Blencoe William 1893 – Blencowe Family in World War One

WILLIAM BLENCOE [4429?]

Note a possibility held for some time but yet to be proven is included in this page.

The William son of William Richard Blencowe 1861 and Emma Maria Bishop 1859 who was born in Poplar, married in March 1917 in Bromley this would mean if this William is correct he was in England until after March 1917.

Marriage 1: William Blencome m May L Trafford Mar Q 1917 Bromley Note she was married prior and was May Louise Bishop from Headington Oxford

Marriage 2: 1925 to Laura (Hetty )Moore Northampton Vol 3b Pg 177. Marriage is 2 years after the second child William was born but on 1912 registration of daughter Kathleen

Mothers surname is given as Moore.

Spouse details:

May Louise S Bishop born Sep Q 1892 Headington died 1918.
Laura (Hetty) Moore 1883-1966.

Children: Kathleen E 1913, William Blencoe 1923.

WW1


Hertfordshire Regiment.	Bedfordshire Regiment.

WW1

Blencoe William, Private, 47248, 4^th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, 1^st Bn. Hertfordshire Regiment.

Synopsis

Only Medal Card and Medal Roll records and one war service record were found, unable to identify this William positively. From the Medal award, it can be seen that William joined the 1^st Herts at the front after 22^nd November 1914. i.e. did not qualify for 1914-15 Star. It must be stressed that while the period Jan 1915-November 1918 is shown below, William may well have not served overseas until 1916 or 1917.

William joined a battalion (the 1^st Herts.) that was destined to have a full war, with combat a regular part of the experience. The battalion suffered 930 dead and probably over 2000 wounded in the period William served with them ie approx Jan 1915 until Armistice 1918. It would seem William was very fortunate to survive the tremendous losses. The contents of the war diary have been translated by others and detailed by year, however, the 1^st Herts Battalion’s war In summary was;

In 1915 the battalion was engaged during the Winter actions at Cuinchy in February, the Battle of Festubert in May, and the Battle of Loos in September.

In 1916 the battalion was engaged in the Battles of the Somme 1916, including being lightly involved in the Battle of the Ancre Heights in October, as well as in the Battle of the Ancre in November.

In 1917 the battalion was heavily engaged during the opening day of the Battles of Ypres 1917 (also called the Third Battle of Ypres and Passchendaele), when the battalion lost over 450 men (dead and wounded) during their assault on St. Julien, part of the Battle of Pilckem.

During 1918, the battalion was again heavily engaged. During the First Battles of the Somme 1918 (also called the German Spring Offensives, Operation Michael and Kaiserschlacht, they were heavily involved in the Battle of St Quentin, the actions on the Somme crossings and the Battle of Rosieres in March. In April they were also engaged in the Battle of the Lys, namely the First and Second Battles of Kemmel as well as the Battle of Scherpenberg, during which time their already exhausted Division fought as Composite Battalions. After being rebuilt, they were engaged in the Second Battles of the Somme 1918 (also referred to as the opening phase of “The 100 Days”), namely during the Battle of Albert in August and the Second Battle of Bapaume in September. In September they were involved in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, specifically at the Battle of Havrincourt and the Battle of the Canal du Nord, as well as the Battle of Cambrai and the subsequent pursuit to the Selle in October. In the Final Advance in Picardy, they were engaged in their last series of actions, specifically in the Battle of the Selle in October and the Battle of the Sambre in November.

Finally, though we have no conclusive proof William may have been gassed in May 1918 at Foncquevillers, he was honourably discharged in December and sickness or wounds being the given reason.

1914

A Territorial soldier, William volunteered to serve and because he volunteered he may well have stayed home until 1916 (as was his right). The Medal record does indicate he was enlisted in 1914 and that he served overseas. The medal roll indicates that his previous regiment was the Herts Regt. However the Regt. Service Number indicates William was in the 4^th (Extra Reserve) Battalion and maybe this was his first Regiment before being sent overseas. (Located in Bedford the 4^th Bn. was a training unit, it moved within a few days of the declaration of war to Felixstowe, for duty with the Harwich Garrison).

29^th Sept. Enlisted as per medal card. A transfer to the 1^st Bn.Herts.

MOVEMENTS OF THE 1/1^STBATTALION

August 1914: in Hertford. Part of East Midland Brigade in East Anglian Division. Moved on mobilisation to Bury St Edmunds.

6^th November 1914: left the Division and landed in France. Came under command of 4^th (Guards) Brigade in 2^nd Division. After their period of service with the prestigious 4^th (Guards) Brigade, the battalion was often known as the Hertfordshire Guards.

