were only awarded by the approval of the Georgevsky Council, a group of St George Knights. The Third Class was for senior officers, and the Fourth Class was the highest award of the Russian Empire for non-senior officers.


    Group Captain Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees VC, OBE, MC, AFC, RAF (rtd.) (31 July 1884 – 28 September 1955) he was credited with eight confirmed aerial victories, comprising one enemy aircraft captured, one destroyed, one "forced to land" and five "driven down". Rees and his gunner, Flight Sergeant James McKinley Hargreaves, were the only two airmen to become aces flying the earliest purpose-built British fighter airplane, the Vickers Gunbus.


    Rees was born at 5 Castle Street, Caernarfon, in 1884 the son of Charles Herbert Rees, a solicitor and honorary colonel in the Royal Welch Fusilers and his wife Leonara. Rees attended Eastbourne College before entering the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich in 1902. He was commissioned in on 23 December 1903 into the Royal Garrison Artillery and was posted to Gibraltar. Promoted to lieutenant in 1906 he moved to Sierra Leone in 1908 and in May 1913 was seconded to the Southern Nigeria Regiment.


    In 1912, Rees learned to fly at his own expense, receiving his Aviators Certificate (no.392) in January 1913. By 1913–14, Rees was attached to the West African Frontier Force when he was seconded to the RFC, in August 1914, initially as an instructor at Upavon, he was promoted to captain in October 1914. In early 1915 he took command of the newly formed No. 11 Squadron at Netheravon and in July they moved to France. He first saw action flying the Vickers Gunbus with No. 11 Squadron in the mid-1915, earning a reputation as an aggressive pilot and an above average marksman.
    Military Cross

    Rees was awarded the MCfor his actions in 1915, gazetted as follows:
    For conspicuous gallantry and skill on several occasions, notably the following: —
    On 21st September, 1915, when flying a machine with one machine gun, accompanied by Flight Sergeant Hargreaves, he sighted a large German biplane with two machine guns 2,000 feet below him. He spiralled down and dived at the enemy, who, having the faster machine, manoeuvred to get him broadside on and then opened heavy fire. Despite this, Captain Rees pressed his attack and apparently succeeded in hitting the enemy's engine, for the machine made a quick turn, glided some distance and finally fell just inside the German lines near Herbecourt.


    On 28 July he attacked and drove down a hostile monoplane despite the main spar of his machine having been shot through and the rear spar shattered. On 31 August, accompanied by Flight-Sergeant Hargreaves, he fought a German machine more powerful than his own for three-quarters of an hour, then returned for more ammunition and went out to the attack again, finally bringing the enemy's machine down apparently wrecked.
    — The London Gazette, 29 October 1915


    By this time he had claimed one aircraft captured, one destroyed, one "forced to land" and five "driven down".
    Rees returned to England at the end of 1915 where he took command of the Central Flying School Flight at Upavon. In June 1916 he took No. 32 Squadron to France. Rees was 31 years old and a temporary major in No. 32 Squadron when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.


    In the first hours of the Somme Offensive, Rees was on patrol, taking off in Airco DH2 No. 6015 at 0555 hours. His attempt to join a formation of "British" machines brought an attack from one of the Germans. He shot up the attacker, hitting its fuselage between the two aircrew. As it dived away, Rees attacked a Roland. Long range fire from three other Germans did not discourage Rees from closing on it; it emitted a hazy cloud of smoke from its engine from the 30 rounds Rees fired into it and it fled. Rees then single handedly went after five more Germans. A bullet in the thigh paralysed his leg, forcing him to temporarily break off his assault. As the shock of the wound wore off, he was able to pursue the German formation leader, which was leaving after dropping its bomb. He fired his Lewis machine gun empty. In frustration, he drew his pistol but dropped it into his DH.2's nacelle. Meanwhile, the German two-seater pulled away above him. The German formation was shattered and scattered.


    Rees gave up the futile chase, and returned to base. Once landed, he calmly asked for steps so he could deplane. Once seated on the aerodrome grass, he had a tender fetched to take him to hospital. The valour of his actions earned him the Victoria Cross.


    Citation



    On 1 July 1916 at Double Crassieurs, France, Major Rees, whilst on flying duties, sighted what he thought was a bombing party of our machines returning home, but were in fact enemy aircraft. Major Rees was attacked by one of them, but after a short encounter it disappeared, damaged. The others then attacked him at long range, but he dispersed them, seriously damaging two of the machines. He chased two others but was wounded in the thigh, temporarily losing control of his aircraft. He righted it and closed with the enemy, using up all his ammunition, firing at very close range. He then returned home, landing his aircraft safely.


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    Walter Potter Ritchie he was 24 years old, and a drummer in the 2nd Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-Shire Buffs, Duke of Albany’s when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.


    On 1 July 1916 north of Beaumont Hamel, France, Drummer Ritchie, on his own initiative, stood on the parapet of an enemy trench and, under heavy machine-gun fire and bomb attacks, repeatedly sounded the "Charge" thereby rallying many men of various units who, having lost their leaders were wavering and beginning to retire. He also, during the day, carried messages over fire-swept ground


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    George Sanders
    VC MC (8 July 1894 – 4 April 1950) was the son of Thomas and Amy Sanders. He received his education at Little Holbeck School and after completing his time there was indentured as an apprentice fitter at the nearby Airedale Foundry.


    George enlisted for service on 9 November 1914 and was drafted as a corporal to the 1/7th )Leeds Rifles) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Own), when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
    The VC action

    On 1 July 1916 near Thiepval, France, during the Battle of the Somme, after an advance into the enemy's trenches, Corporal Sanders found himself isolated with a party of 30 men. He organised his defences, detailed a bombing party, and impressed upon the men that his and their duty was to hold the position at all costs. Next morning he drove off an attack by the enemy, rescuing some prisoners who had fallen into their hands. Later two bombing attacks were driven off, and he was finally relieved after 36 hours. All this time his party had been without food and water, having given their water to the wounded during the first night.

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    James Youll Turnbull
    VC (24 December 1883 – 1 July 1916) before World War I, he played rugby for Cartha Queens Park RFC and was a member of the 3rd Battalion of the Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers.

    He was a sergeant in the 17th Battalion (Glasgow Commercials), The Highland Light Infantry, during the Battle of the Somme, Turnbull was awarded the VC for his actions at Leipzig Salient, Authuille, France, where Turnbull's party captured a post of apparent importance, and defended it "almost single-handed[ly]". Later in the day he was killed while engaged in a bombing counter-attack. He was 32 years old.
    Citation

    For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, when, having with his party captured a post apparently of great importance to the enemy, he was subjected to severe counter-attacks, which were continuous throughout the whole day. Although his party was wiped out and replaced several times during the day, Sergeant Turnbull never wavered in his determination to hold the post, the loss of which would have been very serious. Almost, single-handed, he maintained his position, and displayed the highest degree of valour and skill in the performance of his duties. Later in the day this very gallant soldier was killed whilst bombing a counter-attack from the parados of our trench.

    Today we lost: 18,783


    Today’s losses include:

    • Multiple winners of the Victoria Cross
    • A Brigadier General
    • Multiple sons of General
    • The grandson of a Victoria Cross winner
    • Multiple families that will two, three and four sons in the Great War
    • Multiple examples of two and three sons killed together
    • Multiple battalion commanders
    • The son of a man killed in the South Africa War
    • A man whose father was killed in the North West Frontier of India in 1899 and whose mother will be killed during Blitz in July 1944
    • Multiple brothers of future Members of Parliament
    • The son of a Member of Parliament
    • Multiples sons of Justices of the Peace
    • Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    • Baronets, sons of Baronets and grandsons of Baronetss
    • Multiple Golf Champions
    • Multiple Cricket players
    • The 1914 Wisden Cricketer of the Year
    • A man whose will widow will lose her second husband in the Great War
    • Multiple Rugby and Association Football Internationals
    • Multiple Great War Poets
    • Multiple men whose sons will be killed in the Second World War
    • A member of JRR Tolkien’s Tea Club and Barrovian Society
    • A School Headmaster
    • An Olympic Gold Medal winner and other Olympians
    • Multiple hockey players


    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    • Brigadier General Charles Bertie Prowse DSO, General Officer Commanding 11th Brigade, 4th Division dies of wounds at age 47. His brother was the Captain of HMS Queen Mary he was killed when his ship was sunk at Jutland.

    As a diversion to the main attack the 46th Division is to capture Gommecourt Wood on the north side of Gommecourt village while the 56th Division is to take Gommecourt Park to the south. The 1st/5th Sherwood Foresters leave Pommier for Fonquevillers for their assembly trenches and after throwing smoke bombs at 07:25 the battalion moves forward in three waves. A fourth wave is delayed due to a combination of the heavy smoke and withering enemy machine gun fire. To their right is the 6th North Staffordshire Regiment and on their left the 7th Sherwood Foresters.

    • Captain John Leslie Green (Royal Army Medical Corps) on reaching the German wire finds Captain Frank Bradbury Robinson (Sherwood Foresters), the machine gun officer for the 139th Brigade lying seriously wounded caught up in the enemy’s wire entanglements. He drags the Captain Robinson to a shell-hole where he dresses his wounds, notwithstanding the bombs and grenades being thrown at him the whole time. Captain Green then tries to bring the wounded officer to safety and has nearly succeeded when he himself is killed at age 27. For his actions Captain Green will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. His brother Second Lieutenant Edward Alan Green (South Staffordshire Regiment) was killed last October. The 1st/5th are relieved at 18:10 their casualties being 491 out of a total over the top of 734. Captain Robinson will die of wounds in two days at age 23.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Daly Wilson MC (Indian Cavalry commanding 1st/5th Sherwood Foresters) is among the dead. His father died of wounds in the South Africa War in March 1902 at age 60 and his brother will be elected Conservative MP for Richmond Yorkshire in 1918.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Arthur Hind (commanding 1st/7th Sherwood Foresters) is killed by a shot to the forehead.
    • Major Frederick William Wragg (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 34. He is the son of the late J D Wragg JP who will lose another son later this month.
    • Captain and Adjutant Roby Myddleton Gotch (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 26. He is the son of John Alfred Gotch JP.
    • Captain William Haldane Round is killed at age 23. He is the son of the Reverend William Round Vicar of East Drayton.
    • Second Lieutenant James Charles Hyde (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend James Bartlet Hyde Vicar of Matlock Bath.
    • Sergeant Joseph Woodward Hurt MM (Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at age 21. His brother William is killed during the Great War while serving in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Corporal Tom Allcock (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 25. His brother will die of wounds next March.
    • Private William Herbert Pearson (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 31. His brother will be killed next month.
    • Private J J Hardwick (Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at age 34. He is one of three brothers to be killed during the Great War.
    • Privates and brothers John (age 28) and Allan (age 18) are killed serving in different battalions of the Sherwood Foresters. Their brother will also be killed in the same regiment in nine days.
    • Private William Herbert Pearson (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 31. His brother will be killed next month.

