The Old Costessey War Memorial - 4

1914 - 1919

 

Henry Francis Melton

 

Most likely

Name: MELTON Initials: H

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 8th Bn.

Date of Death: 17/02/1917 Service No: 23782

Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. F. 23. Cemetery: REGINA TRENCH CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=235140

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious matches on the 1901 Census. There is a Melton family recorded at The Street, Costessey, with the head of the household shown as Maria Melton, aged 40 and with 6 daughters as well as sons James, a 17 year old Labourer and Harry, aged 9. Maria also has an older son, Arthur Paul, aged 20, born London and employed as a brick-layer, indicating Maria had been previously married. On the 1891 census, the head of the household was Herbert Melton, a 30 year old Letter Carrier born at Barford, Norfolk.

 

15th /17th February 1917 (NB 8th Norfolks were part of the 18th Division, who attacked alongside the Royal Naval Division (RND) on these dates)

 

The RND moved into the line around Grandcourt at the end January 1917 with preparation for offensive action towards Miraumont. An attack was planned for February and was to be conducted by units of 189 Brigade, with mainly Hood and Hawke assaulting and Nelson in close reserve. The attack went ahead in the evening of 3 February and into the early hours of the 4th. The Brigade succeeded in capturing River trench and settled on its gains but suffered casualties of 24 Officers and 647 other ranks. figures which were significant, especially in the light of the losses three months prior to this.

 

On 7th February it was the turn of l90 Brigade to attack. This went well with 1/HAC taking Baillescourt Farm which was in the river valley 600yds ahead of the line taken and established on the 4th. The position now was that the line was advanced into the river valley, but the high ground to the north and south was still in German hands. It was this high ground that was to be the subject of attacks of 3 Divisions on the 17th

 

The plan was to take the sunken lane opposite Baillescourt farm. The lower part of this lane approximately 100yards was in British hands. What was needed was to take the rest of this lane and link with troops to the north. Once this lane had been taken strongpoints were to be formed 50 yards in front of the sunken lane. On the southern flank, the 18 Division was attacking northwards, at 90 degrees to the RND. On their right flank. 2nd division was also attacking Boom ravine northwards towards Pys and Petite Miraumont. The purpose of all of these attacks was to take this high ground and remove a bulge in the British line west of Courcelette/ Pozieres.

 

Conditions generally were bad. The ground bad been frozen, but now was thawing out, leaving the battlefield muddy. There were no trenches as such, they had been blown away, at best there was a line of shell holes. The result was that there were no landmarks, making it difficult to orientate units- It must be remembered that there was only map and compass to find your way around, not the modern Magellan system aided by satellites. Carrying parties and people attempting to get to the front line were becoming disorientated and frequently lost.

 

Zero hour was 5.45 am, the attack commenced with a terrific artillery support. The Germans retaliated with artillery, but it was not strong, especially to the North. Despite these conditions there appeared to be the usual confusion of HQ not receiving any news and this lead to confusion over where the artillery should be directing its fire. It was decided to keep to the fire plan until something was heard from Howe or 1/RM. The RND's artillery was being asked to assist on the 18th Divisions front where big problems were occurring.

www.royalnavaldivision.co.uk/mir1.htm

 

This query also appeared on a geneology forum as part of a request for more information.

 

15th/19th February 1917

 

My great uncle, Robert Bradfield, (8th Bttn Norfolk Regiment, Private, No.43577) was killed at Ancre. A relative discovered the following from the Norfolk Regimental Museum in Norwich. The men were moved into the front line on 15th February 1917. Battle commenced on 16th and lasted to the 19th. Robert died of wounds on 20th February 1917. There were 57 wounded but I don't know how many were killed.

 

archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NORFOLK/2000-08/09...

 

 

Frank Matthews

 

Name: MATTHEWS, FRANK HERBERT JOHN

Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 20 Date of Death: 23/04/1917 Service No: 316861

Additional information: Son of Philip Matthews, of Costessey, Norwich, and the late Agnes Matthews.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 3. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=780740

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census.

 

23rd April 1917 - from the War diary of the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment who went into action alongside 1st Norfolks.

Appendix XII. OPERATION ORDER No.73. Map Reference VIMY Scale 1/10,000. 22nd April 1917.

