Pte 15942 Henry James Plott Fairclough

[Horatio]

Hello everyone, I've delved head first into the family history and I've discovered a man who is very likely to be an ancestor of mine, there is some information on him, In fact I have his medal index card which I'll post a photo of, but no photos that I could find at all. It would be much appreciated if anyone has any/could discover any of him. His name and Service Number is in the title, Pte 15942 Henry James Plott Fairclough. He served in the 17th Battalion of the Kings Liverpool Regiment. He is listed on the Liverpool Pals Website where the only photo is his headstone in the Peronne Road Cemetery. Thank you all very much for your time.

[sadbrewer]

There's a possibility he went to a Methodist boarding school called Rydal Mount in North Wales. An HJP Fairclough gets a pass in examinations on Nov 14th, 1902. The school has an archive...rydalpenrhos.com

Bit of a long shot but you never know if they have records of 'old boys' killed in action. 

[Promenade]

FAIRCLOUGH, Private, HENRY JAMES PLOTT, 15942. 17th Battalion. King's Liverpool Regiment. Killed in action 30th July 1916. Age 29. Son of Eliza Anne Higgin (formerly Fairclough), of 18, Queen's Drive, Stoneycroft, Liverpool, and the late James Fairclough. II. B. 30. (Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt - France)

Born West Derby, Liverpool. Son of Eliza Ann Higgin of 6 Olive Mount, Wavertree, Liverpool. As of April 1919 he had one sibling a half-sister Mary Victoria Higgin aged 22. Enlisted Liverpool 2/9/14. Aged 27 years 301 days at enlistment, occupation civil servant (Inland Revenue), height 5' 7", weight 124lbs with good physical development, complexion fresh, eyes blue, hair fair, religion CofE. To Belton Camp 29/4/15. To Larkhill Camp, Salisbury 5/9/15. To France 7/11/15. Killed in action 30/7/16. (Soldiers Papers - Ancestry and 17 KLR Casualty Ledger)

Born 5/11/86 and baptised Henry James Plot Fairclough on 18/1/97 in St Silas Church, Pembroke Place, Liverpool. He was the son of James Fairclough (flour dealer) and Eliza Ann Fairclough of 42 West Derby St, Liverpool. (Liverpool CofE Baptism Records)

FAIRCLOUGH Henry James Plott of 6 Olive-mount Wavertree Liverpool private 17th battalion K.L.R. died 30 July 1916 in France Probate Liverpool 20 November to Eliza Ann Higgin widow. Effects £1163 7s. 5d. (National Probate Calendar - Index of Wills and Administrations)

1911 Census
Henry James Plott Fairclough
Age: 24
Occupation: Civil Servant & Retail Butcher
Address:  6 Olive Mount Wavertree, Liverpool - the dwelling had 9 rooms
Born: Liverpool
Mother: Eliza Ann Higgin 51, widow, lady living on private means, b. Liverpool
Mary Victoria Higgin 14, b. Liverpool 20/3/97
Sarah Davies 35, housemaid
His mother had one child from her second marriage

There is no obvious trace of Henry in the 1901 Census

1901 Census
Laurance Higgin
Age: 56
Address: 77 Durning Rd, Edge Hill, Liverpool
Occupation: butcher
Estimated birth year: abt 1845
Spouse: Eliza A Higgin, 40, b. Liverpool
Birth Place: Burnley, Lancashire
Mary V Higgin 4, b. Liverpool
Mary J Westhead 26, cook

1891 Census
Henry Fairclough
Age: 4
Relation: Son
Father's Name: James Fairclough, 42, bread and flour dealer - employer, b. Liverpool
Mother's name: Eliza A Fairclough, 32, b. Liverpool
Where born: Liverpool,
Ellen Fairclough 19, baker's shop assistant, b. Liverpool
Elizabeth Fairclough 17, telephone clerk, b. Liverpool
Alice Fairclough 15, baker's shop assistant, b. Liverpool
Robert Fairclough 11, b. Liverpool
Annie Fairclough 9, b. Liverpool
Mary Huddbestone 34, servant
Isabella Whiteside 14, stitcher girl

He is commemorated on the war memorial that once stood in St Mary Parish Church, South Drive, Wavertree (orig church destroyed WWII)

 

Extracted from 17 KLR War Diary

THE SECOND ATTACK ON GUILLEMONT

Saturday 29/7/16
9pm
Battalion moved up to assembly positions for attack on the German system of trenches from Guillemont exclusive to Falemont Farm inclusive.

