by scully » Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:16 pm
Hi Pheobe,
Some details below covering the period 15th June to 2nd August 1915 (2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment)
After dark on June 15th the Battalion went into the forward trenches at Vermelles. In those trenches or in billets behind the line a fortnight was passed. Battalion in front line June 15th—20th (casualties, 1 killed, 5 wounded) and June 23rd—28th (casualties, 4 wounded). From the 20th to the 23rd the Battalion was in billets at Noyelles-les-VermcllesThen the front held by the 1st Corps, of which the 2nd Division formed part, was altered. The Corps took over its former line from Cuinchy past Givenchy to Festubert, and the three Divisions (2nd, 7th and 9th Divisions) of the Corps thenceforward for several weeks held in turn those well-known trenches.
The 2nd Worcestershire, after a short tour in the Givenchy defences (July 5th—8th (casualties, 1 officer, Lieut. R. G. Hale, and 4 men wounded). On July 3rd, Lieut J. D. Wilmott was killed while in charge of a working party) went back to the brickstack position at Cuinchy. The Battalion relieved the 2nd Grenadier Guards in the front line on July 21st. Cuinchy had maintained its reputation as an unpleasant sector of the front, and trench-mortars, mines and counter-mines allowed the troops no rest. At that actual date a large mine shaft was being bored forward towards the enemy line. Early on the morning of July 24th the British sappers working in the mine heard enemy picks striking within a few feet of their heads. Our mine was hastily charged with explosive and fired. The explosion tore up the ground immediately beyond our front line and almost certainly destroyed the enemy's shaft. Heavy enemy shelling followed, and during the ensuing night two enemy mines were sprung; but fortunately both were short of our line. Luck was favouring the Battalion, and the total casualties suffered in the Cuinchy sector were not heavy (July 21st, 26th, 2 killed, 5 wounded. July 31st—August 2nd, 2 killed, 3 wounded): but it was an anxious time, and all ranks were glad of a ten days rest which followed in billets at Beuvry.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Louis (webmaster)