The Three German Offensives of Spring 1918.
The 50th Division was sent to what was supposed to be a quiet sector to recover from the
trials of the Somme and Lys. They expected to be training the many new reinforcements they had just
received.
On the 27th of May the Germans launched the Blucher-Yorck offensive in what was to be their final attempt to
win the War.
Only 3 other Divisions experienced all three German onslaughts.
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MAY 1918.
1st - Battalion billeted at St Gilles. Divisional Field Day - 149th Inf Bde as enemy forces. 151st Inf Bde attacking. 159th
Inf Bde in Reserve.
33081 Pte Jarrett Ernest Edward. Born and enlisted at Beeston, Notts.
Died of wounds on the 1st May 1918 aged 35. Ex 3547 Northumberland Fusiliers. Commemorated at Beeston and Stapleford Beeston Cemetery.
2nd to 5th - St Gilles, Training
5th - Battalion moved to billets at Maizy. CO and Company Commanders went round Line at Craonne.
6th - Maizy training.
7th to 14th - Battalion moved into trenches at Craonne, relieving 273rd Infantry Regiment [Armie Francais]. Relief complete 4 am
on the 8th. Day quiet in trenches. 1 OR wounded on the 12th.
35729 Pte Slater Joseph James. Home at Loughton Bletchley, place of enlistment. Born Newport Pagnell, Bucks.
Died of wounds on the 14th May 1918. Ex 38624 Hants Regt. Commemorated at Beaurepaire French National Cemetery, Pontavert.
14th - Battalion relieved by 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regt. Relief complete 2.30 am instant.
15th to 21st - Battalion moved into billets at Beaurieux in Divisional Reserve training. 1 OR wounded. On the 17th 2 Coys
[A and B] went into Battle positions and returned [practice only].
21st - Battalion moved into trenches and relieved 4th Yorks Bn. Relief complete 2.30 am. A, B, C Coys in Front Line and D in
Support.
205483 Pte Ellerby Fred. Home at 27 Eastgate, Pickering. place of birth. Enlisted at Malton.
Died on the 18th May 1918 aged 27. Commemorated at Tourgeville Military Cemetery.
22nd - Day quiet in trenches.
23rd - Day quiet in trenches. 4th East Yorks on our Left raided enemy Machine Gun Posts.
24th - Quiet day.
25th - 5 ORs killed. 2nd Lt Jackson and 2 ORs wounded.
18011 Pte Claybrough Thomas. Home at Bridge St, Castleford place of birth. Enlisted Pontefract.
Killed in action on the 25th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
18016 Pte Guy Thomas. Home at 8 Maria St, Seaham Harbour, place of birth. Enlisted at Sunderland.
He had served previously with the 7th Yorks Service Battalion from their first going to France on 14 July 1915. Probably a recent transfer
to the 5th Battn after the great losses of March and April 1918. Prior to the War he worked in the Coal Mines at Seaham,
Co Durham as a "putter".
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Pte Thomas Guy.
Photo kindly contributed by his Grandson, Graeme Forster.
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He left a wife, Norah Elizabeth and a Daughter, Sarah, Ann.
Killed in action on the 25th May 1918 aged 30. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35233 Pte Reed George. Home at Bowers Gifford Pitsea. Enlisted Warley.
Killed in action on the 25th May
1918. Ex 34472 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35235 Pte Richardson Lewis. Home at 6 Oldrods Rd, Albert Rd, Morley. Enlisted Dewsbury Yorks.
Killed in action on the 25th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 35172 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
26th - Day quiet. "Stood to" at night owing to information received that enemy attack was to be delivered on morning of 27th
May.
No senior Officer was left to complete the War Diary and it gives the Divisional version.
50th Division account of the operations.
The 150th Infantry Brigade was occupying the Plateau de Californie [or Craonne Roads inclusive] and Left to the Piste d'Orleans inclusive.
Total front about 2400 metres.