Sunday 30/7/16
4.45am
'Zero hour'  The Battalion was in support to 19 and 20 Battalions KLR. Two Companies behind 19 and two companies behind 20 battalion. Very thick mist. The attack was pushed home to the objective in places but in the main was held up by machine gun fire from hidden machine guns. Fighting continued all day swaying backwards and forwards until by 6 pm about 300 yards in depth had been gained and consolidated all along our front. Casualties : 2nd Lts ER Porritt, RH Smith, SJ Faris (attd 20 KLR) killed in action and 2nd Lt FE Boundy . The following were wounded A/Captain HN Brinson, Lts BS Thompson, WE Willmer; 2nd Lts JR Blabey, FY Peet, GM Morris, JFW Berry, WH Johnston, T Lanceley, ET Lewis and WS Standring. 56 other ranks were killed, 130 wounded and 95 reported as missing.

Monday 31/7/16
3am Relieved by 4th Battalion King's Own Duke of Lancasters Regt. Relief complete at 5am and the battalion returned to camp at Point 75 North.

The following has been transcribed from the Regimental history by Everard Wyrall :

In this attack the 30th Division was again to assault the village, in conjunction with the French on the right and 2nd Division on the left, the latter as far south as Guillemont Station. The 89th Brigade was to attack on the right and the 9oth Brigade on the left, the boundary between the two brigades being a line drawn through Arrow Head Copse and along the southern face of the Guillemont defences (inclusive to the 90th Brigade).
Of the 89th Brigade the 20th King's were to attack on the right and the 19th King's on the left, the former to be responsible for the capture of Wedge Wood, Falfemont Farm and for the German trenches to just north of Oakhanger Wood; the 17th King's were to be in support in trenches running south east from the southern corner of Trônes Wood; the Bedfords in reserve at the southern end of Bernafay Wood.
The general objective of the 89th Brigade was the German second line running south east from Guillemont village, the village itself being allotted to the 90th Brigade. (The 90th Brigade was commanded by Brig. General C. J. Steavenson; he was the first officer of the King's Regiment to command a Brigade in France or Flanders).
The assembly trenches of the 89th Brigade were the Maltz Horn Trenches, south east of Trônes Wood.
"Zero" hour was 4.45 a.m. 30th July.
During the evening of 29th the brigade left bivouacs at "Point 71," north of the Citadel, and moved up to assembly positions. Battalions moved off in the following order: 19th, 20th and 17th King's and 2nd Bedfords.
The night was dark and foggy when the battalions moved off, and the 19th King's (Lieut. Colonel G. Rollo, commanding) when passing south east of the Bricqueterie were heavily shelled, first with H.E. and then with a new kind of asphyxiating gas shell which had curious results; at first it had no nasty effect but about eight hours later men began to fall sick with violent headaches and pains in the stomach. All ranks had to wear their gas helmets, which, in the darkness and mist made the going terribly difficult. It was indeed, wonderful that they were able to reach their assembly positions at all! But they did, and by 2.45 a.m. on the 30th the battalion was assembled, having suffered about thirty casualties on the way up.
The 20th Battalion (Lieut. Colonel H. W. Cobham) was more fortunate in that it arrived in position north of Maltz Horn Farm at about 2.30 a.m. without casualties.
The 17th Battalion (Lieut. Colonel B. C. Fairfax) and the 2nd Bedfords reached their allotted positions without incident, although the C.O. of the former unfortunately got a dose of gas; two companies of the 17th formed up behind the 19th and two behind the 20th Battalions.
 
