Vraignes-en-Vermandois, March 1917

[Sly]

Hi,

Not sure where to put this. There is a series of photos from the IWM taken by Ernest Brooks at Vraignes-en-Vermandois on 20th March 1917 just after the German withdrawal on the Hindenburg Line. 

Photos here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=vraignes

I know the exact spot where the photos were taken, some of the buildings are still existing like the barn with the inscription "Gott strafe England", the owner of that house was born there, she is 99 years old today and still lives there on her own.

I would like to know which British units passed there on that day, any idea of the regiments ? See the badge some photos (cyclist on the right ?)

Thank you for your help,

Sly

[PRC]

I could be mistaken but I believe those are men of the Army Cyclist Corps, and so would been part of either a Corps Cyclist Battalion or Divisional Cyclist Company employed as Scouts and Messengers.

Cap badge courtesy Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Cyclist_Corps#/media/File:Army_Cyclist_Corps_Badge_Of_Honour.jpg
No new IP was created in producing the above and all image rights remain with the current owners.

Looking at nearby Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries, a Private 6444 W. Gallimore, of III Corps Cyclist Battalion died on the 22nd March 1917 and was buried at Hancourt. Soldiers Died in the Great War adds he was killed in action. I can't say whether that was the unit concerned, but at least seems a possibility that the men in the picture came from one of the units that made up III Corps. There are only four other British Army Soldiers buried in Hancourt in the last week of March 1917 and they appear to have come from the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. By that stage of the war it looks like they no longer had a Cyclist Company attached. http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/59th-2nd-north-midland-division/

As the war diaries can currently be downloaded for free from the National Archive you might want to try that for the III Cyclist Battalion to see if that puts any part of the Battalion in Vraignes-en-Vermandois on the day in question. You do need to sign in with your account, but if you don't have one, even that can be set up as part of placing your first order. Just click on "sign in" and follow the instructions - no financial details are requested. Relevant page of the National Archive catalogue for the War Diary should be this one - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/49a23c10ea244c56a13a5ee19c7f073e

Hope that's not a red herring,

Peter

[Sly]

Thank you very much for all the info Peter

[owen4256]

I believe the photos are of a patrol from III Corps Cyclist Battalion. They are the subject of an article in Stand To! No.126 April 2022

The same patrol was also filmed by Geoffrey Malins. The clip is at 33.49 onwards below:

 

III Corps Cyclist Battalion War Diary March 1917

"On the 19th, the Battalion patrolled Terty, Athies, Monchy-Lagache, St Christ, Doingt Wood and Le Mesnil and reported them clear. The Germans were driven out of Estrees-en-Chausee and the village occupied. Battalion Headquarters moved from Fouilloy and spent the night at Warfusee. On the 20th, the Battalion moved out at 07.00 and established headquarters at Mons-en-Chausee. Patrols reconnoitred Le Mesnil, Catelet, Cartige, Buire, Tincourt, Boucly, Hamel, Athies, Poeuilly and Containcourt and reported them clear. The enemy was driven out of Bouvincourt and an Uhlan horse was shot.

Battalion HQ moved from Mons-en-Chausee to Estrees-en-Chausee on the 21st and patrols were sent to Poeilly, Vendelles, Bernes, Flechin and Vraignes with all being reported clear.  The Germans were driven out of Marquaix and German infantry were seen withdrawing from Bihecourt. An enemy patrol withdrew from Roisel after firing a few shots but although the encounter was only brief 1335 Private W Loynes was killed in the firefight near Roisel with 1329 Lance Corporal G Appelton and 2487 Private G Smedley being wounded. Three female suspects were arrested at Vraignes and handed over to Intelligence."

 

Divisional Cyclist Companies were amalgamated into Corps Cyclist Battalions in 1916. III Corps Cyclist Battalion was the only Cyclist Battalion operating around Vraignes in March 1917.

 

Regards

 

Clive

Edited 26 January , 2023 by owen4256

[Sly]

Thank you, much appreciated.

I passed to Vraignes today, same spot then and now (IWM Q 1884),

Cyclists passing through the village of Vraignes (Vraignes-en-Vermandois), March 1917.: