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| Devonshire Cemetery Inscription Stone IJ |
To the south of the Somme Battlefield are the villages of Fricourt and Mametz. The Germans had heavily fortified them and extensive trench systems connected the fortifications.
On the 1st July 1916, the capture of both villages was the task of XV Corps. The plan was the 21st Division would outflank Fricourt, the 7th Division would capture Mametz, A brigade from each division would then link up and assault Fricourt.
The effectiveness of the artillery fire, and all arms co-ordination provided the basis for one of the few successes on the Somme on the 1st July 1916. Mametz was captured, though Fricourt proved too strong, and remained in enemy hands.
The 7th Division’s attack on Mametz included men of the 8th and 9th Service Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment. They assembled in trenches in the vicinity of Mansel Copse prior to the assault.
On the 4th July the Devonshire's returned to trenches near Mansel Copse and established a cemetery burying 153 of their dead comrades in a section of their old front line trench. They left an inscription at the cemetery;
“THE DEVONSHIRES HELD THIS TRENCH THE DEVONSHIRES HOLD IT STILL”
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| Devonshire Cemetery Inscription Stone IJ |
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| Devonshire Cemetery |
The Devonshire Cemetery contains 163 casualties, all but two are from the 8th and 9th Service Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment.
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| Devonshire Cemetery |
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| Devonshire Cemetery Cross of Sacrifice |
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| Devonshire Cemetery Unknown Devonshire Regiment Soldier |
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| Devonshire Cemetery Devonshire Regiment Headstones |
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| Devonshire Cemetery Devonshire Regiment Soldiers and Unknown |
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| Devonshire Cemetery 2.Lt. TF Adamson Devonshire Regiment |
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| 2.Lt. TF Adamson Devonshire Regiment |
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| Devonshire Cemetery Serjeant D. Wright Royal Field Artillery |