Day Sixty Four on the Somme

Saturday 2nd September 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The 1st Battalion remain in Silesia Trenches, just north of Maricourt, though it is finding working parties digging assembly trenches in the front line ready for the next great attack. Silesia Trenches have been receiving occasional attention from the enemy, one shell this evening wounding nine men of B Company in their trench. The adjutant remarked to me that this particular shell was “of a peculiar type. It burst on the parapet in a reddish light and formed no crater”.

At noon today 24th Division again took up the fight east of Delville Wood. This area is so pockmarked with shell holes as to resemble parts of the Moon visible through a telescope. The fighting was effectively shell-hole to shell-hole and the division were unable to push the enemy back from the eastern edge of the wood.

Over the last two days a curious little incident has been going on in far-off Egypt. The adjutant wired it to our staff due to its unusual nature. A local Bedford man named Ashpole has been in hospital suffering from some unspecified ailment. At five o’clock yesterday afternoon he escaped from hospital and swam across the Suez Canal “evidently quite insane”. He was recaptured in the early hours of this morning and once more sent to hospital, this time under guard, for his own safety.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/6/8.

Day Sixty Three on the Somme

Friday 1st September 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today sees the beginning of a third month of fighting in this Battle of the Somme. The longest continuous battle in which British forces have taken part in this war before this was the fourteen days of the Battle of Loos. Indeed, one questions whether this really is a battle at all, it is more like a long, protracted siege and the longest of those in which the British Army has ever been engaged is the siege of Gibraltar from 1779 to 1782, which lasted three years and seven months. Today there was been more serious fighting in Delville Wood. 24th Division has attacked the wood from the east but has been able to make no progress.

Second Lieutenant Christopher Blake

The 1st Battalion are currently in Silesia Trenches, just north of Maricourt and now, after two months’ fighting some way behind the lines. They have been finding working parties nearer the front line, which have been heavily shelled with tear gas and other gas shells. The adjutant described Silesia Trench to me succinctly as “in a very bad condition and insanitary”. Second Lieutenant Blake and Second Lieutenant Williams, along with thirty other ranks have just joined as reinforcements.

Second Lieutenant H D Chester

The 2nd Bedfords are at Gorre, near Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée, where they were for much of 1915. They, too, have had reinforcements including Second Lieutenant I T M Collins, Second Lieutenant W H Bird and Second Lieutenant H D Chester.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/wd

Thinning Out the Ranks

Wednesday 28th June 1916: As the bombardment of the German lines continues on the Somme, the adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, at Maricourt, reports that the Germans have been replying powerfully, bombarding our front lines. So effective has this German barrage been that two companies of the Bedfords have been withdrawn to allow the 17th and 20th Battalions, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment to thin out their ranks. They were crowded together in the front line ready to advance at the moment decided by high command but the heavy German shelling wounded 120 of them during the night and early morning. To judge by this it seems as if the 2nd Battalion will not be one of those units making the initial assault but will, rather be in support, which should lessen the number of casualties suffered.

Source: X550/3/wd

A Good Raid

Dennis P Cross [X550/1/81]

Monday 26th June 1916: The 2nd Battalion are at Maricourt on the Somme. All day yesterday our guns were bombarding enemy positions ahead  of the big push which everyone realises is coming. At 11.15 last night a party of two officers and forty nine other ranks carried out a raid on the enemy's lines opposite. It was quite a success, all the party returning to our lines safely and capturing one wounded prisoner. Six of our men were wounded, one has been temporarily blinded by the flash of a shell and one was given a nasty gash by getting tangled up in barbed wire.

The divisional commander, Major-General Shea has sent the following message: “Hearty congratulations on your success of last night due to careful and thorough preparation. I am very pleased. Please thank Officers and men”. The names of the raiding party are as follows:

