MIDI Bugle by Neville Young

Campaign & Other Service Medals: British War Medal & Victory Medal.

From an extract of the Battalion War Diaries for May 1917:-

1st	10 p.m. the Bn. was relieved in the front line running South of Villeret, by the 12th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, and on relief proceeded to Hesbecourt (1 Coy.) and Hervilly (3 Coy.) remaining there until the evening of Thursday 3rd May, resting and preparing for the operations on that date.

 

3rd

The Bn. moved from billets to the places of assembly for attack on Malakoff and Cologne Farms. "B" & "D" Coys. carried out the attack on Malakoff Farm and "A" & "C" Coys. on Cologne Farm. Both objectives in the Malakoff Farm attack were captured. The enemy barrage in this attack was not very heavy, and the positions were taken with the bayonet and bombing parties, considerable casualties being inflicted on the enemy. Two wounded prisoners were taken, and our casualties were not heavy. The attack on Cologne Farm was unsuccessful, and the assaulting troops were unable to reach the first objective. The enemy barrage here, which opened about 5 minutes after ours, caused a good many casualties to our men in position for the attack in rear of the trench on the eastern edge of the quarry. As they advanced they came under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, both frontal from the first objective (Which had not come under our barrage owing to the short distance between it and the place of assembly) and enfilade. The gaps which had been cut in enemy wire were covered by machine guns from the front as well as enfilade wire from supposed strong point. Only 2 to 3 men out of 4 attacking waves reached the wire. The barrage on the Quarry was very heavy, causing casualties in the reserve platoons. The survivors of attacking party withdrew at 12.40 a.m. under cover of machine gun fire from 2/8th Sherwood Foresters post and support from 178th Bde. trench mortar battery. Later they retired to West side of North slag heap in Quarry and dug cover.

 

4th

During the day, consolidation of the Malakoff Farm positions were carried on under great difficulties. The first objective trench was very shallow and under enfilade fire from North & South. 7.30 p.m. A message was received from the post of East of Malakoff Farm that enemy could be seen massing in wood, artillery fire was directed on this wood. At 9 p.m. our S.O.S went up from Malakoff Farm and about this time the enemy put down a very heavy barrage of all varieties of shells, including gas. 9.45 p.m. Enemy counter-attack in considerable force (estimated 500) and swept round the right flank of our position. Both the advanced post and the first objective trench were evacuated, the garrison being driven back to the sunken road. As this position was untenable in daylight a retirement was ordered to the Switch Trench - (original jumping-off place) and this was carried out. The effective strength of the Bn. on May 3rd prior to the attack was :- Officers 35; Other Ranks 739. The total casualties sustained in the attack and counter-attack were about 150 killed, wounded and missing.

 

5th	The Bn. returned to billets at Hesbecourt and Hervilly in support.

©Tim Green 2002

They were also involved in the action of the Third Battle of the Scarpe, between 3rd - 4th May 1917, it is possible that Lance Corporal Oliver Hubbard died of wounds received in either of these actions.

Campaign & Other Service Medals: British War Medal & Victory Medal.

Local Memorial: Memorial Plaque, St. John The Baptist Church, Enderby, Leicestershire. 

Campaign & Other Service Medals: British War Medal & Victory Medal.

However it is known that the Battalion was part of the 46th (North Midland) Division which spent three years in the area of Fouquieres and had its transport based here.

Campaign & Other Service Medals: British War Medal & Victory Medal.

Campaign & Other Service Medals: British War Medal & Victory Medal.

Unit Action: As part of the 4th Army, XV Corps, 21st Division, 110th Brigade, the 9th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment, were involved in actions in the Battle of Morval, between 25th - 28th September 1916, this action included the capture of Gueudecourt by the 21st Division.

Campaign & Other Service Medals: British War Medal & Victory Medal.