The West Yorkshire Regiment in the War

[kevin]

Have both volumes and willing to do look ups, just shout.(1914-1918)

Regards Kevin

[Gunner R.A.]

Hello Kevin,

could you please look in your books and see if there is any mention of the 9th Bn, West Yorks Regt (PWO) for the 14th of september 1916, i am researching a soldier who was killed on this day.

Any help or advice would be appreciated,

yours,

Peter.

[kevin]

Peter

The Attack on the Wundt Werk.(14th Sept 1916).

The 9th West Yorks had been in reserve for three days, when on the morning of the 14th the Battalion again took over the front line trenches.

On the morning of the 14th therefore after the reliefs had took been completed 9th Batt stood ready waiting for Zero hour, which had been fixed for 6.30p.m.

The Battalion was disposed on a two company frontage,with one company in support of the attack and the other in reserve.

Of the 9th West Yorks D Company was the right attacking Company and C Company was the left.Two plattons of B Company were to clear Prince Street,by bombing and protect C Company's flank,the remaing two platoons of B Company were in support to D and C Companies.A Company was in battalion resrve.

The move up to Hindenburg Trench from which the attack was to set out,was carried out subsequently through desultory shelling and unfortunately Lieut.C.B.Robinson was killed.

At 6.28p.m the first waves left Hindenburg Trench and began to form up in No Mans Land.The offensive was greeted by spasmodic firing from Turk Street.Hostile green lights went up and machine-gun began to bark from the enemys trenches.

Two minutes later(6.30 p.m.) the intense bombardment began and a perfect tornado of shell fell upon the enemy's positions,smashing his trenches and creating wholesale destruction.The artillery bombardment was carried out by a part of IInd Corps "Heavies," three French 75 Batteries,the 11th Divisional Artillary and portions of the 25th and 48th Divisional Artillary.In addition,Stokes mortars and machine-guns added to the volume of the fire which swept the enemy's positions.

The hostile machine-gun which had opened fire just before the bombardment began fired only a few rounds and was not heard again! The troops stood and watched the bombardment and its terrific results and as the guns lifted were almost immediately afterwards into the enemy's trenches or all that remained of them.

"Doubtless," said the Battalion Diary, we lost men from our own shells owing to the closeness of the bombardment to which there advanced(from the Diary it states:- "We certainly did not suffer from rifle or machine-gun fire).

The enemy had by now put down a heavy barrage, which was very effective and caused practically all our casualties. But nothing could hold up the attack.Turk Street fell at once and the waves swept on towards Wundt Werk,which fell with as complete a success as the first objective.

Consolidation begun immediately.Only two officers reached the final objective and both were wounded.

Throughout the night and through the 15th Sept consolidation proceeded and on the night of the 15th the 1/7th Duke of Wellingtons Regiment relieved the 9th West Yorks who marched back to the dug-outs at the ill famed Crucifix Corner.

The strength of the Battalion on going into action had been 20 officers and780 o/ranks,but of this number 8 officers were killed and 4 wounded. In other ranks the Battalion lost 33 killed and 240 wounded and33 missing.

Thus the first action of any inportance in which the 9th took part,after their arrival in France on the 14th July 1916 at Marseilles from Egypt, had cost the battalion 12 officers 306 other ranks.

Hope this helps.

Regards Kevin

[Gunner R.A.]

Hello Kevin,

great!, just what i needed, thanks for taking the time to reply it is realy appreciated,

yours,

Peter.

[Gunner R.A.]

Hello Kevin,

just wondered if you could tell me where the 2/6th Bn west Yorkshire Regt, 185th Brig, 62nd Division were on the 22 of November 1917, i believe that they were at Cambrai but i am not sure where and whot they were doing exactly.

Any help or advice would be appreciated,

yours,

Peter.

