Great War 1914-1918
Panel 1
**I am indebted to the work of Chris Harley of the Great War Forum for providing a starting point. Any information taken from that source is marked (GWF)**********
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60444
BARBER R Robin Barber 4186A Seaman Royal Naval Reserve HMS Cressy. Son of John and Mary Ann Barber, of 8, Corporation Cottages, Southwold, Suffolk; husband of Mary Ann Barber, of Southwold, Suffolk. Lost at sea 22nd Sep 1914 aged 25 when HMS Cressy was torpedoed & sank by the German submarine U9 off the Dutch coast. Commemorated Chatham Naval Memorial (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/3048406/BARBER,...
The 11 year old Robin, born Southwold, was recorded on the 1901 census at 3 Primrose Alley, Southwold. This was the household of his parents, John, (age 45 and a Fisherman from Southwold) and Mary A. (age 42 and from Dennington, Suffolk). Their other children are:-
Alice…………aged 13.………..born Southwold
Edwin………..aged 9.………….born Southwold
Guy A……….aged 7.………….born Southwold
Harry R………aged 15.………..born Southwold
During the early months of World War 1 the Royal Navy maintained a patrol of old Cressy class armoured cruisers, known as Cruiser Force C, in the area of the North Sea known as the Broad Fourteens. There was opposition to this patrol from many senior officers, including Admiral Jellicoe and Commodores Keyes and Tyrwhitt, on the grounds that the ships were very vulnerable to a raid by modern German surface ships and the patrol was nick named the "live bait squadron". The Admiralty maintained the patrol on the grounds that destroyers were not able to maintain the patrol in the frequent bad weather and that there were insufficient modern light cruisers available.
In the early hours of September 20th 1914 the cruisers HMS Euryalus, HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy were preparing to go on patrol under Rear Admiral Christian in Euryalus. Normally the patrol was under command of Rear Admiral Campbell in HMS Bacchantes but he was absent so Christian helped fill the gap although he had other duties. The weather was too bad for destroyers to be at sea and unfortunately Euryalus had to drop out due to lack of coal and weather damage to her wireless, Rear Admiral Christian had to remain with his ship rather than transfer to another ship as the weather was too bad to transfer. He delegated command to Captain Drummond in Aboukir although he did not make it clear that Drummond had the authority to order the destroyers to sea if the weather improved, which it did towards the end of September 21st.
Early on September 22nd 1914 the German submarine U9 under the command of Commander Otto Weddigen sighted the Cressy, Aboukir and Hogue steaming NNE at 10 knots without zigzagging. Although the patrols were supposed to maintain 12-13 knots and zigzag the old cruisers were unable to maintain that speed and the zigzagging order was widely ignored as there had been no submarines sighted in the area during the war.
U9 manoeuvred to attack and at about 6.25 AM fired a single torpedo at Aboukir, which stuck her on her port side. Aboukir rapidly suffered heavy flooding and despite counter flooding developed a 20 degree list and lost engine power. It was soon clear that she was a lost cause and Captain Drummond ordered her to be abandoned, although only one boat had survived the attack so most crew had to jump into the sea. At first Drummond thought that Aboukir had been mined and signalled the other two cruisers to close and assist but he soon realised that it was a torpedo attack and ordered the other cruisers away, but too late.
As Aboukir rolled over and sank, half an hour after being attacked, U9 fired two torpedoes at HMS Hogue that hit her amidships and rapidly flooded her engine room. Captain Nicholson of Hogue had stopped the ship to lower boats to rescue the crew of Aboukir, thinking that as he was the other side of Aboukir from U9 he would be safe. Unfortunately U9 had manoeuvred around Aboukir and attacked Hogue from a range of only 300 yards.
The firing of two torpedoes affected the trim of U9 which broke the surface briefly and was fired on by Hogue without effect.
It only took Hogue ten minutes to sink as U9 headed for HMS Cressy. Cressy, under Captain Johnson, had also stopped to lower boats but got underway on sighting a periscope. At about 7.20 AM however U9 fired two torpedoes, one of which just missed but the other hit Cressy on her starboard side, Cressy briefly firing on U9s periscope with no effect.