Two Battalions were in the Front line - 5th Yorks on the Right and 4th Bn East Yorks on the Left. 4th Yorks Bn was in Divisional Reserve
at Beaurieux.
Of the Front Line Battalions, the 5th Bn Yorks on the Right with 3 Companies in Front and one in Reserve, alternated with 4th Bn Yorks
Regt for tour of 6 days.
The 4th East Yorks Bn on the Left remained permanently in the Line on a Single Company Front.
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150th Brigade positions of Battalions at Craonne.
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On a warning being received from Division about 4.00 pm of an impending hostile attack, reported by prisoners to be due to open with
a 2 or 3 hours bombardment at 1.00 am on the 27th, the following measures were taken:-
1. The Reserve Company of the 4th East Yorks was moved from La Hutte to PC Verdun [in Craonne] and placed at the disposal of 5th Yorks.
2. The Support Company of the 4th East Yorks moved from Electra into close support in Trench Falaise. [just under the South crest of the
plateau.]
3. The 4th Yorks Bn having been released from Div Reserve and placed at the disposal of the Brigade was directed into the Line Mt
Hermel - Tr. Behart [500 yards North of Craonnelle], along which line dugouts to accommodate the Battalion had been recently cleared and
rendered habitable.
27th - Enemy attacked at 4.30 am. Barrage commenced at 1.00 am.
Casualties. 9 ORs killed.
Capt PWJ Waters and 11 ORs wounded.
Missing [Great many killed. Details unknown to person who completed War Diary at the time]:- Lt Col JNR Thomson, Capt G Thompson MC, Capt and Adjt AS Wood, Capt G Moseley, Capt EH Weighill, Capt HG Amis.
Lts GH Smith, JHE Winston, GW Cooper, CBR Rees, HW Knight, EN Lister, JN White [USMC],
2nd Lts JM Atkinson, F Barrowcliff, CL King, HI Robson, W Lowther, W Patterson, JM Rymer, IJE Cavanagh, SF Jowett, P Lawson, RJ Charters,
R Carnaghan and 638 Other Ranks.
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The 5th Yorks Battn was positioned to the right of the 4th East Yorks Battn, with 3 Companies occupying the front line and one in Reserve. Its HQ was in Craonne under Lt Col J A R Thomson.
As news came in of an iminent German attack a Reserve Company of the 4th East Yorks was placed at his disposal.
The opening German bombardment at 1 a.m on Californie Plateau obliterated the front line trenches and the duguouts of the Battalion. Communications with neighbouring Units were lost and contact with Brigade HQ remained only for a short time.
They were attacked on both flanks at 4.30 by German Units. An attempt to drive the Germans from the plateau was made by the Reserve D Company and the Company of East Yorks, but failed with heavy casualties.
At the same time Brigadier General Rees ordered a Company of 4th Yorks, under Captain A L Goring, to attack the flank of the enemy.
This attack failed under the tremendous barrage of shell fire which was falling around the Brigade HQ.
Rees ordered the remnants of the 5th Yorks to try and break through to the Rear, but few managed to make it.
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Trenches at Craonne on the Chemins Des Dames.
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DIVISION ACCOUNT OF OPERATIONS.
Harassing fire had been carried out during the early part of the night by our Artillery and Machine guns, on the enemy approaches, upon
abnormal activity being notices during the evening of the 26th.
At 1.00 am the bombardment opened with all nature of shell, including gas. Brigade HQ in particular was shelled inconsistenly with
gas and masks had to be worn outside the gas-proof dugouts.
All communicatioin were cut within a very short time, except buried cables. The existed to Battalion HQ and Observation Posts on the
Plateau.
The bombardment was the heaviest yet experienced and heavy casualties were casued in the forward posts on the Plateau.
No Infantry attack developed against the Brigade front from the North, but as a result of the successful advance made by the enemy on
the Right position of the Divisional Frond and through the 22nd French Division on the Left,
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the Plateau was enveloped on both flanks by
about 6.30 am.
The hostile barrage was maintained on the Plateau itself to the last.