1. ATTACK. The 5th Division will attack and capture S Trenches from VIMY-AVIONS Railway to the SOUCHEZ Railway.

2. POSITION. 15th Infantry Brigade will attack on the right. 95th Infantry Brigade will attack on the left. 15th Infantry Brigade will attack with first Battalion Norfolk Regiment and 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment on the left. (95th Infantry Brigade on the left of 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment.)

3. BOUNDARIES. 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment – Right T.1.c.80/60 – T.1.d.10/90. Left S.6.central to junction of railway and road at N.31.c.95/90 exclusive.

4. OBJECTIVES. 1st Objective T.1.b.10/10 to T.1.b.0/6 thence to N.31.c.3/1. 2nd Objective T.1.b.60/85 to N.31.d.20/50 thence to 31.c.95/90.

5. BARRAGE. On German front line from Zero to Zero plus ten. German second line (1st objective) from Zero plus 10 to Zero plus 14. About 100 yards (1st objective) a pause of 24 minutes will be observed. It then creeps forward at a rate of 100 yards in 4 minutes until it reaches the outskirts of AVION.

6. GENERAL METHOD. A & B Companies will take the first objective with two platoons each in first wave and two platoons in second wave. A Coy. on the right, B Coy. on the left.

C & D Companies will take second objective, “C” on the right, “D” on the left.

Dividing line between Companies – T.1.a.7/7 (where LENS – ARRAS road crosses German second line) to N.31.d.3/3.

7. DETAILED METHOD. From 30 yards our side of Outpost Line.

A Company. 1st platoon of this company that moves will avoid CYRIL TRENCH on East side of the road and close to it will deploy 150 yards from the road. 2nd platoon will follow this one keeping along the road and from 200 yards to 400 yards will change direction man by man and lay in the ditch in the road. The advance will be made from the left about half hour after deployment. 3rd platoon will attack the triangle at T.1 central and enfiladed with -- (1) Bombs below ground (2) Lewis Guns on top – the WATER TOWER TRENCH and FOSSE No.7 TRENCH. 4th platoon will support the 3rd and act as Moppers Up for the whole company. Touch must be kept with the 1st Norfolk Regiment on the right and the whole triangle including junction of CYRIL TRENCH taken.

B Company. Right on LENS – ARRAS road and left on left boundary keeping touch with 95th Infantry Brigade. The first two platoons will go straight to their objectives and the second two platoons will get into the German front line and mop up.

C & D Companies will advance at 100 yards distance from assaulting companies and will get into A & B Companies objective as soon as it is taken. They will wait in this trench until barrage moves forward from stationary line Zero plus 38 when they will move forward to final objective behind the barrage.

8. Watches to be syncronised at Commanding Officers conference.

9. FIRING. There will be no firing or bombing until after barrage had opened. If parties are met they will be bayoneted.

10. COMMUNICATION. I Power Busser junction of A & B Companies in first objective. Visual should be possible at south end of same wall to a point to be notified.

11. CONTACT AEROPLANE. Will fly at Zero plus 1 hour and Zero plus 2 hours. Flares will be lit if called for by KLAXON HORN and in places as invisible as possible from the enemy. Only front line troops will light them.

12. S.O.S. See V.P.A.

13. TIME TABLE. Time table and detail for relief of 15th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment as attached. Previous time tale to be cancelled.

14. ROYAL ENGINEERS. R.E. i/c section will report to Battalion headquarters at 2am.

15. PRISONERS. To be collected in CYRIL TRENCH. 16th Royal Warwickshire Regt. to arrange escorts.

16. ZERO HOUR. 4.45am

17. FLAGS. Flags will be carried and not stuck in the ground.

18. BATTALION H.Q. Battalion Headquarters at S.12.b.8/1

Please acknowledge.

(Signed) Beale Lt. & Adjt., 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Report on action at La Coulotte.. Lt. Colonel P.B. Worrall M.C. Commanding 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Sir, I have the honour to report that I received orders to attack LA COULOTTE from T.1.d.1/9 to T.1.a.3/9. and attach a copy of my Operation Orders which I personally explained in detail to all Officers and NCO’s. Briefly, I had to make:

(a) a frontal attack to the N.

(b) a flank attack East on WATER TOWER TRENCH.

AND (c) attack on triangle south of WATER TRENCH from the south, including a large part of CYRIL TRENCH held by the Germans.

