Military History

John is listed as being killed in action on 9 Apr 1917 during the Battle of Arras. The 21st Battalion war diary entry for the period 8th April to 10th April is transcribed below.

In the field - Rolincourt - Map Ref 51b.G.6 - 9 April 1917:

Barrage rehearsal evoked slight enemy retaliation. Patrols sent out A & B Companies in the front line for the purpose of examining our own and the enemy wire. Their reports were satisfactory, our own wire allowing of easy passage, and that of the enemy almost completely destroyed in front of our sector. Carrying parties at work all day bringing from the dump stores of all kinds, e.g. bombs, picks & shovels, flares and sand bags for distribution to the men.

In the field - Rolincourt - Map Ref 51b.G.6 - 9 April 1917 - 2.30am: 2nd Lt L.A. Woodcock of B Coy, with a small party, conducted a thorough examination of the enemy wire, and reported, that for the most part this was non-existant in front of us.

5.30am: ZERO HOUR. The Battalion advanced on a 2 Company front with A Coy on the right and B Coy on the left with C & D Coy’s in support – C to A and D to B respectively. The 101^st Brigade was on our right and we had 22^nd N.F. (3^rd Tyneside Scottish) on our left.

The 1^st objective was the Black Line, a system of German trenches comprising four distinct lines. No Mans Land was about 70 yards across, but the Battalion had formed up close to the remains of the Boche wire at approximately 4.30am, and when the barrage lifted the troops rushed forward to the attack. The capture of the 1^st objective was accomplished in about an hour.

A message timed at 6.30am was received from Capt H.W. Waller O.C. A Coy to the effect that Kuchen Weg, a trench beyond the Black Line had been captured by his company. The capture was accomplished with small loss. O.C. No 3 Platoon, 2^nd Lt. R.A. MacNeil was killed in the second line of German trenches, whilst 2^nd Lts. Corlett, Donaghy and Woodcock were wounded before reaching the 1^st Objective. These latter officers where in command of Nos 1, 2 & 5 Platoons.

The second objective, named the Blue Line, distant about 1200 yards was attacked about 7.45am and its capture completed about 11am. Again casualties in other ranks were comparatively few but, at this time the toll of Officers was severe. O.C. No 14 Platoon, 2^nd Lt. T.E. Bainbridge was killed together with his platoon sergeant while at work establishing a bombing post near the Railway Cutting. Hostile snipers gave a great deal of trouble at this point, but prompt action was taken to route them out.

O.C. A Company, with a small party captured a Light Field Gun and crew at G.26.c.5.7. A Machine Gun and machine gunner were also captured in an emplacement H.1.b.45.75. Battalion H.Q. moved up to the Black Line and was established at G.6.b.75.65. After the consolidation of the Blue Line Headquarters again moved up to the Point approximately B.25.d.9.3. The night passed fairly quietly but the weather was extremely cold.

In the field - Rolincourt - Map Ref 51b.G.6 - 10 April 1917 - 5am: The Battalion again attacked the objective on this occasion being the Brown Line, about 1100 yards in front of the Blue Line. The Battalion was in support to the three other Battalions of the Brigade. This objective too was taken, and at the close of the operation the Battalion was in the front line with the rest of the Brigade. There was comparatively little artillery resistance, most casualties being caused by snipers and machine gun fire.

Captain H.W. Waller O.C. A Coy was killed while reconnoitering in front of our position during the day. Patrols were sent out to reconnoitre the ground in front of Bailleau, and also to effect communication with the Division on the left. Snipers were encountered in Railway Cutting, B.21.c. During the night outpost sentry groups were posted, furnished with Lewis Guns and bombs. Battalion HQ were established in the Brown Line at B.27.c.2.3.