by scully » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:25 pm
Hi Terry,
Below is an extract from the 4th Battalion history:
THE ADVANCE IN THE LYS VALLEY. (First Phase.) - August 1918
The 4th Worcestershire was the first Battalion of the Regiment to come into the line on the Lys front after the Allied counter-offensive was begun. On August 1st the Battalion left its training billets near Cassel and marched forward through Hazebrouck to La Kreule. In front of them the 1st Australian Division had scored a success by a local attack which had gained the Mont de Merris and the 29th Division were to relieve the victorious Australians. On the following night the 4th Worcestershire marched onward to the front line and took over the newly-dug trenches on the captured hillock from the 8th Australian Battalion.
As always, the consolidation of the newly-won ground was a trying period. The enemy's guns bombarded the lost high ground and there were several fights of patrols between the lines; which were separated by a wide stretch of broken ground (On August 3rd, 2nd Lieut. W. G. A. Collins was wounded).
On August 5th a patrol of the 4th Worcestershire led by 2nd Lieut. E. J. T. limes encountered a hostile patrol at close range. One of the Germans threw a bomb which killed the subaltern, and wounded two of his men; but the remainder of the Worcestershire patrol charged, and the enemy fled. Two nights later a strong German patrol tried to rush one of the forward posts of the Battalion, but were driven off.
In that adventurous fighting Captain C. E. Hackett, commanding "Y" Company, was conspicuous. A rough fighting soldier, who had won his way up from the ranks in three years by sheer courage and ability, he had long been known as one of the boldest leaders in the Division. On August 8th he found an opportunity after his own heart. Creeping out in broad daylight to visit one of his listening-posts in No Man's Land," he located a similar post of the enemy. He collected a small party-2nd Lieut. S. J. Rye and two of his men—and then quietly rushed the German post, returning with two prisoners. The afternoon was hot, the enemy had been sleeping, and the neighbouring posts were not alarmed. Fired by their success, the two officers led out a fresh party of six men to attack another German post, which was likewise rushed. Eleven prisoners and a light machine-gun were brought back. Later in the day another patrol under 2nd Lieutenant C. G. Sneade encountered an enemy patrol and fought them hand-to-hand, killing two and taking two more: a bold action in broad daylight, which gained great credit for the Regiment (a).
(a) For that day's exploits Captain Hackett and Lieut. S. J. Rye both received bars to their M.C. 2nd Lieut. Sneade was given the M.C. Lance Sgt. L. H. Surman and Private D. Cook were awarded bars to their M.M., and M.M's. were awarded to Sgt. W. H. Lawley, Pte. A. Phipps, Pte. G. H. Johnson, and Pte. F. Marsh. Next day (August 9th) Lt. G. T. Urea was wounded.
Hope the above helps,
Regards,
Louis