3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment..Vimy Ridge

[ritam]

I am trying to find out where the 3rd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment (25 Division) were on the 1st June 1916. Also where can I find photographs of the Battalion? Thank you.

[Simon_Fielding]

At the southern end of the Ridge a more obstinate struggle took place. During the German

attack the billets of the 3rd Worcestershire at Mont St. Eloy were bombarded with gas shells. The

Battalion stood to arms and spent several uncomfortable hours in gas-masks. Presently came news

of the disaster to the 10th Cheshire : the 8th Loyal North Lancashire would retake the lost trenches.

That night the Loyals attacked ; but without success. As the fight progressed, orders came 3R1

for the 3rd Worcestershire to move up in support, and about 10 p.m. the cempanies filed forward

into position near the road which ran east of the ruins of Neuville St. Vaast. Heavy gun-fire was

going on all around. Several shells struck near the waiting companies and there were many

casualties ©.

On the following evening (May 22nd) the Battalion relieved the remnants of the 10th Cheshire.

Orders came for a counter-attack on the evening of May 23rd. The 3rd Worcestershire would

retake the trenches lost by the Cheshire, while further to the left the 47th Division would retake

their former positions.

After a day of heavy shelling the gun-fire rose to intensity at 8-25 p.m. and the counterattack

began. Through a storm of fire the assaulting platoons of the 3rd Worcestershire charged

forward and retook " P79 " with the bayonet; but on their left the enemy beat off the attack of

the 47th Division and presently brought enfilade fire to bear on the position gained by the Battalion.

The left half of " P79 " had to be evacuated, but the Worcestershire succeeded in making a block

half-way along the trench, and held the right half obstinately with bomb and bayonet. No further

attack was attempted by either side, and gradually the gun-fire died down. The day's work had

cost the Battalion dear—nearly a hundred in all (d) including the gallant 2/Lieut. McMichael.

Some days of comparative quiet followed, while both sides worked hard at consolidation.

The Battalion front was extended to the right as far as Grange Avenue, and on May 26th another

mine went up at the head of that trench. The new crater was seized by the Worcestershire and

entrenched after a sharp fight (e).

----------------------

© 12 men killed, 1 officer and 29 men wounded.

(d) The figures of casualties given in the Battalion and Brigade Diaries differ slightly. The Battalion figures are :—

2/Lieut. J. D. W. McMichael and 14 men killed, 2/Lieut. W. S. Knowles and"70 men wounded.

(e) In which 2/Lieut. H. V. Williams was killed and 9 men wounded.

Next day (27th) the Medical Officer of the Battalion (Lieut. J. M. C. Johnson R.A.M.C.) was killed together

with two men, and on the 28th 2/Lieut. K. L. Hallward was killed, one man was killed and 5 wounded.

p. 157

------------------------------------

On May 29th came news that the 25th Division was to be relieved in the line by the 51st

(Highland) Division. On the night of the 1st of June, after a day of heavy shelling (a), the 3rd

Worcestershire were relieved by the 6th Seaforth Highlanders, and marched back down the slope

and through Neuville St. Vaast to billets at Ecoivres. Thence on the following night (June 2nd/3rd)

the Battalion marched westward to Averdoingt. The fighting on the Vimy Ridge from April

26th to the 1st of June had cost the 3rd Worcestershire over three hundred of all ranks, including

eleven officers.

(a) Which cost the Battalion 7 killed, 2 officers (Lieuts. F. A. Reading and A. R. Thomson) and 9 men wounded.

p.158

from THE WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT

IN THE GREAT WAR.

By

Captain H. FitzM. STACKE, M.C.

of the Regiment

Try

http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/gallery2.php

Cheers

Simon

[ritam]

Thank you Simon for this account of what happened to my Grandfather James Turrell of the 3rd Worcesters, for which I am very grateful for your help. Many thanks, Ritam.

[Simon_Fielding]

You're welcome. The forum on the Worcestershire Regiment website might be able to help you further. James Turrell's medal index card shows service initially with the 2nd Battalion, entering the front on the 12th August 1914.

S

[ritam]

I have not been able to register with the Worcestershire Regiment website and would be grateful for advice. Ritam

[Simon_Fielding]

Try Louis the webmaster on

webmasterATworcestershireregiment.com

AT =@

Simon

[ritam]

I have tried your link for the forum but have not had a reply. Many thanks, Ritam.

[ritam]

I have now been registered on the forum. Many thanks for your help in this matter.

[Simon_Fielding]

No problem. Good luck!

Simon