THE SOMME.
_First Phase._
On the 10th August, 1916, the Battalion entrained at Godewaersvelde, and
detraining at Candas, marched to Heuzecourt and spent four days resting.
The 15th, 16th and 17th were spent in marching through Vignacourt and
Villers Bocage to Baizieux, where the men bivouaced in the wood. Here two
accidents occurred. Major F. Walton, Second in Command, and Lieut.
Ebsworth, M.C., Adjutant, were thrown from their horses and sustained
broken limbs. 2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse resumed duties as Adjutant.
Nearly a month was spent in the wood, the time being devoted to training
in the new wave formation for the coming offensive. It was about this
time that distinguishing marks were adopted in the Division and the
Battalion began to wear the red diamonds which came to be regarded with
almost as much pride as the cap badge, and continued to be worn as long
as the Battalion existed as a unit in France. On the 6th September
Brig.-Gen. N.J.G. Cameron took over command of the Brigade. Four days
later the Battalion moved to bivouacs in Becourt Wood, and there the
final preparations were made for action, and amid the growing violence of
the artillery preparation it moved again on the 14th September to Shelter
Wood.
Zero for the second phase of the Somme battle was 6.20 a.m. on the 15th
September. The 149th and 150th Infantry Brigades were then in the front
line between High Wood and Martinpuich with the 151st Brigade in reserve.
At zero the Battalion moved from Shelter Wood by way of Sausage Valley to
an old German trench at the south-west corner of Mametz Wood. About noon
a further forward move was made, Y and Z Companies to the northern edge
of the wood, and W and X Companies to a position a little further forward
between Mametz and Bazentin-le-Petit Woods. So far the Battalion had
escaped shell fire, and the men were much interested in prisoners who
were being escorted to the rear. About 11 a.m. a message was received
that the 47th Division had failed to take High Wood, and that the two
Brigades of the 50th Division had secured their objectives. Later came a
message that the 47th Division had taken High Wood at the second attempt.
Rations arrived about 5 p.m., and whilst they were being distributed
Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys returned from Brigade Headquarters with orders to
move up at once. Accordingly the Battalion paraded and marched up the
road to the Quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit. By this time the area was full
of movement. Guns, ammunition, ration wagons and troops were everywhere
moving up after the advance.
After a conference at Brigade Headquarters orders were again issued for a
move, and at 9 p.m. the Battalion in fours, led by the Commanding Officer
and a guide from the Northumberland Fusiliers moved from the Quarry with
orders to attack from Eye and Clarke's trenches at 9.30 p.m. The attack
was to be made in four waves, with the 9th Durham Light Infantry, who had
been in position all the afternoon, on the right, the 6th in the centre,
and the 5th Border Regiment on the left. Unfortunately the guide lost his
way, and after unnecessary wandering the head of the Battalion arrived in
Clarke's trench, at the junction with Bethel sap, at 9.15 p.m. After
considerable difficulty, owing to ignorance of the ground, the Companies
got into position. W Company, under Capt. J. Cook, was on the left of the
first wave, and X Company, under Capt. W.F.E. Badcock, on the right, with
Z (left) and Y (right) in support. Just as they got into Clarke's trench
2nd Lieut. Annett, commanding Y Company, was killed, and 2nd Lieut. B.J.
Harvey, though wounded, took command.
At the time appointed for the attack the 5th Border Regiment could not be
located, so the 6th and 9th Durham Light Infantry, after waiting about an
hour, advanced. Crossing Hook trench, which had been the enemy front line
in the morning and was now held by remnants of the 149th Brigade, they
moved down the slope towards Starfish and Prue trenches, the first
objective. They were met by a certain amount of machine-gun and rifle
fire, and had a few casualties, including Capt. Badcock, who was wounded.
The 6th Battalion continued to advance, however, until completely
checked by machine-gun fire, and then took cover in ditches and shell
holes. It was then discovered that there was a considerable gap on the
right, but by moving men in that direction touch was regained with the
9th Battalion.
