8Th Norfolks on the Somme, 1St July 1916

8th Norfolks on the Somme, 1 st July 1916

Introduction

8th Norfolks, a ‘Kitchener battalion’ raised in September 1914, was one of the attacking battalions on the 1 st July. Their starting position was on the southern part of the British front line, north of the village of Carnoy. As part of 18 th (Eastern) Division, under the experienced and enlightened General Maxse, the battalion was well trained and properly prepared, but had not previously been involved in a major attack. My grandfather, Sergeant Sid Dace, served with the battalion and was there on 1 st July but his role is not known. He may have been one of the bombers referred to below.

Contemporary documents

[From 53rd Brigade War Diary – WO 95/2034]

“Attack of the 8 th Norfolk Regiment

At 7:27 a.m. the leading Coys . ('C' Coy. on the right and 'B' Coy. on the left) went over the parapet and formed up for the assault in front of our trenches. No difficulty was experienced during the forming up, practically all our wire having been removed and, the enemy's barrage was not heavy, most of the fire being directed on our 3 rd . and 4 th Assembly trenches. At 7:30 a.m. the leading wave moved forward to the assault; very little opposition was encountered in MINE Trench and MINE Support; the enemy’s wire had been almost completely destroyed and offered no obstacle and his trenches were almost obliterated in places. The first serious resistance was encountered at THE CASTLE, this was overcome about 7:53 a.m. and the leading Coys. pushed on. A good number of prisoners of the 109 th Inf. Regt. were captured here by the right platoon of the 3 rd Coy. (‘B’ Coy).

After leaving THE CASTLE, the right of the right Coy. was held up at the junction of MINE ALLEY and BRESLAU SUPPORT, the remainder of this Coy. and the left Coy. pushed on to the POMMIERS line which was reached shortly after 8:15 a.m.

Captain Hall commanding the Left Coy. was badly wounded just after leaving BUND SUPPORT and 2 nd Lieut. Attenborough assumed command of the Coy.

The right of the right Coy. came under heavy machine gun fire from the gun in MINE ALLEY and machine gun and rifle fire from the junction of BACK and BOCHE trenches where the enemy had a strong point. 2 bombing parties under Sergt. WEST were sent forward and a Stokes gun was brought up; there was considerable delay in getting the gun into action owing to some of the party carrying ammunition having been hit. During the next few hours the progress of the right was very slow, and it was not till nearly 2 p.m. that resistance in this quarter was finally overcome [and] the capture of this strong point and BACK Trench was accomplished by bombing parties under 2 nd Lieut. GUNDRY- WHITE and 2 nd Lieut. MIALL-SMITH working up BRESLAU ALLEY and MINE ALLEY, and assisted by the fire of Stokes guns from MINE ALLEY and THE LOOP. 2 officers and about 150 men were made prisoners. In the meantime THE LOOP had been captured at about 10:20 a.m. together with about 60 prisoners. The loss in Officers was severe and at this period there was only 1 Officer with the detached portion of the Right Coy. and 1 Officer (who was slightly wounded) with the left. At this period Capt. MORGAN re-inforced the leading Cos. with 2 platoons of his Support Coy. (‘B’ Coy.) and

took command of the line. About 11:00 a.m. the Right Coy. moved forward to BLIND ALLEY and the Left Coy. began working up LOOP Trench and eventually got [in] touch with the R. BERKS REGT who were working up this trench.

At this time considerable trouble was caused by fire from the still uncaptured strong point to the right rear. Little progress was made until the LOOP Trench was finally cleared by the BERKS about 5:40 p.m. when the advanced line moved forward to MONTAUBAN ALLEY.

About 4:00 p.m. an attack was made to push across the MONTAUBAN – MAMETZ Road, but this was prevented by heavy machine gun fire. 2 nd Lieut. Attenborough and C.S.M.1 Coe both being killed during the attempt. On reaching MONTAUBAN ALLEY the Coys. were re-organised and a strong bombing party was sent forward to clear CATERPILLAR Trench where practically no resistance was met. This trench was double blocked at about Pt. S.26.a.9.6.

The Reserve Coy. under Capt. ASHDOWN now moved forward and about 8:00 p.m. occupied an advanced line in front of MONTAUBAN ALLEY on the line of EAST Trench - Pt. S.26.b.46.40 - Pt. S.26.a.9.6. By 10:00 p.m. the work of consolidation was well advanced.”

[From 8 th Norfolks War Diary – WO 95/2040]

“War Diary – JULY 1916

Assembly Trenches 1 st

The Battal ion took part in an assault on the German trenches North or CARNOY, and S.W. of MONTAUBAN. The 7 th Battalion The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment of the 55 th Brigade were on our Right and the 6 th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, of our own Brigade, were on our left. For details of Operation Orders giving Administrative arrangements issued prior to 1 st July, see Appendix 1 (Attached). In the early hours of the morning the Battalion was in position in the four assembly trenches, i.e., in their battle position ready for attack. The early hours of the morning were passed in comparative quietude.

5:30 am. Teas were brought up from CARNOY and served out in the Assemb ly trenches.

