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John is listed as being killed in action July 23rd 1916 during the attack on High Wood. The 14th Battalion war diary entries for the period July 20th to 23rd are transcribed below and reveal that he was most likely killed overnight 22nd/23rd July during the main attack on High Wood.
War Diary - July 20th
Between Longueval & Bazentine le Grand - 20.7.1916 – 3am: The Battn takes over 2nd line from 2/KOSB’s, holding therefore 2nd line [was] A&B Coys and 3rd line C&D Coys. This move is made to enable the 2/KOSB’s to attack & consolidate, in conjunction with the 9th Brigade on the right & a Division on the left. A new line running from the Southern corner of High Wood SE to join the line through Longueval & Delville Wood. The 2/KOSB’s being responsible for the portion from road junctions S 10 D 8/8 to a point about S.17.a.3.19.
9pm: The Battn takes over the right half of above line from about S 10 B 4/4 to about 100 yards SE of road junction S 10 D 8/8 & about 100 yards along the road running E from same road junction. A & B Coys in front line, D in close support, C in 2nd line support. 1/R.W. Kents prolonging the line to left.
2/KOSB’s in support of 15/R. War R, Brigade Reserve. The following casualties occurred: [not completed]
War Diary - July 21st
Line SE Corner High Wood to Road Junction S 10 D 8/8 – 21.7.16: The Battalion remains in above positions & suffers the following casualties: [again not completed]
The enemy’s line of trenches from E corner of High Wood SE on far side of road as far as S 10 D 9/8 & on near side of road from this point to road junction S 10 D 8/8 were patrolled by 7 West Kents & 14/R War R in view of a proposed attack on 22nd inst. 2nd Lt Turner carried out a capital patrol & obtained very valuable information. Our trenches were subject to a heavy shell fire & we suffered the following casualties:- [again left blank]
2/Lt Jacott, although wounded in several places, rendered very valuable aid in dressing and carrying the wounded of his platoon.
War Diary - July 22nd
High Wood - 22.7.16.
10am: orders received that the battalion, as part of the 13th infantry brigade would attack the enemy's trenches at 10:00 PM. Enemies trenches forming objective oh as shown under entry above. 14th R War Rgt on the right to attack from the point where enemies line crosses road at point S.10.b8.9 two Road junction S£.11.c.5.8. 1/R West Kents prolonging the line to the left to right and enemies line above point S.4.d.6.4. 15/R War in Bde Reserve. 2/KSOB being detailed to attack another portion of enemies line to left rear of our objectives.
10pm: At 9.50pm the attacking Coys A on the right, B on the left, advanced from their trenches in two waves undercover of the artillery bombardment. At 9.55pm both waves were sing to extend from sections in file formation into line preparatory to lying down until the artillery lifted at 10:00pm. As the extension was in progress the enemy opened an overwhelming machine gun and infantry fire. Our troops were cut to bits and although supports were thrown in they received the same treatment and it soon became a question of organising our original frontline to meet a possible counterattack. This was successfully done.
From all reports received from survivors and judging from the intensity of the enemy's fire - opened before the bombardment had lifted it would appear that our artillery had not ranged accurately on the enemy's trenches. A full report of the attack is contained in appendix No 2.
The 1st West Kent Regt fair no better and later on the same remark applies to the 2/KOSB. The casualties sustained by the battalion in this action always follows:
Officers: Killed 3, Wounded 5, Missing believed killed 4, Missing believe wounded 2 and Wounded 2.
Other ranks: Killed 36; Missing 195, Wounded 238. Total 485.
War Diary - July 23rd
High Wood - 23.7.16: Work on consolidation of original position. Patrol work to recover dead & wounded. 12 midnight – Battn relieved by Bedford Regt. Proceeds to bivouac at Pommiers Redoubt in front of Mametz.
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