Military History

Edgar is listed as being killed in action on 10 May 1917. The 16th Battalion war diary entries for the 9th & 10th May are transcribed below.

May 9^th – 12.15am: Message received from 13^th Infantry Brigade to say move 2 Coys to Arleux Loop & trench running NE from B.12.a.4.4. Coys to be in position before zero hour, 2am.

1am: I ordered C&D Coys to move forward to positions as above.

6.30pm: 15^th Infantry Brigade OO 97 received to say that 15^th Inf Bde are relieving 95^th in portion of 13^th Inf Bde on the night of 9^th/10^th on completion of relief 16^th R War R will come under the orders of the BGC 15^th Inf Bde.

8pm: I issued OO attached

9.55pm: I moved BN HQ to B.5.d.5.3

Roclincourt - 10th May: 3.10am - Owing to enemy's heavy artillery fire I asked for a barrage to be put down on his front line.

3.35am - Relief completed [of 15th Infantry Brigade]

Arleux - same day: 2.15pm - Message from O.C. A Coy to say that Germans are in great numbers between Oppy Neuvireuil & N of Oppy and are thickly distributed in trenches

3.50pm - Message from O.C. A Coy to say that Germans appear to be massing for an attack. Informed 15th Brigade to this effect and asked for a bombardment of the enemy's trenches. I also warned 7th Cheshires on my left and 1st Royal West Kent on my right.

7.25pm - Enemy opened an intense bombardment on the front line Arleux village and the Arleux Loop. I sent the SOS through as I was of the opinion that an attack was imminent the barrage having obscured all vision and cut off all communication.

8.10pm - Enemys barrage slackened a bit

8.25pm - I sent a message to Bde that our barrage could slacken down

8.40pm - Message to say that a company of West Kent's was in support if required

9.00pm - I sent a message to Bde to say barrage could stop.