The Battle of Loos

[armourersergeant]

Remembering all those that went into the morning air full of confidence.

Thinking especially of the Reserve Corps and its two new army divisions, 21st and 24th, who were committed later in the day, to the battle with no hope of success and who still after an exhuasting march up and then an awful baptism to war before they even reached the line, still went into the maelstrom unquestionally the next day.

Your endeavours and courage do not go unremebered.

Arm

[Malcolm]

Reading today's Scotland on Sunday I see Daniel Laidlaw's VC is to be donated to the Nation. It will go to the Scottish National War Memorial or National Museum. Search ' Piper of Loos ' if you don't know the story.

Aye

Malcolm

[ianw]

I cannot think of a better VC that encapsulates the fighting spirit of Scotland.

Yes, we remember those who fought at Loos.

[Derek Robertson]

The book ‘K.O.S.B. in the Great War’, written by Captain Stair Gillon, reflected in the example of one battalions experience at Loos. The 6th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers were part of the 9th Scottish Division, which had orders to advance to the south of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The battalion history records that:

‘6th K.O.S.B. in order to reach Haisnes had to cross as nasty a bit of ground on the battlefield.’.

As the battalion advanced, German machine-guns opened up. They had a clear field of fire. There was no cover for the Borderers and within minutes their advance was stopped dead. Not one officer was left unscathed, the men lacking orders or clear instructions took cover as best they could. By the end of the day 358 men were either killed or missing and a further 272 men wounded or gassed.

Gillon wrote:

‘The wonderful product of months of zeal, energy and patriotism was ‘knocked out’ without opportunity of doing more than set an example to posterity by their bravery’.

And, as the Battalion History of the 9th Battalion Black Watch tells:

‘At roll call that night only 98 men out of the 940 who started responded, 360 killed, 320 wounded. In front of the remains of the Lens Road Redoubt, the dead Highlanders in Black Watch tartan, lay very thick. In one place, about 40 yards square they were so close that it was difficult to step between them’.

God bless all those who fell at Loos, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

[Chris_Baker]

From the diary of the 1st South Staffords, attacking immediately north of theVermelles-Hulluch road, towards the Hulluch quarries.

24 September

In trenches at Noyelles. At 2130, Battn moved to front line trenches at G10b prior to attack. It rained heavily about 2000. The Battn received orders to attack the German fortified position at 0630. During the night it rained in torrents, and the trenches were half full of water. At 2200, the Battn left the trenches at Noyelles, and moved forward through Vermelles (which was in ruins, ans was occupied thickly by Field Artillery), through the maze of trenches to it's position. The mud was knee deep. Everyone was pretty wet and muddy by the time our position in the line was reached.

25 September

The Battn was in position about midnight, distributed as follows:

C Coy, in the front line trench, under Lt William Cooper. A total of 184 men: 138 men, 19 Machine gunners, 21 bombers, 2 stretcher bearers, 4 signallers. In this and all Coys, the Machine gunners and others were under special arrangements, so the Coy strength was in reality about 140.

A Coy in first support, about 80 yards behind C. 176 men (125+16+24+6+5) under Capt Henry J. de Trafford.

D Coy in second support, another 80 yards behing A. 184 men (130+23+26+4+1) under Capt Claude Limbery.

B Coy in the old British trenches 50 yards behind D. 185 men (131+17+24+8+5) under Lt Henry Burke.

The Battn strength was therefore 729 OR plus 21 officers plus MO. The Battn staff consisted of:

Lt Col Robert Montgomery Ovens CMG, Commanding

Capt Henry Warwick MacGeorge, Acting Adjutant

Lt Geoffrey Beville Schon, Machine Gun Officer

Capt Henry William Parnis, RAMC, Medical Officer

RSM Joseph Snape.

There was also a Brigade Machine Gun Officer (who was killed during the assault) and under whose orders our guns were brigaded.

The line occupied by the Battn was 300 yards long, facing nearly due East. The German line we were told off to attack was about 450 yards long and strongly fortified, powerfully strengthened with flank defence. In front was exceptionally thick wire, and strong posts. There were small redoubts, manned with numerous Machine guns, at intervals, and the left flank was enfiladed by a variety of fire from Hohenzollern Fort and Fosse 8.

The distance to be traversed was approximately 500 yards. Behind the German front line were communication trenches and a powerful 2nd line. Behind that on higher ground were the Quarries, and further on Cite St Elie.

The 20th Brigade were on our right, with 21st Brigade in support. The order "Get ready to charge" came down the line, and Lt Cooper, whose eyes had been on his watch, gave the order "Scouts and wire cutters advance", at 0628. Directly after, at 0630, the order was given to the Coys to advance. C Coy climbed up the ladders and advanced through the smoke, which was very dense. This, I may mention, was chiefly caused by smoke bombs, smoke candles and gas. There was also a thick cold mist and drizzling rain.

Lt Cooper lead his men on with the utmost gallantry and was killed on the German wire. Had he lived, he would have been recommended for the DSO. He was a most gallant officer, much loved and respected by all ranks.

A Coy came on splendidly, ably lead by Capt de Trafford, who behaved with thegreatest coolness and daring, and would also have been recommemded for the DSO had he not been killed. He fell on the German wire, and his last words were "Don't mind me, push ahead". Truly he and Lt Cooper, and all the officers, NCOs and men who fell on this fateful day deserve the undying gratitude and respect of their country and their regiment.

