Military History

Richard is listed as being killed in action on 3rd April 1918. The 2nd/6th Battalion war diary for the period 1st to 4th April contains 3 very brief entries for the 1st to to 3rd and then refers to a Report covering 4th to 12th April. The report contains very few reference dates and I have used "educated guesses" to form the section of the report covering the 3rd. The full report will be transcribed sometime in the future but it seems to jump from the 4th/5th to the 11th with no explanation.

Marcelcave - 1.4.1918: Marched to Gentelles

Gentelles - 2.4.1918: No entry made to diary

Gentelles - 3.4.1918: Sent in lorries to Saisseval. Entrained at St. Roch Amiens having marched from Saisseval. Detrained at Berguette at 5.30pm [3^rd?]. Orders from G.S.O 111 3^rd Corps to bus to Mt. Bernachon and come into Corps Reserve. Embussed at 7.45pm, reached Mt. Bernachon about 9.30pm, transport marching. Troops no food since breakfast. No orders and no Infantry Commander at Mt. Bernachon.

I reported to HQ’s 51^st Division at Robeq and was ordered to move to Le Cornet Malo where battalion would come under orders of G.O.C. 153^rd Brigade. Battalion reached Le Cornet Malo at 2.30am [4^th] & G.O.C. 153^rd Brigade ordered preparation for a counter-attack on approximate front R.15 Central – R.21.c.9.5. with possible alternative of holding a defensive position from Q.23.d central (Pacaut) to Q.35.d. central.