Victoria Crosses on the Western Front – Battles of the Hindenburg Line – Canal du Nord: September – October 1918

By Paul Oldfield

In the past, while visiting the First World War battlefields, the author often wondered where the various Victoria Cross actions took place. He resolved to find out. In 1988, in the midst of his army career, research for this book commenced and over the years numerous sources have been consulted.

Victoria Crosses on the Western Front – Battles of the Hindenburg Line – Canal du Nord is designed for the battlefield visitor as much as the armchair reader. A thorough account of each VC action is set within the wider strategic and tactical context. Detailed sketch maps show the area today, together with the battle-lines and movements of the combatants. It will allow visitors to stand upon the spot, or very close to, where each VC was won. Photographs of the battle sites richly illustrate the accounts. There is also a comprehensive biography for each recipient, covering every aspect of their lives warts and all: parents and siblings, education, civilian employment, military career, wife and children, death and burial/commemoration. A host of other information, much of it published for the first time, reveals some fascinating characters, with numerous links to many famous people and events.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen and Sword
• Release date: Sep 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781526788122

Paul Oldfield

Paul Oldfield was born in Sheffield and was educated at Victoria College in Jersey. After serving in the Army for thirty-six years, he became a freelance battlefield guide (he is a badged member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides) and a historian. In 1988, he co-authored Sheffield City Battalion in the Pals series. Cockleshell Raid and Bruneval in Pen & Swords Battleground Europe series were published in 2013, and the first of nine books in the Victoria Crosses on the Western Front series in 2014.

Book preview

Victoria Crosses on the Western Front

Battles of the Hindenburg Line – Canal du Nord

September – October 1918

Victoria Crosses on the Western Front

Battles of the Hindenburg Line – Canal du Nord

September – October 1918

Paul Oldfield

First published in Great Britain in 2023 by

Pen & Sword Military

An imprint of

Pen & Sword Books Limited

Yorkshire – Philadelphia

Copyright © Paul Oldfield 2023

ISBN 978 1 52678 811 5

EpubISBN 978 1 52678 812 2

MobiISBN 978 1 52678 812 2

The right of Paul Oldfield to be identified as Author of this Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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Contents

Master Map

Abbreviations

Introduction

Battles of the Hindenburg Line – Battle of the Canal du Nord

437. LSgt Thomas Neely, 8 King’s Own (Royal Lancaster), 27 September 1918, Flesquières, France

438. Capt Cyril Frisby, 1 Coldstream Guards, 27 September 1918, Canal du Nord, near Graincourt, France

439. LCpl Thomas Jackson, 1 Coldstream Guards, 27 September 1918, Canal du Nord, near Graincourt, France

440. Lt Col Viscount John Gort, 1 Grenadier Guards, 27 September 1918, Flesquières, France

441. Lt Graham Lyall, 102 Battalion, CEF, 27 September-1 October 1918, Bourlon Wood, France

442. Lt Samuel Honey, 78 Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers), CEF, 27 September-2 October 1918, Bourlon Wood, France

443. Lt George Kerr, 3 Battalion (Toronto), CEF, 27 September 1918, Bourlon, France

444. Pte Henry Tandey, 5 West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s), 28 September 1918, Marcoing, France

445. Lt Milton Gregg, Royal Canadian Regiment, CEF, 28 September-1 October 1918, Bourlon, France

449. Capt John MacGregor, 2 Canadian Mounted Rifles, CEF, 29 September-3 October 1918, Cambrai, France

452. Pte James Crichton, 2 Auckland, NZEF, 30 September 1918, Crèvecœur-sur-l’Escaut, France

453. Sgt William Merrifield, 4 Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF, 1 October 1918, Abancourt, France

454. Sgt Frederick Riggs, 6 York and Lancaster, 1 October 1918, Épinoy, France

Biographies

Sources

Useful Information

Abbreviations

Introduction

The thirteenth book in this series covers the middle of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, specifically the crossing of the Canal du Nord and subsequent operations in late September and early October 1918. The book tells the story of thirteen Victoria Crosses, seven of which were awarded to Dominion troops, mainly Canadians.

As with previous books in the series, it is written for the battlefield visitor as well as the armchair reader. Each account provides background information to explain the broad strategic and tactical situation, before focusing on the VC action in detail. Each is supported by a map to allow a visitor to stand on, or close to, the spot and at least one photograph of the site. Detailed biographies help to understand the man behind the Cross.