Lt Bell with A Coy, also did excellent work and proved himself - as at Festubert - a leader of men.

D Coy, lead by Capt Limbery, did gallant work under their plucky young commander, who, with many others, was wounded. capt Limbery was recommended for a MC.

B Coy, under Lt Burke, was reserve Coy in the fourth line, and were very well lead by this extremely young officer who displayed much bravery and keenness. He was, it is much regretted, killed during the advance. Had he lived, he would have been recommended for a MC.

There is very little to describe about the actual assault, but the facts stand out very clearly. To make a long story short, the gallant 1st South Staffords rose to their feet at 0628, advanced in extended order - about 3 paces interval between each man - and moved steadily forward against this almost impregnable position. They stormed it, and took the second or support line. And what remained of this magnificent old regiment moved on, and with other units mixed up with them, captured the Quarries. Some of them, with their CO, went on, up to about 50 yards of the German position in Cite St Elie.

The Battn lost in this attack about the following number:

430 NCOs and men killed or wounded, out of 729

9 officers killed, 8 wounded (1 died), and 1 gassed, of 21 who went into action.

The following officers were killed:

Capt H.J.de Trafford

Lt H.J.Burke

Lt R.J.Richardson

2/Lt K.Dunlop (died of wounds on the 26th)

2/Lt W. Cooper

2/Lt H.W.Bone

2/Lt W.N.O.Lee

2/Lt H.C.Reynard

Capt H.W.MacGeorge

2/Lt C.G.Weitzmann (died of wounds).

These officers were wounded:

Capt C.Limbery

Lt G.H.Osborne

Lt E.Bell

2/Lt L.E.Henderson

2/Lt B.J.Kirchner

2/Lt H.A.Cundall

And suffering from gas poisoning:

Major S.Bonner DSO

2/Lt D.S.Glover.

Written by one of my favourite officers of the war, Robert Ovens.

The photographer (me) is standing in the No Man's Land of the morning of 25th September 1915, on the Vermelles - Hulluch road looking north. The British attacked from left to right: between the road and the rough ground in the middle distance (the site of a German machine-gun redoubt called the Pope's Nose) the 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment suffered more than 400 casualties within minutes of the start of the attack.

Lest we forget.

[uncle bill]

remembering the men of the 47th division who went over the top on this day ninety years ago.

We will remember.

[nicburch]

remembering two men from my village who fell on this day ninety years ago at Loos.

Pte.William John Rush, 2nd Battalion, Ox. and Bucks, part of 5th Brigade, 2nd Division.

Lt. Cyril George Clarke, 8th(Service)Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment,part of 62nd. Brigade, 21st Division.

[Paul Reed]

Remembering my old pal, Harry Coates, who was gassed while serving with the London Scottish, ninety years ago today.

[Donnie H]

Remembering all the brave men who fought and died at loos, especially my great uncle Alex Gordon of the 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders, killed 90 years ago today at Loos.

[brindlerp]

25th September - 1st October 1915

2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

22nd Brigade

7th Division

My maternal grandfather's last battle before discharge, 6323 Private Walter Barnett (1880 - 1980).

Transcript of:- Army Form B. 2079.

Certificate of discharge

No. 6323

(Rank) Private

(Name) Walter Barnett

(Regiment) Royal Warwickshire

who was enlisted at Birmingham on the 5th October 1898

He is discharged in consequence of "Termination of his period of engagement" para 392 (XXI) K.R.

After serving 9 years 163 days with the Colours, and 7 years 202 days in the Army Reserve.

(Place) Warwick

(Date) 4 . 10. 15

Signature of Commanding Officer

F.G.F.BROWNE

Colonel

Commanding Depot Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Description of the above named man on 4 / 10 / 15 when he left the Colours:-

Age 35 3/12 years

Complexion Fair

Hair Brown

Height 5ft 7 1/2 inches

Eyes Blue

Marks or Scars, whether on face or other parts of body

Heart of 6 dots left forearm

Large scar right side of head

Transcript of:- Army Form B. 2067.

Date of enlistment 5th October 1898

Due for final discharge on 4.10.15

Cause of transfer or discharge "Termination of his period of engagement"

para 392 (XXI) K.R.

Campaigns, Medals and Decorations

South African Campaign 1901-02

British Expeditionary Force (France) 1914

Queens S.A. Medal with Clasps

Educational and other Certificates, and dates

3rd Class Educational

16. 1.99

CHARACTER CERTIFICATE OF NO. 6323

Rank Private

Name Walter Barnett

Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Born in the Parish of Birmingham

near the Town of Birmingham

in the County of Warwickshire

on the date July 1880

Trade as stated by him on enlistment Filer

DESCRIPTION ON LEAVING THE COLOURS

Height 5ft 7 1/2 inches

Complexion Fair

Eyes Blue

Hair Brown

Identification Marks:-

Heart of 6 dots left forearm

Large scar right side of head

Signature of Soldier

W BARNETT

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that No. 6323 Rank Private Name Walter Barnett

has served with the Colours in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment for 9 163/365 years and 7 202/365 years in Army Reserve

A steady, reliable and trustworthy man

Signature

F.G.F.BROWNE

Colonel

Commanding Depot Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Date 4.10.15

The regimental history gives a very brief summary of the performance of the battalion in this battle, no mention of the first British use of gas, which did more damage to the Warwicks than the Germans:

Extracted from pages 146 and 147, "The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment" by C.L. Kingsford

