Stories of Family in the Great War

Ivan Hurst History 05 February 2022 Hits: 245

Stories of Family in the Great War

I'm not really sure if this should be in People of History category, but it is going to start in History.

It is not a history of the Great War as there are much better accounts than this.

However, when researching individuals and families, sometimes they have Great War stories within the Article.

This is a collection of those Articles. The Articles are in full, not just the relevant part.

William Henry Pomeroy, born 22nd September 1884

William Henry, born 22nd September 1884 at 20 Torrens Buildings, Torrens Street, Clerkenwell, Islington (if at home). Baptised William Henry on 2nd November 1884 at the Parish Church of St Peter's Clerkenwell.

Reprise of youth

William Henry was born to Charles and Charlotte Elizabeth Pomeroy. Charles Pomeroy was a Police Constable. He was their first child surviving beyond infancy, and became the big brother to his subsequent siblings.

The family moved when William was under 5 years old, to 104 St John Street, on the junction with Clerkenwell Road. Only 3/4 miles from Torrens Street, and now only just under 1/2 miles from St Peter's Church on St Cross Street / Great Saffron Hill.

Not long after, there was another move to 18 Palmerston Buildings, which was in City Garden Row, City Road, Angel, Islington, Middlesex.

William was last recorded with the family on the Census 1901 at 6 Beaconsfield Terrace as a 16 year old Groom. On 1st April 1902 he joined the Army, the Middlesex Regiment at Hounslow.

Perhaps the family moved to the Prince Albert Public House in 1901/2, or not, as the papers list next of kin as William's parents, Charles and Charlotte of 6 Beaconsfield Villas, Fulwell Road, Teddington, with two brothers, Edward and Albert. There appears to be a change of address to 2 Albert Villas, Princes Road, Teddington.

Service with Middlesex Regiment

There is even a physical description of William as a 19 year old as part of the sign-up and medical. He was passed fit for service on 5th April 1902.

He is 5 feet 9¹/₄ inches tall, (1.75895 m) with blue eyes and brown hair. This is above average height for the period by about two inches.

His religion is stated as being Church of England, which excludes all the other Protestants as well as Roman Catholic.

He was posted on 6 June 1902 and granted GC Badge o n 1 April 1904, both still with the Middlesex Regiment. Is this a Good Conduct badge?

The badge photo is not of his badge but a general Middlesex Regiment collar badge of the Victorian Period.

William transferred to the Army Reserve on 20 February 1905, after serving 2 years 10 months 19 days in the regulars..

According to his service record he was discharged, the termination of first period of engagement, as a private, from the Army Reserve on the 31 March 1914.

Total service towards engagement to 31 March 1914, 12 years, and to pension 2 years 236 days.

It seems that he was posted to Dublin during part of his service. Ireland was considered "Home" at that time.

The Norman invasion in 1169 of resulted in a partial conquest of the island and marked the beginning of more than 800 years of English political and military involvement in Ireland. Initially successful, Norman gains were rolled back over succeeding centuries as a Gaelic resurgence reestablished Gaelic cultural preeminence over most of the country, apart from the walled towns and the area around Dublin known as The Pale.

Reduced to the control of small pockets, the English Crown did not make another attempt to conquer the island until after the end of the Wars of the Roses (1488).

Attempts to impose the new Protestant faith were also successfully resisted by both the Gaelic and Norman-Irish. The new policy fomented the rebellion of the Hiberno-Norman Earl of Kildare Silken Thomas in 1534, keen to defend his traditional autonomy and Catholicism, and marked the beginning of the prolonged Tudor conquest of Ireland lasting from 1534 to 1603. Henry VIII proclaimed himself King of Ireland in 1541 to facilitate the project. Ireland became a potential battleground in the wars between Catholic Counter-Reformation and Protestant Reformation Europe.

In 1916 the Easter Rising succeeded in turning public opinion against the British establishment after the execution of the leaders by British authorities. It also eclipsed the home rule movement. In 1922, after the Irish War of Independence most of Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom to become the independent Irish Free State.

Therefore, William's Army record records only 'Home' service, at least during this first period of engagement.