    The 109th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division is assigned the task of capturing the Schwaben Redoubt to the north of the German fortress village of Thiepval. The 14th Royal Irish Rifles are in the trenches in Thiepval Wood preparing to advance half an hour later. While the barrage is at its height

    • Private William Frederick McFadzean is involved with the distribution of bombs and he picks up a box of grenades and cuts the cord around it. The next moment the box slips and two bombs fall out, shredding their pins as they do so. McFadzean throws himself down on the bottom of the trench smothering the blast and is instantly killed at age 20. He is the son of William McFadzean JP for Belfast. He will be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
    • Temporary Captain Eric Norman Frankland Bell (9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers attached 109th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery) creeps forward when our front line is being held up by enemy machine gun fire and shoots the machine gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties are unable to advance, he goes forward alone and throws trench mortar bombs among the enemy. When he has no more bombs available he stands on the parapet under intense fire and uses a rifle with great coolness. Finally he is killed rallying and reoganising infantry parties which have lost their officers. Captain Bell is killed at age 20 and will be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

    The 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division is held up in its quest to capture the positions to the south-east of Beaumont Hamel and the village of Beaucourt. The first wave of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers leave their trenches at 07:10 and twenty minutes later they attempt to attack but come under intense German machine gun fire. The following waves are mown down as they try to reach the jump off ravine. The 12th Irish Rifles are also met with murderous fire in their attempt to capture Beaucourt Station.
    The objective of the 62nd Brigade 21st Division is the village of Fricourt. When the 10th Yorkshire Regiment attempts to climb over the parapet to attack the enemy they are met by very fierce machine gun fire with temporarily stops their progress.

    • Major Stewart Walter Loudoun-Shand (10th Yorkshire Regiment) immediately leaps on the parapet, helps men over it and encourages them in every way until he is mortally wounded at age 36. After being wounded he insists on being propped up in the trench and continues to encourage the non-commissioned officers and men until he dies. He will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions on this day. His younger brother will play Rugby Internationally for Scotland.
    • Lieutenant ‘Sir’ Edward Harry MacNaghten (Royal Irish Rifles) the 6th Baronet is killed in action at age 20. It is rumored that he is lying in ‘No Man’s Land’ and his batman Private Robert Quigg goes out seven times attempting to find him. Though he never finds Lieutenant MacNaghten he spends seven hours exposed and brings in seven other men, saving their lives. For his efforts he will be awarded the Victoria Cross. He is the son of the 5th Baronet and brother of the 7th

    The Liverpool Pals battalions are in the front line as the British troops go ‘over the top’ into No Man’s Land. In total almost 200 of the Liverpool Pals are killed today with over 300 wounded, missing or captured. Among the dead is

    • Captain Arthur De Bels Adam MC killed at age 31. His brother will be killed in May 1918.
    • Captain Bertram St George French (Liverpool Regiment) is killed in action at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur Thomas French.
    • Private John Roland Pearson who is killed at age 35. His brother will be killed in January 1918.
    • Private Herbert Prescott (Liverpool Regiment) is killed in action at age 27. His brother will die of wounds later this month.
    • Private William Wood (Liverpool Regiment) is killed at age 28. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War.

    Major Ralph Edward Dawson Kent is in charge during one of the most curious episodes in the 7th Yorkshire Regiment’s Great War history. With the 7th battalion facing Fricourt when the Battle of the Somme opens the battalion are under orders to wait in their trenches for an attack later in the day. Devastating fire is being brought on the West Yorkshires from a machine gun post at Wing Corner and Major Kent against orders lead “A” company into an assault on this position. They meet intense fire and officers and men are “mown down” resulting in over one hundred casualties and a badly wounded Major Kent and two other officers lying in front of the wire being fired on. It was only after dark that they are able to be brought in. Lieutenant Colonel Kent will be killed in May 1918.

    • Captain Charles Owen Slacke (Royal Irish Rifles) is killed in action at age 44. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Owen Randal Slacke and the son-in-law of ‘Sir’ Daniel Dixon 1st His brother was killed in May 1915.
    • Captain Cecil Frederick Kelso Ewart (Irish Rifles) is killed at age 28. He is the grandson of ‘Sir’ William Ewart 1st
    • Lieutenant Thomas Greenwood Haughton (Irish Rifles) is killed at age 25. He is the son of T G Haughton JP.
    • Lieutenant Lawford Burne Campbell (Irish Rifles) is killed at age 20. His brother a Member of Parliament will be killed in a air accident during the Second World War.
    • Second Lieutenant Maurice Leslie Adamson (Royal Scots Fusiliers attached Royal Irish Rifles) is killed in action at age 23. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Harvey Adamson.
    • Sergeant James Moore McCleery (Irish Rifles) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend John McCleery.
    • Brothers Sergeant Thomas James Cairns and Corporal Edward Cairns (Royal Irish Rifles) are killed together on the Somme.
    • Brothers Second Lieutenant James Hollywood (age 23) (Royal Irish Rifles) and Lieutenant Arthur Carson Hollywood age 23 (Royal Irish Fusiliers) are killed on the Somme in separate attacks. The telegrams announcing their deaths will arrive one day apart.
    • James, 23, John, 26, and Samuel Donaldson, 21, are killed while serving with B Company 13th (Service) Royal Irish Rifles.
    • James, 19, and John McGowan, 18, are killed serving with the 12th Royal Irish Rifles.
    • Rifleman John Killips (Irish Rifles) is killed at age 29. His brother will be killed next year.
    • Rifleman George Molyneux (Irish Rifles) is killed. He is the son of English International Football player George Molyneux and has a brother who will be killed in October.
    • Rifleman Francis Keenan (Irish Rifles) is killed. His brother was killed in March 1915.
    • Rifleman Robert Alexander (Royal Irish Rifles) is killed in action at age 19 two weeks prior to his older brother being killed.

    Members of the Newfoundland Regiment killed include

    • Lieutenant Hubert Clinton Herder who is killed at age 25. His brother will be killed in December 1917. They will be memorialized on the Herder Memorial Trophy which is awarded annually to the Newfoundland and Labrador Senior Ice Hockey Champions.
    • Lieutenant Frederick Courtney Mellor is killed at age 28. He is the son of the Reverend Thomas Crewe Mellor Rector of St Luke’s Annapolis Nova Scotia.
    • Second Lieutenant William Thomas Ryall is killed in action at age 28. His brother will be killed in October 1916.
    • Second Lieutenant Robert Bruce Reid is killed at age 21. He is the son of ‘Sir’ William and ‘Lady’ Reid.
    • Second Lieutenant J Roy Ferguson age 27 and his brother Sergeant Stewart Small Ferguson age 26 are killed together.
    • Sergeant Charles Reid is killed at age 30. His brother will die of wounds in two and a half weeks.
    • Lance Corporal Edward James Gardner is killed at age 25. His brother will be killed next April. Private George Lukins killed at age 23. His brother was killed 3 days earlier.
    • Private Robert Ronald Simms is killed at age 19. His brother will be killed in October 1917.
    • Private Harold Gordon Coish is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in September 1917.
    • Private James Atwill is killed. His brother will be killed in March 1918.
    • Private John Joseph Carew is killed. His brother was killed in October 1915.
    • Brothers Captain Eric Stanley Ayre (Newfoundland Regiment) age 27 and Captain Bernard Pitts Ayre (Norfolk Regiment) age 24 are both killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Their cousin Second Lieutenant Wilfrid Douglas Ayre (Newfoundland Regiment) is also killed today at age 20 as is another cousin Second Lieutenant Gerald W Ayre (Newfoundland Regiment) who is also a cousin to Wilfrid.
    • Privates Stanley age 21 and George age 22 Abbott (Newfoundland Regiment) are killed together.
    • Captain Spencer Henry Jeudwine (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Venerable George Wynne Jeudwine Archdeacon of Lincoln.
    • Captain Willingham Franklin Gell Wiseman (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed. His brother will be killed in October 1917 and they are sons of the late Reverend Henry John Wiseman.
    • Lieutenant Raymond Praed Eason (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of J W Eason, JP.
    • Lieutenant Hugh Gilbert Francis Clifford (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 19. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Hugh Clifford GCMG, GBE, grandson of Major General ‘Sir” Henry Hugh Clifford VC and nephew of Brigadier General Henry Frederick Hugh Clifford commanding officer of the 149th Brigade who will be killed in September and had been previously wounded on the Western Front and returned to France in April of this year.
    • Second Lieutenant John Francis Cragg (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed at age 28. His brother was killed in September 1915 and they are sons of Captain William Alfred Cragg JP.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Nicholl Kennard MC (commanding 18th West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 32.
    • Major (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel) (South Lancashire Regiment commanding 10th West Yorkshire Regiment) Arthur ****son is killed at age 41.
    • Major William Booth is killed in action at age 21. He is a professional cricket player, playing for Yorkshire and England. He was the 1914 Wisden Cricketer of the Year and played in the last County Championship Match between Yorkshire and Sussex before cricket was shut down for the remainder of the Great War.
    • Major James Leadbitter Knott DSO (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 33. He is the son of ‘Sir’ James Knott the 1st His brother was killed in September 1915 and his father made arrangements after the war for James to be exhumed and buried alongside his brother in the only such instance of this after the Great War.
    • Captain Percy Yarborough Harkness (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed in action. His widow will marry Major George Bernard Stratton (Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry) who will be killed in August 1917.
    • Lieutenant Humphrey Decius Allen is killed at age 28. His brother will be killed in April 1917.
    • Lieutenant John Webster Shann. His brother will be killed in November 1917.
    • Lieutenant Evelyn Henry Lintott (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 33. He was an English International and Bradford City, Leeds City and Queen’s Park Rangers football player and is the first professional football player to gain a commission. His brother will be killed in September.
    • Lieutenant Stanley Morris Bickersteth is killed in action at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend Samuel Bickersteth Chaplain to the King DD, Vicar of Leeds and later Canon of Canterbury and the grandson of ‘Sir’ Monier Monier-Williams.
    • Second Lieutenant Robert Huntriss Tolson is killed in action at age 21. His brother will be killed in October 1918.
    • Harold, 20, and John Lowes, 18, die serving with the West Yorkshire Regiment.
    • Second Lieutenant Francis Joseph Hicking (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 19 and his brother Lieutenant George Graham Hicking at age 20 (York & Lancaster Regiment) is also killed.
    • Second Lieutenant Charles Stuart Hyde is killed in action at age 27. His brother Eustace will also fall this year and they are sons of the Reverend Tom Dodsworth Hyde Vicar of Whitechapel.
    • Second Lieutenant Sydney Barron Newlands is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend R W Newlands.
    • Private Frank Waudby (West Yorkshire) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in September of this year.
    • Private Farrand Earnshaw (Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 26. His brother was killed last month and their nephew was killed at Jutland.
    • Private Thomas Brunskill (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed. His son will lose his life on service in July 1942.
    • Private Bejamin Balme (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 21. He played for the Clayton Association Football Club.
    • Private Albert Briggs (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother will be killed in March 1918.
    • Lieutenant Alfred Victor Ratcliffe (West Yorkshire Regiment) a barrister and Great War Poet is killed in action at Fricourt. He knew Rupert Brooke at Cambridge and was a student of the Inner Temple. He published a book of poems prior to the war.