The damage to Cressy was not fatal but U9 turned round and fired her last torpedo which hit Cressy sinking her within a quarter of an hour.
Survivors were picked up by several nearby merchant ships including the Dutch Flora and Titan and the British trawlers JGC and Corainder before the Harwich force of light cruisers and destroyers arrived. Flora returned to Holland with 286 rescued crew who were quickly returned to Britain even though the neutral Dutch should have interned them. In all 837 men were rescued but 1459 died, many of which were reservists or cadets.
In the aftermath of the attack the patrol by armoured cruisers was abandoned, the stopping of major ships in dangerous waters banned and the order to steam at 13 knots and zigzag re-emphasised.
A court of inquiry was set up and found that some blame was attributable to all of the senior officers involved - Captain Drummond for not zigzagging and for not calling for destroyers, Rear Admiral Christian was criticised for not making it clear to Drummond that he could summon the destroyers and Rear Admiral Campbell for not being present and for a very poor performance at the inquiry at which he stated that he did not know what the purpose of his command was. The bulk of the blame was directed at the Admiralty for persisting with a patrol that was dangerous and of limited value against the advice of senior sea going officers.
www.worldwar1.co.uk/cressy.htm
BLOWERS C P Charles Paxton Blowers 2nd Lieutenant 2nd Bn Suffolk Regiment (SDGW shows 4th Bn). Died of wounds 2nd October 1918. Buried Grevillers British Cemetery Grave XV.C.11. (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/289648/BLOWERS,...
Consulting the GRO index, the only record of a Charles Paxton Blowers was a birth registered in the Mutford District of Suffolk in the January to March 1880 quarter.
The most likely match on the 1911 census is a Charles Blowers who was born Cransford, Suffolk circa 1878 and who was recorded in the Mutford District on the night of the census. (Cransford was apparently in the Mutford District). However there is also a Charles born circa 1881 Mutford, Suffolk who was recorded in the Penzance District of Cornwall on the night of the census - and who therefore was probably a fisherman.
Charles Paxton Blowers has no birthplace or place of residence recorded on either the Military Genealogy or Find My Past database searches.
On the 1901 census there is a Charles, aged 20 and born “Baraby” Suffolk, who was recorded as a Boarder at 4 Vicarage Place, Margate, Kent. He was single and employed as a Tailor.
The 23 year old Charles, born Cransford, is recorded as a servant in the household of a famer, Charles Cooper, at The Shrublands, Kessingland. However I suspect this should read employee. As his occupation is given as Domestic Milkman.
Going back to the 1891 census, the 10 year old Charles is recorded at Beccles Road, Mutford. This is the household of his parents, Thomas, (aged 37 and an Agricultural Labourer from Rushmere, Suffolk) and Hannah, (aged not legible, from Mutford). Their other children are:-
George………aged 8.……….born Mutford
Ellen…………aged 5.………born Mutford
Meanwhile the 13 year old Charles is recorded at Rushmere Street, Rushmere, Suffolk. This is the household of his father, James, (aged 39 and an Agricultural Labourer from Mutford). James is recorded as widower and his widowed mother, Kezia Blowers, (aged 70 and originally from Ellingham, Norfolk) is recorded as the Housekeeper. His other children are:-
Alfred………..aged 7.…….born Mutford
Evelyn……….aged 4.…….born Mutford
Both seem comparatively lowly origins for an Officer, but some clue may come from his medal index card listing at the National Archive. Charles, (recorded as Charles Panton Blowers) had originally been Corporal 25063 in the West Riding Regiment. Whether by an act of bravery or aptitude, Charles it seems had been promoted from the ranks.
Charles posting from Officer cadet to 2Lt in the Suffolk Regiment was included in a War Office announcement dated 8th May 1918 published in the London Gazette Supplement for the same day.
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30674/supplements/5551/pa...