As far as possible chapters and sections within them follow the titles of battles, actions and affairs as decided by the post-war Battle Nomenclature Committee. VCs are numbered chronologically 437, 438, 439 etc and, as far as possible, they are described in the same order. However, when a number of actions were fought simultaneously, the VCs are covered out of sequence on a geographical basis in accordance with the official battle nomenclature. As a result, it may appear that 446–448 and 450–451 are missing. However, they will be included in the next two volumes.

Refer to the master maps to find the general area for each VC. If visiting the battlefields it is advisable to purchase maps from the respective French and Belgian ‘Institut Géographique National’. The French IGN Top 100 and Belgian IGN Provinciekaart at 1:100,000 scale are ideal for motoring, but 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 scale maps are necessary for more detailed work, e.g. French IGN Serie Bleue and Belgian IGN Topografische Kaart. They are obtainable from the respective IGN or through reputable map suppliers on-line.

Ranks are as used on the day. Grave references have been shortened, e.g. ‘Plot II, Row A, Grave 10’ will appear as ‘II A 10’. There are some abbreviations, many in common usage, but if unsure refer to the list provided.

I endeavour to include memorials to each VC in their biographies. However, every VC is commemorated in the VC Diary and on memorial panels at the Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, Waterloo, London. To include this in every biography would be unnecessarily repetitive.

In any work of this scale, it is almost inevitable that some errors will be included unintentionally. Every effort is made to cross-check facts. If mistakes occur, I apologise for them and urge readers to let me know so that future revisions can be made.

Thanks are due to too many people and organisations to mention here. They are acknowledged in ‘Sources’ and any omissions are my fault and not intentional. However, I make no apology for mentioning again the contribution made by fellow members of the ‘Victoria Cross Database Users Group’, Doug and Richard Arman, and those no longer with us, without whom these books would never be completed. The work of Steve Lee and the Memorials to Valour website team is also invaluable.

Paul Oldfield

Wiltshire

September 2022

Battles of the Hindenburg Line – Battle of the Canal du Nord

27th September 1918

Since early August 1918 the BEF had achieved outstanding results against the most heavily defended section of the Western Front. An average advance of forty kilometres had been made on a front of sixty-four kilometres. The cost amounted to forty percent of the casualties suffered in the 1916 Somme battles, in which only one tenth of the ground had been taken. In addition, enormous losses had been inflicted on the enemy, including 111,000 prisoners taken. Haig knew that the BEF would be very short of men in 1919, so his preference was to gamble on winning in 1918. Breaching the Hindenburg Line would be a further blow to German morale and was the key to Allied success on the whole Western Front. Haig was also aware of the political effects of failure but, despite the pressures of the last two months and the high stakes, he was convinced that his men could succeed.

The next operation marked the start of the last phase of the war, during which the Allied armies on the Western Front advanced continuously, allowing the Germans no respite. The French and Americans attacked on the Meuse – Reims front on 26th September. The British First, Third and the left of Fourth Armies joined in on the 27th, with the British Second Army and the Belgians following in Flanders the following day. Finally, the rest of the British Fourth Army, protected on the right by the French First Army, was to deliver the main attack towards Bohain – Busigny on 29th September.

The advance of the Allied armies in the Hundred Days, as the German Army was pushed back inexorably towards its own borders.

The British faced the toughest challenge, to break through the Hindenburg position between Cambrai and St Quentin. The attack was launched at 5.20 a.m. on 27th September. Third Army was to strike towards Le Cateau and Solesmes and secure crossings over the Canal d’Escaut (Scheldt Canal), following which it was to cooperate with Fourth Army to the south. First Army was to capture Bourlon Wood, secure its left flank on the Sensée and act as flank protection to Third Army to its south.

Third Army faced part of the Hindenburg Line and the Hindenburg Support, the defences of which were sited in depth as far back as the Scheldt Canal. On the right, V Corps was to hold for the time being. In the centre, IV Corps was to take Highland Ridge and the Hindenburg Line, while VI Corps was to take Flesquières Ridge and the Hindenburg Support running over it. On the left, the left of VI Corps and XVII Corps had to cross the dry section of the Canal du Nord before assaulting the Marquion – Cantaing Lines, in conjunction with the Canadian Corps (First Army) to the north.