    OPTIMISMAt last there’ll dawn the last of the long year,Of the long year that seemed to dream no end;Whose every dawn but turned the world more drear,And slew some hope, or led away some friend.Or be you dark, or buffeting, or blind,We care not, day, but leave not death behind.
    The hours that feed on war go heavy-hearted:Death is no fare wherewith to make hearts fain;Oh, we are sick to find that they who startedwith glamour in their eyes come not again.O day, be long and heavy if you will,but in our hopes set not a bitter heel.
    For tiny hopes, like tiny flowers of spring,will come, tho death and ruin hold the land;Though storms may roar they may may not break the wingof the earthed lark whose song is ever bland.Fell year unpityful slow days of scorn,Your kind shall die, and sweeter days be born.

    • Lance Corporal John Severn (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 33. His brother will be killed in July 1917.
    • Captain Bruce Swinton Smith-Masters MC (Essex Regiment) is killed in action at age 24. His younger brother has been previously killed in the Great War and they are sons of the Reverend John Ernest Smith-Masters Vicar of South Banbury.
    • Second Lieutenant Gilbert Waterhouse (Essex Regiment) is killed in action at age 33. He is an architect and Great War Poet of Railhead and other Poems.
    • Corporal Alfred Richard Dilliway (Essex Regiment) is killed at age 20. His brother will be killed in Palestine in October 1918.
    • Private Thomas Hills (Essex Regiment) is killed in action. His brother will be killed in March 1918.
    • Colonel Percy Wilfrid Machell CMG DSO (Border Regiment) is killed in action at age 54. He is the son of Canon Machell nephew of the 8th Lord Middleton and husband of Lady Valda Gleinchen, the daughter of Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Langenbur.
    • Lieutenant Harry Lewin Cholmeley (Border Regiment) is killed in action at age 23. His older brother has been killed on the Western Front in April of this year.
    • Second Lieutenant David H H Logan (Border Regiment) is killed in action at age19. He is the only son of Brigadier General Logan.
    • Private Richard Thomas Goate (Border Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed in October 1915 and his nephew was killed at age 14 in the first Zeppelin raid on King’s Lynn in January 1915.
    • Private Thomas Robley (Border Regiment) is killed in action. His brother will be killed in November 1918.
    • Captain Isaac Alexander Mack (Suffolk Regiment commanding 101st Trench Mortar Battery) is killed at age 24. His brother will be killed in April 1917. L
    • Lieutenant Robert Quilter Gilson (Suffolk Regiment) is killed at age 22. He is a member of Tolkien’s Tea Club and Barrovian Society, a gifted artist and son of the headmaster of King Edward’s School Birmingham.
    • Private Walter Murfet (Suffolk Regiment) is killed at age 22. His twin brother will be killed in October of this year while a third brother will be killed one year after that.
    • Private Reginald Charles Impey (Suffolk Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother will be killed in May 1918.
    • Private Sidney Gage (Suffolk Regiment) dies of wounds at age 33. His brother will be killed in October 1917.
    • Private Frank Skinner (Suffolk Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. His two brothers will be killed later in the war, Edward in August of this year and Harry in April 1918.
    • Private Christopher William Frost (Suffolk Regiment) is killed at age 27. He is the third brother to lose his life in the Great War.
    • Private Ernest Edwin Pridham (Suffolk Regiment) is killed in action at age 18. His brother was killed in May 1915.
    • Two Worland brothers are killed serving in the Suffolk Regiment. The elder, Private Herbert Worland is killed at age 25 while the younger Private Harry is killed at age 17. Their brother was killed in December 1915.
    • Private Clement William Pettingale (Suffolk Regiment) is killed at age 18. His brother will be killed in August 1918.
    • Private Robert Wilson (Suffolk Regiment) is killed in action at age 32. His brother will die on service in November 1918. Thirty year old privates and brothers Arthur and Harry Hancock are killed together after joining
    • Second Lieutenant Alick George Horsnell (Suffolk Regiment) is killed in action at age 34. He is an architect, draughtsman and artist. While working in Chelmsford he won a travelling studentship from the Architectural Association. He visited France and Italy and the sketches from these visits are well regarded. Many of them were displayed at the RIBA in the summer of 1915 and published in the Building News and Engineering Journal in 1915 and 1916. He won both the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Tite Prize in 1906 (for Italianate Designs) and the Soane Medallion in 1910. The Soane medallion was awarded by the RIBA for his 1910 design of a Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. One of his last great perspectives was the pencil and watercolour of County Hall, London. This perspective bought to life the designs of Ralph Knott who had won the competition for the new headquarters of the London County Council. His artistic skills were also seen in collections of etchings, engravings and watercolours. A member of the Royal Society of Painter Etchers, two of his etchings, Rue de Barres, Paris and The Green, Bosham were exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1910 and one of his watercolours, The Borghese Gardens, was exhibited in 1911. At the outbreak of war he served with the London Regiment before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment. In 1922, collections of his work were given to a number of museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the RIBA British Architectural Library Drawings and Archives Collection by his sister.
    • Captain John Bedell Rutledge (East Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 33. He is the son of the Reverend L W Rutledge.
    • Captain Cyril John Huntriss MC (East Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother will die on service in October 1918.
    • Lieutenant John Pryor Puxon Peregrine (East Yorkshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend Canon David Wilkie Peregrine Rector of Branstone-by-Belvoir.
    • Second Lieutenant Arthur Haddon Kippax (East Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 23. He was on the staff of The Daily Chronicle, London.
    • Captain Wilfred Percy Nevill (East Yorkshire Regiment attached East Surrey Regiment), “Bill” or “Billie” as he is also known was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the East Yorkshire Regiment in November 1914, and is eventually posted to the 8th East Surreys. Before the attack Nevill and his brother officers, realising the strain of a frontal attack on the German lines by his men, conceive a plan to dribble footballs across no-man’s land purely to relieve the strain on the men and take their minds away from what may happen to them. On the eve of the battle, two footballs are printed with the messages: ‘The Great European Cup-Tie Final. East Surreys V Bavarians. Kick off at zero’ and ‘No Referee’. Nevill himself kicks one of the footballs into ‘No Mans Land’ to begin the attack. He seems to have made it across No Mans Land but was shot through the head as he reached the German wire. Seven of the East Surreys’ officers are killed in the attack including Nevill’s Company second in command Lieutenant Robert.Eley Soames who kicked off the other football. There bodies are recovered from the battlefield and are buried together in the cemetery on the afternoon of 3rd Only Nevill has his own headstone – which bears the cap badge of his commissioned unit – The East Yorkshire Regiment and not the East Surreys, because he was still officially only attached to the Battalion.
    • Second Lieutenant Tudor Eglwysbach Evans (East Surrey Regiment) is killed at age 24. He is the son of the Reverend John Evans.
    • Lance Sergeant Thomas William Gowers (East Surrey Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother was killed in December 1914.
    • Private William John Fiske (East Surrey Regiment) is killed in action at age 25. His brother has been killed the previous December.
    • Private Frederick Carter (East Surrey Regiment) is killed in action at age 24. His brother will die of wounds in June 1918.
    • Brothers John and William Abrey are killed in the East Surrey Regiment.
    • Lieutenant Wilfred Herbert Everard Nield (Royal Fusiliers) is killed at age 25. He is the son of the Right Honorable ‘Sir’ Herbert Nield MP.
    • Second Lieutenant John Huskisson Parr-Dudley (Royal Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 20. His brother will be killed in April 1918.
    • Lance Corporal Archibald John Purchase (Royal Fusiliers) is killed at age 22. His brother will be killed in February 1917.
    • Private George Halverson (Royal Fusiliers) is killed at age 18. His brother will be killed in September 1918.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Harold Lewis (Baluch Horse Lancers, Indian Army, commanding 20th Manchester Regiment) is killed in action at age 35.
    • Captain Norman Vaudrey (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 33. His twin brother was killed in May of this year and they are sons of ‘Sir’ William and Lady Vaudrey.
    • Second Lieutenant Percival John Ram (Manchester Regiment) is killed at 19. He is the son of the Reverend Canon Stephen Adye Scott Ram Vicar of St Mary’s Hull.
    • Second Lieutenant Henry Hampton Cowin (Manchester Regiment) is killed in action at age 31. His brother will be accidentally killed August 1918.
    • Lieutenant Gerald Maitland Sproat (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 22 ten days before his brother will also be killed.
    • Lieutenant Frederick Gordon Ross (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 46. His son will be killed serving in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in May 1942.
    • Lieutenant Thomas Henry Clesham (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 34. He is the son of the Reverend Thomas Clesham Rector of Aasleagh.
    • Private Horace Platt (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother will be killed in March 1918 in Salonika.
    • Private Percy Jackson Wade (Manchester Regiment) is killed at Albert. He is the son of Thomas Wade JP.
    • Private Edward Gladstone Fawkes (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother will die of gassing and pneumonia in May 1918.
    • Private John Bull (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 29. His brother will be killed in four weeks.
    • Private Thomas Bryan MM (Manchester Regiment) is killed. His son with the same name will be killed at Dunkirk in June 1940.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Arthur Innes CMG (commanding 1st/8th Warwickshire Regiment) is killed in action.
    • Captain Stratford Walter Ludlow (Royal Warwickshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. He is the son of Brigadier General W R Ludlow CB.
    • Second Lieutenant Reginald Price (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed at age 37. He is the son of the Reverend Thomas Price Vicar of Claverdon.