[kevin]

Peter

You will be aware that the 2/6th where involved in The Battle of Cambrai,20th/21st November, so we follow on from there:-

So the 22nd Nov was spent in organising the captured ground, in carrying out certain reliefs, and in giving the troops the rest they greatly needed, though on this day the enemy delivered the first heavy counter-attack on the 62nd Division.

The counter-attack was made at dawn on the 22nd against the 2/6th and 2/8th West Yorks, who were holding the line North of the Sugar Factory on the Bapaume-Cambrai road. The centre section of the front held by the 2/6th Battalion formed a salient dominated by the Bourlon Ridge and a powerful system of German trenches. Three or four large spoil heaps, about one hundred yards east of the northern point of the salient.completely overlooked the latter,and when daylight broke on the 22nd,Colonel C.H.Hoare(commanding the 2/6th) took out two rifle sections to occupy them. The enemy at once opened heavy fire but the spoil heaps were successfully occupied,though the position was no sinecre. Colonel Hoare returned to Brigade Headquarters to report the situation.

Three separate attacks were then made by large numbers of the enemy and 'B' and 'A' and the left of'D' companies; they were all repulsed, but the company of the 2/5th attached to the2/6th was moved up to support the left flank of 'D' company. A particularly heavy attack, supported by rifle and machine-gun fire, was launched against the 2/6th, the enemy advancing on all sides of the battalion and almost surrounding it. The situation was critical, for the West Yorks had fired all their ammunition and was thus forced to retire. By 9a.m. the 2/6th were back on the Bapaume-Cambrai road. After sending sending his Headquarters to establish a defensive flank on the right,Colonel Hoare collected all the ammunaition he could and again led his men forward in extended order against the ridge. The men were tired and hungary, but advanced though almost without any officers, and by 10 a.m. the ridge was re-occupied and the Germans were in retreat, leaving a good many killed on the field. A platoon of the 2/5th however which had been ordered to establish a defensive flank on the left of the 2/6th, was unable to carry out the order, and at 10-15 a.m. a large number of Gemans in extended order and in colounn were observed working round the flank. Before the C.O of the 2/6th could get to to the left flank the whole line began to crumble.(Before i arrived said Colonel Hoare, my line crumbled up from the left, eventually all coming back to the Cambrai-Bapaume road, were i was able to rally it.)

A plattoon of the 2/5th was then pushed up the road to a wire barrier about 200yards to the left of the 2/6th, and with 60 men the C.O. of the latter advanced to a bank about 300yards north of the road; patrols were then sent out with instructions to regain the crest of the ridge if possible. All companies of the 2/6th were now intermingled, and the Battalion was reorganised on the line of the bank, the 2/6th on the right and the company of the 2/5th on the left. On the right about a company and a half of Germans, who were attempting to turn that flank, were driven off.

So far as the 2/6th were concerned the day's fighting was over, save for desultory shelling. to which the enemy subjected the whole line.

During the early fighting, which had been at very close quarters, the 2/6th lost 5 officers and 16 o/ranks killed. and 5 officers and 60 o/ranks wounded.

Colonel Hoare was amongst the wounded officers, but remained at duty.

Hope this is of some help.

Regards Kevin

[Gunner R.A.]

Hello Kevin,

same as the last time just what i needed, thanks for taking the time to reply it is realy appreciated,

yours,

Peter.

[Guest Richard Warby]

Hi Kevin,

Do you have any details of the 15/17th West Yorkshires on or immediately prior to 19th July 1918 as I am researching a casualty on my local war memorial, Private B Tibbetts, who was killed in action on that day.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Richard Warby

[markl]

Hi, Do you have any information about the 18th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment around 11 May 1917?

Thanks

[kevin]

Richard

15/17th West Yorks, ihave an interest in these's as my own Grandfather fought with them, anyway the info you asked for;

There is very little in Laurie Milners Leeds Pals book refrence the 19th July 1918,other than the pals spent July taking their turn in holding the new line which. on the 19th July was advanced to the stream east of La Becque Farm.

