Military History

Hubert is listed as being killed in action on 1 Sep 1918 during a succesful attack to capture the village of Bouchavesnes. The war diary for that day is transcribed below in full.

Bouchavesnes – Sept 1^st 1918: The Brigade attacked Bouchavesnes at 5.30am

Order of battle for the attack was as follows: the 2/4^th Bn on the right, 3^rd Bn on the left with 2/2^nd Bn in close support. Brigade and battalion boundaries as shown on attached map appendix 1.

The battalion attack in accordance with orders as attached and appendix II. Zero hour was 5.30am. The morning, although cold, was fine and visibility good. Enemy opposition was strong on the western edge of the village but as this was overcome the enemy showed signs of giving ground without fighting. By 10.45am the battalion had reached the final objective and the CO, Major F.G. Tollworthy MC, had organised and established a definite line as follows: from C.16.d.0.5 to C.16.b.6.9 in touch with the Australians on the right and the 47th Division on the left.

During the attack the casualties were as follows Captain F J Griffiths, 2 Lts V C Prince, H.H Grant, G Gilson killed; Lt H P Lawrence and 2/Lts L A Palmer, F T Rogers, C Brandram, R.C Groves wounded. Other ranks Killed 11, Wounded 49 and Missing 30.

The number of prisoners captured approx 230, Machine Guns 40, Field Guns 8.

Message of congratulations on the success of brigade attached in appendix III. Weather was fine throughout the day.

Battalion was relieved same night by the 14th Black Watch (7^th Division) and rested in valley in B.22.c. The battalion arrived there at 4:00 AM second instance.

2^nd Lt D.A.S. Manning joined Battalion. END