9th Worcesterhire Regt attempt on Kabak Kuyu Wells, Hill 60

[gilly100]

Hi All

I have no access to the 9th Worcestershire Regt's (39th Brigade, 13th Div) war diary for August 1915, and I am just wanting to get some facts and figures on this unit's attempt on the Kabak Kuyu wells near Hill 60 on 12 August, apparently by two companies and which attempt failed, obviously with some casualties. I wish to include a few words about this in my Hill 60 book as a lead in to the fighting for Hill 60 itself from 21 August 1915. Can anyone with an interest in this unit or area of ops, assist?

Many thanks

Ian Gill

[GraemeClarke]

Hi

The Diary, I think, is downloadable,

Regards,

Graeme

[alantwo]

Dear Ian

Extracts from 39 Brigade HQ War Diary for 1 August 1915 and 1 September 1915. As Graeme has indicated the War Diary is downloadable from National Archive.

Kind regards

Alan

[gilly100]

Many thanks Graeme and Alan

Certainly enough info you have both supplied by your posts. I cannot access the NA war diary files from here in Bali, as internet hopelessly slow. Will try again to filter search CWGC records on 9th Worcesters with regard to August casualties. So far no joy. Fortunately I have almost all the other participating regiments already, so casualty comparisons can be made during the Hill 60 ops. Many thanks again for your time and assistance.

Cheers

Ian

[Guest]

It is worth noting that immediately befor theis action the 9th Service Bn Worcestershire Regt suffered heavy casualties, espaecially among the officers and at ine satge were reduced to just 2 officers including the QM.

Sat 7th Aug 1915:

ARGHYL DERE. The Bn arrived in the DERE just before dawn and stayed here all day. At 21:00, after a final meal and having left their iron rations, packs and haversacks also behind, the Bn set out up the DERE in this ultra-light fighting order. The passage was very narrow and entirely blocked by mules with native drivers. Headway was therefore extremely slow and halt frequent and of long duration. No Officer appeared to be there to regulate traffic. Lt De BLABY wounded.

Sun 8th Aug 1915:

ARGHYL DERE. Daylight found the Bn near the top of the DERE. Eventually it came out on the right of a ravine near the top of the DERE. Then followed a great deal more moving forwards, moving backwards and along halts, during which the Bn managed to get another meal, supplies having been brought up to them. All this indecision of movement was due to the fact that the General Officer commanding the Bde (39th) had been misled in his instructions as to the shortest and best way to his position of assembly. The Bn then (less C Coy) took up a position near the top of this ravine and entrenched themselves. C Coy was left in reserve, quite a mile below in the DERE, much too far away under any circumstances and all the more so under these conditions, considering the difficulty of keeping open communications with the rear. The position of the Bn was bad, unavoidably. A heavy rifle fire was being kept up continuously on the Bn from higher ridges on each flank and in front several casualties resulted, amongst which Capt and Adjt J V GODFREY figured, being severely wounded. The night was quite quiet.

Mon 9th Aug 1915

The British attack which was timed for 04:30 was a failure. The preliminary bombardment was aimed out by two cruisers, and when our infantry advanced they also got bombarded by our guns; consequently they withdrew with loss to our original positions. The Bn was not in the first line of attackers. A substantial reinforcement of 5 fresh Bns was expected today, but they never arrived having lost themselves somewhere in the DERE.

Tue 10th Aug 1915

Just before dawn, the TURKS attacked all along our line engaged A Coy in particular, very heavily. They advanced under heavy rifle and machine gun fire from higher ridges in front and from both flanks. They also employed big spherical bombs of unusual size which they rolled down the slopes in amongst our men, causing heavy casualties. Half of C Coy reinforced on the left and suffered heavily in the process. A part of B Coy then reinforced A Coy also being severely handled in coming up. By 07:00, Lt Col NUNN, Maj CROFTON, Maj BOYD-MOSS , Capt ROLPH, 2nd Lts LANCASTER and E L HISCOCK had been killed. Maj BARKER, Capt HORSFIELD, Lts NEAME and BELLAIRS and 2nd Lt MARSHALL wounded. The Bn then began to give ground. Other Regts on the flanks did also. The enemy however did not follow. Their casualties also were enormous from the combined fire of Naval guns and Infantry fire. All this while, Capt GIBBON had been holding an advanced position on the right, known as GURKHA REDOUBT. They stayed on here all day, even after the Bn had retired. They do not seem to have been attacked at this post, although with two machine guns, they inflicted severe losses on the enemy. In evening, finding communications with the rest of the Bn was impossible, the party in GURKHA REDOUBT retired on their way back stopping to render very useful service in removing wounded from the old line held that morning, which operation was being superintended by an unknown Colonel of the RAMC.