It is feared that many men were captured in the deep dug outs before they were able to come out.
The Observation Posts on the Plateau had been unable to report the progress of events woing to the smoke and dust.
There was no morning mist. The buried cables to Right Battalion held and Lt Col Thomson reported about 5.45 am that his HQ Company
were then fighting around his Command Post and that they appeared to be surrounded.
No news was received from the 4th East Yorks, very few of whose men came back, but it is probable that they were overwhelmed about
the same time.
The Brigadier General Commanding decided, in view of the general advance being made by the enemy along the whole front, that no
counter-attack carried out by the 4th Yorks could be expected to meet with success.
He intended therefore to hold the Intermediate Line with this Battalion moving his HQ back to P.C Terrasse [600 yards South of
Craonnelle] to which proposal the Divisional General agreed by telephone.
About 7.00 am the Brigade HQ left La Hutte with the intention of re-establishing at P C Terrasse.
On arrival there however, it was discovered that the 4th Yorks had been overwhelmed on the Mt Hermel - Tr.Behart Line and that the
enemy were already approaching PC Terrasse from the West.
An attempt to organise into defence at this point had therefore to be abandoned.
The Brigade HQ had now become dispersed as a result of hostile shelling. The Staff Captain and Intelligence Officer had ben wounded
earlier in the morning and the Brigade Major was wounded whilst withdrawing towards the River Aisne.
Brigadier General Rees, it is believed became too exhausted to continue and was captured.
Some few stragglers were collected on the River and placed under such Officers as could be found.
The Brigade HQ ceased to exist temporarily and was not reformed until the arrival of the Division at Vert La Gravelle on the 31st May.
48852 Pte Anderson George. Home at 19 Gertrude St, Grasswell, Houghton Le Spring Co Durham.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 44024 R Welch Fus. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35670 Pte Andrews George Frederick. Home at 183 Church Rd, Yardley, Birmingham.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex Yeomanry Cyclist Bn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34061 Pte Banham Percy. Home at Feltwell, Norfolk, place of birth. Enlisted Norwich.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex SE/3189 Army Veterinary Corps. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
240643 Pte Barker Walter Gorner. Home at Sledmere, Malton. Enlisted at Scarborough. Born Richmond Yorks.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
13314 Cpl Batty George Whitaker. Born and enlisted at Halifax.
Died of wounds on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at St Erme Communal Cemetery Extension.
33757 Pte Bax Leslie Herbert Harry. Born and enlisted at Caterham, Surrey.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex M/287224 Army Service Corps. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
30005 Pte Baxter John Thomas. Born and enlisted at Leicester.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34804 Pte Bishop William James. Home at 37 Chandos St, Gateshead place of enlistment. Born London.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 23. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
19004 L/Cpl Bissell Joseph William. Home at 1 Cricket Field Row, Rise Carr, Darlington. Born and enlisted at Darlington
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 23. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
202179 Pte Black Thomas. Home at Newcastle place of birth. Enlisted at Northallerton N Yorks.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
205088 Pte Blackett Fred. Born Menington, Co Durham. Enlisted Spennymoor.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
3008 Pte Blagg John William. Born and enlisted at Mansfield.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 34057 Notts and Derby Regt. Commemorated at Sissonne British Cemetery.
48012 Pte Brown John. Home at 16 Thomas St, Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham place of enlistment. Born
South Church. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 21. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34794 Pte Brydon Joseph. Home at 55 Worley St, Newcastle on Tyne, place of birth and enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 3172 Northants Regt. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35734 Pte Budd Howard James. Home at 24 Heeley Rd, Selly Oak, Birmingham. Place of birth and enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 4628 Yeomanry Cyclists Battalion Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35761 Pte Bullock Samuel Edward. Home at Juniper Cottages, Wick St, Stroud, Glos. Born Pitchcomb Glos. Enlisted at
Stroud. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 20. Ex 235373 Yeomanry Cyclists Battalion. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
33768 Pte Campbell Frederick John. Home at 67 The Uplands, Rogerstone, Newport Mon. Born Beaufort. Enlisted at
Ebbw Vale. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 20. Ex M/299034 Army Service Corps. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
48425 Pte Carlin Benjamin. Home at Shelford Rd, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham. Born West Bridgeford, Notts.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 18. Ex TR571667 87th T R Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35665 Pte Casey Patrick. Born Templemore, Londonderry, place of enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 27218 R Inniskilling Fusiliers. Commemorated at Chauny Communal Cemetery British Ext.
