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(Service)
Battalion,
the King's (Liverpool Regiment)(2nd City)
War diary 1 June to 31 July 1917 covering operations near Hooge
1 June 1917. At Toronto Camp, near Brandhoek, Ypres. Received draft of 74 other ranks.
7 June 1917. Received draft of 6 other ranks.
9 June 1917. One Company moved to Maple Trench, digging a cable trench. 7 men wounded, of which 2 died of wounds.
13 June 1917. Moved to Dickebusch. (Provided working parties daily, suffering small numbers of casualties each day). [Pte John Caulfield died on 13 June, and is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Zillebeke. Pte Willie Crowther of Huddersfield died next day and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, as is 38 year-old Pte Jenkin Davies of Llanarth who died next day. Pte William Millard, 28, came from London. He also died on 15 June, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. A large number of deaths occurred on 20 June: 28 year-old Stanley Morgan of Southampton is buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, near Pte James Watts, 27, of Upholland near Wigan and 26 year-old Pte John Yates, of Everton. Pte Samuel Parker also died that day, and is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Zillebeke, as is Pte George Skevington, a native of Brough near Hull.]
21 June 1917. Moved to Chateau Segard, in support. 2 officers and 60 other ranks to Zillebeke Bund, working on Brigade dumps. [Pte Walter Russell died on 24 June, having no known grave. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. Pte Lawrence Baker died two days later and is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Zillebeke.]
27 June 1917. Moved to Canal reserve Camp.
28 June 1917. Marched to Reninghelst railhead, and entrained for Watten. Marched into billets at Tournehem.
18 July 1917. Battalion moved up by bus from Tournehem to Wippenhoek Western Area.
24 July 1917. Battalion moved from Wippenhoek area to Canal Reserve Camp by march route. Casualties: 235257 Pte C. Tait, 38820 Pte F. Holden killed in action. 55689 Pte J. B. Williams wounded, 330667 Pte R. Smart reported missing but found to have been gassed and sent to Field Ambulance. [30-year old Charles Tait from Stockton-on-Tees and Frederick Holden have no known graves and are commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. Pte Joseph Williams was killed in action on 20 November 1917].
25 July 1917. Company training. During the night 25/26th, 2/Lt A.F. Merry MC with one runner per Company proceeded to the forward area and reconnoitred the assembly positions. Casualties: Lt. H. Dodd wounded, 25732 T.P. Gaskell killed, 235272 Sgt. T. Rickinson wounded, 270105 Pte W. Culshaw wounded. [23 year-old Thomas Gaskell from Upholland, Wigan is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery].
26 July 1917. Company training. Major G.M. Clayton, Lt. Lawless (Adjutant) and Lt. C.L. Ravenscroft with runners reconnoitred our trench system with a view to passing the Battalion over them; also tracks to the positions of assembly. Also Battalion headquarters in Crab Crawl Tunnel.
27 July 1917. Company training. 2/Lt Merry MC and 2/Lt W.G. Graham with a party proceeded to forward area and further reconnoitred assembly positions; placed Soyers stoves, bombs, rifle grenades and tools in the Promenade for use on Y Day and issue to Companies on Y Day, and in Maple Copse for use on Y/Z night. This party suffered somewhat from gas shells. 29436 Pte T. Ashworth wounded, and 2/Lt Merry was considerably affected.
28 July 1917. 2/Lts Graham and Lane made further reconnaissance of assembly positions; placed 'barrage' rations and Soyers stoves in assembly positions. Major G.M. Clayton reconnoitred tracks to proposed Battalion HQ in Crab Crawl Tunnel.
29 July 1917. Heavy rain fell during the day. At about 5:00pm the battalion received orders to move to Chateau Segard instead of the Promenade as previously ordered. A fresh outfit of bombs, grenades and tools were arranged for. The battalion moved to Chateau Segard area number 3 and were accommodated in dugouts and bivouacked.