The attack about to begin was, for the 89th Brigade, one of enormous difficulty, depending entirely on the success of one or both of the attacks on the flanks. If the French took Maurepas and the German second line running northwest from that village, and the 89th captured its objective, Guillemont must fall into the hands of the 90th Brigade; if the 90th Brigade took and held Guillemont, and the 89th gained its objective, Maurepas would fall to the French. But if both flanking attacks failed, then the 89th Brigade must fall back for the flanks would be open to enfilade fire from north west and south east. On the other hand if the 89th Brigade failed to reach its objective, but the French and 90th Brigades reached theirs, their flanks would be open to attack. Altogether it was a very difficult operation, for the assaulting troops of the 89th would have to cross a wide expanse of bare country.
When "Zero" hour arrived a dense fog covered the battlefield. It was so thick that no one could see more than ten yards ahead. Sheer bad luck! "It was next to impossible to delay the attack - it was much too big an operation - so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on our flanks we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well, and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore imagine those rolling hills with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people' lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right on to the place we wanted them to get to. But as a connected attack - it was absolutely impossible." (Brig. General the Hon. F. C. Stanley, C.M.G., D.S.O.)
On the right front of the 89th Brigade was a trench, covering the remains of a farm (Maltz Horn Farm) held by the enemy. A company of Bedfords attacked this trench from the west, while a company of French attacked from the south; the result was completely successful and from sixty to seventy Germans were killed. This small enterprise enabled the first waves of the attacking troops to go forward without hindrance.
The Battalion Diary of the 20th King's thus records the opening of the battle: "At 4.45 a.m. prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than ten yards ahead. This continued until six o'clock, when it lifted slightly, but it was still hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards away. This being so it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection."
Battalion Headquarters were in Maltz Horn Trench, and here the C.O. waited anxiously for reports on the progress of his men. The first arrived shortly after 6 a.m. It was from Lieut. R. E. Melly, O.C., No. 1 Company. He stated that he had gained the German Maltz Horn Trench and that he had a few Frenchmen with him, thought to be a party of bombers. The next message, timed 6.30 a.m., was from Second Lieut. C. P. Moore, who reported that he had 150 men with him, four Stokes guns and two Lewis guns, but he was the only officer remaining. He had lost connection in the fog and both his flanks were in the air. His position was about 200 yards east of the first sunken road. At 9.10 a.m. this officer sent back another message: his men had been reduced to seventy five, but he had four Vickers guns, four Stokes guns and two Lewis guns. Two patrols which he had sent out in front had not returned; his flanks were still in the air. Later, however, be did succeed in establishing touch with the French on his right.
Shortly after 10 a.m. a report (untimed) arrived from Second Lieut. T. W. Musker: he stated that he had just over a company under his command, that both his flanks were in the air and that the Germans were enfilading his left flank with machine gun fire. A second message from this officer at 11.30 a.m. was to the same effect, the machine gun fire on his left having in the meantime caused over thirty casualties. All efforts to get into touch with this party failed, for all runners sent out from Battalion Headquarters were either killed or wounded. No further information was received from Lieut. Musker's party until all that remained of it was brought back by Lieut. Worsley (who had with him about 200 men) to Battalion Headquarters at 9.30 p.m. The gallant fellows had held the ground won all day, which had permitted the consolidation of the position won on the Maltz Horn Ridge, with little interference from the enemy.
Of what happened out in the dense fog of the early morning little is known, and of the fighting there are no further details so far as the 20th Battalion is concerned.
At 11a.m. Battalion Headquarters with two companies of the 2nd Bedfords arrived at the captured German trench running north and south through Maltz Horn Farm; one company of Bedfords occupied the trench running south from the farm, and Lieut. Sutton (20th King's) with a party of headquarters personnel, 20th King's, the trench north of it. During the afternoon the other company of Bedfords dug a trench from Lieut. Sutton's left to Arrow Head Copse. Second Lieut, Moore and his party were withdrawn from their position (about 200 yards east of the first sunken road) to reinforce Lieut. Sutton. The Bedfords, south of the farm, later joined up with the French on the right and the position gained on the ridge was held and consolidated.
The narrative of the 19th King's is even less explanatory. Indeed, all that is contained in the Battalion Diary is as follows: "The battalion reached its objective, but suffered heavy losses and had to evacuate its position owing to no reinforcements. At 12 noon the roll call was 7 officers and 43 men."
The brigade report, however, has this paragraph: "It is now known that the two left companies of the 19th K.L.R., (King's Liverpool Regiment   its old title) under Capt. Dodd and Capt. Nicholson, advanced in touch with the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers (of the 90th Brigade) on their left, and in good waves, and although they suffered many casualties from oblique machine gun fire, did not encounter many Germans and reached their final objective about the time allotted, beginning at once to dig in south of the orchard on the south-eastern corner of Guillemont (about T.25.b.25 to T.2g.b.43)."
On the left of the 19th King's the Scots Fusiliers most gallantly forced their way through Guillemont to the eastern side of the village, but they were overwhelmed by the enemy and few returned. At 8 a.m., therefore, finding that the village was not held, the two left companies of the 19th King's were forced to fall back, their position being untenable.
The two right companies of the 19th Battalion were, on going forward, checked a little at the northern end of a new German trench running north from Maltz Horn Farm towards Arrow Head Copse. After a brief fight, in which a German strong point gave some trouble, this trench was gained. Companies had by now become rather intermingled. On resuming the advance eastwards violent machine gun fire, in enfilade, swept the ranks of the gallant King's men, and few reached the second sunken road. The C.O. (Lieut. Colonel Rollo) having received practically no information during the first forty minutes after the attack started, determined to go forward and find out what was happening. Taking with him Capt. Fraser (Adjutant) and Lieuts. Lloyd and Lewis, he set out at about 5.25 a.m., only to fall wounded almost immediately he left the trench (both the 19th and 20th King's had their Battalion Headquarters in Maltz Horn Trench) in which Battalion Headquarters was situated. Capt. Fraser then took command, but he too fell mortally wounded. Lieut. Lewis was hit about forty-five minutes later. Both the C.O. and Lieut. Lewis were sent back when opportunity occurred, but Capt. Fraser died before he could be evacuated. Lieut. Lloyd was then temporarily in command.
The 17th King's had advanced (two companies each behind the 19th and 20th Battalions) in small columns. They too suffered heavily from machine gun fire and were quickly absorbed into the waves which preceded them. They also shared the gains and losses of that terrible day. "The attack," Colonel Fairfax recorded in his Battalion Diary, "was pushed home to the objective in places, but in the main was held up by machine gun fire from hidden machine guns. Fighting continued all day, swaying backwards and forwards, until by 6 p.m. about 300 yards in depth had been gained and consolidated all along our front."
When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trônes Wood, southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55th Division during the early hours of the 31st July.
The 18th King's (Lieut. Colonel W. R. Pinwell) of the 21st Brigade, remained in reserve all day. The battalion left Happy Valley at 3.15 a.m. and arrived at bivouacs south west of Caftet Wood at 4.30 a.m. At 10.15 a.m. a move forward was made to the old British trenches east of Talus Boise. Here the King's men remained until the early morning of 31st when they were relieved by the 1/10th King's (Liverpool Scottish) of the 55th Division. The 18th Battalion then marched back to Happy Valley.
Such is the story of the second attempt to capture Guillemont.