36188 Pte Chambers Claude E. Born Ecclesfield, Yorks. Enlisted Barnsley.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Jonchery Sur Vesle British Cemetery.
240583 Pte Chippendale Thomas. Enlisted at Bridlington. He was a signaller with the Battn and had been with them
in France for three years.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
48360 Pte Clarke Harry. Born and enlisted at Bilston.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex TR/5/110238 87th T R Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
24816 Pte Clayton Bryan. Born and enlisted at Bradford.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Wancourt British Cemetery.
35714 Cpl Clifford Harold. Home at Bishopton. Born Twickenham. Enlisted Bristol.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 3985 Gloucester Regiment. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
235739 Cpl Collins James Gilbert. Home at Redwick House, Pilning Bristol, place of birth and enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 31. Ex 3175 Gloucester Regiment. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34724 Pte Conway Leslie John Henry. Home at Walthamstow, Born and enlisted at Stratford, Essex.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 5237 Northumberland Fusiliers. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
35744 Pte Crow Herbert. Born and enlisted at Birmingham.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 326699 Yeomanry Cyclist Battalion. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34809 Pte Curry Cuthbert. Home at 7 Orange Place, South Shields,
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex Tr/5/18268 T R Battalion. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
1050/240072 Sgt Dawson John. Home at High St, Hovingham Spa, Malton. Born Hovingham N Yorks and enlisted at Malton.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 27. Awarded the Military Medal. Gazetted 19 December 1916 when he was L/Cpl. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34683 Pte Denham Eric Munroe. Home at Holme Cottage, Lightcliffe, Halifax. Brighouse, place of birth. Enlisted at
Halifax. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 18. Ex 30459 Yorks Dragoons. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
201046 Pte Densley Richard James. Home at Cole Hill, Rettendon, Common, Chelmsford. Enlisted Northallerton Yorks.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 21. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
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Germans in Trench on the River Aisne.
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46701 Pte Dixon James Henry. Home at 3 Etherley Moor, Bishop, Auckland. Born Bleechgreen, Newcastle and enlisted
Sunderland. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 24. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34460 Pte Dodd Frank. Home at 42 Portland St, Upperthorpe. Sheffield, place of birth and enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 24. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
48458 Pte Donnell Wilfred. Home at 3 Dennisons Yard, North Bondgate, Bishop Auckland. Place of birth and enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35753 Pte Dowdeswell Arthur. Home at Rodborough, Glos. Born and enlisted at Stroud.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 37. Ex 3950 Glos Yeomanry. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34697 Pte Dunkerly Willie. Home at 156 Manchester Rd, Roaches, Mossley Manchester. Born and enlisted at Mossley
Lancs. Killed in action
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Cpl Thomas E Lyon. Taken Prisoner.
Survived the War to become Billiards Champion of Yorkshire.
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on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 29434 Yorkshire Regiment. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
240889 Pte Ely Stanley. Home at Seaton, Hull. Enlisted Driffield.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
204066 Pte Emmerson William. Born at Barnby Moor, Yorks. Enlisted at Guisborough.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
35719 Pte Evans Francis Trevor. Born and enlisted at Birmingham.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 23884 12th Yeomanry Cyclist Bn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
Lt Frazer Hubert. Home at Ganthorpe House, nr Castle Howard, Yorks.