Whilst in Dublin he was given instruction and passed in Transport Duties, on 3 December 1903. Was this learning to drive an internal combustion engine vehicle? Perhaps steam driven, or more likely, horse drawn.

The Imperial War Museum has a section entitled The British Army lorries prior to the First World War.

THE BRITISH ARMY LORRIES PRIOR TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR © IWM (Q 72862)

THE BRITISH ARMY LORRIES PRIOR TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR © IWM (Q 72869)

THE BRITISH ARMY TRACTORS PRIOR TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR © IWM (Q 72860)

Also whilst in Dublin he was given an education was awarded a 3rd Class Certificate of Education on 26 April 1904.

Both the Transport and Education awards where achieved whilst he was in the Middlesex Regiment regulars.

William's Military record also has the following additional information added over time.

William married Kathleen Mary Josephine O'Dowd at the Registry Office Kingston, Surrey, on the 6 March 1907. The witnesses were Charles Pomeroy and Charlotte Elizabeth Pomeroy. As their first child was born in May of the same year, one has to assume that she was pregnant at the time of the marriage, and that was the reason for the Registry Office instead of a Church. Presumably, William met Kathleen in Dublin. Their wedding was after he transferred to the Army Reserve on 20 February 1905, but as he was in the Reserve, it was added to his Military Record.

John Henry Charles was born on 19th May 1907 at Teddington, Middlesex.

William Patrick was born on 4 October 1908 at Teddington, Middlesex.

Edward George was born on 14th May 1910 at Teddington, Middlesex.

Whilst there is space to record baptisms in the Military Record, done have been entered.

William was not recorded as having spent time in hospital as an inpatient.

The end of the Military Record.

Family life

The marriage is recorded on the indexes for Q1 of 1907.

William Henry Pomeroy married Kathleen Mary J O'Dowd, registered in Kingston, Volume 2a page 656.

Baptism of John Henry Charles Pomeroy

John Henry Charles was born on 19th May 1907 at Teddington, but I have not found a baptism record in this Parish. However, it appears that it was just missfiled in Ancestry.

This Baptism record is on page 184 of the Baptism Book for St James Hampton Hill, Middlesex, but is filled under Shepperton, 1907-1913. I found it because their first daughter, also Kathleen is in the same block of the book.

The block of lost pages are; 184-185 (1907), 190-191 (1908), 194-195 (1908-1909), 218-219 (1911-1912), 222-223 (1912), 226-227 (1912-1913), 250-251 (1916-1917), images 1-7.

Knowing what to look for, flicking through the St James, Hampton Hill 1864-1916 Baptism book online, I am able to confirm the above pages are missing from the proper section.

John Henry Charles was Baptised on 14th July 1907, to Harry and Kathleen Pomeroy, at St James Church, St James Road, Hampton Hill. The family's abode was White Cottage, Wellington Road, Twickenham. Harry's occupation is recorded as Labourer. Harry was, at the date of this baptism, still in the Army Reserve until the 31 March 1914, hence, his birth being recorded in the Military Record.

William Henry Pomeroy was nearly 24 years old when his and Kathleen's first child was born and Baptised.

I suspect that I would have questioned whether this was a relevant record as the father's name is Harry instead of William Henry, as in the other information including other Baptism records. A search for White Cottage, Wellington Road, Twickenham, does not reveal a White Cottage, but Wellington Road, Twickenham, is the same road in Fulwell, Hampton Hill, and Teddington. There are other Wellington Roads in London, but not in the immediate vicinity.

However, the child's name matches the Military record and the abode matches later information precisely, combined they give me confidence that it is the correct record.

Baptism of William Patrick Pomeroy

This Baptism record is also for the Parish of Hampton Hill.

William Patrick was born on 4 October 1908 at Teddington, Middlesex, from earlier data. He was Baptised on 8th November 1908, to William Henry and Kathleen Mary Josephine Pomeroy in St James' Church, Hampton Hill. The Church is in St James Road and the family abode was White Cottage, Wellington Road. William Henry Pomeroy described his profession as being Army Reserve. The previous Baptism recorded the same address but occupation of labourer.