7.20 am. Our artillery commenced the intense bombardment and the enemy’s retaliation on our Fourth line assembly trench became more apparent.

7.27 am. A mine and two Russian Saps were exploded on our front.

7.27 am. The first wave of our “C” and “ D” Companies deployed from our firing line and laid out in the open about 30 yards in front. This movement was accomplished without loss.

7.30 am. The assault commenced. The remainder of our two assaulting companies left our trenches and moved forward in four successive waves.

1 Recte R.S.M

MINE TRENCH was reached and crossed by these two Companies with practically no opposition and without loss on our side. All Germans remaining alive in this trench after our artillery barrage had passed were thoroughly cowed and at once surrendered. “C” Company on our right took about 30 prisoners from the West Edge of the mine craters. MINE SUPPORT was taken about 7.40 am. The wire entanglements in front having been completely demolished by our artillery. Up to this point, the Battalion suffered very few casualties. BUND SUPPORT was reached and taken at 8 a.m, where in accordance with previous arrangements 2 a halt was made. The two assaulting companies on leaving BUND SUPPORT came under heavy enfilade machine gun fire from the direction of BRESLAU SUPPORT and BACK TRENCH and suffered heavily. Captain B.P Ayre being killed and Captain J H Hall being seriously wounded. By this time the following officers had been wounded. Capt & Adjt H.P. Berney-Ficklin, 2 nd Lieuts. J.G. Hampson, C.T. Blackborn, L. Padfield, S.A. Wharton, G.R. Ironmonger and E. Maclean, (at duty). There now remained no officer with the left leading company and two subalterns in the right leading company, which were now reduced to 90 and 100 men respectively.

The Left Leading Company under C.S.M. A.F. Raven reached our first objective - POMMIERS TRENCH - and took it at about 10.30 am. A portion of the Right Leading Company also got into POMMIERS TRENCH near the East Side of THE LOOP at the same time, but the remainder of this company was held up by machine gun fire and a strong point at the junction of BOCHE TRENCH and BACK TRENCH with MINE ALLEY.

After this company had been reinforced by a platoon from the support company under 2nd Lieut G. E. Miall-Smith and the Battalions Bombers under Sergeant H E West had also been sent up to this point, this strongpoint fell and the garrison of about 150 Germans and 2 Officers of a Bavarian Regiment surrendered, and right leading company was then able to push forward into the East portion of POMMIERS TRENCH which up to then had not been taken. At this point in the attack, “A” company which had been in reserve and had advanced from the assembly trenches in artillery formation at 7.45am, and had been consolidating MINE SUPPORT, now advanced to BUND SUPPORT and commenced the consolidation of this trench. At the same “B”, the support company, advanced with three platoons, (1 already having been sent to reinforce “C”), to POMMIERS TRENCH.

3 pm. “B” Company had now taken THE LOOP and both assaulting companies advanced to the MONTAUBAN ALLEY line, - the final objective of the Battalion. Owing to machine gun firing from the line and from N.W of MONTAUBAN, “D” company on the left suffered heavy casualties, and “C” company, led by 2nd Lieut J H Attenborough made repeated attempts to get into MONTAUBAN ALLEY but did not succeed until a bombing party under 2 nd Lieut. L.A Gundry-White gained an entrance by way of LOOP TRENCH on the left. Unfortunately, just before this had been affected, 2 nd Lieutenant J H Attenborough with CSM J Coe had both been killed in the attempt to get into this trench.

5.45 pm. The MONTAUBAN ALLEY line was taken and the battalion was in touch with the 7th Queens on our right and the 6th Royal Berks on our left.

6 pm. The whole of “B” Company having been used to support “C” and “D” companies who were now reduced to, respectively, 70 and 80 other ranks and 1 Officer, the work of

2 Struck through probably at the insistence of the brigade commander.

consolidating MONTAUBAN ALLEY was commenced at once and patrols were sent forward to reconnoitre along CATERPILLAR TRENCH and EAST TRENCH. The Reserve Company who in the meanwhile had advanced and consolidated POMMIERS TRENCH and THE LOOP, were now brought up and sent forward to take up the advanced post known as the GREEN LINE.

The Green Line was taken up and strong points commenced at about 8pm and patrols were sent forward in the direction of CATERPILLAR WOOD.

8 pm. From now onwards the enemy commenced a heavy and continuous bombardment with 5.9 and a few 77mm shells on the west end of MONTAUBAN ALLEY held by the Battalion, generally in the vicinity of the junction of LOOP TRENCH with MONTAUBAN ALLEY, a few shells falling in THE LOOP itself but practically none in the rear.

Our casualties for the days fighting were:

Officers

Killed 2 Died of wounds 1 Wounded 8 including 2 at Duty

These being 2 nd Lieut S.N. Cozens-Hardy who was wounded just outside Battalion Headquarters, which were being at the S.W. end of THE LOOP, where they had just been moved up to a soon as the MONTAUBAN ALLEY line had been reached and 2 nd Lieut E. MacLean.

