The fighting had now extended southwards where on May 8 the Australians broke through the Hindenburg Line east of Bullecourt. On that day the 22nd brigade was in reserve on May 4 but the 2nd Royal Warwickshire attacked northeast of Ecoust. The enemy, who at once put down a heavy barrage, held their position with many machine guns and with uncut wire. Unable to get forward the Royal Warwickshire dug in in scattered posts along the railway embankment before Bullecourt. Later in the afternoon in conjunction with the first Royal Welsh Fusiliers, about 200 men under Captain V. J. Sharkey were pushed forward, but the village was honeycombed with passages like a maze, and in face of the enemy's strong fire the assault failed with heavy casualties. On the two days two officers and 18 men were killed and ten officers and 228 men were wounded or missing.

The 2nd Royal Warwickshire was relieved that night on May 5 for a short rest.

The battalion war diary reveals that they attacked enemy lines at Bullecourt and Ecoust incurring at least 246 casualties in the process. A full account of the days events can be found in the war diary by clicking here [4 page PDF]. Please note and respect the copyright of The National Archives.

Stratford Herald - Friday 29th June 1917
KILLED IN ACTION - PRIVATE E. SOUTHAM

Mrs. Southam of 26, Mansell Street, Stratford upon Avon has just received the information that her husband, Private E. Southam who was said to be missing on 4th May is now reported to have been killed in action. Private Southam joined the Royal Warwicks on 10th April last year and was sent to the Front the following August. He had been in some very hard fighting. He was formerly a clerk with Messrs. Flower & Sons' Brewery.