About 3.30 a.m. on the 16th the Commanding Officer took up Z Company to
reinforce the front line, and the 5th Border Regiment also moved up at
the same time. The whole line was then pushed forward and straightened.
Battalion Headquarters remained in Clarke's trench.
Further orders were received to attack again at 9.15 a.m., but they never
readied the Companies, and nothing happened. Things were fairly quiet
during the day, and at night a shallow communication trench was dug over
the ridge and attempts made to improve the forward positions. Efforts
were also made to collect the Battalion into Companies, but on the 17th
the only parties under the control of Headquarters were half of W
Company, under Capt. Cook, part of X Company, under Lieut. Harriss, a
Platoon of Z Company, under Lieut. W.B. Hansell, and Y Company, in
reserve in a sunken road, under 2nd Lieuts. McVicker and Richardson. It
was known that other isolated groups were in positions in the front line.
One of these was organised for defence under orders of Private B.
McLinden of X Company, who subsequently received the Military Medal.
The chief obstacle to a further advance was an enemy strong point called
the Crescent. Accordingly a party was organised to attack it, consisting
of two bombing squads, one each from the 6th and 8th Battalions under 2nd
Lieut. J.F.G. Aubin, now Brigade Bombing Officer. Leaving by way of
Crescent Alley at 6 p.m., they met with considerable shell fire and were
disorganised. Re-forming, however, they went out again with the same
result. The shelling proved to be the preliminary to an attack on the
150th Brigade, which was beaten off, Y Company being used to assist their
neighbours with Lewis guns.
The following day (18th) was misty, and it was thought that the Germans
were evacuating Starfish trench. An attack was therefore ordered to
occupy it. This attack was made by the 6th Battalion on the left and the
9th on the right, each providing 100 men. 2nd Lieut. W. Little, with 50
men of W Company, composed the Battalion's front line, and 2nd Lieut.
W.F. Charlton, with 50 of Z Company, the supporting line. A few men of
other Companies were also mixed with these two lines. Shortly after
starting they came under heavy machine-gun fire and had a number of
casualties, including 2nd Lieut. Charlton, who was killed. Some of the
party returned to their line during the day and others at night. All who
had been near the enemy trench reported it to be strongly held.
During the morning Y Company were sent up to relieve W, X and Z Companies
in the front line. Owing to the trenches being very muddy after rain, and
at all places very shallow, this was a difficult operation. To add to the
difficulty the 8th Battalion began to arrive to relieve the Battalion
before the Company relief was complete. However, they at last got out and
moved back to 6th Avenue East and the intermediate line, where two days
were spent in cleaning up. Here Lieut. Ebsworth rejoined as Adjutant, and
the officers and men who had been left at the transport lines also came
up.
On the 20th September, the Battalion moved further back to shelter in
Mametz Wood, where a draft of 50 men from the 2/6th Battalion, Essex
Regiment, joined. After four days' rest it again went forward to the
intermediate line. The same day Major Wilkinson, of the 149th Machine Gun
Company, joined as second in command. The following night the whole
Battalion turned out to dig a jumping-off trench. Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys
took them as far as the Battalion Headquarters of the 5th Durham Light
Infantry from where Lieut. Ebsworth and a guide led them to the position.
The guide lost his way, and after wandering about nearly all night, the
Battalion returned without doing any work.
On the 26th September Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys left the Battalion to proceed
to England for three months' rest, and Major Wilkinson took over command.
The following day a move was made to Hook trench, where the men lived in
small shelters and provided working parties at nights. This trench was on
the sky line, and as a result received considerable attention from the
enemy gunners. To prevent casualties, and also to provide more room, two
Companies were pushed forward on the 28th to Starfish trench. From these
positions, in the afternoon, the Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion in
the front line. The relief was observed, and the communication trench
shelled. The disposition of Companies was, from right to left: Y, Z, W,
X, each Company having two Platoons in the front line (North Durham
Street) and two Platoons in the support line (South Durham Street). At
night they occupied battle positions, and extended the trench they
occupied by 150 to 300 yards. The 9th Battalion was in support in
Crescent Alley. On the left were the 5th Border Regiment, and on the
right the 47th Division, but it was not possible to get into touch with
the flanks during the night. The Company Commanders were now W Company,
2nd Lieut. Barnett; X Company, 2nd Lieut. Lean; Y Company, Lieut.