Other ranks

Killed 102 Wounded 219 Missing 13

TOTAL CASUALTIES

Officers 11 Other ranks 334

H. de L. Ferguson COMMANDING OFFICER 8 TH NORFOLK REGIMENT”

[From 8 th Norfolks War Diary – WO 95/2040]

“Operations of the 8 th (Service) Batt n The Norfolk Regt

July 1 st to 3 rd 1916

(1) In the Assembly Trenches

The disposition of the Batt n in the assembly trenches on the afternoon of June 30th was arranged with a view to facilitating the launching the attack in successive waves of men, according to the schedule decided upon. The firing line, and number I assembly trench was occupied by C & D coys, the assaulting companies; B & A in support and reserve respectively, together with specialist units, taking up their positions in [turn?] and covering the extent of front allotted to the Batt n. The night June 30 th /July 1st passed in comparative qui[e]tness and it was not until the eventful dawn of July 1 st that the activity of the artillery on both sides became marked.

The man had provided for themselves such cover as they could by making small excavations in the “walls” of the trenches, and to this is attributed the scarcity of casualties during the heavy bombardment of our lines by the enemy’s artillery – as a reply to the increasingly intensity of our own artillery, as the time for the attack drew near. Throughout the night as in the case of the previous period of suspense the demeanour of the men was admirable, an atmosphere of quiet confidence and determination prevailed amongst all ranks, which argued well for the success of the undertaking.

Precisely at 7:20 am our guns broke out into the promised “ten-minutes” final, intense bombardment and the series of mines laid by our sappers close up to, and in one case 3 under, the German firing line, and the Russian saps were sprung with apparent success. At 7:27 our first wave, consisting of four sections from the assaulting Coys, deployed from our firing line fire trenches 4 and took up a position some few yards in front ready for the assault; this preparatory move being accomplished indecipherable and without confusion or loss.

No. 2. The Assault

At 7.30 am, on the order to advance the remainder of the two assaulting coys, left our trenches and moved forward in extended order in four successive waves. There was no rush or charge, in the usually accepted meaning of the word, the movement being carried out calmly, at a walking pace with methodical precision, rifles slung over right shoulders. The German front line trench was reached without serious loss and practically no opposition was encountered. All Germans remaining alive at once surrendered and a few prisoners were taken: they were without arms or equipment, a fact which suggests that the time selected for our attack had taken them by surprise. These prisoners taken at the beginning of the fight belonged to the 62 nd Inf Regt which had been through the whole of the five day bombardment, and which, with the exception of one coy, had been relieved on the night 29 th /30 th June. In spite of the width and depth of this trench a crossing was

3 Probably Casino Point mine, where 5,000 lb (c.2 300 kg) of explosives was placed under a machine gun nest just to the left of the Norfolks initial objective. It was exploded at 7.28 am, eradicating the nest but causing casualties among several surrounding British battalions. 4 Correction – probably by Brigadier-General Higginson (see below).

speedily effected and the 2 nd trench (MINE SUPPORT) gained. The wire and entanglements had been well dealt with by our artillery, and proved no obstacle to our advance.

Between MINE TRENCH and MINE SUPPORT, the position of a prospective trench, marked by white tape, was noted. Proceeding from MINE SUPPORT and BRESLAU TRENCH, machine gun fire was encountered, and we now suffered our first noticeable batch of casualties from this cause. The third line trench, known as BUND SUPPORT was reached at about 8 am where in accordance with our programme 5 a short halt was made. The four waves in which the two leading coys had advanced now intermingled, and the advance from this point, took place practically as one line, that did not give rise to overcrowding, may be attributed to casualties and the fact that front became wider as we progressed.

No. III 1 st Objective

Matters were now somewhat more straight forward for our left leading coy than for our right leading coy, for whilst the former had a stretch of open ground to cross before reaching the 4 th line (POMMIERS TRENCH), the latter were confronted with the task of reducing what proved a rather serious obstacle in the shape of the junction of two trenches – namely MINE ALLEY with BACK TRENCH, where the enemy was well established with a machine gun and bombing support. At this point Capt J. HALL was commanding “C” (Rt leading) Coy was wounded in both legs and the command of his Coy passed to 2 Lieut ATTENBOROUGH. At about 2 pm after good work by the Stokes guns under Captain ROZELAAR, aided by excellent bombing parties led respectively by 2 nd Lt MIALL-SMITH and Sergt WEST, the Germans here surrendered bu showing a white flag, some 150 prisoners, including two officers, being taken. The advantage thus gained was quickly followed up, and in spite of the fact that the difficult position known as the LOOP, on the left had not yet fallen, Rt Leading Coy, re-inforced by a platoon of the support coy, was able to establish themselves in BLIND ALLEY – some distance ahead of POMMIER Trench, our first objective. Machine gun and rifle fire had increased the difficulties of my left leading coy, who which 6 suffering heavy casualties, including the Coy. Comdr. Captain B.P. AYRES – killed, advanced steadily in the open and secured a footing in POMMIER Trench on the left of the LOOP.

