War Diary Extracts - WW1 - 1st - 6th September 1918
Arthur William BLACKMAN - died 5th September 1918
BLACKMAN, Pte A W, 738045, 24th Bn London Regt. 5th Sep 1918 III. I. 19 Rfn 373912 with 8th Bn (4.12.16 to 29.1.18), Rfn 738045 with 24th Bn (30.1.18 to 5.1.18) 1/24th London Regiment - The Queens War diary for 1st to 6th September 1918 (WO-95-2744-2_3) 1st September 1918 - Battn returned to HILL 150 for rest and reorganization. Battn received orders to attack ST PIERRE VAAST WOOD next morning. Orders received at 10pm. Verbal orders issued to Coy commanders at 11pm. Battn proceeded to assembly positions without guides between NEEDLE WOOD and ST PIERRE VAAST WOOD. Route via NEEDLE VALLEY and BOUCHAVESNES completed by 4.20am. Zero 5.30am 2nd September 1918 - Attack on SORROWITZ HILL and LINK trenches, south of ST PIERRE VAAST WOOD in conjunction with 18th divn N of WOOD. "D" Coy Right Front. "A" Coy Left Front. "B" Coy in support, "C" Coy in reserve and left flank defensive. Objectives were not immediately gained. "A" Coy occupied HILL TRENCH after clearing LONELY COPSE. Battn commenced consolidation of LINK and HILL trenches at 8am. The enemy were driven out of the W edge of ST PIERRE VAART WOOD during the afternoon when many prisoners were taken & also two 77mm guns. The following officers were wounded:- Capt H SOLOMON, LIEUT G C HEATHCOAT, LIEUT B T KING. 4th RWF cleared ST PIERRE VAART WOOD and xxxx finally got in touch with 18th DIVISION and 22nd Battn LONDON REGT. "C" Coy remained in position in JUPITER TRENCH. "B" Coy defensive flank HILL TRENCH. "A" Coy E end of HILL TRENCH. "D" Coy and 2 Coys 4 RWF in SORROWITZ TRENCH. The following received from Genl GOOLEY commanding III Corps. "Please convey to Genl MACDOUGALL and 142 INF BDE and especially Major F G GILL and 24th LONDON my heartiest congratulations on their brilliant feat of arms this morning which resulted in the capture of 200 prisoners, two 5.9 guns and one Batty of 77mm guns." 3rd September 1918 - Order received at 5pm to clear suspected MG nest in MONASTIR TRENCH and occupy W bank of canal before dusk. "C" Coy assembled in VAUX WOOD, "D" Coy in SORROWITZ TRENCH. Patrol of "C" reported MONASTIR unoccupied. "A" Coy defensive position was built up on W bank of canal during the night. LT D E POLL assumed command of "A" Coy. Battn and two coys 4 RWF relieved by QUEENS Battn returned to JUPITER Area. Relief completed by 10am 4th September 1918 - Battn rested in JUPITER AREA. Orders received at 5pm to occupy canal at MOISLAINS and push forward patrols E. Heavy Gas and HE Shelling on MOISLAINS during the night. "A" Coy occupied Canal by 8.30pm and pushed forward patrols along OPERA TRENCH. "B" & "D" Coys delayed by barrage arrived at 12 midnight and sent forward patrols. "C" Coy occupied a reserve position on MOISLAINS. 5th September 1918 - Battn was withdrawn to Canal. 141 Bde attacked PERONNE - CAMBRAI ROAD at 8am 6th September 1918 - 141 and 142 Bdes attacked LIERAMONT. Battn took up position to defend S E end of EPINETTE WOOD in conjunction with 15th London. Lt R W TURNER assuming command of "D" Coy. DIVISION XX relieved. 24 Battn relieved by 7th London. Relief completed by 4.30am. Battn marched to BOUCHAVESNES Between Aug 30th and Sep 6th Battn advanced 8 miles. Approx captures:- 4 77mm Guns, 40 M Gs, 300 prisoners. The Medal Roll records that he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. Also K. I. A. 5. 9. 18 Map references:- HILL 150 - Map 62c NW2, B18a, b ST PIERRE VAAST WOOD - Map 57c SW4, U27 NEEDLE WOOD - Map 62c NW2. C13a NEEDLE VALLEY BOUCHAVESNES - Map 62c NW2, C14 SORROWITZ HILL LINK TRENCH (LINK AVENUE) - Map 62c NW2, 5a HILL TRENCH - Map 57c NW2, C4d, 5a LONELY COPSE - Map 57c NW2, C4b, d JUPITER TRENCH - Map 62c NW2, C3d, 9b, 10a SORROWITZ TRENCH - Map 62c NW2, C5a, b, c, 11b MONASTIR TRENCH - Map 62c NW2, C5, 6, 12, D7, 8 VAUX WOOD - Map 62c NW3, G4c MOISLAINS - Map 62c NW2, C18 OPERA TRENCH - Map 62c NW2, C18b, d, D13c, 19a, b PERONNE - CAMBRAI ROAD - Map 62c NE1, D9b, d LIERAMONT - Map 62c NE1 D12 EPINETTE WOOD - Map 62c NE1 D16 Medal Card shows Pte 373912 with 8th London R & Pte 738045 with 24th London R was awarded the Victory and British War Medals CWGC burial records report that body originally found at :-62c.D.18b.4.3. It is likely he was actually killed on the 6th September in the attack on LIERAMONT The Register of Soldiers Effects, entry 786150, Blackman, Arthur William, 1/24th Battalion, London Regiment, Private 738045, died 5.9.18 in action in France - Widow Mary A was paid £7.7.11 on 19.12.18 plus a War Gratuity of £9.0.0 on 15/12/19. Transcribed mainly from the War Diary of the 24th Battalion London Regiment (The Queens). |