It’s not clear when William joined the battalion overseas it could have been as early as Jan 1915 or later in 1916.

1915

14^th Jan. The 1^st Bn. Herts. moved to the same position in Rue Du Bois as it had been on Dec. 24^th. Two companies in trenches, three in support, three in reserve. On the 20^th relieved and to Hingette.¹
31^st Jan. The possible arrival of William at the front. A draft of 2 Officers and 195 OR’s arrived. ¹Note: other dates possible for William are 6th May 1915, 27^th Oct 1915, or 3-7^th Jan. 1916.4-5^th Feb. One Company in support trenches near Cuinchy Inco 20 men in Barricade Guard.
6^th Feb. Bn. moved to trenches in Pont Fixe road. No.4 Company in support trenches. Later No.3 and No.2 Coy went up under orders of Coldstream Guards. Heavy bombardment 2-2.15pm. At 2.15 pm parties of Coldstream Guards and Irish Guards assaulted Brickstacks and took the same. The Bn. returned to billets in the evening – one man killed.
7^th Feb. Two Companies reported to Coldstream Guards at 6.30 am at Cuinchy. No.2 Coy sent 2 platoons to Fire Trench. 1 man killed in No.1 Company in support The trench on our right made an attack, took some trenches but later retired.
28^th Feb. The Brigade moved into Corps Reserve at Bethune.
Mar. Preol and Givenchy trench operations. Battalion moved to St. Preol in support on Canal Bank and in the evening returned to billets at Bethune. In the evening relieved the 1^st Bn. Kings Royal Rifles at Givenchy.
12^th Mar. 6 wounded of which 3 only was slight. In the evening engaged in digging.
13^thMar. Digging in the evening. Casualties 4 wounded.
16^th Mar. One Coy digging in the evening. 2 killed, 2 wounded.
Apr. Givenchy trench operations. 10-13^thand 15-17^thApr. Bn. took over trenches at Givenchy. relieved and went into billets at Le Quesnoy. 2 men died of wounds.
19-22^thApr. Took over trenches at Windy Corner, Givenchy 1 man died of wounds.
25^th Apr. A draft of 30 men joined the battalion from England (again possible timing for William to join the battalion).
Early May at Le Touret in billets then The Battle of Festubert.
17-19^th May. Bn. moved up in support of the Irish Guards in trenches ¾ mile East of Rue L’epinette. On 18 Moved into trenches further east. The Irish Guards attacked at 4.30 pm, No.1 Coy in close support of Irish Guards. No.4 Coy in support of Grenadier Guards who also attacked. No.1 Coy and 1 platoon of No.3 Coy and 50 men of No.3 Coy reinforced Irish Guards and entrenched themselves. The Bn. took over the Irish Guards from the line at about 9 pm and dug in. No.2 & 4 Coys in the front line, No.3 Coy less 1 platoon on the second line, No.1 Coy plus 1 platoon, and No.3 Coy third line. On the 19 consolidated positions during the day, were heavily shelled, and also when we were relieved during the night by the 2^nd Bn. Coldstream Guards. The Bn. returned to billets at Le Touret, 17 NCO’s and men were killed, 91 NCO’s & men were wounded.
Jun. Billets at Cambrin and Sailly Le Bourse. Trenches Vermelles
Jul. Cuinchy and Givenchy. 11-13^th Jul. The Bn. held A2 sector, 1 man was killed.
14^th Jul. A draft of 1 Officer and 70 men joined the Bn. from England.
21^st Jul. The Bn. was relieved and marched into Montmorency Barracks, Bethune.
29^th Jul. The Bn. relieved the 1st Bn. Kings Liverpool Regiment at Givenchy B1 sector, 3 Coys in the trenches, and 1 at Le Preol.
30^th Jul. The Bn. was relieved and marched back to billets at Le Quesnoy.
Aug. Spells in the trenches Givenchy sector, on 9^th August the battalion suffered 11 men killed in one day the war diary doesn’t expand and it may have been shell damage.²

On the 19^th of August 1915 the 1^st Bn. Herts. was transferred to the 6^th Brigade of the 2^nd Division ( the Guards battalions were extracted to form a Guards division).