He had fought with the 2nd Yorks Battn since May 1915 and been wounded in October 1916 and out of action for some time. He rejoined the
2nd at Ypres in April 1918 and had just been attached to the 5th Battn earlier in May.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 33. Ex 2nd Yorks Battalion. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
235745 Cpl Freeman William. Home at 45 Letchford Gardens, Harrow Rd, College Park, born Harlesden London. Enlisted Pound
Lane. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 28. Ex 3359 Middlesex Regt. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
43609 Pte Gibson Thomas Leonard. Home at 52 Albany St, Hull. Born Manchester.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 18. Ex 71983 87th T R Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35735 Pte Goodman Horace William Gleason. Home at Harold Cottage, Lower Newtown Malvern Worcs.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 28. Ex 23886 Yeomanry Cyclist Battn Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
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35746 Pte Guest Percival John. Home at Dursley, Born Barnwood, Enlisted Stroud.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 238802 Glos Regt. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
204098 Pte Hansom Eli Oliver Victor. Home at Harbrons Yard, Yarm N Yorks.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 21. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
20625 Pte Harker John James. Home at Brotton, Yorks. place of birth. Enlisted at Whitby.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
240104 Pte Harrison Martin. Home at Old Malton. place of birth and enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35698 Pte Hill Alfred James. Born and enlisted at Bristol.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 238815 Yeomanry Cyclist Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
235737 Sgt Houlston Harry. Home at Castlegate, Helmsley Yorks. Enlisted at Gloucester.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 38. Ex 2372 R Gloucester Hussars. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
265531 Pte Hunt George Home at Flamborough. Born Pulham St Marys Norfolk Enlisted Bridlington.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
9076 Pte Hunter John Joseph. Born Armley Leeds. Enlisted South Bank N Yorks.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
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Fred Jennison's Bible.
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1861 [240395] Pte Jennison . Fred. Home at Fairfield Rd, Bridlington. Reported killed in action on the 27th May 1918 by the
local Bridlington newspaper, but all evidence indicates that he survived. A great many men were missing this day and the majority taken
prisoner.
His brother Leonard, who is mentioned in the paper report served with the 5th Battn from April 1915 and was transferred to the
1st Yorks Battn. This Battn spent the whole War in India and Leonard died there on 30th October 1918.
Fred's death cannot be found in the records of the SDGW or the CWGC and his name is not on the Bridlington War Memorial.
Annals of Bridlington - May 28, 1915. He has just returned home from the front after having passed through a terrible experience in
France and Belgium. He is making wonderful recovery from three wounds received in the great battle near Ypres, about April 26.
June 4, 1915 - Bridlington soldier’s life saved by a Testament. This little pocket testament, presented to Pte Fred
Jennison, of the 5th Yorks Regiment, was carried in his left breast pocket.
When a German bullet struck him on April 25, it passed through a leather strap, his overcoat, tunic, several letters, and pierced 432
pages of the little yellow pocket testament. He will prize the book as long as he lives.
1918 - Second wound proves fatal. The sad news has reached Mrs F. Jennison, Fairfield Road,
that her husband, Pte Fred Jennison, Yorkshire Regiment, was killed on May 27. He was a son of Mr and Mrs Jennison, Beck Hill, and had been
in the Army for four years. He had been in France more than two years and was wounded at Hill 60 in 1915, when the bullet went through his
pocket testament. The deceased’s brother, Pte L. Jennison, Yorkshire Regiment, has been in France two years and has now left for another
theatre. His sister is in the WAAC.
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Pte Fred Jennison.
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Pte Jennison last year, when on convalescent leave, was married to Miss Hannah Leppington, and in her
bereavement, as in that of the gallant soldier’s father and mother, much sympathy will be felt. The soldier’s young widow, with her
one-year-old infant daughter, lives at 1 Moorfield Road. The death has now been officially notified. Captain and Adjutant Saltanstall
(an old Bridlington boy himself) has written a letter to the bereaved mother expressing his sympathy.
