Military History

William is listed as being killed in action on 3 Dec 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. The Report on Operations of 3rd December 1917 contained in the Battalion War Diary is transcribed below.

Report on Operations of 3rd December 1917

At about 8.15am the enemy put down a very heavy barrage on the whole of the frontage held by this battalion and attacked in very large numbers, (1) up the C.Ts [Communication Trenches] leading from Cambrai-Gouzeacourt Road to our front line (2) down our F.L. [Front Line] from our left flank and (3) over the open all across our front.

Heavy casualties were inflicted by our Louis guns and rifle fire on the enemy in no man's land and for a time the line held but our men were eventually forced to retire owing to very strong enemy bombing parties breaking through. Our bomb supply then became exhausted (bombing fights had been incessant during the previous night and day) and the enemy advanced in very large numbers towards La Vacquerie. My right Coy was practically cut off owing to enemy advancing down sunken road in 21D and the number of men are missing. Centre and left Coys withdrew and some confusion took place in Main Street running N and S in 15D.

I made my way there and found that a general movement north towards sunken road 16.a & c was in progress. Shelling was very heavy. With the help of several officers I was in time to deflect a number of men and ordered them to turn left and take up a position facing east. Casualties were heavy before I could get them off the road and I found that I had very few left by the time we had reached the open ground in 15.b (N of Corner Work). In the meantime a large number of men had gone on in the direction of the sunken road. I afterwards found that they reached a trench at 15.b.1.6 where they came under orders of the O.C 2/6^th Warwicks.

My Support and Headqrs Coys had, on the alarm being given, proceeded at once to Vacquerie Support and adjoining trench will they put up a very good fight but were bombed out. Cooks signallers runners and sanitary men all rendered excellent service but we're hopelessly outnumbered and were forced to withdraw to C.T. connecting Corner Trench with Old British Front Line after inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy by rifle and machine gun fire.

I instructed my adjutant to collect all stragglers and establish themselves in O.B.F.L. [Old British Front Line], touch having been obtained with 11^th K.R.R on right, time about 1.0pm. I myself went to Battn H.Q. of that unit (in Pope Avenue) and reported to Brigade on telephone. I received orders from G.O.C to send as much help as possible to O.C. 5^th R. Warwicks, who, I was informed had taken up a position in Corner system and in need of help. This I did and preceded there myself but was unable to find O.C. 2/5^th Warwicks. I examined the position and found a number of men of the 2/5 R. Warwicks there, Together with certain other details of other units. I gave orders for fire steps to be cut and after waiting sometime came across an officer, who informed me that O.C. 2/5 R. Warwicks had gone to Brigade HQ.

I handed over command to him and returned myself to Pope Avenue to report by phone to Bde at about 5.0pm. I was informed that my men in forward posts (15.central) would be relieved by R. Berks R. and was instructed to form my Batt H.Q at Pope Avenue which I did.

I wish to bring to your notice several instances of gallant conduct on the part of officers and men. The list is now being compiled and will be forwarded by an early post.

Lieut Colonel D.G. Barnsley
Commanding 2/4th Gloucesters
7.12.17