[BillyH]

A week later, and no response from Horatio for Promenade's fantastically detailed posting. Some folk don't deserve help?

BillyH.

[Horatio]

Hi, I've been rather busy with personal things as of late, that's why I haven't had the chance to respond as early as I wanted to.

[Horatio]

On 24/05/2022 at 00:02, Promenade said:

FAIRCLOUGH, Private, HENRY JAMES PLOTT, 15942. 17th Battalion. King's Liverpool Regiment. Killed in action 30th July 1916. Age 29. Son of Eliza Anne Higgin (formerly Fairclough), of 18, Queen's Drive, Stoneycroft, Liverpool, and the late James Fairclough. II. B. 30. (Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt - France)

Born West Derby, Liverpool. Son of Eliza Ann Higgin of 6 Olive Mount, Wavertree, Liverpool. As of April 1919 he had one sibling a half-sister Mary Victoria Higgin aged 22. Enlisted Liverpool 2/9/14. Aged 27 years 301 days at enlistment, occupation civil servant (Inland Revenue), height 5' 7", weight 124lbs with good physical development, complexion fresh, eyes blue, hair fair, religion CofE. To Belton Camp 29/4/15. To Larkhill Camp, Salisbury 5/9/15. To France 7/11/15. Killed in action 30/7/16. (Soldiers Papers - Ancestry and 17 KLR Casualty Ledger)

Born 5/11/86 and baptised Henry James Plot Fairclough on 18/1/97 in St Silas Church, Pembroke Place, Liverpool. He was the son of James Fairclough (flour dealer) and Eliza Ann Fairclough of 42 West Derby St, Liverpool. (Liverpool CofE Baptism Records)

FAIRCLOUGH Henry James Plott of 6 Olive-mount Wavertree Liverpool private 17th battalion K.L.R. died 30 July 1916 in France Probate Liverpool 20 November to Eliza Ann Higgin widow. Effects £1163 7s. 5d. (National Probate Calendar - Index of Wills and Administrations)

1911 Census
Henry James Plott Fairclough
Age: 24
Occupation: Civil Servant & Retail Butcher
Address:  6 Olive Mount Wavertree, Liverpool - the dwelling had 9 rooms
Born: Liverpool
Mother: Eliza Ann Higgin 51, widow, lady living on private means, b. Liverpool
Mary Victoria Higgin 14, b. Liverpool 20/3/97
Sarah Davies 35, housemaid
His mother had one child from her second marriage

There is no obvious trace of Henry in the 1901 Census

1901 Census
Laurance Higgin
Age: 56
Address: 77 Durning Rd, Edge Hill, Liverpool
Occupation: butcher
Estimated birth year: abt 1845
Spouse: Eliza A Higgin, 40, b. Liverpool
Birth Place: Burnley, Lancashire
Mary V Higgin 4, b. Liverpool
Mary J Westhead 26, cook

1891 Census
Henry Fairclough
Age: 4
Relation: Son
Father's Name: James Fairclough, 42, bread and flour dealer - employer, b. Liverpool
Mother's name: Eliza A Fairclough, 32, b. Liverpool
Where born: Liverpool,
Ellen Fairclough 19, baker's shop assistant, b. Liverpool
Elizabeth Fairclough 17, telephone clerk, b. Liverpool
Alice Fairclough 15, baker's shop assistant, b. Liverpool
Robert Fairclough 11, b. Liverpool
Annie Fairclough 9, b. Liverpool
Mary Huddbestone 34, servant
Isabella Whiteside 14, stitcher girl

He is commemorated on the war memorial that once stood in St Mary Parish Church, South Drive, Wavertree (orig church destroyed WWII)

 

Extracted from 17 KLR War Diary

THE SECOND ATTACK ON GUILLEMONT

Saturday 29/7/16
9pm
Battalion moved up to assembly positions for attack on the German system of trenches from Guillemont exclusive to Falemont Farm inclusive.

Sunday 30/7/16
4.45am
'Zero hour'  The Battalion was in support to 19 and 20 Battalions KLR. Two Companies behind 19 and two companies behind 20 battalion. Very thick mist. The attack was pushed home to the objective in places but in the main was held up by machine gun fire from hidden machine guns. Fighting continued all day swaying backwards and forwards until by 6 pm about 300 yards in depth had been gained and consolidated all along our front. Casualties : 2nd Lts ER Porritt, RH Smith, SJ Faris (attd 20 KLR) killed in action and 2nd Lt FE Boundy . The following were wounded A/Captain HN Brinson, Lts BS Thompson, WE Willmer; 2nd Lts JR Blabey, FY Peet, GM Morris, JFW Berry, WH Johnston, T Lanceley, ET Lewis and WS Standring. 56 other ranks were killed, 130 wounded and 95 reported as missing.

Monday 31/7/16
3am Relieved by 4th Battalion King's Own Duke of Lancasters Regt. Relief complete at 5am and the battalion returned to camp at Point 75 North.