The situation now became rather critical, as my two attacking coys had only two officers left between them, and it was then, that Capt. F.J. MORGAN came up from BUND SUPPORT under heavy machine gun fire from the right flank, and set about re-organising the two attacking coys. Opposition was finally overcome at about ④?7 pm, the position being immediately consolidated. During these operations the remainder of the support coy were occupied in the consolidating BUND SUPPORT Trench, which was also occupied by the Reserve coy under Capt C.F. ASHDOWN who had advanced from the assembly trenches in artillery formation at 7.45 am.

After the LOOP had been taken Capt MORGAN sent two platoons to POMMIER trench as re- inforcements on the left, the remaining giving valuable assistance to the right assaulting coy.

No. 4 The final objective

5 Underlined with footnote by ‘HWH’ (Brigadier-General H. W. Higginson) ‘This is incorrect, no halt should have been made as the leading line was already behind it’s scheduled time on the BUND SUPPORT line’. 6 Correction – probably by Brigadier-General Higginson. 7 Circle and question mark – probably by Brigadier-General Higginson.

At 4:15 pm the order was given to advance again and extending from POMMIER Trench and BLIND ALLEY, the assaulting coys came within view of the German 5 th line – MONTAUBAN ALLEY – their final objective. Owing to the machine gun fire met with from this trench, it became apparent that an assault upon it, would a costly if not wholly disastrous course, and so the more lengthy but cheaper method of bombing down communications trenches was resorted to; and it was 8 not, unfortunately, until a plucky attempt by 2 nd Lieut ATTENBOROUGH, which resulted in his death (sic) .

An assorted bombing party consisting of NORFOLKS and BERKS 9 – (2 nd Lt GUNDRY-WHITE in charge of the NORFOLKS) – eventually gained an entrance by way of LOOP TRENCH on the left, whilst the men of my right leading coy rushed forward and occupied their objectives. The bombing party met with a plucky resistance, which they quickly overcame, and the scene of disorder which they observed, pointed to a hurried evacuation by those of the enemy who had no inclination to dispute the progress of our men. Articles of kit, rations and particularly great-coats contributing left by the enemy, were evidence of 10 the general confusion. The work of consolidation now went forward apace, whilst we made good practise on the enemy retreating hurriedly in the open. The trench was conspicuously wide and straight, affording very poor cover; to remedy this traverses were constructed at intervals. These positions were hastily hacked along cut in 11 the parados, communication trench double blocked, and preparations made to resist a counter-attack. It is now necessary to refer to the work of the reserve coy who had the not inconsiderable task of establishing and occupying a series of strong points in front of our own position, work somewhat outside the scope of usually covered by reserves.

This was put in hand text unclear and work continued throughout under heavy shell fire. Whilst engaged in digging their position our men had the protection of a small covering party: in some cases old enemy trenches were adapted, but generally fresh ground had to be opened. Wire, of which there was a shortage, was put up and the work of defence completed satisfactorily, including emplacements for the Lewis Guns belonging to the coy. Two scouting patrols were sent out, and returned safely without having encountered a hostile party. As soon a possible, the three coys in MONTUABAN ALLEY where re-organised and took up positions as follows: ‘D’ on the left, ‘B’ in the centre, and ‘C’ on the right. The position was somewhat over-crowded owing to 55 th Brigade on our right having occupied approx. one third of our Battn front. During the night and throughout the following day we were subjected to a heavy and continuous bombardment of high explosive shells which caused us a good number of casualties. It was therefore decided to reduce our strength in MONTUABAN ALLEY by one coy and ‘D’ was accordingly withdrawn to the LOOP at about 5.30 pm on Sunday July 2 nd . Batt n Hd Qtrs was moved to a position in the LOOP, where a first aid post was also set up about 7.30 pm on the 1st July, upon receiving word that the final objective had been reached. Communication by wire was maintained with all Coys and armoured cable laid back to Bde Hd Qtrs. This work was efficiently carried out by the Batt n Signals Section under Lt PATTEN.

8 Correction – probably by Brigadier-General Higginson. 9 The battalion diary of 6 th Royal Berks, which was on the left of 8 th Norfolks on 1 st July, records that their advance was persistently delayed by the Norfolks’ slow progress. It states that an 'appreciable advance' was only achieved after 3.20 pm, when bombers from 10th Essex, the support battalion, attacked Montauban Alley. WO95/2037. 10 Rewording – probably by Brigadier-General Higginson. 11 Rewording – probably by Brigadier-General Higginson.

Mention should be made of the admirable work carried out by our medical staff; the stretcher bearers were early on the scene, and all possible help, rendered to the wounded. Throughout the operations, all cases were cleared promptly, and a high tribute is paid by the M.O. to the gallant way, in which the stretcher bearers responded to great calls upon their energy and patience.

The Batt n was relieved during the afternoon of July 3 rd by the 8 th Batt n SUFFOLK Regt and proceeded to CARNOY.

A point which deserves special mentions is the fact that nearly all my officers wore the ordinary service jacket, and out of the 14 officer casualties, only two were killed – this showing the great protection afforded them from sniping.

