Military History

Military History

Victor is listed as being killed in action on 9th October 1917 during the Battle of Poelcapplle, part of the wider Third Battle of Ypres (aka Passchendaele). The Battalion War Diary for that day is transcribed below along with a link to the 5 page Report of Action mentioned in War Diary.

E of Steenbeek - Oct 9: The battalion moved into position of assembly E of the Steenbeek for an attack on Adler Farm, Inch House, Vaaletem and Wallemolen. Order of Coys B on right front with Adler House as objective, C Coy on left front with trench N of Adler Farm as objective, A Coy right support with Wallemolen as objective. D Coy left support with Varlet Farm as objective.

2am: All in position, Zero fixed for 5.20am.

5.20am: Barrage came down & companies moved forward in order given. The attack was held up by rifle and machine gun fire but eventually got forward taking Adler Farm and Trench to N but failed to take final objectives.

Casualties during the action:     Officers            O.R

                               Killed:          5                  54
                         Wounded:          5                 135
             Wounded at Duty:          ~                   1
                           Missing:          ~                  22
                                                10                212

Complete Report of Action with Operation Orders attached (click here).  END

Military History

Walter is listed as being killed in action on 27 September 1915 during the Battle of Loos. The Battalion war diary entry for both the 26th & 27th is transcribed below as a letter to his parents following his death states that he was killed on the 26th, which makes sense when reading the below.

The Sergeant Major of his Company wrote that Sgt Clingo was killed in heavy fighting at Hulloch, Loos on the 26th September. The whole of the officers of the Company had been lost and the Sergeant was leading his platoon in a bayonet charge when he was shot down, the platoon being practically swept away by fire from the front and flank. The Sergt-Maj expressed his great admiration for Clingo.

September 26th Hulluck Firing Line: The Bttn was ordered to attack the Hulluch Trenches at 11am and was postponed to midday. The bombardment did not happen as arranged as the artillery received no orders. The order of attack was SWB on the left, the R.H in the centre and Welch Regt on the right.

The instant the leading platoons left the forward line trenches they were badly held up by Machine Guns in the houses and the Brigadier gave orders to "stand fast". The R.H were also held up, while the Welch reached the enemy's line but was driven off. We lost 8 officers and 105 men (including list of officers names).

The Battn remains in same position in Keep 35 until evening when and keep same position during night. Bttn's HQ moves back to same position in communication trenches. Bombing is very quiet during the night and enemy makes no movement.

September 27th Hulluch Firing Line: The Battalion remain in same place, expected relief having not arrived. The day is quiet, though the enemy, having brought up more guns, being to register our positions.

On our right the Guards Division attacks Hill 70, the Chalk Pit wood being taken from 4.5pm. Battn HQ's badly shelled though only LCpl Lewis, DCM, medical dresser was killed.

In the evening the Munsters start to relieve Bttn in front line and we go to second line. A Coy in line of Keep 3.5- Keep 8.9, C & D Coys in line 7.6 to Hulluck Road which was an old German support trench. Bttn HQ moves to a dug out in rear. Weather very wet.

Military History

Walter is listed as being killed in action on 27 May 1918, which was the first day of the Third Battle of the Aisne. His remains were never recovered and his is remembered on the Soissons Memorial. He was originally reported as missing in action and his death was not accepted for some time as the Red Cross received letters enquiring about his whereabouts on the 2 Aug 1918 and the 20 Nov 1918.

The 4th Battalion war diary entry for the 27 May 1918 is transcribed below.

26th May 1918 - Craonne: Battalion took up a support position round Craonelle and La Hutte.

27th May 1918 - Craonne & La Hutte: Enemy bombardment started about 1am 27th May. Heavy gas shelling as far back as Maizy. The enemy broke through on our left & pushed on towards Beaurieux arriving there about 10am. The enemy also came through on our right using tanks over the flat country to the east of Craonne, this party also pushed on towards Beaurieux and surrounded the Brigade in the line. The enemy then pushed on towards Maizy. All troops in Maizy and the few who had got out of Beaurieux then made a stand on the hills to the south of the village.

At about 11.15am these troops were withdrawn from this position. The next position was held at Glennes and later a line on the hill at Fismes.

28th May 1918 - Fismes: About 4am the enemy broke through the left and the party withdrew with the French on to Fismes. This party, after using all ammunition were then told to report to Div Hqrs near Arcis-le-Ponsary. They rested for the night at Div HQ.

Other Ranks casualties between 26th May and 31st May were:  Killed 3. Wounded 52 and Missing 566 (five hundred & sixtysix).

Officer Casualties: 27 killed, missing and wounded