"

On 25th September came the battle of Loos. In the attack that day the line of the 7th Division was facing Cite St. Elie and the Hulluch Quarries five miles north, of Loos. The 2nd Battalion went over the top at 6.30 in the morning. In the face of a terrific fire they reached the first line of trenches to find that the wire was not cut. Private Arthur Vickers on his own initiative and with the utmost bravery ran forward in front of his company, and standing up in broad daylight under heavy fire cut two gaps in the wire. His gallant action contributed largely to the success of the assault, and was justly rewarded with the Victoria Cross, the first that had been won by a soldier of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment*. Continuing to advance through the Quarries the battalion carried the second line also without much difficulty, but on reaching St. Elie at 9.30 were checked. Nevertheless they held on till dusk, when owing to the retire-ment of the 9th Division on their right they were compelled to fall back. When the battalion was mustered at midnight there were present no officers and only 140 men. Lt.-Colonel Lefroy and 2 of his officers had been mortally wounded, 7 other officers were killed, 7 were wounded and 1 was a prisoner. Of the men 64 were killed, 171 wounded and 273 were missing. Lt. H. P. Williams Freeman was attached to the battalion next day, and under his command the remnant remained in the trenches till September 29.

Loos was the last great action in which the British in France were engaged before the battle of the Somme. During the intervening months there is no incident in the history of the Royal Warwickshire which calls for special record. But one after another eleven battalions of the regiment were sent south, and in June 1916 they all were in readiness to take part in the mighty conflict which was then about to begin.

(* Private Arthur Vickers also received the French Medaille Militaire.)

"

Extracted from page 142, "The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment" by C.L. Kingsford

"

In October [ 1915, the 2nd Royal Warwickshire was ] stationed at Cuinchy. On December 5th it entrained at Lillers for Salens. It did not return to the trenches till February 1916, when it held a line near Morlancourt to the south of Albert, remaining there till June.

"

Pages 199 to 232 of Chapter IX, from "The Seventh Division 1914 - 1918" by C. T. Atkinson provides a very detailed account of the performance of the division and the battalion, including the attached table of casualties from page 231 and various maps.

Extracted from page 207

"

….. the field batteries were placed South of the Vermelles-Hulluch road about 700 yards behind the old British front line, and ordered to enfilade the German trenches opposite the 22nd Brigade, where matters had un-fortunately gone nothing like so well as on the 20th's front. On this part of the line the gas seems to have hung about the British trenches, and many men, particularly in the Royal Warwickshires, were incapacitated by it, while, as already mentioned, the wire had been hidden by long grass, and when the South Staffords and Royal Warwickshires reached it they found great stretches uncut. Determined efforts were made to get through the obstacle and to cut the wire by hand, but from the trenches behind a deadly fire was poured in, machine-guns in the Pope's Nose being specially effective, and casualties were numerous.

"

Extracted from "Loos - Hohenzollern, French Flanders" by Andrew Rawson:

Chapter Six, 7th DIVISION

22 Brigade's attack

Brigadier-General Julian Steele's 22 Brigade would attack on the left of 7th Division's front, with the 2nd Royal Warwickshires on the left and the 1st South Staffordshires on the right. The 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers would follow in support with the 2nd Queen's in Brigade reserve. Due to the proximity of Big Willie Trench, the 2nd Royal Warwickshires had been unable to complete their assembly trenches, forcing Lieutenant-Colonel Lefroy's men into an awkward re-entrant. On the right, the 1st South Staffordshires held a conventional system of assembly trenches well served with a network of communications trenches. Although the new assembly trenches (or battle trenches as they were known in 1915) had halved the width of No Man's Land, the assault troops still had to cross four hundred metres of open ground before they reached Quarry Trench.

Grass concealed the wire protecting the German trenches and the artillery had experienced great difficulty in registering hits on the entanglement. Spurn Head sap, opposite the centre of the Brigade front, had kept raiding parties at bay during the nights before the battle. Two strongpoints reinforced the German position. Pope's Nose Redoubt faced the centre of the Staffords' line and its machine-guns could sweep the whole of the Brigade front. Slit Redoubt formed part of the support trench opposite 22 Brigade's right flank and it was capable of sheltering over one hundred men. The redoubt was an all round defensive position, capable of standing alone if the support trench was taken.

As zero hour approached everything seemed to be going to plan. The wind appeared to be carrying the gas forward and retaliation from the German artillery was light. As soon as the men began to climb the ladders and form up the German machine-guns opened fire, shooting blind into the smoke. Many were hit, and Lieutenant-Colonel Betrain Lefroy DSO and his adjutant, Captain Duke, were two of the first to fall. The Warwickshires situation deteriorated rapidly as they approached Quarry Trench. The smoke screen began to fade away short of the German wire, exposing the men to accurate fire. To their dismay, they could see that the entanglement had hardly been damaged by the bombardment and many of those equipped with wire-cutters were killed as they tried to cut a way through. With no way forward, the advance faltered.

The Staffordshires had a similar experience in front of Pope's Nose Redoubt. Heavy fire from the Slit struck the men as they emerged from the smoke. Yet again the entanglement proved to be impenetrable. Three company commanders were shot down in front of the wire trying to rally their men forward. Captain Henry de Trafford and Lieutenant William Cooper were killed and Lieutenant Burke was wounded. Meanwhile, the 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers moved forward through the smoke in support, unaware of the deadlock ahead. It seemed as though 22 Brigade's attack was doomed to fail.