BOYDEN S Sidney William Boyden 43037 Lance Corporal 11th Bn Suffolk Regiment. Enlisted Saxmundham. Son of Louisa Jane Boyden, of 3, North Green, Southwold, Suffolk, and the late Samuel Boyden. Killed in action Flanders 25th October 1917 aged 25. Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial. (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/842603/BOYDEN,%...
The 9 year old “Sydney”, born Southwold, was recorded on the 1901 census at 3 North Green, Southwold. This is the household of his widowed mother, Louisa, (aged 46 and from Reydon, Suffolk.). Her other children are:-
Arthur………….aged 18.…………born Southwold…..Grocers Assistant
Beatrice………..aged 25.…………born Southwold…..Dressmaker
Gertrude……….aged 20.………….born Southwold
Hilda…………..aged 4.…………..born Southwold
His Medal Index Card listing at the National Archive actually gives his rank as Pioneer in the Suffolk Regiment.
Sidney William is apparently commemorated on the headstone of his father Samuel, who died 1896, which is in the church yard of nearby St Edmunds.
(Search by name at www.gravestonephotos.com )
The 11th Battalion had been part of a Division engaged in attacks as part of Passchendaele on the 21st/22nd,at Poelcappelle but by the 23rd had been moved back from the front line.
BROWN J E James Edward Brown 33338 Private 6th Bn Yorkshire Regiment formerly 4141 Suffolk Regiment. Born & Enlisted Southwold. Died of wounds 4th December 1916 France. Buried Contay British Cemetery, Contay Grave VIII.C.28. (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/81131/BROWN,%20...
There isn’t an obvious James Edward with a Southwold connection on the 1911 census, but there is a James, born Southwold circa 1885 and who was recorded in the Blything district on the night of the census.
The only James born in the Blything District in the relevant period was a James Edward, whose birth was registered in the October to December 1884 quarter according to the GRO index..
Returning to the 1901 census, the 16 year old James, employed as a Baker’s boy, was living at 73 Victoria Street, Southwold. This was the household of his married mother, Sarah, (aged 47, from Southwold and recorded at the Head of the Household). Also living with her is her daughter, Edith , a 19 year old dressmaker from Southwold. There is also a 17 year old Ethel Palmer who is simply listed as a Relative and who works as a Domestic Servant.
On the 1891 census the family were already at Victoria Street, but while Sarah is listed as only the wife of the head of the household, she is the only adult present.
Other children listed are William, (aged 14 and a General Labourer from Southwold), Ethel is already in the household and listed as a Niece. Also in the household is a Rachel Palmer, probably Ethels mother, who is listed as a Sister in Law of the Head of the household.
BURLEY A Alec James Burley 20797 Lance Corporal 1st Bn Essex Regiment formerly 13260 Norfolk Regiment. Born & Resident Southwold Enlisted London. Died of Wounds Gallipoli 13th Dec 1915. Buried Hill 10 Cemetery V.A.6 (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/607034/BURLEY,%...
The 5 year old Alec, born Southwold, was recorded on the 1901 census at 27 Church Green, Southwold. This was the household of his parents, George, (aged 40 and a Railway Stoker from Therbeston, Suffolk) and Jane, (aged 36 and from Walberswick). Their other children are:-
Denis………….aged 4.………….born Southwold
George………..aged 7.………….born Southwold
Jane…………..aged 11.…………born Southwold
Alec was probably part of a draft of volunteers from the Norfolks who were sailing aboard the Transport Ship, the Royal Edward, to make good the casualties suffered by the 1st Essex, when she was torpedoed in August. Alec may have survived that catastrophe, but death was still only four months away.
CANNELL W William Cannell 3/9872 Private 9th Bn Suffolk Regiment. Born Southwold Enlisted Ipswich. Son of John and Phoebe Cannell, of 3, Town Farm Cottages, Southwold, Suffolk. Killed in action France 24th June 1917 aged 31. Buried Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay Grave II.D.17. (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/522856/CANNELL,...
