SOMMESOLDIER Posted 18 May , 2005 Share Posted 18 May , 2005 Hi There, I am researching a man killed in action on 28-9-16 and would appreciate any information on 1/4th Royal Lancs movements around this date. Cheers Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 18 May , 2005 Share Posted 18 May , 2005 Battle of Morval. 1/4 KO was in the 5th wave of attack on the afternoon of 27 Sept. They occupied a position on the Guedecourt-Factory Corner road at 2am on the 28th. They were heavily bombarded throughout the 28th, and were relieved that night. Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 18 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 18 May , 2005 Hi Phil, Excellent. Very many thanks for the information !! Cheers Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Soul Posted 18 May , 2005 Share Posted 18 May , 2005 Extract from “The Fourth Battalion The King’s Own and The Great War,” by Lieutenant Colonel F. H. A. Wadham and Captain J. Crossley. Our front line had advanced considerably, and the next area of operations was Longueval and Flers, well in front of Delville Wood. After Holy Communion on the 24th [september] the Battalion proceeded to occupy reserve trenches known as Green Trench and King’s Walk. Officers reconnoitred the lines of approach to Flers, and Second-Lieut. Beazley was wounded. Our bombardment developed in severity, and on the 26th orders were received to move forward, three platoons to strong points at the end of Cove Alley and one company and one platoon to Smoke Trench, while Battalion Headquarters moved up to east of Flers. On the 27th the 55th Division resumed active operations. The 8th Liverpool Irish were detailed to assault and capture Gird and Gird Support trenches, and the 4th King’s Own to furnish the fifth wave in attack. Parties carried R.E. material for making strong points to Grove Alley and Gird Support trenches. The trench was easily captured by the 8th Liverpools, and the carrying parties carried out their duties successfully and without casualties. These parties then occupied a position on Factory Corner - Guedecourt Road, keeping in touch on the left with the 4th King’s Own. Arrangements were made later to relieve the 8th Liverpool Irish in the captured trenches. Several casualties were sustained in a bombardment subsequent to the attack. At 2 a.m. on the 28th the 4th King’s Own took over Gird and Gird Support trenches from the 8th Liverpools. The trenches were heavily bombarded during the day by the enemy. Three patrols with Lewis guns were sent out to locate the German position and harass a working party which had been seen earlier in the morning. At 2 a.m. on the 29th the Battalion was relieved in the trenches by the Royal West Surreys and re-assembled at Mametz. Who are you researching? Andy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 18 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 18 May , 2005 Hi Andy, Brilliant information, it helps a great deal. The soldier is 5027 Pte John Walmsley KIA 28-9-16 aged 20. Cheers Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteg Posted 18 May , 2005 Share Posted 18 May , 2005 From "The Kings Own The Story Of A Royal Regiment" Vol 3 by Col J.M Cowper The Battle of Morval. 55th Div was one of seven detailed for a new offensive on Sept 25th. It was the centre division of XV Corps which was directed on Geudecourt while the Corps on it's right attacked Morval and Les Boeufs and the one on it's left was to demonstate only. 165th Brigade led the attack which was entirely successful, a result which it's brigadier attributed largely to the excellence of the departure trenches dug for them by 166th. 2/Lt T.F Beazley of 1/4 Kings Own was wounded that day while reconnoitring the approaches to Flers in preperation for the occupation of strong points next day. By this time both Combles and Geudecourt had been captured, but a number of trenches in front of Geudecourt were still occupied by the enemy and the 55th and New Zealand Divisions were given the task of clearing them. The operation was timed for 2-15pm on Sept 27th. 1/4 Kings Own was in the 5th wave of the attack, which was entrusted to 1/8 Kings (Liverpool Irish). The men carried R.E. material for making strong points and they completed the task without casualties. These parties then occupied a position on the Guedecourt - Factory Corner road, the rest of the battalion prolonging the line to the left. The barrage was so successful that enemy counter attacks never even reached the front line which 1/4 Kings Own took over at 2-00am. They were heavily bombarded throughout the 28th when three Lewis gun patrols went out. Otherwise the day was without incident and the Division was relieved that night, to withdraw via Montauban to the Ribemont - Mericourt area prio to it's departure to the Salient. Regards, Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 19 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 19 May , 2005 Hi Pete, Thanks very much for your time and trouble. That info is great. Cheers Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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