But in Wrall's book there is alot more, so lets begin;

On the 19th July the 15/17th were again in action east of the Forest of Nieppe. The Battalion were in a sub-sector extending south from Gars Brugghe to Le Cornet Perdu, thence to apoint about five hundred yards east of L'Epinette. The front line was a series of posts,which, with the exception of the extreme right flank, averaged a distance of from 400-500yards from the west of La Becque stream, and in the operation to be carried out on the 19th the West Yorks where to advance their line of posts.

The attack was carried out at 7 a.m. on the 19th by 'B' Company on the right and 'A' Company on the left. The enemy was more stongly established on the western side of the Becque than had been anticipated and although some of the posts were at first advanced, they subsequently had to be abandoned and the attack made little progress. In this action the 15/17th lost 79 killed,wounded and missing.(40 kia).

Richard this may be of some help the 60000 series men joined the 7th Res West Yorks in early Dec 1917 and came out to France the end of March begining of April 1918, the first casualties begining 62000 in the 15/17th West Yorks start to appear from the 12th April 1918.

By Milners account in the Leeds Pals Book he states that 503 other ranks joined on the 4th April 1918, but in the 15/17th war diary it states that 197 o/r's joined 17th April, 116o/r's joined on the 18th and 177 o/r's joined on the 21st April.

Hope this is of some help.

Regards Kevin.

[kevin]

Markl will get back tomorrow as of to work.

Regards Kevin

[Guest Richard Warby]

Kevin,

Many thanks for the info on the 15/17th Battalion.

Regards,

Richard

[kevin]

Markl

There is no infomation regards the 18th Battalion on the 11th May 1917, the last date there are mention is on the 4th May(Relieved and withdrawn to St.Catherine and billeted).This was after a attack in the Gavrelle sector.

Laurie Milners(Leeds Pals book) only gives the infomation that the 15th where in and out of the trenches in this area, so can only guess that the 18th where doing the same.

Sorry i could not be of any real help.

Regards Kevin.

[Brigantian]

Kevin,

I am researching a Private 61845 Cyril Cooke, 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He died on 12 September 1918 from wounds received in action on 26/27 August 1918.

I would be grateful if you do a look up for the 10th Battalion around 26/27 August 1918.

Thanks

Mark

[kevin]

Mark

We will start back at the 24th Aug to let you get the area and action that was taking place.

24th Aug: Attack on Thiepval Ridge, the attack began at 1 a.m. under heavy barrage, by 1.55 a.m. the first objective was taken. By 3.20 a.m. message recieved that the final objective was taken. (The front line ran North-East to South-East between the site of Mouquet Farm and the ruins of Thiepval village.

By 12 noon Thiepval Ridge had been taken.

At 2 p.m. the advance on Pozieres began and by 4 p.m. had been taken.

4.30 p.m enemy counter-attacked at Pozieres but where driven off with great loss.

At 5-30 p.m. the enemy launched a second counter-attack and due to the open flanks of the West Yorks and the volume of the enemy fire a retirement was made to a line North-West of Pozieres, but at 11 p.m. the enemy withdrew from Pozieres.

This days operations had caused the 10th West Yorks heavy casualties.

25th Aug: At 7-15 a.m. orders received for continuation of the advance, but on the 25th and the 26th the 10th West Yorks were in Brigade support following the advance of the two foreward Brigades.

26th Aug: At 9 p.m. orders issused for the 50th Brigade to pass through the two foreward Brigades and carry on the attack during the night.(The two foreward Brigades where at the time holding a line running North and South between Eaucourt L'Abbaye and Flers.

The first objective for the 50th Brigade was Flers inclusive, to the Factory Corner, and if this objective was gained the advance was to continue onto Gueudecourt.

It was a black night and the time allowed to get into assembly positions was very short.

By 12-30 a.m., however the 10th West Yorks, on the right of the Brigade front were assembled in position ready to advance on Flers.

