The East Anglian Royal Engineers in Combat

Sapper Barcock

Saturday 20th February 1915: We have received news of an attack by 2nd Division on a position known as the Duck’s Bill in front of the town of Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée in northern France. The 1st Field Company of East Anglian Royal Engineers are attached to 2nd Division and took part in the attack. The attack intended to discover whether the Germans were mining towards the British lines. It is the habit of both sides to dig underground galleries towards the opposition lines and, when they believe they are under the front line, lay a large amount of explosive which, when detonated blows the enemy fortifications up, killing men and making a gap for an attack to go through.

The commanding officer, Major Wilson tells us: “To put it shortly the scaremongers said the Germans were mining us and said they heard a drill going and pointed out a steam pump just showing some vapour over the top of their parapet. The General determined to rush their trenches and blow their mines up, so two small columns of infantry were formed, 25 strong each, followed by Lieutenant Humphreys and twelve sappers as blocking party and again by Lieutenant Langley with twelve sappers as demolition party, carrying mines and with some infantry supports, kept in our trench and eight more sappers in reserve. At 5 p.m. our guns gave the Germans a tremendous pounding. At 5.20 the columns kicked off. Unluckily a big shell fell into our right blocking party and buried Corporal Button and three men but (less these) they pushed on and got into the German trenches. Langley found no trace of a mine but only an old cooking stove pipe! Sapper Barber was shot getting over the Germans’ parapet and Corporal Newbury was last seen shouting “Come on boys” and charging down the German trenches. Humphreys was knocked down by shrapnel at the start but recovered and led his men into the German trench and saw red and was tearing up and down trying to find someone to kill. Sapper Rust was shot as he was returning and also Sapper Barcock”.

Sadly this man was Sapper Reginald Barcock, who we spoke to on 24th January. Another Bedford boy, Sapper White has told us: “I am very sorry to say that poor Reg was wounded in a charge. I got him into safety but he died after. We had a hard time, but we gave them something to be going on with. There were five of our Section went into this struggle and we lost two. It was like hell on earth while this battle was on the go. It has properly upset men on hearing of the two gone, but I am getting over it a bit now”.

Sapper Barcock was the eldest son of Herbert Barcock of 1 The Grove, Bedford. He served his apprenticeship as a painter, decorator and plumber to his uncle A. J. Barcock of Sharnbrook and during the seven years he lived at Sharnbrook was a member of the church choir and, for several seasons, of the football club. He is described as of a most cheerful disposition, good-natured and well-liked by all. He had also worked in Bedford for E Smith. One brother was the late Walter Barcock, well known as a boy soprano singer and athlete and another is serving in Egypt.

Major Wilson went on: “All told it cost the Company three killed, one missing and eight wounded, or just over a third of our party. I am awfully cut up at losing my men but our fellows have shown themselves the true men that they are and I know you are proud of them. And I can tell you that every unwounded sapper reached the German trenches. The infantry lost one officer and four killed and, I think, twelve wounded, a smaller proportion than ours. The attack was successful and the General was very pleased. I am too tired to say any more”.

We have also just heard from Corporal A. Ames of the engineers: “I am proud to be an NCO on the Company. Of course we had casualties. I saw a Bedford lad jump the enemy’s trench and cry out “Come on, Bedford Boys”. What we did tonight the town of Bedford can be proud of. My bedfellow went under, poor fellow. He died fighting like a hero. I believe Kempston has lost three lads but it’s nothing to be alarmed at. I have said my prayers a good many times but tonight was, I thought, the last chance but, thank God, I am alive and in the best of health”.

Sources: WO95/1332/1 [at The National Archives]; Bedfordshire Times 5th March 1915