IV Corps advanced three hours after zero to secure the flank. Some progress was made, although not as much as intended, and further attacks were ordered for the next morning. In VI Corps the 3rd and Guards Divisions were to secure the first and second objectives (Red and Brown Lines) and go on to the third objective (Blue Line) if resistance was unexpectedly light. If not, there was to be a pause of three hours, to allow the artillery to be brought up, prior to 62nd and 2nd Divisions continuing the advance.

Third Army’s advance 26th September–2nd October.

On the right, 3rd Division faced the Grand Ravin (Havrincourt – Ribécourt valley), the western end of Flesquières Ridge and the Hindenburg Support. The 9th and 8th Brigades, right and left respectively, were to take the first objective (Red Line). Then 76th Brigade would pass through 8th Brigade to the second objective (Brown Line), in conjunction with 9th Brigade, whose first objective was 900m closer than its neighbour. Two companies of tanks were allocated to work with 8th and 76th Brigades against the Hindenburg Support and Flesquières. At 9.50 a.m., 185th Brigade (62nd Division) was to pass through and continue the advance to the final objective (Blue Line). At the same time, 187th Brigade was to advance north and south of Ribécourt, while 9th Brigade attacked the village.

The 9th Brigade reached its first objective in fourteen minutes, but it took another forty-five minutes to subdue the garrison. The move towards the second objective started on time at 7.10 a.m. The Brigade progressed steadily until reaching Ribécourt, from where the enemy poured heavy fire. The reserve battalion went through to seize the village in conjunction with a battalion of 187th Brigade (62nd Division), which came up on the right. By 11.30 a.m. Ribécourt was under control. The 8th Brigade ran into heavy opposition on the railway embankment on its right but overcame it to take the first objective by 6.45 a.m.

Drive westwards through Flesquières on the D92 towards Havrincourt. A few hundred metres after passing the end of village sign, park at the village cemetery on the right side of the road. Look to the west-northwest towards the distant wind turbines. Neely’s VC action took place in the field about 275m along that line.

The previous night 76th Brigade had moved from the Beaumetz – Morchies area to its assembly positions. The route had been well reconnoitred and marked and, because of this, the approach march was carried out without difficulties, despite the pitch darkness and rain. All units were in position by 11.45 p.m.

The objective of 8th King’s Own’s on the right was Station Avenue from the railway to the junction with Hindenburg Support (Scorn Trench). On the left, 1st Gordon Highlanders was to capture Station Avenue from the junction with Scorn Trench to the junction with Beet Trench. In support 2nd Suffolk had a number of tasks. Two companies were to follow 1st Gordon Highlanders, one on the left and another behind the centre, prepared to assist in taking and mopping up Flesquières from the northwest if required. The other two companies were to follow the left and right of 8th King’s Own. They were to assist the left in advancing along Hindenburg Support and to protect the right flank and rear. After the Brown Line had been gained, a protective barrage was to be laid down 275m ahead of the objective. Two companies of 2nd Suffolk were to secure and mop up the Hindenburg Support between the Brown Line and the barrage to secure the start of 185th Brigade’s advance. Once the latter had passed through, the two companies were to advance south-easterly, mopping up Hindenburg Support and protecting 185th Brigade’s right flank. They were also to be prepared to assist by fire the advance of 187th Brigade as it moved around the north of Ribécourt. The other two 2nd Suffolk companies were in Brigade reserve in Ravine Avenue. A half battery of 76th Brigade Light Trench Mortar Battery was attached to each of 8th King’s Own and 1st Gordon Highlanders. C Company, 3rd Battalion MGC, allocated one section to follow each leading battalion for consolidation on the objective. The third section was to guard the right flank. On the objective it was to take up a position from which to deal with any counterattacks from the valley between Ribécourt and Marcoing.

The 8th King’s Own assembled north of the railway in Railway Trench, Knat Trench and Knat Alley. To avoid thick belts of uncut wire in front of London Trench and London Support, the leading companies, B on the left and A on the right, moved forward through Knightsbridge and Clarges Avenue at 4.30 a.m. into London Support. At the same time the Germans shelled the assembly positions and caused some casualties. D and C Companies were in support on the left and right.