1^st Sept. The Bn. marched to Cambrin, 1 Coy in Cuinchy Support Point, 1 Coy in Cambrin Support Point, 1 Coy in Maison Rouge dugouts, and 1 Coy in Annequin.
8-12^th Sept. The Bn. moved into Z2 section. Casualties during four days were 1 man killed 1 officer and 3 OR’s wounded. Bn. was relieved into billets at Beuvry.
16-20^th Sept. Trenches in section A1.
25^th Sept.- 13^th Oct. Battle of Loos.The largest battle of WW1 in 1915 and ultimately a very heavy defeat for the British. General Haig mistakenly thought this would be a great victory (even to end the war) but without the planning, adequate Artillery fire, and specific target maps of advancement. Haig thought the first use of the gas by the British would devastate the Germans but it did not. The British had 60,000 casualties compared to the Germans’ 26,000 which in itself tells of the outcome. The BEF commander Gen. Sir John French lost his command as a result of the failure of the battle and Haig inherited the role from then on.³
- 26^thSept. Attempts to support an attack including gas attack on the enemy. on the second day of the battle, the 2^nd Division attempted to regain the Hohenzollern Redoubt without success.
- From 25^th– 30^th Sept. The Bn. casualties were approximately 1 Officer wounded, I gas poisoning, 25 OR’s wounded or suffering from gas poisoning.
- 30^thSept. The 6^th Brigade was relieved, and the Bn. being marched back to billets at the eastern end of Bethune.
- 1^st-3^rd Oct. Vermelles. the Bn. went into the trenches in front of Vermelles, north of the Hulluch road, in support of the 1^st Kings who were holding the old front-line German trench which had been captured a few days before. 1 man was killed and 2 died of wounds.
24-27^thOct. The Bn. relieved the 5^th Bn. Kings Liverpool Regt. in A1 section. 1 Man was killed in action. Relieved and marched back to billets at Beuvry. A draft of 20 men arrived from Rouen. (possible date of William’s arrival)
30th Oct. 1 Officer and 6 men were killed in a bomb accident.
2-6^thNov. The Bn. relieved the 5^th Kings (Liverpool) Regiment in the trenches astride the La Bassee Road.
3^rd Nov. A draft of 50 men joined the Bn. from Rouen.
7^th Nov. Marched to billets at Gonnehem. On the 13 moved to Annequin.
16^thNov. The Bn. went into the trenches in the Brigade Support Area Y4 and Z0 sub-sections northeast of Vermelles.
20-23^rdNov. The Bn. was relieved and then relieved the 2^nd Bn. South Staffords in Z.0. a subsection of the front line. The Bn. was relieved and marched to billets at Annequin Fosse cottages.
26-29^th Nov. The Bn. in the front line again and then on 29^th to billets at the Orphanage, Bethune. 1 man died of wounds. CWGC records 9 men killed on 29^th Nov..²
2^nd Dec. The Bn. relieved the 2^nd South Stafford’s in Z.0.
5^th Dec. The Bn. was rather heavily shelled but was lucky in only having 3 casualties. Bn. was relieved to billets at Montmorency Barracks, Bethune. 1 man died of wounds.
8-12^thDec. The Bn. relieved the 2^nd South Stafford’s in Z.0. And on the 12^th relieved to billets at Annequin.
14-16^th Dec. The Bn. relieved the 1^st Kings in Z.2 trenches and was relieved by the 1^st Royal Berks and marched back to billets in Bethune. The whole Brigade was relieved by the 99^th Brigade. Christmas Day was spent in Bethune.
27^th Dec. The Bn. marched back to billets in Ham En Artois.

1916

Jan. In support areas of Givenchy
Feb. In trenches Festubert

Note; on the 29^th February the 1^st Bn. Herts were transferred to the 118^th Brigade in 39^th Division at Renescure.

