Foxkarej Posted 27 July , 2020 Share Posted 27 July , 2020 (edited) I have the War Diary for the 1/5th and it lists an action around Hebuterne and Gommecourt on the 4th May 1918. It mentions Fusiler and Welcome Street trenches and the Old British Front Line. My ancestor was one of two wounded men who died the next day following this action. Apologies for my inexperience with the wider picture, but what would this action be part of, was it a specific battle or a prelude to something else, or dare I say, an everyday local action for the times. Thanks Edited 27 July , 2020 by Foxkarej Wrong Battalion quoted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acknown Posted 27 July , 2020 Share Posted 27 July , 2020 (edited) Are you sure about the date? My reading of the War Diary has no battle on 05 May 18, the battalion had been reduced to a general cadre and was just 'general training' at Pendé. Or, have you got the right battalion? Acknown Edited 27 July , 2020 by Acknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxkarej Posted 27 July , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 July , 2020 Sorry. It's the 1/5th Manchesters 7 minutes ago, Acknown said: Are you sure about the date? My reading of the War Diary has no battle on 05 May 18, the battalion had been reduced to a general cadre and was just 'general training' at Pendé. Or, have you got the right battalion? Acknown Sorry it's the 1/5th Manchester's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acknown Posted 27 July , 2020 Share Posted 27 July , 2020 (edited) The 127 Brigade War Diary starts here on Ancestry. It relates that the 1/5th was required to move forward that day in conjunction with a NZ Brigade (1st, I think) which was 'advancing its line'. So, not a major battle. Acknown Edited 27 July , 2020 by Acknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acknown Posted 27 July , 2020 Share Posted 27 July , 2020 I don't know if you have it, but the trenches mentioned (WELCOME and MINNY) are on this map, to the east of Hebuterne. I can't find FUSILIER. Acknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxkarej Posted 27 July , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 July , 2020 Thank you very much for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 27 July , 2020 Share Posted 27 July , 2020 Hi Foxkarej, There's an operational order in the 42 Division HQ (General Staff) diary - Ancestry link. There is help on how to read map references here. There are a couple of maps of the area in the April section of the diary. Alternatively this link should open up with square 57d.K at the bottom middle. You can zoom to work out the more specific references, and blend with an aerial view of the modern landscape. Tmapper is also a useful website - link. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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