Military History

Adrian was killed in action on 10th July 1916 during the Battle of Mametz Wood and the 13th Battalion war diaries for the 9th and 10th July are transcribed below.

9 Jul 1916 – Minden Post: Battalion moved off at 1.00am to Mametz to take part in an attack but received orders later to return to bivouacs.

10 Jul 1916 – Mametz Wood: Attack on Mametz Wood. The 16^th R W F moved off to the attack at 4.12am and at that time our A & C Coys had formed up in four lines behind the 16^th R W F and following up near them in the rear. At that time the 114th Brigage on our right could not be seen but as the Battalion was moving into the Hollow by the Railway line some Battalions of the 114th Brigade crossed our front from the left. This caused some confusion but did not stop the advance.

The Welsh at Mametz Wood by Christopher Williams

As soon of our line got within 200 yds of the front of the wood they were subjected to heavy rifle and machine gun fire - and suffered heavy casualties particularly in Officers wounded and senior N.C.Os. When within 150 yds of the wood with the main line running N&S opposite our right a number of men from the preceding lines retired back on us shouting “retire”. At this stage Major Gwyther commanding the 14^th R W F was wounded and Major R.H. Mills was killed.

The pressure backwards was great and Capt. T. Glynn Jones gave the order to reform in a hollow 150 yds from the front edge of the wood and dig in. This was done and a report sent to Brigade. About an hour later some of our men were seen advancing along the narrow strip of wood in which runs Strip Trench. There were our B & D Coys and the 15^th R W F.

At this time prisoners in some numbers were coming from the left and a white flag was shown up near the entrance to the main side. These were investigated and it was found that the front of the wood was fairly clear and it was decided to move in. This was done and the first objective was reached.

2 Lt Stock, CSM F Thompson and Cpl Pudner were sent out as a patrol to search the wood. They reported it clear for 200 yards except in the direction of Wood Support. This was reported to the CO 15^th R W F and we received orders to dig in where we were. The line was very thick at this time and Battalions much mixed up & when enemy threatened a small counter-attack from Wood Trench much of M.G and rifle fire was masked and a great deal of effective fire was lost. The counter-attack was however easily repulsed.

The Battalion was then reorganised but owing to casualties among officers and NCO’s this work was difficult. Some men were therefore moved into the line which we had dug in at about 5am. We remained in this position during the night 10^th/11^th July during which time stragglers were found and attempts to retire my men of other units were frustrated.

In a subsequent enquiry, L/Cpl W.G. Jones of 13 Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Regiment at Lochee Red Cross Hospital reported: ‘At Mametz, Lt Barrett was shot through the heart about 8 o’clock in the morning. He was there the next day when I passed wounded at 3 o’clock. We had advanced.’ After the subsequent fighting and shelling his body was never found.