The 15 year old William, born Southwold, was recorded on the 1901 census at 1, Blackshore, Southwold. This was the household of his parents, John, (aged 52 and a Fisherman from Walberswick, Suffolk) and Phoebe, (aged 51 and from Southwold). Their other children are:-
Edward…………….aged 9.…………born Southwold
Elizabeth…………..aged 13.………..born Southwold
Jane……………….aged 25.…………born Southwold…..Cook Domestic
John……………….aged 23.………..born Southwold……House Painter
Matilda……………aged 11.………..born Southwold
May……………….aged 17.…………born Southwold
From the Municipal Cemetery records.
There is an Edward Henry Burley born 1892 died 1970 recorded in the Southwold Municipal Cemetery..
COBB A J Possibly Arthur John Cobb 492060 Private 1st/13th Kensington Bn London Regiment. Enlisted Lewisham Resident Lee. Son of Louisa Cobb of Steeple End, Halesworth, Suffolk and the late George Robert Cobb; husband of Gertie Flossie Cobb of 89 Brightfield Road, Lee, S.E. London. Died of wounds France 18th February 1917 aged 26. Buried Merville Communal Cemetery Extension GraveI.B.13. (GWF)
Military Genealogy has an Arthur John with no place of birth listed, but resident Lee, which would appear to be the soldier identified by Chris. However, it also has an Arthur, born Southwold, and resident Thorpe Le Soken, Essex.
Unfortunately, that gives us up to 5 individuals who have no additional information on the CWGC database.
Fortunately the village memorial is recorded on the Roll of Honour site and has identified
a East Surrey Regiment man.
www.roll-of-honour.com/Essex/ThorpeLeSoken.html
COBB, ARTHUR
Rank: Private
Service No: 4385
Date of Death: 03/08/1916
Regiment: East Surrey Regiment, 7th Bn.
Panel Reference Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C.
Memorial THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/761040/COBB,%20...
The 1911 census has an Arthur John born Bramfield, Suffolk circa 1891 and who was recorded in the District of Blything on the night of the census and no other obvious matches.
However on the 1901 census we have a 6 year old Arthur Cobb, born Southwold, who was recorded at 87 Victoria Street, Southwold. This was the household of his parents, Henry, (aged 42 and a Grocers Manager from “Grundisburgh” Suffolk) and Edith, (aged 30 and from Yoxford, Suffolk). Their other children are:-
Chester…………..aged 1.………..born Southwold
William………….aged 4.………..born Southwold.
Unfortunately the transcriber gremlins had struck at Genes Re-united. On the 1901 census, Arthur’s birthplace had been listed as Southwold. On the 1911 census it was recorded in the District of Tendring, which covers Thorpe-Le-Soken and so hadn‘t come up as a match..
However, a search of the GRO index of births for this period shows only an Arthur Bernard in the Blything District, who was registered in the April to June 1895 quarter.
Therefore for now the East Surrey man seems a more likely candidate.
On the day 2nd August 1916 - Battalion War Diary
Patrol at POINT 88 got in touch with with the enemy at about midnight 1st-2nd and was bombed. 2 Lt A J Martin severely wounded but was brought in later. The enemy advanced down old communication trench at 88 & bombed our post there with new egg bombs, while still out of range of MILLS bomb. After about five minutes lively bombing the enemy party was driven off. During the day we advanced our bombing post at 88 about 25 yards - are now within about 15 yards of the German’s barricade.
Nothing else of importance occurred during the day.
3rd - 4th.
Night of 2nd - 3rd passed quietly, with slight whiz-banging at times. There was a big bombardment near POZIERES in progress most of the night. On two occasions our Lewis Guns have done good work against enemy working parties.
During the day we advanced our barricade at point 28 to get a higher position.
2 Lieut H S Pretices
2 Lieut J A Ross
2 Lieut J A Golding joined the battalion today.
During the night of the 3rd 4th August the 36 Bde & the 6th Buffs on our right carried out an attack on the German strong point in X.3a. The attack was proceeded by a heavy bombardment on the points to be attacked with intense bursts of fire at irregular intervals. At zero 11pm an intense bombardment was opened on the line to be attack. At zero + 5 the bulk of the artillery lifted & at zero +6 the remainder lifted & the BUFFS went over. They were protected on the left flank by a smoke barrage put up by STOKES MORTAR, opposite to our right this barrage lasted for 1 hr.
