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Harry is listed as dying of wounds on 19th November 1917 and we believe that he was wounded on the same day that he did because there were no medical units using the Sunken Road Cemetery where he is buried. The Narrative of Attacking Parties contained in the report of the days events on the 19th is transcribed below.
Assembly
Assembly: The assembly was made satisfactorily, bit a good deal of clearing had to be done to the Assembly Trench, which had been damaged owing to the enemy shelling in the afternoon. We were assisted by Working Parties of the 2/6th and 2/8th Battalions, R. Warwick Regt. and everything was ready to time.
The party left our parapet by the Gaps A and S at 12.15am, 19th and were in position of assembly by 1.20am. The position given by O.C. raid as point of assembly is 175 yards from our front line, but I consider it probable that this was close to the enemy wire. At Zero plus 3 they were very close to the wire.
Party 1 - Right
Narrative of Attacking Party – No. 1 - Right Party
Moved forward at Zero finding no difficulty in getting through gaps in the enemy wire. But the party hereabout appear to have been scattered by shell fire (reported as ours), and the N.C.O of the party upon arriving at the point of entry, about I.8.a.29.74 found that his party consisted of six men only. It was useless trying to form the block ordered but Private Evans was detached to deal with the Bombing Sap, which he successfully carried out, and also silenced a machine gun. Two men of the party were now wounded and one killed. The enemy were running out of the trench towards Weasel only firing a few shots. Sergeant Fisher considered that he saw about 15 of the enemy working up the parapet. Sergeant Fisher met Captain Bateman i/c?.
Party 2 - Left
Narrative of Attacking Party – No. 2 - Left Party
Passed through Enemy gap after Zero plus 3. The party appear to have been scattered in advancing . When close to point of entry of enemy trenches, bombs were thrown from them, by enemy and 2/Lt Taylor, the Officer in Charge received slight concussion, from two thrown close to him.
Private France then took Command of the four men left in the party and bombs were thrown into the enemy, but the party do not appear to have entered the trench worked up them. They report our shells bursting near them and enemy M.G fire and the party withdrew at Zero plus 13.
Party 3 - Centre
Narrative of Attacking Party – No. 3 - Centre Party
Advanced through the B Gap, casualties occurred before and whilst advancing and party became scattered. Before reaching the trench the leader 2/Lt Bickmere was wounded and the remainder of the party failed to enter the trench. They appear to have been under rifle and machine gun fire but Lt. Bickmore reported reports having seen not enemy. The report of this party as to our barrage on enemy trenches at time of attempted entry was vague.
Party 4 - Support
Narrative of Attacking Party – No. 4 - Support Party
This party had also moved through the B Coy Gap but only numbered when reaching the trench 6 other ranks, the others having been dispersed by shell fire. Captain Bateman opened fire with his revolver upon the enemy and hit three. Sergeant Fisher hit one, all were seen to drop.
Captain Bateman at a turn in the trench saw one of the enemy entering a dug out under the parapet and called him out and he was made prisoner. There were four other enemy in the dug out and two bombs were thrown into it by Corporal Norman. The party continued clearing the trench towards Weasal, Sergeant Fisher being hit by a spend piece of shell case on the arm, but was able to carry on.
Both of these parties withdrew at Zero plus 13 minutes.
Withdrawal & Casualties
Withdrawal: The withdrawal was carried out in good order at zero plus 13. There was no difficulty in getting through the enemy wire, the parties got to the tapes (which were later cut and pulled in), and moved towards our line but owing to enemy barrage on our line had to delay re-entry.
Our Casualties:
Killed – 1 Other rank
Wounded – Severe: 3 other ranks
Wounded - Slight: 4 other ranks
2nd Lt B.V. Bickmore wounded (slight)
Map of Raid Area
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