Mar. Battalion moved into the 39^th Divisional area on the 8 March and moved under canvas near Sercus. On the 31^st the Bn. marched to billets at Pont Du Hem.
1-4^th Apr. Bn. went into the trenches, 1 officer killed, 1 wounded. Our snipers claimed 10 Germans. Bn. went into billets at Pont Du Hem.
6^th Apr. Bn. marched back to billets at Robermetz near Merville.
8^th Apr. A draft of 96 OR joined the Bn. This is possibly when William joined the battalion in France but his marriage in 1917 means its a distant possibility.
14^th Apr. Bn. marched into billets at Vielle Chapelle.
16-19^th Apr. Bn. went into the trenches at Festubert C2 than to billets in Le Plantin Festubert and on the Rue L’epinette.
1-5, 9-13^thMay. Givenchy. The Bn. in trenches in the B2 sub-section Givenchy.
25-28^thMay. The Bn. in trenches in C2 sub-section Festubert, relieved to Ferme Du Roi near Bethune.
11-17^th Jun. Givenchy. The Bn. in trenches at subsection B2 Givenchy. On the night of June 16/17^th the battalion cooperated by means of rifle grenades, Lewis Gun fire, etc. with 4th/5th Royal Highlanders who did a successful raid on the enemy’s trenches. Bn. to billets at Vielle Chapelle.
22-28^thJun. The Bn. relieved the 13^thRoyal Sussex in post systems Richebourg & St Vaast. to billets at Leslobes.
29-30^th Jun. The Bn. marched into billets at Vielle Chapelle then onto billets at Croix Bargee.
1-4^th Jul. The Bn. in the trenches in the left sub-sector Jeune De Bois then to billets at Croix Bargee. During these 3 days in the trenches, we had four wounded.
6^th Jul. The Bn. marched to billets at Les Lobes then on 7^th marched to billets at Le Preol.
8-19^th Jul. The Bn. relieved the 20th Royal Fusiliers in the Givenchy-Cuinchy section. On the 12^th the enemy, after destroying 60 yards of a trench during the day with Minenwerfer fire attempted to raid at about 10.30 pm but was driven off by our Lewis Gun fire. On the 14^th the Bn. was relieved by the 2^nd Middlesex and took over trenches from 16th R.B. in the left sub-section Festubert.
19^th Jul. A party of about 3 Officers and 60 ORs raided the enemy’s trenches at 10:40 pm. The part of the trench that was raided had been evacuated by the Germans. The party was in the trenches for 10 minutes as arranged but was bombed from the support line. No prisoners were taken. Our casualties on the evening of the raid were 3 Officers wounded, 3 OR’s killed, 1 OR missing, 12 OR’s wounded. On the 24 marched to billets near Gorre having had 16 days in the trenches. Casualties for this period; 1 Officer died of wounds, 7 officers were wounded, 11 OR killed, 1 OR missing, 38 ORs wounded.
26^thJul. The Bn. were marched to L’ecole De Jeune Filles, Bethune.
1-7^th Aug. Trenches at Festubert.No mention in the war diary but CWGC records 20 men killed during this spell.²
11-26^th Aug. The Bn. on the march via Cauchy A La Jour, Monchy Breton, Gintreville, Houvin Houvignuel. Grouches, Bus Les Orton and then marched to bivouacs in a wood close behind Englebelmer.
2^ndSept. The Bn. moved to Fort Prowser and Fort Moulin No.1 then to Mesnil.
