Remembering Alderman, Boucher, Carre, Sykes and Clark & 11 ORs

[Jonathan Saunders]

Remembering 6 Bttn Queen's Own Royal West Kents in their attack of 20 November 1917.

6/RWK War Diary entry for 20/11/1917

Assembly position S.W. of GONNELIEU – Zero hour 6.20am. The Bttn in conjunction with tanks and supported by a creeping barrage attacked the BROWN LINE including the highly important positions of LATEAU WOOD and LE QUENNET FARM. The enemy were taken completely by surprise and appeared utterly demoralised. Many prisoners, a battery of 5.9” howitzers and a MG were taken by the Bttn in its successful advance. All objectives were captured in accordance with plan and time table and the work of consolidation commenced at once. This was continued throughout the night. The death of Major WJ ALDERMAN DSO who fell just as the Bttn had achieved its object sent a shadow over an otherwise brilliant day’s work. He led the Bttn throughout the action and his death is greatly deplored by all ranks. Casualties – Killed in action: Major WJ ALDERMAN DSO, Lt WM BOUCHER, Lt GT Carre, Lt WE SYKES, 2/Lt CW Clark and 8 Ors. Wounded Capt GH HODGSON, Lt A Stiebel, 2/Lt RJ THURLOW and 45 Ors. Missing 7 Ors.

BIRD CHARLES WILLIAM Private G/18336 20 FRANCE (CAMBRAI) CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

COOK ERNEST JOHN Private G/14794 FRANCE (CAMBRAI) CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

CUTHBERT GEORGE Private G/27585 19 FRANCE (CAMBRAI) CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

GARDNER JAMES Private G/24701 FRANCE (CAMBRAI) CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

MAYS FREDERICK Private G/15925 FRANCE (CAMBRAI) CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

NEVARD PERCY Private G/24723 FRANCE (CAMBRAI) CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

SHEPPARD GILBERT HENRY Private L/11447 FRANCE (CAMBRAI) CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

SULLY ALBERT JAMES Private 206354 20 FRANCE (CAMBRAI) CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

ALDERMAN WILLIAM JOHN Lt-Colonel FRANCE (NORD) FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH

SYKES W E Lieutenant FRANCE (NORD) FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH

CARRE GILBERT T Lieutenant 24 FRANCE (NORD) FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH

BOUCHER W M Lieutenant FRANCE (NORD) FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH

SAPEY A G Private G/18316 FRANCE (NORD) FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH

BRIDGE H Corporal S/1213 FRANCE (NORD) FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH

SEARLE HAROLD STANLEY Private TF/241287 22 FRANCE (NORD) FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH

CLARK C W 2/Lt FRANCE (NORD) FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH

R.I.P.

[isanders]

The RWK graves of Alderman, Boucher, Carre, Sykes and Clark & 11 ORs at 15 Ravine Nov 2006.

RIP