20th July 1918
Right having just lost the whole bloody lot 30 seconds before saving it - lets try again !!!!!!
Well it worked but now there are no attachments so this is the THIRD attempt
East of La Bassee, Captain Edward Corringham Mannock attacks and crashes an enemy two-seater from a height of 10,000 feet. About an hour later he attacks at 8,000 feet a Fokker biplane near Steenwercke and drives it down out of control, emitting smoke.
Near Marfaux, France, Sergeant John Meikle VC MM (Seaforth Highlanders) single-handed and armed only with a revolver and a stick, rushes and puts out of action a machine-gun which is delaying his company’s advance. Shortly afterwards, seizing a rifle and bayonet from a fallen comrade, he charges another machine-gun post, but is killed almost on the gun position at age 19. His bravery enables two other men who followed him to put this gun out of action. For his actions he will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
John Meikle was one of the many First World War recruits that were so anxious to join up that they lied about their age. He was just 16 years when he volunteered to go to war by pretending to be 18, the lowest official age for enlistment. One historian has estimated that as many as 250,000 "boy soldiers" under the age of 18 signed up to fight in the Great War. Three years after he enlisted, Meikle died aged 19 and is thought to be one of the youngest-ever recipients of the Victoria Cross. He is also the only Scottish railway employee to have received this award for valour. Of the 628 crosses awarded during the war, only 25 went to men under 20. Like so many young men at the start of the war, Meikle was motivated by patriotism to "do his bit" for his country. He attempted to enlist after war broke out in 1914 but was rejected due to his youthful appearance and small stature.
Eventually he was accepted by the Seaforth Highlanders on 8 February 1915 at Maryhill Barracks. He lied about his age saying he was 18, when in fact he was 16 years and five months old. But even at his pretend age of 18, he had to wait a further year to go to France, as a soldier had to be 19 to fight overseas. Meikle's personal military service record, along with many others, was destroyed in an air raid during the Second World War. But it is know that on July 30, 1916, Meikle, who had by now trained as a Lewis (machine-) gunner, was sent to France. He was transferred to the 1/4th Seaforth (Ross Highland) Battalion, fighting in the Battle of the Somme and subsequently rising quickly through the ranks.
He was injured in the 3rd Battle of Ypres in 1917, during which he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions near Langmarch. He was sent home to Glasgow to recover from his injuries. While in Nitshill in November 1917, he was presented with a gold watch on behalf of his fellow villagers in the local public hall. The watch engraved with his initials remains a treasured family heirloom. When Meikle returned to France, he had been promoted to sergeant.
The Second Battle of the Marne was the turning point for the Allies in the War, and became known as the last great German offensive. By 20 July 1918, Meikle and his unit (No 2 Company, 4th Battalion), were with the 51st Highland Division in the French Aisne-Marne Sector, and would defend the Ardre Valley. Meikle's comrade, Company Sergeant Major G W Sturrah, (who was only 23 years old himself), in a letter to Meikle's mother Annie, wrote: "It is with the deepest regret that I write to you to inform you of your dear son 200854 Sgt Meikle, J, of his death, (killed in action) on the 20th July. We were on this day attacking a strong enemy position, and your dear lad behaved as gallantly as ever Britisher did. He single handed knocked out an enemy machine gun post and its crew. Knocking out with a walking stick he always used to carry and was afterwards rushing another similar post when he was killed by Machine Gun fire. His death was instantaneous."
A memorial to John Meikle stands in Station Road, Dingwall. The inscription reads: "In memory of Sergt John Meikle V.C M.M late clerk at Nitshill Station who enlisted in H.M. Forces (Seaforth Highlanders) 8th February 1915 during the Great War and was killed in action on 20th July 1918. Erected by his railway comrades". The memorial formerly stood at Nitshill railway station and was unfortunately vandalised many times over the decades. It was moved to Levern Primary School in Nitshill, the local school John had attended and was on display in the school entrance for many years. When the school was to be demolished in 1997 the Head Teacher, Margaret Gallagher, contacted the Railway Authorities to enable the memorial to be saved for posterity. On 18 October 2016 a new memorial funded by the Railway Heritage Trust was unveiled at Nitshill Station by ScotRail Alliance MD Phil Verster with Sgt Meikle's nephews Alan and John Meikle.
Lieutenant Colonel David Francis Bickmore DSO (Norfolk Regiment) commanding 4th Gordon Highlanders) is killed at age 27. He is the only child of the Reverend Francis Askew BIckmore Vicar of Roxwell and son in law of the President of Trinity College Oxford.
Captain John Brown (Gordon Highlanders) is killed in action at age 34. He is the only son of ‘Sir’ John Brown JP.
Captain Walter Short (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 39. He is a minister of the Bootie Free Church.
Acting Captain Kenneth Walton Grigson MC (Devonshire Regiment attached West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 23. He is the son of the Reverend Canon William Shurkforth Grigson who has already lost one son in the Great War and will lose another in October of this year.
