Military History

Dudley is listed as being killed in action on 9th October 1917, which is confirmed by the D [4th] Battalion War Diary. The diary entry for the 9th October and a Report on Operations for the same day are transcribed below. The report shows that the days was a disaster for D Battalion with all 8 of their tanks unable to take part in the attack as 4 were hit by artillery and the other 4 "hopelessly ditched"

La Lovie – 9^th Oct 1917: Map Reference: 27.F.16.b.6.8
Strength of Battalion Officers 92, Other Ranks 859

Operations of No 11 Div carried out. A full report of actions with map showing objectives attached [Map not with report].

Casualties during this action are as follows:
Killed 3 Other Ranks; wounded 2 Officers & 3 OR; Missing 1 Officer & 2 OR’s.

Report on Tank Operations on 9^th October 1917 by D Battalion, Tank Corps

1. Two sections (8 Tanks) of No 11 Coy, D Battalion, Tank Corps were to have co-operated with the 11^th and 29^th Divisions; one section (4 Tanks) being allotted to each of these Divisions. Details of the Tanks and their Objectives are shown in Appendix A.

2. Movement of Tanks: On the evening of X day Tanks moved from the Canal area to St. Julien where they remained during X/Y night and Y day, concealed under special camouflage nets representing brick rubble.

At midnight on Y/Z night Tanks left for St. Julien for their starting point near Retour Cross Roads. The only one possible avenue of approach was via the St. Julien – Poelcappelle Road and Tanks were not permitted on this road before 12 midnight owing to its being required for the transport of guns and ammunition previous to that hour.

3. Close on 30 hours rain previous to Zero had rendered the going on the road, which contained numerous large shell-holes, sufficiently difficult, and to leave the road was practically certain to lead to a tank being hopelessly ditched.

4. About 45 minutes before Zero the enemy commenced to shell the road heavily with 4.2’s and occasional 5.9’s. The leading tank managed to get as far as Poelcappelle Cross Roads, when it ditched badly and could not get out owing to the fact that it had broken its unditching gear on the way out getting out of a shell hole. Later on this tank received a direct hit,

The next tank was hit by a shell close to Poelcappelle Cemetery and set on fire, the shell coming through the roof and hitting the engine and killing or wounding all the crew with the exception of the Officer.

The tank following those, seeing it was impossible to pass the two tanks in front, turned round and came back down the road and ditched badly near Delta House. The crew tried for 2 hours to unditch under heavy shell fire but without success.

Two more tanks received direct hits near Delta House and the remaining Tanks all became badly ditched trying to pass. One tank had water and mud above the carburretter.

5. In all 4 Tanks received direct hits and were put out of action and 4 more hopelessly ditched.

6. All crews remained by their Tanks until they received orders from the Company Commander to return.