Catford; and Z Company, Capt. Peberdy. By dawn all preparations,
including the alteration of watches to winter time, were completed for
the attack, which had been ordered for the 1st October.
The preliminary bombardment commenced at 7 a.m. and continued till zero
(3.15 p.m.), when it changed to a barrage. Unfortunately there were some
casualties from shells falling short, the total casualties for the day
being about 40, including the Commanding Officer wounded. Lieut.-Col.
R.B. Bradford, now commanding the 9th Battalion, asked for and was given
permission to take command of the two Battalions, and for his subsequent
work that day was awarded the V.C. He arrived at Battalion Headquarters
at zero, and at once went up to the front line.
The attack commenced at 3.15 p.m., but, partly on account of the failure
of the 47th Division on the right, and partly owing to the wire not being
properly cut, the attackers were held up by machine-gun fire and suffered
heavy casualties. After considerable fighting with bombs and rifles three
Lewis gun teams of X Company, under 2nd Lieut. T. Little and 2nd Lieut.
C.L. Tyerman, and one team of W Company under 2nd Lieut. Barnett,
succeeded in getting a footing in the first objective. These organised
the position and carried on bombing attacks, 2nd Lieut. Little being
killed. During these operations Lieut.-Col. Bradford arrived on the
scene, and immediately took charge of the situation, and under his
direction and leadership the whole of the first objective was gained. A
Company of the 9th Battalion then came up, and using the new position as
a starting point, advanced and took the final objective after dark.
About dusk a counter-attack was attempted by the enemy on the right
front. Advancing in extended order, about twenty of the enemy were
challenged, and they all cheered, shouting "Hooray." As they showed no
further friendly signs they were fired on and driven off. During the
night a further counter-attack developed from the valley on the right,
but this also was repulsed.
The following day, by organised bombing, the whole of the final objective
was captured and held, and communication trenches were dug back to North
Durham Street.
The casualties during the two days had been very heavy, and included
amongst the officers, in addition to those already mentioned, 2nd Lieut.
Peacock, killed, and 2nd Lieut. Lean, Capt. Peberdy, Lieut. Cotching, 2nd
Lieut. Barnett and 2nd Lieut. Appleby wounded. Amongst the decorations
gained were Military Medals awarded to Corporal Dixon and Privates
Rushforth and Atkinson, all signallers, and Private Turnbull of Y
Company. Good work was also done by Sergeants Gowland and Winslow.
On the night of the 2nd October Lieut.-Col. Bradford handed over the
command of the Battalion to Lieut. Ebsworth, and it was relieved by the
7th Northumberland Fusiliers the night after. Owing to the mud the relief
did not commence until 4 a.m., and it was almost dawn before the
Battalion reached Headquarters, from where it was led by Lieut. Ebsworth
to Starfish trench. Here it was joined by R.S.M. Perry and the C.S.M.'s
and a draft which had been used as a carrying party. The officers left
were Lieut. Ebsworth, 2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse, Adjutant; 2nd Lieut. K.B.
Stuart, Signalling Officer, and 2nd Lieut. Tyerman; the Medical Officer,
Capt. J.G. Hill, arrived later.
After a short rest the Battalion marched back to bivouacs in Becourt Wood
for one night.
_Second Phase._
On the 4th October, the Battalion moved back to tents in Henencourt Wood,
where drafts arrived, and remained for three weeks, reorganising and
training. The Company Commanders were now:--W Company, 2nd Lieut. A.S.
Tate; X Company, 2nd Lieut. J.H.F. Ludgate; Y Company, 2nd Lieut. R.H.