2ndLt Jowett Sydney Ferguson Born Treeton, Rotherham. Ex OR Northumberland Fus & 12th Bn Teesside Pioneers,
He had served with the 12th Yorks Battn from November 1917 and had just been transferred to the 5th Battn after their huge losses
on the Somme and Lys.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 24. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
21462 Pte Laverick John William. Born and enlisted Stockton on Tees.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
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235747 Pte Lewis Charles Valentine. Home at 18 Wolseley Rd, Wealdstone, Harrow. Born Poplar. Enlisted Poind
Lance Willesden. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 27. Ex 4103 Middlesex Regt. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
35724 Pte Lloyd Thomas Edwin. Home at 276 Sparkhill Rd, Birmingham. Born and enlisted at Birmingham.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 238918 12th Yeomanry Cyclist Battn. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
2ndLt Lowther William. Home at Copley House, Butterknowle, Co Durham.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 26. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
240161 Sgt Lyons Francis. Home at Lyndhurst, Park Grove, Norton, Malton, Yorks. place of birth and enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 23. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Commemorated at Vendresse British Cemetery.
23889 Pte McDonnell John. Born Barking London. Enlisted Middlesbrough.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
48180 Pte Mills Albert Edward. Home at 9 Deakins Place, Peters St, Old Radford, Nottingham. Born and enlisted
Nottingham. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 18. Ex 5/110113 TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
205067 Pte Morgan George Henry. Born Richmond Yorks. Enlisted Bishop Auckland.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
34860 Pte Morris Percy Home at 11 Regent St, Hanley. Born and enlisted at Hanley Staffs. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19.
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Cpl Henry Nicholson.
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Ex 33550 N Staffs Regt. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
17115 Cpl Moses Jacob. Home at Howden le Wear. Durham. Born Kirkley Ravensworth Richmond. Enlisted Bishop Auckland.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
38140 Pte Mudd George. Born Leicester. Enlisted Huddersfield.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
235749 Pte Newton Horace. Home at Stonebridge Park NW. Enlisted Pound Lane Willesden.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 21. Ex 2366 Middlesex Regt. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
19273 Cpl Nicholson Henry. Home at 30 Coal Bank Tce, Hetton le Hole. Born East Rainton, Durham. Enlisted
Houghton le Spring. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 20. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
240457 Pte Norrell Leonard Arthur. Home at 4 East Dean, Wydale Chichester. Born Eastdean, Chichester, Sussex. Enlisted
East Ayton. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 26. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
29803 Pte Overton John Henry. Home at Chapel Hill, Groby, place of birth. Enlisted Leicester.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 25. Ex 32144 Notts and Derby Regt. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
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Postcard sent to Cpl Henry Nicholson in 1916 when he was just 18 and with the 10th Yorks Battalion, illustrating how the 4th Yorks were by now a Unit made up of new reinforcements.
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Postcard with photo sent by Cpl Henry Nicholson to his mother.
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1869 later 240399 Cpl Thomas Edmund Marsh Lyon.
He was made a Prisoner of War this day, but survived the German camps and returned to become a Billiards Champion in
Yorkshire.
A native of Hull, at the age of 17 he had enlisted at Beverley shortly after War was declared on 21st August 1914.
He went out to France when the 5th Bn first went in April 1915 and served to June 1915 when he was repatriated to UK with a gun shot
wound to his knee suffered on 29th May.
He returned again to Front Line duty from Oct 1916 to July 1917. He was in Hospital in Manchester from
June to August 1917 with Phlebitis, abcesses on elbow, due to another gun shot wound.
On recovery he was back to duty on the 1 April 1918 and recommended for promotion to full Corporal.
While a POW he was treated for "general weakness".
He was discharged from the Army on the 28th March 1919 after suffering from Gastritis and issued with the Silver War Badge.
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35224 Pte Parfoot George. Home at Bilston, Staffs. Born Skirlaugh Yorks. Enlisted Hull.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Grand Seraucourt British Cemetery.