One point which requires attention, is that fighting troops should not be required to go back long distances to bring up their own wire, rations etc. *R.E. & Ration dumps were formed in THE LOOP. They could not have been got further forward the 1 st day. 12

Visually signalling is also essential, as, in our case, Report Centres are often extremely dangerous places, and the loss in runners has been very great. *Visual signalling was established but very little used. 13

H. de L. Ferguson. Lieut. Col.

Commanding 8 th NORFOLK Regt

30/7/1916”

12 Asterisk and note by ‘HWH’. 13 Asterisk and note by ‘HWH’.

[Centre for Newfoundland Studies Archives, Memorial University of Newfoundland]

“B.E.F

France July 5th, 1916

Dear Mrs. Ayre

It is with the greatest sorrow that I am writing to tell you of the death of your son Captain B. P. Ayre of my Battln - He was killed while gallantly leading his company into action in the advance on July 1st. He was killed outright so suffered no pain- he is a very great loss both to myself & the Regiment as he was a very able officer & much loved by us all & his men were devoted to him be miss him every moment of the day as he had been with us from the early days when the Regt was raised- He was buried in a small cemetery near the Battlefield & to have erected a temporary cross over him, until we hear your wishes to this matter. His watch & the few things to him were collected by a brother officer & will be sent you in due course. Words with these circumstances are but poor consolation the please accept our deepest sympathy in your great loss.

Yours very sincerely

Ferguson

Commanding, 8th Norfolk Regt.”

[http://www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance/wall/record/8736]

“B.E.F., France,

11th July 1916

Dear Sir, - I am sorry to have to inform you that your son, Lance Corporal Newstead, was killed in action on July 1st. I cannot speak too highly of the splendid work he did, both prior to and in the attack. The men were devoted to him, and by his cheerfulness in the face of danger, and steadfast devotion to duty; he has set a very fine example. His place will not easily be filled. All in the Company who knew him mourn his loss, and offer you their deepest sympathy, -

Believe me, yours sincerely

C. SHELTON, Capt., C Coy.”

[G. Maddocks, Montauban (1998)]

Account of Private F.L. Campling 14 cited in The Norfolk Chronicle and Post , 21 st July 1916.

“Corporal Goulder glanced to right and left, and gave the word to advance, having observed our left flank making headway. Rising to my feet I saw Hotblack collapse with a bullet in the foot, and Goulder a few yards ahead shot through the head. Getting down at full length, partially concealed by the vegetation, I got slowly forward and came across Sergeant Lewis Colman and a few of his men similarly held up. Peeping out cautiously, we observed that our bombers had gained a footing in the German fourth line trench, and were working their way up to the position of the machine gun which was causing the discomfiture of our little band.

After taking a few shots at the machine gunner, we crept, in single, file to the left, entered the trench and were delighted to see the survivors of our company. We had now reached our first objective and awaiting orders to proceed, had time for a hearty handshake and a comparison of notes. At the point where the machine gun had caused our delay, a considerable number of Germans were still holding out, but our men had secured a foothold on both flanks, and the passing of the whole fourth line into our hands was only a question of time.”

[P. Kendall, Somme 1916: Success and Failure on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme (2015)]

Account of Private F. Campling cited in The Lowestoft Weekly Press , 22 nd July 2016.

"The assault was immediately precipitated by the explosion of a series of mines which our sappers had laid close up to the German front line, and the shower of debris had hardly fallen when the order came for the first wave to advance... With a thrill of excitement I received the order, shouted down the trench, 'Over 16', and every man leapt to the parapet at the exact moment of our artillery 'barrage' lifted from the Bosche front line to his first support line. The opposing artillery fire, consisting wholly of shrapnel, which had sent the two men on my immediate left hobbling to the first aid post, now practically ceased. Quickly crossing our own front line trench, we reached the Bosche firing trench and there a scene met my gaze which will remain stamped indelibly upon my memory for the rest of my mortal existence. Cowering in the trench, clad in the pale grey uniforms we had longed for twelve months to see, unarmed and minus equipment, with fear written on their faces were a few of these valiant warriors of the Kaiser, whose prowess we were out to dispute. Here let me digress to say that the absence of arms and equipment suggests that the exact moment selected for our attack had taken the Huns by surprise. This view was subsequently confirmed by prisoners who said that they had expected us earlier in the day, and stood down. Many Germans rushed forward with hands in the air, crying for mercy."

"It was obvious that they were past any pretence at fighting, so ignoring them, I leapt the trench - it was occupied by only dead and wounded - and gained the second line. At this stage we began to feel the effect of a deadly German machine-gun fire from their fourth line and our gallant captain was amongst the first to fall, as also my platoon officer. Not a single German did I see attempt to offer the least resistance at close quarters."

14 Promoted to Corporal and killed in action on the 27th September 1916.

"After a rest we went along a communication trench to the third trench. Half way along we had to stop, so we commenced to make a fire step facing the opposite way, and began to consolidate. We were near two deep dug outs. Down the first one went a bomb, and then came up one Hun, shaking and trembling, hands above his head, shouting as best he could, 'Mercy, Comrade,' with eyes staring. He seemed so utterly scared that the majority could only pity him. His hand was bleeding a good bit, the result of the bomb. Just behind him came another, as mad and shaking as the first. Then another dark one with a handsome beard, staring eyes, a wounded forehead, a red cross on his arm, to which he pointed. There were about five of them. An officer told off an escort, and they were off, and the dugout was set on fire.