The following has been transcribed from the Regimental history by Everard Wyrall :

In this attack the 30th Division was again to assault the village, in conjunction with the French on the right and 2nd Division on the left, the latter as far south as Guillemont Station. The 89th Brigade was to attack on the right and the 9oth Brigade on the left, the boundary between the two brigades being a line drawn through Arrow Head Copse and along the southern face of the Guillemont defences (inclusive to the 90th Brigade).
Of the 89th Brigade the 20th King's were to attack on the right and the 19th King's on the left, the former to be responsible for the capture of Wedge Wood, Falfemont Farm and for the German trenches to just north of Oakhanger Wood; the 17th King's were to be in support in trenches running south east from the southern corner of Trônes Wood; the Bedfords in reserve at the southern end of Bernafay Wood.
The general objective of the 89th Brigade was the German second line running south east from Guillemont village, the village itself being allotted to the 90th Brigade. (The 90th Brigade was commanded by Brig. General C. J. Steavenson; he was the first officer of the King's Regiment to command a Brigade in France or Flanders).
The assembly trenches of the 89th Brigade were the Maltz Horn Trenches, south east of Trônes Wood.
"Zero" hour was 4.45 a.m. 30th July.
During the evening of 29th the brigade left bivouacs at "Point 71," north of the Citadel, and moved up to assembly positions. Battalions moved off in the following order: 19th, 20th and 17th King's and 2nd Bedfords.
The night was dark and foggy when the battalions moved off, and the 19th King's (Lieut. Colonel G. Rollo, commanding) when passing south east of the Bricqueterie were heavily shelled, first with H.E. and then with a new kind of asphyxiating gas shell which had curious results; at first it had no nasty effect but about eight hours later men began to fall sick with violent headaches and pains in the stomach. All ranks had to wear their gas helmets, which, in the darkness and mist made the going terribly difficult. It was indeed, wonderful that they were able to reach their assembly positions at all! But they did, and by 2.45 a.m. on the 30th the battalion was assembled, having suffered about thirty casualties on the way up.
The 20th Battalion (Lieut. Colonel H. W. Cobham) was more fortunate in that it arrived in position north of Maltz Horn Farm at about 2.30 a.m. without casualties.
The 17th Battalion (Lieut. Colonel B. C. Fairfax) and the 2nd Bedfords reached their allotted positions without incident, although the C.O. of the former unfortunately got a dose of gas; two companies of the 17th formed up behind the 19th and two behind the 20th Battalions.
 
