Military History

Edward is listed as being killed in action on the 14th July 1916. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 13th to 16th July 1916 are transcribed below.

The Citadel - 13 Jul 1916: Moved to Manse Copse in Divisional Reserve.

Manse Copse, Bazentin-le-Petit - 14 Jul 1916: Battalion moved, under heavy shell fire and took up position in valley behind BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT and village. At 4.15pm. received the orders to attack High Wood conjunction with other units of the 91st Brigade. At 6.15pm. Battalion was in position for the attack, having been subjected to shell fire while moving up to position.

Attack was launched, and the battalion advanced magnificently over 1600 yards of open ground and were formed up as follows: – A Coy on the right, B Coy on the left, C Coy in support of A Coy, and D Coy in support of B Coy. About 100 yards from the start the men were seen to fix bayonets and begin rapid firing, pressing on directly afterwards. They had come up against Germans who were 1500 yards in front of Bois Journeaux (High Wood) and who were in shell holes and in hollows in the ground. Our men completely bombed a machine gun detachment and took many prisoners. The cavalry (Dragoon Guards and Deccan Horse) charged on our right and two of our aeroplanes swooped down and fired with great effect on the Germans thus helping our advance considerably.

The Germans enfiladed our advance on the right, but nevertheless the gallant old 38th Regiment pressed on and entered Bois Journeaux, advancing right through the wood to the Eastern side. They held the greater portion of the N.E. border of the wood until ordered to withdraw at 3.30 a.m. on the 16th July. Lieut J. Potter, D.S.O. (Strongly recommended for the V.C. at Mametz made a last attempt to drive the enemy out of the N.E. corner and was mortally wounded.

Lieut F. Sekington, who displayed great courage, was reported missing and Captain J. de Trafford, O.C. A Tunnel, Lieut W.R. Bain, Lieut R.H. Murphy and Lieut S.R. White behaved splendidly all through this very trying period. There was fighting during the night of the 14th and 15th July. Our casualties were heavy and the men suffered hardships owing to the difficulty of bringing up rations and water.

The South Staffords held the greater portion of the north-east border of the Wood until ordered to withdraw at 0330 on the 16-7-16.

Bois Journeaux - 15 Jul 1916:The Battalion being unable to retake the N.W. of wood held its ground throughout the day notwithstanding the heavy Machine, Rifle and gun fire from three points of the compass and added fresh aurels to the magnificent record of the old 38th Regiment. At the close of the day and order was received to attack the third line where it passed through the wood, and combined attack was made by the 1st Bn. South Staffordshire Regt. and portions of the 21st and 22nd Manchester, but the Germans were too strongly posted and in great strength and the attack failed, whereupon the order was given to dig in and hold the half of the wood in our possession, to the east. The S. Staffords, 2nd Queens, 21st, 22nd, Manchesters and detachments of the Worcesters and Highland Light Infantry dug in both inside and outside the wood and were ready to hold the wood against all comers, when at 2.30 a.m. on the 16th the order was received by Lieut. & Colonel. R.M. Owens, C.M.G. Commanding, 1st Bn. South Stafford Regt (Senior Officer present) to withdraw to the Halte near Mametz. The retirement was carried out in the steadiest manner, under heavy fire and the Battalion reached Mametz about 5-30 a.m. on the 16th July.

To the 1st Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment belongs the honour of having reached the German 3rd line in the Bois Journeaux and of having held its ground until ordered to fall back, having successfully achieved the object for which it and the Queens were sent there viz: – to cover other troops engaged in consolidating positions already won in rear.

Mametz - 16 Jul 1916: Arrived to Manse Copse about 5.30am

Casualties in whole operation:

Officers: KIA 2/Lt E.L.Ward; 2/Lt E.W.Mackrory

Wounded: Lt N.J.Wragg; 2/Lt H.Brocklesby; 2/Lt J.D.Williamson; 2/Lt J.Potter DSO; 2/Lt E.W.Booth; 2/Lt V.R.S.White; 2/Lt C.McL. Miller; 2/Lt O.H.Smith; 

Other Ranks: KIA 16 (3 of which were ex -Notts and Derbys)

Wounded 135 (35 Notts and Derbys, 2 North Staffs)

Missing 139 (53 Notts and Derbys, 7 Leicesters).