With grim determination the men crawled forward, clawing and clipping at the wire. Private Arthur Vickers led the way on the Royal Warwickshires front, cutting a way through in two places. Vickers survived and was rewarded with the Victoria Cross. Meanwhile. Captains Cartwright and O'Connor, two of the Welch Fusiliers senior officers, set to work reorganising the men ready to advance again. Before long gaps began to appear in the wire, allowing the advance to resume. The German gunners targeted the narrow openings and many were struck down as they threaded their way through. The majority of Germans fled down St Elie Avenue towards Hulluch Quarries when the first men entered the fire trench. Second Lieutenant

Dibden led a party of bombers in pursuit, while the handful of remaining officers formed up the rest of the Brigade beyond the German support trench. It had taken over an hour to clear the German trench system, and the attack had cost 22 Brigade dearly. For once Brigade headquarters knew how the advance was progressing. The Brigade war diary reports how Lieutenant-Colonel R Ovens established the communications link:

When the men carrying the telephone were hit, he carried the wire forward himself into the German trenches and thus enabled touch to be kept with his Battalion.

Meanwhile, the Staffordshires had been unable to silence the two strongpoints on their front. As the Brigade advanced up the slope towards the Quarries they found themselves under fire from the rear. Fortunately, help was at hand. One of 20 Brigade's support battalions, the 2nd Borders, had managed to reach Gun Trench without encountering serious resistance. Having seen the Staffordshires in difficulty, Lieutenant-Colonel E Thorpe took the initiative, sending Captain Sutclffe with the Battalion bombers to assist. Captain Ostle followed, leading two platoons of D Company back down the communications trenches. Sutcliffe's men attacked the Pope's Nose from the flank and rear and, after a stiff fight, seventy Germans surrendered. Soon afterwards the Staffordshires, aided by Ostle's men, silenced the Slit. One hundred and twenty prisoners and a number of machine-guns were taken, and escorted to the rear.

2nd Queen's were supposed to follow the rest of the Brigade through to the Quarries. The lead company, Captain Philpot's C Company, advanced east as expected, meeting the rest of the Brigade before the Quarries. Second Lieutenant Chapman entered the maze of mine workings with two platoons, taking forty prisoners in their dug-outs. However, the rest of the Battalion entered Quarry Trench north of where the Warwickshires had crossed encountering stiff resistance. Lieutenant-Colonel Maurice Heath's men began to bomb their way along the German trenches even though they were urgently required to support the rest of the brigade. Lieutenant Taylor-Jones led the Queen's after Captain Brocklehurst fell wounded and his men eventually met the Scots at the end of Big Willie Trench.

Although Cite St Elie was within their sights, 22 Brigade no longer existed as a coherent fighting force. Even so, individual officers stuck to their orders, urging men forward in the hope of reinforcements. Lieutenant-Colonel Heath pushed on with the 2nd Queen's, entering Cite Trench west of the village. His men captured sixty prisoners and it appeared as though the village beyond was deserted. However, with less than three hundred men left of his command,

Heath decided to wait in Cite Trench until reserves arrived. At the same time Lieutenant-Colonel Ovens led a party of the Staffords to the southern edge of the village, via Alley 1 communications trench. In the village Germans could be seen running to the rear. He could also see that a strong wire entanglement protected Puits Trench. In the meantime a mixed group of Staffords and Welch Fusiliers attempted to advance across the open towards the village. Although most of the Cite St Elie garrison had fled, the few that had stayed behind easily repulsed the weak attack. With the threat to their front eliminated the Germans turned their attentions on Ovens' party, forcing him to withdraw to the Quarries.

Brigadier-General Steele's Brigade was finished. Although his men had managed to clear the German front line trenches, they were unable to take the second line. Reinforcements were urgently needed so that Cite St Elie could be entered. It was going to be a race against time.

Chapter Seven, The Battle Continues

Counterattacks on 7th Division

After discussions at divisional and corps level it had been agreed that 7th Division would reorganise its front over night. Cite St Elie was strongly defended by Puits Trench and it would be unwise to conduct a frontal attack on the village. Instead the Division would push east past Hulluch, in conjunction with 1st Division. This meant that the front needed to be reorganised before dawn. The Cameron Highlanders and the Green Howards were ordered to withdraw from the Quarries, leaving 22 Brigade to cover their sector. They moved south to the Hulluch road and were joined by the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, 7th Division's last reserve. Meanwhile, Carter's force, the three battalions from 2nd Division, mustered alongside.

With great difficulty the reorganisation was completed by 11.00pm. Unfortunately, in the darkness the sector vacated by the Cameron Highlanders was left partially unoccupied. Although the British troops failed to notice the blunder, the Germans seized on the opportunity. What happened next will probably always remain a mystery. At 11.20pm Brigadier-General Steele was notified that the Germans had infiltrated the Quarries. A company of the Green Howards was immediately ordered back into the Quarries to drive them out. However, before the Green Howards arrived, a second party of Germans had infiltrated the northern corner of the Quarries. Lieutenant-Colonel Heath and Captain Philpot of the 2nd Queen's valiantly tried to reorganise a counterattack to drive the Germans out. Captain Philpot's report is probably the only surviving account of what happened:

Shortly after 11pm somebody looked into the dug-out and stated 'that all the troops in front of us had retired at the double, and that our troops were being bombed out of their trench by Germans following up.' The Germans bombed the Queen's from both flanks in the trench.

