Bissex Alfred 1880-1919

Alfred Bissex

1880-1919

Father Nm: Harry Bissex 1857

Step Mother Nm: Emma Amelia Blencoe [3354] 1865-1928  Oldest Known Ancestor; John Blinco 1660 Whilton (Harry Bissex married 1893 to Emma Amelia Blencoe Aylestone Vol 7a P 290)

Marriage Dt:

K comments:

Spouse comments:

Children:

Research GRO (B) 1879 Radford Vol 7b Pg 219.

Note Alfred not son of Emma Blencoe but step son.

1891 Census Thrumpton, Notts.

1. Alfred Bissex 35
2. Henry Bissex 13
3. Alfred Bissex 10
4. Elizabeth Bissex 9

1901 Census, Aylestone Road Leicester

1. Harry Bissex Head Married Male 44 1857 Superintendant Building Society Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales
2. Emma Bissex Wife Married Female 36 1865 – West Haddon, Northamptonshire, England
3. Alfred Bissex Son Single Male 21 1880 Heel Attacher (Shoe Trade) Nottinghamshire, England
4. Emily Bissex Daughter Single Female 18 1883 Stocking Frame Hand Liverpool, Lancashire, England

1911 Census 25 High St Earl Shilton

1. W Whitmore 61
2. Mary Ann Whitmore 56
3. Lizzie Whitmore 13
4. Alfred Bissex 34

1915

• 20 Feb. The Leicester Chronicle carries a story about Alfred that indicates that before the war he was poor and lonely.

Leicestershire Regiment

WW1

Bissex Alfred 1880 Nottinghamshire Private 20629 8th,7th Bn.Leicestershire Regiment

1915

• 22 Dec. Landed France and joined the 8th Bn. Leicesters, 110th Brigade, 38th Division in Northern France near Abbeville.

Note: 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Third New Army and joined 23rd Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 38th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrated near Tilques. On the 8th of July 1916, they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys suffering heavily. On the 28th of June 1918, the 8th Leicesters was reduced to cadre strength with troops transferring to the 7th Leicesters. The cadre transferred to 25th Division and returned to England, on the 7th of July they were absorbed by the 14th Battalion, West Riding Regiment.

1916

• Jan. The 8th Bn. in the Arras sector between Abbeville and Arras.
• 3 Feb. The Bn. were about 15 km southwest of Arras. The  CWGC records 9 Bn. men killed this day. WD “The enemy heavily shelled the village for about ½ an hour, all troops and civilian inhabitants were ordered to caverns and caves. One shell fell and exploded near the gateway of the courtyard killing and wounding, several other men were killed and wounded in other parts of the village. 20 were killed and 13 wounded. 3 of the latter died on admittance to Field Ambulance. 9 of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT were killed in all, and 2 officers and 6 other ranks were wounded. 1 ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS officer was killed, 7 other ranks of the ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY and 1 ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. One civilian inhabitant was killed and one wounded. The Divisional Commander arrived in the village from the trenches shortly after the bombardment had ceased. Most parts of the village including the FRENCH quarter was shelled.”⁵
• 1 Jul. Subsidiary attack on Gommecourt. A local attack on the northern flank of the main offensive, designed to ensure that Germans could not send reserve troops southwards and to conceal the actual extent of the front being attacked. No efforts were made to keep preparations secret. Casualties were very high and it can be argued that the attack had no effect on the rest of the offensive.
• 3 Jul. Bazentin Petit Wood.WD”The attack on the BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD to be made by 6th and 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT, 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT on right, “A” Company of 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT supporting 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT, and “B” Company of 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT supporting 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. “D” and “C” Companies with Battalion raiders to be responsible for the left flank of the attack……Lines of attack were subjected to heavy bombardment from the enemy during the -?- prior to the attack causing a number of casualties.”⁵
• 8 Jul. The 110 Brigade moved to the 21st Division.
• 13-15 Jul. The Battle of Bazentin Ridge. The 8th Bn. was part of the 21st Div. attack on Bazentin Ridge just north-east Albert.
• 15 Jul. The first battalions of the 110th Brigade of the 21st Division got into the German trenches quickly except for one point on the left, where German machine-gunners held out for twenty minutes until enveloped from both flanks. The second line was captured by 4:00 a.m. and contact was made with the 1st Division on the left. The infantry pushed on into Bazentin le Petit Wood, with little opposition, except at the northwest corner, where a German party held out all day.At 8:50 a.m. Horne ordered the ….21st Division to advance north to capture the ground from Bazentin le Petit to the Martinpuich. The attack of the 21st and 1st divisions also proved abortive because of the German party in the northwest corner of Bazentin le Petit Wood and increasing German artillery fire. A German counter-attack at 3:00 p.m. reduced the infantry of the 62nd Brigade to 1,200 men and made the rest of the 21st Division incapable of attacking. The 8th Battalion had heavy casualties with 108 men recorded killed between 13-15 July by the CWGC. Note the detail in WD attachment below.
• 24-30 Sept. The Battle of Morval. WD “East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00 pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30 pm on the 25th, the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT being in a position on the right of FLERS……The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinned, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry, they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand to hand fighting, which took place all the night. “⁵The XV corps attack on Gueudecourt was not so successful. The 21st Division (Major-General D. G. M. Campbell) was meant to take the village, but one brigade got stuck in front of uncut wire and another was hit by machinegun fire from the side and forced to pull back. To their left the 55th Division and the 1st New Zealand Brigade did better, reaching their final objectives by mid-afternoon. The Bn. suffered very heavy casualties in their failed attempt, 99 men were recorded killed between 24-30th Sept. by CWGC.