• 2/Lieutenant G. A  Anstee
• 2/Lieutenant D. P. Cross 24th August 1918
• No 10270 Pte Barker W. "B" Company 11th July 1916 kia
• No 20905 Pte Bean A. "A" Company 12th October 1916 kia
• No 4/4964 Pte Bennett J. "C" Company
• No 9387 L/Cpl Boyce F. "A" Company 11th August 1916 dow
• No 18639 Pte Bristow W. "C" Company
• No 9646 Pte Cann F. "D" Company
• No 3/7234 A/Cpl Cannon E. "A" Company
• No 17572 Pte Church W. "B" Company
• No 10731 L/Cpl Clark C. "D" Company
• No 13082 Pte Cleaver W. "D" Company
• No 18600 Pte Cleeve J. "D" Company 12th October 1916 kia
• No 9931 Sergt Compton P. "A" Company 21st September 1918 kia
• No 18550 L/Cpl Dawson F. "A" Company
• No 20973 Pte Dawson W.A. "C" Company 4th July 1916 dow
• No 10060 Pte Fairweather C. "D" Company 11th July 1916 kia
• No 18817 L/Cpl Fynn D. "A" Company
• No 9178 Pte Fynn L. "C" Company 30th July 1916 kia
• No 9726 Pte Gilbey A. "D" Company
• No 18180 Pte Gray H. "C" Company
• No 6584 Pte Gurdler A. "A" Company
• No 17754 Pte Hall C. "B" Company
• No 17590 Pte Hands T. "C" Company
• No 21156 Pte Henry J. "A" Company
• No 7198 Pte Higgins H. "B" Company
• No 9700 Pte Hoval J. "B" Company
• No 10016 A/Cpl Howard A. "B" Company
• No 17738 Pte Jarman H. "B" Company
• No 21168 Pte Kidd J. "A" Company 25th June 1918 kia
• No 6542 Pte Marrables J. "C" Company
• No 9578 L/Cpl Mason A. "D" Company
• No 9891 L/Cpl Mee A. "B" Company
• No 9022 Pte Milliard A, "B" Company
• No 9212 Sergt Nicholls.H. "D" Company
• No 4/6813 Pte Osborne E. "A" Company
• No 4/7476 Pte Osborne P. "D" Company
• No 3/7372 Pte Poole G. "C" Company
• No 4/6655 Pte Reed H. "B" Company 11th July 1916 kia
• No 13050 Pte Sams A. "D" Company 23rd October 1918 kia
• No 9818 L/Cpl Seagrave H. "A" Company
• No 10226 Pte Senior F. "D" Company
• No 21090 Pte Sharp E. "C" Company
• No 9759 L/Sgt Simons S. "C" Company
• No 17923 Pte Sinfield A. "D" Company
• No 9909 L/Sgt Smith L. "B" Company 30th July 1916 kia
• No 14429 Pte Staughton E. "D" Company
• No 10797 Pte Stratton F. "A" Company
• No 9757 L/Cpl Thorogood A. "C" Company
• No 3/7644 Pte Waldock D. "C" Company
• No 21050 Pte Walker A. "A" Company
• No 7017 Pte Wood B "C" Company(1)

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) Of these the following twelve did not live to see the end of the war: Private W Barker was killed in action on 11th July 1916 ; Private A Bean was killed in action on 12th October 1916; Lance Corporal Boyce died of wounds on 11th August 1916; Private J Cleeve was killed in action on 12th October 1916; Sergeant Compton was killed in action on 21st September 1918; Private Dawson died of wounds on 4th July 1916; Private Fairweather was killed in action on 11th July 1916; Private L Flynn was killed in action on 30th July 1916; Private Kidd was killed in action on 25th June 1918; Private Reed was killed in action on 11th July 1916; Private Sams was killed in action on 23rd October 1918; Lance Sergeant Smith was killed in action on 30th July 1916.

Back in the Front Line

Saturday 17th June 1916: The 2nd Battalion have returned to front line duty. Yesterday they took up dispositions near Maricourt. They are the right hand of the British Army in France, as the unit neighbouring them on the right flank is the 8th Company of the 156th French Regiment(1)

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) This was to be an unusually long tour in the front line as the 2nd Battalion would stay there until the 1st July when they formed a reserve to the attack by battalions of the King’s (Liverpool) and Manchester Regiments.

Detailed Attack Training

H A Chamen [X550/1/81]

Monday 5th June 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion tells us that though behind the lines they are not idle. They are busy practicing attacks over ground selected as almost identical to that near Maricourt, with trenches laid out to imitate those of the enemy.  Clearly a major attack is anticipated. The adjutant is also happy to report the return to the Battalion of Second Lieutenant H A Chamen who was posted to 3rd Entrenching Battalion back in February(1).

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He would die of wounds one month in to forthcoming battle.

