War Diary
13th May - Trenches - Shelltrap Farm: Shelling started at 4am and enemy subsequently attacked at 7am but were driven off. At 12 noon a Coy of South Lancs arrived to support. Relieved by Royal Irish Regiment at night and moved back to Canal Bank. Casualties 130. [See Appendix XX]
Operations of the 13th May 1915
Operations of the 13th May 1915
The Battalion occupied a position in the front line trenches extending from Shelltrap Farm (inclusive) on the right to point of junction with Hants Regt on the left (see Map war diary appendix XIX). The trenches had previously be much knocked about by shellfire and were in many places too broad and pat and parapets too thin. Wire was fairly good.
At 4:00 AM the German started a heavy bombardment of the whole line, especially Shelltrap Farm, and reports were received that the enemy in the trenches in front had their swords fixed. At 4.50am the left platoon of the battalion had been very badly knocked about by shellfire and their bit of trench demolished, thus causing a gap between us and the Hants.
The supporting platoon of C company was held in readiness to fill the gap, but the hands extended there right to keep in touch with us. Considerable movement was noticed in front especially in front of our right and at 6.55 am the Germans were reported getting out of their trenches. They preceded to attack but were easily repulsed on our left and centre. As regards shell trap farm information is scant. No communication was possible by daylight. At 7.5am a few British troops (possibly wounded) will seen withdrawing from South of Shelltrap Farm and it was believed the Germans had got a footing there.
At 7.30am reinforcements (Essex Regt) was seen coming up to our right. At the same hour a few Germans were seen in Shelltrap Farm, but no news of our two platoons forming the Garrison there was received. By 8. am the Essex had entered the farm supported by our fire and were seen to go through the buildings, so that it appeared that we still retained possession of it. Other reinforcements dug themselves in rear of the farm.
By this time our casualties were heavy and trenches much not about. 2 platoons C Coy were put into the firing line and also 1 platoon A Coy. The two reserve platoons, C Coy, were brought up. The Germans were seen digging in about 30 yards N E of Shelltrap Farm and shelling decreased. Three separate attempts at an attack on the post of the enemy Had been repulsed.
At 10.45am shelling increased again in intensity. At 12 noon one platoon S. Lancs arrived to support us, leaving 3 platoons a little way back. At 12.30 the situation grew quieter but what state of affairs was in Shelltrap Farm was not very clear. The rest of the day passed comparatively quietly and in the evening at dusk the E Lancs re occupied the farm. The Battalion was relieved by Royal Irish. Casualties 2 officers and 130 other ranks.
Newspaper Report
The Warwick Advertiser - July 3rd 1915
CUBBINGTON
One killed, One Missing
Rifleman Ernest Alfred Carpenter (4th Battalion Rifle Brigade) who was a native of Cubbington had been killed in action in France at the age of 24 years.
At the outbreak of the war he was in employment at the Daimler Works and enlisted in September 3rd 1914, and early in the spring of this year was sent out to France.
His brother, Charles Carpenter, who also joined on the same day in September last, is reported "missing". Both brothers were for several years members of the Cubbington Excelsior Band. Much sympathy is felt with the parents.