3^rd-12^th Sept. The 39^th Division attacked the enemy’s trenches north of the Ancre. The 118^th Brigade was in reserve. The attack failed and in the evening the Brigade took over our original front line. Our trenches had suffered from the enemy shelling and a great deal of work had to be done during the night to consolidate the front line. The whole night the Germans put over Gas shells behind our support lines and Gas Helmets had to be worn. 1 Officer wounded.
19^th Sept. The Bn. relieved the 16^th Rifle Bde in the left subsection Y Ravine.
3-7^thOct. The Battles of the Somme. The Bn. marched from Y Ravine. section and took over the Hamel right subsection from the 1/1^st Cambs.Regt. Bn. relieved and marched to huts & bivouacs near Martinsart.
10-16^th Oct. The Bn. in trenches on the right of the Schwaben Redoubt.
14^thOct. The Battles of the Somme – the Battle of the Ancre Heights. 1 officer was killed in the morning. In the afternoon the Cambridgeshire’s and Black Watch attacked and took the remainder of the Schwaben Redoubt. The Bn. sent one platoon to reinforce but was not otherwise involved, expect being heavily shelled.
16-18^th Oct. The Bn. marched to the billets in Englebelmer and on the 18^th to the billets in Senlis.
29^th Oct. The Bn. took over the Schwaben Redoubt from the 17^th KRRC. Relieved on 30 and marched to dugouts near Authuille.
1^st Nov. The Battle of the Ancre.The Bn. relieved the 12^thRoyal Sussex Regt. in the centre subsection on the left of the Schwaben Redoubt, and on the 3^rdmarched to huts in Pioneer Road.
8-10^thNov. The Bn. in the left River Subsection. On the 10^threlieved and marched to huts in Martinsart Wood. On the 11^thmoved to huts in Pioneer Wood.
2 -15^th Nov. The Battle of the Ancre. At 5.45 am on the 13^th just before dawn and in a thick mist, the guns opened fire, the Bn. went forward. The direction was kept and the Bn. had very soon taken all its objectives, capturing the whole of the Hansa line and advancing to a depth of 1,600 yards. Over 250 prisoners were captured and many Germans were killed. The new line was consolidated and the Bn. held the new position till the night of the 14/15^th. During the period the Germans made three small raids against the bombing post on our left but these were successfully driven back. In all these operations 9 machine guns were captured. The Bn. was relieved on the night of 14th/15^thand marched back to huts near Aveluy. During the period our casualties were; 7 Officers wounded, 20 OR killed, 5 OR missing, and 115 OR wounded.
15^th Nov. The Bn. marched to billets in Warloy, then on 16 to huts near Orville, and on the 18 to billets in Candas.
19^th Nov. The Bn. entrained and arrived in the evening at Esquelbecq and marched from there to billets in Wormhoudt.
28-29^th Nov. The Bn. moved by train and road to camp near Poperinghe and on the 29 by train to Ypres and marched to dugouts in the Canal Bank North Of Ypres.
23^rd Dec. The Bn. moved by train & relieved the 11th Royal Sussex Regt. On the left Canal Bank.
24-29^th Dec. The Bn. relieved the 13^th Royal Sussex Regt. in the left front of the Hill Top Section. On 29 was relieved by the 1^st Cambs. & moved back into the left Canal Bank dugouts.

