Day Seventy Two on the Somme

Sunday 10th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

This morning 56th (London) Division, having attacked north from Leuze Wood attacked south-east from the wood, but met with such a wall of machine gun fire that the attack was stopped in its tracks. This afternoon a second attempt has, we understand, fared no better, this time heavy artillery bombardment being the cause.

Lieutenant O A R Beale

The 1st Battalion have not left the Somme area so quickly as we had anticipated. Today one hundred tired men found a working party at Grovetown Station near Morlancourt, loading and unloading supplies. We have heard that a draft of 67 other ranks has arrived as replacements for those killed. Captain M W Halford has joined the battalion from 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment as second-in-command after the death of Major Lawder on 4th September. Lieutenant O A R Beale tells me he has become the Acting Adjutant.

Source: X550/2/5

Day Sixty Two on the Somme

Thursday 31st August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Around 1 pm this afternoon there was a massive German attack on British positions in Delville Wood and Longeval. It was preceded by an intense artillery barrage and much activity by German aeroplanes. There has been hand-to-hand fighting with 7th Division and 24th Division east of the wood. The Germans also attacked British positions along the road from Ginchy to Longueval but seem to have been held. The Germans appear to have penetrated the northern outskirts of Longueval.

On a happier note, the new adjutant of 1st Bedfords, now in reserve at Billon Farm near Bray-sur-Somme, tells me that this morning General Horne, commander of XV Corps presented medals for gallantry at Longueval. Acting Company Sergeant Major Afford was given the Distiguished Conduct Medal whilst Lance Corporal Pettengell and Private J King received the Military Medal. The adjutant is now Major N W Lawder because Captain H Williams has been evacuated as sick(1)

Major Noel Lawder

As I write these lines another German attack seems to be developing, probably on the east side of Delville Wood where, so far, they have achieved little. There is considerable noise of artillery, including the dreaded “whizz-bangs”, and I seem to be able to hear rifle fire too.

Source: X550/2/5

(1) Major Noel Wilfred Lawder would be killed on 4th September. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.