    • Second Lieutenant Frederick Bertram Key (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed at age 27. He has been a member of the Lichfield Cricket Club for ten years.
    • Second Lieutenant Frederick William Wareham (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed at age 25. His brother will be killed in three weeks serving in the Worcestershire Regiment.
    • Corporal Harold Wakeling Apthorpe (Royal Warwickshire Regiment) is killed at age 23. He is the Headmaster at Cople School Bedford.
    • Brothers and Second Lieutenants Charles Vince Balkwill and John Balkwill are killed serving in different regiment. John dies serving in the Warwickshire Regiment at age 33 while his younger brother is killed at age 30 serving in the London Regiment. They are both members of the Catford Bridge Football Club.
    • Another set of brothers killed in different regiments is Louis and Harry Vickers. Louis is a Private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and 20 while Harry is a Private in the Lancashire Fusiliers.
    • Private Edwin Bowater James (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother will be killed in October 1917.
    • Second Lieutenant Henry Lionel Field (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed at age 22. The poems in the book Poems and Drawings by Field were written between 1912 and 1916 when he was aged between 18 and 22.
    • Captain John Robert Walpole (Royal West Surrey Regiment) is killed at age 34. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Charles and ‘Lady’ Walpole.
    • Lance Corporal Harry Greenfield MM (West Surrey Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. He is the first of three brothers who will lose their lives within a two-week period.
    • Private David Maynard (West Surrey Regiment) is killed. His brother will die of wounds in November 1916.
    • Private Henry Charles Moyles (West Surrey Regiment) is killed. His son will lose his life in the Second World War.
    • Captain George Newdegate Alison (Seaforth Highlanders attached Machine Gun Corps) is killed in action at age 26. He is the son of the late ‘Sir’ Archibald Alison the 3rd Baronet, grandson of General ‘Sir’ Archibald Alison and served as the Aide de Campe to the Governor of Hong Kong from November 1913 to October 1914.
    • Captain Charles Edward Baird (Seaforth Highlanders) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of Brigadier General E W D Baird.
    • Second Lieutenant Frederic Attenborrow Conner (Seaforth Highlanders) is killed at age 21. He is a prominent member of the Aberdeenshire Cricket Club.
    • Lance Corporal Ben Sutherland (Seaforth Highlanders) is killed in action at Albert on the Somme. His brother will be killed in March 1918.
    • Lance Corporal John Moncrieff (Seaforth Highlanders) is killed at age 28. His brother will be killed in August l918.
    • Private Angus Ryan (Seaforth Highlanders) is killed at age 26 becoming the middle of three brothers who will be killed in the war.
    • Second Lieutenant Andrew Weatherhead (Lancaster Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed in May 1915 and they are sons of Canon Weatherhead Vicar of Seacombe.
    • Second Lieutenant Hugh Peter Egerton Mesnard Melly (Lancaster Regiment) is killed at age 19. He is the son of the Honorable Colonel Hugh Mesnard Melly.
    • Corporal Sydney Ernest Day (Royal Army Medical Corps attached King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment) is killed at age 27. His brother will be killed 11 days later.
    • Private Richard Green (King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment) dies of wounds at age 20. His brother will be killed in May 1918.
    • Lieutenant Colonel John Audley Thicknesse (commanding 1st Somerset Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 46. He is the son of the Right Reverend Dr. Francis Henry Thicknesse DD late Bishop of Leicester. He served in the North West Frontier of India and the South Africa War. His son will be killed as a Brigadier in October 1944 at age 44.
    • Second Lieutenant Ralph Ellis Dunn (Somerset Light Infantry) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the late Reverend Henry Ellis Dunn Vicar of Upton.
    • Second Lieutenant James Vincent Young (Somerset Light Infantry) is killed at age 24. He is the son of the Reverend Vincent Young of Charleton Rectory.
    • Second Lieutenant George Patrick Conroy Fair (Somerset Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 20. He was the heavyweight boxing champion of Uppingham in 1914. His brother was killed in September 1915.
    • Second Lieutenant John Alexander Hellard (Somerset Light Infantry) is killed at age 34. He played cricket for Somerset from 1907-10.
    • Private James Edward Quarterman (Somerset Light Infantry) is killed. He is the first of three brothers who are killed in the Great War.
    • Private Frederick William Witherow (Somerset Light Infantry) is killed at age 24. His brother will die on service two days after the Armistice is signed in November 1918.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Colmer William Donald Lynch DSO (commanding 9th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 35. He is a member of MCC and the son of the late Major General William Wiltshire Lynch.
    • Lieutenant Henry Adam Telfer (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry attached Trench Mortar Battery) is killed. His brother will be killed in November 1918.
    • Lieutenant Edward Maurice Baldwin Cambie (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 22. He is the son of the Reverend Solomon Richard Cambie Rector of Otley.
    • Lieutenant Reginald William Kennedy Oakley (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 23. He is a journalist on the Editorial staff of the Surrey Advertiser.
    • Lieutenant William Ismay Spooner Hartley (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend William Robert Hartley Rector of Barnburgh.
    • Second Lieutenant Henry Stewart Jackson (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend Sydney Jackson who will lose another son in February 1917.
    • Second Lieutenant George Herbert Featherstone (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed. He is the son of the Vicar of St Luke Thornaby.
    • Second Lieutenant Henry Gerald Walker (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 25. His brother will be killed in November serving as a Surgeon in the Royal Naval Division.
    • Lance Corporal John William Davison (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 23. His brother was killed in the first month of the war.
    • Private Edward Seager (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 31. The week news of his death is received by his wife two of their children will die.
    • Private Robert Pickup (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 26. His two brothers will be killed by the end of next year.
    • Captain Duncan Lenox Martin (Devonshire Regiment) an artist while at home before the battle built a plasticine model of the battlefield. He became convinced from this model that if and when his company advanced over a small rise by some trees called Mansel Copse, they wold come under fire from German machine guns built into the base of a wayside shrine in Mametz. They in fact were and lose many men including Martin.
    • Captain Alban Preedy (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 23. He is the son of the Reverend Canon Arthur Preedy Vicar of Saltash.
    • Private A F Weston his servant is killed while rendering aid to his fallen officer.
    • Lieutenant Cedric Donald Upstone (Devonshire Regiment) dies in Bombay at age 23. He is the son of the Reverend Philip Upstone Vicar of Coaley.
    • Second Lieutenant Harold Leslie Rayner (Devonshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. His brother a Royal Naval Surgeon will be killed when HMS Vanguard explodes in 1917.
    • Second Lieutenant Edward Arthur Jago (Devonshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. His brother will be killed in action in April 1918.
    • Lance Corporal John Cornish is killed at age 25. His brother will be killed next July serving in the Military Police.
    • Privates Sidney Archibald, 22, and Thomas Copp, 32, are killed serving in the Devonshire Regiment.
    • Private Reginand Percy Grigg (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother was killed in March 1915.
    • Private Henry Thomas Hamlyn (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 23. His two brothers will be killed over the next two years.
    • Private Richard Con**** is also killed. He is the middle of three brothers who will be killed in the war. Private Robert P Willing is killed. His brother was killed last September.
    • Private William John Pugsley is killed at age 17. His brother was killed in April 1915.
    • Private Ernest Edworth (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 28. His brother will be killed in December 1917.
    • Private William Western (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 33. His son will be killed at Anzio in February 1944.
    • Lieutenant William Noel Hodgson MC (Devonshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 23. He is the son of the Right Reverend Henry Bernard Hodgson DD 1st Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. He is one of the Great War Poets and author who published under the pen name Edward Melbourne. Among his writings are the “Verse and Prose in Peace and War”. His poems include Before Action, England to Her Sons, Reverie, Back to Rest and Durham Cathedral. His is the bombing officer for his battalion and is killed by a machine gun positioned at a shrine while taking grenades to the men in newly captured trenches. The bullet goes through his neck killing him instantly.

    Before Action
    By all the glories of the day
    And the cool evening’s benison
    By that last sunset touch that lay
    Upon the hills when day was done,
    By beauty lavishly outpoured
    And blessings carelessly received,
    By all the days that I have lived
    Make me a soldier, Lord.By all of all man’s hopes and fears
    And all the wonders poets sing,
    The laughter of unclouded years,
    And every sad and lovely thing;
    By the romantic ages stored
    With high endeavour that was his,
    By all his mad catastrophes
    Make me a man, O Lord.I, that on my familiar hill
    Saw with uncomprehending eyes
    A hundred of thy sunsets spill
    Their fresh and sanguine sacrifice,
    Ere the sun swings his noonday sword
    Must say good-bye to all of this; –
    By all delights that I shall miss,
    Help me to die, O Lord.
    In spite of their achieving the deepest penetration of the enemy line this morning the 15th and 16th Royal Scots suffer more than 1,000 casualties – about ž of their attacking strength. “C” Company defies the odds to break through the German lines and reaches the small hamlet of Contalmaison, deep inside the enemy trenches. They hold the line only briefly before they are forced out by the Germans. The Royal Scots withdraw to a captured German strong-point known as Scots Redoubt which they will hold for three days.

