John Wallis's Story.
John was born in Coppenhall Monks, Cheshire in 1882. He lived with his grandfather George Wallis, a retired tailor, and his grandmother Janet. By 1911 he had married Emma and they were living at 57 Sefton Avenue, Coppenhall Monks. They had a daughter Edith. John was a Cooperative Society accounts clerk. They later moved to Rosslyn Villas, Wistaston Road, Willaston, Cheshire. John enlisted in Crewe, originally into the Cheshire Regiment as private 243671. He was later transferred to the 13th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the 22nd April 1918. He is buried at Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert, France.
The Battalion war diary for that day:
Great aerial activity. Visibility good. Usual artillery activity. Attack planned to commence at 7.30pm. Objective to capture high ground W21 central to W21 and due north to W15 (line of shell holes). Four Lewis guns per company and 16 magazines per gun were carried into the attack and 2 Lewis guns left in reserve. Exceedingly heavy machine gun fire is experienced immediately the attack commenced. Our heavy guns firing short. The whole attacking forces were considerably held up and heavy casualties received. Hand to hand fighting took place in which much bayonetting was done. Progress was slow after 1st objective taken at Zero +10 minutes. D company report on ridge at Zero +10. All companies except "A" reach final objective but C company could not hold on and fell back to last objective. Prisoners taken: 60, machine guns captured: 6 & 1 Lewis gun that was being used against us. Our casualties were heavy.
Researcher: Darryl Porrino.