Lieutenant Wallis Austin Jonathan Marsden (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds at home received on the Somme on 20th July 1916. He is the son of the Reverend J Marsden.
Lieutenant Sidney Henry Ernest Russell MM (Australian Infantry) is killed at age 22. He is the son of Herbert W H Russell, a Reuters war correspondent on the Western Front and grandson of the sea novelist William Clark Russell.
Lieutenant Noel Felix Perris (Royal Air Force) is accidentally killed at home at age 24. He is the only son of a war correspondent for the Daily Telegraph.
Royal Navy troopship Justicia, already damaged by torpedo from German submarine SM UB-64 the previous day, was torpedoed while at anchor in Lough Swilly, Ireland by German submarine SM UB-124, killing 16 of her crew
SS Justicia was a British troopship sunk during the First World War. She was laid down as SS Statendam, a 32,234 gross-ton ocean liner built for the Holland America Line by Harland and Wolff in Belfast. Before the ship was completed she was acquired by the British government and operated on behalf of the shipping controller by the White Star Line. After several trips as a troopship she was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the British Isles in 1918 while sailing unladen.
Statendam was launched on 9 July 1914 and after her christening work began on fitting her for service. Before this could be completed, the First World War broke out and work stopped for one year. In 1915 the British government requisitioned Statendam for use as a troopship. The ship was at first given to the Cunard Line to manage because of the sinking of Lusitania, and the ship was renamed Justicia (Latin for justice) because of their traditional ship suffix -ia. Cunard had difficulty in assembling a crew for Justicia, so the ship was reassigned to the White Star Line, who had the crew of the sunken Britannic available. The ship’s grey hull was repainted in a dazzle camouflage scheme, and she went on to transport troops successfully. On 19 July 1918 Justicia sailed unladen from Belfast to New York escorted by destroyers.[2] While 23 miles south of Skerryvore, Scotland, she was torpedoed by the German Type III Coastal U-boat UB-64, under the command of Otto von Schrader. Justicia took on a list but the watertight doors were closed in time, temporarily preventing her from sinking. UB-64 then fired two more torpedoes at Justicia, striking her side. A fourth torpedo struck the wounded Justicia but she still remained afloat. The escorts were able to damage UB-64, which departed the area, while radioing in Justicia's position.[1] Most of the crew were evacuated, leaving only a small number on board. Justicia's engines were still operable and the tug Sonia took her in tow, in an attempt to beach the stricken ship at a suitable location near Lough Swilly.
The following day, UB-124 found Justicia and fired two more torpedoes just after 9:00 am, which struck her amidships. By noon the remaining crew had been evacuated and the vessel rolled onto her starboard side and sank. 16 crew members were killed. In total, Justicia had been hit by six torpedoes. The destroyers HMS Marne, Milbrook, and Pigeon attacked with depth charges and sank UB-124 with gunfire after she surfaced.
Today, the wreck of Justicia lies 28 mi (45 km) north-west of Malin Head, Ireland in waters 68 metres (223 ft) deep.
WESTERN FRONT
Champagne and Marne: *GERMANS RECROSS THE MARNE. Total Allied captures since July 15 are 20,000 PoWs and 400 guns. Mangin has only 32 tanks but makes 8 attacks. British 51st and 62nd divisions attack but gain only a mile and 500 PoWs vs hidden MGs (Battle of Tardenois until July 31).
Flanders*: Ludendorff cables Rupprecht: ‘In view of the situation of the Army Group Crown Prince Wilhelm which … will absorb a still great amount of troops, and … the possibility of a British offensive action the ‘Hagen’ operation will probably never come into execution.’
SEA WAR
East Atlantic: Troopship White Star liner Justicia (32,234t, 10 lost) sinks off West Scotland after persistent attacks since July 19 by coastal submarine UB-64 (Schrader) and a coup de grace from UB-124 despite up to 40 escorts. (UB-124 sunk later by destroyer HMS Mame‘s depth charges in Northern Channel).
HOME FRONTS
France: Foch asks Clemenceau to call up 1920 conscript class at end of 1918.
The War in The Air
A better day for the RAF and in particular those flying the Bristol Fighter with a number of notable Hat-tricks claimed on this day...
Lieutenant William McKenzie Thompson MC, DFC 26 Squadron RAF
Raised and educated in Toronto, Ontario, William McKenzie Thomson served with 20 Squadron and scored 26 victories as a Brisfit pilot.
T./Lt. William MacKenzie Thomson, R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on offensive patrols. In five days he destroyed as many enemy machines. He showed fine determination to close with the enemy, and set a splendid example of enterprise and gallantry.
Lieut. William McKenzie Thomson, M.C.
This officer has destroyed thirteen enemy machines, invariably displaying courage, determination and skill. Disparity in numbers never daunts him. On a recent occasion, in company with eight other machines, his formation was attacked by twenty-five scouts; he shot one down. On another occasion his formation of ten machines engaged between twenty and thirty Fokkers; in the combat that ensued this officer shot down one out of the four that were destroyed.
