War Diary Extracts - WW1
Frank Aldred - died 15th September 1916
September 1916 1st (City of London) Battalion - The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) (56th Division) War diary for 13th - 15th September 1916 (WO95/2949/1) Battle of Flers-Courcelette Sep 13th - BILLON FARM - Proceeded to trenches in LEUZE WOOD & relieved 3rd London Regt, 1st Devon Regt & 1st East Surrey Regt. Battalion proceeded to trenches for offensive operations. ??? in Command, ??? in Command of companies - ??????? officers over 4 per Company and 10% of personnel remained in bivouacs in vicinity of BILLON FARM as first reinforcements. Casualties 11 OR wounded Sept 14th - TRENCHES LEUZE WOOD (4 trenches SW BOULEAUX WOOD) - Improving trenches and preparing to assault German Line across S W corner of BOULEAUX WOOD. Tools collected ready for assaulting parties for consolidation. 1 OR killed, 1 OR died of wounds, 22 OR wounded. Sept 15th - As for 14th - “C” & “D” Coys moved to assault at 5.50 am with “B” & “A” Coys in support. “C” Coy attacked German trench across S end of BOULEAUX WOOD with “D” Coy on the left attacking trench running in N Westerly direction from W edge of BOULEAUX WOOD. Artillery barrage ineffective on the right. The enemy trench was undamaged and fully manned. Wire entanglements and machine gun fire stopped “C” & “D” Coys close to this objective, having lost 7 out of 8 officers and 75% OR casualties. “D” Coy took their objective and No 16 Platoon pushed forward at once and seized MIDDLE COPSE which they consolidated. A Lewis Gun was afterwards put in position there. “A” Coy advanced and passed through them with covering parties pushed well out. At night they had to withdraw as both flanks were in the air. Casualties - LT J D FRY, 2nd Lt G S HILL, 2nd Lt S F SNOWDON, 2nd Lt S HEASBY, 56 OR Killed; 7 Off & 136 OR wounded: 84 OR missing CWGC Notes:- Courcelette The Battles of the Somme: Battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15 - 22 September 1916 From early August Haig had steadfastly envisaged a large scale breakthrough offensive timed for mid-September. Fourth Army's eventual plan required an attack by 11 Divisions, supported by tanks, A C Company Mark 1 (C19 Clan Leslie) in Chimpanzee Valley preparing for action on 15 September on a front of 12,000 yards, facing Courcelette in the north, to Lesboeufs and Morval in the south - the area pin-pointed for penetration and cavalry exploitation. An intense preliminary bombardment began on 12 September and at 6.20am on Friday 15 September the advance began in mist and smoke. XIV Corps attack, on the extreme right, where hopes of breakthrough were pinned, fared badly; 56th Division and 6th Division lost heavily as tanks and artillery support failed to neutralise vital defensive positions; the Guards Division, amidst much confusion, advanced north-east of Ginchy some 2,000 yards but ended up short of its final objectives. XV Corps, in the centre, had better success and its Divisions made the greatest advances; tanks played a vital role especially in support of the 41st and New Zealand Divisions for the capture of Flers. Further to the left III Corps made progress but at a heavy cost; 47th Division suffered badly clearing High Wood, but the adjacent 50th Division was by nightfall close to the German third position. 15th (Scottish) Division captured, with minimal tank support, all its objectives (including Martinpuich) and on the extreme left of the attack 2nd Canadian Division (Reserve Army) was in Courcelette by evening. Despite some notable successes the day's principal objectives were not gained; there was no dramatic breakthrough. Costly attacks continued over the next few days effecting some small gains; but over a week was to elapse before a renewed major assault could be made on Lesboeufs and Morval. Medal Card records that he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Noted that they were returned The Register of Soldiers effects, entry 509423, Aldred, Frank, 1st Battalion London Regiment, Pte 202977/6329 presumed dead on or since 15.9.16 - Sister Florence Coleman £1.18.9, Sister Florence T Gale £1.18.8. A War Gratuity of £2.0.0 was also paid to sister Florence Coleman. There is a pencil note "Share retained for boy Henry Ernest in Asylum £1.18.8 plus £1.0.0 War Gratuity. Note. Think this share refers to Ernest Henry Gale 1st (City of London) Battalion - The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) (56th Division) in September 1916 |