War Diary Entry
Trenches - Ravine Wood - Thur 20.9.17:
57th Inf Bde took part in an attack on a wide front. Bttn was in Brigade Reserve. Zero was t 5.40am. At zero plus 29 (when the leading platoons of the attacking Battalions where do to reach the Green Line). The Bttn moved forward to the support line within the Bde boundaries. Coys were ordered to take up following positions approx: A Coy I.36.g.9.7½ to 7.4½; C Coy I.36.g.7. 4½ to Klein Zillebeke; D Coy Klein Zillebeke to about I.36.c.9.7½; B Coy trench running through wood from I.36.g.0.4 to g.4.7. Bttn’s HQ shared HQ of 8/Glous R at I.36.g.2.3 (Klein Zillebeke).
A number of casualties were sustained during this move forward through enemy shelling. Coys we're not called upon to support any of the attacking battalions and reminded in or very near their original positions. Enemy shelling was fairly heavy, particularly near the BN HQ, and the number of direct hits were obtained on Coy positions. The night was quiet and Russian parties sustained no casualties.
Casualties
Killed: 2nd Lieuts C Bostock and AE Brazier and 20 OR
Died of wounds: RSM EJ Pratt
Wounded: Lt G.H Hammond and 64 OR
Missing: 7 OR
END
Newspaper Obituary
STRATFORD ON AVON HERALD – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28TH 1917
DEATH OF SERGEANT-MAJOR BREEZE
News was received on Tuesday night by Mr. and Mrs. W Breeze of High Street, that their son Sergeant Major Guy Breeze had died of wounds in a Field Ambulance in France. Sergeant Major Breeze, it was in his 22nd year, was before joining the army, associated with his father in business as a grocer in Alcester. He was an exceedingly popular and ardent worker with the church lads corps. He joined up on September the 14th 1914 and during his training at Weston super mare received his first promotion, being given the rank of Sergeant. Later a Commission was offered to him but he preferred to remain in the rank and file.
On the conclusion of his training he was drafted to the Royal Warwicks and almost immediately left for France. Very soon the Warwicks were in the thick of the fighting and Sergeant breeze, as he then was, so much service. During the night of the 22nd of July 1916 he was badly wounded after the capturing of La Boiselle in the big push [Battle of the Somme]. He was subsequently conveyed to England and remained for nearly three months in hospital at Southampton where a complete recovery was made. After this he came home for a brief holiday but returning to the depot was soon drafted again to the scene of operations.
This was in November of last year since which time this gallant young officer with his brave comrades saw but little respite from the trenches. They were in the attack and capture oppositions at Messines and Vimy Ridge following which deceased was appointed Sergeant major. At home Sergent Major Breeze was a highly esteemed young man and the deepest sympathy is expressed with his parents and family in their great sorrow.
The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment
From C.L. Kingford’s – Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Of the Service Battalions the 10th was the first to come into action at Ypres, where on September 20 the 57th Brigade took part in the great attack at Klein Zillebeke, when an important advance was secured. The 10th royal Warwickshire was, however, in reserve and was not called on to support the attacking battalions. Nevertheless it came under heavy shell fire and had nearly 100 casualties.