Then we went on to the third trench. One of our sergeants was shot through the ankle, another fellow through his side, these were the first cases of blood shed we had seen, but I will not speak more of it, than I can help. In the third trench we had to wait. Huns lay about in the most awful conditions, and we had to steel our nerves and look away, but we tried to see the best side. We were winning, we were in the German trenches so we lit up our cigarettes and were happy. All the time we kept on alert, working to make our position defendable."

Account of Private G. Cleveland cited in The Lowestoft Weekly Press , 22 nd July 2016.

"The shells from our guns were hissing over in a constant stream, when bullets began to crack and we knew the boys of the first line were over. No shouting, no cheering, all bullets and shells as the boys rushed over, scrambling round shell holes, one line catching up the other, until they leapt into what remained of their front lines. It was a mixture of mountains and valleys in miniature, no straight cut trench anywhere."

"We were supposed to go over at a quarter to eight but we had equipment on, magazines on, bayonets on and ‘one up the spout and nine in the tin box.’ Down in the trench we certainly felt a little windy, but once up, we felt as if we were on a field day. Shells and bullets in the air, great holes, scraps of wire, shells & co, laying everywhere, but we kept on — a little bunch of men, artillery formation. Then we crossed our front line, from one hole to another in case a machine-gun opened, until we slipped into the front trench. Two Huns were running about frantically like mad men. We went into the second trench, and we had a rest, while we found out where we were, and we had to keep our eyes 'skinned' to the corners and our rifles ready.

German names on boards naming the trenches where a German trench mortar gun used to be. The entrances of deep dug outs blown in or otherwise filled up. I wondered how many men were buried in them. They had stood to from midnight till about four, expecting us to attack at dawn, and then entered their dug outs for a very little necessary sleep."

Post war history and recollections [Imperial War Museum Catalogue No. 7457]

Papers of Major C F Ashdown

This document is a typescript history (50pp) by Major H P Berney-Ficklin of the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment. It seems to have been a source for the battalion history that follows.

“The trenches in which we formed up for the attack were those lying immediately in front of CARNOY, the enemy trenches being to the south west of MONTAUBAN. No map has been procurable to illustrate this chapter, but the diagram below is inserted in order to assist render. It is simply a diagram and does not represent the general line of the trenches which were, naturally, not all parallel to one another.

------3rd . Objective. To be dug. ------2nd . Objective MONTAUBAN ALLEY.

------1st . Objective POMMIERS TRENCH.

------Breslau Support. ------Bund Support. ------Mine Support ------Mine Trench Distance Brit. Front line line Brit. Front Distance

to 3rd Objective 3¼ miles. miles. 3¼ 3rd toObjective ------BRITISH FRONT LINE.

The Battalion suffered remarkably little in the assembly trenches and not more the 4 or 5 casualties had occurred before 0730 Zero hour. Three minutes before the time, C and D, the leading companies, moved out into no mans land and lay out there. At 0730 the first waves entered the German trenches, and crossing MINE Trench reached the MINE support with practically no loss. The time was 0740. By 0800 BUND support was reached casualties still being remarkably light. Up to this point the Germans encountered appeared thoroughly cowed and anxious to be taken prisoner. It was afterwards found that since the Germans were aware of our impending attack they had decided to place a fresh regiment in the line to meet it, and had in fact actually accomplished this on the previous night, with the expectation that owing to the battered state of the communication trenches and our harassing fire they had been unable to relieve the companies holding the first three line.

On leaving BUND Support at about 0805 the loading companies came under extremely heavy machine gun fire from BRESLAU Support and suffered very heavily, losing one officer killed and eight wounded, whilst strength of about 150 other ranks the left company was reduced to 90 (with no officer) and the right company to 100 (with 2 subalterns). After very heavy fighting BRESLAU Support was stormed and portions of POMMIERS trench were entered at 1030 after a supporting platoon from B. company has been pushed up. By 1800 MONTAUBAN ALLEY was attacked and by 2000 was completely in our hands. At this hour the reserve company passed through, and commenced the consolidation of the 3 rd objective.

Thus in 11½ hours the Battalion had gained its final objective, a feat which was accomplished on 1. July 1916 by the leading battalion of two other Divisions only. The above battle has, for various reasons, been described in more detail than it is intended shall be employed for subsequent battles.

Firstly, it was the first time the battalion had ever attacked. Secondly, it was the last occasion on which the original 8. Battalion made a united effort: for the casualties on this and subsequent days were so heavy that drafts of nearly 600 were out in July alone. Thirdly, never on any single occasion did the Battalion suffer anything approaching the casualties sustained on this one day. Whilst, fourthly, this battle will always stand as the finest in the Battalion’s record, for in some cases the men having lost their barrage owing to being held up, literally tore their way through the enemy’s hail of rifle and machine gun bullets, into the hostile trenches. Nothing except complete disablement stopped them, and some of them were found in MONTAUBAN Alley suffering from wounds received in BUND support.

The casualties suffered between midnight 30 June/1 July and midnight 1/2 July were as under.