35781 Pte Parker Albert Frederick. Home at 45 Cambridge Rd, Hammersmith. Born Hammersmith and Enlisted at Acton
W. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 30. Ex G/32306 Middlesex Regiment. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35346 Pte Pearson Fred. Home at Denton Lincs, place of birth. Enlisted Aston under Lyne.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 3/39528 64th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
15648 Pte Pendergast William. Home at Wingates. Born Hutton Henry, West Hartlepool. Enlisted Houghton Le
Spring. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Awarded the Military Medal. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
424436 Pte Perks Frank Victor. Home at Malthouse, Station Rd, Lapworth Birmingham.Born Henley. Enlisted Birmingham
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 163787 Royal Field Artillery. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35228 Pte Powell Joseph. Home at 38 Military Rd, Canterbury. Born Swalecliffe, Kent. Enlisted Canterbury.
Died on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex Tr/5/34710 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Croix du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
CWGC gives date of death this day but other men buried here died in River Lys area in April.
240131 Pte Pratt Robert. Born and enlisted at Pocklington.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Commemorated at Rosieres Communal Cemetery Extension. CWGC gives date of death this day, but
more likely March as this cemetery is in the Somme region.
48355 Pte Ratcliffe Cecil. Home at 18 Commercial St, Mansfield. Born Pleasley Notts and enlisted Mansfield.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 18. Ex TR/5/110337 87th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
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Pte John W Robertson.
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48301 Pte Rippin Willie. Home at West Bridgeford. Born Nottingham and enlisted Ilkeston.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex TR/5/110570 87th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
2574 and 200620 Pte Robertson John William. Home at 63 Shakespeare St, Middlesbrough. Enlisted Middlesbrough.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 22. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
He had served with the 4th Yorks Battalion from when they first went to France and had been badly gassed at Ypres in May 1915. Presumably he had time out recovering in the UK and transferred to the 5th
240572 Sgt Roe Joseph Home at Malton Crossing, Beverley. Born Garton, Driffield. place of enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 31. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
235746 Pte Russ Albert Frank. Home at 26 Boynton Rd Hornsey. Enlisted Hornsey.
Died of wounds on the 27th May 1918 aged 20. Ex 3871 Middlesex Regt. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35241 Pte Savory James Henry. Home at 75 Broadwater, Flordon, Norfolk, place of birth. Enlisted Attleborough.
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Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 34794 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
46449 Pte Scott Frederick. Home at 25 Aspinall St, Heywood, Lancs.Born Hartlepool, Enlisted Middlesbrough.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 24. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
43630 Pte Shaw Joseph. Home at 47 Aughton Rd, Swallow Nest, Sheffield. Born at Aston, Yorks and enlisted Pontefract.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 110368 87th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
20786 Pte Smithson John Edward. Home at 155 Grange Rd, Middlesbrough. Born and enlisted Middlesbrough.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 21. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
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Pte Thomas Edwin Snowden.
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15143 L/Cpl Snowden Thomas Edwin. Home at 63 Dean Rd, Scarborough. Born and enlisted Scarborough. An apprentice electrician
in Seamer before the War started.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 21. Commemorated at Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension.
27th May is the date given by the
Commonwealth War Graves website, but this man is buried in a cemetery on the Somme, so it is likely that he lost his life in the German offensive in
March. He had enlisted in December 1914 and served initially with the 10th Yorks Battalion until that Unit was disbanded at the end of 1917 and he was transferred to the 5th.
He had fought with the 10th Battn at Loos, the Somme in 1916, 3rd Ypres and the Arras offensive of 1917.
43765 Pte Standen Herbert Harry. Home at Brixton S W. Born Bassingbourne Cambs. Enlisted Lambeth.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 25. Ex 6985 Royal Fus. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
48335 Pte Stobart Arthur Edward. Home at 60 Lower Cuthbert St, Gateshead, Born and enlisted at Gateshead.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex TR/5/110320 87th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35258 Pte Swindell William Henry. Home at Radford Nottingham. Born and enlisted Nottingham.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 35339 9th TR Battn Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
205397 Pte Tapken John Frederick. Home at 8 Elizabeth St, South Shields.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 39. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
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Lt Col J A Thomson.