    • Major John Russel Bruce is killed. He is the son of James Bruce Writer to the Signet.
    • Second Lieutenant John Braes Dougal (Royal Scots) is killed. He is the son of W Dougal JP.
    • Second Lieutenant John Young Baxendine (Border Regiment attached Royal Scots) is killed at age 22. His brother will die of pneumonia in December 1918. Three members of the Hearts of Midlothian Football Club are killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme while serving in the 16th Royal Scots.
    • Private Henry Wattie was born in Edinburgh on 2nd June 1893, the youngest of five brothers. He played inside forward. Sergeant Duncan Currie is wounded in the shoulder while leading his platoon and will die later in the day at age 23. He was born into a football family, his father being a goalkeeper and his brother also played for the Hearts Club. Currie played fullback. He played for the Kilwinning Rangers before moving to the Hearts Club and played in the Hearts 2-1 victory over Denmark in June 1914. The final Hearts football player killed on this day was Private Ernest Edgar Ellis. He is hit by machine-gun fire in front of the German barbed wire. He was born in Sprowston, Norwich on the 30th November 1885. He had a daughter born after he left for the front that he never saw.
    • Private James Scott (Royal Scots) is killed when he is shot in the stomach and then in the neck at age 21. He was a star player for the Raith Rovers Football Club.
    • Private Alexander and Lance Corporal John Laing (both age 23) died while serving with the 16th Royal Scots. John was killed trying to bring his Lewis gun to bear as the survivors of C Company struggled towards the battalion’s objective of the day, the ruined hamlet of Contalmaison. His brother, a police constable dies beside him.
    • Privates and cousins Albert Ernest Allen and John Turner Allen are killed together at age 21.
    • Captain Peter Ross killed at age 39. He is a schoolmaster and author. His widow Alice became a well-known Edinburgh councilor in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
    • Sergeant Donald Fraser (Royal Scots) is killed at age 25. He is the second of four brothers who are killed in the war including his twin who will be killed next April.
    • Brothers Lance Corporal W M and Private Robert Archibald (Royal Scots) are killed in action. Robert is the son in law of well-known Scottish artist Hugh Cameron and is killed at age 36.
    • Private Thomas Nield (Royal Scots) is killed at age 24. His brother will be killed in April 1918.
    • Private Hugh Walter Melven (Royal Scots) is killed at age 28. His brother was killed in May 1915.
    • Captain Arnold Banatyne Tough (East Lancashire Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. His brother, a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps will be killed in action in October 1916.
    • Sergeant I Edge (East Lancashire Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother will die of wounds in February 1917.
    • Lance Corporal William Allen (East Lancashire Regiment) is killed. His brother will die of wounds in three weeks.
    • Private Herbert Charles Rawcliffe (East Lancashire Regiment) is killed in action. His brother will be killed in October 1916.
    • A set of brothers who joined together are killed while serving in the East Lancashire Regiment. Private Thomas Mulhall age 21 and his 23 year old brother Private Albert are two more brothers killed on this day.
    • Private Joseph Ward (East Lancashire Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother will die on service in June 1919.
    • Brothers Lieutenant Holt Montgomery Hewitt (Machine Gun Corps) and Second Lieutenant William Arthur Hewitt (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) are killed in separate actions just over one year after their older brother has been killed on the Western Front. Holt dies at age 29 and he played half back for the North of Ireland Rugby Football Club, while William is only 23 and he also played for the North of Ireland Club which was captained by their elder brother.
    • Captain Stanley Gemmell Millar (North Lancashire Regiment attached Machine Gun Corps) is killed in action at age 29. He is the son of John Millar MP and was a member of the Scottish International Hockey Team.
    • Captain Francis George Ross Mockler MC (Royal Irish Regiment attached Machine Gun Corps) is killed in action at age 26. He is the son of Major General Edward Mockler.
    • Lieutenant James Dermot Neill (Machine Gun Corps) is killed at age 29. His brother was killed in May 1915.
    • Lieutenant Gilbert Colclough Wedgwood (Machine Gun Corps) is killed at age 22. He is the son of the late Reverend George Ryles Wedgwood.
    • Second Lieutenant Jocelyn Murray Victor Buxton (Rifle Brigade attached Machine Gun Corps) is killed in action at age 20. He is the son of the late ‘Sir’ T F Buxton, 4th Baronet and had gained a history exhibition at Trinity College, Cambridge.
    • Second Lieutenant William Orr Hampton (Norfolk Regiment attached Machine Gun Corps) is killed at age 28. He is the son of the Reverend W H Hampton.
    • Lieutenant Colonel B L Maddison (commanding 8th Yorkshire Regiment attached York and Lancs Regiment) is killed.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Joseph Berkeley Addison (commanding 9th York & Lancaster Regiment) is killed in action at age 49. He is the son of General Thomas Addison CB.
    • Captain Hugh Dart (York and Lancs Regiment) is killed at age 34 He is the son of Richard Dart MP.
    • Captain Denzil Clive Tate Twentyman (York and Lancaster Regiment) is killed at age 26. He is the son of Alderman J R Twentyman JP.
    • Lieutenant Stephen Oswald Sharp (York & Lancs) is killed at age 26. He is a member of the Rotherham Town Cricket Club.
    • Brothers and Second Lieutenants James and Leslie Montrose Ekin MC (York & Lancs Regiment) are killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. James dies at age 19, while Leslie dies at age 22.
    • Sergeant M C P Headeach MM (York and Lancs Regiment) is killed at age 42. He was a Scout Master at Harrow for five year.
    • Sergeant Henry Cyril Crozier MM (York and Lancs Regiment) is killed. He played football for Sheffield United. Corporal Leonard Coverdale is killed at age 25. His brother was killed last March.
    • Three brothers serving in the Yorks and Lancs Regiment are killed in the attack near Serre.
    • Lance Corporal Ernest Walker the middle brother is killed at age 33, while Charles is killed at age 31 and Fred at age 35.
    • Brothers Lance Corporal Frank 25, and Private William Walter Gunstone 24, (York and Lancs Regiment) are killed in action.
    • Private Peter McBride (York & Lancs Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of the Honorable ‘Sir’ Peter McBride Kt.
    • Privates Julius Adrian & Richard Henry Verner (#537 & #538 York & Lancaster Regiment) are killed in action. The brothers enlisted together and die together at age 30 and 28 respectively. Their brother-in-law was killed in June 1915.
    • Private Nelson Waterfall (York & Lancs Regiment) becomes the first of four brothers to be killed in the Great War when he is killed in action at age 19.
    • Private Wilfred Hopkinson (York and Lancs Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother was killed in May 1915.
    • Private Thomas Edward Gambles (York and Lancs Regiment) dies of wounds at age 25 received 28 June bringing in a wounded comrade from a raid. His brother will be killed in October 1917.
    • Private John C Friend Sabben is killed. He is the son of the Reverend William Vicar of Wombridge.
    • Private Arthur Frederick Clarke (York and Lancs Regiment) is killed at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend Alfred Edward Clarke Vicar of South Leverton.
    • Private Clarence John Harriosn (York and Lancaster Regiment) is killed at age 17. He is the son of Reverend Harrison.
    • Corporal Alexander Robertson (York and Lancs Regiment) is killed in action at age 34. He is the son of the late Headmaster, Edinburgh Ladies College, a lecturer in History at Sheffield University and the author of “Life of Sir Robert Moray”. He is also one of the Great War Poets and author of a book of poems called “Comrades” also “Last Poems”.
    • Sergeant Jon William Streets (York and Lancaster Regiment) is killed in action at age 31 while attempting to rescue one of his men from ‘No Man’s Land’. He is known as “The Miner Poet” and had a sonnet published in The Times entitled “Gallipoli” in April 1915. He also had two books published, one dealing with coal mining and the other of War Poems, “The Undying Splendour”. He refused entry into grammar school in order to support his younger twin brothers.

    THOU SHALT LOVE THINE ENEMIES(On seeing the letters, cards, soldier’s book andprayer-book found on a dead German soldier)
    They were not meant for our too curious eyesor our imginations to sumiseFrom what they tell much they leave untold.strangers and foemen we, yet we behold,sad and subdued, thy solice and thy cheer.Even here we see thee as thou didst appear, –Tall, with fair hair, blue eyes. Heinrich the namethe Lord’s annointed gave thee; Rome did claimThe homage of thine spirit: thou wert young, –All this we know who read thy mother-tongue,As that a farm thuringian was thine,thou dead defender of imperial Rhine.Thou hadst a wife and children: on this cardThey are depicted: on another, marredand soiled and crushed, thy mother too, we see.And hear our cards with rustic eulogyOf scenes that thou didst know, old woods of pineThrough which doth pass a sunlit railway line.These letters of thine wife, oh warrior slain,No anguish tell they give no hint of pain,Cheerful her words, although the heart did weepIn solitude, thy babes and hers asleep,The while on winter nights the wind would roarAnd send its chills along the flag-stone floor.This was thy book of prayer, and underlinedThe words that soliced most thine anxious mind;-Prayers for thine home and for thy comrades dead,Such as for thee by her thou loved’st are said.For thou art gone and never more shalt swayThe flaming scythe in some broad field of hayOr guide the plough or golden harvests reap.Of thee alas, thy children cannot keepA single memory. But one doth passOft to thy cenotaph and on the grassIn prayer doth kneel, still as memorial stone,Too sad for tears, to proud by far to moan.