Our A Coy was acting as reserve to the BUFFS & was ready to move off at a moments notice. At about 11.40PM we heard the through the brigade that the Buffs front two Coys had got into the German lines & that the 3rd Coy was following. Shortly after this at about 12.15 am we heard that the 36 Bde had captured the whole of their objective & taken about 23 prisoners.
At 1 am we received orders from the brigade to send A Coy up in support of the Buffs, and as we had not had any news from them since about 11.40pm, owing to their wires having broken, we send 2 Lieut Annis(?) with this Coy to bring us back some news.
At about 1.45 am we heard from Brigade that the WEST KENTS were being sent up as a reinforcement & sent some men into OVILLERS to warn the NCO’s at the Brigade SAA stores as the WEST KENTS were to bring up extra S A A.
At about 2.15 am we heard that the 6th Buffs had captured the enemy strong point & were in RATION TRENCH as far as point 2- 6 and that 36 Bde had got as far as point 7-8, also in RATION TRENCH. Shortly after this at about 2.30 am we got orders to send ammunition carrying parties through OVILLIERS along the road to point 50 in the BUFFS old lines. Seventeen men of D Coy under 2 Lieut EVANS went at about 2.40am to do this work. 2 Lieut ANNS returned from the BUFFS at about this time+ told us that the BUFFS had captured the whole of their objective without much loss.
Everything seem to have quietened down a good deal by this time & the next news we heard was at 7.15 when the Brigade told us that 2 Coys of Buffs were consolidating from ?.3.a.5-6 to A2.b.9-4 & that R W KENTS had one Coy working from A2.b.9-4 to near X2b.9.0.
At about 7.30 A Coy under Capt.Hubbord returned & reported that they have had 1 man killed & two wounded, they had been consolidating and holding ration trench. Shortly after this 2 Lieut Evans returned with the S A A party have had his work cut out to keep his men out of the fight, they had had two men wounded. By 9 AM all was quiet and the companys were in their original positions.
COOPER A No further information currently (GWF)
Military Genealogy lists an Arthur Cooper born “Southwell“, Ipswich and resident Burringham, near Doncaster.
There is also an Austin Henry, born Holbrook, Suffolk.
George Alfred - no place of birth but resident Halesworth Suffolk
Unfortunately there is still too many Arthur’s on the CWGC and none with an obvious match with “South well“ or Burringham, and that’s before you start on the A Coopers. There is also no guarantee that he served in the British Army. Austin Henry is linked to Chelmondiston, Suffolk on CWGC.
Again there are 6 George Arthur’s or G A Cooper - all with no additional details on the CWGC database.
There is no obvious match for an A Cooper who is male and has a Southwold connection on the Genes Reunited transcription of the 1911 census for England and Wales, either as a first or middle name.
Going back to the 1901 census we have two potential matches. First there is an Albert E W Cooper, aged 6 and born Plymouth, Devon, who was recorded at 19 Stradbroke Road, Southwold. This was the household of his aunt and uncle. They are Ernest Cooper, (aged 30 and a Drapers Assistant from Lavenham, Suffolk) and Blanch, (aged 28 and from Leiston, Suffolk). The Cooper’s have a baby of their own, Edward J, (aged 4 months and born Southwold). Also staying with them is a Kate Cooper, aged 17 and single, born Southwold, whose relationship to the head of the household is given as Sister-in-Law.
Also there is an Albert E Cooper, aged 28 and born Wenhaston, Suffolk. Albert is a married Bricklayer who is the head of the household at 16 Church Street, Southwold. His wife is Alice Cooper, aged 29 and from Southwold. They have a daughter, Eva C, aged 5 and from Southwold.
Unfortunately this still doesn’t obviously tie in with any individual on the CWGC database.