The 76th Brigade set off at 5.20 a.m., following closely behind 8th Brigade. Both 8th King’s Own and 1st Gordon Highlanders assisted in capturing the Red Line and a considerable number of prisoners. The 8th King’s Own cleared several machine gun posts in Clarges Avenue and a copse to the north. This caused some disorganisation and casualties but did not delay the next phase of the attack.

At 7.10 a.m., keeping close behind the barrage, 76th Brigade passed through 8th Brigade as planned. The 8th King’s Own advanced with its right flank resting on the railway. There was some very hard fighting. The two left companies worked along Hindenburg Support. Many machine gun posts put up fierce resistance and there were a number of critical moments. Corporal Thomas Neely’s company (D) was pinned down by fire from a flank. With two men he rushed a strongpoint in Hindenburg Support, disposed of the garrison and captured three machine guns. On two more occasions single-handedly he rushed concrete machine gun positions, killing or capturing the occupants. Due to his efforts D Company was able to advance 2,750m to its objective. Neely was promoted immediately to lance sergeant. The objective was reached at 9.45 a.m., by which time 8th King’s Own had captured 800 prisoners, 200 machine guns, three field guns and twelve trench mortars. While consolidating the new line, German guns fired on D Company over open sights from the ridge south of Ribécourt. The Battalion was also shelled from Bourlon Wood, some distance to the north. The firing slackened when both locations fell. That night the Battalion was relieved by 2nd Suffolk and moved back to Havrincourt in reserve.

Flesquières village cemetery is on the left behind the bushes, with the murky outline of wind turbines just visible in the distance. The section of Hindenburg Support cleared by Neely ran towards the camera from that area and then between it and the barn on the edge of the village on the right. The dark mass of Bourlon Wood is on the horizon on the right of picture.

With the assistance of some tanks, 1st Gordon Highlanders captured Hindenburg Support after hard fighting. The Battalion went on to take Flesquières before occupying a trench to the east of the village. There it was forced to ground as it came under fire from the sugar factory in the Guards Division area on the left and from artillery firing over open sights from the east and northeast. A company of 2nd Suffolk, in immediate support to 1st Gordon Highlanders, fought through Flesquières and across Ravine Avenue before being held up by the enemy in the objective, Station Avenue. Another company of 2nd Suffolk deployed under its commander’s own initiative to fill a gap on the right flank. He moved his company south of the railway and fought forward to the western outskirts of Ribécourt, in conjunction with a company of 4th Royal Fusiliers (9th Brigade) commanded by its CSM. They continued to the Brown Line and, after 62nd Division passed through and around Ribécourt, advanced into the village and took 200 prisoners. Having achieved that they fell back to the Brown Line. Precise casualties in 76th Brigade during this attack are not known. However, in the month of September there were 633 (104 killed, 511 wounded and eighteen missing).

The 185th Brigade (62nd Division) took the northern part of the second objective in Station Avenue on the left at 9.50 a.m., before continuing the advance to the third objective. It was also held up by the sugar factory, holding out in the Guards Division area. When the advance resumed, 185th Brigade kept pace with 3rd Guards Brigade and reached Marcoing before being driven back. That night it occupied the support trench of Hindenburg Support. The 187th Brigade was held up by the delay in capturing Ribécourt. It lost the barrage and only advanced 800m beyond Ribécourt. The 62nd Division was therefore well short of its objective at the end of the day.

On the left of VI Corps, the Guards Division faced both the Canal du Nord and the Hindenburg Line: a daunting task. Three objectives were set, with a brigade assigned to each in succession. The first objective, involving an advance of 1,400m, fell to 2nd Guards Brigade. Its task was to secure crossings over the Canal du Nord, seize the northern part of the Hindenburg Support trenches and secure the Red Line as a defensive flank to the north, until XVII Corps had cleared Graincourt. The 1st Guards Brigade was to pass through 110 minutes after zero hour to secure the Brown Dotted Line and the Brown Line north of Flesquières. If resistance was weak, 1st Guards Brigade was to continue to the Blue Dotted Line. If not, 3rd Guards Brigade was to take over the advance 270 minutes after zero hour. It was to go beyond the Blue Dotted Line to the third objective (Blue Line) on the spurs running eastwards to the north of Premy Chapel. When this had been secured, and if resistance was weak, patrols were to be sent forward to hold crossings over the Escaut and St Quentin Canal, in order to assist 6th Brigade (2nd Division) when it passed through to continue the advance. While this was in progress, 1st Guards Brigade was to push up behind 3rd Guards Brigade to hold the Blue Dotted Line as a defensive flank until Cantaing was captured to the north by XVII Corps.

