Guest mr-pawson Posted 23 August , 2011 Share Posted 23 August , 2011 Hello, My Great Uncle, Willie Lott, died whilst jumping into Rainbow Trench on 7th October 1916. I have a letter sent home from a friend at the front saying he was shot in the head as he jumped in. Research shows Willie Lott as being in the 6th Battalion The Buffs, transferring from the Royal Sussex Regiment. I also have the telegram sent home to his mother bearing the bad news - incidentely delivered on Christmas day 1916! I have seen forums relating to the Transloy Ridges but would appreciate any information, or where to look, regarding the activities in that area on the afternoon of the 7th October involving Rainbow Trench or perhaps a trench map showing Rainbow Trench itself. If I can help anyone with the information/photos I have regarding The Buffs let me know. Thank you. Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Milner Posted 23 August , 2011 Share Posted 23 August , 2011 Matthew Put Gueudecourt in the search facility and you will find plenty of trench maps of Rainbow Trench. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david Michael jarvis Posted 23 August , 2011 Share Posted 23 August , 2011 Hi Matthew. On my Nat. Archives British Trench Map Atlas CD it gives Rainbow trench as an alternative name for Hilt trench. Hilt trench was situated just north of the Village of Gueudecourt. I'm a bit pushed for time at the moment but as soon as I can I will post a Google earth view of the area with a 1916 trench map overlay unless someone beats me to it. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bantamforgot Posted 23 August , 2011 Share Posted 23 August , 2011 Hello Mathew, Attached map containing "Rainbow" trench, alas I can't give you any details of that particular day without looking through various books, no doubt some expert will oblige. Regards. Colin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mr-pawson Posted 24 August , 2011 Share Posted 24 August , 2011 Thanks so much for your responses, I'll try and scan the letters home and post them here, I also have previous letters sent home from Willie that include his own hand drawn Trench maps. I've been researching WWI history for years now but never thought of joining a forum, I've been missing out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pteverett001 Posted 17 October , 2011 Share Posted 17 October , 2011 My cousin also was wounded on 7th October 1916 when attacking Rainbow Trench as part of the 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade. I have his medals handed from my father and have been researching his WW1 service. He died on 9th October and is buried at Meault Cemetary. This weekend I heading over to France to visit his grave and also if I can the site of Rainbow Trench. I have various War Diary's etc for 60th Brigade if you are interested I can email copies. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 17 October , 2011 Share Posted 17 October , 2011 I've been missing out! You most certainly have! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 17 October , 2011 Share Posted 17 October , 2011 @Colin: what is the date of your map please. @Matthew: if you use the search function for "Kurt Thielicke" (my Granduncle who was killed there Oct 1st 1916, see signature) you will find some aerials of the many I own from said location Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Milner Posted 19 October , 2011 Share Posted 19 October , 2011 Paul My grandfather fought with the 12th RB at Rainbaw Trench, do you have the 12th RB or 60th Brigade war diary for October 1916, if so I would appreciate a copy. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpanks Posted 13 February , 2013 Share Posted 13 February , 2013 Hi everyone.. Have just come across this thread, whilst researching my g grandfathers death in ww1. He was named William hunsley and died on the 8 October 1916, he is also buried at meaulte cemetary. He's served in the koyli 7th battalion, and I think but am uncertain that he was also in the same location, at rainbow trench. Can anyone help me find information regarding this or his last last days. Will the diaries be of any help to me....? Advice would be most welcome....thanks Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connaughtranger Posted 13 February , 2013 Share Posted 13 February , 2013 Your g/grandfather was part of the 61st Bde, 20th Div which attacked and successfully took Rainbow Trench on the 7th October. The Bde remained in the captured trenches until the night of 8th/9th. If his date of death is shown as 8th Oct then it's likely he was killed while consolidating and defending the ground gained Regards Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpanks Posted 16 February , 2013 Share Posted 16 February , 2013 Thanks for the info Martin,, Would there be a war diary for this somewhere, or any ideas how to find more info on him specifically. I read some where that cwgc some times hold more info, is this right. Thanks Jason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 16 February , 2013 Share Posted 16 February , 2013 Your g/grandfather was part of the 61st Bde, 20th Div which attacked and successfully took Rainbow Trench on the 7th October. The Bde remained in the captured trenches until the night of 8th/9th. If his date of death is shown as 8th Oct then it's likely he was killed while consolidating and defending the ground gained. If he's buried at Méaulte, isn't it more likely that he was wounded on the 7th (or perhaps even earlier) and died the following day at a field hospital/CCS near his place of burial? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connaughtranger Posted 16 February , 2013 Share Posted 16 February , 2013 Equally so, although I can't imagine the Germans sitting back for a whole day watching a lost piece of ground being strengthened for defence without intervening. He could have been wounded and brought out early on the 8th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpanks Posted 3 April , 2013 Share Posted 3 April , 2013 Have managed to find some extracts from koyli 7th war diaries, The are from oct 6th 1916 Will I be able to post them here.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxlade134 Posted 18 September , 2013 Share Posted 18 September , 2013 The War Diary extract for the 7th Oct is at this post if you didnt yet see it http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=182104&p=1960668 In memory of Oswald Charles Blencowe Remembered at http://www.blencowes...the-miltry.html At the outbreak of war, Oswald enlisted in a Public Schools Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, He entered France on the 14 Nov. 1915 , he served as Sergeant in the Royal Fusiliers in France for some months. Oswald was then commissioned in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry 1 May 1916 and lent by them to the 12th Bn Rifle Brigade which had suffered the loss of many officers. He was killed in action on the 7th Oct 1916 at Gueudecourt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmelling1979 Posted 26 July , 2014 Share Posted 26 July , 2014 (edited) Hello, Could someone tell me if this Rainbow Trench was where the 9th Royal fusiliers, was also attacking on 7th October 1916.. on their way to Bayonet Trench Any help locating where the 9th Royal Fusiliers are. would be a great help Cheers John Edited 26 July , 2014 by johnmelling1979 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 26 July , 2014 Share Posted 26 July , 2014 No seperate location. I believe Rainbow Trench was to the right front however away from my maps right now. TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon_Fielding Posted 1 January , 2016 Share Posted 1 January , 2016 Hello Mathew, Attached map containing "Rainbow" trench, alas I can't give you any details of that particular day without looking through various books, no doubt some expert will oblige. Regards. Colin. Would love to know the provenance of this map! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 25 July , 2018 Share Posted 25 July , 2018 Only just found this site, I had two great uncles, from different sides of my family who also both died on 7th October 1916 in Rainbow Trench, both we’re serving in the 6th Bn The Buffs, and their names have been immortalised on a panel on the Thiepval memorial just 2’ apart, Cpl Arthur Finnis and Pte Sidney East. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Posted 25 July , 2018 Share Posted 25 July , 2018 1 hour ago, Paul Finnis said: Only just found this site, I had two great uncles, from different sides of my family who also both died on 7th October 1916 in Rainbow Trench, both we’re serving in the 6th Bn The Buffs, and their names have been immortalised on a panel on the Thiepval memorial just 2’ apart, Cpl Arthur Finnis and Pte Sidney East. Welcome Paul. Here is a map with the date about as close as you will find to 7th October, it is dated 3rd October 1916. The business of getting current maps to the front was very tricky so some maps were printed locally like this one. Full size version here as the forum software squashes images. It is available of the WFA Mapping the Front map DVDs for the Somme. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 4 August , 2019 Share Posted 4 August , 2019 On 17/10/2011 at 11:32, pteverett001 said: My cousin also was wounded on 7th October 1916 when attacking Rainbow Trench as part of the 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade. I have his medals handed from my father and have been researching his WW1 service. He died on 9th October and is buried at Meault Cemetary. This weekend I heading over to France to visit his grave and also if I can the site of Rainbow Trench. I have various War Diary's etc for 60th Brigade if you are interested I can email copies. Paul HiPaul My gt uncle was killed on 9th October 1916 fighting at Rainbow Trench. He was part ofthe 20thBtn Liverpool Kings regiment and I am traveling to the Somme in a few weeks. I would be grateful of any information you can provide me prior to my departure. Espcially the location of Rainbow trench and its occupants. Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyacinth1326 Posted 4 August , 2019 Share Posted 4 August , 2019 Its always been a mystery to me where it is but this might help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Regiano Posted 4 August , 2019 Share Posted 4 August , 2019 This might help: https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.0616&lon=2.8503&layers=101465185&b=3 and looking down the road to Gueudecourt from the area of Grease Trench (a relative of my cousin was KiA with 12KLR on 7 October 1916near Grease Trench): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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