Some dozen of us, comprising a General, the commanding officers; the adjutant, four company officers and myself, together with the regimental sergeant-major, formed up in the Quarry. The first German we saw was promptly shot and we then dispersed a party on our right flank, about forty yards away. A party on our left flank was similarly fired on and scattered, when turning about we saw the enemy behind us. These we drove back with rifle and revolver fire, and after engaging the other parties of the enemy, it was decided to make a dash for it. When I left the Quarry, the Germans were about fifteen yards away, and I saw two men fall in front of me as killed. I think they must have been the General and the commanding officer as they are the only two now missing.

The general was Brigadier-General Clarence Bruce, 27 Brigade's commanding officer. He had been in the process of reporting his overnight position, using 22 Brigade's telephone. Bruce survived the war in captivity. Lieutenant-Colonel Maurice Heath was killed as he tried to escape the Quarries.

About this time, Lieutenant-Colonels Ovens and Young of the 1st South Staffordshires and the 2nd Green Howards were on their way to meet General Bruce. Finding a German sentry guarding the signals dug-out, the two officers crept back to their men to organise a withdrawal. By providing covering fire for the rest of the Brigade, the two battalions ensured that the Germans did not exploit their success. A counter-attack by the 2nd Queen's failed to make headway in the darkness, and at daybreak 22 Brigade was holding a tentative foothold in the old German front line system.

While the fighting in the Quarries was underway, the right sector of the 7th Division also came under attack where 20 Brigade was holding Gun Trench and an advanced line north west of Hulluch. Around midnight elements of the 15th Reserve Regiment were among the wiring parties and sentries before the alarm was sounded. In the darkness the Gordon Highlanders and the Devonshires found themselves attacked both in the flanks and from rear:

The attack was pressed home in the endeavour to recapture the field guns in GUN TRENCH. The men in the forward positions gave way and fall back on GUN TRENCH and some even went back farther than this, but were rallied by officers of the battalion and the Brigade-Major and taken back to help the men in GUN TRENCH. The enemy's foremost attackers actually reached GUN TRENCH and were killed almost on the parapet, whilst a good many others, estimated at anything between fifty and one hundred men, were killed in this attack which was beaten off.

Although the outposts had been lost, 20 Brigade established a new forward line in Gun Trench under Brigadier-General Watts' supervision.

By now neither 7th Division nor I Corps had fresh reserves to retake the Quarries. All First Army could do was redirect a single New Army battalion, the 9th Norfolks, from IV Corps area south of the Hulluch road. It was intended that they would retake the Quarries at first light.

Although the Norfolks were at full strength, they were by no means fresh. Having endured a long night of marching and counter-marching across the dark battlefield, the men were exhausted. They were inexperienced too; the Battalion had only been in France for a few weeks and hardly a man had heard a shot fired in anger. At 6.45 am they advanced towards the Quarries by platoon rushes, as they had been taught in training. They formed perfect targets on the open battlefield and drew fire from every gun in range. Against an entrenched enemy they stood no chance; over four hundred were killed or wounded.

The attack brought an end to the fighting on the Quarries front for a time. Although the shelling and bombing attacks never relented, the sector stabilised. For the next two weeks I Corps would focus its attention on Fosse 8 and Hohenzollern Redoubt.

WAR DIARY - 2nd Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, WO/95/1664

[ 1st September to 1st October 1915 ]

Place Date Hour

LA BOURSE 1.9.15 In Billets. The Battalion paraded at 4 pm and marched to

MANQUEVILLE and billeted for the night.

Strength. Officers 24. O. Ranks 936.

MANQUEVILLE 2.9.15 In billets. Battalion paraded at 5.30 pm and marched to

billets at BUSNETTE.

BUSNETTE 3.9.15 In billets. Wet day. The Battalion paraded at 3.40 pm and

marched to billets at VERQUIN. Draft 1 Officer (2 Lt N. Allen 2 R War R) and 39 O. Ranks joined Battalion for duty from Batt.

VERQUIN 4.9.15 In billets. Wet day.

VERQUIN 5.9.15 In billets. Fine day. The Battalion found a working party of

210 O. Ranks under R.E. for digging parading at 8 am

returning back to billets at 6.30 pm.

Casualties. Wounded O.R. 2.

VERQUIN 6.9.15 In billets. Fine day. (Fatigue party same as previous day)

VERQUIN 7.9.15 In billets. Fine day.

VERQUIN 8.9.15 In billets. Fine day. Battalion paraded at 11.30 am and

marched to trenches relieving 8th Devon Regt. in "Y" section.

Strength. Officers 20. O. Ranks 736.

In Trenches 9.9.15 Fine day.

In Trenches 10.9.15 Fine day. Draft of 18 O. Ranks arrived from Batt. For duty.

In Trenches 11.9.15 Fine day.

In Trenches 12.9.15 Fine day. Relieved by 2/ Queens Regt at 2 pm and marched

to billets at FOUQUEREUIL via LA BOURSE arriving about 10.30 pm Lieut J.L.O. Mansergh and 2 Lieut P.H.W. Herbage joined Battalion for duty.

FONQUEREUIL 13.9.15 In billets. Fine day. The Battalion paraded at 8.45 am and marched to billets at LES HARISOIRS relieving 8th Devon Regt.