Lieutenant George Thompson DFC 22 Squadron RAF
A printer from Celista, British Columbia, George Thomson enlisted in 1914 and served with the 30th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the 48th Highlanders. He then served with the 7/8th King's Own Scottish Borderers and was wounded twice before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in October 1917. In 1918, he was posted to 22 Squadron as an observer and scored 14 victories before returning to the Home Establishment in August to receive pilot training. Transferred to the unemployed list on 9 April 1919.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
"Lieut. George Thomson (King's Own Scottish Borderers).
A brilliant and intrepid observer in whom his pilot places implicit confidence when engaged in action. He has personally accounted for nine enemy machines. On one raid, when acting as escort, 15 enemy aeroplanes were encountered; of these this officer shot down two, which crashed, and one out of control."
Captain William Frederic James Harvey MC, DFC & Bar 22 Squadron RAF
William Frederick James Harvey transferred from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Flying Corps at the end of 1916. A year later, he was flying the Bristol Fighter with 22 Squadron. By 22 August 1918, Harvey and his observers shot down eighteen aircraft with the Bristol Fighters front gun and 8 with the rear gun. He married John Gurdon's sister in 1920. During World War II, he left his farm to rejoin the Royal Air Force. An MBE and author of "Pi in the Sky," Harvey wrote several articles for "Air Pictorial" magazine and later served as president of the British chapter of "Cross & Cockade."
Lt. William James Harvey, R. Dub. Fus., Spec. Res., and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During one night he made five consecutive raids over the enemy's lines, during which period he dropped over half a ton weight of bombs on his four objectives. In addition he fired during these raids 1,150 rounds of ammunition from a height varying from 100 to 500 feet on hostile infantry and transport. He has proved himself to be a consistently good observer, and has performed much successful night-bombing.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar
Lieut. (A./Capt.) William Frederick James Harvey, D.F.C. (FRANCE.)
A brilliant fighting pilot, who has proved himself a capable leader in many offensive patrols. During the August operations he personally accounted for seven enemy machines and, in company with another pilot, destroyed an eighth, displaying courage and tenacity of high order.
Other claims on this day:
19 British Airmen were lost on this day
Captain Tunstill's Men:
Pte. Walter William Ford (see 29th October 1917) departed on seven days’ leave to Lake Garda.
Sgt. Lionel Vickers (see 20th June) was admitted to 23rd Division Rest Station, suffering from a recurrence of the injury to his his knee which he had suffered whilst playing football in February; he would be discharged to duty after two days.
Pte. Tom Lister Ellison (see 24th April) was reported for “being absent from billets and stating a falsehood to the Military Police”; on the orders of Maj. Edward Borrow DSO (see 5th July) he would undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.1.
Pte. Herbert Jacklin (see 1st July), who had been wounded on 21st June, was discharged from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.
Pte. Horace Trinder (see 27th June), serving in France with 2nd/4th DWR, was wounded in action, suffering shrapnel wounds to his right buttock; he would be admitted to 12th General Hospital at Rouen and would be posted back to England on 27th July.
Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 30th March) was examined by the Medical Officer at the Officer’s Command Depot at Eastbourne, where Hulburd had been serving in the Orderly Room. The official report of his examination requested that Hulburd should be re-examined by an Army Medical Board with a view to his being classified as category Cii. Under this category he would be regarded as fit for garrison duty at home, being “free from serious organic diseases; able to walk 5 miles, see and hear sufficiently for ordinary purposes”.
A request was made for Maj. Harry Robert Hildyard (see 1st May) to be posted to Northern Command to undertake one month’s training in Assistant Provost duties. After some debate, authorisation was given for Hildyard to be posted as “there is no serving officer available in Northern Command and … it is desired to remove the Assistant to another area in this Command and no other officer, except Major Hildyard, is available to replace him”.
Esther Mary Heap, aged 59, died at home in Halifax as a result of ‘cardiac disease and bronchitis’; she was the mother of Pte. Fred Heap (see 29th May).
The Halifax Weekley Courier reported news of the death of Pte. Alfred Baker (see 7th July);
Private A. Baker (13230), WRR, who lived at 32 Victoria Street, Haley Hill, died suddenly during the night of July 6-7, the supposed cause of death being heart failure. Major W.N. Town with the Italian Expeditionary Force, has written to Mrs. Baker under date July 8. He states: “Your husband was going about apparently in his usual state of health on Saturday 6th and was seen to come into camp about 9pm, and go to his tent. There was only one other man living in the tent and he was out on a working party that evening, and did not return until 2am. He went into the tent and laid down without making a light. On the morning of the 7th he woke about 7 o’clock and tried to wake Pte. Baker. He was unable to do so and called another man. They found he was dead. A doctor was called but was unable to state definitely the cause of death. He had apparently laid down just as he came in, as he was still wearing his equipment and box respirator. He was lying on his right side with his chest towards the ground, as though he had felt unwell and thrown himself down. It looked as if it was a case of heart failure or a fit”.
Armistice Countdown 115 days
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