Wed 11th Aug 1915

The day was spent down in the DERE resting and re-organising. Capt GIBBON took over command with Capt MUNNICK as Adjt. Lt PEARSON commanded A and B Coys, 2nd Lt CAVANAGH commanded C and D. Lt SLADDEN was in charge of one machine gun. The strength of the Bn was now 360, thanks to a draft of 50 ranks and file who had joined from LEMNOS last night.

Thu 12th Aug 1915

ARGHYL DERE. In morning, orders to assist the GURKHAS in taking the WELLS that night were received. 250 men of the 9th WORC Regt were to rush this place in darkness and to be followed by the GURKHAS. At 18:00, the 250 men under Capt GIBBON and his four remaining Officers marched round to the left and into the GURKHAS advanced trenches. At 19:30, the Bn advanced in two lines with bayonet fixed and safety catches back. The enemy immediately opened a heavy rifle and machine gun fire, which wiped out the attack before anyone could close with the enemy. Capt GIBBON then rallied his men, now about 100 strong, and made a second charge in one line. This time they came within bomb throwing range of the enemy, but the attack was again repulsed. All the Officers were casualties. Lt PEARSON was killed, whilst Capts GIBBON and MUNNICK, Lt S LADDEN and 2nd Lt CAVANAGH were wounded. The remnants then withdrew to the GURKHA lines. The latter Regt did not continue the attack

.

Fri 13th Aug 1915

ARGHYL DERE. At daylight, the remnants of Capt GIBBON's party rejoined the rest of the Bn, under Lt and QM M R INWOOD, the only Officer left. When all stragglers etc had been collected, the Bn was nearly 200 strong.

Sat 14th Aug 1915

ARGHYL DERE. The Bn was amalgamated with the 7th GLOUCESTERSHIRE Regt, under Capt and Adjt R WILKINSON. The day was spent resting and re-organising in the DERE.

Note on initials and spellings Diary entries do not always tally with Army List for May 1915

Officer Casualties:

Lt Col M H NUNN KIA 10th Aug 15

Maj W C CROFTON KIA 10th Aug 15

Maj E W BOYD-MOSS DSO KIA 10th Aug 15

Maj W BARKER WIA 10th Aug 15

Capt J V GODFRAY (Adjt) WIA 8th Aug 15

Lt (QM) C H INWOOD only Officer left on 13th Aug

Capt G W ROLPH KIA 10th Aug 15

Capt W D GIBBON WIA 12th Aug 15

Capt R B HORSFIELD

Capt S MUNNICK WIA 12th Aug 15

Capt E M CARTER sick 31st Jul 15

Capt W AUSTIN left at MUDROS 11th Jul 15

Lt R N BELLAIRS WIA 10th Aug 15

Lt T NEAME WIA 10th Aug 15

Lt G T PEARSON KIA 12th Aug 15

Lt G T de BLABY WIA 7th Aug 15

Lt C E SLADDEN WIA 12th Aug 15

Lt P MacD SANDERSON sick 31st Jul 15

Lt W F TREE DOW 16th Jul 15 (Bayonetted by Brit Sentry)

2 Lt R C MARSHALL WIA 10th Aug 15

2 Lt J N LANCASTER KIA 10th Aug 15

2 Lt L E HISCOCK KIA 10th Aug 15

2 Lt R T CAVENAGH WIA 12th Aug 15

2 Lt C W F RAWLE WIA 6th Aug 15 (shrapnel)

2 Lt J C BOURNE KIA 16th Jul 15 MG fire

2 Lt HOWELL left at MUDROS on 11th Jul 15 Arr 26th Aug 15

2 Lt F G V BEARD - no mention

Lt E H HISCOCK - Edit: Sick 5th Aug 1915 returned.

[alantwo]

Dear Ian

Further to Martin's post. Within the HQ 39 Brigade War Diary there is a mention of a 2nd Lt Hiscock, 9 Worcesters, as reported sick on 5 August. It is likely to be Lt E H Hiscock as he is noted in the 9 Worcester War Diary on 5 October as one of the Battalion's officers and therefore survived the action described. Lt E H Hiscock is also mentioned on 9 October, when accompanied by one man, 'made a creditable reconnaissance of the enemy's trenches on our left'.

Lieutenant Frederick Gerald Vesey Beard also appears to have survived. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Date of Death 4 July 1916, attached 4 Bn Worcestershire Regiment.

