Military History

Philip is listed as being killed in action on 10th/11th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He was initially reported as missing in action and his father wrote to the Red Cross enquiring as to whether he had been taken prisoner, the Red Cross replied in the negative on 19th Sept 1916. He father also issued an appeal for his whereabouts via the Birmingham Weekly Post of 30th Sept 1916. The 8th Battalion war diary entry for the period 9th to 11th July 1916 is transcribed below.

Becourt Wood - July 9^th 1916: This morning the Battalion was shelled severely  and Battalion HQ dugout was blown in. There were no casualties there. Later in the day the Battn moved back to Belle Vue Farm to their former bivouacs.

Belle Vue Farm - July 10^th 1916: The 69^th Infantry Brigade were ordered to attack and capture Contalmaison with the 8^th Yorks on the right and the 9^th Yorks on the left flank. The 11^th West Yorks operating on the left of the 9^th Yorks and protecting the flank.

The Battalion advanced to the attack at 4.50pm from the Horseshoe Trench and came under shrapnel fire from Contalmaison Wood. As the Battalion further advanced and when within about 500 yards from the village heavy machine gun and rifle fire was opened on them by the enemy from the front and left flank. On reaching Trench 23-41 the wire was found to be practically intact and provide a serious obstacle.

After gaining this trench, where the men were still under heavy fire, the line advanced to the assault. A second obstacle in the shape of a hedge and wire netting held with the line outside of the village and 50% of the casualties occurred between the trench and hedge. This obstacle was surmounted and the line advanced to the village firing at the enemy who were now retreating. At this point unexpected machine gun and rifle fire took the men in the rear and caused some casualties.

Not more than 4 officers and 150 men reached the village. 8 German officers and 160 men were captured, exclusive of the 100 wounded Germans in dug-outs. 6 Machine Guns thousands of rounds of ammunition were also taken.

Immediate steps were taken to consolidate and a line was chosen from the Chateau through the Vieux Manoir to point 84. It was not the best line for defense but was selected in view of the small number of men available. By daylight the line was dug.

At 7.50pm a small party of Germans appeared at the Cutting but were dispersed by machine gun (their own) fire. Our right was exposed and at 9pm a party of about 40 Germans were seen to be lining the Hedge N from point 93. They opened fire and the position was critical. Major Western made a barricade across the road at 84 and was reinforced with more men from this and the 9^th Battalion. The enemy were kept in check and finally dislodged by the further aid of a bombing party from the 9^th and a Lewis Gun from a house.

At 11pm the Battalion was reinforced by 2 Coy’s of the 11st West Yorks and the 10^th West Riding Battn. These got into touch with the unit on the right and the position became satisfactory. The village was shelled all night and during next day but no counter attack was launched. Our patrols were out all night [10^th/11^th] and Boshe patrols in the Cutting were fired on.

10^th casualties: Killed:- Officers 5 and 19 OR’s. Wounded:- Officers 6 and 241 OR’s. Missing 1 Officer and 27 OR’s.

Contalmaison - July 11^th 1916: The Battalion was relieved that night and marched to bivouacs at the same place in Belle Vue Farm.