30 July 1917. Y Day. Spent at Chateau Segard. Bombs, etc were issued and the men were rested as much as possible. At 7pm the OC proceeded to Dormy House (Brigade Headquarters) to attend a conference. Battalion Headquarters under moved at 8pm to Crab Crawl Tunnel. At 8:45pm the Battalion under Major Clayton moved via Number 11 Tracks to position of assembly where it was met by the Officer Commanding and got into position without casualties. In that position by 12:30am 31st July. The men were in splendid form and showed no ill effects from the night marched over tracks deep in mud and carrying heavy loads. Some shelling and machine-gun fire was experienced while getting into position but no casualties were experienced until shortly before Zero (3:50am) when a shell wounded three men. The OC and Major Clayton then proceeded to Battalion Headquarters at Crab Crawl Tunnel.
31 July 1917. Z Day. The getting of the Battalion into position was ably carried out by 2/Lt Merry. The steadiness and discipline of all ranks was remarkable. Lt. E.J. Lush proceeded to join the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers as liaison officer.
Rum was issued before Zero on the assembly positions. It was found impossible to issue tea as was intended as the water supply was blown up by shellfire.
3:50am. Shortly before Zero, the Battalion commenced moving forward in rear of the 2nd Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment. No. 1 and 3 Companies in front, followed by number 2 and 4 Companies in Sanctuary Wood. Considerable confusion occurred owing to the Battalion meeting various bodies of troops. 2nd Wiltshire's, 18th Manchester's, 19th Manchester's and 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers. The result was that the two leading Companies maintained their direction, but the two rear companies were swerving off to their left and continued their advance to the west of Stirling Castle towards Surbiton Villas and Clapham Junction.
No. 1 and 2 Companies soon became involved in fighting and gradually pushed forward with their right on Jar Row, left on the tramway south of Stirling Castle.
In Jar Row a portion of number 1 Company, with men of the 2nd Wiltshire Regiment and 19th Battalion Manchester Regiment and also two Sergeant Majors of the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers (Sergeant Major Riley being one of them) undertook bombing operations against a German strong point.
An officer believed to be Lieutenant Colonel Gillson DSO, 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, came up to this point. Advance along a Jar Row was stopped partly by German bombers and partly by machine gun fire. This party eventually withdrew after suffering heavy casualties.
At a strong point believed to be that at J.19.b.7.6, operations were undertaken by 2/Lt Graham, who captured it. Captain Keefe MC, 19th Battalion Manchester Regiment, arrived some time after and took charge. 2/Lt Graham was killed according to the accounts of those present by a tank which fired on the strong point at short range though and artillery flag was waved to indicate the presence of our men. This I consider to be questionable as there was much machine-gun fire and sniping at the time.
An attempt was made by a party of men to penetrate the broad belt of uncut wire. This would appear to be about J.19.b.7.3. Two gaps were found but every man attempting to pass through it was either killed or wounded.
What was available of these two Companies were to any mind undoubtedly aligned correctly between Jar Row and the tramway south of Stirling Castle, almost entirely through the energy and bravery of Captain Hayward MC. This officer was then wounded by machine-gun fire and the advance came to a standstill. There is no evidence to show at what time this took place but the barrage was well beyond the line attained.
The strong points attacked by these two Companies should according to plan have been taken by troops detailed to seize the Blue Line. Only one junior officer was left unwounded and he eventually was found with some 50 to 60 men in a trench about J.19.b.5.5 where he had 19th Battalion Manchester Regiment on his right, 2nd Wiltshire in support and a mixed force of 89th and 90th Brigades on his left on Stirling Castle.
The area where the Liverpools attacked on 31 July 1917
No. 2 and 4 Companies which should have followed up number 1 and 3 companies were as previously stated diverted to their left, i.e. to the west of Stirling Castle in the direction of Clapham Junction. There is only one officer left of these companies and he can give no material information as to the sequence of events. The Companies became early involved with other regiments moving in a north easterly direction and cohesion was lost after all the more experienced officers had been killed or wounded. Elements reached and crossed the Menin Road at Clapham Junction; others were at Stirling Castle but this information was not received till after the withdrawal of the Battalion.