LES HARISOIRS 14.9.15 In billets. Fine day.

LES HARISOIRS 15.9.15 In billets. Fine day.

LES HARISOIRS 16.9.15 In billets. Fine day. Lt P.S. Brindley to 9th Devon Regt for duty (A/ Adjt.).

LES HARISOIRS 17.9.15 In billets. Fine day.

LES HARISOIRS 18.9.15 In billets. Fine day.

LES HARISOIRS 19.9.15 In billets. Fine day.

LES HARISOIRS 20.9.15 In billets. Fine day.

LES HARISOIRS 21.9.15 In billets. Fine day.

LES HARISOIRS 22.9.15 In billets. Fine day. Battalion paraded at 4 pm and marched to G.H.Q. lines at NOYELLES.

G.H.Q. Line 23.9.15 Battalion paraded at 4 pm and proceeded to trenches. Wet

day.

In Trenches 24.9.15 Wet day. Casualties. O.R. 3 wounded.

In Trenches 25.9.15 5.50 am Our bombardment ceased. Our advance commenced at 6.30

am. Took German front line trench then support trench then on to the Quarries as far as St. Elie. Captured about 60 prisoners; arrived at this position at 9.30 am. Kept to it till after dark when we had to retire owing to the 9th Division on our left retiring. Occupied "Quarries" until midnight when we took up a position in the support trench 400 yards west of the Quarries. Up to this time the following officers were killed

Lt Col B.P. Lefroy D.S.O. (died of wounds)

Capt N.H.L. Matear

Lieut F.R. Elderton

Lieut H.E. Edwards

Lieut J. Pennington

Lieut J.L.O. Mansergh

2/ Lieut K.M. Gaunt

2/ Lieut T.E. Newsome

and the following were wounded

Lt Col B.P. Lefroy D.S.O.

Capt J.P. Duke

Capt L.R. Swinhoe

Capt J.S. Knyrett

Lieut R.F. Richardson

2/ Lieut B.G. Hill

2/ Lieut S.W.W. Cannon

2/ Lieut N. Allen

2/ Lieut E.W. Blenkinsop

2/ Lieut P.H. Dremer

Missing

2/ Lieut P.H.W. Herbage

Other Ranks. Killed 64

Wounded 171

Missing 273

The Battalion could only muster (blank) officer and 140 men.

26th The Regiment moved along the same trench further to the right to connect up with the 21st Brigade.

Lieut H.P. Williams-Freeman 3rd Res Bn joined and took over the remains of Battalion in the trenches.

27th The same line occupied day and night. Very wet.

28th Same position occupied.

29th Occupied same position until 9.0 pm when the Regiment was relieved and returned to Billets at Sailly La Bourse. Very wet.

Major A.G. Pritchard 2nd Bengal Lancers joined Battalion and took over Command.

Capt C. Wasey 1 R War R joined and took over duties of Actg Adjutant.

30th In billets. Sailly La Bourse.

Lieut S.H. May and 2/ Lieut V.J. Sharkey 11th (2nd Res Bn) L.N. Lancashire R. joined for duty.

Oct 1st In billets. Battalion paraded at 3 pm and relieved 1/ R. Welsh Fus in the trenches near CAMBRIN.

Strength. 7 officers, Other Ranks 240 on going to trenches.

A.G. Pritchard

Lieut Colonel

O. Comdg. 2 R. Warwickshire Regt.

5.10.15

Note:

According to the Roll Of Honour in the regimental history, "The Story Of The Royal Warwickshire Regiment", by C. L. Kingsford, the following Officers listed as wounded on 25th September 1915, later died:

Lieut R.F. Richardson (died 30/ 9/15)

2/ Lieut B.G. Hill (died 25/ 9/15)

2/ Lieut N. Allen (Captain, died 14/ 4/18)

2/ Lieut E.W. Blenkinsop (died 26/ 9/15)

[Compo]

Remembering Great Uncle Captain Edward G J Moyna 7th (Service)Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers KIA on September 26th, shot through the head on Hill 70 and still there, buried between the lines.

Hoping that his sacrifice to end all wars will come true one day.

[DMcNay]

Remembering my 2nd cousin Private John McNay, 9th Bn Gordon Highlanders. Died this day ninety years ago, place of burial unknown. May he rest in peace.

[Hambo]

Remembering Private Bertie Lock 8th Battalion the Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, killed in action, 90 years ago today, aged 17.

Never forgotten

[Myrtle]

Remembering Pte Evan Ingram, 9th Devonshire Regiment who was killed in action on this day, 90 years ago at The Battle of Loos.

[joseph]

Remembering Pte John Tonner S/2158 7th Seaforth Highlanders DOW received at LOOS on 28/10/1915

[MartinWills]

Reading today's Scotland on Sunday I see Daniel Laidlaw's VC is to be donated to the Nation. It will go to the Scottish National War Memorial or National Museum. Search ' Piper of Loos ' if you don't know the story.

Aye

Malcolm

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Laidlaw family were at the ceremonies in Loos and Auchy-les-Mines on Sunday and also visited the spot where he won the medal with the medal(s).

Peter Last and Isabelle Pilarowski (to name but two) deserve our grateful thanks for all the work that went into the days events. Peter received a civic award from the Mayor of Loos in recognition of his work. Even better the weather was fine for the events of the day.

[Michelle Young]

Remebering 15298 Pte Ernest Young, 10th Btn Gloucestershire Regiment. Wounded 25-9-15, and died of wounds 1-10-15 at St Johns Hospital, Etaples.