COOPER G George Henry Cooper 10074DA Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve HM Trawler James Seckar. Son of Elizabeth Sophia Bokenham Rogers (formerly Cooper), of 19, Church St., Southwold, Suffolk, and the late Richard John Cooper. Lost at sea 25th September 1917 aged 19. Commemorated Chatham Naval Memorial. (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/3052432/COOPER,...
HMT James Seckar, Admiralty No. 3526, a Castle Class Admiralty Trawler of 275 tons launched 20th July 1917 at Smiths Docks, foundered 25th September 1917 in the Atlantic, last seen at 45.39 N, 12.00W. JAMES SECKAR was lost with 16 ratings: 15 RNR and 1 RNVR. The trawler was commanded by a 2nd Hand, RNR.
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=59684
James Seckar, Admiralty trawler, disappeared W of Bay of Biscay
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1917-09Sep.htm
However, alternative ending for this ship
On September 25th, 1917, James Seckar was sunk by the German submarine UC-63 (Karsten von Heydebreck) . 16 persons were lost.
www.wrecksite.eu/wrecked-on-this-day.aspx?25/09/2011
The French steamship Dinorah was sunk by UC-63 in the same area on the same day
www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?137276
The James Seckar had only been launched on the 20th July 1917 and completed in August. Within a month she would be sunk.
www.navypedia.org/ships/uk/brit_o_esc_castle1.htm
There are two potential George Coopers on the 1911 census - one born circa 1899, Green Castle, Ireland and one born circa 1895 Rockland St Peter, Norfolk. Both were resident in the Blything District which covers Southwold on the night of the census.
The 2 year old George H, born Green Castle, Ireland was recorded on the 1901 census in Southwold and appears to be the sailor recorded here. He was listed at an address near Trinity Street, Southwold. This was the household of his parents, Richard, J, (aged 30 and a Hotel Porter from Walberswick, Suffolk) and Elizabeth S B (aged 26 and from Southwold). The Cooper’s have another son, William B, aged 1 and born Southwold.
DAVIS J R John Richard Davis R41062643 Private Army Service Corps; 4th Base Remount Depot. Son of William James Davis and Elisabeth Davis, of Southwold; husband of Blanche Amelia Francis Davis, of 6, Spinners Lane, High St., Southwold, Suffolk. Died 12th June 1916 aged 38. Buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery Grave VIII.B.93. (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/49473/DAVIS,%20...
There is no obvious match for John on the 1911 or 1901 census, nor can I find a likely Blanche, William or Elisabeth on the 1911 census.
DEDMAN A Probably Richard Arthur Dedman G/18889 Private A Company 6th Bn The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Born, Enlisted & Resident Southwold. Husband of Alice Dedman, of 9, East Green, Southwold, Suffolk. Killed in action 3rd May 1917 in France aged 37. Commemorated Arras Memorial. (GWF)
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/747110/DEDMAN,%...
The 1911 census has two potential matches.
Richard Arthur, born Southwold, circa 1879 and recorded in the District of Blything on the night of the census is probably the soldier identified above.
There is however an Alfred George, born Southwold circa 1894 and recorded in the District of Blything on the night of the census.
Neither man appears to be on the Genes Re-united transcription of the 1901 census for England and Wales and Richard Arthur doesn‘t appear to be on the transcription of the 1891 census from the same source.
On the 1881 census, the 2 year old “Arthur” was recorded at 4 Fish Office Yard, Southwold. This was the household of his parents, John, (aged 33 and a Fisherman from Southwold) and Elizabeth, (aged 28 and from Carlton Colville, Suffolk).
The marriage of a Richard Arthur to Alice Jenkinson took place in the January to March 1903 quarter in the district of Blything. There is an Alice Dedman born circa 1879 Altrincham, Cheshire who was recorded in the Blything District on the night of the 1911 census in the same household as Richard Arthur, along with an Alice, born circa 1908 and an Edward, born circa 1906.
On the day From the Historical Records of the Buffs:
On the 3rd May 1917 Haig attacked the enemy with 3rd and 1st Armies from Fresnoy to Fontaine Lez Croiselles, while the 5th Army assaulted the Hindenburg Line about Bullecourt, and together these forces fought what is known as the 3rd battle of the Scarpe.