1917

• 3-4 May. The Third Battle of Scarpe. The 21st Div as part of the Third Army took part in this action. The war diary for the 3rd May Record ” Boyelles. The attack on the village of Fontaine-Les-Croisilles was made on this day. There were three objectives, 1st Sensee River from approximately T.18.b.5.3. to U.2.b.5.5. 2nd junction of Sensee River and Sunken Road at T.18.b.5.3. – U.7.c.6.5. – U.7.d.7.8. – U.14.a.7.2. – U.4.c.4.3. The 64th Infantry Brigade to bomb southeastwards down Hindenburg Line. Two tanks were attached to the 110th Infantry Brigade. Zero hour was at 3.45 am (summertime) and the attack started under a creeping barrage. The Battalion was disposed of in two waves of two lines each, with a wave of moppers up behind. From right to left “A” Company (Lt. J. R. GLOVER) “B” Company (Captain A. G. ASTLE) “C” Company (Major T. L. WARNER) formed the line of attack each Company having a two-platoon frontage. “D” Company (2nd Lt J. W. CORBETT) was drawn up in two lines, 60 yards in the rear. The formation was two waves, each of two lines 10 yards between lines and 60 yards between waves with “D” Company as moppers up. The 9th Leicesters are attached on the left of the Battalion. On the right, the flank was secured by the possession of the Hindenburg Line as far as the Block, beyond this, the flank was to be secured by the 64th Infantry Brigade. Bombing attack down the line. The morning was very dark, sunrise was not until 5.23 am (summertime), the dust and smoke from our own barrage and that of the enemy which opened almost simultaneously, making it impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. The direction was lost rather early and the line swung over to the right, being compelled thereto by the 18th Division on the left, crossing the front of the 9th Leicesters and pressing then to the right. By 6.00 am it became evident that the attack had failed. No progress had been made by the 64th Infantry Brigade bombers in the Hindenburg Line, and the front of the 8th Leicesters was outflanked, in parts surrounded, and with a prospect of being cut off. The left flank (“C” Company) had been held up by excessive machine gun fire and took up a position in the sunken road running into Fontaine-Les-Croisilles through U.1.b. The remainder of the Battalion was on a line roughly 300 yards south of the jumping-off place BROWN TRENCH T.6.a., N.36.c. and d. to the road in O.31.c. Here the Battalion remained and at about 11.30 am, it was reinforced by the 6th Leicesters. This line was held throughout the day and consolidated. No assistance was given by the two Tanks during the attack, both of them breaking down. The following casualties were suffered by the Battalion during the action, Officers. Captain A. G. ASTLE and 2nd Lt. F. E. PRATLEY killed, Major T. L. WARNER, 2nd Lt. G. B. JOHNSON, 2nd Lt. R. J. HARRIS, 2nd Lt. R. L. SENNETT and 2nd Lt. P. H. HILL wounded, Lt. F. R. OLIVER missing believed wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lt. F. W. H. CLARKE wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lt’s F. B. PITTS and W. HARRIS Prisoners of War. Other Ranks. Killed 19, wounded 101, missing 168, died of wounds 3. Total 11 officers, 291 other ranks.”⁵ Note 99 men are recorded as killed on 3rd May 1917 in the CWGC records.
• 1 Oct. Ypres Sector. Polygon Wood-German Counter attack captures Joist Farm. The following from the 8th Bn. War Diary. “Front Line. The night was extremely quiet, the absence of hostile shelling was particularly noticeable. At 5.30 am a heavy hostile barrage was placed on the front line, and 100 yards west of the road in J.10.a. central. This was maintained until 6.00 am when it became evident that a hostile counter-attack on the 9th Leicesters was in progress. The S.O.S. was sent up by the 9th Leicesters on the right, also by this Battalion, and a heavy barrage was placed on and in front of the enemy lines. Heavy Lewis gun and rifle fire were immediately brought to bear on the threatened flank. A few minutes after 6.00 am, a message was received from the 9th Leicesters that the enemy had gained possession of their front line. About 6.30 am, small parties of the enemy were seen about Joist Farm J.10.d.2.0. moving by short rushes towards our right front line Company and threatening to turn the right flank of the Battalion. Heavy Lewis