Saint James Church, Hampton Hill

The church in Hampton Hill was built in 1863, it is in the early English style and consists of nave and chancel, with bell turret.

What was to become Hampton Hill was originally the southern corner of Hounslow Heath, used as common land to graze animals. It was a haunt of highwaymen and footpads, with a gibbet for the punishment of these criminals on the corner at the Hampton Hill end of Burton’s Road. The Commons Enclosure act of 1811 allowed parts of this heathland to be enclosed and the land, which is now between St James’s Church and Hampton Hill High Street, was converted into glebe (land providing income for a clergyman) for the benefit of St Mary’s Church, Hampton.

During the early 1860s the Thames Valley Railway Line was extended, the Hampton Water Works was built and the local nursery trade developed. These projects brought an enormous number of rowdy, hard drinking labourers and artisans into an area with terrible conditions, many people living in “miserable hovels”. They helped to increase the number of public houses in the district to thirteen, these being the scenes of not a few “public affrays”. There were no facilities or services in the area and consequently poverty, drunkenness and violence were widespread. The shacks in which these people lived gradually developed into a community on the common and it was described as “a wilderness with a number of habitations of the most wretched kind, inhabited by a still more wretched class of people”.

Despite the Church being a different parish from his parents the location is very close to both the Fulwell Road and Prince's Road homes. Wellington Road crossing at the top of both roads. Inspection of the Ordnance Survey First Edition maps in the Teddington section suggests that Wellington Road is one of the original roads of the area.

The church and the whole village of Hampton Hill was new and constructed between the Ordnance Survey First Edition and the OS 25" Map.

Baptism of Edward George Pomeroy

Another Baptism record is for the Parish of Hampton Hill.

Edward George was born on 14th May 1910 at Teddington, Middlesex, from earlier data, his father's Military Record. He was Baptised on 5th June 1910, to William Henry and Kathleen Mary Josephine Pomeroy in St James' Church, Hampton Hill. The family abode was as the last baptism, White Cottage, Wellington Road, Twickenham. William Henry Pomeroy described his profession as being Coffee stall keeper.

William Henry was, at the date of this baptism, still in the Army Reserve until the 31 March 1914, hence, his birth being recorded in the Military Record.

The information here correlates with previous data and the upcoming 1911 Census.

1911 Census

William Henry Pomeroy and his family of five lived at the White Cottage, Wellington Road.

William Henry is aged 27, been married for 4 years and works as a coffee stall keeper. His calculated year of birth is 1884, in Clerkenwell, both of which match previous information.

His wife Kathleen Mary Pomeroy, aged 28 was born in Dublin.

From his military record his children are;-

John Henry Charles was born on 19th May 1907 at Teddington, Middlesex.
William Patrick was born on 4 October 1908 at Teddington, Middlesex.
Edward George was born on 14th May 1910 at Teddington, Middlesex.

All this also matches.

White Cottage does not appear to be in Wellington Road on the 1901 Census, but is adjacent Slade Farm and Fulwell Golf Club House, in the 1911 Census.

Perhaps White Cottage was part of the Slade Lodge complex, if not part of the Farm. Either way, it is very close to 6 Beaconsfield Villas, where he spent some of his childhood.

Baptism of Kathleen Mary Josephine Pomeroy

Another addition to the family after the 1911 Census, this time a daughter. Surprisingly this child is not recorded in his Military record despite being born before William Henry Pomeroy's discharge for the Army Reserve on the 31 March 1914.

Kathleen Mary Josephine was given her mother's name, Baptised at St James Church, Hampton Hill, on 14th July 1912. The abode is still the White Cottage, Wellington Road, but this time Hampton Hill. The same place as previous, even if with an ending of Twickenham. Again William Henry Pomeroy occupation is Coffee Stall Keeper. I wonder where this was and how far his commute was each day. Mass travel was now available, so everything did not need to be within walking distance.

This record is one of the misplaced ones as described for her eldest brother, page 222.

