Military History

Hubert is listed as being killed in action on 9th April 1917, the first day of the Battle of Arras. The 22nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 8th to 10th April 1917 are transcribed below.

Arras - 8.4.1917: Battalion moved from Arras and took up its position in Assembly trenches, A & B Coys in front line, C in New Street and D in Spook Street.

Arras - 9.4.1917: 5.30am. Battalion advanced to the attack. Resistance at enemy front line was overcome and advance progressed smoothly to the 4^th Enemy trench (Black Line). The artillery barrage proving most effective. Enemy surrendered freely.

8.30am: Blue line captured. Capt G. Charlton distinguished himself by his skilful handling of his reserves and materially assisted in the taking of the line.

The attack on the Brown line was commenced by the 20^th and 23^rd N.F. [Northumberland Fusiliers] followed up by the 22^nd N.F. as Brigade Reserve. The line was duly taken, the 20^th & 23^rd N.F. pushing on to the Green Line and leaving a garrison in the eastern trench in the Brown Line. The 22^nd N.F. occupied the western trench of the Brown Line. The 21^st N.F. the Blue Line. The 101^st Brigade were in touch on our right but the 103^rd Brigade had failed to come up on our left leaving that flank exposed.

10pm: Message received from Brigade HQ that 103^rd Brigade reinforced by 21^st N.F. and a battalion from 51^st Division would move forward from the Blue Line to the Brown Line. 22^nd N.F. were ordered to occupy the Gavreller Weg from the Brown Line to the railway. This was done and touch established in ?.

Arras - 10.4.1917: 6am. Snow had fallen during the night making trenches very uncomfortable. Water was somewhat scarce. Consolidation was proceeded with during the day.

5pm: F.O.O. reported enemy massing near Gavrelle. Battalion ordered to send two Coys to reinforce 21^st NF. On arrival all was quiet and OC 2st NF sent the Coys back.

9.30pm: Message from Brigade stated that 4^th Division on our right was being heavily attacked. Battalion was ordered to man the western Brown line on both sides of Gavreller Weg.

11pm: Brigade ordered Battalion to move back at once and take up a position along the Railway from the point where it cuts the Blue line to a point about 200 yards to the right. The men were moved at once to this position and dug in for the night. The conditions were miserable.