Pte Henry Ormerod - 2nd Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt)

[Paul Ormerod]

Remembering today Henry Ormerod - Private 102341 - 2nd Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt) – who was killed in action between 17-19 September 1918, aged 20 years, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

 

Henry was born in Colne, the son of John Thomas and Sarah Ellen Ormerod, and it was in Colne there that he enlisted - originally as Private 7075 in the 1/9th Bn, King's Liverpool Regiment.

Henry’s photograph was contained in the postwar Colne Roll of Honour.

 

At the time of Henry's death the 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, formed part of 71st Brigade, 6th Division, and were involved in an attack on the outer defences of the Hindenburg Line near Holnon, north west of St Quentin.

 

The Battalion War Diary during this period notes:

 

"17.9.18 3PM Battalion ordered to attack the GREEN LINE from PT. M.34.c.25 to S.4.a.70.10 - a frontage of 1600 yards on 18th inst.

17.9.18 3PM Battalion moved up to position of readiness at X.15.b.central.

5.30PM Battalion position heavily shelled, causing about 30 casualties and six horses. Battalion withdrew to W. side of road.

 

S.2.c.80.80. 18.9.18 3.15AM Battalion in Assembly Position

5.20AM Zero hour. Battalion advanced to the attack 5.23 AM.

7.20AM 9th NORFOLK REGT advanced to the attack on our right.

7.25AM Total prisoners brought in 40

7.45AM Our right coy. reported held up by heavy machine gun fire. Remainder of battalion still trying to push on and gain the QUADRILATERAL

8.3AM Right company with 1st BUFFS and 2 D.L.I. reported holding DOUAI TRENCH.

8.28AM Left company reported gained all objectives and holding ground slightly in advance of DOUAI TRENCH with their left flank in touch with 2nd YORK and LANCS.

8.35AM Enemy reported to be still holding strong point at S.3.D.90.90. Two tanks reported failed to destroy nests of machine guns.

10.50AM Brigade reports that 2nd D.L.I. are going to attack HOLNON VILLAGE.

12.45PM Brigade reports FRENCH left held up by machine gun fire from HOLNON and that 2nd D.L.I. have not taken their objective, but are going to attack again.

11.30PM Brigade reports attack unsuccessful on HOLNON VILLAGE. Machine gunfire heavy from that area.

11.45PM Order received from Brigade to again attack the QUADRILATERAL with 1 1/2 companies of the 9th NORFOLK REGT at our disposal on our right.

11.50PM Battalion front reported to run from CHAMPAGNE TRENCH at about M.23.b.60.10 where they are in touch with 2nd YORK and LANCS along DOUAI TRENCH and WESTERN Face of QUADRILATERAL to about S.2.c.80.70 where they are in touch with LIFEGUARDS MACHIENE [sic] GUNNERS.

11.55PM Enemy aircraft active over our front lines. They were fired on by Lewis Guns.

 

19.9.18 1AM Orders for attack cancelled. Attack to place by 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGT, 9th NORFOLK REGT and 1st WEST YORKS REGT at 5AM.

2AM Battalion ordered to withdraw to position previously occupied by the 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGT between BADGER COPSE and KIRCHENER COPSE.

3AM Battalion reported to be in new position.

8.20AM 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGT reported to be hung up by wire and machine gun fire. 1st WEST YORKS reported to be in outskirts of HOLNON VILLAGE.

4PM Patrol reports HOLNON free of enemy as far as the CHURCH.

10PM Orders received for the battalion to withdraw to the right and take up new position in support of the 2nd D.L.I.

11.30pm Enemy opened S.O.S. fire in S.2.c., S.1.d and S.7.b. with artillery and machine guns.

 

X.12.c.70.80 20.9.18 3.5AM Battalion reported in new position. Battalion Head Quarters in quarry at X.12.C.70.80. Estimated casualties from 17th to 21st - KILLED CAPT H. HTYLER, MC: 2/LT J.S. CORLESS: 2Lt R.R. NICHOLSON, MC. 2Lt W. MEEK: WOUNDED [2/LT J.W. THRELFALL: 2LT. J LYTH: 2LT. J.R. REDGATE: LT R.D. TREVOR-ROPER: 2/LT A. LAWLER: 2LT E.B. KEATLEY] MISSING 2LT. H. EYRE: 2LT A. MILLIN 2LT J. COWE 2LT T.P. PLANT: O.R.s KILLED 56 WOUNDED 267 MISSING 37

Situation during day normal. Spasmodic bursts of enemy shell fire toward B.H.Q."