1917

Note: If this soldier is William [4429] then anytime after March 1917 he could have joined the battalion in Belgium.

7-8^th Jan. Hill Top Section. At 2.45am under cover of an intense barrage the Germans raided on the front held by the Bn. They managed to reach one of our posts and unfortunately 3 men were taken, prisoner. From another post which was also attacked the Germans were driven off. Our casualties were: 1 Officer killed. 3 O.R.s died of wounds. 1 O.R. was killed and 14 O.R. wounded. The Bn. was relieved by the Cambs. Regt. and moved into dugouts on the Canal Bank.
12-18^th Jan. The Bn. relieved the 10th Liverpool Scottish in the Wieltze sub-sector. During the relief, the Germans heavily bombarded the front line with Minnenwerfen. Our casualties during the relief were 3 O.R. killed and 4 O.R. wounded.
The Bn. was relieved by the 1^st Cambs. Regt. & moved to dugouts on the Canal Bank near Ypres.
3-4^th Feb. The Bn. relieved the 17th Notts & Derby Regt on the Canal Bank near Ypres. 4-9^th Feb. The Bn. relieved the 16th Notts & Derby Regt. in the Wieltze sub-section. The Bn. was relieved by the 1/1 Cambs. and moved back to dugouts on the Canal Bank near Ypres.
12^th Feb. A successful raid on enemy trenches was completed by the Bn. Two Germans from a listening post were captured but the rest of the area which was raided was found to be so knocked about that the enemy had evacuated there. After staying in the trenches for 15 minutes the party withdrew. Our casualties were slight, 5 O.R.’s being wounded.
14-16^th Feb. The Bn. relieved the 1/1 Cambs in the Wieltze subsection then relieved by the Liverpool Scottish and moved to Canal Bank dugouts.
17-27^th Feb. On the 17^th the Bn. proceeded by train to Poperinghe and marched from there to Y Camp. On the 27^th the battalion marched through Poperinghe to St. Lawrence Camp.
3^rd Mar. The Bn. moved into Divisional Reserve. Headquarters at Kruistraat.
6-9^th Mar. The Bn. relieved 1/1^st Cambs. Regt. on the left sub-section, Observatory Ridge sector. Bn. relieved and marched to Infantry Barracks, Ypres.
12-15^th Mar. The Bn. relieved the 1/1^st Cambs Regt in the left sub-sector – Hooge. Relieved and marched to St. Lawrence Camp.
21^stMar. The Bn. moved into Divisional Reserve. Headquarters at Kruistraat.
24-27^th Mar. The Bn. relieved the 1/1^st Cambs Regt in the Observatory Ridge sector. On the night of 25/26^th of March the enemy attempted to raid our trenches after an intense barrage. They were repulsed by Lewis Gun and rifle fire before reaching our trenches. The Bn. was relieved and marched to Infantry Barracks, Ypres. The CWGC records the battalion’s large daily losses totaling 47 men killed in this German attack.²
1-5^th Apr. The Bn. relieved the 1/1^st Cambs Regt in the left sub-sector – Hooge. On the 4^th and moved by train to St. Lawrence Camp. Then moved to reserve billets in Houterque.
11-28^th Apr. The Bn. moved to tents and a few huts in C CAMP and except for a slight redistribution of huts on the 17^th remained here until the 28th, employed on constructing a new railway close by.
28^thApr- 5^thMay. The Bn. relieved the 14^th Hants Regt. in the Hill Top sub-section. On this tour in the trenches, two raids were carried out through our lines. On the 29^th the Welsh carried out a successful raid and on the 30th another Bn. of the Welsh also carried out a successful raid. The enemy’s retaliation on our trenches was not very heavy and we were fortunate in having only one casualty. Relieved to Canal Bank dugouts
10-15^th May. The Bn. relieved the 1^st Cambs Regt. in the Hill Top subsection and relieved by the 17^th Sherwood Foresters and on relief half the Bn. marched and half went by train to C Camp and carried on with Railway construction.
23^rd-29^th May. The Bn. less Nos. & 4 Coys relieved the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers in the Wieltje sub-sector – Nos. & 4 Coys remained at C Camp. The Bn. was relieved by the 14th Hants Regt. and rejoined Nos. & 4 Coys at C CAMP. 29^th May. The Bn. marched to Wormhoudt.
11-29^th Jun. Spent the month on the march, The Bn. marched to Arneke then to Tattinghem, to Bagengham-Lez-Seringham, to Serques, to Watten, and finally entrained for Poperinghe and on arrival marched to tents at C Camp.
7 -16^th Jul. Bn. relieved 1^st Cambs Regt. in Front Line system, Hill Top sector, relieved by the 6th Border Regt. and marched to C Camp.
17^th Jul. Bn. marched to Poperinghe station and entrained to Watten where it detrained and marched to billets at Haule.
22^nd -30^th Jul. The war diary says nothing of any pre-battle action but the CWGC records 39 men killed on the 23rd of Jul and 63 in total between the 23^rd-2^nd Aug.²
31^st Jul. The Battle of Pilckem.
31st Jul – 2nd Aug. The Battle of Pilkem Ridge St Julien