Stewart; and Z Company, 2nd Lieut. C.L. Tyerman.
At the end of this period, on the 23rd October, the Battalion left the
Wood and marched back to Becourt, where two days were spent in tents. On
the 25th October the men were on the move again over familiar ground and
soon found themselves in tents just outside Mametz Wood. After a week
spent on working parties they moved up to the front line, W Company, now
under 2nd Lieut. R.H. Wharrier, being in front in Snag trench and the
other three Companies in close support in the Flers line. On the night of
Saturday, the 4th November, X, Y and Z Companies took over the front line
in preparation for an attack on the Butte de Warlencourt on the Sunday
morning. Zero had been fixed for 9.15 a.m. and the relief was not
complete, owing to the extremely bad state of the trenches, till 9 a.m.
The Battalion was disposed for the attack with X Company on the right, Y
in the centre, Z on the left and W in support, with the 9th Battalion on
the left flank and the 8th on the right. This fateful day, 5th November,
proved to be the most disastrous the Battalion had yet passed through.
The enemy position was exceptionally strong, the trenches from which the
attack started were so muddy that several men were drowned in them, and
the time for preparation was so short that the attack broke down almost
as soon as it had started. The casualties were very heavy, and included
amongst the officers 2nd Lieut. K.B. Stuart, 2nd Lieut. Fell, 2nd Lieut.
A.S. Ritson, 2nd Lieut. S. Robson, 2nd Lieut. T.F. Applegarth, and 2nd
Lieut. G.W. Robson, all killed, and all the remaining Company officers,
except 2nd Lieut. Wharrier, wounded. Amongst the honours awarded were the
M.C. to 2nd Lieut. Wharrier and the Military Medal to L.-Cpl. H.
Cruddace, who was also promoted to be sergeant. A monument was afterwards
erected on the Butte to the memory of those of the Battalion who fell on
this day.
On the following night the Battalion was relieved by the 5th Battalion
and went back to Mametz Wood, where it stayed till the end of the month
supplying working parties daily. Several new officers joined here,
including Lieut.-Col. H.M. Allen, Black Watch, who took over command;
Lieut. (now Major) Ebsworth becoming Second in Command.
Towards the end of the month came rumours of a rest, and on the 30th the
Battalion marched off once more to Becourt, where it was this time
accommodated in huts. After a night there it marched back to billets at
Warloy, where it stayed during the whole of December, training and
resting. The rest was thoroughly enjoyed by all ranks. On Christmas Day
sports were held which included a mounted officers' race won by Lieut.
H.T. Bircham, M.C., transport officer.
On New Year's Day the Battalion was on its way back to the line. The
first day's march took it to billets in Albert, the billets being
partially destroyed houses. The following day the march was resumed to a
hut camp near the quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit, well known to the few
remaining survivors of the 15th September. After a few days in this camp,
troubled only by an occasional shell, a move was made into High Wood West
camp, a cheerless place consisting of black tarpaulin huts. From this and
a similar camp across the valley (High Wood East) the Battalion did two
tours in the front line at Factory Corner, where the line consisted of
more or less isolated posts. The support line, where a few days were
spent, was just in front of Flers. During these tours the weather was
exceedingly cold and the men suffered considerably, both in the line and
in the camp. There was also a considerable amount of shell fire. Parties
carrying up rations and pushing trolleys up the light railway from
Clarke's Dump had several casualties, and on one occasion the camp was
hit and all the signallers who had been left out of the line for training
became casualties. In the line itself the only outstanding incident
happened to a patrol which found itself surrounded one night, but
succeeded in getting back safely. Towards the end of the month came
rumours of relief, and on the 24th January the Division was relieved by
the 1st Australian Division. The Battalion came out to a new hut camp on
the Beaver Road, between the Bazentin and Mametz Woods. The next day it
marched to Becourt Camp, the air being full of rumours as to the future.
