Private Ralph Gant (Norwich) 10th Essex KiA 21st March 1918

This photograph appeared in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday May 25 1918 along with the caption : Pte. Ralph Gant, (brother of Frederick), killed in France.

 

Probably

 

Private GANT, RALPH VICTOR

Service Number:……34675

Died:…………………….. 21/03/1918

Unit:………………………..10th Bn. Essex Regiment

Commemorated:……Pozieres Memorial

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1581248/gant,-ralph-v...

 

Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private 34675 Ralph Victor Gant was Killed in Action on the 21st March 1918 whilst serving in France & Flanders with the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Ralph was formerly 24308 Norfolk Regiment. He was born North Heigham, Norfolk, resident and enlisted Norwich.

 

The Medal Index Card for Private 34675 R.V. Gant, Essex Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/7/198826

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2284490

 

His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Other Ranks Army Service Records were stored.

 

The Government Probate Service holds a Soldiers Will for 34675 Ralph Victor Gant who died on the 21st March 1918.

probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=Gant&Surna...

 

No obvious missing person enquiry received by the International Red Cross.

 

No match on Picture Norfolk, the County Image Archive.

 

 

1893 – Birth………………………….

 

The birth of a Ralph Victor Gant was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Norwich in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1893.

 

1901 Census of England and Wales

 

The 7 year old Ralph, born Norwich, was recorded living at 30 Old Palace Road, Norwich. This was the household of his parents, Benjamin, (42, Housebuilder, born Reedham, Norfolk) and Emma, (50, born Norwich). As well as Ralph their other children living with them are:-

Ethel………aged 20….born Norwich….Tailoress

Frederick….aged 19….born Norwich…..Carpenter

Alice………aged 17….born Norwich….Dressmaker

Benjamin….aged 13….born Norwich

There is also a boarder Caroline Thompson, (aged 20, a dressmaker, born Strumpshaw, Norfolk).

 

1907 – Death of his father…………..

 

The death of a Benjamin Gant, aged 48, was recorded in the Norwich District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1907.

 

1911 Census of England and Wales

 

The Gant family were now living at 67 West End Street, Norwich, although the head of the household is the 51 year old widow, Emma. Still single and living at home are Alice, (26, Dressmaker), Bessie, (24, Restaurant Waitress), Benjamin, (21, Surveyors Clerk) and Ralph, (17, Grocers Clerk). Also living with them is Emmas’ grand-daughter, Gladys Gant, (aged 7, born Norwich). There was also a visitor staying with them, Albert Lake, a 27 year House Painter.

 

1916 – Marriage?.........................

 

The marriage of a Ralph V Gant to a Gladys Lundy was recorded in the Norwich District in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1916.

 

A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Births for England and Wales brings up a potential child of Ralph and Gladys. The birth of a Ralph H. Gant, mothers maiden name Lundy, was registered in the Norwich District in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1918.

 

Family in the Great War……………….

 

The same edition of the Norwich Mercury also has a picture of his brother Fred. Rifleman Frederick Thomas Gant, son of Emma and the late Benjamin Gant, of 67 West End Street, Norwich, died of wounds on the 25th September 1917. He was serving in France and Flanders with the 11th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifles Corps and is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/508460/gant,-/

 

 

On the day………………………..

 

Excerpts from “The 18th Division in the Great War”, by G.H.F. Nichols.

 

Page 257. On the early morning of 21st March the disposition of the Division was as follows:-

 

The 18th Division was the centre of the III Corps, with the 58th Division on its right and the 14th Division on the left. The 18th Divisional sector was divided into two Brigade sectors, and the dispositions were as follows:-

 

Left Sector. – 53rd Infantry Brigade (Brigadier-General Higginson) holding the left Brigade sector, with the 8th Royal Berkshires (Lieut.-Colonel Dewing) manning the left sub-sector Forward one, and the 7th Royal West Kents (Lieut.-Colonel Crosthwaite) holding the right sub-sector Forward Zone. The 10th Essex (Major Tween) were defending the Battle Zone.

 

….

 

Artillery. –The 83rd Brigade (Lieut.-Colonel Seagram) was covering the 53rd Infantry Brigade Sector……

 

Page 259. The Boche bombardment began at 4.40 A.M., a bombardment that swelled into a deep roar along the whole front. The 18th Divisional area back to the Crozat Canal was drenched in gas, and as the German artillery programme developed, it became clear that for the first two hours their gunners were searching for our guns; next, their object was to bombard our infantry positions with gas and high explosives; afterwards hundreds of mortars assisted in a culminating crescendo of shelling that acted as an escort to the advancing German Infantry and continued to ravage our positions and road approaches. Our own outnumbered guns replied spiritedly, and at 5.12 A.M. our troops manned the “Battle Stations.”

