Somme 2023 - Courcelette

Following the disaster of the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, the British had moved their front line forward in a series of attacks, building on the rare successes on the 1st July 1916, south of the Albert-Bapaume Road. 

In September 1916, it was decided to launch a broader offensive to capture Courcelette, Martinpunch, Flers, and secure a flank extending to north of Combles. This would secure ground in order to attack towards to Guedcourt, Lesbouefs and Morval, the aim being to break the German line to allow the Cavalry to exploit in depth. 

The Canadian Corps, in their first offensive on the Somme, were tasked with the capture of the village of Courcelette. Attacking along a frontage of 2,000 metres, the 2nd Canadian Division would attack Courcelette, the 3rd Canadian Division securing the left flank towards Thiepval. In preparation for the attack, there would be a 3 day preliminary bombardment. 

Canadian axis of attack towards Courcelette

Canadian axis of attack towards Courcelette

In what would become designated as the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, tanks would be used for the very first time in warfare, with six being allocated to support the Canadians. 

Battle Flers-Courcelette Mark I Tank

The attack was launched on 15th September 1916 at 06:20, the Canadians advancing behind a creeping barrage. 

By 08:00, a defensive strong point known as the Sugar Factory was captured. 

Canadians capturing Sugar Factory

Battle of Flers Courcelette ruins of the Sugar Factotry 
 IWM (CO 859)

Sugar Factory location March 2023

Only one tank reached thier objective, the rest were either disabled by shellfire, failed mechanically or got stuck in an obstacle. They did however achieve some success, rolling over barbed wire, firing into trenches and engaging machine gun emplacements, before becoming disabled. This presence did strike fear in the Germans, causing some of then to surrender at the mere sight of them.

Battle Flers-Courcelette - Tanks supporting Canadians

The 2nd Canadian Division fought their way into Courcelette, capturing the village and repelling German counter attacks. By the 16th September they had consolidated their position.

Canadians Battle of Courcelette

Courcelette 1916

Courcelette 1916 Ruined Church

Courcelette Church March 2023

Over the forthcoming weeks, the three Canadian Divisions (1/2/3) attacked the German lines to try to capture the Regina Trench. Their endeavours failed.

It would take until the 11th November for the newly arrived 4th Canadian Division to capture the Regina Trench, battling both the enemy and the Somme mud.

The Canadians sustained 24,029 casualties on the Somme. A memorial to the men of the Canadian Corps is situated just outside of the village Courcelette.

Courcelette Canadian Memorial

A granite block bears the inscription 

THE CANADIAN CORPS BORE A VALIANT PART IN FORCING BACK THE GERMANS ON THESE SLOPES DURING THE BATTLES OF THE SOMME SEPT. 3RD - NOV. 18TH 1916

Courcelette Canadian Memorial

Somme 2023 - Pozières Tank Memorial

 A memorial to the Tank Corps is situated north of the village of Pozières. The location was selected as it was near that point that first ever tanks went into action during the Battle of Flers-Courcellette on 15th September 1916. 

Pozières Tank Memorial IJ

It was unveiled by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas L. N. Morland in July 1922.

Pozières Tank Memorial Unveiling 1922

The memorial features an obelisk with the models of four different tanks mounted on plinths.

Pozières Tank Memorial

Pozières Tank Memorial Mark IV Tank

Pozières Tank Memorial Mark IV Tank

Pozières Tank Memorial Gun Carrier Mark I

Pozières Tank Memorial Whippet Tank

A plaque commemorates the first use of tanks in war  and remembers the men form the Tank Corps who lost thier lives during the Great War. 

Pozières Tank Memorial Commemoration Plaque

NEAR THIS SPOT THE FIRST TANKS USED IN WAR WENT INTO ACTION ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 1915.

----------------

THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF OFFICERS, WARRANT OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS & MEN OF THE TANK CORPS WHO FELL IN ACTION IN THE YEARS 1916-1917-1918 DURING THE GREAT WAR

Three plaques record the battles and actions in which the Tanks were engaged;

1916 —1st SOMME—ANCRE

1917 —1st ARRAS—MESSINES—3rd YPRES—1st CAMBRAI

1918 —2nd SOMME — RIVER LYS — HAMEL — MARNE — MOREUIL — AMIENS —       BAPAUME—ARRAS— EPEHY— CAMBRAI — ST. QUENTIN — SELLE — MORMAL FOREST

First Tanks in Action

First tank Battle of Flers-Courcelette 15 September 1916

On the evening of the 14th July 36 tanks moved to thier allotted starting points prior to the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. 

