Military History

Clarence is listed as being killed in action on 23 Apr 1917 during the Battle of Arras. The 11th Battalion war diary entry for the 23rd April is transcribed below.

Effie Trench - 23 Apr 1917: 3.30am Battalion in position of assembly in Laurel Trench. In touch with 6th Bedfords in Effie Trench. Bttn HQ at junction of Effie and Laurel trenches

Zero 4.45am + 1.55: Orders received to move south to Hurrum + Hussar trench. Battalion moved forward in Artillery formation of platoons. B Coy right; C Coy left; second line A Coy right & D Coy left.

Very heavy enemy artillery barrage. Heavy shelling on the whole of the area covered by these operations continued thoughout the day.

Zero +2.45: Battalion in position as follows: B & C Coys in Halcyon and part of Hawthorn trenches. B Coy on right and C Coy on left
A Coy right; D Coy left in Hurrum trench occupying the whole trench. Bn HQ in new trench at about H.5.c.8.6. Battalion in touch with 6th Bedfords on the right. 63rd Division were just south of Gaverelle. Two machine guns held ? spare.

1.30pm: 2nd Lt Weller & 2 Platoons of D Coy including 2 Lewis Guns were sent to report to 10 Royal Fusiliers on their request.

3.50pm: Orders received for attack on Greenland Hill

5.45pm: Battn formed up for attack on Black Line (i.e. Chilli Trench) as follows:
Front line B Coy Right; C Coy left
Support line A Coy right; D Coy left
In touch with 8th E Lancs on right and 63rd Brigade on left, who appeared to be 400 yards in advance

6pm: After half an hours artillery preparation (25 mins shrapnel 5 mins high explosive) the Battalion moved forward in Artillery formation as far as 100 yards east of Gavreele-Roeux Road and dug in on line running through I.7.a.7.3 to I.7.a.7.0.

Battalion was unable to advance further owing to heavy Machine Gun fire from the Chemical Works on our right and also owing to the fact that the Division on our right was held up. Battalion consolidated this line.

In the evening Lt Col F.S.H Savage Armstrong was killed by a shell when on his was back from visiting the front line. 2nd Lt Blundell being wounded at the same time. In addition the following casualties amongst the Officers of the Battalion occurred during the advance in the morning Capt. Chambers & 2 Lt Knight, B Coy; 2nd Lts Withers & Waley A Coy all wounded and 2nd Lt Farrington of A Coy was killed.