 

Almost immediately the telephone lines to General Higginson’s headquarters, and to the 53rd Brigade battalions and the 83rd Brigade R.F.A. batteries were cut by hostile shell-fire. Also, though the day had dawned warm and fine, a clinging mist hung over everything, and it was impossible to see more than twenty yards.

 

……and at 11 A.M. when communication was at last re-established with the 53rd Brigade, they were found to be without news of the West Kents or of the Berkshires, though up to that time no attack had been made on their Battle Zone.

 

At midday, Colonel Tom Seagram, commanding the 83rd Brigade R.F.A., got word through that Major R.H. Farren, B/83, reported that Germans had come through the mist and had enveloped all the 83rd Brigade’s (page 260) forward gun positions; while, shortly afterwards, Colonel John Crosthwaite, commanding the West Kents, reported by runner that his battalion headquarters at “Durham” were surrounded, but that they were “fighting it out there.”……He and those left with him who remained alive were captured by the enemy.

 

The Germans were forcing the attack with over-powering numbers. They showed courage and initiative; and in the mist, which lasted until noon, Colonel Minet’s specially arranged machine-gun cross fire proved of no avail.

 

At 1.20 P.M. more bad news came from the 53rd Brigade. The Berks headquarters at Guingnette Farm and the high ground at Cerizy had been lost, and detachments of the enemy were nearing the Battle Zone. Half an hour later survivors made it clear that all the Brigade’s forward positions had been captured and the garrisons either killed or made prisoner. At that time the Brigade’s Battle Zone was still intact, but large parties of the enemy were massing on the spur by Moulin Farm and opposite the Vendeuil-Ly Fontaine switch. Attacks were shortly afterwards made at those points and beaten off by rifle and artillery fire, and an assault on Caponne Farm was also repulsed by a company of the 10th Essex.

 

Page 272.

 

The attack on the neighbouring 14th and 58th Divisions was still being strongly pressed, and on the south it was clear that the Battle Zone of the left Brigade of the 58th Division was almost entirely lost, as the Germans had entered Quessy and Fargniers. On our left also, the Battle Zone of the 14th Division had been lost. Consequently, while the 18th Division’s Battle Zone remained intact, the situation to right and left involved a withdrawal. General Lee explained to III.Corps his arrangement for a counter-attack, but at 6 P.M. instructions were received that retirement to a line behind the Crozat Canal was to take place as soon as darkness permitted. The certainty that the 18th Division could have stood firm is proved by the fact that at dusk, following orders from the III. Corps, the 54th Brigade occupied the Camisole switch between Montescourt and Ly Fontaine. By this time the critical situation on the division’s flanks had developed; so no sooner had the Brigade settled down to consolidate their positions than orders came to form a rearguard covering the retirement of the whole Division across the Crozat Canal.

 

From the diary of the 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment, who were in the same division.

 

21st March 1918. St Quentin, Soissons, Amiens.

The enemy artillery had been gradually increasing in intensity all night, and at 4.30 am reached a maximum, and the battalion was ordered to stand to. The shelling was all east of the CROZAT CANAL and no shells fell near the camp.

 

At 12.30 pm the commanding officer received a verbal order from the Divisional Headquarters to take the Battalion at once to a position of assembly on the Western outskirts of REMIGY and to proceed himself to the H.qtrs of the 10th ESSEX REGT at LY FONTAINE, where he would received further orders from the G.O.C 53rd Inf. Bde. This order was carried out at once, Companies being in the assembly area by 1.30pm.

 

The C.O reported to the Hqts 10th Essex Regt but found no orders for him there until about 2pm when Col.Minette DSO MC DGMO turned up with orders from the Division to hold LY FONTAINE - GIBECOURT SWITCH LINE, on the west of LY FONTAINE.

 

As parties of the enemy could now be seen close to the switch line on the east of LY FONTAINE, the Commanding Officer decided to send “D” Company to make good that section of the line, and for “A” and “C” companies to hold the LY FONTAINE - GIBECOURT SWITCH with “B” Co in Battalion reserve, ½ mile North of REMIGY. These dispositions were taken up and about 3.30 pm a message was received from Brig.Gen Higginson, DSO commanding 53rd Bde that enemy cavalry were working round our left rear from the direction of MONTESCOURT.

 

Two platoons of “B” Co were therefore ordered to take up a line facing N.W to guard against surprise from that quarter. Battalion H.qrs were established in the North end of REMIGY.

 

At 9.30pm an order was received from the 53rd Bde to the effect that the battalion would take up a line N and E of REMIGY to cover the retirement of units of the 53rd Bde at 10.30 pm, and that when this operation had been completed, the battalion would withdraw in rearguard formation to the West of CROZAT CANAL and rendezvous at FRIERES - FAILLOUEL, this withdrawal to commence at midnight.

qrrarchive.websds.net/PDF/ES00819180304.pdf

 

From the War Diary of the 8th Royal Berkshires who were in the same Brigade.