The whole undertaking seemed to be most hazardous.

I considered the WATER TOWER TRENCH to be key to the situation and so attacked it frontally and in enfilade. Had I not got this footing, my Battalion must haave been wiped out by WATER TOWER TRENCH if we were held up by wire.

NARRATIVE.

4.40am. For half an hour previous to this I heard no M.G. fire and this proved a successful deployment.

5.15am. Two wounded reported that left company had reached 1st line German trench. It proved afterwards to be correct but with regard to extreme left only.

6.15am. 24 prisoners marched in from DEVONS and BEDFORDS captured at the junction of these two Battalions. 6.5am O.C. right assault company reported wounded but right company going through gaps. This Officer in charge and many others afterwards reported that it took at least five minutes to get through the wire, that there were few gaps, and a double belt (the first one 15 yards thick) in front of the first line.

7.05am. Touch with NORFOLKS reported.

7.55amj. Right 2nd wave (“C” Coy.) report they had passed through first objective (second German line) met with strong resistance, machine gun fire from houses and minerwerfer, but captured 9 prisoners (sent back), and 2 machine guns which they later smashed, and parties actually reached buildings T.1.b.5/9 and made a great attempt to rush LA COULOTTE from there, patrols were also sent out from there to try and get touch with the NORFOLKS , and companies on the left.

9.50am. NCO’s from “B” and “D” (left companies) reported that their right was held up, they had been surrounded and several prisoners had been taken. I have satisfied myself that these men were between two belts of wire with wire and a communication trench on the right from which they were enfiladed, and the gaps through which they had advanced were covered, and that they were bombed from the front and like rats in a trap.

Lt. Hunter from the right and who was on the other side of the road witnessed it and stated they were absolutely powerless.

10.00am. I sent orders to “A” and “C” to hang on and throw a defensive flank from junction of LENS-ARRAS ROAD and 1st German line and make strenuous efforts to get in touch with “B” and “D” .

11.05am. Lt. Woodford wounded, reported that “B” and “D” took the German 2nd line and were at once driven out of it with the exception of extreme left (communication trench T.1.a.30/95). Capt. C.A.S. Morris O.C. B Company was killed in rallying his men to make a gallant attack on machine guns, holding up their advance from 2nd line. At the same time I received a message that the remnants of A and C Companies were under 100 in WATER TOWER TRENCH and TRIANGLE, and that there were some NORFOLKS fighting with them and that they could not hold out much longer. They asked for reinforcements and bombs.

1.30pm. I applied at once for permission to conduct retirement in person but on this being refused I despatched Lt.H.J.EVERERTT MC with all available men from headquarters with 700 bombs and detailed orders for retirement if forced back, and I considered it imperative:

1. To hold the strong point in CYRIL TRENCH and not save the OUTPOST LINE

2. To evacuate my wounded (some 30) in the TUNNEL before evacuation.

My orders were more than carried out, the bombs were taken up under heavy fire, though some sent up by another Regiment failed to arrive, a splendid attack was led by a Sergeant of the NORFOLKS before the withdrawal, all the wounded were got away, and barricade strengthened before withdrawal.

[Cannot read time]. Verbal message received that A and C Companies had withdrawn to our original OUTPOST LINE and that Lt. H.J.EVERETT MC again sent up with a further supply of ammunition and bombs for strong point in CYRIL TRENCH.

[Cannot read time]. My position at the time of this withdrawal was:

1. About 60 men of “A” and “C”, all me effective rifles and some NORFOLKS from about T.1.a.6/7 to T.1.a.9/0 (German Front Line).

2. On my left from T.1.a.5/6 to T.1.a.1/8 the remnants of “B” and “D” lying out in front of German Wire till dusk, being continually bombed, grenaded and minenwerfened.

[Cannot read time]. A proportion of “B” and “D” Companies withdrew under the smoke of a protective barrage on German 2nd Line trench, to left of OLD OUTPOST LINE.

Copy of orders of my forced retirement attached.