Tank preparing to advance at Flers-Courcelette 15-09-1916
Source: IWM Q5574

The first tank into action was D16, which moved off just after 08:20. The Official History of the Great War recording;

The scene in Flers was without precedent in war as tank D16 went forward into Flers village just before 8.20am. Firing as it went, the tank lurched up the main street followed by parties of cheering infantry. Three other tanks (D6, D9 and D17) had begun to move along the eastern edge of the village, smashing into strongpoints and houses which contained machine guns, and spreading panic among the defenders who survived. Most of the Bavarians, however, had fled towards Gueudecourt, and although a few parties of desperate men held out for a time, all resistance was at an end by 10am.

Troops with tank Flers-Courcelette 1916
Source:  IWM Q5578

Ypres 2020 - Fray Bentos Tank

At Pond Farm on the N313, 11km north east of Ypres (near St Julian) is a replica WW1 tank. It commemorates the longest tank action of World War One. 

Replica WW1 Tank - Pond Farm St Julian

Replica WW1 Tank - Pond Farm St Julian

The tank was F41 'Fray Bentos' of F Battalion 3rd Tank Brigade, nicknamed after a tinned corned beef supplied to troops during WW1. A working replica has also been built.

Poelcapelle Association 1917 - Tank Replica

F41 Fray Bentos working replica

Early on the morning of 22nd August 1917 Fray Bentos ditched in no-mans land near St Julien whilst supporting an infantry tank during the Third Battle of Ypres.

H41 Fray Bentos diched in No mans Land St Julian

The tank was left stranded when the British infantry was forced to withdraw at 07:00. The Germans attempted to seize the tank, but the tank crew firing their 6 pounder gun held them off. On the night of the 22nd, Germany infantry got on the roof of the tank, British infantry thinking it had been captured and turned into a strong point fired on F41. The crew were now caught in cross fire from German and British infantry.

German infantry attack F41 Fray Bentos

The following day the crew of Fray Bentos continued to enage the enemy. On the evening of the 23 / 24 August the Germans once again attacked the tank, and were beaten off. 

German infantry night attack on F41 Fray Bentos

By dawn of the 24th one crewman was dead, all but one man were wounded and ammunition was low. One crew member manged to crawl back to British lines to outline the predicament  of the crew, so firing on the tank by friendly forces ceased. This allowed the remaining crew to make their escape during the night.

Action of 22 August 1917

The crew of F41 Fray Bentos had been in action 72 hours engaing the Germans throughout the time, and not succumbing to the attacks on the tank. 

Their actions resulted in the crew becoming the most  most highly decorated tank crew in WW1.

Captain DH Richardson - Military Cross 

Second Lieutenant G Hill - Military Cross

Sergeant RF Missen - Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gunner W Morrey - Distinguished Conduct Medal 

Gunner EW Hayton - Military Medal

Gunner FC Arthurs - Military Medal 

Gunner PE Budd - Military Medal 

Gunner JH Binley - Military Medal

Lance Corporal EH Braedy - Killed In Action

Cambrai - Louverval Cambrai Memorial

The Cambrai Memorial at Louveral commemorates 7,110 servicemen who were killed in November / December 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai who no known grave.



Cambrai Memorial Louverval

Cambrai Memorial Louverval

 

CWGC - Cambrai Memorial

The memorial was unveiled by Lieutenant-General Sir Louis Vaughan (Chief of Staff Third Army during the Battle of Cambrai)  on 4 August 1930.

Cambrai Memorial Louverval
Unveiling 4th August 1930

The memorial contains the names of seven holders of the Victoria Cross.
 

Private GWB Clare VC

5th Royal Irish Lancers
Bourlon Wood, France,
28 - 29 November 1917

 

Private FG Dancox VC

Worcestershire Regiment

2/Lieut JS Emerson VC

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

 

Major FH Johnson VC
Royal Engineers
 

Captain AMC McReady-Diarmid VC
Middlesex Regiment
Moeuvres Sector, France,
30 November - 1 December 1917
 

CaptainWN Stone VC
Royal Fusiliers
Cambrai Sector, France,
30 November 1917
 

Captain Wain VC
Manchester Regiment
Marcoing, France,
20 November 1917







Cambrai Memorial Louverval

Cambrai Memorial Louverval

Cambrai Memorial Louverval

Adjacent to the Cambrai Memorial is the Louveral Military Cemetery.