Kind regards

Alan

[Guest]

Ian - Thanks to the very excellent Geoff and his search engine: 9th Bn Worcesters' killed (all ranks)

7th Aug...........3

8th Aug.........10

9th Aug...........6

10th Aug.....118

11th Aug.......11

12th Aug.......12

13th Aug........0

14th Aug........1

[alantwo]

Dear Ian

I'm not sure this is a full list from CWGC

Regards

Alan

Name, Rank, No, Date of Death, Age where known

KEEN, CHARLES Private 14767 07/08/1915 20

BARNES, ALFRED Private 14758 07/08/1915

BRETTLE, ALBERT Private 21273 07/08/1915 24

TANSLEY, ALFRED Private 14793 08/08/1915

WETHERALL, ALBERT Private 13765 08/08/1915 22

ROWBERRY, JOSEPH JAMES EDWARD Private 13656 08/08/1915 21

SAVILLE, ERIC Private 13962 08/08/1915 20

MATTHEWS, ERNEST Private 14032 08/08/1915 19

HOWSON, GEORGE LEONARD Private 15144 08/08/1915 20

CUTLER, THOMAS Private 14110 08/08/1915

CAPES, JOHN JAMES Private 16611 08/08/1915 23

ALLEN, CHARLES WILLIAM Private 14139 08/08/1915

BOWATER, SIDNEY Private 14091 08/08/1915

TROW, DANIEL WILLIAM Corporal 18661 09/08/1915 18

BLACKMORE, ARTHUR PRATT Private 15912 09/08/1915

DRURY, DAVID Private 13875 09/08/1915 26

SKELDING, WILLIAM Private 13881 09/08/1915 20

MIDDLETON, LEWIS Lance Corporal 13775 09/08/1915

ILIFFE, LEONARD Lance Corporal 13729 09/08/1915 20

COOK, FRANK Private 15425 09/08/1915 23

NUNN, MERVYN HENRY Lieutenant Colonel 10/08/1915 50

DREWETT, WILLIAM GEORGE Private 18812 10/08/1915 21

CROFTON, CHARLES WOODWARD Major 10/08/1915 50

BOYD-MOSS, ERNEST WILLIAM Major 10/08/1915 38

HISCOCK, LEONARD ERNEST Second Lieutenant 10/08/1915 19

HANCOCK, WALTER JOSEPH Private 15416 10/08/1915 26

WATSON, FRANK Private 14044 10/08/1915 18

WICKS, GEORGE Private 14827 10/08/1915

WOOD, JOHN ARCHER Private 14069 10/08/1915 23

WYRE, FREDERICK Private 14106 10/08/1915 20

YATES, JOSEPH RICHARD Private 7508 10/08/1915

SPIERS, CHARLES Private 15234 10/08/1915

SQUIRES, CHARLES BERNARD Lance Corporal 18393 10/08/1915 24

SWEETMAN, ALBERT EDWARD Private 13631 10/08/1915 25

SWINGEWOOD, GEORGE Private 20079 10/08/1915

THATCHER, GEORGE Lance Corporal 13663 10/08/1915

TINEGATE, GEOFFREY Private 17569 10/08/1915

POWELL, GEORGE Private 15150 10/08/1915 19

QUINTON, WILLIAM Private 13907 10/08/1915

TREADAWAY, FREDERICK ALFRED Private 15095 10/08/1915

WAKELIN, THOMAS HENRY Private 14308 10/08/1915 30

WALDRON, WILLIAM THOMAS Private 14751 10/08/1915 20

WALL, GEORGE REID Private 20036 10/08/1915

WESTLEY, LESILE Private 13813 10/08/1915

SHARPLES, JAMES THOMAS Private 16606 10/08/1915

SHERRIFF, CHARLES FRANCIS Private 18820 10/08/1915

SMYTHE, FRANK BERTRAND Lance Corporal 14752 10/08/1915 37

STACY, ACTON CHAPLIN Private 14309 10/08/1915 29

STREET, NORMAN KINGSLEY Captain 10/08/1915

TOLLEY, WILLIAM Private 15599 10/08/1915 20

PATON, WILLIAM MCCLIMON Lance Serjeant 14891 10/08/1915

PHILLIPS, BENJAMIN Private 15196 10/08/1915 18

PICKUP, HARRY Lance Corporal 16605 10/08/1915

POUNTNEY, CHARLES Serjeant 13748 10/08/1915 21

PREECE, FREDERICK JOHN Private 17016 10/08/1915 19

RAWLINS, ISHMAEL Private 18889 10/08/1915

RICKETTS, JOHN Private 19611 10/08/1915

ROLPH, GEORGE WILLIAM Captain 10/08/1915 37

ROWLEY, GEORGE Serjeant 9340 10/08/1915

SCHOFIELD, THOMAS Private 14150 10/08/1915