Congratulations for Digging

30th Division badge

Monday 29th May 1916: The Bedfordshire Regiment have a special reputation for being good workers and have won praise whenever they have had to do a hard job in the way of digging trenches and constructing fortifications. A formidable task of this nature was allotted to the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire two nights ago when, together with the Wiltshire Regiment they were called upon to dig 1,500 yards of new trench to as to bring the line 100 yards nearer to the enemy at Maricourt on the Somme. This work had to be done at night, of course and required most elaborate previous organisation, so that every man should know exactly where he had to go and what he had to do and in order that the work might proceed noiselessly. So successful was this organisation and so skilfully and vigorously was the work carried out in spite of machine gun and rifle fire not a single casualty occurred. The men had dug themselves in sufficiently to be under cover about half an hour before the enemy discovered the operations. The following congratulatory messages provide ample evidence of the meritorious nature of the achievement which has added to the high reputation of our County Regiment.

The General commanding the Division(1) wrote to the Brigadier(2): “I congratulate you on the result of your very thorough preparation. Please thank all ranks of the Bedfords and Wilts for the good work of last night”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 9th June 1916; X550/3/wd

(1) Major-General Sir John Stuart Mackenzie Shea

(2) Frederick Charles Stanley, who was 4th son of the 16th Earl of Derby and brother of the 17th Earl of Derby who implemented the Derby Scheme which preceded conscription, becoming Secretary of State for war in December 1916. The crest of 30th Division was the Stanley family crest.

6th Battalion Suffers a Raid Whilst 2nd Battalion Watches Aerial Combat

Friday 5th May 1916: Yesterday morning, about 3 am, the 6th Battalion, at Monchy-au-Bois, underwent a raid by the Germans. Details are sketchy but 66 men are reported to be casualties, with eight missing, no doubt taken prisoner.

The 2nd Battalion, also in the front line, but further south at Maricourt on the Somme, report an active morning yesterday. At 9.15 a.m. one of our aeroplanes attacked and brought down an enemy aeroplane, which fell in the enemies lines. Our plane dived almost to the ground in doing so, but managed to get back to our own lines although flying at only 300 feet above the German trenches.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/7/1

2nd Battalion Sports Near the Front Line

Saturday 29th April 1916: The 2nd Battalion are at Grovetown Camp and have been indulging in some sports to keep them fit and happy. Yesterday No. 15 platoon won the inter-platoon relay race and B Company the inter-company relay. In tug-of-war the Battalion beat both the 17th and 19th Battalions, King’s (Liverpool Regiment) and success attended the Battalion’s boxers. Private Leray won the nine stone and under category and Private Pilkington the category for ten stone and under. Sergeant Baker won the heavyweight division(1). At the conclusion of Sports the Prizes were presented by Brigadier General Stanley.

The sports had been going on since 26th with heats etc. Now the men of the Battalion must gird up their loins as they are going back to the trenches at Maricourt today.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) This may be Sergeant George Baker from Barking, Essex, who would be killed in action on 20th September 1917.

Retaliation

German 77 mm trench mortar at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford

Monday 28th February 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion near Maricourt on the Somme tells us that yesterday the French, on their right flank, south of the River Somme, warned them that they were going to fire on the German communication trenches and that this might cause some retaliation. It duly did, about a hundred 77 mm and thirty 5.9 inch shells fell on Maricourt, many of them near Battalion Headquarters, one soldier, Private Henry Parker from Stratford, Essex, dying of his wounds this morning.

Source: X550/3/wd

The Rector of Gravenhurst’s Son Killed

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Second Lieutenant E E A Collisson

Friday 25th February 1916: The village of Gravenhurst sustained a great loss two days ago when the son of its rector was killed in action with the 2nd Battalion near Maricourt on the River Somme. Second Lieutenant Evelyn E A Collisson was the only son of Rev Thomas and Mrs Collisson of Gravenhurst Rectory and was born at Haynes Vicarage on July 19th 1893. He was educated at Boxgrove School, Guildford, where he gained many prizes for both studies and sports and left a Prefect at the top of the school in every subject. He then entered Aldenham School(1) and gained a Junior Platt Scholarship, being placed at once in a high form. During his five years at the school he won classical, history and sports prizes and the school heaped honours upon him. A Prepositor, Head of Mr Paull’s House, Captain of the games, Editor of the magazine, President of the Debating Society, he gained a Senior Platt scholarship and the promise of a leaving exhibition if he entered the University. On leaving school his Housemaster wrote to his father: “He has achieved the greatest distinction possible at a public school”. Peterhouse College offered him a History Exhibition, to develop into a scholarship, but as he desired to enter into business life he did not proceed to the University. He at once entered the house of Messrs Gibbs and Sons of 22 Bishopsgate(2), who that same year sent him out to their house in Valparaiso, Chile: there excellent prospects were held out to him, but at the beginning of the war he offered his services and cabled to his father, “May I come? I want to”. Receiving a favourable reply he, with Brian James Brett Walsh, an Aldenham scholar, in the same house of business, started over the Andes through the snow, on mule back, to Buenos Aires, being unable to travel by sea, as the German Fleet which sank the Monmouth was then in the Valparaiso roads(3).