Officers. Killed Captain B.P. AYRE. 2/Lieut. J.H. ATTENBOROUGH. Died of wounds 2/Lieut. S.A. WHARTON. Wounded. Capt-Adjt. H.P. BERNEY-FICKLIN M.C. Captain J.H. HALL 2/Lieuts J.C. HAMPSON C.T. BLACKBORN L. PADFIELD G.R. IRONMONGER S.N. COZENS-HARDY (at duty) E. MacLEAN (at duty)

Other ranks. Killed 102 (including R.S.M. J. COX15 ) Wounded 219 Missing 13 Total 334 Grand Total 345.”

15 Recte COE

[F. L. Petre, The History of the Norfolk Regiment, 1685–1918 , ii, (1926) pp.215-218.]

"On June 26 th the 8th Norfolk battalion had gone to Carnoy, from which village it was to share in the offensive, which at this point was directed due north.

On the morning of July 1, 1916, the 8 th Norfolk battalion had on their right the 7 th Queens of the 55th brigade, on their left the 6 th Berkshire of the 53 rd , beyond which was the 54 th . On the right of the 18 th division the 30 th and on the left the 7 th were attacking. The 8 th Norfolk battalion was in position in the assembly trench in the early hours, which were comparatively quiet and allowed of the men having some tea at 5.30 a.m. The assembly trench was just north of Carnoy, the objective being the enemy's trenches south-west of Montauban. At 7.20 a.m. the intensive bombardment began and was promptly followed by the enemy's retaliation. Seven minutes later the Germans fired a mine on the Norfolk front which did no damage. At the same time the first wave of the battalion's attack, consisting of part of "C" and "D" companies, deployed and lay out thirty yards in front of the assembly trench. This was effected without loss, and immediately after the assault went forward, the two companies moving each in four waves, which left the assembly trench successively. The German trench, known as Mine trench, was reached by the two companies practically without opposition or loss. Those Germans who still remained alive in it after the British barrage had passed were thoroughly cowed and surrendered at once. By 7.40 a.m. Mine Support trench had been taken, the wire in front of it having been wiped out by the artillery. "C" company, on the right, had taken thirty prisoners from the west edge of the Mine crater. So far the casualties had been very few.

By 8.40 Bund Support trench had been taken without difficulty and a halt was made.

The continued advance was not so easy, for as the companies left Bund Support trench they came under a very heavy machine-gun enfilade fire from Breslau support and Back trenches. Officers and men fell in large numbers. "D" company, on the left, had been reduced to about ninety men and was commanded by C.S.M. Raven, as every officer was hors de combat . "C" had only two subalterns left, and not more than a hundred men. About 10.30 a.m. Pommiers trench, the first objective, was reached and taken in part by "D", a part of "C" also getting into it. The rest of "C" on the right, however, was stopped by machine-gun fire, and by a German strong point at the junctions of Boche and Back trenches with Mine Alley.

"C" was now reinforced by a platoon of "B" its supporting company, under 2 nd Lieutenant Miall- Smith, and by the battalion bombers with Sergeant West. With this help the strong point was taken, and about 150 Bavarians, with two officers, were captured. This success enabled the right of "C" to push forward into the hitherto untaken portion of Pommiers trench.

Meanwhile, "A" company, in reserve, had advanced at 7.45 a.m. in artillery formation and consolidated in Mine Support trench. It then went forward to Bund Support trench and consolidated there. "B", the support company, having, as already stated, sent one platoon to "C", followed with the other three to Pommiers trench. The Pommier redoubt had been taken by the 54 th brigade by 9.30 a.m.

At 3 p.m. "D" company had taken the Loop, and it, with "C", advanced on Montauban Alley the final objective of the battalion. Owing to the heavy machine-gun fire from this line, and from north-west

14 of Montauban, "D" again suffered very severely, whilst "C", on the right, led by 2 nd Lieutenant Attenborough, failed in repeated attempts to reach the Alley. At last a bombing party commanded by 2 nd Lieutenant Gundry-White gained an entrance by bombing up Loop trench on the left. Both 2 nd Lieutenant Attenborough and R.S.M. Coe were killed just before the success. Montauban Alley was now taken, and the battalion was in touch with the 7 th Queen's, of the 55 th brigade on the right, and the 6 th Royal Berkshire on the left. At 6 p.m. consolidation of the captured position was begun and patrols went out to reconnoitre along Caterpillar and East trenches. "C" company, with its reinforcement of a platoon of "B", could only muster one officer and seventy or eighty men between them. "A" company was therefore brought up from Pommiers trench, and sent forward to hold the advanced position known as Green Lane, where, about 8.p.m., it began constructing strong points and sending out patrols towards Caterpillar Wood. The enemy continued a heavy bombardment, with 5.9 in. and a few 77 mm. guns, on the west end of Montauban Alley, especially on its point of junction with Loop trench. The 8 th Battalion's first big battle had cost it terribly heavily. Of officers there were killed or died of wounds Captain B. P. Ayre and 2 nd Lieutenants J. H. Attenborough and S. A. Wharton; wounded Captain and Adjutant Berney-Ficklin, M.C., Captain Hall, 2 nd Lieutenants Hampson, Blackborn, Padfield, Ironmonger, Cozens-Hardy, and MacLean. Of other ranks 102 were killed, 219 wounded, and thirteen missing. Total casualties - eleven officers, 334 other ranks. To the congratulations of the commander of the 13th corps General Maxse added his to his division: "Well done. It's what I expected. Now hold on to what you have gained so splendidly."”

