Military Cross Citation

9 Jan 1918 - Citation for Military Cross Gazetted. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when commanding a raiding party. Although the original scheme had to be altered at a moment's notice, his resource and skilful leadership saved any confusion. During the raid he accounted for two of the enemy himself, and afterwards withdrew his party in good order, and brought them safely and skilfully through an intense hostile barrage back to our own lines. His enthusiasm and personal example kept his men in high fettle throughout, and contributed greatly to the success of the raid". [Gazetted 9 Jan 1918]

The event for which he was awarded the Military Cross took place on the 16 Jul 1917 and the following is a precis of the battalion war diary entries for that day.

• In the early morning a consisting of 2/Lt A.C. Coldicott and 26 OR's raiding the enemy trenches at about C.7.a.45.60. The raid was supported by artillery and machine gun fire and by the projection of oil.
• The raiding party left our trenches at B.6.d.42.18 prior to zero and took up a position in No Mans Land some 150 yards from the German wire.
• The [enemy] trench had been badly knocked about by our artillery and consisted mainly of connected shell holes. This somewhat upset the pre-arranged scheme of working down the trench and fighting resulted in making for the enemy at sight with Revolver, bomb and bayonet.
• A party of 3 or 4 Germans were bombed without hope of escape in one position and several are known to have been bayonetted.
• Revolvers were effectively employed, it being possible to recharge.
• The raiding party remained in the enemy line for approximately 20 minutes and withdrew under cover of a stopping party.
• The enemy at this time put down an intense artillery barrage on our front line and 2/Lt Coldicott disposed of his party in shell holes in No Mans Land and himself proceeded to the point of departure from our trenches with instructions that the party was "all correct" except for one man wounded.
• After the enemy barrage died down the Party returned to our lines with the exception of one badly wounded man who was brought in shortly afterwards.
• The raid was succesful; 8 or 10 of the enemy being accounted for - killed, and only one prisoner was taken.
• There were a total of 3 casualties, 2 slightly wounded and 1 seriously wounded.

Circumstances of Death

Arden is listing as dying on 14 Aug 1918 while a prisoner of war in German hands. We have found at least 3 three Red Cross records (Red Cross Record 1); (Red Cross Record 2) and (Red Cross Record 3) and from them, using Google Translate, we have established that he was taken Prisoner on 28 Jun 1918 in the Forest of Nieppe and at the time was wounded with a fracture of the left tibia and blood loss. He was adminstratively held at Munster III POW Camp although he may not actually have been there.

He died of Blood Poisoning at 10.45am on 14 8 1918 at St. John's Hospital in Dortmund.

As noted above Arden was captured on 28 Jun 1918 in the Nieppe Forest. The war diary entry for that day is transcribed to right.

War Diary for the day Captured

Tannay - Front Lines - 28th [Map Ref: 36A.K.15.a.95.55]:

13^th Infantry Brigade in conjunction with other operations are attacking and capturing enemy positions west of Slate Becque River from the River Bourre on the right to point south of L’Epinette in K.11.a on the left. The attack for 13^th Infantry Brigade was carried out by 15/R War R on the right, 1 /R W Kent Regt in the centre, 2/KOSB on the left with 14/R War R in reserve.

15/ R War R attack and capture enemy position from the River Bourre on the right to the road running from K.16.a.4.7 to footbridge at K.16.d.2.80 inclusive to 15/R War R. The attack was carried out by A Company on the right and D Coy on the left. B Coy were in support. C Coy in reserve.

12.30am. All Companies were set and assaulting Companies back in assembly area. At Zero assaulting Coys A on the right and D of the left got out of their assembly trenches and closed up under the barrage. On the first lift D Coy on the left quickly penetrated that portion of the trenches from which the barrage lifted. Little opposition was offered and the Garrison was bayonetted or otherwise dealt with and a few prisoners were sent back to Battalion HQ by 6.55am.

The barrage was closely followed and each objective reached according to plan. A Bombing party was found by A Coy to bomb the enemy trench to River Bourre which was cleaned of the enemy and this line was held. Considerable harassing fire causing some casualties came from enemy M.G. south of the River Bourre.

D Coy on the left pressed right forward placing the 4 Lewis Guns as arranged on the Road about K.16.a.4.7 which brought effective fire to bear on the enemy trenches and positions on their left whilst the Bombing Party detailed for the purpose cleared the buildings on the northern side of the road.

By 7am A&D Coys were well beyond their objectives having established touch with one another and D Coy having established touch with 1^st Royal West Kent Regt on their left and having also demolished the wooden bridge over the River Becque on their left. A patrol of D Coy pushed out to the River accounted for at least 10 Germans killed retreating the other side of the River. During these operations very many Germans were killed and accounted for in the trenches and shelters and hidden positions. About 12 or 15 prisoners were sent down. 8 Machine Guns including a heavy M.G. were captured and got away.

By 8.15am tools and a fresh supply of S.A.A. munitions and stores had been taken up by C Coy to each assaulting company. Digging in, in the daylight, was carried on consolidating the newly captured position. Crops? were cut with the bayonet for field of fire and view. Some trouble from sniping and M.G. fire from the enemy side of the River Bourre and the Plats Becque continued.

A patrol established touch with the 1^st Cheshire Regt on the right south of the River Bourre where they had advanced to a point on the south of the river about 100 yards to 15/R War R right rear.

By night wire had been got up and put out by C Coy. Wiring was difficult owing to the incessant hostile M.G. and Rifle fire and to our Protective Barrage and the consequent retaliation but five posts were wired with double apron fence wire.

Rations, water, hot tea and a hot meal and rum issue were carried to the troops.

10.45pm: B Coy in support moved up to the German front line. The whole of the front of the newly captured position was patrolled throughout the hours of darkness and the River Bourre and the Plats Becque were watched. Work of consolidation continued.

Casualties         Killed                    Wounded            Missing
Officers               2                             5                         -
O.R.                   20                           78                       6

NB: Captain Coldicott was one of the two officers reported killed and it was only later learned that he had been wounded and taken prisoner.