The attack about to begin was, for the 89th Brigade, one of enormous difficulty, depending entirely on the success of one or both of the attacks on the flanks. If the French took Maurepas and the German second line running northwest from that village, and the 89th captured its objective, Guillemont must fall into the hands of the 90th Brigade; if the 90th Brigade took and held Guillemont, and the 89th gained its objective, Maurepas would fall to the French. But if both flanking attacks failed, then the 89th Brigade must fall back for the flanks would be open to enfilade fire from north west and south east. On the other hand if the 89th Brigade failed to reach its objective, but the French and 90th Brigades reached theirs, their flanks would be open to attack. Altogether it was a very difficult operation, for the assaulting troops of the 89th would have to cross a wide expanse of bare country.
When "Zero" hour arrived a dense fog covered the battlefield. It was so thick that no one could see more than ten yards ahead. Sheer bad luck! "It was next to impossible to delay the attack - it was much too big an operation - so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on our flanks we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well, and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore imagine those rolling hills with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people' lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right on to the place we wanted them to get to. But as a connected attack - it was absolutely impossible." (Brig. General the Hon. F. C. Stanley, C.M.G., D.S.O.)
On the right front of the 89th Brigade was a trench, covering the remains of a farm (Maltz Horn Farm) held by the enemy. A company of Bedfords attacked this trench from the west, while a company of French attacked from the south; the result was completely successful and from sixty to seventy Germans were killed. This small enterprise enabled the first waves of the attacking troops to go forward without hindrance.
The Battalion Diary of the 20th King's thus records the opening of the battle: "At 4.45 a.m. prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than ten yards ahead. This continued until six o'clock, when it lifted slightly, but it was still hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards away. This being so it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection."
Battalion Headquarters were in Maltz Horn Trench, and here the C.O. waited anxiously for reports on the progress of his men. The first arrived shortly after 6 a.m. It was from Lieut. R. E. Melly, O.C., No. 1 Company. He stated that he had gained the German Maltz Horn Trench and that he had a few Frenchmen with him, thought to be a party of bombers. The next message, timed 6.30 a.m., was from Second Lieut. C. P. Moore, who reported that he had 150 men with him, four Stokes guns and two Lewis guns, but he was the only officer remaining. He had lost connection in the fog and both his flanks were in the air. His position was about 200 yards east of the first sunken road. At 9.10 a.m. this officer sent back another message: his men had been reduced to seventy five, but he had four Vickers guns, four Stokes guns and two Lewis guns. Two patrols which he had sent out in front had not returned; his flanks were still in the air. Later, however, be did succeed in establishing touch with the French on his right.
Shortly after 10 a.m. a report (untimed) arrived from Second Lieut. T. W. Musker: he stated that he had just over a company under his command, that both his flanks were in the air and that the Germans were enfilading his left flank with machine gun fire. A second message from this officer at 11.30 a.m. was to the same effect, the machine gun fire on his left having in the meantime caused over thirty casualties. All efforts to get into touch with this party failed, for all runners sent out from Battalion Headquarters were either killed or wounded. No further information was received from Lieut. Musker's party until all that remained of it was brought back by Lieut. Worsley (who had with him about 200 men) to Battalion Headquarters at 9.30 p.m. The gallant fellows had held the ground won all day, which had permitted the consolidation of the position won on the Maltz Horn Ridge, with little interference from the enemy.
Of what happened out in the dense fog of the early morning little is known, and of the fighting there are no further details so far as the 20th Battalion is concerned.
