Northumbrian Gunner: Op Piper - Roclincourt Military Cemetery

On 9th April 1917 British Empire forces launched their offensive in the Arras Sector. The Roclincourt Military Cemetery contains many graves from that first day of the Battles of Arras of soldiers of the 51st (Highland) and 34th Divisions. The 34th Division included the Tyneside Scottish and Tyneside Irish Brigades.

Roclincourt Military Cemetery

ROCLINCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY

Canadians attacked and secured Vimy Ridge north of Arras, the British Third Army attacking from Arras along the River Scapre. The weather on the 9th, Easter Monday, was wintry, snow was falling and sleet was blowing towards the German lines. The combination of the preliminary bombardment, the wintry weather and the hurricane bombardment would all contribute to the British and Canadian efforts.

North of the River of the River Scrape and right of Vimy Ridge XVII Corps attacked towards their ultimate objective, the village of Fampoux. On the left were the 51st (Highland), center 34th Division right the 9th Scottish Division.

The 34th Division attacked with all three brigades in line. The 101st Brigade on the right, 102 Tyneside Scottish Brigade in the centre, the 103rd Tyneside Irish left.

The initial assault by the Tyneside Scottish would be conducted by the 2nd Battalion Tyneside Scottish (21st NF) on the right, and the 3rd Battalion Tyneside Scottish (22nd NF) on the left. In the early hours of 9th April 1017, the Tyneside Jocks left their trenches, creeping into no mans land to be close to the German wire which had been cut by the preliminary artillery bombardment.

Aided by a creeping barrage, the two assaulting battalions fought through the German lines to secure their objectives. Once firm, the 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (20th NF) and the 4th Battalion Tyneside Scottish (23rd NF) passed through and in the second phase of the operation, secured the planned objectives.

By the evening of the 9th April, the Tyneside Scottish were consolidating their positions as the snow continued to fall.

The Roclincourt Military Cemetery is the resting place for many Tyneside Scots who lost their lives on that day.