Military History

Montague is listed as being killed in action on 3rd September 1917. The 2nd/6th Battalion war diary entries for the period 2nd to 4th September 1917 are transcribed below.

In the Field – 2.9.17: Commencing at about 8.30pm the relief of 2/5th R.War.R. in right sub-sector of front line, was carried out. The relief was completed by 12.15am 3.9.17. The 42nd Division was on the right of the Battalion, and the 2/8th R.War.R. on the left.

Dispositions were as follows from right to left:-
A Coy. in Pommern Castle and in shell-holes to the EAST of it.
C Coy. in trenches and shell-holes on N and NW slopes of HILL 35.
D Coy. holding Sombre and Dont Trench with 1 Platoon at Bank Farm.
B Coy. in support having one Platoon at Plum Farm and the remaining 2 Platoons round Jasper and Uhlan Farms.
Battalion H.Q. were in a dug-out near Bank Farm.

Capt. P.H. Pridmore, M.C., was killed by a shell as he was leading his Coy in.

Other casualties were 0.R. killed 2, wounded 1 and 9 Missing.

Except for intermittent shelling of the line Pommern Castle – Bank Farm and Spree Farm, the night 2^nd/3rd Sept. was uneventful.

3 days rations were carried by all ranks.

In the Field – 3.9.17: Orders had been received the previous day to capture the hostile position on Hill 35 on the night 3rd/4th September.

This hostile position was a strong one consisting of 4 gun pits connected by a trench with 2 concrete and steel M.G. emplacements immediately in rear – the whole being connected with Iberian (in front of 42nd Division) from which locality strong cross fire could be brought to bear. In addition cross fire would be brought to bear from enemy trenches about D.13 Central, and further fire from the neighbourhood of Gallipoli. The strength of the garrison was estimated at about 40 men with numerous Machine Guns.

The plan of attack was as follows:-

• Zero was to be at 10.0.p.m. At Zero – 2 an intense Lewis Gun and Rifle grenade fire was to be opened on the Western face of the position from Pommern Redoubt.
• At Zero the 18 pr. protective barrage was to open on a line behind the position (to the E and NE) with a box barrage on Iberian, to consist of shrapnel, H.E. and Smoke shells.
• At the same time a feint attack by 1 platoon of ‘A’ Coy, under 2/Lt. I. SOWERBY, was to be made on the Western face from Pommern Castle
• At ZERO + 2 C Coy (2/Lt J. Forsyth) in column of platoons at 15 paces distance, was to rush the position from the Northern flank, having previously moved to a convenient assembly position.
• The operation commenced punctually, but the assault was a failure, owing to the intense machine gun fire brought to bear on the Assaulting Troops from 3 sides. At about mid-night we re-occupied our original line.

Our casualties were:-
Officers: Killed: 2/Lt. I. Sowerby; Wounded: 2/Lts. J. Forsyth; W.A. Assinder; O.H. Shaw.
O.R: Killed 3; Wounded 37; Missing 10.

In the Field – 4.9.17: A quiet day except for occasional heavy shelling of line Pommern Castle – Bank Farm. During the night B Coy moved up and relieved A Coy in Pommern Castle. C Coy moved back into support and A Coy remained in the neighbourhood of Bank Farm, our most forward trenches having to be evacuated before dawn to allow the heavies to bombard Hill 35.

2/Lt A.W. Johnson was slightly wounded but remained at duty.