The Bn. advanced from the Steenbeek toward the Langemarck line (the Bn. objective) casualties grew heavier from sniper and machine gun fire. However the Bn. continued advancing. About halfway to the objective some of No.3 Coy came upon a German strong point which they gallantly charged, capturing or killing most of the garrison and sending the remainder back as prisoners. On reaching the enemy wire this was found to be practically undamaged, a handful of men of No.3 Coy got through the only gap and got into the enemy trench & killed a lot of Germans. The remainder of the Bn., being unable to get through the wire and suffering severe casualties from enfilade MG fire & the Germans making a strong counter-attack, had to fall back. The remnants of the battalion subsequently dug themselves in line on the west side of the Steenbeek. Casualties to Officers were: 7 killed. 4 missing. 3 wounded & missing and 7 wounded. Estimated casualties to the other ranks were 29 killed, 5 missing believed killed, 132 missing, 68 wounded & missing, 223 wounded & 2 died of wounds, making a total of 459 casualties to other ranks.
7^th Aug. Bn. Entrained at Vlamertinghe and de-trained at Caestre whence it was conveyed in buses to camp near Thieushouk.
14^th Aug. Bn. moved by buses to camp at Ridge Wood
19^th-23^{rd >}Aug. The Battle of Langemarck. Bn. relieved 17^thNotts & Derby Regt. in the front line –Klein-Zillebeke trenches. 1 killed, 2 Missing. Relieved by 1^st Cambs Regt. and moved into Reserve (Brigade). While in Reserve casualties were 9 wounded.19^th Sept. Bn. was equipped in fighting order for the forthcoming operations. Bn. marched to Zwarteleen. Strength 14 Officers, 556 ORs. The remainder proceeded to the Divisional reinforcement camp.
20^th-22^nd Sept. The Battle of the Menin Road. 117^th Inf. Bde attacked at dawn. At 2pm two Coys 1^st Herts Regt. moved from Zwarteleen to trenches around Image Crescent On 21^st Bn. relieved 16 & 17^th Bn. Notts & Derby Regt. in right sub-section Bulgar Wood sector as soon as it was dark, taking over the line captured & consolidated on the 20^th Sept. Relieved and moved into support in Mount Sorrel,
23^rd Sept. Bn. relieved the 1^st Cambs Regt & details of 41^st Div. in the front line, Shrewsbury Forest area, taking over line captured by the 41^st Division on the 20.
25^th Sept. The Battle of Polygon Wood. The Bn. was relieved by the 1^st Cambs Regt and 4/5^th Black Watch who moved up to assembly positions in the neighbourhood of Bassevillebeek during the night of 25/26^th Sept and attacked the 26^thmoving into support in trenches on Mount Sorrell.
Polygon Wood. 1917
The 33rd Division attacked to counter-attack by German forces
27^th Sept. Bn. was relieved and marched to Bus House where it embussed for Corunna Camp near Westoutre. Casualties amounted to 3 Officers & 206 ORs.
4-16^th Oct. Moved up to camp near Swan Chateau 2,000 yards southwest of Ypres under orders of the 1^st Anzac Corps in order to work on railways under the 5th Canadian Railway Troops. The men were employed daily on the railway lines between Westhoek & Zonnebeke. Casualties during the period were; 5 Killed, 1 died of wounds, and 1 wounded.
17-23^rd Oct. Moved to camp near Brasserie, On 23^rd Bn. moved to Chippewa Camp near Rheninghelst.
26-31^st Oct. The Second Battle of Passchendaele. The Bn. came under 1 hour’s notice, on the 28^threlieved the 1^st R.W.F. Tower Hamlets sector front line, The Bn. suffered a few casualties during the relief.
Tower Hamlets Oct 1917
On the 31^st the Bn. was relieved and moved into support at Bodmin Copse in dugouts & trenches. Casualties 6 Killed, 1 Died of Wounds, 1 Died of Gas Poisoning, 21 were wounded, and 9 were gassed.
1-3^rd Nov. Bn. in Bodmin Copse with 2 Coys in Jar Trench. A certain amount of gas shelling. Casualties 2 killed, 2 died of wounds,5 gassed, and 8 wounded.
5^th Nov.. The Bn. moved to Vierstraat N2. The Bn. was employed on salvage & other work in the forward areas. Wounded 1 OR.
12-14^th Nov. The Bn. moved into the right subsection Polderhoek, taking over the front line from 16th Bn. Sherwood Foresters.
20^th Nov.. Relieved 17th Bn. K.R.R. in Polderhoek left sub-section front line. Bn. proceeded by light railway to Zillebeke.
26-29^th Nov. Bn. moved to Eecke area by train from Ouderdom & Godewaersvelde. On 29 moved to a camp near Potijze to work on roads & railways, entraining at Godewaersvelde & de training at Ypres.
6^th Dec. Bn. moved to Eecke, entraining at Ypres and de-training at Godwaersvelde.
8-9^th Dec. Bn. moved to Harlettes on the 9^thand marched to Escoeuilles for training.
31^stDec. Moved to Coalomby relieving 13^th Bn. Royal Sussex Regt.