[Martin Middlebrook, The First Day on the Somme (1971)]

Recollections recorded in the late 1960s.

“Before we had advanced far, Jerry’s guns had joined in the deafening roar and I actually saw a howitzer shell of large calibre plunge out of the air, bury itself, explode and blow one of A Company over backwards. He jumped up immediately and advanced with the rest. I don’t think he was wounded in any way.”

Corporal J. Norton.

"We dashed forward and I found, right in my line of advance, a patch of thistles and nettles. Reaching this, I pushed the Lewis gun through this small, but dense group of weeds. This afforded complete horizontal cover to my number two with his ammunition, and for my body. Having pushed the gun through and dividing the nettles, I found my first target of the day, six or eight Germans in a trench firing at our men stranded in the open. One good burst of fire cleared that parapet"

Corporal J. Norton.

“Now we came on to a German machine-gun post and there were all the twelve of the crew lying dead around the machine-gun; a short distance away we saw the body of one of our sergeants… He had obviously accounted for the machine-gun crew, before he himself received his death blow.”

Private W. Bennett.

“In clearing the dug-outs, which normally had two entrances, we first of all shouted for the occupants to come out. If this had no effect, we would throw a heavy stone down one entrance which would generally send them all racing out of the other end.”

Private W. Bennett.

"The wounded were coming back and passing within two yards of our Lewis gun position. One sergeant shouts to me, “Give them hell; they’ve shot my bloody jug off.” And sure enough his right ear hung in shreds.”

Corporal J. Norton.

“…one of my company, wounded in the head and apparently dead. I noticed a movement in his scalp and, on closer examination, saw his brain pulsing where the bone of the scalp had been smashed. I found a stretcher party and the casualty was taken back and I heard, later, that he had survived.”

Private N. Norton.

“Straight in front we could see Longueval village across a valley which was unscarred, not like the ground we had captured farther back and the trench area we had lived in. The trees in the distance had full foliage, such a change from the blackened and scarred stumps we had left behind. The air seemed sweeter, not that stinking smell of cordite and fumes from the shells on the battlefield in the rear.”

Corporal J. Norton.

[W. Bennett, 1914-1919: The War Diaries of Norfolk Man (2014), pp.66-67.]

A fuller memoir by Private W. Bennett. 16

“Then came the order to "go over". Everything had been planned, but things did not go according to plan - mines timed to blow-up one minutes before our troops went over the top, did not explode until our men were on the top of the mined area so that numerous men were killed and wounded before the advance really began.

We were in the bombers and the last to go over, so we missed this holocaust. Our job was to "winkle-out" Jerrys who were still sheltering in the dug-outs. They were reluctant to come out, having been told that the British shot all German prisoners. This was entirely wrong, of course, so we often had to call to them and threaten to throw a bomb down if they didn't come out. I cannot remember having any food all day; only water now and then.

One Jerry strong point held out against many attacks, but eventually, we had to send for a Stokes gun battery which soon brought them out with their hands up. Next followed a great tragedy, "Montauban Alley" a strongly fortified German trench, refused to surrender and the commander of our troops sent a message back asking for artillery support, but no response came from the artillery, so a final onslaught was made and the trench taken. Almost at the moment of occupation by our troops, our artillery put down a devastating "barrage" on the trench, causing havoc amongst those who had just taken it.”

[University of Leeds Library, LIDDLE/WW1/WF/01/A7 – Memoirs of A E England]

“We attacked at 7 a.m. and I was hit about 11 - a nic[e] bullet in my left thigh - straight through no great harm done.”

Private A. England.

16 Originally published as W. Bennett, ‘A Norfolk Youth’ in J. Hales and W. Bennett, Looking at Norfolk (1972), p.142.

Officer Casualties ATTENBOROUGH, John, 2nd Lieutenant. Aged 24, son of the late George and Elizabeth Attenborough, of South Ockendon, Essex. No known grave but recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.

AYRE, Bernard Pitts, Captain. Aged 24, son of Robert and Lydia Pitts Ayre, of Brookdale, St. John's, Newfoundland. Ayre was in England studying at Cambridge when the War broke out and joined 8 th Norfolks. His brother and two cousins also fell on the same day serving with the Newfoundland Regiment. Buried in Carnoy military cemetery.

WHARTON, Sidney, 2nd Lieutenant. Aged 20, son of Mrs. A. Wharton, of Bircham Tofts, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. He was attached to the trench mortar battery under the command of 8th Norfolks . He was wounded very early in the action and died later in the day, aged 20. Buried in Dive Copse military cemetery, adjacent to a main dressing station south west of Albert.

The Regimental Sergeant-Major, Jeremiah COE, was also killed in action alongside Attenborough. No known grave but recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.

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Richard Dace [email protected]

June 2017