BGP = Bull Gun Pits, L6 & L7 = Locks 6 & 7, SF = sugar/beet factory, SK = Sanders Keep Military Cemetery.

The general lines of advance for 2nd, 1st and 3rd Guards Brigades on 27th September. The line held on the evening of the 27th is from the Official History. The main Bapaume – Cambrai road (D930) crosses the Canal du Nord in the top left corner.

To view the site of Frisby’s and Jackson’s VC action, leave Havrincourt on the D15 and drive north towards Moeuvres. Cross over the A2 Autoroute and continue for 2,400m. Turn left onto a track and after 130m cross the bridge over the canal. Park and look back to consider the actions of Frisby and Jackson in crossing the canal and overcoming Mouse Post underneath the bridge on the east bank.

To see the site of Gort’s VC action, approach Flesquières on the D92 from the northeast. Just after passing the village sign on the right, there is a sharp left turn onto a track. Follow it for about 100m to where it widens slightly and park. Climb onto the bank on the south side of the track and look westwards towards the village over the former line of Beet Trench and the two sunken lanes. Rejoin the main road and drive 330m into the village. Park at Flesquières Hill British Cemetery. On the eastern side of the cemetery is the sunken road in which Gort organised his men for the attack on Beet Trench. Look back down the sunken lane towards the main road, on the far side of which is the other sunken road that was used to outflank the sugar factory. To the west of the cemetery on the main road is the Tank Musuem where Deborah, a tank knocked out during the 1917 Battle of Cambrai, is preserved.

Six brigades of field artillery were allocated to the Guards Division to fire the creeping barrage up to the Red Line. The 74th and 75th Brigades RFA were to join 3rd Guards Brigade east of the canal. The heavy artillery was to concentrate upon Premy Chapel initially.

The 2nd Guards Brigade’s attack was made by all three battalions in line echeloned back from the left battalion, which had a limited objective. Until 52nd and 63rd Divisions (XVII Corps) came up on the left, that flank would require protecting and an intermediate objective (Brown Dotted Line) was designated between the Red and Brown Lines. Just before midnight 1st Coldstream Guards was in position and 3rd Grenadier Guards just after 1 a.m. The 1st Scots Guards suffered a hostile barrage on Hunt Avenue that cut it off from the front. As a result, the Battalion was not fully established until 9.30 a.m.

However, when the attack commenced, 1st Scots Guards on the right had little trouble crossing the canal and by 7.00 a.m. was on the first objective, having captured Hindenburg Support and 200 prisoners. The 3rd Grenadier Guards, west of the canal on the left, also had little difficulty in reaching its objectives, but was unable to give much assistance to 1st Coldstream Guards in the centre, due to heavy fire from the left flank.

The 1st Coldstream Guards was led by No.3 Company on the right and No.4 Company on the left. No.2 Company was in support to form a defensive left flank in contact with 3rd Grenadier Guards, leaving No.1 Company in reserve. A platoon each from No.1 and No.2 Companies were detailed to lead the right and left assault columns respectively over the canal and then act as moppers-up.

The right of the Battalion enjoyed the same success as 1st Scots Guards and swept on to take its objectives as planned. However, the left immediately ran into trouble from Mouse Post on the far bank of the canal. This strong position, constructed with iron girders and concrete, was situated in the debris under the destroyed Graincourt – Demicourt road bridge. It was well protected with wire and machine guns covered the dry bed of the canal. The leading platoon of No.2 Company suffered a number of casualties as it tried to press through the wire. The attack in this area ground to a halt. Captain Cyril Frisby, commanding No.2 Company, realised that the barrage would be lost unless Mouse Post was taken quickly. He sent Second Lieutenant Paul Phillips Mallam MC with a party to outflank the Post, while he and three volunteers rushed it frontally over the canal bed. The first volunteer to come forward was Lance Corporal Thomas Jackson.

The Graincourt–Demicourt road bridge over the Canal du Nord from the west bank. Mouse Post was on the far bank underneath the bridge. The church spire in Graincourt is just visible in the right distance.