    • Major Francis Howard Lindsay (London Scottish) is killed at age 40. He is the son of W A Lindsay KC Clarenceux King of Arms and Lady Lindsay grandson of the 5th Earl of Aberdeen and his son Major John Stewart Lindsay-MacDougall (Argyll and Suthereland Highlanders) DSO will die of wounds as a prisoner of war in August 1943 in Italy at age 32. His brother was killed at Brakenlaagte South Africa in October 1901.
    • Captain John Robert Somers-Smith MC London Rifle Brigade Regiment) is killed in action. He is an Olympic Gold medal winner as a member of the 1908 four-oared without coxswain team. His teammate Duncan McKinnon is also killed during the war.
    • Captain Arthur Robert Moore MC (London Regiment) is killed at age 32. He is the son of ‘Sir’ John Moore, Physician to His Majesty the King in Ireland.
    • Lieutenant John Cecil Brown Constable (London Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. He is the son of the Reverend Albert Edward Constable.
    • Lieutenant David William Llewelyn Jones (London Regiment) is killed at age 21. He is the son of the Canon David Jones.
    • Lieutenant Richard Edward Knynaston Bradshaw (London Regiment) is killed. His brother will be killed in October 1916.
    • Lieutenant John Cecil Constable Brown (London Regiment) is killed at age 26. He is the son of the Reverend Albert Edward Brown.
    • Second Lieutenant Raymond Alexander Calder-Smith (London Regiment) is killed at age 26. His brother will die on service in October 1918.
    • Second Lieutenant Archibald Warner (London Regiment) is killed at age 32. He is the middle of three brothers who will lose their lives in the Great War.
    • Second Lieutenant Edward Henry Bovill (London Regiment) is killed in action at age 29. His brother had been killed in January.
    • Sergeant Leslie Harold Jolley (London Regiment) is killed in action. He is the first of three brothers who will be killed in the Great War.
    • Corporal William Cecil B Writer (London Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in two weeks.
    • Rifleman Paul Kinnell (London Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother will die of heart failure due to wounds in December 1919.
    • Private Alexander Sutherland (London Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother will be killed in March 1918.
    • Private Walter Leonard Gissing (London Regiment) is killed at age 24. He is the son of the Victorian novelist George Gissing.
    • Rifleman Nicholas Herbert Todd (London Regiment) is killed in action at age 38. He is the son of the late Reverend H L Todd and a Great War poet.
    • Rifleman David Stanley Beer (London Regiment) is killed. His brother will be killed in September 1917.
    • Riflemen Henry Edward, 25, and Philip James Bassett, 20, are killed with the London Regiment near Gommecourt.
    • Private Archibald Wilson (London Scottish) is killed. He played football for Tottenham Hotspur, United and Middlesborough.
    • Rifleman John Edward Cyril Bodenham (London Regiment) is killed at age 26. He is the youngest of 16 children of James and Mary Anne (Floris) Bodenham and a Rosslyn Park Rugby Footballer. He worked in the family Floris Perfume (founded in 1730) business.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Charles Edward Boote (commanding 5th North Staffordshire Regiment) is killed at age 41.
    • Captain Charles Roy Limbery MC (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. His brother will be killed in September 1917.
    • Lieutenant P Neill Fraser (North Staffordshire Regiment) is killed in action. His sister a golfer of some renown will die of typhus serving as a nurse in 1919.
    • Second Lieutenant Alfred Edward Flaxman (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed at age 36. He is a track and field athlete who competed in the 1908 Olympics. He is also a talented violinist and artist.
    • Lance Corporal William Norman Groves (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. His brother will be killed in October 1918.
    • Private David Elwell (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed at age 20. His father was killed serving in the same Regiment in August 1915.
    • Private Albert Blews (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. His brother will be killed in April 1917.
    • Private Charles Percival Hawkswood (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed in October 1914.
    • Captain William Tullis (Scots Fusiliers) is killed at age 32. His older brother was killed in November 1914.
    • Second Lieutenant Guy Crawford-Wood (Welsh Guards) is killed at age 21. He is the son of James Crawford-Wood JP.
    • Sergeant Joseph Ginger (Bedfordshire Regiment) is killed at age 30. He is a former player for the Aylesbury United Football Club.
    • Private George Legate (Bedfordshire Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother will be killed in September 1917.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Harry Allardice (Jacob’s Horse commanding 13th Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 29. His brother was killed in April 1915.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Percy Archibald Elphinstone (commanding 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 53.
    • Captain Dudley Ogilive Laing (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed near la Boissell at age 26. His brother will be killed in June 1917.
    • Lieutenant Gerald Fitzgerald (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 26. He is the son of the Alderman ‘Sir’ John Fitzgerald DL.
    • Second Lieutenant William Worthington Sanby (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 21. His brother was killed in August 1915.
    • Private William Reay (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 18. His brother will die on service in November 1918. Frederick, 20, and William Lascelles, 22, are killed while serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Field Company Royal Engineers respectively.
    • Private John Robert Bean (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed in action. Hi son will be killed in March 1918.
    • Corporal Dan Dunglinson and Private Thomas Goodwill (Northumberland Fusiliers) are both killed, Dunglinson at age 26 while Goodwill is only 22. They are both Newcastle United Footballers and Dunglinson’s brother will be killed in August 1918.
    • Lieutenant Bernard Charles De White (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 29. He wrote the poem

    PARODY
    Let us see if William canMake war like a gentleman,Let us see if he can fightLike a true and noble night;See him with deceitful eyesPay blood-money to his spies;Only to his own disgrace.William, then, to save his face,Catches at the Press; but, Lor !He has played that game beforeOn unheeding ears they fall,Mock-heroics, lies, and all;Europe treats him scant o’ graceAnd send him to – his proper place !

    • Lieutenant Colonel the Honorable Lawrence Charles Walter Palk DSO (Hampshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 45. He is the son the 2nd Baron Haldon.
    • Second Lieutenant L A Westmore (Hampshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. He has been an Exhibitioner of Wadham College.
    • Private Albert Charles Marshall (Hampshire Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in August 1917.
    • Captain Octavius Ralph Featherstone Johnston (Middlesex Regiment) is killed. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Charles John Johnston Kt Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council and the brother of Brigadier General Francis Earl Johnston who will be killed in August 1917.
    • Captain George Henry Heslop (Middlesex Regiment) is killed at age 21. He is the son of George Henry Heslop Headmaster of Sevenoaks School.
    • Second Lieutenant Eric Rupert Heaton (Middlesex Regiment) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend Daniel Heaton. His brother will be killed commanding the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade in August 1917.
    • Sergeant George Jerrard Wilkinson (Middlesex Regiment) is killed at age 29. He is a musician and composer who received two music scholarships to Caius College Cambridge and was a member of Cecil Sharp’s morris-dance demonstration team along with Reginald Tiddy, George Butterworth and George Lucas who are all killed this year and Vaughn Williams the composer. He is the son of the Reverend Willoughby Balfour Wilkinson Vicar of St Luke’s Birmingham.
    • Private Samuel Lyon (Middlesex Regiment) is killed at age 25. He is a Hull City Footballer who scored 1 goal in the six games he played for them.
    • Private William Henry Larking (Middlesex Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother will be killed next month.
    • Captain Rowland Fraser (Rifle Brigade) is killed at age 26. He is a Scottish Rugby International and the former Captain of the Cambridge Rugby XV in 1910 and 1911.
    • Lieutenant Arundel Geoffrey Clarke (Rifle Brigade) is killed at age 33. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur Edward Clarke.
    • Second Lieutenant Evan Edward Trevor-Jones (Rifle Brigade) is killed in action at age 20. His younger brother will be killed as a Captain in the same Regiment in April 1918.
    • Second Lieutenant Niel Fagan (Rifle Brigade) dies of wounds at age 20. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Patrick James Fagan and the grandson of Major General William Turton Fagan.
    • Lance Corporal Leonard William Benkin (Rifle Brigade) is killed in action at age 21. His brother will be killed in October of this year.
    • Lieutenant Aubrey Greville Newton ****enson (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) dies of woundat age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Lenthall Greville ****enson Vicar of Downton.
    • Lieutenant Charles Scroop Egerton-Green (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) is killed in action at age 20. His brother Captain John William Egerton-Green (Rifle Brigade) will be killed in October 1917.
    • Second Lieutenant Owen Edwardes (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) is killed in action at age 22. He is the son of Lieutenant Colonel the Honorable Cuthbert Edwardes and the grandson of the 3rd Baron Kensington.
    • Rifleman William Mariner VC (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) is killed at age 34. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in 22nd May 1915.
    • Second Lieutenant William Christie Hickman (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 28. He is the grandson of the 1st
    • Second Lieutenant Rupert Oswald Sternberg (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 23. His brother will be killed next October.
    • Captain Hugh Travers Rowley (Royal Berkshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 23. He is the son of the Reverend Herbert Seddon Rowley.
    • Second Lieutenant Francis Gordon Shirreff (Berkshire Regiment) is killed at age 34. He is the son of the Reverend F A Shirreff Vicar of Sparholt-Cum-Kingston-Lisle, Berkshire.
    • Second Lieutenant Noel Beaumont Souper (Berkshire Regiment) is killed at age 40. He is the son of the Reverend F A Souper.
    • Private Albert James McCullough (Berkshire Regiment) is killed at age 32. His brother was killed in October 1914.
    • Sergeant Albert C Ware (Dorsetshire Regiment) is killed in action. He is the third of three brothers who will lose their lives in the Great War including a Victoria Cross winner, Corporal Sidney William Ware dying of wounds last April.
    • Lieutenant Colonel Robert Campbell Pierce (commanding 1st Inniskilling Fusiliers) is killed. He is the son-in-law of the Reverend William Henry Greer.
    • Major William Francis Henry Pelly (Inniskilling Fusiliers) is killed at age 42. He is the son of the Reverend Charles Henry Pelly.
    • Captain Philip Cruickshank (Inniskilling Fusiliers) the editor of the Tyronne Constitution and a member of the Ulster Unionist Council is killed in action at age 34.
    • Lieutenant George Alfred Lionel Harbord (Inniskilling Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend Richard Harbord of Murragh Rectory.
    • Lieutenant William Magee Crozier (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) is killed at Theipval at age 32. He player 1 first class cricket match for Dublin University.
    • Lieutenant George Alfred Lionel (Inniskilling Fusiliers) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend Richard Charles M Lionel.
    • Second Lieutenant John Stewart Moore Gage (Inniskilling Fusiliers) is killed at age 23. He is the grandson of Major General Ezekiel Gage.
    • Private George Farr (Inniskilling Fusiliers) is killed. His brother was killed in the South Africa War.
    • Privates James and Martin Ford (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) are killed together. James dies at age 21, while Martin is 22.
    • Another set of brothers are killed serving in the same Regiment. Privates James and John Cumberland lose their lives in the attacks of today.
    • Brothers, Dublin Boy Scouts and Private David (age 19) and Michael (age 22) Goodwin are killed together today.
    • Private Bernard Donaghy (Inniskilling Fusiliers) is killed at age 33. He is an Irish Footballer.
    • Company Sergeant Major Joseph Sydney Fairbrass (South Wales Borderers) is killed in action at age 27. He is one of six brothers who serve in the Great War, three of which are killed.
    • Private Walter Francis Crabb (South Wales Borderers) is killed at age 22. His brother will be killed in January 1918.
    • Lance Corporal John Edward Seaman (Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in April 1918.
    • Lance Corporal Charles Hills (Cambridgeshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 23. He has two brothers who will die of wounds later in the war.
    • Second Lieutenant Cecil Henry Coxe (Royal Flying Corps) and another airman take part in a contact patrol. They attack and shoot up a machine-gun position in Bernafay Wood from 700 feet as well as German troops nearby. Lieutenant Coxe will die of wounds received in action at 12:30 at age. His two brothers have already lost their lives in the Great War.
    • Sergeant James Yuill Turnbull VC (Highland Light Infantry) a Third Lanarc Footballer is killed at age 32. He will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his efforts on this day for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, when, having with his party captured a post apparently of great importance to the enemy, he is subjected to severe counter-attacks, which are continuous throughout the day. Although his party is wiped out and replaced several times during the day, Serjeant Turnbull never wavers in his determination to hold the post, the loss of which would have been very serious. Almost, single-handed, he maintains his position, and displays the highest degree of valour and skill in the performance of his duties. Later in the day he is killed while bombing a counter-attack from the parados of our trench
    • Second Lieutenant David Scott MacHardy (Highland Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 20. He is the son of the late Reverend J E MacHardy.
    • Private William Douglas McGregor (Highland Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 20. He is the only son of the Honorable D S McGregor Treasurer of Nigeria.
    • Private Neil McDonald (Highland Light Infantry) is killed at age 24. His brother was killed last September.
    • Captain George Vallance McKinlay Boyd (Highland Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 36. He was the 1912 South of Ireland Championship Golf winner.
    • Lieutenant Percy George Symington (Highland Light Infantry) is killed in action alongside his cousin, Captain George Boyd. Another fine golfer, Lieutenant Symington won the cup given for the best scratch score in the South of Ireland Championship.
    • Lieutenant Alfred Middleton Blackwood Rose-Cleland (Dublin Fusiliers) is killed at age 21. He is a lineal descendant of a Scottish noble family of great antiquity, one of his ancestors being a cousin of William Wallace while another fought at Flodden Field in defence of James VI of Scotland. Private Peter Stanley Dun (Dublin Fusiliers) is killed. His brother will be killed in August 1916.
    • Corporal Frederick Thomas Croydon Payton (Royal Engineers) is killed at age 20. His brother will be killed in October 1918 and they are sons of the Reverend Joseph Wattson Payton Vicar of Calton.
    • Sapper William Merrin (Royal Engineers) is killed at age 34. His brother will be killed in April 1917.
    • Major Graham Bromhead Bosanquet MC (Gloucestershire Regiment) is killed at age 30. He is the son of Admiral ‘Sir’ Day Hurt Bosanquet.
    • Captain Francis Thomas Burrough (Shropshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 36. He is the son of the Reverend Charles Burrough.
    • Captain Edward Granville Matthey (Lancashire Fusiliers) is killed at age 23. His father died on service on the Northwest Frontier of India in 1899 and his mother will be killed during the blitz in July 1944.
    • Lieutenant Reginald William Garton (South Lancashire Regiment) is killed in action at age 19. His older brother was killed in April 1915.
    • Second Lieutenant Claude Robert Barton Noyes (Lancashire Fusiliers) is killed at age 27. His brother will die of wounds in September and they are sons of the Reverend Henry Edward Noyes Vicar of St Mary’s Kilburn.
    • Second Lieutenant Arthur Norman Dussee (Lancashire Fusiliers) is killed at age 26. He is a member of the Bedford United Banks Cricket Club and the Bedford Thursday Hockey Club.
    • Second Lieutenant Clifford Skemp Haynes (Durham Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend W B and has a brother who will be killed in June 1917.
    • Privates and brothers George (age 23) and Robert Bailey (Norfolk Regiment) are killed together 18 days before their brother Ernest is killed in the same Regiment.
    • Privates Frederick George, 30, and Hubert Harold Hayesmore, 22, die while serving in the East Kent Regiment. Frederick dies of wounds while Hubert is killed in action. A third brother will be killed in November 1916.
    • Rifleman Charles Howells (Monmouthshire Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother will be killed in November.
    • Private Albert Hill (Northamptonshire Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother will be killed in September 1918.
    • Private Seth Goodwin (Northamptonshire Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed in November 1914.

