Max Poilu Posted 24 June , 2005 Share Posted 24 June , 2005 ...in the last week of April 1917 please? Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wienand Drenth Posted 24 June , 2005 Share Posted 24 June , 2005 Hello Giles, 7th Suffolks were in 35th Bde, 12th Division until August 1918. According to the OoB of Divisions, the division was involved in the Battle of Arleux late April 1917. Probably the battalion was in that area as well. Cheers, Wienand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 24 June , 2005 Share Posted 24 June , 2005 According to regtl History (Murphy), they were out of the Line until 25th, when they took over from 17th Divn, south of the Scarpe. 28th, went over the top as part of the divnl attack, south of the Scarpe (at 4.45 a.m.). Came under heavy mg fire from Roeux, all officers except CO and adjutant became casualties. Reorganised into 2 weak companies, went into reserve until May. The Divnl history (Scott & Brumwell) states that the 7th Suffolks passed through the 5th Berks, under heavy barrage fire from the Germans, but were unable to advance due to the mg fire from Roeux The other Bdes of the Divn stayed in the Line and continued the assault, but the 35th Bde were out of harm's way (more or less) until May. In total, the Div lost 141 officers and 3,380 o.r.s between 25th April and 18th May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 24 June , 2005 Author Share Posted 24 June , 2005 Wienald and Steven, Many thanks for the answer, it seems 'my' officer was a casualty of that 28th April attack. Steven, do you have an exact position for the7th that day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 24 June , 2005 Share Posted 24 June , 2005 According to Murphy, the officer casualties were: Lt JPC Ashworth, MC, 2nd Lts HC Hewlett and EW Rush killed; 2nd Lt W Dingley died of wounds; Capts P Gurrey and HA Short, MC and 2nd Lts GC Drummond and GA Ling wounded. According to Scott and Brumwell, the Div took position "on that portion of the front extending from the north east corner of Monchy to the River Scarpe". In the attack, which was to conform with an attempt by the XVIII Corps north of the Scarpe to capture Roeux, preparatory to the main attack in a week's time, the objectives were Rifle and Bayonet Trenches (to be captured by the 7th Norfolk and 5th R Berks, with the Suffolks passing through to the final objective, which appears to be the western edge of the village of Pelves, south and east of Roeux. Frankly, both books treat the matter as a bit of footnote, and only devote a page to it. The maps in the Suffolks' history are non-existent, and the ones in the 12th Div aren't great. I would offer to photo-copy, but I doubt they'd come out! Hope this helps a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 24 June , 2005 Author Share Posted 24 June , 2005 Steven, That helps far more than a bit - many thanks indeed for the detailed answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Wayman Posted 16 March , 2006 Share Posted 16 March , 2006 Giles I happen to researching a Walsall lad (Private Jim Elwell, 40659, 7/Suffolk) who was killed on the same day, 28th April 1917. I've just requested National Archives to photocopy the 7/Suffolk war diary from mid-October 1916 to 29th April 1917. It might take a couple of weeks to arrive but if there's anything of use to you I'll let you know. All the best Ken Wayman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 4 April , 2006 Author Share Posted 4 April , 2006 Thanks very much Ken - Apologies for the late reply but I completely missed this post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Wayman Posted 6 April , 2006 Share Posted 6 April , 2006 Giles Can't remember whether I've sent you this stuff on 7/Suffolk at the end of April 1917 - age is getting to me! So here it is (maybe again!). 14-15/4/17 On Move [14] ‘Moved at 8:20 a.m. to Wanquetin, arrived there at 11:45 a.m. Billets good.’ [15] ‘Moved to Halloy, started at 6:45 a.m., arrived in billets at 1:15 p.m., billeted in a camp. A draft of 127 men and one officer arrived.’ 16-17/4/17 Training [16] ‘Training, cleaning and inspections. The brigadier inspected the draft, very few specialists, otherwise draft fairly good.’ [17] ‘Training.’ 18-19/4/17 On Move [18] ‘Moved to Fosseux. Billeted in village and huts.’ [19] ‘Moved to Gouy-en-Artois. Billeted in huts. Norfolks remained at Fosseux.’ 20-23/4/17 Training [20-23] ‘Training.’ 24-25/4/17 Reserve/Front Line/Support [24] ‘7:20 a.m. Moved by bus to Arras. Billeted in Museum Cellars and Crypt.’ [25] ‘Moved to Railway Triangle at 4:15 a.m. Took over from 17th Division and took over front line in the evening. Details in Arras. Left Rly Triangle at 8:20 p.m. and went into support. Relieved West Yorkshires, 17th Division.’ 26-27/4/17 Support [26-27] ‘Remained in support; fairly quiet.’ 28/4/17 Trenches [28] ‘Brigade attacked lines on front of Pelves, Norfolks right, Berkshires left, Suffolks to pass through Berkshires and capture far objective. Zero was at 4:25 a.m. in Artillery formation. Heavy barrage and Machine gun fire and attack failed; unable to advance much beyond Bayonet and Rifle Trench.’ 29/4/17 Support [29] ‘Battalion withdrawn to Sunken Road in support.’ 30/4/17 Reserve [30] ‘relieved by 7/East Surrey and went back to Rly Triangle; arrived there at 2:30 a.m., 1st May, 1917.’ All the best Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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