Military History

Albert is listed as dying of wounds on 14th April 1918 and he was buried at Le Grand Hasard cemetery which was not used by any Casualty Clearing Stations and it is assumed that Ernest died soon after being wounded. The 1st Battalion war diary for entries the period 13th to 15th April are transcribed below.

Thiennes – 13 Apr 1918: Early in the morning definite touch was established with the 1^st D.C.L.I. on our left and the 14^th R. Warwickshire Regt (13^th Inf Bde) on our right. An attack on this Battalion appearing imminent, No 2 Coy was moved further forward SE to the support of its left Coy.

At 8am the enemy attacked the Lock which was held actually by 2/Lt’s Fort’s platoon. The attack, which was made first in line, then in sections was beaten off, 2 hostile M.G’s being knocked out and one M.G. was brought in by us later during the night.

Lt. Hinton and 9 other ranks were wounded during the days fighting. 4 O.R. to hospital, and 8 O.R. killed.

Thiennes – 14 Apr 1918: At 6.30am the enemy, supported by an Armoured Car on the Merville la Motte road attacked our two right Coys. The attack was beaten off.

At 8am during an attack on the Bn, our left No 4 Coy was afforded an opportunity of using cross-fire which they took advantage. During this attack Capt. Meyrick was wounded, 2 Lt Dobell took over command of No 4 Coy.

The Bn on our right was then attacked. The situation in front of No 2 Coy being obscure, that Coy immediately advanced and helped to restore it.

At 5pm BN HQ received several direct hits and was moved to a pile of faggots [bundles of sticks used to build trenches] near the cross-roads at the E edge of Bois Moyen (K.8.c.4.1). Later a hostile assembly for attack in front of No 3 Coy was dispersed by artillery fire before it could develop.

The casualties for the day were 4 OR’s killed, Capt Meyrick & 2/Lt Stevens (No 3 Coy) and 12 OR’s wounded & 7 OR’s missing.

Thiennes – 15 Apr 1918: Between 6 & 7am the enemy was seen assembling N of the Lock but this was dispersed by the artillery. Soon afterwards an attack on our right Coy materialised and the enemy seized a small isolated post but the attack was beaten off. At 6pm another assembly for attack was beaten off.

Our casualties were 4 OR’s killed, 2/Lt Richards and 10 OR wounded, 3 OR missing. 2/Lt Richards died of his wounds on admission to CCS the same day.