Military History

Joseph is listed as being killed in action on 16 Aug 1917 and the 8th Battalion war diary Narrative of Operations is transcribed below courtesy of Leicestershire War Memorials.

Narrative of Operations from night 14/15 August to night 17/18 August 1917

On Y night (14/15) Battalion moved up from Canal Bank at C.2.5.a.5.5 to relieve 6th York & Lancaster Regiment in front line right sub sector. Owing to the very muddy condition of the ground and the scattered dispositions of the posts the relief was not completed until 4.00am the following day, at which time one post (Mon Du Rasta) had not been relieved. This however was carried out the following evening. Few casualties were incurred Captain F. G. Buckley, M.C., Officer Commanding “W” Company being slightly wounded in the head, but remaining at duty and Lieutenant Murton wounded. Battalion HQ At Minty Farm (C.10.c.1.6.).

On Y/Z night the Battalion moved up into battle positions the following platoons incurring casualties in doing so “W” Company No.2 platoon, 2nd Lieutenant Debarbieri wounded. “X” Company, Company Headquarters and No.8 platoon from enemy’s barrage whilst passing Ferdinand Farm. “Y” Company No.12 platoon from bombs thrown from direction on Mon Bulgare. “Z” Company No.14 platoon from Mon Bulgare.

At Zero the Battalion was formed up for attack as shown on attached sketch A. (vide appendix V). Right sector of Battalion.

At Zero till Zero plus 5 the barrage in front of Nos 1 & 2 platoons from C.5.d.2.4 to hedge at C.5.d.5.5 left a gap, there appearing to be no shrapnel except for two bursts at an interval of one minute, and heavy casualties were inflicted on these two platoons with rifle and Machine Gun fire from the direction of strong point at C.5.d.5.7.

At ZERO plus 5 the line advanced but the first line of “W” Company having lost severely from rifle and Machine Gun fire in the direction of their front and right was at once reinforced by the mopping up platoons of “Z” (Nos.15 and 16) and the supporting platoons of “Z” Nos.13 and 14. Captain Buckley and Captain Ash were killed and shortly afterwards 2nd Lieutenant Watson. Strong opposition was met with from the enemy occupying three lines of shell slits at about C.5.d.3.4 and in consequence of the gap in the barrage it was necessary to advance under one provided by rifle grenades and Lewis Guns. This was very effective and enabled 2nd Lieutenant Thompson who had taken charge of Nos. 1, 2 and 13 platoons to reach the shell slits, the enemy surrendering in the front line, and after heavy hand to hand fighting being driven out of the 2nd and 3rd lines. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, and no prisoners were taken.

The right of the line continued to advance, but by this time the barrage, which had now increased in density, had lifted beyond some dug-outs at C.5.d.60.55 (Not shown on map), and it was necessary to advance under cover of Lewis Guns. The dug-outs were reached and some 20 occupants were killed.

At this point the right was enfiladed by three Machine Guns from direction of Mon Du Hibou which had not been occupied by the Brigade on the right, which had only advanced about 50 yards East of Steenbeek. Lewis Gun fire and rifle grenades were brought to bear on Mon Du Hibou but the latter fell short, the former proving effective in silencing Machine Guns. 2nd Lieutenant Thompso signalled to Brigade on right to advance but only two men came on, being killed. It was necessary then to form a defensive flank to hedge at C.5.d.5.4 our right Lewis Gun being knocked out in doing so. Meanwhile 2nd Lieutenant Cheesright, who had taken charge of Nos. 3 and 4 platoons reinforced by No.16 and 15 platoons, had advanced under cover of Lewis Gun fire towards line of dug-outs at C.5.d.5.7 beyond which the barrage had lifted at Zero plus 5. On approaching to within 75 yards the occupants retired towards Mon Du Hibou being caught by Lewis Guns on right and left and the parapet was occupied. Nos. 4 and 15 platoons under Sergeant Cawthorne then advanced to C.5.b.6.0 where they found a party of Manchester's. Some 40 prisoners were taken from here. No.14 platoon had apparently lost direction and was advancing with the right of “Y” Company.
Left sector of Battalion.

The barrage in front of this sector was very good. Nos.11 and a few of No.12 platoon advanced to within 300 yards of objective, killing the occupants of a strong point at C.5.b.4.2 en route. Officer Commanding “Y” Company (Lieutenant McDonald) 2nd Lieutenant Satchwell were wounded and 2nd Lieutenant Neill killed. Here they lost direction bearing towards Cemetery where they joined Nos.9 and 11 platoons under Sergeant Barlow, which had reached their objective, and huts beyond at O.29.d.9.2 but owing to barrage creeping backwards and forwards had to withdraw and consolidate about 100 yards West of objective in rear of Cemetery. Meanwhile the platoons of “X” Company had proceeded as follows. No.5 platoon whose platoon commander 2nd Lieutenant Murton and platoon Sergeant had become casualties lost direction and went off to the left. No.6 platoon under 2nd Lieutenant Scott who shortly became a casualty as well as platoon Sergeant, proceeded under command of L. C. Fowler to C.5.a.9.4 which they mopped up. They then advanced and came under heavy Machine Gun and sniper fire from the right, when the platoon became separated, part of it going to the Dorsets on the left and part to the right. No.7 platoon under Sergeant Hosier reached Cemetery where they consolidated. No.8 platoon, who had suffered heavily, previously to forming up advanced under Sergeant Messer to objective, and then withdrew to East of Mon Du Rasta, where they consolidated at about C.5.b.3.6 (No.8 post). This position was maintained till dark, when two Companies of 7th South Staffordshire Regiment moved up into support at C.5.d.6.6 and C.5.b.6.0.

On the morning of 17th the Brigade on the right attempted to clear Mon Du Hibou without success, and the line ran as follows, Cemetery at C.5.a.8.6 to C.5.b.6.0 to dug-outs at C.5.d.6.7 to Hedge at C.5.d.6.4.

On the night 17/18th the Battalion was relieved by the 7th South Staffordshire Regiment and moved back to Siege Camp.

Casualties During Operation:
KILLED. Officers 5. Other Ranks 38.
WOUNDED. Officers 4 Other Ranks 227.
MISSING. Officers NIL. Other Ranks 39
DIED OF WOUNDS. Officers 1 Other Ranks 1.
TOTAL. Officers 10. Other Ranks 305.