The objectives of XV Corps were the villages of Fricourt and Mametz. The strong defences in Fricourt and Fricourt Wood ruled out a direct frontal attack. The plan was the 21st Division would outflank Fricourt to its north. The 7th Division would capture Mametz, link up with the 21st Division, and then a brigade from each Division would assault Fricourt. The British finally achieved some success. In this area counter battery fire had been effective and many of the German guns were destroyed or neutralised. A creeping barrage was used allowing the infantry to close on the German trenches. Mametz was secured; Fricourt would fall on the 2nd July to the 21st Division, which included the 12th and 13th Battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Success was not without casualties. The 10th West Yorks at Fricourt sustained the heaviest casualties for a British Army unit on a single day throughout the war, 22 Officers and 688 other ranks.
Included in those casualties was Major JL Knott of Close House, Wylam, and son of Tyneside shipping owner John Knott. John Knott used his influence to have his son buried next to his brother in Ypres, the latter being killed in action in 1915
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| Memorial Fricourt |