He joined the Duke of Bedford’s Camp at Ampthill as a Second Lieutenant. At Aldenham School he passed the Military Certificate A, top, gaining unusually high marks; was a Sergeant in the AOT Corps(4) and won the challenge cup for shooting. From the Ampthill Camp he went to the Front in France and was to have received a Headquarters Staff appointment. He was killed in action on February 23rd at 12.15 pm, shot by a sniper and death was instantaneous. Numerous letters from his Schools, from Messrs Gibbs and Son and from the Ampthill Camp and from the Front testify to his bright spirits, bravery and ability, while the Headquarters Staff of the Division to which he was attached(5) sent a message to his parents that had he been spared he would have had a great future in the Army. His first school report began: “He is wonderfully in earnest for so young a boy”. This was one of his many delightful characteristics all through life/ His school companion, who crossed the Andes with him, died of wounds received at Gallipoli(6) and he was just such another brave Englishman who had that high sense of duty and patriotism, enabling him to give up excellent prospects to serve his King and country . They were the same age, 22 years. Second Lieutenant E E A Collisson was buried at Maricourt, the officiating priest being the Rev G R Vallings, Chaplain of the 1st/7th Gordon Highlanders.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 17th March 1916

(1) Both schools are still in existence

(2) Merchants dealing in cloth, guano, wine, fruit, banking, shipping and insurance, the latter became its main concern and it is now part of international conglomerate Marsh and McLennan

(3) Chile was neutral in World War One. This German fleet was victorious at the Battle of Coronel on 1st November 1914, sinking two armoured cruisers, Monmouth and Good Hope. The German fleet was defeated and destroyed at the Battle of the Falkland Islands on 8th December.

(4) Army Officer Training

(5) 30th Division.

(6) His name was actually Brian James Brett Walch – a Second Lieutenant with the Essex Regiment who died on 28th October 1915 and is buried at Embarkation Pier Cemetery, Gallipoli 

Finally the Attack Comes

Wednesday 23rd February 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion at Maricourt tells us that there was a heavy snowstorm yesterday which at least meant that the guns were silent. At dusk, however, the Germans made an attack on 7th Division, the division to which the battalion used to belong and which is now stationed on their left flank. The attack was preceded by an intense bombardment lasting half an hour. Heavy rifle and machine gun fire prevented the Germans getting a foothold in our trenches. “Those of the enemy who left their own trenches did not return” the adjutant told us with some satisfaction. No gas was used because it was too cold. The adjutant opined that this was probably the attack they had been warned to expect on 14th February, though directed against a different part of the line.

Source: X550/3/wd

Gas Attack Expected

Monday 14th February 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion at Maricourt tells us that they are all on high alert. At midnight a message was received from headquarters that a German captured by the French yesterday in their attack on Frise warned that the German 12th Division is going to attack the British front line this morning protected by a cloud of poison gas. We await developments in a state of some tension.

Source: X550/3/wd

French Attack

H A Chamen

Sunday 13th February 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion at Maricourt on the Somme tells us that the French on their right have made an attack on the village of Frise, taken by the Germans at the end of last month. They have taken a hundred prisoners. The Battalion has lost the services of Second Lieutenant Chamen who has been dispatched to 3rd Entrenching Battalion(1).

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He would rejoin on 4th June and be seriously in the Battle of the Somme in an attack on Guillemont on 30th July, dying of wounds on 1st August.

All Change

Sunday 16th January 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, in the front line near Maricourt on the Somme mentioned to us this morning that there was a reshuffle of positions last night with A Company moving from the reserve to the front line, D Company from support to front line, C Company to support and B Company to the reserve. This illustrates that most units hold the front line with two of their four companies with one in support, close behind the front line and ready to go instantly to where they are needed and one company further back in reserve in case of a determined attack or breakthrough. During a tour of the trenches companies are shuffled around so that no one has to spend all their time in the front line where they will become tired from the strain more quickly than in support or reserve.

Source: X550/3/wd