Baptism of Albert David Pomeroy

By 1914, and the birth of their next child, the family had moved to 7 Rosedale Avenue. Albert David was born on 20^th March 1914 and Baptised in the Parish of Hayes on 21^st June 1914, to William Henry and Kathleen Mary Josephine Pomeroy and the father's occupation was recorded as labourer.

Google Streetview gives this as 7 Rosedale Avenue, Hayes. Number 7 has the climber around the window. The datestone on the next house indicates Rosedale Avenue but no date.

The more recent photo has lost the climber, gained a porch and shows the brickwork to be yellow stock.

Hayes is adjacent to Colham Green, and Rosedale is about 1 1/2 miles away from the Prince Albert Pub where William Henry Pomeroy father was recorded as living in the 1911 Census.

William Henry was back as being a labourer. I wonder what had happened regarding the Coffee Stall Keeper?

William Henry was nearly 30 years of age when Albert David was born and Baptised.

As an aside, and jumping forward to between the wars, the family were still living at 7 Rosedale Avenue for the 1936 Register of Electors. Although from the codes to the left of the names, not all are equal.

World War 1

The Great War - Overview

The Great War

The First World War began when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, on 28 June 1914. Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum 23 July 1914 and quickly declared war when Serbia failed to respond. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire formed the Triple Alliance, while Russia, France, and the United Kingdom formed the Triple Entente.

Russia felt it necessary to back Serbia, and approved partial mobilisation after Austria-Hungary shelled the Serbian capital of Belgrade, which was a few miles from the border, on 28 July 1914.
Full Russian mobilisation was announced on the evening of 30 July; the following day, Austria-Hungary and Germany did the same, while Germany demanded Russia demobilise within twelve hours. When Russia failed to comply, Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August in support of Austria-Hungary, the latter following suit on 6 August; France ordered full mobilisation in support of Russia on 2 August.
Germany's strategy for a war on two fronts against France and Russia was to rapidly concentrate the bulk of its army in the West to defeat France within 6 weeks, then shift forces to the East before Russia could fully mobilise; this was later known as the Schlieffen Plan. On 2 August, Germany demanded free passage through Belgium, an essential element in achieving a quick victory over France. When this was refused, German forces invaded Belgium on 3 August and declared war on France the same day; the Belgian government invoked the 1839 Treaty of London and, in compliance with its obligations under this treaty, Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914. A rapid escalation from an assassination to Britain becoming embroiled in war in just 37days. On 12 August, Britain and France also declared war on Austria-Hungary; on 23 August, Japan sided with Britain, seizing German possessions in China and the Pacific. In November 1914, the Ottoman Empire entered the war on the side of Austria-Hungary and Germany, opening fronts in the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, and the Sinai Peninsula. The war was fought in (and drew upon) each power's colonial empire also, spreading the conflict to Africa and across the globe. The Entente and its allies eventually became known as the Allied Powers, while the grouping of Austria-Hungary, Germany and their allies became known as the Central Powers.

Great Britain sent troops to both the Eastern and Western Fronts, where they faced the realities of life in the trenches and a war that lasted longer than expected. Despite heavy losses, the Allies were able to resist German advances and eventually forced Germany to accept the armistice on 11 November 1918, ending the war.

William Henry Pomeroy had only left the Army Reserve on 31 March 1914, but within 4 months 4 days, or 18 weeks 0 days, or 126 days, Britain was at war. The Great War had commenced, and would ultimatly lead to his death.

His Service Records

British Army WW1 Service Records, 1914-1920 (Soldiers)

There were about 6-7 million soldiers (Other Ranks and Non-Commissioned Officers) who served with the British Army in the First World War. Each soldiers’ record of service was stored by the War Office after the First World War was over.

Unfortunately about 60% of the soldiers’ Service Records were irretrievably damaged or lost completely as a result of enemy bombing in 1940 during the Second World War. The exact number of serving British soldiers is not known because of the loss of the records.

However, about a third, approximately 2 million, were saved from destruction. These records are known as the “Burnt Records”. Officially they are classed as WO 363 records, which is the reference number given to them by the National Archives.(The “WO” in the classification code stands for “War Office”.) As a result of the loss of so many of the First World War Service Records, there is now only a 40% chance that the Service Record of the individual you want to trace will be available to examine.