MARSH, WILLIAM THOMAS Corporal 14255 10/08/1915 28

MATTHEWS, OSWALD AMOS Private 14854 10/08/1915 20

MILLIN, JAMES Private 15213 10/08/1915

MORRIS, EDWIN Lance Corporal 13835 10/08/1915 23

MORTON, HENRY Private 18893 10/08/1915 35

NASH, FREDERICK G. Lance Serjeant 13922 10/08/1915 23

NEWEY, W C Private 19587 10/08/1915

NIXON, JAMES Private 13861 10/08/1915

NOBLE, MARK EGERTON Lance Corporal 18701 10/08/1915 25

PARRY, ALFRED WILLIAM Private 14201 10/08/1915 20

PARRY, EDWARD Private 14426 10/08/1915

KEYTE, HERBERT Private 15169 10/08/1915 21

KEYTE, ALFRED EDWARD Lance Corporal 17225 10/08/1915

KINGTON, FREDERICK Lance Corporal 14872 10/08/1915 32

LANCASTER, JAMES NORMAN Second Lieutenant 10/08/1915

LEA, WALTER Lance Corporal 14007 10/08/1915 24

LUCAS, MAURICE EDGAR Private 13697 10/08/1915 34

MALLOWS, CHARLES Serjeant 9173 10/08/1915

HICKMAN, JOSEPH Private 21274 10/08/1915

HILL, EDWARD Private 15419 10/08/1915 27

HOBBS, HARRY Lance Corporal 14820 10/08/1915

HOLMES, GEORGE Private 16895 10/08/1915

HOPKINS, ALBERT JAMES Private 13743 10/08/1915 22

HOPKINS, GEORGE Lance Corporal 17000 10/08/1915 25

HURLEY, JOHN Serjeant 9336 10/08/1915 31

IVATTS, GEORGE Lance Corporal 13787 10/08/1915

JOHNSON, ALFRED FREDERICK Private 9785 10/08/1915

JONES, CHARLES SAMUEL Private 14430 10/08/1915

JONES, CUTHBERT Private 15270 10/08/1915

FOSTER, ALBERT Private 18875 10/08/1915 26

GATEHOUSE, EDWARD Private 19979 10/08/1915

GREEN, HUBERT Private 18815 10/08/1915 20

HALL, ARTHUR Private 14229 10/08/1915 30

HARRIS, WILFRED Private 15099 10/08/1915 20

HATWELL, RICHARD JAMES Private 14864 10/08/1915

HAYWOOD, STEPHEN Private 15250 10/08/1915 30

HEATH, DANIEL Private 18898 10/08/1915 31

HEELEY, JOHN Corporal 9156 10/08/1915 32

CUSWORTH, HENRY Private 9165 10/08/1915 33

DAVIS, ALEXANDER Private 13990 10/08/1915 21

DUGGINS, HARRY Private 13829 10/08/1915

ENGLAND, ALBERT Serjeant 10346 10/08/1915 24

FLETCHER, JOHN THOMAS Private 14119 10/08/1915

BROOM, ALBERT ARTHUR Private 16991 10/08/1915 20

BROWN, HERBERT ERNEST Company Serjeant Major 6204 10/08/1915

BRYANT, GEORGE FRANCIS Private 16846 10/08/1915

BURKE, FRANCIS JOHN Private 14826 10/08/1915

BUTLER, EDWARD Lance Corporal 13738 10/08/1915

CADBY, FREDERICK Private 19700 10/08/1915 42

CARPENTER, WILLIAM JOHN Private 15162 10/08/1915 19

CARR, THOMAS Private 11867 10/08/1915 24

CHISWELL, ALBERT Private 13632 10/08/1915 20

CLINTON, PAUL Private 14202 10/08/1915

COLLINS, HARRY Private 19651 10/08/1915 21

COOK, GEORGE Private 13788 10/08/1915

COOPER, WILLIAM Private 13826 10/08/1915 20

ABBOTS, THOMAS Private 15277 10/08/1915 28

ADAMS, JAMES Private 18693 10/08/1915

ARNOLD, JOHN Private 18941 10/08/1915

ASHBOURNE, WALTER Private 13643 10/08/1915

BAKER, ALBERT EDWARD Private 15073 10/08/1915 25

BALLARD, JOHN Private 17186 10/08/1915

BATES, EDWIN HOWARD Private 20031 10/08/1915 18

BEACH, ARTHUR EDWARD Private 15102 10/08/1915 26

BENNETT, JACK Lance Corporal 13665 10/08/1915

BEWICK, JAMES BRASON Private 18804 10/08/1915

BISHOP, EDWIN WALTER Serjeant 18771 10/08/1915 32

BONNER, JAMES Private 19582 10/08/1915 38

BOSWELL, LUGARD DOUGLAS Private 19588 10/08/1915

BROOKES, JOHN FREDERICK Lance Corporal 13669 10/08/1915 18

DUCKETT, E A Private 19657 10/08/1915 25