    At 06:15 Major Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees (Royal Flying Corps) while flying a de Havilland in the vicinity of the Double Crassiers sights what he believes to be a bombing party of our own machines returning home. He goes to escort them. As he gets nearer, about Annequin, he discovers that they are a party of enemy machines, numbering eight to ten. He is immediately attacked by one of the enemy. This machine he attacks and after a short fight it is observed to turn and fall behind the enemy line. Five more enemy machines then attack the de Havilland at long range but Major Rees closes with them, dispersing them in all directions. Major Rees seeing the leader and two others making off west gives chase and overhauls them rapidly, but just as he is coming to close quarters he is severely wounded in the thigh. The shock causes him to lose temporary control of his rudder but as soon as the numbness passes he regains control of the machine and immediately closes again with the enemy, firing at a range of about ten yards. After using up all his ammunition he tries his pistol but unfortunately he drops it. He then returns home, landing the machine safely on his aerodrome and is then taken to hospital. For his action this day Rees will be awarded the Victoria Cross.
    The Officer Commanding No. 22 AA Battery witnesses the fight and states that the net result of this fine performance was that a single de Havilland Scout appeared to have completely broken up a raid of 8-10 hostile aircraft, of these two were seen to retire damaged, one of which so seriously that he was observed to dive over his own lines with every indication of being no longer under control.
    Four Royal Flying Corps machines bomb St. Quentin Station, all of which fail to return. An ammunition train in the station is hit and a German brigade entraining at the time is scattered by the ensuing explosions. Sixty of the two hundred cars of ammunition in the station catch fire according to German accounts of the raid. German casualties are one hundred eighty killed and wounded.

    ​Anniversary

    Battle of the Boyne 1690.


    Home Fronts​​


    Britain: Retail Food Price 61%, now 766,000 women in industry and commerce. Record low union unemployment of 0.4%. Somme barrage heard on Hampstead Heath.
    France*: In July Le Canard enchaine satirical journal first published. Heavier excess profit taxes.

    Germany: In July radical anti-war art weekly Kampf founded at Duisburg.
    Western Front

    During July Germans form 2nd Storm Battalion, 14 in all by December 31.
    German combatant strength in West 2,260,000 soldiers. French Army 1,447,000 infantry; 93,500 cavalry; 495.000 artillery; 125.000 engineers; 24,000 air service in 4,677,000 mobilized strength.

    Somme:


    Battle of the Somme commenced. Start of the Battle of the Somme. Allied air supremacy was confirmed with 386 Allied fighters pitted against 129 German aircraft.


    Great Franco-British offensive begins on 25-mile front north and south of Somme. British capture Montauban and Mametz; break through towards Bapaume. French attack towards Peronne; reach outskirts of Hardecourt and Curlu; take Dompierre, Becquincourt, Bussus, and Fay. 5,000 prisoners taken.


    On the French front the fear is that Verdun cannot hold out against ever increasing German pressure. In these desperate times the French ask for help and at 07:30 the opening British attack is launched astride the River Somme. For Britain it will be the most disastrous day in her Army’s history.


    The largest British mine crater on the Western Front, Lochnagar Crater, La Boisselle is one of several mines exploded under the German front line positions on the Somme. A charge of 60,000 pounds of Ammonal explosive is blown at 07:28 resulting in a crater 90 feet deep and 300 feet across. Lochnagar Crater is named after the trench from where the main tunnel was started. Units of the 34th Division attack this area and the nearby village of La Boisselle. This formation contains two entire brigades of ‘Pals’ battalions – the Tyneside Irish and the Tyneside Scottish. They suffer many casualties this day – five battalions losing over 500 men each. The entire division loses 6,380 today.
    Cecil Lewis, an officer in the Royal Flying Corps, witnesses the explosion of the mine from his aircraft high above La Boisselle:
    pic
    “The whole earth heaved and flared, a tremendous and magnificent column rose up into the sky. There was an ear-splitting roar, drowning all the guns, flinging the machine sideways in the repercussing air. The earth column rose higher and higher to almost 4,000 feet.”
    (see Somme special July 1st for more information).

    Battle of Verdun:
    *132nd day of battle.

    Tunstills Men, Saturday 1st July 1916:

    Coisy

    When the massive British infantry assault on the Somme began, the Battalion was engaged in light training around 20miles behind the lines at Coisy. However, the Battalion had been ordered to be ready to move at as little as six hours’ notice and at 8pm orders were duly received to move forward twelve miles to Baizieux; they arrived at 2 am on 2nd July and, in the terse comment of the War Diary, were ‘rested by the best means at their disposal’.

    A new officer reported for duty with the Battalion. 2Lt. Geoffrey Raymond Palmer was 28 years old, from Kettering, and had been working as an elementary school teacher before the war. He had joined 12th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment on 29th September 1914 and had then been commissioned in May 1915.
    2Lt. Geoffrey Raymond Palmer

    The general picture of the events of 1st July is well enough known to not require repetition here, but the events in the sector in which 69th Brigade and specifically 10DWR were to be deployed do need to be understood. The area of operations for the Battalion was to be south-west of the heavily-defended village of Contalmaison. This in turn was part of what was known to the British as the Fricourt salient. On the first day of the battle Fricourt itself withstood the British assault, though some progress had been made either side of the village, leaving it isolated in a sharp, narrow salient. North-west of Fricourt, in front of Contalmaison, there had been some ground gained, though at very heavy cost to the attacking Battalions. Indeed some small parties had penetrated the German lines as far as Contalmaison itself but in such small numbers that the few survivors were forced to retire.
    Among the almost 20,000 British soldiers killed on the first day was Pte. Farrand Earnshaw; he was the younger brother of Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw (see 23rd June). Farrand had been serving with 10th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment near Mametz; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. In less than five weeks Jane Earnshaw had lost two sons and a grandson (George Earnshaw had been killed at the Battle of Jutland).


    George, Farrand and Kayley Earnshaw

    Lt.
    Paul James Sainsbury, who would later serve with 10DWR, was among the thousands of wounded from the first day of fighting. He was serving with 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington’s near Serre when “he was knocked down by a piece of shell and whilst lying on the ground 3 or 4 large shells burst quite near him; he did not lose consciousness but he was dazed and light headed for 6 hours”. Sainsbury had enlisted in 18th Battalion Royal Fusiliers on 1st September 1914, aged 23 (born 5th December 1890). He was the son of John James Sainsbury, founder of the grocery empire, and had attended Malvern College, where he had been a member of the OTC, and had been working as an architect and surveyor before the war. He had been commissioned in February 1915 and had served in France with 2DWR since August 1915.
    Lt. Paul James Sainsbury

    Another man wounded was Skipton-born Pte. Arthur Gill, who suffered wounds to his left leg while serving with 2DWR near Serre. He was evacuated to England and treated at a military hospital in London; once recovered he was posted (precise date unknown) to 10DWR.