The surviving 2 million “Burnt Documents” Service Records are for soldiers who were discharged, demobilized at the end of the war, who died between 1914 and 1920 and who were not eligible for an Army pension. Some soldiers who were in the regular army before the outbreak of war in August 1914 may, however, be included in this class of records.

The Service Records will not include soldiers who continued to serve in the military after 1920. Their records are not available for public access.

A search of the National Archives led to William Henry Pomeroy medal record.

If this is the same William H Pomeroy, Regimental number 50422, why was he in the Suffolk Regiment when previously he was in the Middlesex regiment?

I found an article about 'Why a Soldier did not Serve with his Local Regiment'. This explains in part why he appears to be in the Suffolk Regiment instead of rejoining the Middlesex Regiment.

The lack of being able to find an image of the Attestation Papers (enlistment) is a set back in the categorical identification of this being the same William H Pomeroy as the one who enlisted on 1st April 1902 to the Middlesex Regiment. The physical details recorded as well as personal data would have a firm identification.

So let us see what we can find to improve the circumstantial evidence that Private 50422 is the same person.

Starting with an Extract of Soldiers' Effects, Payment Centre Warley.

From this we can ascertain that Private 50422 was with the 12th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment and that he died on the 5 May 1917, No 55 C.C.S France. The widow and sole recipient of the pension was Kathleen M J, not explicitly but presumably Pomeroy. There is another entry in the same column which is dated 20/10/19 with Kathleen M J and Johnson, beneath that. Is that a new surname of the signature of the authorising officer. Given that above, in the Electors register of 1932, Kathleen Mary Josephine Pomeroy was living at the previously known address.

It appears from the adjacent recruitment poster from WW1 that the 12th Battalion was a Bantam Battalion with a Standard of Height requirement of 5ft to 5ft-2, and Chest Measurment 33in expanded.

From the 1902 Attestation Papers our William Henry Pomeroy was 5 feet 9¹/₄ inches tall, (1.75895 m) with blue eyes and brown hair. His chest messurement was minimum 33" and expanded 35".

It seems strange that he would end up in a Bantam Battalion. Perhaps it was something to do with his age or health.

His age at death on 5th May 1917 would have been 32 years 7 months 13 days, or 391 months 13 days, or 1701 weeks 5 days, or 11,912 days.

Conscription

In the first few months of 1916 the Military Service Act was passed by the British Government, rendering all fit males of military age liable for call up. The act specified that single men aged 18 to 40 years old were liable to be called up for military service unless they were widowed with children or ministers of a religion. Married men were exempt in the original Act, although this was changed in June 1916. The age limit was also eventually raised to 51 years old.

Again, not having the WW1 Attestation Papers, means we don't know the date he joined up, nor where or under what circumstances.

At this stage the connection is unreliable

Now onto the records held by Forces War Records and the search for William Henry Pomeroy. Unfortunately it is a transcribed record and not an image. This means that any information not transcribed is not available and there is not the opportunity to check the transcription. Findmypast has the same information.

The Suffolk Regiment Collar Badge appears to be a castle.

Troop Movements

WW1 Troop Movements and ORBATS for William Henry Pomeroy

Orders of Battle (ORBATS) are documents produced by the military to show the hierarchical structure, command organisation and disposition of units for particular engagements of the British Military. At the highest level they show a breakdown of the units involved in entire conflicts, the First World War in this case, including Divisional and Brigade commanding officers, the organisation of the divisions right down to the battalion level along with their attached units from for example, the Royal Artillery. With the ORBATS you are able to determine exactly where units were on a given date and the battle, action or event they took part in.

If William Henry Pomeroy stayed with Suffolk Regiment, 12th Battalion, this map shows where they would have fought.

