Worcestershire Regiment

Can anyone help me find out what happened to my gg uncle cyril bruton.

I only have a medal card that says killed in action.

Hi Tracy

Do you have his service number?

Regards Allan

Tracey

Pte 17120 Cyril BRUTON was KIA on 24th April 1917

In April 1917 the Allied High Command decided to renew the offensive against the Bulgarians astride the River Vardar. The British were to amount a preliminary diversion attack on Dorian and draw the Bulgarian reserves, the main thrust on the River Vardar would then be delivered by the French further to the west. On 21st April 1917 the British artillery began a programme of bombardment of the Bulgarian wire and trenches in preparation for a frontal attack by 26th Div across the Jumeaux Ravine. The 11th Worcs were allocated an objective marked 0.6. on the maps, this would involve the Bn descending the steep slopes from their positions into Jumeaux Ravine and then ascending an equally steep slope to attack the Bulgarian trenches on 0.6. At 9.35pm on 23rd April 1917 the British artillery barrage increased to its final ferocity. Ten minutes later the British attack started. The Ravine was lit up by three searchlights from the Bulgarian positions and an accurate artillery barrage fell on the attacking troops. Bulgarian rifle and machine gun fire stopped the first wave as it ascended the slope. Good local control was exercised over the 11th Worcs and they succeeded in storming 0.6. An enemy strong point to the right of 11th Worcs named Z44 held out. An enemy counter-attack was fought off and the captured positions consolidated and reinforcements sent up. At 1.30am the Bulgarians began a series of counter-attacks to retake 0.6. Isolated by the enemies barrage 11th Worcs supply of ammunition and grenades started to dwindle. Each Bulgarian onslaught reduced the length of line the 11th Worcs were holding. The British units to the right of the 11th Worcs had been driven back and at 4am they were ordered to retire which was done so under a heavy Bulgarian barrage. The 11th Worcs had attacked with 500 men of which 350 had become casualties.

I hope this is of some use

Kevin

Hi

Thank you much for your replies 17120 is his number but thats all i have.

Does anyone know if there are any diaries or witness accounts of what may of happend to cyril himslf? Looking at the commonwealth graves list and reading your account of what happned the amount of causlties and deaths is staggering for just one day.

Also i looked on Ancestry for his service records and they dont seem to be there, i know some have been damaged in 1940 or did they not keep the paperwork for soldiers who died.

Cyril had 5 other brothers who enlisted in the army on ebin my great grandad they were all from cirencester but all ended up in different regiments, was that common?

Many tahnks for your help.

Tracey

With the amount of casualties sustained by the 11th it is unlikely that there would be any individual accounts, but someone else may know better.
The number of csualties is not unusual, the 4th Bn Worcs sustained over 800 dead, wounded and missing on one day on Gallipoli.
With regard to service records, nearly 75 percent were destroyed by enemy action during WW2 and no dead mens records were not disposed of.
As to the 5 brothers serving in different units, my research of the Kidderminster men killed in the war shows in some cases four or five brothers in different regiments or corps.

Kevin

Hi Tracy

I have found a reference in the 2nd June 1917 edition of the Worcester Herald of

Missing
17120 Pte C. Bruton – Cirencester

During that week I have reported, all Worcestershire Regiment men:-

93 Killed
7 Died of Wounds
264 Wounded
63 Missing

Do you have any of the numbers of Cyril's brothers? I have 11 other Brutons on my lists

Regards Allan

Hi Allan

Thats great thanks you for your help. Cyrils brothers were

William george 22527
Christopher harold 49239
Alfred thomas 11215

Hi Tracy

Unfortunately or fortunately the other brothers are not in the casualty lists.

Regards Allan