At 11a.m. Battalion Headquarters with two companies of the 2nd Bedfords arrived at the captured German trench running north and south through Maltz Horn Farm; one company of Bedfords occupied the trench running south from the farm, and Lieut. Sutton (20th King's) with a party of headquarters personnel, 20th King's, the trench north of it. During the afternoon the other company of Bedfords dug a trench from Lieut. Sutton's left to Arrow Head Copse. Second Lieut, Moore and his party were withdrawn from their position (about 200 yards east of the first sunken road) to reinforce Lieut. Sutton. The Bedfords, south of the farm, later joined up with the French on the right and the position gained on the ridge was held and consolidated.
The narrative of the 19th King's is even less explanatory. Indeed, all that is contained in the Battalion Diary is as follows: "The battalion reached its objective, but suffered heavy losses and had to evacuate its position owing to no reinforcements. At 12 noon the roll call was 7 officers and 43 men."
The brigade report, however, has this paragraph: "It is now known that the two left companies of the 19th K.L.R., (King's Liverpool Regiment   its old title) under Capt. Dodd and Capt. Nicholson, advanced in touch with the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers (of the 90th Brigade) on their left, and in good waves, and although they suffered many casualties from oblique machine gun fire, did not encounter many Germans and reached their final objective about the time allotted, beginning at once to dig in south of the orchard on the south-eastern corner of Guillemont (about T.25.b.25 to T.2g.b.43)."
On the left of the 19th King's the Scots Fusiliers most gallantly forced their way through Guillemont to the eastern side of the village, but they were overwhelmed by the enemy and few returned. At 8 a.m., therefore, finding that the village was not held, the two left companies of the 19th King's were forced to fall back, their position being untenable.
The two right companies of the 19th Battalion were, on going forward, checked a little at the northern end of a new German trench running north from Maltz Horn Farm towards Arrow Head Copse. After a brief fight, in which a German strong point gave some trouble, this trench was gained. Companies had by now become rather intermingled. On resuming the advance eastwards violent machine gun fire, in enfilade, swept the ranks of the gallant King's men, and few reached the second sunken road. The C.O. (Lieut. Colonel Rollo) having received practically no information during the first forty minutes after the attack started, determined to go forward and find out what was happening. Taking with him Capt. Fraser (Adjutant) and Lieuts. Lloyd and Lewis, he set out at about 5.25 a.m., only to fall wounded almost immediately he left the trench (both the 19th and 20th King's had their Battalion Headquarters in Maltz Horn Trench) in which Battalion Headquarters was situated. Capt. Fraser then took command, but he too fell mortally wounded. Lieut. Lewis was hit about forty-five minutes later. Both the C.O. and Lieut. Lewis were sent back when opportunity occurred, but Capt. Fraser died before he could be evacuated. Lieut. Lloyd was then temporarily in command.
The 17th King's had advanced (two companies each behind the 19th and 20th Battalions) in small columns. They too suffered heavily from machine gun fire and were quickly absorbed into the waves which preceded them. They also shared the gains and losses of that terrible day. "The attack," Colonel Fairfax recorded in his Battalion Diary, "was pushed home to the objective in places, but in the main was held up by machine gun fire from hidden machine guns. Fighting continued all day, swaying backwards and forwards, until by 6 p.m. about 300 yards in depth had been gained and consolidated all along our front."
When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trônes Wood, southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55th Division during the early hours of the 31st July.
The 18th King's (Lieut. Colonel W. R. Pinwell) of the 21st Brigade, remained in reserve all day. The battalion left Happy Valley at 3.15 a.m. and arrived at bivouacs south west of Caftet Wood at 4.30 a.m. At 10.15 a.m. a move forward was made to the old British trenches east of Talus Boise. Here the King's men remained until the early morning of 31st when they were relieved by the 1/10th King's (Liverpool Scottish) of the 55th Division. The 18th Battalion then marched back to Happy Valley.
Such is the story of the second attempt to capture Guillemont.

