Robert's Story.
Robert Adshead was born in Altrincham in 1898, one of five children born to Walter (a steel polisher) and Mary Adshead of 1, Atlantic Street, Altrincham. Harry became an errand boy. The family emigrated to Canada and resided in Ponteix, Saskatchewan.
He joined the British army in November 1914 at Altrincham Recruiting Office, becoming Private no. 50293 in the 16th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. He arrived in France on the 18th January 1917.
Robert was killed in action on the 29th April 1917.
The war diary for the day.
29 April - FRONTLINE – MAISSEMY
The battalion was ordered to attack the copse which had been reported strongly held the previous night
W,X & Y Coys. assembled in Sunken Road - from there to point of departure in front of sunken road. X & Y Coys. lined out as assaulting companies Under Capt. G. Player. Each Coy. on a front of 2 platoons W was in reserve in front of sunken road. X & Y Coys moved forward at 1a.m. and came under desultory rifle + MG fire at 1.07a.m.
Our guns put down a creeping barrage at 1.19a.m. – this barrage lifted 100 yds. every 4 minutes. A standing barrage was out on enemy main trench from 1.19a.m. to 2.15a.m.
The assaulting Coys. carried the wood and killed some Germans in it, took six prisoners and formed up about 50 yds. to N.E. of wood – a patrol from each Coy. was then sent out towards the German wire.
1.40a.m.
The enemy put up a barrage behind our assaulting Coys. on N.E. edge of sunken road but stopped when our guns stopped. The assaulting Coys. withdrew unmolested, covered by patrols and reached point of departure at 3.30a.m.
Our casualties: 1 officer wounded, O.R. killed 1, wounded 26, missing 2 (2 wounded reported died of wounds)