To quote the CinC's despatches:
'Along practically the whole of this front our troops broke into the enemy's position. Australian troops carried the Hindenburg Line east of Bullecourt. Eastren County battalions took Cherisy. Other English troops entered Roeux and captured the German trenches south of Fresnoy full of German troops assembled for a hostile attack, which was to have been delivered at a late hour. After hard fighting, in which the enemy lost heavily, the Canadians carried the village, thereby completing an unbroken series of successes.'
It is necessary to remember that the 6th Battalion the Buffs on this date at Monchy, and the 7th opposite Cherisy.
In this battle our 6th Battalion was very far from being fortunate, and it is not easy to obtain a correct description of its doings, owing to abnormal casualties and great difficulty, if not impossibility, of those in the foremost fighting line communicating with with their commanding officer in the rear. The chief cause of this difficulty was the darkness, for the zero hour was fixed at 3.45 a.m. The battalion was, during the preceding night in shell holes, A being on the right, B on the left, C supporting, and D being behind B. Punctually on our time the guns fired our men went off into the darkness, too many of them never to see the sun rise again. Every effort was made to keep communication with them, 2nd Lt Mc Auley, the signalling officer, with two signallers and two orderlies, went forward to establish an advanced HQ in what was known as Devil's Trench, but returned at 4.30, no communication being possible. 2 prisoners were sent down and apparently the battalion was advancing satisfactorily, but nothing definite could be ascertained. Even later on, when daylight came, gunfire and snipers made it hard to get any news of how matters were proceeding; but at dusk it was discovered that the Buffs had suffered much and that the line in their front was practically as before. It would seem a pity that the ground was quite unknown to the battalion which had not held the same position previously and that the orders to attack came so late that there was no time for systematic reconaissance.
The continuous loss of officers at this time was so serious the 2nd Lts Seago and Sowter were sent for from the detail camp and, arriving about 10 p.m. were sent forward to reorganize what was left of the Battalion. A bright episode occurred to lighten the what must otherwise be considered as a gloomy day for the regiment, although it was a costly act of gallantry. Part of the objective allotted the Buffs in the morning had been a spot called Keeling Copse, and it was found after the battalion had taken stock of its losses, that 2nd Lts Cockeram and Gunther with about 40 men and a lewis gun had actually got there, only to discover that they were completely isolated, the enemy having reformed his line behind them, and both sides being their original trenches. Thus 3 lines of Germans intervened between this handful of men and their comrades. Nothing daunted, however, they held their own all day, accounted for many of the enemy and then, when night fell and they had expended every cartridge and bomb they possessed, they gallantly fought their way back again, breaking through one line after another, until at last the 2 subalterns and thirteen of their stout lads were enabled to report themselves to battalion HQ. Cockeram and Gunther both received the MC for their gallant conduct on this occasion. It is sad to have to add that Gunther was killed shortly afterwards within half a mile of Keeling Copse gallantly defending a trench the German was attacking. Cockeram lived to do good and gallant work later in the RFC. The casualties in this terrible action were 2nd lts J H Dinsmore and H V Hardey-Mason killed, and Capt J B Kitchin died of wounds; Capt McDermott and 2nd Lts Willaims and Nesbitt wounded; 2nd Lts C Warnington, A Kirkpatrick, H W Evans and R L F Forster, Lts K L James, Grant, King and Wills missing of whom the first five were found to have been killed; 25 other ranks killed, 128 wounded and 207 missing.
About 2 a.m. on the 4th the remant was relieved and got back and, next day was reorganized into 2 companies each of only 2 platoons. No 1 Company. 2nd Lt Stevens in command, with Sowter, Seago and Sankey under him; No 2 Company, under Captain Carter, 2nd Lts Gunther and Cockeram. It was only rested in Arras for 48 hours and then underwent another 10 ten days in the trenches before being relieved on the 17th, on which day it went to Duisans.
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=41626