 

Notice of an impending attack was received on evening of 20th from Brigade Hd Qrs. This was transmitted to companies, who, as previously ordered, immediately on receipt of order "Prepare for Attack", manned their Battle Positions. Prior to attack, dispositions were, as shown above, Batt HQrs LA GUINGUETTE FM, B and D Coys in Front Line, A Coy in support and C (Counter-attack Coy) in trench in rear of Batt Hd Qrs. 4:30AM. About this time a heavy barrage was put down on the front line system, this included much gas shelling. Back areas were subjected to heavy and concentrated area shoots. There was a very thick mist and visibility at daybreak was about 10 yards. All communications were destroyed almost immediately. 2nd LIEUT E. WALLIS together with 8632 PTES A. KYTE and 14826 G. SHIRLEY made repeated endeavours to restore communications. 10AM. LIEUT T.H. BAKER who was badly wounded had made his way the barrage and reached Batt Hd Qrs. He reported that O.C. "D" Coy (LIEUT E.J. MECEY) had received a message from 2nd LIEUT W.C.A. HANNEY, the commander of D Coy's front platoon (occupying the line to SUNKEN ROAD) stating that the enemy had entered our front line trenches and that he was holding out. The message did not give the point where the enemy had penetrated. No news was received from "B" (the right coy) and no definite information can be obtained as to the fighting on this coy front. About 10AM two runners, 18571 PTE H. BUTVHER MM and 18268 PTE G. SPARROW endeavoured to obtain touch with front line. They passed through the barrage and made towards "D" Coy Hd Qrs in MAGPIE WOOD. Before reaching the wood they came in touch with the enemy and were obliged to return. From statements of NCO's and men of "A" Coy it appears that the enemy reached this Coy's positions at about 10AM, met with considerable opposition and was temporarily checked. 10:30AM. Rifle shots were heard from direction of junction of main ST QUENTIN Rd and MOY Rd and a few enemy were reported to be moving along this road towards Batt Hd Qrs. LT COLONEL R.E. DEWING DSO order Batt Hd Qrs to man the trench which was occupied by "C" Coy behind Hd Qrs dug-out. CAPT and ADJT H.LE G. SARCHET MC stayed behind ay Head Qrs and destroyed all papers etc. Whilst doing this he was attacked by the enemy and killed several of them with his revolver before he withdrew. 11AM. In a thick line the enemy advanced to the attack of the trench West of Batt Hd Qrs. Owing to the intense mist they were able to approach to within 50 yards of our trench, but were then shot down almost to a man. This checked their advance for a time. They then began working round both flanks of our position and shortly afterwards M.G. Fire was opened on the post from on rear of it. This fire, combined with accurate sniping from all sides caused heavy casualties, one sniper about 50 yards in front, in a shell hole was particularly active. LIEUT N. WILLIAMS having located this sniper climber over the parapet accompanied by his servant, 36668 PTE J.E. PETERS, rushed him with the bayonet and secured him as a prisoner. When returning to the trench this Officer was killed. By his great act of gallantry which was performed under heavy fire he undoubtedly saved many lives. About this time the mist began to lift and on realising that the position was surrounded and that the leading troops of the enemy were already far advanced towards LY FONTAINE, Lt Colonel DEWING ordered the remaining forces to withdraw down SEINE ALLEY towards the battle zone. During the defence of this post 13099 L/C E.H. NOYES and 21583 PTE J. IRVING displayed coolness and gallantry, doing much execution with their Lewis Guns. CSM J. ORSGOOD with several other unidentified men, covered the withdrawal of the survivors by leading a bombing attack along the trench. MAJOR D. TOSETTI MC and LIEUT S.A.G. HARVEY lead an attack down SEINE ALLEY with the object of clearing the way for the remainder. Whilst doing this both Officers were killed. 10249 SGT W.J. SPOKES then took command, continued the attack and cleared the trench. Great gallantry was displayed by this NCO and for a time he was fighting alone. Survivors then proceeded down the Battle Zone where they joined some of the 10th ESSEX Regt in manning these defences. Batt Hd Qrs was established at ADOLPHE POST. During the afternoon and evening these positions were maintained against all enemy attacks LY FONTAINE 22/22.3.18. 12 Midnight. The order to withdraw was received by Lt Colonel DEWING. This was effected without opposition or casualties. Route taken was REMIGNY-CANAL BRIDGE at FRIERS FAILLOUEL. At this latter place Batt Bivouaced for remainder of the night.

www.thewardrobe.org.uk/research/war-diaries/detail/9461

(My highlight)

 

Mildly photoshopped to minimise impact of damage present on the original image.

 

 

Done