On our return from Loos last night, we raised a glass of Genievre de Loos to all those who never grew old.

[armourersergeant]

On this day 90 years ago,

Brigadier General Norman Tom Nickalls was killed.

Born April 1864….died September 26th 1915.

Educated at Eton College, Norman Nickalls originally a militia officer, passed into a cavalry regiment, the 17th Lancers on 11th August 1886. This was not by any means an unusual process and many officers did this at this time.

He saw service in South Africa. But his service record is unremarkable. The out break of the war saw him in charge of the York brigade of mounted infantry. Command of 63rd brigade, 21st division and promotion to Brigadier General followed on the 31st august 1915. He was 51 an advanced age for a Brigade Commander in war but this was 1915 and the 21st division was a K3 new army formation and many were called to serve.

He had led his brigade up into the line through out the 25th through awful conditions and road conjestion. He then crossed over into the front line and beyond the German first line using on occasions a compass for direction as 1st Army had not marked out the area well enough.

Arriving near Chalk Pit he established his headquarters and prepared to advance on. He delayed the attack once he heard that one had been prepared for 11am on 26th but he never lived to lead it. Leaving his Hq he went across open ground and a shell landed near him. The explosion either killed him or wounded him and he later died as his body was never found.

He is remembered on the Loos Memorial to the missing.

He was the tenth General officer to be killed in the Great War and his death, along with those of Capper (7th div) Thieseger (9th div) and Wing (12th div) and Brigadier General Wormold, led Sir John French to issue a communication dated 3rd October 1915, literally forbidding General officers going into the front line as they were casualties the General officer corps could ill afford to lose.

Remembering

Arm

[the gunners dream]

Remember my Great Grandfather,

Private Frank Smith, G/5023, 7th/8th Battalion the Buffs (The East Kent Regiment).

Frank Smith joined the Buffs in 1914 at the age of 34. After basic training his regiment, the 8th Battalion the Buffs, part of the 24th Division, was sent to France on the 31st August 1915. On the 26th September they went over the top at the Battle of Loos. Within four hours the 8th Buffs lost 24 officers and 530 other ranks, they had been in France for only 27 days. The 8th Buffs spent the rest of 1915 and the first 6 months of 1916 in and around the Ypres Salient in Belgium. In July of 1916 they moved to the Somme. On the 18th August 1916 Frank Smith took part in the Battle of Delville Wood and was wounded in the foot and thigh and was repatriated back to England. In 1917 he helped to build the mines under the Messines Ridge in Belgium. After this he was sent back to the front and fought in the Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 he was sent to the 7th Battalion and on the 21st March 1918 he was at a forward observation post with A’ Company near the town of Vendeuil in France. On this day the Germans launched their last great offensive of the war, known as the ‘Kaiser’s Battle’. As he retreated with A’ Coy they crossed a bridge that fed a tributary to the St Quentin Canal. A sniper shot him as he crossed and he fell into the tributary. His body has never been, found he was 38 years old. Frank Smith is now commemorated at the Commonwealth Wargraves cemetery at Pozieres and his name is also remembered with pride at the Menin Gate in Belgium.

Steve Smith

[ypres1418]

To all,

As Arm was sitting writing his first post I was at work and had just realised the date! I too remembered the many who fell and remember those who are to fall over the next few days.

God Bless them all,

Always Remembering.

Mandy

[Dolphin]

Among those who died at Loos was the oldest Welsh Rugby International, and possibly the oldest Welshman, to lose his life in the War:

Williams, Richard Davies Garnons (Garnons-Williams in the CWGC Register)

Internationals: 1: 1881 E-

Richard Williams was born on 15 June 1856 at Llowes, Radnorshire, the son of Prebendary Garnons Williams.

Played as a Forward for: Magdalen College School, Cambridge University, Royal Military College Sandhurst, Brecon, Newport

Profession: The Army. He was commissioned into the 1st Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers in 1876, subsequently serving in Gibraltar and Egypt before retiring as a Major in 1890. From 1886 to 1892 he was adjutant of the 4th Militia Battalion; during that period he read for and was called to the Bar and also became an active member of the Charity Organisation Society. After his retirement in 1892, he joined the Volunteer Battalion of the South Wales Borderers in Brecon, and held the post of Brigade Major. In 1909 he became Secretary of the National Service League for Brecon, Radnor and Montgomery.

According to some sources, he may have played Soccer as Goalkeeper for Wales, but this isn't substantiated – perhaps it was a Welsh team in the Army?

War service: Lieutenant Colonel, 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. On 3 October 1914, as Major and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the Brecknockshire Battalion (South Wales Borderers) he was made Temporary Lieutenant Colonel.

Colonel Garnons-Williams joined the 12th Royal Fusiliers, as second in command, on the Western Front on 26 September 1915, the second day of the Battle of Loos. At dawn on 27 September, the newly-taken positions of the 73rd Brigade in the Fosse and Slag Alley area were the object of a German counter-attack (the men of the 73rd were exhausted, having had no food, water or sleep for 48 hours). By noon the 12th Royal Fusiliers were withdrawn to a new line along the Eastern Redoubt.

He was killed in action on 27-28 September 1915, at Loos, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France [Panel 25 to 27].