I consider that my Officers, NCO’s and men showed great devotion to duty against untold odds, particularly wire and machine guns and I am forwarding under separate cover a list of recommendations.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant

P.R.WORRALL, Lt.Colonel commanding 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

 

 

www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/1stbtn/1stbtn1917appendices.html

 

Arnold Randell

 

Name: RANDELL, ARNOLD

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps

Unit Text: 45th Field Amb

Age: 28

Date of Death: 01/09/1917

Service No: 88228

Additional information: Son of Albert and Emma Randell, of Costessey, Norwich. Born Harleston, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XVIII. F. 5. Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=147033

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census.

 

During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. The cemetery was first used by the French 15th Hopital D'Evacuation and in June 1915, it began to be used by casualty clearing stations of the Commonwealth forces. From April to August 1918, the casualty clearing stations fell back before the German advance and field ambulances (including a French ambulance) took their places.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=14900&...

 

www.lijssenthoek.be/en/address/10652/-arnold-randell.html

 

Alfred Read

 

Possibly, otherwise no obvious match

 

Name: READ, ALFRED WILLIAM

Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Service: King's Royal Rifle Corps Unit Text: 9th Bn.

Age: 24 Date of Death: 12/04/1917 Service No: R/13223

Additional information: Son of Richard and Alice Read, of 15, Newmarket St., Norwich. Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. B. 15. Cemetery: WARLINCOURT HALTE BRITISH CEMETERY, SAULTY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=91604

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 8 year old Alfred living at Kings Street, Norwich. This was the household of his parents, Richard, a 41 year old Warehouse Porter from Norwich, and Alice, aged 38 and also from Norwich. Their other children are Elise, (aged 1), Ethel, (aged 11), Leopold, (age 3), Louisa, (age 16), and May, (aged 13).

 

WARLINCOURT HALTE BRITISH CEMETERY, SAULTY

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from the small military cemeteries at Gaudiempre, La Herliere and Couturelle.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=8700&a...

 

9th April 1917

Battle of Arras “The Harp”

 

The 9th Battalion attacked what was known as the String of the Harp trench system. Uncut wire and heavy machine gun fire caused many casualties, but the Battalion took and consolidated its objective. No tanks were present.

 

Losses: Officers 6 killed, 4 wounded. Other ranks. 204

 

www.krrcassociation.com/History/wf1917.htm

 

Given the history of the cemetery, there must be a strong possibility that Serjeant Read died of wounds received in the earlier attack.

 

George Barley

 

Name: BARLEY, GEORGE

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers Unit Text: 4th Bn.

Age: 18 Date of Death: 31/08/1918 Service No: G/75434

Additional information: Son of George Barley, of Costessey, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 29. Cemetery: H.A.C. CEMETERY, ECOUST-ST. MEIN

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=303647

 

The 1901 Census has the 2 year George living at The Street, Costessey. This was the household of his parents, George, (age 39 and a Bricklayer from Costessey), and Emily, (aged 37 and from Norwich). The rest of their children are:-

 

Albert………………………………aged 3

Alice………………………………...aged 12

Anna………………………………..aged 9

Arthur G………………………….aged 15, Bricklayers Labourer

Edith………………………………..aged 11

Herbert…………………………….aged u/1

Laura………………………………..aged 6

Thomas…………………………….aged 7

William………………………………aged 14, Bakers Boy

 

The enemy positions from Doignies to Henin-sur-Cojeul, including the village of Ecoust, were captured on 2 April 1917, by the 4th Australian and 7th Divisions. This cemetery was begun by the 7th Division after the battle, when 27 of the 2nd H.A.C., who fell (with one exception) on the 31st March or the 1st April, were buried in what is now Plot I, Row A. After the German counter-attack near Lagnicourt on the 15th April, twelve Australian gunners were buried in the same row. Rows B, C and part of D were made in August and September 1918, when the ground had been recaptured by the 3rd Division after five months enemy occupation.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=31200&...

 

The 4th Battalion, as part of Third Division in the Third Army were involved in the Second Battles of the Somme in 1918, which ran from August 21st to the 3rd September 1918, one of which was the 2nd Battle of Bapaume, which ran from the 29th, when the New Zealanders took the town, to the 3rd.

www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_bapaumeII.html

www.1914-1918.net/bat27.htm

warpath.orbat.com/divs/3_div.htm

 

John Sissen

 

Name: SISSEN, JOHN

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment Unit Text: 1st/8th Bn. Date of Death: 27/08/1917 Service No: 29375

Additional information: Son of Mrs. Edith Maria Sissen, of King's Villa, Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 23 to 28 and 163A. Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=3064994

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 3 year John living at The Street, Costessey. This is the household of his parents, Henry, aged 49 and a Bricklayer from Costessey, and Edith, aged 30 and a Tailoress from Norwich. Their other children are Arthur, aged 6, Henry, aged 15 and a Shoemakers apprentice, Stephen, aged 8, and William, aged under 1.