    Eastern Front:


    German combatant strength only 590,000 soldiers.
    Pripet: Austro*-Germans regain 3 miles southwest of Lutsk (until July 2).
    Brusilov Offensive – Carpathians*: Lechitski advances northwest of Kolomea, cuts railway at Mikoli*chin (July 4), despite Austro*-German counter-attacks (July 2-3).
    River Pruth Russians advance north-west of Kolomea.
    Austro-Germans progress north-west of Tarnopol

    Southern Front:


    Italian losses 524,760 men since January 1, including 275,190 sick, but 800,000 called to colours in same period.
    Isonzo: Italian VII Corps launches diversion at Sell (Carso, south of Gorizia), some gains and PoWs (until July 3).

    African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:


    In Persia the Turks defeat Russians; pursue them to Kermanshah.
    Persia: c.16,000 Turks (Ali Ihsan Pasha) reoccupy Kermanshah, defeat Russians to north (July 19).
    Arab Revolt – Yemen*: Idrisi’s tribe captures Qunfidah on coast

    Air Operations:


    Western Front: Contact patrol, or liaison with infantry, first instituted in the Royal Flying Corps.

    Western Front*:
    Major Rees commander of No 32 Squadron Royal Flying Corps single-handedly disperses 10 two-seaters near Festubert and forces down 2 (Rees wounded, wins Victoria Cross. 7 RFC aircraft missing (14 aircrew casualties) including 4 who cause 170 casualties to 22nd Reserve Division at St Quentin station. (See todays VC’s).


    Somme:
    Anglo-French su*premacy continues. 185 British (out of 421 RFC with 14 balloons) and 201 French against 129 German aircraft.Vedunand commitments elsewhere (plus Immelmann’s death) mean Germans have only 19 fighters against up to 66 British (Nos 24, 29, 32 and 60 Squadrons) and c. 72 French Nieuport 11’s; DH2’s and FE2’s play havoc with reconnaissance planes and balloons and brush aside German fighters. BE2’ss and RE7s hit railways, trains, roads, headquarters, dumps; RFC drop 39t bombs (July 1-16), Farmans and Caudrons often at night; RFC reconnaissance and artillery observation units fly virtually unhin*dered while German aircraft are forced to defend within their own lines or over their own bases. But, from mid-July German reinforcements reach the Somme.


    Salonika:
    In July 6 Royal Navy Air Service aircraft and French flight on Thasos island drop incendiary bombs on ripening crops in south Bulgaria.


    Egypt:
    Royal Flying Corps Middle East Brigade (total 8 squadrons) formed under Brigade-General W Salmond to administer Salonika, Mesopotamia and East Africa units as well.


    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 6



    2Lt Coxe, C.H. (Cecil Henry)
    . 6 Squadron, RFC. Died of Wounds 1 July 1916 aged 18, after attacking a railway centre near Cambrai in BE2c 7338.


    2Lt Monckton, C. (Christopher)
    . 13 Squadron, RFC. Missing - Killed in Action 1 July 1916 and buried by German Troops aged 18.


    A Mech 2 Morrell, J.E. (James Edwin)
    . RFC.


    Simpson, J.C. (John Clar
    k). 32 Squadron, 10th Wing, RFC. Killed when shot down whilst attacking an enemy bombing formation near Festubert 1 July 1916 aged 26


    2Lt Vaisey, C.T.H. (Charles Thomas Hinton)
    . RFC. Died of wounds.


    Captain Webb, G.W. (Gilbert Watson).
    22 Squadron, RFC. Killed in Action 1 July 1916 while flying, aged 26.


    Claims: 6



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    Major Roderic Stanley "Bréguet" Dallas. Claims his 4th confirmed kill. Flying a Sopwith Triplane for1W, RNAS he shot down an enemy aircraft near La Panne. Dallas joined the Australian army in 1913. When war broke out, he applied for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps but was rejected. Instead, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915. Flying Nieuport Scouts and Sopwith Triplanes.


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    Captain Sydney Dalrymple claims his 1st kill flying a Martinside G100 for 27 Squadron RFC. He shot down a Roland C near Cambrai. In 1915, Dalrymple joined the Royal Flying Corps and was posted to 27 Squadron in 1916.



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    Captain Guy Patrick Spence Reid claims his 2nd kill. Flying a FE2b with Observer 2Lt H M Golding for 20 Squadron RFC. He shot down a Fokker E near Wervicq. The son of Thomas Miller and Lisette (Livings) Reid, 2nd Lieutenant Guy Patrick Spence Reid received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1693 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Farnborough on 4 September 1915. He transferred from the Seaforth Highlanders to the Royal Flying Corps and was posted to 20 Squadron in 1916.

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    Podporuchik Eduard Martynovich Pulpe claims his 5th confirmed kill. Flying a Nieuport 11 for 10th IRAS. He shot down a enemy aircraft near Lutsk-Kovel. Educated as a school teacher, Pulpe moved to France in 1912. Pursuing an interest in aviation, he obtained a civilian Pilot's Brevet on 19 December 1913. At the age of 34, he enlisted in the French Air Service at the beginning of the war. Assigned to MS23 on 1 May 1915, he scored his first two victories after his Escadrille was re-equipped with the Nieuport 11. Pulpe later served with the 10th Fighter Detachment of Imperial Russian Air Service, becoming an ace on 1 July 1916.


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    Lt Col Harold Evans Hartney claims his 1st & 2nd confirmed kills. Flying a FE2d for 20 Squadron RFC. He shot down 2 Fokker E’s near Lille-Tourcoing. Born in Canada, Harold Evans Hartney worked as a clerk in his brother's law firm in Saskatoon after graduating from Toronto University in 1911. After obtaining a graduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, he became a barrister, joined the Saskatoon 105th Fusiliers, and played the cornet in the town's band. Married in 1914, he shipped out for England with the Canadian Expeditionary Force less than a year latter. As he trained with his battalion on Dibgate Plains, Hartney's visit to an aerodrome near Folkstone and a chance meeting with William Bishopled to his request for transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. On 21 October 1915, Hartney entered the RFC at Norwich. The following day, he survived a near fatal first flight in a Maurice Farman longhorn. By the following year he was grasping the stick of an F.E.2, flying reconnaissance missions over the Western Front




    Lt Col Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees claims his 7th & 8th kills. Flying a DH2 for 32 Squadron, RFC. He shot down a Roland C near Festubert and another Roland C near La Bassée-Souchez. The son of an army officer, Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees attended Eastbourne College before entering the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. Obtaining a commission in 1903, he entered the Royal Garrison Artillery where he earned a reputation as a superb marksman. In 1912, he learned to fly at his own expense, receiving his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 392 on 7 January 1913. After serving with the West African Frontier Force, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1914, becoming an instructor at Upavon. Flying the Vickers F.B.5 in 1915, he saw action with 11 Squadron before assuming command of 32 Squadron in January 1916. On 1 July 1916, Rees encountered ten enemy bombers while on patrol in an Airco D.H.2 Attacking alone, he drove down two of the enemy aircraft. While attacking another, his Lewis gun ran dry. Before mounting a fresh drum of ammunition, he pulled a revolver only to lose it somewhere in the cockpit. Badly wounded in the leg, Rees turned away as the two-seater retreated back across the lines. For his actions that day, he was awarded the VC. (See todays VC winners).



    Naval and Overseas Operations:


    Adriatic: Austrian raid on Straits of Otranto.


    Mediterranean: During July U-boat ace Arnauld de la Periere perfects technique of destroying ships by long*-range (8,000 yards) gunfire with new 4.1-inch deck gun (replaces 3.5-inch/88 mm), saving torpedoes and lessening risks to U-boats, who also through signals intelligence and captured documents learn which Allied routes are patrolled, sink 33 ships (86,432 t) in July.


    Baltic: In July Russian submarines and destroyers sink or capture 4 German steamers.


    Shipping Losses: No losses reported today.



    Neutrals:

    USA: Santo Domingo: US Marines defeat rebels.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 07-02-2016 at 02:35.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  46. #1496

    Default

    Absolutely EPIC, Neil.
    I will have to take several sittings to give it justice. It's hard to take just reading - I can't imagine the emotions you went through putting this together.
    Very well done, sir.

  47. #1497

    Default

    As Pete said it will take more than one read to do this article justice. . Well done Neil and thank you.


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  48. #1498

    Default

    Amazing read. Thanks Neil!
    REP!

  49. #1499

    Default

    I do not normally post on this thread, although I do read , but today is a special day.
    My home town is a small place in South Yorkshire called Barnsley, not a particularly large or famous but was well known for its coal mines and glass blowing. When the call came the men of the town answered and formed two battalions for the army, these were known as the "Barnsley Pals"

    Barnsley Pals
    The Barnsley Pals were two Pals battalions during the First World War.

    They were formed as the 13th (1st Barnsley Pals) and 14th (2nd Barnsley Pals) Battalions of the York and Lancaster Regiment. These two Pals battalions were brigaded with the Sheffield City Battalion (12th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment) and the Accrington Pals (11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment) in the 94th Brigade of the 31st Division.

    Both Barnsley Pals battalions took part in the attack on Serre on the first day of the Somme campaign. The 31st Division suffered 3,600 casualties and failed to achieve any of its objectives. The Barnsley Pals were the two reserve battalions for the Sheffield City Battalion and the Accrington Pals. The 1st Barnsley Pals suffered 275 casualties while the 2nd Barnsley Pals suffered 270 casualties on 1 July 1916.

    Bearing in mind that both battalions started the day with approximately 500 - 600 men you can see the cost. I remember my Grandmother telling me that after the battle there was hardly a house in the town that did not have "drawn curtains" signifying a loss on that day.

    Although I served it was in a technical trade and I was not a foot slogger but I know what kit we had to carry so when you read what these men went over the top with its very humbling.

    I can only pay tribute to the brave men , on both sides , that took part on this now infameous day.

  50. #1500

    Default

    Thanks for sharing, Chris.
    REP.

    It takes decades to do things, to climb a hill of new hops for society and then in a few hours so much of it is lost.
    That's the most scary thing about Humanity. This ability to destroy in hours what has taken years to build.

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