11am to 7pm
11am to 6 pm. Artillery bombardment on Enemy’s frontline and support trenches.
5.30pm. The attacking companies, D Company - Capt T.H. Bethell - Right Company & C Company Capt G.B. Donaldson – Left company filed out through two sally ports newly constructed and only broken through in the last half hour, and took audition to advance in a low ditch which runs in front of our parapet. These Companies got out without being seen.
5.50pm. The attacking Companies in four waves, 50 yards apart with Company bombers behind first wave, Lewis Gunners behind second, Battalion bombers behind third and a section of the 182nd Machine Gun Company behind fourth, started to move slowly towards the enemy’s trenches and at the same time B Company, the Support Company, moved out and formed up ready to advance. Capt. R.T. Hills and 1 Platoon of A Coy were ordered to move down from Reserve Line and occupy the Front Line.
6pm. Ask the artillery lifted the leading Companies rushed the German first line from about 50 yards and passed over to the second line where they encountered strong opposition. From information obtained from the few who got back when the withdrawal was ordered it appears that the enemies wire and first line trench was completely destroyed but the entrance to very deep dugouts with steps leading down was seen and from these as also from the support trench men ran out holding up their hands to meet our men who ordered them by signs to proceed to our lines. The Battalion bombers proceeded to bomb up right and left but were gradually forced by superior numbers on both flanks to withdraw.
6.12pm. The leading Companies were held up for a few minutes in front of the Support Line and came on the heavy machine gun fire and what was left of them got through into the support trenches by 6.20pm where they were being shelled when the last message came through.
6.20pm. B Company, Capt. L.A. Edwards advanced and apparently got over without any casualties. Capt. L.A. Edwards was wounded at the enemy’s wire and his second in command 2nd Lieut Sturrock shortly afterwards.
6.25pm. First carrying party with 16 bags of bombs followed by a 2nd Party, half with bombs and half with S.A.A were ordered to move up.
6.31pm. A message by runner from 2/6th on my left that the “7th are across, our men wont face it. Send reinforcements”. The first part of the message was confirmed sometime later when a runner arrived having come right through the enemy’s Support Line with a message from Capt. G.B. Donaldson O.C. C Company which said (time 6.15 pm) “About 20 men hold enemy support line, it is being shelled”. This was following by a message from Major Welch who was in the forward Signalling Post in the front line saying that our bombers were being bombed out and that the enemy were closing in from each side and would cut off our men in the support line.
6.37pm. I ordered the Company of D.C.L.i Pioneers to proceed to our front line and if possible to start digging a communication trench across No Mans Land at the selected spot. This was found to be impossible owing to heavy shell fire. At the same time the remainder of A Company were moved up to our front line, Snipers and remaining carrying party moved into reserve line
7.05pm to 2.30am (20th)
7.05pm. Major A. Welch reported bombers out off, so I sent instructions to the Reserve A Company – Capt B T Hills to prepare to go forward to reinforce or repel a German counter attack if it should come, having been told that reinforcements of 2/8th were coming up. At the same time I moved Snipers and remaining carriers up to the front line instructing them to take bombs and S.A.A up with them.
7.35pm. 27 Prisoners reported to be under guard at Red House. A Coy moved out to reinforce with another section of 182nd Machine Gun Company
8.15pm. A Company ready to move as snipers and remaining carriers had arrived to Garrison our first line together with the company of D.C.L.I. If wanted. This Company had, I learned, come back to the Reserve line without orders from me to do so and although I sent them a message by an officer to move up in case it should be wanted to repel a counterattack, they did not do so.
8.17pm. Corps order received to withdraw slowly, this order was transmitted to Major A. Welch just in time to prevent A Company moving forward.
8.25pm. Our men slowly dribbling back over our parapet.
8.50pm. I asked to be informed when withdrawal was as complete as possible.
9.25pm. Report received that all 2/7th men who started the 2nd attack had withdrawn.
9.45am. Lieut Crombie reports Germans have manned their front line and those who went over first are no more. One Company 2/8th Warwick arrived in our first line.
10pm. 2/8th Company relieved us and I withdrew all my men except Pioneers to Reserve line.
10.30pm. Orders received to move to billets in La Gorgue as soon as relieved by 2/8th Warwicks.
2.30am. Relieved by 2/8th Warwicks. Troops started for Lavantie.
Newspaper Obituary
Stratford Herald Friday Herald 4th August 1916
KILLED IN ACTION SERGEANT R. F. NOAKES
News of the death of this popular tradesman has unhappily been confirmed. He came to Stratford on Avon some fourteen years ago to manage an important grocery business for his father and subsequently joined in partnership with Mr. F. Crofts. The outstanding trait in Mr. Noakes character was the remarkable keenness he displayed in anything he took up. This was exemplified in a striking way at the outset of the war when he cycled over a hundred miles to join up in the cycle corps. In this he was unsuccessful but in October 1914 he cast in his lot with the Royal Regiment where his soldierly qualities gained him quick promotion
and some two months since he went out with the regiment to the front.
Writing to the father the Reverend S.M. Rankin pens the following touching tribute; “As chaplain to the 2nd 7th Royal Warwicks it grieves me to write and inform you that your son was killed in action on 19th July fighting valiantly. You have our deepest sympathy yet try not to regret. He has joined the great multitude of heroes who have laid down their lives for their brethren. Henceforth there is laid up for them a crown of righteousness. He is in the hands of God and no torment can touch him. Laus Deo.