The flank party was held up in the wire and could do nothing to help Frisby and his team. Undeterred they climbed down into the canal bed under point-blank machine gun fire, forced a way through the wire, reached the Post and captured two machine guns and twelve men. The leading assault troops were then free to sweep over the canal and shake out into their attack formations. Frisby was wounded by a bayonet in the leg during the fight for Mouse Post but remained at duty.

Despite Frisby’s and Jackson’s heroism, the barrage was lost and the attackers ran into flanking fire, particularly from a mound north of the demolished bridge in 52nd Division’s area. However, the attack went ahead, a defensive left flank was established and contact was made with 3rd Grenadier Guards by 6.30 a.m. The left eventually caught up but at 8.00 a.m. the whole Battalion was halted 200m short of the Hindenburg Support, due to intense frontal and flanking fire. Jackson was the first man in his platoon to jump into the German trench that they had been detailed to clear and continued to do splendid work until he was killed. Many officers and SNCOs had become casualties in the advance and Frisby took command on the left of the Battalion, lending support to the company on his right, which had lost all its officers and SNCOs. He also continued trying to bomb forward and, although no progress was made at this time, his efforts ensured that the Battalion hung on despite the intense fire from both flanks. Frisby also helped to beat off a strong counterattack.

Late in the morning 1st Coldstream Guards was still having difficulty on the left flank due to 63rd Division’s advance being held up. The Battalion was unable to push patrols out to the north of Cat Trench. The 3rd Grenadier Guards captured two machine guns near Lock 6 and 52nd Division to the north was seen to be advancing, apparently without opposition. At 12.40 p.m. contact was made on 1st Coldstream Guards’ left with 52nd Division. At about the same time, 3rd Grenadier Guards came forward of the canal and captured a machine gun post. The 1st Coldstream Guards was then able to tackle a troublesome position. Resistance was strong but progress was made. The 63rd Division was seen advancing from the north with two tanks towards Graincourt. The 1st Coldstream Guards occupied Elephant and Mammoth Trenches in the Hindenburg Support. Sow Avenue was cleared and contact was made with 52nd Division at Hog Post. About 4.00 p.m., the Battalion cleared the enemy from Stag Alley but they held on in Bull Gun Pits. Shortly afterwards 63rd Division, advancing south from Kangaroo and Wallaby Trenches, was seen to be making progress along Hindenburg Support and by 5.00 p.m. the Battalion was in contact. The 1st Coldstream Guards took over 300 prisoners in this action, together with thirty machine guns and ten mortars. The Battalion suffered 151 casualties and by 6.00 p.m. was marching back to billets in Boursies.

At 7.10 a.m. elements of 1st Guards Brigade began to move forward on the right through 1st Scots Guards. By 11.00 a.m. they were level with Flesquières, which had been taken by 3rd Division on the right, but a sugar factory (also known as the beet factory) northeast of the village held out. The left was also held up by flanking fire from XVII Corps’ area. The second objective there was not reached until 4.00 p.m., following the fall of Graincourt. In the meantime, a defensive flank was formed facing north (Brown Dotted Line).

The 3rd Guards Brigade concentrated northeast of Boursies on the evening of the 26th and was in its assembly positions by 5.15 a.m. next morning. It crossed the Bapaume – Cambrai road at zero hour. The Canal du Nord was reached on time at 7.20 a.m. and the enemy shelling, which until then had been light, became more intense. The 2nd Guards Brigade had marked the best crossing points with flags and the whole of 3rd Guards Brigade got over with few casualties, despite the heavy shelling. Contact was made with the supporting tanks and touch was gained with 185th Brigade (62nd Division) on the right flank. However, much congestion was then encountered. Heavy enfilade machine gun fire from the left was particularly severe on the crest of the ridge running north from Havrincourt.

The 1st Grenadier Guards crossed the canal one hundred metres north of Lock 7 and, despite the heavy fire, reached the Red Line by 8.30 a.m. As the Brigade HQ moved forward to a new location 1,200m northeast of Lock 7, the commander, Brigadier General Gilbert Burrell Spencer Follett DSO MVO, was hit by machine gun fire below the right shoulder. He was carried back unconscious to a dressing station near the canal and died later (Beaumetz Cross Roads Cemetery – F 24). The rest of the Brigade HQ continued and set up alongside HQ 1st Guards Brigade just after 10.00 a.m. However, there was no contact forward with the battalions or rearward to Divisional HQ for some hours. By this time Lieutenant Colonel Viscount John Gort, CO 1st Grenadier Guards, had been appointed to command the Brigade but it is unclear if he was aware of this.