12th (Service) Battalion (East Anglian)

July 1915 Formed at Bury St. Edmunds as a bantam battalion and then moved to Bordon and joined the 121st Brigade of the 40th Division and then moved to Pirbright.
06.06.1916 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
During 1916
The Battle of the Ancre.
During 1917
The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie, The Cambrai Operations.
During 1918
The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck.
06.05.1918 Reduced to cadre.
16.06.1918 Transferred to the 14th Division.
17.06.1918 Returned to England and moved to Pirbright to reconstitute with the 16th Battalion and join the 43rd Brigade.
05.07.1918 Returned to France and landed at Boulogne and once again engaged in various actions on the Western Front including; The Battle of Ypres 1918.
11.11.1918 Ended the war in Belgium, Molembaix north of Tournai.

b

The 12th Battalion move to France on 27th May 1916 having completed its training in Blackdown, Pirbright, and Working area. Perhaps the training area holds a clue as to why William Henry Pomeroy ended up enlisted in an East Anglia Bantam Battalion.

Troop Movements for Suffolk Regiment, 12th Battalion 1916

Move To France - 27/05/1916

Location: Lillers. Having completed its training in the Blackdown, Pirbright and Woking area, in May 1916, 40th Division was warned that it would soon move to France. On 25th May the Division paraded on Laffans Plain for inspection by King George V and began its mobilisation on 27th May.

Entrainment began on 1st June with disembarkation at Le Harve between 2nd and 6th June, and by 9th June the Division had completed its concentration around Lillers.

Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of The Ancre - 14/11/1916

Location: Hebuterne area. British victory. The attack of the British Fifth Army against German First Army along the River Ancre between Thiepval and Beaumont Hamel was the final large scale British attack on the Somme before winter set in.

Troop Movements for Suffolk Regiment, 12th Battalion 1917

German Retreat To The Hindenburg Line - 14/03/1917

Location: Allaines. German tactical victory. Known to the Germans as 'Operation Alberich', this was a strategic German withdrawal to a series of fortifications that had been planned and built during the winter of 1916-1917.

Built on the highest ground possible and following an alignment 45km shorter than the current trench lines, it would require less troops to garrison as losses on the Eastern Front led to troop transfers. To complete the withdrawal the Germans carried out a 'scorched earth' policy to ensure that anything which might be useful to the Allies was destroyed.

Buildings were demolished, roads and railways mined, bridges blown up and water courses poisoned. When the German retreat began, 40th Division in XV Corps, Fourth Army were holding a sector of the front between Bouchavesnes-Bergen and Clery-sur-Somme.

120th Infantry Brigade and 121st Infantry Brigade in the front line, 119th Infantry Brigade in reserve. News of the German withdrawal from other parts of the line reaching the Division on 14th March, patrols were sent out to reconnoitre the German trenches on their front, finding them still occupied.

Further patrols sent out during the night of 17th -18th March reported the Germans beginning to withdraw, and 120th Infantry Brigade and 121st Infantry Brigade moved forward in pursuit. Crossing the Canal du Nord on 19th March, the Division halted at Allaines.

119th Infantry Brigade relieving 120th Infantry Brigade during the afternoon of 20th March. Relieved from these positions on 25th March, 40th Division passed into XV Corps reserve around Bouchavesnes-Bergen and Curlu.

Capture Of Fifteen Ravine - 21/04/1917

Location: Fifteen Ravine. British victory. Whilst Third and Fifth Armies were engaged in the major offensive against the Hindenburg Line east of Arras, to the south Fourth Army also attempted to advance their positions via a number of small attacks and skirmishes.

During the night of 12th-13th April, 8th Division had captured Gouzeacourt and on 21st April, 8th Division and 40th Division in XV Corps, Fourth Army, were to advance the lines further towards Gonnelieu and Villers-Plouich. 8th Division attacking Gonnelieu whilst 40th Division would advance towards Villers-Plouich, 120th Infantry Brigade on the left, 13th East Surrey Regiment and 11th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) the lead battalions, 119th Infantry Brigade on the right, 12th South Wales Borderers and 19th Royal Welsh Fusiliers the lead battalions.

The objective of 12th South Wales Borderers was a position known as Fifteen Ravine, south of Villers-Plouich, so called because it had fifteen trees flanking it. Whilst 120th Infantry Brigade advanced with little difficulty, 119th Infantry Brigade, in particular 12th South Wales Borderers faced much more serious opposition, capturing its objective only after a stiff fight.

