Military History

William (Harry) is listed as being dying of wounds incurred in action on 16th August 1916 and he was buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery which was used by the No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals. 

At the time of his death his unit, the 2nd Battalion O&B L I were in 80 kilometers away in the Guillemont area of the Somme. We have transcribed the war diary for the whole of the period 30th July to 16th August 1916 and leave readers to decide on which of those days (if any) William was wounded. July entries courtesy of Lightbobs website.

Waterlot Farm - 30 Jul 1916: Zero was at 4.45 a.m., i.e., daylight, and much too late. The attack by B and C Companies on Guillemont Station failed after repeated attempts, and so the other attack (by A and D, towards Ginchy) failed also. We have 12 officer casualties, and more than 200 men. We naturally had no rest for the remainder of the day, and a disturbed night.

Waterlot Farm - 31 Jul 1916: Got orders about 2 a.m. that the H.L.I, were relieving us, with the exception of D Company, who had to be left behind. We were back in our old position, near Brigade H.Q., about 7 a.m. There was considerable shelling during the night, so we did not have a very good night's sleep, as we had hoped.

Waterlot Farm - 1 Aug 1916: At 5 p.m. the Regiment proceeded from Brigade Reserve to Waterlot Farm trenches, in relief of the 2nd H.L.I.

Waterlot Farm - 2 Aug 1916: At Waterlot Farm. T/Maj R M Owen wounded and died of wounds 

Waterlot Farm - 3 Aug 1916: At 8pm: Relieved by the 17th R. Fusiliers, and to reserve positiom as before [in Happy Valley].

Casualties: Sergeant P. Barlow (Scout Sergeant) wounded, 3 men killed, while on patrol duty.

Happy Valley – 4 Aug 1916: Quiet day

Happy Valley – 5 Aug 1916: The 52nd reinforcement, 1 Sergeant and 65 Rank & File joined at the Happy Valley F.26.27.L.2.3.

5th Infantry Brigade relieved by 6th Infantry Brigade from Divisional Reserve. The Regiment stood fast, in to save an exchange of positions with the 13th Essex Regiment.

Happy Valley – 6 & 7 Aug 1916: Quiet day [&] night of 7/8^th the vicinity of Bde & Regt HQ’s was unpleasantly shelled for 5 hours.

Guillemont – 8 Aug 1916: Guillemont was attacked by the 6th Brigade. The relief of the 5th Brigade (from Divisional Reserve) was cancelled, and the Regiment was lent to the 6th Brigade, and disposed in support positions between Trones and Bernafay Woods. HQ’s in the latter.

Guillemont – 9 Aug 1916: Relief of 5^th Inf Bde by 17^th Inf Bde. The Regi­ment returned to its old area in the vicinity of 5th Brigade H.Q. rejoined 5^th Inf Bde. Quiet night.

Sandpit area – 10 Aug 1916: The Brigade moved to the Sandpit area, in bivouac.

Sandpit area – 11 Aug 1916: Marched to Ville sur Ancre (Ville sous Corbie) and found the 5th (S) Battalion of the Regt at Buire.

Ville sur Ancre – 12 Aug 1916: Brigade conference. Quiet day. 53rd reinforce­ment, 1 Sergeant, 38 other ranks joined.

Ville sur Ancre – 13 Aug 1916: By march route to Mericourt L'Abbe, thence by rail to Saleux, and thence by march route via Saveuse to Ailly-sur-Somme.

Ailly-sur-Somme – 14 Aug 1916: 54th reinforcement, 16 other ranks joined. 6.20am move completed. The Regt in very comfortable billets. Bathing parades.

Ailly-sur-Somme – 15 Aug 1916: Quiet day. Bathing. Divisional conference. 

Ailly-sur-Somme – 16 Aug 1916: By march route to Montonvillers.