 

A history of the 48th Division, of which the 1st/8th Warwicks were part, includes the following battle honours for 1917.

 

Local operations around St. Julian. 19, 22, 27 Aug 1917

 

www.ordersofbattle.darkscape.net/site/warpath/divs/48_div...

 

However, it would appear that the 143rd Brigade, which included the 1st/8ths, were the divisional reserve on this day, as only the 144th and 145th Brigades appear in these records of the action.

 

forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=11535&...

 

There is some family research on-line in connection with John.

www.martinzuerner.co.uk/descendants-chart.htm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNc2INfhqAw

This site has a (small) picture of John.

www.norfolkmills.co.uk/Watermills/costessey.html

 

 

Watson H Sparkes

 

Name: SPARKES, WATSON HENRY

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: "A" Coy. 1st Bn.

Age: 21 Date of Death: 27/07/1916 Service No: 14031

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sparkes, of Wensum Square, Costessey, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=813718

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 5 year old Watson living at The Street, Costessey. This was the household of his parents, Henry W, aged 38 and a Journeyman Miller from Plumstead, London and Sarah E, aged 32 from East Beckham, Norfolk. Their other children are Ernest W, (aged under 1)and Leonard A, (aged 4).

 

27th July 1916 From the War diary of the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment

 

OPERATION ORDER NO.6 1/BEDFORDSHIRE Rgt. REF. Sheet LONGUEVAL 27th July. 1916

1. The 15th Infantry Bde. will attack the village of LONGUEVAL on 27th inst.

2. The attack will be preceded by a bombardment of 2 hours commencing at 2 hours before zero, i.e. at 5.10 A.M.

3. (a) At ZERO i.e. 7.10 A.M. 2 Coys 1/NORFOLK RGT. will advance from their line of assembly to the first objective. (b) The Guns will then lift onto the 2nd line of barrage. (c) A & B Coys will occupy the trenches vacated by two coys 1/NORFOLKS at this time.

4. (a) At 8.10 a.m. 2 coys 1/NORFOLKS will advance to 2nd objective (b) remaining 2 coys 1/NORFOLKS will move up into trenches vacated by 2 assaulting coys of 1/NORFOLKS (c) A.& B. Coys will move into the Trenches vacated by last 2 coys 1/NORFOLKS (d) C. & D. Coys will occupt original line of assembly. (e) At 8.40 A.M. Guns will lift onto final objective.

5. (a) At 8.40 A.M. A. & B. Coys. will attack the final objective. (b) The Guns will lift onto a line [blank] to [blank] & will stay on this line

6. A.Coy. will be responsible for that part of the objective lying to the right of the road running N.-S. through LONGUEVAL.. B.Coy. to the left of this road. (b) A.Coy. is responsible for the ORCHARD & for the strong post at [blank]. Special attention should also be paid to the right flank. (c) B.Coy. is responsible for the strong point at [blank]

7. When the final objective is captured, it will be consolidated AT ONCE & held at all costs.

8. Green flares will be lit at 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. & on reaching the final objective.

9. Bn. H.Q. is in old German 2nd line at S.17.d.5/9.

10. Aid Post is in dug out in old German 2nd Line. formerly occupied by H.Q. 1/NORFOLK Rgt.

11. All other instructions have been issued verbally.

REPORT ON OPERATIONS 26/28 JULY 1/BEDFORDSHIRE Rgt 26.7.'16 11.15.P.M.