CWGC LOUVERVAL MILITARY CEMETERY

Louverval Military Cemetery

Louverval Military Cemetery

CAMBRAI MEMORIAL



Cambrai Memorial Louverval
Royal Artillery

Cambrai Memorial Louverval
Royal Artillery

Gnr	F	ABBOTT		"L" Bty.	RHA
L/Bdr	S	ALFORD		15th Bde.	RHA
Dvr	T W	ALLSOP		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Bdr	M G	AMEY		"D" Bty. 275th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J W	ARMSTRONG		"X" 55th TMBty.	RFA
2/Lt	S F	AYRE		170th Army Bde.	RFA
Bdr	G A	BERTRAM		47th Bty. 41st Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J	BIRD		15th Bde. H.Q.	RHA
Gnr	E	BLAKEMORE		57th Siege Bty.	RGA
Bdr	D H	BLUNT		256th Bde, H.Q.	RFA
Capt	P D	BOOTH	DSO MC	26th Bty.	RFA
Dvr	R	BORSEY		"A" Bty. 92nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	A E	BOSS		"L" Bty.	RHA
2/Lt	J A S	BOYLE		2nd/1st (Lancs) Heavy Bty.	RGA
Gnr	A W	BRIMBLECOMBE		"X" 55th T.M. Bty.	RFA
Bdr	C L R	BRISTOW		33rd Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	G	BRITTON		354th Siege Bty.	RGA
Lt	J N	BROMET		63rd Bde.	RFA
Cpl	G A	BROOM		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Dvr	W	BROOM		112th Bty. 24th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J E	BUCK		26th Bty. 17th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	E G	BUSS		25th Heavy Bty.	RGA
Bdr	G	BUTTLE		464th Bty. 179th Bde.	RFA
Bdr	A	CAIN		"C" Bty. 312th Bde.	RFA
L/Bdr	I	CALLIS		"Z" Bty.	RHA
Gnr	H	CAMP		"L" Bty. 15th Bde.	RHA
Gnr	I	CARTWRIGHT		169th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	S	CASSELL		"A" Bty. 232nd Bde.	RFA
A/Bdr	W J	COLLIS		33rd Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	N	CUNEO		431st Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	J	DALEY	MM	"D" Bty. 91st Bde.	RFA
Gnr	G	DARBYSHIRE		"D" Bty. 275th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	W A	DAVIES		"B" Bty. 173rd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	N	EDMONDSON		"C" Bty. 161st Bde.	RFA
Cpl	W J	EDWARDS	DCM	"B" Bty. 62nd Bde.	RFA
L/Bdr	J I	EVANS		"A" Bty. 178th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	W J	EVANS		57th Siege Bty.	RGA
Dvr	W H	FARRANT		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Lt Col	K D	FIELD	DSO	38th Siege Bty.	RGA
Dvr	N	FULTON		"D" Bty. 275th Bde.	RFA
Lt	R W	GASCOYNE-CECIL			RHA
Dvr	J F	GATES		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J	GEMMELL		110th Siege Bty.	RGA
Cpl	D	GEORGE		"B" Bty. 91st Bde.	RFA
Bdr	F	GHILKS		38th Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	D G	GIRVAN		110th Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	W	GODDARD	MM	"Y" 36th T.M. Bty.	RFA
Gnr	F	GORDON		110th Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	G W	GREEN		"Y" 6th T.M. Bty.	RGA
Dvr	R H	GROVER		87th Bty. 2nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	P J	GUTTERRIDGE		110th Siege Bty.	RGA
Bdr	A H	HALL		"C" Bty. 74th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	T W	HAMMOND		337th Siege Bty.	RGA
Capt	S L	HANNAN		"D" Bty. 275th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	E H	HART		464th Bty. 179th Bde.	RFA
Cpl	F R	HARVEY		"B" Bty. 62nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	W E	HEALER		"C" Bty. 161st Bde.	RFA
Gnr	H C	HICKS		102nd Siege Bty.	RGA
Sjt	J W	HILL		43rd Bty. 24th Bde.	RFA
Sjt	G H	HODGKINSON		"D" Bty. 91st Bde.	RFA
Gnr	G A	HORROCKS	MM	42nd Bty. 2nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	I N	HUGHES		15th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J R T	HUNT		"B" Bty. 15th Bde.	RHA
BSM	F W	HUTCHINSON		71st Heavy Bty.	RGA
2/Lt	A L	IMRIE		"D" Bty. 275th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	P	JAMES		53rd Bty. 2nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	E S	JONES		53rd Bty. 2nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	F A	JONES		"C" Bty. 74th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J A	JOWETT		169th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	R H	KILLINGBACK		463rd Bty. 79th Bde.	RFA