5:13am. Lieutenant Merry was despatched from headquarters to ascertain if the Battalion had successfully advanced across the British front line and was ready to advance through the Blue Line. He returned at 5:13am and reported that the battalion had already moved forward and into the German system and that the 2nd Yorkshire had gained their objectives with very little loss.
5:40am. OC Battalion, Intelligence Officer and the Liaison Officer (2nd Wiltshire) went forward to investigate situation. This party gained no information of use beyond that fighting was proceeding in Bodmin Copse. The going was very bad and compasses seemed the useless for giving direction. Considerable machine-gun fire was experienced apparently from Stirling Castle. It was therefore decided not to move advanced Headquarters forward till the situation was clearer. Party returned at 7:25am.
6:45am. Wire from Brigade that Blue Line had been captured according to plan.
8:00am. Wired Brigade as to result of search for Companies.
8:10am. No news having been received two selected runners were despatched to ascertain the position of the Companies.
9:20am. Brigade Major and Brigade Signals called at Battalion Headquarters but had no news.
11:30am. Wire from BUCK through Brigade that attack on Black Line must be pressed home and strong point constructed. Sent forward 2/Lt Merry MC to find Companies and convey these instructions to them and informed Brigade accordingly.
1:10pm. Runner sent out at 8:10am returned and reported finding 2nd Wiltshire Regiment in shell holes south west of Stirling Castle, also the regimental aid post established in a dugout at J.19.a.9.1. No casualties from the battalion had so far passed through.
1:30pm. A runner (Pte Reynolds) despatched at 8:10am returned and reported the Battalion in front of Stirling Copse, all Companies being marched mixed up. He had seen 2/Lt Merry and given him his news.
2:15pm. A Signaller (Pte Faggo) No 4 Company came in and reported some of our men in the vicinity of Stirling Castle.
3pm. CO and signallers and runners moved forward to an advanced Headquarters, which was established in a dugout at J.19.b.0.1. Touch gained with 2nd Wiltshire headquarters. Telephone communication established with Crab Crawl Tunnel and later with advanced Brigade Signals and 2/Lt Futvoye in front line.
3:20pm. Message from 2/Lt Futvoye timed at 11:10am reporting his position as in front of Bodmin Copse and asking for assistance.
8:05pm. Water carrying party sent up to advanced headquarters.
9:00pm. Remainder of battalion headquarters moved forward. Estimated casualties 14 officers and 250 other ranks. Situation: 2/Lt Futvoye in command of front-line with CSM Crosby and some 50 men; about 10 men in trenches with the Manchester Regiment. No news as to whereabouts of remainder. Major Clayton the remained at Battalion Headquarters crab called Tunnel and organised carrying parties, etc.
Casualties: 2/Lts H.L. Stacey, A.L. Orme, G.H. Copland, A.C. Bigg, L.A. Prendiville, W.G. Graham, F.A. Lane killed in action; Capt R.P Heywood MC, 2/Lts A. Layfield MC, E.J. Courtney, F.S. Shaw, J. C. Carbines, F.C. Smith, Lt Ravenscroft wounded; 3 OR killed in action, 46 OR wounded, 194 missing.
This is an extract from the Battalion war diary which is held at the National Archives in document WO95/2330. Crown copyright.
Notes:
| Named casualties of the attack on 31 July: |
| Second Lieutenant Albert Bigg. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. |
| Second Lieutenant George Copland, 27. A native of Wallasey, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. |
| Second Lieutenant Frank Lane, 21. A native of Clapham who formerly served as a ranker with the Empire Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. > Frank Lane's biography |
| Second Lieutenant Herbert Stacey, 39. A native of Liverpool, he is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery. |
| Second Lieutenant Alfred Orme, 22. A native of Liverpool, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. |
| Second Lieutenant Lawrence Prendiville. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. |
This page is dedicated to the memory of Frank Ashton Lane.