8th Loyal North Lancs

[nicko576]

I am trying to research a soldier belonging to the 8th Loyal North Lancs who died on the 11/10/1916.

I know through Chris McCarthys book The Somme Day by Day, they were involved in the attack on Stuff Redoubt.

Would any kind Pal have anything else on this attack.

Also on the Long Long Trail, it says there was a book written by Edward Samuel Underhill called A year on the western front, this book is out of print, anyone any ideas on how to get hold of a copy

many thanks

Nick

[Greenwoodman]

For the book try ABE. They're showing one for sale at £22.

[Greenwoodman]

And an extract from the 25th Div's history:-

"for the assaulting troops. A spell of bad weather necessitated the postponement of the attack, but on the 9th October the northern end of the redoubt was successfully carried by assault by the 10th Cheshires at 12.35 p.m.

Most careful preparations were made for the attack and under cover of an intense barrage the first objective was reached at 12.42 p.m. D and B Coys, under 2nd Lieut. Wilson and Capt. Simmons, with C and A Coys, under 2nd Lieut Evans and Major Trestail in support and reserve were responsible for this excellent piece of work.

Although unsuccessful in reaching the high ground im mediately north of Stuff Redoubt, the battalIon had every reason to be proud of its fine performance. Its casualties were comparatively slight and the operation yielded four officers and 123 German prisoners with 50 to 60 killed. In the evening the enemy counter-attacked but were successfully

repulsed by artillery and machine-gun fire.

The 10th October the 8th L. N. Lancs., 7th Brigade, relieved the 10th Cheshires and preparations were made for a further attack on the high ground called " The Mounds" just north of the Stuff Redoubt.

In the meantime another determined attempt by the Germans to recapture Stuff Redoubt was successfully beaten off. By the use of special “Storm Troops" the enemy succeeded in gaining a footing at one point in the line, but were speedily ejected and suffered considerable casualties.

The attack was finally carried out by A and B Coys. of the 8th L. N. Lancs. at 2.46 p.m., although at 2.40 p.m. just before our attack was timed to begin, the Germans put down a heavy barrage on our position. This was carried out by A and E Coys. under Capt. Shields, with Lieut. Bolton and Lieut. Turner. The, distance to be covered was roughly 200 yards, but the left party, under Lieut. Alford, had further to go before reaching their objective. The artillery was most effective and the men kept well up to the barrage. It was afterwards learnt from prisoners that the enemy had observed our troops preparing to advance, but the German officer in command, however, appears to have thought that no attack was contemplated and to have ordered the enemy's artillery to stop firing by 2.40 p.m.,

When our barrage was put down at 2.46 p.m., the enemy's barrage had died down and our troops gained their objective with but slight casualties. This fine piece of work resulted in the capture of one officer and 100 German prisoners as well as several machine guns, and also gave us the required observation all along the ridge with the line of observation posts pushed forward beyond the crest."

[connaughtranger]

Hi

There is a short account of the action at Stuff Redoubt in the Regimental History. In the early days of October several minor operations were undertaken with a view to the capture of high ground north of Stuff Redoubt to have greater observation over Grandcourt valley. On the 9th October the 10th Cheshires made one such attempt and on the following day this unit was relieved by the 8th LNLR, which was to prepare for a further attack on the high ground known as the Mounds. On the 11th October they would have been in the front line, almost certainly under heavy shell-fire, which is what most likely killed your man. Before they could carry out this attack, the Germans made a determined effort to recapture Stuff Redoubt on the evening of the 12th. It was at this time that Capt E S Underhill was killed

[nicko576]

Thank you so much, both of you

Nick