Sjt	F J	KILMINSTER		43rd Bty. 24th Bde.	RFA
L/Bdr	E	KING		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Dvr	W	LANE		"C" Bty. 92nd Bde.	RFA
Sjt	F	LEATON	MM	"A" Bty. 306th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J O	LEETE		38th Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	W	McBRIDE		"B" Bty. 62nd Bde.	RFA
Sjt	W	McLAREN		377th Bty. 169th Bde.	RFA
L/Bdr	W J	MAHON		"C" Bty. 92nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	H B	MANN		"L" Bty.	RHA
Dvr	H	MANNING		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
A/Bdr	W E	MASON		38th Siege Bty.	RGA
Cpl	H	METCALFE		376th Bty. 169th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	E	MILLARD		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Sjt	R T	MOORE		"D" Bty. 91st Bde.	RFA
Gnr	T D	MORRILL		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	W J H	MOYSE		"L" Bty.	RHA
Gnr	T	MUSKETT		87th Bty.	RFA
L/Bdr	W	NEWELL		"L" Bty.	RHA
Gnr	J	NICHOLSON		210th Bty.	RFA
Gnr	B	O'DARE		25th Heavy Bty.	RGA
Dvr	J	O'DOWD		53rd Bty. 2nd Bde.	RFA
Capt	J H	ORR		210th Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	E	OVERTON		354th Siege Bty.	RGA
Sjt	H R	OWEN		"C" Bty. 75th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	J	PARKER		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Sjt	A	PEARCE		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	G A	PEARSON		110th Siege Bty.	RGA
Sjt	J J	PHILLIPS		463rd Bty. 179th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	S	PINDER		24th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	V C	PITT		"C" Bty. 92nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	W	RANCE		"C" Bty. 181st Bde.	RFA
Dvr	A	RASTALL		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
L/Bdr	R	ROBERTSON		"D" Bty. 275th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	G H	ROBINSON		377th Bty. 169th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	J	ROBINSON		"A" Bty. 93rd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	N	SAUNDERS		379th Bty. 169th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	A	SHAW		270th Siege Bty.	RGA
Cpl	J	SHEDDEN		110th Siege Bty.	RGA
Dvr	F	SIMKIN		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Bdr	A	SMITH		"C" Bty. 92nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	E	SMITH		216th Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	H	SMITH		42nd Bty. 36th Bde.	RFA
Cpl	J T	SMITH		"L" Bty.	RHA
Gnr	W	SMITH		32nd Siege Bty.	RGA
Bdr	W C	SPARKS		354th Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	R	SPENCER		354th Siege Bty.	RGA
Dvr	W E	STALLARD		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J B	STAMFORD		"B" Bty. 77th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	W E	STENNING		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	E	SUTTON		20th Div. Ammo Col.	RFA
Gnr	F G	TATTERSALL		"D" Bty. 275th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	E	TAYLOR		"D" Bty. 275th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	F	THOMPSON		87th Bty. 2nd Bde.	RFA
Lt	A K	TRIPE			RGA
Dvr	J	TUCKER		"D" Bty. 63rd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	T G	WALKER		216th Siege Bty.	RGA
Sjt	R	WARREN		"A" Bty. 75th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	T	WATERFIELD		312th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J	WATT		47th Bty. 41st Bde.	RFA
Gnr	A	WEARING		"A" Bty. 92nd Bde.	RFA
Gnr	A	WEST		337th Siege Bty.	RGA
Gnr	A B S	WHITELAW		377th Bty. 169th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	F	WILDAY		1st/1st (Warwick) Bty.	RFA
Sjt	G	WILDE		"V" 29th TM Bty.	RFA
Capt	G D	WILSON		169th Bde.	RFA
Gnr	J	MORRISON		169 Bde.	RFA
Gnr	E E	PRYCE		"D" Coy, 311th Bde.	RFA
Dvr	J	FLYNN		296 Bde.	RFA

 



 

 

Cambrai Memorial Louverval
Tank Corps





 



Cambrai Memorial Louverval
Royal Guernsey Light Infantry



 

Cambrai Memorial Louverval
Royal Guernsey Light Infantry 

 

LOUVERAL MILITARY CEMETARY