At 1 a.m. the attack began, the West Yorks first encountering the enemy on the hill West of,and overlooking,Flers. These trenches were cleared without trouble.But the trenches immediately West of Flers, and in the orchards at the Southern end of the village,fierce fighting took place, and it was not until 4 a.m. that theses positions had been won, the 10th West Yorks at that time having two companies East of the village and two just West of it.

A Second-Lieut.F.Kirk, with one-and-a-half plattons,reached a sunken road seven hundred yards East of Flers, and for two hours held on in the face of violent attacks by the enemy. But in the end, having only six men left,he was forced to retire.

At about 7.30 a.m. a strong counter-attack, supported by heavy artillery and intense machine-gun fire, was launched by the enemy from the high ground North-East and South-East of Flers and the positions East of Flers became untenable. Awithdrawl was therefore made to a position West of the village where a strong line was taken up and held throughout the day. That evening the Brigade was ordered rest and reorganisation for 24hrs.

During the 27th the 10th West Yorks had captured 140 prisoners and 14 machine-guns, but no casualties are recorded.

Hope this is of interest.

Regards Kevin.

[Brigantian]

Kevin

Thanks for the quick reply. The information is very helpful and I now have a good feel for the Battalion’s movements over this time.

Thanks again,

Mark

[gpalmer]

Hello Kevin

My first attempt at finding out where my Grandfather was when wounded. His name was John Palmer No. 38156 17th Batt. West Yorkshire regt. I have 5 original letters from the Infantry record office at York detailing his wounds etc as follows:

Wounded in action France 19th August 1917

Gun shot wound 20th October 1917 admitted to 2. Aus General Hospital

Medium gas shell poisoning 28th May 1918 admitted 2nd Aus Gen Hospital Boulogne. (Batt. not stated)

Gunshot wound (now in 8th Batt.) 30th July 1918 admitted 12. St louis USA Hosp/Rouen.

Gunshot wound 8th Batt 1st October 1918 admitted 2 Canadian Gen Hosp Le Treport.

He died in 1924 and nobody in our family knew where he came from, only either London or Kent but was in the Halifax area around 1914 or before.

Many thanks for any info.

Graham Palmer

[kevin]

Graham

The dates you are asking about and the locations of the Battalions.

The 17th Battalion,

Aug 1917; Trenches East of Villers Guislain, just North of Epephy.

The Knoll and Gillemont Farm engaged in digging new trenches,wiring them,constructing posts,and pushing out listening posts.

18th Oct-26th; Opposite Houthulst Forest. Losses between said dates, 2 officers wounded, 3 officers Gassed. 7 other ranks kia, 48 o/r's wounded, and 45 gassed.

28th May 1918; Mostly spent in training.

The 8th Battalion,

28th&29th July; Capture of Montaigne de Bligny( the battalion won the French Croix de Guerre for this operation)

On the 27th July 10 officers and 200 o/r's arrived as reinforcements for the 8th Battalion.

Losses on the 27th July, 1 officer kia, 3 wounded, 2 missing, 13 o/r's kia, 93 wounded, 9 missing, 2 gassed.

Losses on the 28th July,1 officer wounded, 2 o/r's kia, 1 o/r missing.

On the 30th July Bivouacked in the neighboughood of Eceuil Farm.

27th to the 1st Oct; The Battle of the Canal du Nord.

1st Oct; withdrawn to Havrincourt(Billets)

Battalion losses during Sept where 6 officers kia, 8 wounded, 5 missing,

60 other ranks kia, 241 wounded and 126 missing.

Hope this is of some help.

As a sub note Graham you could always try the PRO/NA for his service records,

the 38156 army number for the West Yorkshire Battalion come from around about Aug/Sept possible early Oct 1916 making your Grandfather joining the West Yorks around about this time.

Regards Kevin

[gpalmer]

Kevin

Many thanks for your help really appreciated.

Graham