7th/8th KOSB

[Stephen Nulty]

I'd be grateful if any Pal could give me a brief (or not so brief, if available!!) summary of the events around this date for the 7th/8th KOSB. One of my men, remembered on Thiepval, served and died with them on 9th August.

[jay dubaya]

Hi Stephen...not a great deal to offer, the following is taken from Westlakes 'Battalions on the Somme' ...hope it helps,

cheers, Jon

7th/8th (Service) Battalion. 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division:

Reached Candas from Bethune sector (28/7) . To Flesselles (31/7), Molliens-au-Bois (4/8), Franvillers (5/8), Becourt (7/8) and from there to forward positions near Martinpuich. German counter attack - (17/8). Casualties - 224. Relieved by 10th Scottish Rifles and to camp just outside Albert on Amiens Road (18/8). To support trenches (29/8), front line (31/8), Scots Redoubt (4/9). Moved forward (14/9) - attack and capture of Martinpuich (15/9). Relieved and to Behencourt (18/9). War Diary gives casualties since arriving in Fourth Army area (28/7) as 34 officers and 886 other ranks. To Albert (30/9), Scots Redoubt (9/10). Took over trenches near Le Sars (15/10). To Lozenge Wood (18/10), front line (28/10), Millencourt (3/11), Baizieux (13/11). Later to Havernas and Wargnies.

[Stephen Nulty]

Thanks, Jon.

[Ed ROBINSON]

From “ THE KOSB IN THE GREAT WAR.”

Leaving Franvillers at 6am on the 7th, the battalion followed the big road, and on nearing Albert opened the spaces between companies. Turning off Becourt just e of Albert they were met and guided in a direction N E ie parallel to the Albert- Bapaume Rd, which meant that they were heading straight for Martinpuich between Poziers (L) on the big road and Bazentin-le-Petit ( R) . Since Becourt they had moved by platoon but on reaching the boyaux they filled up and joined the advance party in a trench extending along the summit plateau of the great ridge from Courclette to Combles from a point about 500 yards N of and on the road from Bazentin-le-Petit to Martinpuich ( which is situated on the reverse slope) to a point on the track from Contalmaison across the ridge to Martinpuich.

It was on the extreme right of this sector that casualties chiefly occurred. The very next day, i.e. on the night of 8/9th of August, 2nd Liet J.B Walmsley, a gallant young officer, was killed on patrol and a party working on a sap suffered to the extent of 3 killed and no fewer than 30 OR wounded.

On the 9th the drain continued and , “ another splendid officer,” 2nd Lieut J .H Lawrie, fell and 7 OR killed and 28 wounded.

Relief from the actual front did not mean safety in the Somme fighting. When the battalion handed over to the 10th SR and after a days rest, were turned on to carrying work in the battle of 12th August, they suffered appreciably. 2nd Lieut J.M. Ure, “ A quiet officer from the 9th battalion of mature years and imperturbable nerve, and greatly esteemed by all- was mortally wounded on the 12th and there were 19 OR casualtys.

Cheers Ed Robinson