This is very greatly appreciated, I honestly can't thank you enough for all of this. I knew bits and pieces of his life, and the 2nd Battle Of Guillmont, as a small excerpt from a memoir is shown on the Liverpool Pals website, but nothing in as much detail as this. Points such as his siblings I knew little about, so I didn't know there were that many! I also have discovered some maps from the battle pinpointing the units locations, so alongside these descriptions you can track the movement of troops to a certain extent. Once again, thank you very much for all of this.

[8055Bell]

Huge credit to Promenade his post.  I found the report the KLR Regimental History very useful.

The only small point to add is Henry’s original burial location, found on the CWGC Concentration Record. The Grid 57c.S.29.d.8.2 is a position south of Trones Wood.  This may indicate Henry died in the period of assembly and prior to the advance, possibly in the German HE & Gas shell bombardment.  Otherwise he was killed in the area behind Arrow Head Copse, as part of the line held after the withdrawal.  The battlefield in front of this line wasn’t cleared until September 1916 and I doubt the burial parties would have then taken the casualties back towards Trones Wood.

Tim

[Horatio]

On 22/06/2022 at 12:52, 8055Bell said:

Huge credit to Promenade his post.  I found the report the KLR Regimental History very useful.

 

The only small point to add is Henry’s original burial location, found on the CWGC Concentration Record. The Grid 57c.S.29.d.8.2 is a position south of Trones Wood.  This may indicate Henry died in the period of assembly and prior to the advance, possibly in the German HE & Gas shell bombardment.  Otherwise he was killed in the area behind Arrow Head Copse, as part of the line held after the withdrawal.  The battlefield in front of this line wasn’t cleared until September 1916 and I doubt the burial parties would have then taken the casualties back towards Trones Wood.

 

Tim

 

Interesting point, I hadn't even thought of that! and its entirely reasonable, so I thank you for bringing that to my attention. With all this information my best bet is to go back through the family history to see if the two ends link up, I'll have to start with my mother and ask if she recognises any of the names of his siblings, or at least had heard mention of them as a child. I genuinely can't thank you all enough for this, it means a lot to me. A lot of my family history has just simply been lost to time and I don't much about anything past my Grandfather and even then his service isn't all known. Even if it turns out that Henry isn't an ancestor its been a fascinating privilege to learn of the fate of one man that was shared by so many others, a fate that a lot of people often gloss over in terms of details. Once again, thank you all.