Arthur Evan's Story.
Arthur Ewan Gidman was born in Knutsford, son of Arthur (a cooper and basket manufacturer) and Gertrude Garner of Rose Bank, Stanley Road, Knutsford. They later moved to 38, Bexton Road, Knutsford.
Arthur was killed in action on the 9th April 1918.
On that fateful day:
The Battalion War Diary has a separate report for the action on the 9th April 1918. It states –
˜4.20a.m.
The enemy opened up a heavy bombardment on the battery lines and back areas with gas and H.E. shells.
5.0a.m.
A heavy barrage of gas and H.E. shells were placed on our front and support lines. The keeps received special attention.
6.0a.m.
Heavy barrage on the sapheads, main line of resistance, and all C.Ts. The mining system was prepared for defence.
8.30a.m.
S.O.S. received by wire from the left front Coy. The signal could not be seen owing to the heavy mist. Our T.M.s put down a protective barrage on the crater line. Visibility was very poor, nothing could be seen at a greater distance than 10 yards.
8.40a.m.
Enemy was reported advancing on the flanks and against the front line. GIVENCHY KEEP and MOAT FARM were surrounded by the enemy who broke in on the flanks. Enemy obtained a footing in the front line on the right.
8.50a.m.
The enemy surrounded Battalion HQ and bombed the entrance. He was forced to retire from the entrance and posts were established to prevent a second attempt to rush the Headquarters. All signal lines held with the exception of A Company. Visual communication was established with them when the mist cleared. HERTS KEEP heavily engaged the enemy in HITCHIN ROAD and prevented him breaking through there.
The enemy was reported in WARE ROAD.
The machine gun in UPPER CUT was doing good work.
9.0a.m.
The enemy had broken through on the left and our forward posts were captured.
MOAT FARM and GIVENCHY KEEP still surrounded S.O.S. fired again.
The enemy entered the concrete M.G. emplacement in NEW CUT.
9.30a.m.
NEW CUT occupied by the enemy who was now engaged in the whole of the Battalion area.
A defensive right flank was formed along BERKELEY STREET.
9.45a.m.
PICCADILLY TRENCH surrounded by enemy.
 10.30a.m.
The first line on the left was counter-attacked and out posts re-established. NEW CUT was taken.
11.0a.m.
We were ordered by Brigade to clear up the situation at WINDY CORNER. MAJOR DUGGAN was sent to take command there, and with the platoons on the LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS affectively checked the enemy who eventually surrendered to him.
A counter-attack from BUNNY HUTCH recaptured the M.G. EMPLACEMENT 50 prisoners and 1 M.G. were captured.
11.30a.m.
Battalion on the right reported to be holding line – BAYSWATER TERRACE GUNNER SIDINGS. We formed a defensive flank along KINGS ROAD.
12 noon.
Visability improving.
PICADILLY and the front line were established. Communication was opened between A.C. & E. SAPS. Enemy still round Battalion H.Q. but being held off by rifle fire.
Bombing parties sent up HITCHIN ROAD and GRENIDIER ROAD. They cleared the trenches and took several prisoners.
12.30p.m.
Visibility good. Enemy M.G. captured and one Vickers and one Lewis Gun recaptured and put in action on N. side of MOAT FARM. Enemy everywhere repulsed, and further resistance was practically nil.
Enemy attempting to retire from WINDY CORNER were killed or captured.
1.15p.m.
Enemy retiring in a N.E. direction were engaged by M.G. and L.G. and many casualties were inflicted.
3.0p.m.
Battalion on right took CAMBRIDGE TERRACE, Large parties of the enemy retiring from round WINDY CORNER and battalion HQ were cut off and captured by out counter-attack from BUNNY HUTCH. The Battalion cub-sector was mopped up and 40 enemy M.G.s and further prisoners were taken.
The R.E.s, T.M.s, machine guns and Portuguese in the Sub-sector did exceptionally good work.
By about 3 p.m. our line had been re-established with the exception of one or two posts on the crater which had been badly blown in."
Researched and compiled by Tony Davies.