L/Corporal 27262 Christopher HANDS

South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

L/Corporal 27262 Christopher HANDS - 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment

Killed in Action Monday, October 23, 1916 aged 33

Military History

Theatre

France & Flanders

Action/Battle/Other

Battle of the Ancre Heights (Somme)

Place of Death

near Longeuval

Medals

British War and Victory Medals

Medal Citation (if app)

Enlisted Date/Place

After 1 Apr 1916 at Warley, Essex

Commonwealth War Graves Page

Thiepval Memorial

SWFHS War Memorial(s)

Norton Lindsey

Other War Memorial(s)

Previous Regiments/Units

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

The battalion were in the area of, and close to Gulliemont (east), Longueval (north) and Ginchy (north east) which were south and west of the German front lines (see map below). On the 22nd they were in billets at Trones Wood when they made their way to formation trenches ready for the attack on the 23rd on enemy lines, the location or direction of which are not stated in the war diary. The initial aim was to capture the enemy positions about 1200 yards from their position but as soon at they "went over the top" they were hit by very heavy maching gun fire and so few men reached the first objective that they had to abandon the attack and return to the starting point where they remained until being relieved on the 24th Oct.

This attack was part of the larger allied objective to capture Regina and Bayonet trenches which can be seen in red north and northeast of the November front line (in blue).