Military History

William is listed as being killed in action on 14 Feb 1917. The 8th Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below.

14 February 1917 - Trenches: At 5.22am Major Wightman, who had been sent forward to the Left Company Headquarters, reported that the 3 Platoons of C Company were in position for the attack.

At 5.45am The barrage opened and the attack started, and at 5.50am the enemy opened a barrage of 5.9’s on the Gully. Telephonic communication with the front lines was severed almost immediately, and as no news had been received by 7.30am two orderlies were sent up from Battalion Headquarters.

At 8.10am information was received from Major Wightman that the position was very obscure. 2/Lieut Ackerley had been wounded and about half a dozen of his men had been seen to reach Point 85. No news whatever had been received of 2/Lieut Doble’s platoon. 2/Lieut Cranham’s platoon had reached its objective in the Ravine and had established itself there.

Major Wightman also reported that a considerable number of the enemy were seen about Point 99 and around Boom Ravine and our heavies were directed on this point. A considerable amount of sniping was also reported.

After consultation with Major Wightman, the C.O. decided that it would not be advisable to may any further effort in daylight beyond sending out a couple of small patrols to slip along from shell hole to shell hole to try and get touch with 2/Lieut Doble’s platoon. These patrols were sent out but there was no result.

About Noon the Brigade Major came up and went forward to see Major Wightman and said it was imperative that something should be done at once. A patrol of 8 Other Ranks under 2/Lieut Whitehurst was sent up Cross Trench and got within 30 yards of Point 85 and established itself there.

It was arranged that a further attack should be carried out on Point 85 at 5.30pm, 2/Lt Taylor’s Platoon of C Company being detailed to attack from the south west and 2/Lieut Single’s platoon of B Company to take up a position in the Ravine from which they could either cooperate in the attack or remain in support to 2/Lt Taylor’s Platoon.

It should be pointed out that it only transpired in the afternoon that orders had been given by the Division that Point 85 was to be taken by 12 noon, but this order was not repeated to the Battalion.

At 5.20pm 2/Lt Taylor’s Platoon attacked and Captain C.J. Lonergan was as O.C. C Company was in charge of the operations, seeing that the attack was going to be a success, immediately ordered 2/Lt Single’s Platoon to attack with his Platoon and thus make certain of it. The combined attack was a complete success and during the night the position was consolidated and posts put round about it, and all men who were not required for those posts were withdrawn. Four dugouts were found at the point and these were bombed and a few Germans killed.

Soon after dusk 2/Lieut Doble with a Lewis Gun team and 5 Other Ranks reported to Major Wightman, and said that his Platoon had swung off too far to the left and had been lying in shell holes all day. He could not say where the remainder of his Platoon were. Major Wightman ordered him to take his Lewis Gun team and 5 other ranks to Point 85 and assist in holding it.

15 February 1917 - Trenches: Enemy shelling our front line from 5.30am to 6.20am. At 10.59 five Germans gave themselves up to 2/Lieut Taylor from a shell hole near Point 85.

Orders were received from Brigade in the morning that the Battalion would be relieved tonight by the 8^th Suffolks, 53^rd Brigade on the left and by the 11^th Royal Fusiliers and 6^th Northants on the right. The Commanding Officer made a tour of inspection of the front line returning to the HQ Dugout at 1pm

The battalion was relieved at 10.54pm the relief being completed without casualties, and the Battalion was present in Wellington Huts by 12 midnight.

The casualties resulting from Operations at Point 85 were:
Wounded:  Officers 3.  Other Ranks 18
Killed: Other Ranks 6