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Lt Col Thomson James Albert. Distinguished Service Order. Home at The Uplands, Malton, N Yorks.
Born in Huddersfield in 1876.
He was a pre-War Territorial. He took the Yorkshires first prisoners of war at Hull in 1914 whilst in charge of
interned German shipping. He was twice wounded at Ypres in December 1915 and during the operations at the Bluff in Feb 1916.
He had assumed Command of the Battalion in April 1917 when Lt Col Pearce was wounded at Arras.
On the 25th of March 1018 the GOC 24th Brigade had sent for the newly promoted Lt Col Thomson to thank him for the efforts made by the
Officers and men of the battalion during the German onslaught on the Somme.
Conan-Doyle in the "History of the Great War" said that "he was worth half a Battalion in his own person upon the day of Battle."
By 6-00am Lt Col Thomson’s last report was received, “HQ company fighting about the command post and appear to be surrounded”.
After fighting to the last he ran for it and was Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 42. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
240080 Cpl Tranmer John William. Awarded the Military Medal. Born at Bridlington, Only son of John William and Hannah Mary Tranmer,
of Garforth, Leeds; husband of Ada Tranmer, of 64 St. John Street, Bridlington. He had been in the TF before the start of the War and
served with the Battn from the start. He was badly gassed in October 1917 at Passchendaele and hospitalised in the UK.
He returned to France in April 1918 and was awarded his MM on the 10th April 1918 for Gallantry and devotion to duty.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918, aged 24.
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Germans at an Outpost on the Chemins de Dames.
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Commemorated on the Soissons Memorial. His death was not confirmed until October.
Annals of Bridlington - He joined the army in 1914, being in the Territorials, and has been in France three years.
He won the Military Medal in May, 1918.”
34771 Pte Turner Hansom Hargreaves Home at 9 Oaklands Ave, Leeds. Born Bramley, Yorks and enlisted Leeds.
Killed in actionon the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex TR/5/14801 4th TR Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
13849 Pte Tweddle William. Home at 3 Cousin St, Sunderland. Born Sunderland place of enlistment.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 38. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35766 Pte Webb Walter James. Home at 6 Back, 100 Percy Rd, Birmingham. Born and enlisted Birmingham.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 19. Ex 238901 12th Yeo Cyclist Battn. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
35798 Pte Weekes Herbert George. Home at 13 Simster St, Moston. Born Warminster Wilts. Enlisted Manchester.
Killed in action on the 27th May
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1918 aged 27. Ex 229549 Royal Field Artillery. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
41799 Pte Wharrie Herbert Arthur. Enlisted at Horncastle.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918. Ex 185002 Royal Field Artillery. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
19903 Pte White William. Home at 10 Maple St, Cargo Fleet, N Yorks. Born Derby. Enlisted Middlesbrough.
Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 31. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
235273 Pte Woodrow Henry John. Home at Beccles Rd, Thurton, Norton, Norwich. Born Gorleston and enlisted Gt
Yarmouth. Killed in action on the 27th May 1918 aged 31. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial.
240251 Pte Coulbeck Charles. Home at 3 Peel Place, North Bar St, Beverley, Yorks, place of birth and enlistment.
Killed in action on the 29th May 1918 aged 26. Commemorated at Vailly British Cemetery.
240139 Pte Dale Walter Born and enlisted at Driffield.
Killed in action on the 29th May 1918. Commemorated at Vailly British Cemetery.
48233 Pte Soulsby Richard Rennie. Home at Easington Colliery. Born Southwick Durham. Enlisted West Hartlepool.
Died of wounds on the 29th May 1918. Ex TR/5/110251 87th TR Battn. Commemorated at St Erme Communal Cemetery Extension.
31st - Transport arrived with details at Vert Le Granville.
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