Military History

Thomas is listed as dying of wounds in the field that were incurred during this one day battle and he was one of the 11,700 casualties that day. The 2nd Battalion war diary for the period 8th to 10th May 1915 is transcribed below.

Le Touret - May 8th 1915: Another warm day – Battalion went and fetched waterproof sheets and at 7:25 pm paraded to go to Rue de Bois. A very slow process filing into the Support trenches & after issues tools men did not get to rest until 2am.

Rue de Bois - May 9th 1915: A lovely clear day and much cooler. The Battalion had teas at 1:30 am and then rested till 5 am, when a heavy bombardment of the enemy's lines commenced.

The orders to the Battn were to follow the 2/Northamptonshire Regiment and, on reaching the German trenches, to secure the right flank by clearing the trenches for a distance of about 500 yards. At 5:25 the Batt began to advance under cover of an intense bombardment which commenced at 5:30 a.m. “A” Company was on the right, and “C” Company on the left, each with 2 Platoons in the firing line and two in Support. “B” & “D” Companies followed in reserve in the same formation – HQ moved up to our front trench with the Reserve.

It was soon evident that our task was to be very difficult. The enemy’s wire showed no signs of being cut, and the Northants Regt were held up by machine-gun fire; moreover the enemy’s shelling was very heavy.

However our two leading Companies went forward with great dash to reinforce but although the leading platoon got within about 30 yards of the wire, they were unable to get on. Captain Harris was wounded and 2/Lt Farmer took command of C Coy. Captain Upton was killed by M.G. fire immediately after and the men in front were falling rapidly.

A report was sent to Brigade HQ and a further bombardment was ordered but without much effect. Eventually about 7:30, the Battalion received orders to withdraw to the North side of the Rue du Bois. The two leading companies were withdrawn to the front trench as far as possible and by 11:20 the whole Battalion had reached the Support trenches, being relieved by the 18th Brigade.

Another assault was ordered for 4 pm, to be carried out by the 1st Brigade. “B” & “D” Companies were sent to occupy the front trench whilst the assault was going on.

The assault failed, and about 6:30pm these Companies rejoined the Battalion N of the Rue du Bois. At 12:20 am we received orders to move back to Essars into Corps Reserve.

The shelling was very heavy all day and there were many casualties on this account besides those in A & C Coys. During the night 2/Lt Collins with the Battalion stretcher bearers and a party of volunteers searched the ground in front of our trenches and brought in 28 wounded belonging to the two Regiments. They also brought in the pay-books of some 20 dead.

Casualties: Officers: 5 Killed; 5 wounded & 2 missing
                   NCO’s & Men: 42 killed; 118 wounded & 80 missing.

Essars - May 10^th 1915: The Battalion were moved from the D line at 12.30am and marched back to Essars where they arrived at 3am. 2/Lt Collins and some volunteers remained behind and searched for wounded all the night of the 9^th-10^th.

At 6.30pm the Battalion marched to Bellevue? where they arrived about 9pm and billeted.