1918
It is assumed from William’s discharge i.e. Dec. 1918 that he was injured or sick because of events in 1918. One Army record (Warley Depot) shows William wounded or sick but no date but states 1^st Bn. Herts Regt. Another man on this list Ernest Frank Jones 41769 1^st Hert’s service records indicates that he was gassed in 1918 and admitted to a hospital in England on 23rd June 1918, given time to be treated in France and transported its likely that he was gassed in May at Gas attack at Foncquevillers. This is one event in May 1918 that affected nearly all the battalion and must be a prime candidate for the date on which his health was detrimentally affected.
8^th Feb. The Bn. was transferred to the 116^th Brigade in the same Division.
2-10^th Mar. Right Gouzeaucourt sub-sector, Nos. 1 & 3 Coys in the front line with Nos. 2 & 4 Coys in support. On the 6^th Nos. 2 & 4 Coys in the front line, and Nos. 1 & 3 in support. On the 10^th relieved took over billets at Revelon Farm.
13^th Mar. Bn. was relieved by the 1st South African Infantry and marched to Heudicourt. Bn. entrained on the light railway to Gurlu Wood area. Bn. billeted in a camp at Temple La Fosse.
21-23^rd Mar. The Battle of St Quentin. Violent enemy bombardment on the whole of our Corps front. Bn. stood to at 6.30 AM but did not move off until 4 PM when it took up dispositions in the Brown Line at St. Emilie.
22^nd Mar. Enemy violently bombarded and assaulted our positions forcing our Bn. to retire to the Green Line. Bn. spent the night at Hamel.
23^rd Mar. Before dawn the Bn. marched to Bussu & dug in hastily on the east side of the village. When both flanks became exposed the Bn. retired to a line of trenches covering the Peronne-Nurlu road. Bn. withdrew to the St. Dennis line which was very stubbornly defended. The Bn. then retired with difficulty to the line protecting the Peronne-Clery road. When this had been successfully accomplished under very harassing machine-gun fire from the enemy, the Bn. retired to Clery village where it concentrated.
24^th Mar. The actions on the Somme crossings. After an intense bombardment of our trenches, the enemy attacked with large numbers. The Bn., after heavy fighting, retired to a crest in front of the Fevillers-Hem Wood Road. This is where the Bn. lost its Commanding Officer. In the evening the Bn. got orders to withdraw to Maricourt.
25^th Mar. Bn. marched from Maricourt to Insaune. The march was continued after breakfast across the River Somme at Cappy to Chuignolles.
26^th Mar. The Battle of Rosieres. Bn. moved forward through Chuignes to a line in front of the Chuignes-Foucacourt road to support the 117^th and 118^th Brigades. After covering their retirement the Bn. fought a series of rearguard actions on the many ridges in front of the village of Chuignolles. In the afternoon the Bn. occupied the Proyart-Froissy road. Orders were given for the Bn. to withdraw behind Proyart, astride the Foucacourt-Manotte road.
27^th Mar. The Bn. who were in trenches on both sides of the road were ordered to move forward in support of the 118th Bde, being temporarily attached to the 4/5th Black Watch Regt. Soon after moving forward British troops were seen retiring to the left in large numbers. Consequently, the Bn. was ordered to move forward to the left and cover their withdrawal. After having skilfully carried this out the Bn. withdrew to a line between Morcourt and the Foucacourt-Lamotte road. The Bn. collected and assembled, then counter-attacked the enemy, driving him back to within a few hundred yards of the village of Morcourt.
28^th Mar. The position gained was held stubbornly against all enemy attempts to retake it. On the morning of the 28th orders were received for a speedy evacuation of this line. The retirement took place through Harbonniers & Caix. At the latter place the Bn. attacked the enemy successfully but thereafter had orders to retire on Coyeux where it again assembled in a counter-attack. During the day rearguard actions took place along the river bed to Ignaucourt In the evening the Bn. went into trenches in front of Aubercourt
30^th Mar. The enemy advancing on the right flank on the other side of the river De Luce. He very soon enfiladed our positions both with artillery and machine guns followed by a strong enemy bombardment and attack on our front. Bn. fell back to the Bois De Hangard.
31^st Mar. Bn. was relieved and marched to billets at Longeveux, a village on the outskirts of Amiens. During the 10 days of fighting the losses of the Bn. were approx as follows: Killed – Officers 4, OR’s 25 Wounded & Missing – Officers 2, OR’s 10.
24^th Apr. The First Battle of Kemmel. The enemy attacked Wyschaete Ridge in the morning and gained ground. The enemy penetrated the Bn. the line between the two front-line Coys. A bombing attack was organised but was unsuccessful
25^th Apr. The Second Battle of Kemmel. At 2.30 am enemy opened up a very heavy bombardment with H.E. & Gas shells on the battalion front & heavily attacked our line at about 6.0am. Our line was driven in and forced back onto the GHQ line, the enemy coming in very large numbers. After suffering many casualties Bn. withdrew to cover some 500 yards away. The platoon in the Brasserie post was closely pressed by the enemy & withdrew to the GHQ line but an immediate counter-attack was launched by B Coy & the post was successfully recaptured together with two prisoners & a machine gun. Several of the enemy were killed in the post & our casualties were very slight.
28^th Apr. The Battle of Scherpenberg. GHQ 2 line was very heavily shelled nearly all day & many casualties were caused. The enemy attacked Voormezeele and captured it but his attacks against the GHQ line were completely repulsed with heavy loss.
Bn. transferred to the 112^th Brigade in the 37^th Division.
11^th May. Gas attack Foncquevillers. The Bn. embussed at Orville and debussed at Souastre, marched to some old British trenches east of Foncquevillers. The Bn. as it moved through Foncquevillers was subjected to a very heavy Gas Shell bombardment. All with the exception of 1 Officer and 7 OR’s were evacuated to the hospital. This seems to be a very likely event for William to suffer lung damage and his eventual discharge as unfit to serve.
22^nd May. Bn. absorbed more than 600 men from the 6^th Bedfordshire Regiment.
May-Oct. If any of the gassed men followed a similar path of treatment then like Ernest Frank Jones 41769, William may have been treated for about 6 weeks in France and then admitted to the 4 Gen. Southern Hospital in Plymouth for extensive treatment and convalescence.
18^th Oct. William was certainly at Warley Depot shortly after this date (EF Jones here on this date and appears on same depot record). After further tests presumably certified unfit to serve.
7^th Dec. Honourably discharged unfit due to wounds or illness. Was discharged from the Warley depot on 7^th Dec 1918