Military History

Raymond is listed as being killed in action on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The 9th Battalion Report on Operations contained within the 20th Infantry Brigade war diary is transcribed below.

Bois de Tailles - 1 Jul 1916: The 9th Devonshire Regiment had advanced at 7.27am in touch with 2nd Border Regiment but on reaching our front line in the vicinity of Mansel Copse came under a heavy artillery and machine gun barrage, and suffered severely. The first two lines of this battalion advanced in extended order with the 3rd line in small columns.

The battalion moved on steadily at first, but the leading companies losing all their officers soon after entering the hostile trenches, and having to pass over trenches completely wrecked beyond recognition by shell fire, became somewhat disorganized and remained in the vicinity of Tirpitz Trench and Shrine Alley, collected in small parties, and engaging the enemy in front of and behind them wherever met. They undoubtedly did great service in keeping the enemy engaged, and in clearing the trenches, and sent back many prisoners. They did not however succeed in getting into touch with the battalions on their right and left, and failed to carry out the task of clearing the "dug-outs" in the wooded bank West of the Railway.

At 7.40am the reserve company of this battalion had been ordered forward by the C.O. to reinforce his attenuated lines in front, but losing all officers before reaching the front German line, this company also became disorganized in the difficult terrain in which it found itself.

At 1pm The situation of the 9th Battalion was confused, but it was certain that they were not in touch with the battalions on their flanks, that they had been heavily engaged in difficult ground, that they were hanging on well, but were not advancing, and that their numbers were very much reduced.

Military History

Edward is listed as being killed in action on 14th July 1916. The 8th Battalion War Diary Report on the Attack, 13th - 14th July 1916 is transcribed below

Diary of the Attack, 13^th – 14^th July 1916
Major Brewis, Commanding 8^th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

Military History

Albert is listed as dying of wounds on 14th April 1918 and he was buried at Le Grand Hasard cemetery which was not used by any Casualty Clearing Stations and it is assumed that Ernest died soon after being wounded. The 1st Battalion war diary for entries the period 13th to 15th April are transcribed below.

Thiennes – 13 Apr 1918: Early in the morning definite touch was established with the 1^st D.C.L.I. on our left and the 14^th R. Warwickshire Regt (13^th Inf Bde) on our right. An attack on this Battalion appearing imminent, No 2 Coy was moved further forward SE to the support of its left Coy.

At 8am the enemy attacked the Lock which was held actually by 2/Lt’s Fort’s platoon. The attack, which was made first in line, then in sections was beaten off, 2 hostile M.G’s being knocked out and one M.G. was brought in by us later during the night.

Lt. Hinton and 9 other ranks were wounded during the days fighting. 4 O.R. to hospital, and 8 O.R. killed.

Thiennes – 14 Apr 1918: At 6.30am the enemy, supported by an Armoured Car on the Merville la Motte road attacked our two right Coys. The attack was beaten off.

At 8am during an attack on the Bn, our left No 4 Coy was afforded an opportunity of using cross-fire which they took advantage. During this attack Capt. Meyrick was wounded, 2 Lt Dobell took over command of No 4 Coy.

The Bn on our right was then attacked. The situation in front of No 2 Coy being obscure, that Coy immediately advanced and helped to restore it.

At 5pm BN HQ received several direct hits and was moved to a pile of faggots [bundles of sticks used to build trenches] near the cross-roads at the E edge of Bois Moyen (K.8.c.4.1). Later a hostile assembly for attack in front of No 3 Coy was dispersed by artillery fire before it could develop.

The casualties for the day were 4 OR’s killed, Capt Meyrick & 2/Lt Stevens (No 3 Coy) and 12 OR’s wounded & 7 OR’s missing.

Thiennes – 15 Apr 1918: Between 6 & 7am the enemy was seen assembling N of the Lock but this was dispersed by the artillery. Soon afterwards an attack on our right Coy materialised and the enemy seized a small isolated post but the attack was beaten off. At 6pm another assembly for attack was beaten off.

Our casualties were 4 OR’s killed, 2/Lt Richards and 10 OR wounded, 3 OR missing. 2/Lt Richards died of his wounds on admission to CCS the same day.