gun and rifle fire was opened on the enemy, who suffered casualties and were unable to make any progress down the slope towards the front line. About this time the intensity of our barrage lessened, and towards 7.00 am ceased altogether. Between 7.00 and 10.30 am the enemy made repeated attempts to advance against the open flank of the Battalion but was driven back on each occasion by rifle and Lewis gunfire. During this period it was found that the 9th Leicesters had been reinforced by two Companies of the 7th Leicesters and were holding the line of the road running north and south in J.10.a. A defensive flank was formed from the right flank of “B” Company J.10.d.35.50. to Battalion HQ at J.10.c.5.5. The right support Company (“A”) moved up to the road and linked up with Battalion HQ on the left, and the left Company of the 9th Leicesters on the right. At 10.15 am Captain J. B. MATTHEWS with the left support company (“D”) moved from its position J.10.a.3.2 in order to make a counter-attack against the enemy holding the high ground in the vicinity of Joist Farm. Unfortunately, Captain J. B. MATTHEWS M.C. was killed instantly by a sniper when making a personal reconnaissance preparatory to the attack, and at 10.30 am the hostile artillery put down a heavy barrage on the east side of Polygon Wood consequently this counter thrust did not materialise. This heavy hostile barrage was kept up until 1.00 pm at which hour the shelling ceased, but no further hostile attack took place. At 2.00 pm small parties of the enemy were seen moving about the south west edge of JETTY WARREN, but were dispersed by rifle fire, Shortly afterwards a hostile machine gun opened traversing fire along the road in J.10.c. central, and Lt. Col. UTTERSON D.S.O. was hit in the arm by a bullet. At 3.10pm a determined effort was made by the enemy 10 or 12 strong to move down the slope from Joist Farm towards Battalion HQ but the attempt was stopped by rifle fire from the Battalion HQ concrete emplacement, the enemy retiring and leaving several dead behind them. No further attempt to advance was made by the enemy and the remainder of the afternoon passed quietly. At 6.10pm the S.O.S. signal was put up by the Brigade on the right and an exceptionally heavy barrage was placed on the enemy lines by our artillery. No hostile attack developed and at 8.00pm the barrage ceased. At 8.05pm the enemy attempted a counter attack against the ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS on the left. The S.O.S. was again sent up and a second barrage of an hours duration was placed on enemy lines. The counter attack was beaten back with loss to the enemy. The remainder of the night passed quietly and at dawn a protective barrage was formed by our artillery lasting for 15 minutes.”⁵
• 2 Oct. Front Line. With the exception of desultory shelling of Polygon Wood during the morning, the day passed quietly, the situation remained unchanged and the enemy made no attempt to carry out any further attack. The Bn. relieved by the 3/4th Queens Royal West Surreys.
• 3-4 Oct. Scottish Wood Camp, The 8th and 9th bn. amalgamated because so weak in strength after the battle.
• 5-10 Oct. In the line at Railway Dug Outs, Zillebeke.During this spell the Bn. suffered Casualties again with 21 men killed as per CWGc records.
• 12-14 Oct.Le Croquet (Hasebrouck 54). “In the afternoon of the 12^th October the 8^th/9^th Leicesters divided into separate units and marched to Ouderdom Station and entrained there for Le Croquet (Hazebrouck 54) west of Hazebrouck. The Battalion detrained at Ebblinghem Station and marched to Le Croquet arriving there at 11.30pm. On this day the Battalion came under the command of Major J. L. Warner D.S.O. The 13^th October was spent in resting the men and cleaning up of all kit and equipment.”⁵
• 17-22 Oct. Front Line. “CAMP AT HAZEBROUCK. Cable trench digging parties were found daily by the Battalion for work in the forward areas between CLAPHAM JUNCTION and FITZ CLARENCE FARM J.14.d.45.95. (Reference GHELUVELT), this was carried out under very trying circumstances the men working in heavy hostile barrages, and moving to and from the work under shell fire. More working parties were -?- to and from the camp in motor lorries. Casualties, 1 officer wounded 2nd Lt. F. C. FLOOD, and 86 other ranks killed, wounded and missing.”⁵

