Harry's Story.
Harry's family home was at 16 Elizabeth Street, Stockport, where his mother lived. In 1916, he had three brothers also serving in the army. Only one, George, is known to have been fighting in Salonika in Greece. Harry worked in the warehouse at Broadstone Mills, Reddish and was engaged to be married to Mary. He enlisted into the local Territorial battalion in the autumn of 1914 and went to France 18 February 1915. On 26 September 1916, as support for a major attack on the Thiepval Ridge (in the heart of the Somme battlefield), the Cheshires were ordered to conduct a raid on the enemy trench opposite their position at Beaumont-Hamel. The Regimental History records that "Under cover of a barrage, they crossed no man's land at 9pm and rushed the enemy trenches. A fierce fight ensued. While the covering party on the enemy parapet kept the enemy at bay in face of heavy machine gun fire, another party attempted to clear the enemy trenches. The trenches were found to be blocked with "knife rests" and loose wire. All the German garrison were killed or driven off and our men withdrew with some difficulty with a loss of 12 men.” Harry’s platoon officer wrote to the family saying that he had been killed by a machine gun bullet. "You have lost a brave son. God alone can comfort you for that and we have lost a plucky soldier and true friend."
1/6 Bn. Cheshire Regiment War Diary
Beaumont Hamel Trenches 26th September 1916.
Generally quiet during the day. At 9pm a raid was made on the hostile trenches. The parties got out safely into NO MANS LAND under the cover of our artillery barrage and on the same lifting an officer and a number of men rushed the enemy trenches. These were found to be full of knife rests and wire and they had considerable difficulty in extracting themselves. During this time the covering party had taken positions on the enemy parapet and although exposed to heavy cross machine gun fire and grenades, they effectively kept the enemy at bay by throwing grenades until the party in the trench had freed themselves and got out again.
2 OR Killed 7 OR Wounded
The Alderley Edge & Wilmslow Advertiser, Friday, October 13, 1916.
Trench raids became part of trench life, the aim was to obtain intelligence, kill and destroy as much as possible. The possibility of a trench raid ensured the other side had to always be alert adding to the stressful nature of trench life.
The diary also has the order and plan of the raid, using trench maps it is possible to locate the exact area.
1/6 Cheshire Order No.3.
Objective.
To enter the hostile trenches between points Q.17. B.21. & Q.17.B.12. To capture and kill as many of the enemy as possible. To secure identification if possible. To lower the morale of the enemy.
Distribution.
Party to consist of 4 officers and 75 men in two parties. 2 Officers and 45 O.Rs to enter the trench and 2 Officers and 30 O.Rs for defence of the flanks and connections.
Operations.
At zero – all the party in the front line by LONG SAP ready to move out.
At 0.5 (a) party moves into NO MANS LAND, moving in files, three deep, and one yard apart towards the hostile trench.
At 0.6 (b) party moves into NO MANS LAND – 1 NCO and 4 men covering each front party. 1 NC and 4 men keeping connection with the front and flank parties. When the raiding party enters the trench the (b) party forms flank and protection in NO MANS LAND and connections at point of entrance.
At 0.19 A dummy bombardment by artillery and trench mortars on Q.18. c.27 & 36, lifting at 0.24 to form a box barrage till 0.34.
At 0.20. Artillery will fire two salvoes percussion shrapnel on Q.17.b.13. This will be the signal for the raiders to rush the German trenches at points of entry.
Time.
Zero hour 9pm
Dress.
Rifle and bayonet: two bombs in each pocket, bombers carry ten bombs. 12 pairs of wire cutters and wire gloves to be carried. No documents of any kind to be carried.
Medical.
Advanced dressing stations at No.1 Sap, Gordon Trench. Stretcher bearers to be in Gordon trench.
Prisoners & Documents
To battalion headquarters at KNIGHTSBRIDGE as quickly as possible.
Distinctive Badges
A small white patch on the back.
Password
HYDE
TRAFFIC
The following trenches will be used for up and down trenches
Up – LONG SAP
Down – BEDFORD STREET
SIGNAL TO WITHDRAW
GLOSSOP
GENERAL
Posts will be established for checking in at the top of LONG SAP and WORCESTER STREET.
COMMUNICATION
Advanced telephone station at POND STREET. Thence to battalion headquarters at KNIGHTSBRIDGE by wire and runners.
WATCHES
Watches will be synchronised at Brigade headquarters at 4pm and battalion headquarters at 7pm.