Roger H Posted 11 March , 2010 Share Posted 11 March , 2010 My Grandfather was awarded a Bar to the Military Cross on 15th October 1918: "At Flers on the 15th October 1918, in command of the advance guard battery. When the leading company was held up by enemy machine-gun fire, he pushed forward at once, established an observation post, and silenced the machine guns. His prompt, energetic and gallant tackling of the situation enabled the advance to be resumed and saved the leading companies many casualties. He displayed conspicuous gallantry and tactful ability throughout the operations." I am trying to establish what was happening at Flers on this particular date. My Grandfather was in 311th Brigade RFA, which was an Army Field Brigade so the Brigade could have been attached to any Corps/Division at the relevant time. As yet I have been unable to get hold of the 311th Brigade war diary for 1918 (I have it for 1917) to help inform the situation. Can any pal shed any light on the action at Flers on this date? Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 11 March , 2010 Share Posted 11 March , 2010 Roger, Doyou kow which Flers? Certainly wont be the Somme one as fighting had swept over there in August. TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 11 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 11 March , 2010 TT Sorry, that is all the information I have. I had assumed it was the Flers on the Somme. Enjoy your trip! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 11 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 11 March , 2010 I have just remembered that I have some further information - Ron Clifton of this Forum provided me with details of which Corps 311th Brigade were attached to. In October 1918 they were attached to VIII Corps. Does this help at all? Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 11 March , 2010 Share Posted 11 March , 2010 Well, it tells you that they were in the Douai area (approx. One of the Corps' Divisions captured it a few days before). It may be Flers-en-Escrebieux, which is today a suburb of Douai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 31 August , 2010 Author Share Posted 31 August , 2010 Well, it tells you that they were in the Douai area (approx. One of the Corps' Divisions captured it a few days before). It may be Flers-en-Escrebieux, which is today a suburb of Douai. Well done that man! Just received a copy of the relevant war diary, and Chris is spot on. No surprise really!! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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