The cemetery known today as Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery is actually in Farm Ravine, Fifteen Ravine itself being the feature on the opposite side of the Gouzeacourt to Villers-Plouich road.

Capture Of Villers Plouich - 24/04/1917

Location: Villers Plouich (Villers-Plouich). British victory. Whilst Third and Fifth Armies were engaged in the major offensive against the Hindenburg Line east of Arras, to the south Fourth Army also attempted to advance their positions via a number of small attacks and skirmishes.

Having advanced their position from Gouzeacourt towards Villers-Plouich with the capture of Fifteen Ravine on 21st April, on 24th April, 40th Division in XV Corps, Fourth Army were to stage a much larger attack to capture the villages of Villers-Plouich and Beaucamps. 119th Infantry Brigade on the right were to attack the ridge between Gonnelieu and Villers-Plouich, whilst 120th Infantry Brigade on the left were to capture the villages of Beaucamps and Villers-Plouich.

The attack of 119th Infantry Brigade, 17th Welsh Regiment and 18th Welsh Regiment leading, 19th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in support, met little opposition and had cleared it's objectives by 07.00am. However 120th Infantry Brigade faced much stiffer resistance in the two villages.

On the right 13th East Surrey Regiment, supported by 14th Highland Light Infantry, moved out from Fifteen Ravine at 04.15am. Clearing the German trenches and several strong points south of Villers-Plouich, the two battalions reached the outskirts of the village by 05.30am.

Here they were halted for a time by heavy fire from a well entrenched machine-gun post, until this was finally cleared by 13th East Surrey Regiment. Pushing on 13th East Surrey Regiment had cleared and captured the village by 06.30am, although both they and 14th Highland Light Infantry came under heavy artillery fire during the day whilst securing it.

To the left 14th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, supported by 11th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), had more problems in attacking Beaucamps. Although having little difficulty in getting through to the village, they found it impossible to hold due to machine-gun fire from Bilhem Farm and were forced to withdraw.

The Germans reoccupying the village following the withdrawal, a second attack at 14.00pm failed to retake it. Corporal E.

Foster, 13th East Surrey Regiment, was awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions during the attack on Villers-Plouich.

Capture Of Beaucamp - 24/04/1917

Location: Beaucamp (Beaucamps). British victory. Whilst Third and Fifth Armies were engaged in the major offensive against the Hindenburg Line east of Arras, to the south Fourth Army also attempted to advance their positions via a number of small attacks and skirmishes.

On 24th April, 40th Division attempted a large scale attack to capture the villages of Villers-Plouich and Beaucamps. With 120th Infantry Brigade leading the attack on Beaucamps and Villers-Plouich.

Whilst 13th East Surrey Regiment were successful in capturing Villers-Plouich, 14th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, supported by 11th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), had been unable to hold Beaucamps due to machine-gun fire from Bilhem Farm. Receiving news during the evening that 20th Division had captured Trescault and Bilhem Farm, it was decided to continue the attack on Beaucamps the following morning.

Meeting little resistance the attack, led by 11th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), was entirely successful.

La Vacquerie - 05/05/1917

Location: La Vacquerie. British victory. Whilst Third and Fifth Armies were engaged in the major offensive against the Hindenburg Line east of Arras, to the south Fourth Army also attempted to advance their positions via a number of small attacks and skirmishes.

During the night of 5th -6th May, 8th Division and 40th Division in XV Corps, Fourth Army, undertook a large scale raid on German positions around Gonnelieu and La Vacquerie. 8th Division attacking strong points north of Gonnelieu, 40th Division had as their objective the village of La Vacquerie and trenches north-west of it.

121st Infantry Brigade on the left, 20th Middlesex Regiment and 12th Suffolk Regiment leading, were to raid the trenches, whilst 119th Infantry Brigade on the right, 12th South Wales Borderers and 17th Welsh Regiment leading, 19th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in support and 18th Welsh Regiment in reserve were to attack La Vacquerie. The infantry holding the position as 224th Field Company, Royal Engineers, moved through the village blowing up the houses and clearing cellars.