A soldier reported soon after the event:

“He [RDGW] led his men on September 25th into trenches lately occupied by the Germans and on the 27th the battalion were in a support trench and the furthest they had captured. This trench became untenable and retirement had to be effected to straighten the line, the supports, both right and left having retired, so that their flanks were “in the air”. As the colonel gave the necessary order to retire and instructions to the machine gun section to fire over the trench to keep back the Germans, he was shot in the head from an adjoining house and did not move again.

The soldier who wrote the above adds, “I was very sorry for him, as we could not have had a better, braver officer. He was with us all the time in the front trench and looked after us as well as he could; no man could have done better. Nobody could get back to him.”

A good man.

Gareth

[PhilW]

Some stories above to bring a tear to the eye

Extract from my Grandfather's diary for the last few days in 1915 - he was with 13th Siege battery RGA

Sept 22nd

I would like to write a description of what this is like at the time being - it sounds great. Last night about ten, Heavens what a row! Like hundreds of railway trains going through the air. This is the second day and the big guns began in earnest at twelve. How it is going or what it is like with the Germans, goodness knows. They are dropping a few round here but we are just reading and playing cards, being off duty, our relief being on. All our chaps are in great spirits. I do hope it is a success. I think we are getting seasoned to the War. Don't seem to realise that any minute a shell might put paid to our account. If this could only be transferred to Leyburn for half an hour, wouldn't it open their eyes. It is worth enlisting for a chap with the gift could write a book on impressions that this gives. Nothing that I have heard before approaches this. Everyone thinks it is the beginning of the end, and if it is a failure, but if they can stand this and what is to come they will hold out for years yet. Our battery fired about 160 rounds today, my gun 72.

Sept 23rd

Bombardment worse than ever, especially in the afternoon. I was No 1 on the gun and it alone fired 92 rounds. My head aching somewhat. Refugees leaving the village but the Germans are scarcely replying at all. Got complimented by the Captain and Lieut on the working of my gun. Major McEwan 1 left last night.

Sept 24th

Bombardment still going on. Thunderstorm last night and it was a whisper compared with the artillery fire this afternoon. I have heard some since I came out here but none to hold a candle to this. A dull wet day today. Our gun fired 62 rounds.

Sept 25th

A most exciting day. The attack was made with the aid of a very strong kind of gas which killed hundreds of Germans, our casualties were very few. Advanced about three miles, everybody in great spirits. I will never forget this week, especially today on the gun. We were working all night and started firing at 3 a.m. wet to the skin. From our gun we fired 119 shells and then the gun burst. Heavens, what an explosion! We were all round the gun and not a soul was touched! A miraculous escape. One piece of steel ploughed through about 80 yards, all trees, hit a wall, and glanced off and cut down a tree about 6 or 8 inches thick. Another bit about the same size (about 1½ cwt) hit the wheel of a gun carriage about four yards to my right and smashed it to smithereens. It was dusk when it occurred - the flash nearly blinded us. It was a truly marvellous escape. Saw a good few German prisoners, a miserable looking lot, all sorts and sizes. Would not have missed today for worlds, really great.

Sept 26th

Went to observation post with Willie Smith who got a taste of gas. Heavens what a sight! Shells by the thousands coming and going; wounded soldiers coming out of the communications trenches, some awful sights; gives one some idea what war is like, but it was a success. The Germans lost thousands, Hill 70 pulled our chaps up and the Germans gassed them and attacked in close formation, and got mown down but drove us back a bit. The East Yorks funked it but they were pulled up and we held nearly what we gained and the Prussian Guards did not half catch it hot. The Scots (Kitchener Lads) wiped the floor with them.

[MartinWills]

On this day 90 years ago,

Brigadier General Norman Tom Nickalls was killed.

Born April 1864….died September 26th 1915.

Educated at Eton College, Norman Nickalls originally a militia officer, passed into a cavalry regiment, the 17th Lancers on 11th August 1886. This was not by any means an unusual process and many officers did this at this time.

He saw service in South Africa. But his service record is unremarkable. The out break of the war saw him in charge of the York brigade of mounted infantry. Command of 63rd brigade, 21st division and promotion to Brigadier General followed on the 31st august 1915. He was 51 an advanced age for a Brigade Commander in war but this was 1915 and the 21st division was a K3 new army formation and many were called to serve.

He had led his brigade up into the line through out the 25th through awful conditions and road conjestion. He then crossed over into the front line and beyond the German first line using on occasions a compass for direction as 1st Army had not marked out the area well enough.

Arriving near Chalk Pit he established his headquarters and prepared to advance on. He delayed the attack once he heard that one had been prepared for 11am on 26th but he never lived to lead it. Leaving his Hq he went across open ground and a shell landed near him. The explosion either killed him or wounded him and he later died as his body was never found.

He is remembered on the Loos Memorial to the missing.

He was the tenth General officer to be killed in the Great War and his death, along with those of Capper (7th div) Thieseger (9th div) and Wing (12th div) and  Brigadier General Wormold, led Sir John French to issue a communication dated 3rd October 1915, literally forbidding General officers going into the front line as they were casualties the General officer corps could ill afford to lose.

Remembering

Arm

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Arm,

Chalk Pit Wood or Chalk Pit Copse?

Martin

[armourersergeant]

Martin,

His HQ was in Chalk Pit House and he ran foward to help from here and was wounded/killed i assume at the Wood!

I stand to be corrected

Arm

[stiletto_33853]

Piper Laidlaws VC group at the presentation made by the family at Loos