Military History

Theatre of War	Medals	Commonwealth War Grave of Memorial
France and Flanders	1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals	St. Souplet British Cemetery
Arrived in Theatre	Medal Citation (if app)	SWFHS Area Memorials
27 Aug 1914	~	Wellesbourne
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed	Date and Place Enlisted	Other War Memorials
Battle of the Selle	4 Aug 1914 - Moblised in Birmingham	Birmingham Roll of Honour
Place of Death	Previous Regiments or Units
Verchain Maugre	~

Circumstances Leading to Death (From War Diary)           

On the 21st October the Battalion had advanced to Saulzoir on the River Selle in preparation for an attack on an attack on the high ground at Verchain.

At 04:00 hours on 24th October a Barrage began but fell a little short causing a few ["friendly fire"] casualties. The River Echillon is crossed without difficulty and the village of Verchain entered with large numbers of the enemy giving themselves up.

At 05:00 hrs the first objective was taken and A & C Coys passed through B & D Coys to the second objective which is on the high ground to the NE of Verchain. Opposition is encountered here in the form of a trench line and several machine guns which renders further advance impossible at the time. A & C Coys consolidated on a line about 200 yards in the rear of the objective having established touch on the left with 1st Somerset Light Infantry and on the right with 2nd Duke of Wellingtons Regt.

2nd Lt FN Martin is killed and 2nd Lt HJ Harrison & LT FA Smith MC wounded. The battalion is relieved at night by the 1st King's Own Regt & Coys go back to billets at Saulzoir. During the action the battalion has about 95 casualties killed [including John] and wounded. 2nd Lt HH Carter wounded. Battn caputured 2 light trench mortars, 8 heavy machine guns, 10 light machine guns and 150 prisoners (approximately).