DoubleD Posted 14 April , 2015 Share Posted 14 April , 2015 As part of my research into the names of the fallen on the Perth Academy War Memorial I am looking for information on the above named. The information I have at the moment is: Born at John o' Groats, Wick. Son of Mr and Mrs A. Duff, the Schoolhouse, Milnathort, Kinross-shire. Killed 20th September 1918. Buried in Houchin British Cemetery, France. The school are producing a Roll of Honour and holding remembrance services on the 100th Anniversary of the death of each of the individuals named. Any personal information, however brief, would add something to the story of the person behind the name, and would be very much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 14 April , 2015 Share Posted 14 April , 2015 Here's a transcribed extract from the War Diary for the 20th September 1918, though Duff isn't named in it. https://www.dropbox.com/s/tgitw2s1twduxr7/SLR_1-5Bn_WarDiaryV3_extract.pdf?dl=0 In addition to that action, the diary reports, "B & D Coys attacked (Narrative attached). Relieved by 1/10 th K.L.R. and moved back into Brigade Reserve." CWGC reports 12 men of the battalion dying on that date (With Duff the only Officer), though the narrative only reports 6 OR killed and 8 missing. I assume that Duff was one of the three officers initially reported as "wounded", dying later that same day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted 14 April , 2015 Author Share Posted 14 April , 2015 Many thanks Stephen. I will attempt to condense the very detailed information you have given me. At the moment I have no personal information about Peter Duff's life. I will now be able include some of his story of on his page on the school Roll of Honour. Information like this is invaluable in helping the pupils appreciate that there is a story behind every one of the names on the memorial. The services are consequently much more personal and meaningful for those involved.I also visited your website via the link. I will leave a comment in your guestbook when I get a chance. Once again many thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRC Kevin Posted 14 April , 2015 Share Posted 14 April , 2015 Hi Dave, Map showing 1/5th South Lancs dispositions at 8 a.m. on 20 September. And below that, an extract concerning the attack from 55 Division's daily Intelligence Summary. (Square 29 is directly below 23) regards, Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted 14 April , 2015 Author Share Posted 14 April , 2015 Hi Kevin, Many thanks for the information. As I said before I will be able to share this information with the pupils on the school memorial group. It will all help to give them a feel for the lives of these men during The Great War, and how things were co-ordinated. A group of pupils will also be attending a battlefields tour shortly and, if you don't mind, I will also pass this on to the teacher in charge of the trip. Regards, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 14 April , 2015 Share Posted 14 April , 2015 Thanks Dave, I appreciate the message Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRC Kevin Posted 14 April , 2015 Share Posted 14 April , 2015 Hi Kevin, Many thanks for the information. As I said before I will be able to share this information with the pupils on the school memorial group. It will all help to give them a feel for the lives of these men during The Great War, and how things were co-ordinated. A group of pupils will also be attending a battlefields tour shortly and, if you don't mind, I will also pass this on to the teacher in charge of the trip. Regards, Dave Absolutely fine with that, Dave. Anything that can enrich the Great War in a classroom has got to be a good thing! They're the next generation of historians. 55 Division's battalions were ordered to apply pressure against the enemy, but not to get embroiled in a full-scale assault, or suffer high casualties in the process. Division believed that the enemy were going to be carrying out a planned withdrawal (possibly to the Haute Deule Canal) and wanted to pressurize them as much as possible to hinder future defensive plans. The Google Earth overlay below shows some of these positions more clearly, though the markings are relevant to actions by 1/5th King's Own, (who are the subject of the second part of my trilogy on the TF battalions of that regiment), rather than the South Lancs. They were relieved by 1/5th South Lancs on the night of 16/17 September. The extract below describes the problems King's Own had pushing forward against the enemy on 16 September- I'm presuming that South Lancs continued against these same positions. On 16 September, C Company made yet another attempt to force the junction between Serpent and Spook Trenches, but once again were brought up short by bombing and MG fire. A Company however, was able to push forward further. One patrol managed to enter a cemetery to the south of the Rue de Marais but had to withdraw when they came under MG fire from some houses 100 yards to their east. Later on in the morning, one of the battalion snipers moved up and shot two Germans there who were manning an MG on a house roof. Enemy artillery was very vigorous and shelled the battalion’s positions regularly throughout the day, though without result. That night, 1/5th South Lancs relieved them and they moved back to reserve. The main problem in taking the junction of Serpent and Spook was a very strongly held block at 50°33'20.90"N 2°46'39.30"E . The MG position on the roof of the house on the right of the push was at 50°32'54.70"N 2°46'58.60"E. regards, Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 15 April , 2015 Share Posted 15 April , 2015 1/5th South Lancs diary for the week. SUpports Kevin's comments but not much detail, I'm afraid. 12th September 1918 Relieved by the 1/5th K.O.(R. Lan. R.) and Battn moved into Support, i.e. VILLAGE LINE 13th September 1918 Normal Day 14th September 1918 Normal Day 15th September 1915 Normal Day 16th September 1918 Relieved 1/5 K.O. (R. Lan. R.) in Outpost Line 17th September 1918 Normal Day CWGC Casualties for 17th Pte 22319 John BENNETT Rfn 54063 Henry Arthur Packer DUNN Rfn 54065 Reginald Arthur EVANS 18th September 1918 Normal Day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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