In the meantime, the battalions continued their approach march. The 1st Grenadier Guards was on the right and 2nd Scots Guards was on the left, each with two companies forward, one in support and the fourth in reserve. Each leading battalion had two mortars of the Brigade Light Trench Mortar Battery and a section of machine guns from No.3 Company, 4th Guards Machine Gun Battalion attached. In support, 1st Welsh Guards was to be prepared to protect the Brigade’s right flank. It had three companies behind 1st Grenadier Guards, a fourth behind 2nd Scots Guards and had two sections of machine guns attached.

On the right, Gort went back to Lock 7 to confer with the officer commanding the supporting tanks but he could not be found. Gort rejoined the Battalion and led the leading companies around the north side of Flesquières, using the buildings as cover from the machine guns to the north. The Battalion pressed on to the eastern section of Silver Street and beyond. By 9.35 a.m. it had reached the sunken road east of Flesquières on which it was to form up for the advance from the Brown Line. However, on the left, 2nd Scots Guards had come under heavier machine gun fire. It found it impossible to cross the ground except by the trenches in the area and these were heavily congested. As a result, little progress was made on the left, where the enemy put up stiff resistance. A counterattack from Graincourt was feared and 2nd Scots Guards occupied Shingler Trench and part of Silver Street (Brown Dotted Line), in order to meet it. The 1st Welsh Guards was also forced into the cover of the trenches and did not regain touch with 1st Grenadier Guards until 11.00 a.m.

From the bank east of the sunken lane, where Gort organised the troops prior to the attack on Beet Trench. Flesquières Hill British Cemetery is on the left, with the sunken lane below it leading back to the main D92 road through the village. The group of farm buildings right of centre are on the site of the sugar factory. Beet Trench ran from the right end of those buildings along a distinct boundary in the field towards the barn on the far right. The other sunken lane is just beyond it.

Flesquières, on the right, from the northeast. The road is the D89, leading to Orival Wood behind the camera. The Cross of Sacrifice in Flesquières Hill British Cemetery is to the right of the end of the road. This is the sunken lane used by Second Lieutenant Clarke’s platoon to outflank the sugar factory, which is the collection of farm buildings left of centre. Beet Trench ran between the left end of the farm buildings and the isolated house on the far left.

Although Flesquières had fallen to 3rd Division on the right, the Germans still held the sugar factory northeast of the village and Beet Trench, close to which were two batteries and numerous machine guns. As a result, the advance could not take place as planned. Gort led the leading platoons of the two assault companies into position for an attack and was slightly wounded above the left eye. A platoon of No.2 Company crawled forward to fix the enemy’s positions precisely, while a platoon of No.4 Company, led by Second Lieutenant Clarke, worked around the left flank along the sunken road leading towards Orival Wood. It wheeled right, outflanked the enemy position and captured the sugar factory, despite being under fire from both flanks and suffering considerable casualties.

Gort then had a dilemma as the troops on both flanks were well behind. Despite this he decided to press on towards Premy Chapel, supported by 1st Welsh Guards, which was to guard the open flanks. Clarke was ordered to take a platoon of No.3 Company to support him and work around the left flank again to get into Beet Trench from the rear. A tank appeared and Gort crossed the open ground to direct its commander onto the immediate objective. However, it was knocked out by direct artillery fire as it neared Beet Trench. Another tank was also knocked out and a third was forced to withdraw. The Battalion came under heavy shellfire directed from balloons and an enemy aircraft, which had spotted the troops in the sunken road. A shell burst severed an artery in Gort’s arm and he lost a lot of blood, but refused to go back. He had the wound bound by the MO and his orderly, 19815 Private Frederick George Ransome MM. Gort directed operations from a stretcher for a while and then insisted on rejoining the leading companies to lead them in the assault. At the same time Clarke succeeded in turning the left flank of Beet Trench, appearing behind it to drive the defenders into the sunken road where 200 surrendered. The two batteries of guns and six machine guns were also captured.

From the lane east of Flesquières looking west, with the village in the left background. The attack was launched towards the camera. Below the church is a large barn on the site of the sugar factory. From where the lane in the foreground joins the main road, a distinct line crosses the field to the left. This is the