The Battalion left its Bivouac POMMIERS REDOUBT and marched to Brigade Advanced H.Q. Here owing to very heavy Barrage & poison Gas shells in the Valley the Battalion halted for two hours. The Barrage was still intense but a fresh wind made advance possible & only two cases of gas poisoning have been reported. Shell fire was moderately severe in the valley and increased as the old German Second line Trenches were approached. 27.7.'16 [Capt. PARKER wounded] 3.50 A.M. Battn arrived in position of assembly in German 2nd Line Trenches and improved cover 5.30 A.M. Operation Orders received & communicated to Company Commanders. 7.0 A.M. A & B Coys in accordance with orders, left to take up their position in Reserve trenches at LONGUEVAL. 7.40 A.M. Report received from O.C. 1/NORFOLKS that owing to heavy shell fire, he required assistance 8.20 A.M. OC 1/BEDFORDSHIRE Rgt arrived at H.Q. 1/NORFOLK Rgt in LONGUEVAL having arranged for A & B Coys to assault the second line in conjunction with NORFOLKS & for C & D Coys to pass through & take third line. O.C. 16/ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE Rgt was requested to occupy front line trenches when these were vacated by C & D Coys. A & B Coys had at 7.30 A.M. occupied first line at 'E' & reserve trenches at 'B'. 9.00 A.M. C Coy arrived at E D Coy arrived at B and A Coy pushed across towards German Redoubt at F where the two leading NORFOLK Coys were being held up [100 prisoners surrendered here] Lt. FYSON with his platoon attacked house at G and took 32 prisoners. 9.5 A.M. C Coy advanced across PRINCES Street but were held up by Machine Gun fire from House at Cross Roads (I). This house was taken by a party of NORFOLK bombers. At the same time, two platoons of A Coy reached position marked H & K near FLERS Road where they were in touch in [sic] the ROYAL FUSILIERS on their right. A German counterattack was met with LEWIS Gun & Rifle fire, the estimated Enemy Casualties being 50. Several small posts were observed on the Ridge, apparently protected by wire. 9.30 A.M. C Coy crossed PRINCES STREET and took up a position parallel with NORTH Street joining up the two leading NORFOLK coys. They were unable to progress further owing to heavy Machine Gun fire from DUKE Street. They consolidated their position. 1 Officer & 30 men went forward from B Coy at C to reinforce a Coy of NORFOLKS at A. This coy was held up by Machine Gun fire from direction of DUKE Street & was unable to advance. STOKES Mortar Battery was asked to cooperate, but did not come into action. Later, heavy Artillery was asked to bombard this post. While awaiting this & the opportunity to advance, B & D Coys endeavoured to improve their cover under a hurricane bombardment.

Casualties in these two

B Coy 2 Officers 54 O.R. out of 5 Officers & 166 O.R.

D Coy 2 Officers 106 O.R. out of 5 Officers & 176 O.R.

6.30 P.M. ROYAL FUSILIERS on right, owing to heavy shell fire, retired and out line at K & H was slightly withdrawn to cover exposed flank. 7.0 P.M. B Coy received orders to retire to German Second Line trenches, leaving one platoon to hold line at A. A similar order was sent to D Coy but did not reach there and a second order was sent at 8.0 P.M. 9.0 P.M. C Coy tried to establish itself on East side of NORTH ST. but had to withdraw. They consolidated in touch with NORFOLKS & the SOUTH STAFFORDS of 2nd Division 28.7.'16 6 A.M. 1/D.C.L.I. & 1/E.SURREYS arrived & took over the line & the Battalion withdrew to POMMIERS Redoubt. The total casualties were 9 Officers 303 O.R. out of 23 Officers 807 O.R.

15th Infy. Bde. 1st Bedfords

The Brigadier-General Commanding wishes to express to all ranks of the Brigade his great admiration at the magnificent manner in which they captured the Village of LONGUEVAL yesterday. To the 1st NORFOLK Regiment and the 1st BEDFORDSHIRE Regiment and some of the 16th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE Regiment, who were able to get into the enemy with the bayonet, he offers his heartiest congratulations. He knows it is what they have been waiting and wishing for many months. The 1st CHESHIRE Regiment made a most gallant and determined effort to reach their objective and failed through no fault of their own. The way in which the Troops behaved under the subsequent heavy bombardment was worthy of the best traditions of the British Army The Brigade captured 4 Officers and 159 other ranks 28/7/1916

www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/1stbtn/1stbtn1916appendices.html

 

William C White

 

No obvious match on CWGC

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 14 year old William living at The Street, Costessey. This was the household of his parents Albert, a 40 year old Carpenter from Costessey, and Harriet, aged and originally from Brandon, Suffolk. Their other children are Annie, aged 12, Eleanor, aged 6 and Gertrude, aged 9.

Done