1918

• 21-25 Mar. German Spring Offensive. Epehy.An extract from the British Official History shows the front line (the solid black line) forward of the farm, held by the 2nd Munsters with the 8th Leicesters on their left and 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers on their right.
• The 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions were famously involved, as part of the 110th Brigade, 21st Division defence and retreat. (see the detail of this below in WD translations). Between 21st March (the first day of the German offensive) to 25th March, the Battalion suffered 81 men killed as recorded by CWGC.
• 27-31 May. Third Battle of the Aisne. The battle weary and devastated 21st Div. (incl. 8th Bn.)  were sent south to the Chemin des Dames as a “rest cure” and expected not to be asked to attack nor be attacked.⁷ The 21st Divison was placed under the command of the French Sixth Army. The actual sector taken over by the IXth British Corps lay between Bermicourt and Bouconville, north-west of Rheims, the 50th Division holding the left, the 8th the centre, and the 21st the right The 21st Div being close to Berry-au-Bac.⁷

  

  

• The German attack was overwhelming as this map shows the Allied army driven back to Soissons.
• The CWGC records the battalion suffered 54 men killed in this battle between 27-31 May.
• 27 Jun. Shortly after the losses of The Aisne the 8th Bn. was reduced to cadre strength, surplus men going to 7th Bn. Alfred was most likely transferred at this time to the 7th Bn.
• 23-27 Aug. The Second Battles of the Somme, As part of the British Third Army the 7th Bn. took part in offensive operations on the same ground over which the 1916 Battle of the Somme was fought. They make a deep advance. The 7th Bn. had slight casualties suggesting no major combat role in this advance. Extract from a map included in the British Official History of Military Operations, France and Flanders, 1918. Crown copyright. This map shows the progress of 21st Div. in the period 23-27 August 1918
• 27-30 Aug. The Battle of the Scarpe. The Third Army attack was successful from Arras and break the German Drocourt-Queant Line. The 7th Bn. suffer just 4 men killed in this period again highlighting a minor role in the advance.
• Extract from a map included in the British Official History of Military Operations, France and Flanders, 1918. Crown copyright. This map shows progress in the period 27-30 August 1918
• 30 Aug-4 Sept. Beaulencourt to Canal Nord. The 110th Bde )including the 7th Bn.), 21st Div. followed the retreat of the German Army suffering … casualties in this period.
• Extract from a map included in the British Official History of Military Operations, France and Flanders, 1918. Crown copyright. The map shows continued progress up to 4 September 1918.
• 18 Sept. The Battle of Epehy.
• 11 Nov. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid-December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.  Alfred however was sick and probably could have been invalided home at any time before March 1919.

1919

• 3 Mar. Died in General Hospital Aberdeen, reason given as VDH (Valvular Disease of the Heart), he was 44 yrs old.

  

Sources

1. Battle for Bazentin Ridge -Wikipedia
2. Medals records Alfred Bissex
3. UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 for Alfred Bissex.
4. Rickard, J (21 September 2007), Battle of Morval, 25-28 September 1916.
5. Link to see detail translations by Llew at War Forum of  8th Leicestershire Regiment War Diary translations
6. http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/
7. The Last of the Ebb, Rogerson.
8. Long Long Trail Battles of the Western front.

Burial

BISSEX Private A 20629 A Coy. 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. 3rd March 1919. Age 44. II. 911. LEICESTER (GILROES) CEMETERY Leicestershire

Gallery