KENDRICK, SAMUEL Private 14745 10/08/1915 18

BEVAN, HAROLD SAMUEL Private 13760 10/08/1915 29

JOSELIN, J Private 15154 10/08/1915

JONES, W Private 13644 10/08/1915

AUSTIN, FREDERICK ROWLAND Lance Corporal 14880 10/08/1915 22

SORRILL, J H Private 20028 10/08/1915

WATERHOUSE, WILLIAM Private 15086 11/08/1915 26

WILLIS, ERNEST ARCHIBALD Private 16993 11/08/1915 19

SCOTT, WALTER SHAKESPEARE Lance Corporal 21488 11/08/1915 32

THOMBS, CHARLES Private 15262 11/08/1915

SHERWIN, ARTHUR Private 14367 11/08/1915

SMITH, FRANK Corporal 14835 11/08/1915 22

TIPPING, ALFRED Serjeant 20024 11/08/1915

REYNOLDS, WILLIAM THOMAS Private 15168 11/08/1915 37

PARKINSON, JOHN Private 16475 11/08/1915

LOVE, ROBERT Private 13898 11/08/1915 25

HAYWARD, GEORGE BERTRAM Private 20030 11/08/1915 28

HOLYFIELD, S F Private 15115 12/08/1915

STEVENS, DAVID Private 17206 12/08/1915

WALLACE, HERBERT Private 18877 12/08/1915

TAYLOR, HARRY Private 13853 12/08/1915 29

PEARSON, GEORGE TURNEY Lieutenant 12/08/1915 23

MORRIS, GEORGE ALEX Private 19221 12/08/1915

McCOY, THOMAS Private 13855 12/08/1915 22

HEIB, CHARLES WILLIAM Private 13752 12/08/1915 22

HIGHFIELD, JAMES Private 14791 12/08/1915 21

DERRINGTON, WILLIAM GEORGE Private 13932 12/08/1915 21

FORD, GEORGE Private 9313 12/08/1915 39

COLLINS, JAMES Private 14919 12/08/1915 25

ALLEN, NORMAN CHARLES Private 20025 12/08/1915 24

ALLEN, JOSEPH HENRY Private 14206 12/08/1915

BARLOW, JOSEPH Private 17198 12/08/1915

BARTON, JAMES Private 14178 12/08/1915 25

BESZANT, HARRY Private 17903 12/08/1915 21

HACKETT, CHARLES Private 14794 14/08/1915 19

[gilly100]

Thanks Alan, Graeme, Martin and Geoff for all the work and assistance. This is more than enough now for the purposes of reporting on this battalion. Perhaps a new and improved internet connection next year will assist me in getting better connected! If there is anything I can do in return please sing out.

Cheers

Ian Gill

Bali

[alantwo]

Dear Ian

If you need an expert Martin's your man. I can help with a bit of leg work. Perhaps let us know when the book is published.

Kind regards

Alan

[gilly100]

No worries Alan

This project will take some time, but I am very keen to get it done. Am making notes of those that help along the way, real names preferable. My biggest challenge will be the Brit and Indian Army involvement, especially personal accounts. Aussie and NZ stuff more easy for me to find. Will keep as balanced as possible with what turns up. Loving the getting to know how involved the Brits were, not just in August, but right thru to the evacuation. Learning every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to the punters on this website, who are so professional. No niggle, no condescension, just up front and honest help. Hope to do justice to all participants at Hill 60.

Cheers

Ian

[ianshuter]

Our grateful thanks to the user who transcribed the war diary above, it now has pride of place on the page of Pte Alfred Edward Keyte - also listed above. He is listed on 3 memorials in Alcester as well as two others near Bewdley. https://www.swfhs.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2849:pte-ae-keyte&catid=16:the-men-who-fell-in-ww1

It will also be used on the pages of at least two men from Arrow and Long Itchington memorials.