It soon became known, however, that the Division was moving south to take
over a section of the line hitherto held by the French, still in the
Somme area, just south of Peronne. From Becourt the Battalion continued
its march to Ribemont. The march was uneventful except for the fact that
the two rear Companies took a wrong turning, and after a roundabout
journey arrived late at the halting place for dinner. At Ribemont it
stayed for about three weeks, during which training was carried out, the
men being accommodated in barns. Col. Allen was still in command with
Lieut. T.J. Arnott (Gordon Highlanders) as Adjutant. There was little of
interest during this period and, on the whole, everybody was pleased when
the move was resumed to huts at Hamel. After a few days there the
Battalion marched to billets at Proyart, where Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys,
D.S.O., returned and took over command. Again, in three or four days it
marched to Foucaucourt, where it was in Divisional Reserve. This village,
which had at one time been in the front line system, was practically
nothing but ruins and the Battalion was accommodated in a large camp of
French huts, fitted with wire beds, each hut holding about 150 men. Here,
final preparations were made for the line, which was visited by officers
who reported that the trenches were dry and in good condition. It was
very frosty weather at this time, but unfortunately before the Battalion
moved up a thaw had set in. The relief of the 5th Yorkshire Regiment will
never be forgotten by those of the Battalion who took part in it.
Following on the methods adopted by the French the relief took place
through very long communication trenches, running from Estrées through
Berny to the line in front of Misery. These trenches, as a result of the
thaw, were everywhere knee deep in mud and usually waist deep, and men
arrived in the line without boots and in a few cases without trousers,
having lost them in the mud. The experiences of X Company were perhaps
the worst. Leaving camp at about 5 p.m., then 130 strong, they were met
by guides, who lost their way, and eventually arrived in the front line
at dawn, having lost over 100 men stuck in the mud. The relief was not
reported complete till 4 p.m. the next day. The front line trenches were
worse if possible than the communication trenches, and the days that
followed were most unpleasant. There was very little cover from enemy
snipers, who were pretty active, and there were several casualties from
fishtail trench mortars. One night was marked by a very intense "strafe"
for a short time with rifle grenades and trench mortars. It afterwards
appeared that this was the enemy's parting shot, for soon after the
Division was relieved the enemy's extensive retirement on this sector
took place. After two tours in the front line, one in support in trenches
round Berny, and one in reserve at Foucaucourt, the Battalion was
relieved early in March by the 2/5th South Staffordshire Regiment (59th
Division), who had just come from Ireland and had not previously seen any
fighting in France. On relief the Battalion returned to Foucaucourt.
Towards the end of the tour Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys left the Battalion for
a few days in hospital, during which time Major Little, of the 5th Border
Regiment, and Major Crouch of the 9th Durham Light Infantry, both held
command. He returned, however, when the Battalion came out of the line.
This ended the tour in the Somme region, but the Battalion did not leave
the area till the end of the month, the period being spent in huts at
Morcourt, where an energetic programme of training and sports was carried
out. The principal feature of the sports was the success of members of
the Battalion, including Sergt. Young and Ptes. Nimney and Moody in the
Brigade and Divisional boxing contests. Although there were no
outstanding incidents to record of this training, Morcourt seems to mark
one of those turning points in the history of the Battalion from which
all subsequent events date. So many small things occurred there that it
was remarked by later comers that it appeared to them that the Morcourt
training must have lasted for months. One event, however, can be pointed
to as a turning point. On the 25th March, Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys, who had
never fully recovered from the wounds received in Sanctuary Wood, was
ordered to return to England on account of ill-health, and handed over
command to Major W.D. Carswell Hunt, M.C., of the 7th Durham Light
Infantry. Colonel Jeffreys' personal influence and fighting qualities,
strongly reflected even in his absence in those officers who had received
their early training under him, had been largely responsible for the
reputation and the success of the Battalion during its first two years of
fighting and his departure was greatly regretted by all ranks.
A few days after he left, the Battalion was on the move to take part in
the battle which was about to begin at Arras.