William is listed as being killed in action on 23rd October 1916. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 21st to 26th October, along with the Diary of Operations for the 23rd October are transcribed below.
War Diary 22nd & 23rd Oct
22nd October 1916 – Bernafay Wood: Cold fine day. Battalion prepares for attack. Coys marched off at 6.45pm by Platoons at 2 minutes interval and took up their assembly positions, A,B & C in Shamrock Trench and D in Fluff trench.
General Lambton visited the Battalion at 4pm and addressed all the Officers and them all good luck. Coys in position at Midnight. We are in support to the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
23rd October 1916 – Trenches E of Les Boeufs: Diary of Operations & Operations Orders are attached.
Captain G.F. Irvine and Captain R.R. Waters wounded and Died of wounds 24th Inst. Lieut J.L Shute wounded, 2nd Lieuts A.G. Duddell, R.S. Cheyney, F.P. Ogden and D.J. Lewis wounded. 2nd Lt F.H. Cox missing.
Diary of Operations
Diary of Operations 23-10-16
1am: Battalion was complete in assembly trenches, Shamrock and Fluff at 1am. Shelling intermittent. 3 casualties taking up positions. In touch with Battalions on the right and left.
8am: A line run out to HQ 2nd R.Dublin Fusiliers in sunken road.
10.30am: Message received Zero put forward to 2.30pm. All Coys informed
2.20pm: Two German aeroplanes seen over our lines passing Southwards over French lines.
2.30pm: Barrage fire opened – attack launched – 1st wounded man came in and reported he was hit well out in No Mans Land and that the Coys were going well ahead. Our barrage fire very good and dense.
3.50pm: Message received from forward Post – Brigade reports Prisoners coming in from Gun Pits. Red Flare lit at T.5.b Central.
4.40pm: Coy Sgt Maj of C Coy returned wounded cannot state time he left his line, his Coy was about 400 yards of Strong Points at Hazy Trench. No one on his right.
5.5pm: Royal Dublin Fusiliers wire to us timed 3.30pm – Captured front line of strong points. Machine gun fire on all sides holding up advance. Heavy casualties. Require reinforcements to bring up S.A.A and Bombs. To weak to resist possible counter attack.
5.30pm: Runner from A Coy with report from Captain Waters:- Situation at 4.30pm was as follows: A mixed party of 50 R War R and Royal Dublin Fusiliers close up to Hazy and digging in. Only about 20 Germans holding Hazy after dark. German machine guns firing about 300 yards ahead of us. Troops on our right about 400 yards to right flank slightly in advance, cannot see any troops on our immediate left.
6.45pm: Royal Dublin Fusiliers reports Lt Gaffrey commanding his A Coy just came in wounded states: we hold Gun Pits and have cleared same thoroughly. We hold ridge on the other side of these Pits. Uncertain about troops on left but they appear to have been held up.
6.50pm: Message by runner timed 3.45pm from C Coy R War R:- Am in S end of Gun Pits with about 25 men and am being fired at from left rear. Some Germans are in North end of Gun Pits and in shell holes behind us. Can see some of our men digging in about 300 yards NE of us on ridge.
O.C. D Coy intercepted this message and reports he is at T.5.a.4.6 and that he is now arranging to attack and clear up situation in Gun Pits. He reports he has only a small mixed forced. Casualties heavy also Royal Dublin Fusiliers lost heavily.
7.30pm: Message received from O.C. D Coy R War R timed 5.45pm by runner states: I occupy German Strong Point T.5.a.5.5. Have only 14 men with me. Our troops hold a line about 500 yards E NE of me.
9.pm: Received message from Royal Dublin Fusiliers that he understands Right Battalion back in Antelope Trench.
12 midnight: Received message from O.C. 1st Somerset Light Infantry that O.C. H Coy went forward to Gun Pits and delivered Bombs and ammunition and found sufficient men of R.W.R and Royal Dublin Fusiliers there so withdrew. A full report asked for.
3.30am - 24.10.16: Full report received and forwarded to 11th Brigade. The ammunition was not delivered.
5.40am: Received message from Lt Beamish timed 2.45am to say he was in touch with Frosty trench but 100 yards distant but digging towards Frosty. Also he was in communication with Gun Pits. Not clear by message if this is possible only at night. He had 100 R.War R and rations etc sent up to him
4.30pm: Had message from Lt Beamish saying that they had a quiet day, little shelling. A few Germans were about the N. end of Gun Pits. Shot about 8 this morning and saw other trying to get away N. Rifle fire this morning stopped a feeble attempt at a counter-attack with bombs. The Germans occupy a small post S end of Hazy trench on the crest, otherwise both sides of the valley clear of the enemy.
2.10am – 25-10-16: Relieved by the 20th Royal Fusiliers 33rd Division. Casualties 2 officers died of wounds, 6 officers wounded. 150 Other Ranks killed, wounded & missing.