Setting off at 23.00pm, 12th South Wales Borderers came under heavy machine-gun fire from the village but had entered it by 23.20pm. 224th Field Company completing their work, all the units withdrew on time at 01.00am.

His Death

William Henry Pomeroy, Private 50422 died of his wounds on 5th May 1917, either incured in the battle at La Vacquerie or at a previous battle.

From the records found so far we have William Henry Pomeroy, Private 50422, left a widow Kathleen M J, he was born in Clerkenwell of an unknown date or age, and he resided in Hayes. I think that is probably enough correlation to make them the same person, i.e William Henry Pomeroy, son of Charles Pomeroy and Charlotte Elizabeth Pomeroy, born 22^nd September 1884 at 20 Torrens Buildings, Torrens Street, Clerkenwell, Islington (if at home). Baptised William Henry on 2^ndNovember 1884 at the Parish Church of St Peter's Clerkenwell. Before the commencement of World War 1 he was living at 7 Rosedale Avenue, Hayes, as confirmed by the Baptism Record of his son Albert David on 21^stJune 1914.

The death card, provided by somebody on Ancestry has the relevant information, including the families address.

Going back to Ancestry I find another copy of the Medal Record. The National Archives have been working with some selected partners to rescan the collection.

A worthwhile exercise, I think.

Another Ancestry record states that Private 50422 Enlisted in Hayes, unfortunately without a date.

Some people on Ancestry have also posted photos regarding William Henry Pomeroy.

La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, Péronne - Posted by Gwen Buesnel from Orange, New South Wales, Australia

The headstone at La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, of 50422 Private W H Pomeroy Suffolk Regiment 5 May 1917 - Posted by Elizabeth Reynolds

The headstone at La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, of 50422 Private W H Pomeroy Suffolk Regiment 5 May 1917.

The two images of Private William Henry Pomeroy were posted on Ancestry by Elizabeth Reynolds. Looking at the collar badge of the uniform with him standing I would estimate this photo to be from his period of service with the Middlesex Regiment, commencing in 1902.

The mounted image is circa 1916, with the Suffolk Regiment.

William Henry (Harry) Pomeroy 1884-1917
1st cousin 3x removed

William Henry Pomeroy

b 22 Sep 1884 20 Torrens Buildings, Torrens Street, Angel, Islington, Middlesex, England

d 5 May 1917 • La Vacquerie, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France

m 6 Mar 1907 Kingston, Surrey, England, to Kathleen Mary Josephine O'Dowd

Children

19 May 1907 - John Henry Charles Pomeroy

4 October 1908 - William Patrick Pomeroy

14 May 1910 - Edward George Pomeroy

19 May 1912 - Kathleen Mary Josephine Pomeroy

20 March 1914 - Albert David Pomeroy

Homes

White Cottage, Wellington Road, Teddington, Middlesex

7 Rosedale Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex

Edward Pomeroy

Edward, born 15th December 1886 at 20 Torrens Buildings, Torrens Street, Angel, Islington (if at home). Baptised Edward on 6th February 1887 at the Parish Church of St Peter's Clerkenwell.

In the 1911 Census Edward was living with his parents Charles and Charlotte Elizabeth Pomeroy at the Prince Albert Pub, in Pield Heath Road, Colham Green, Hillingdon, Uxbridge. Edward, was aged 24, single a Groundsman at the Golf Club.

Reprise of youth

Edward Pomeroy was baptised in the Parish Church of St Peter's Clerkenwell in the County of Middlesex on the 6th February 1887, born to Charles and Charlotte Elizabeth Pomeroy on 15th December 1886, of 20 Torrens Buildings.

The family moved out of 20 Torrens Buildings, Torrens Street, Angle, Islington between 1887/1889. Their next home was 104 Saint John Street, Clerkenwell and they stayed there until 1889/1891.

The next move was to a block of flats or tenements, perhaps a 'model' development for the time. 18 Palmerston Buildings, City Garden Row, Islington. They stayed there not much longer than the last home, until 1892/1893.

After that it was a big move out of the Clerkenwell area, a densely populated urban environment, to a newly developed suburban idol. Edward Pomeroy was about 6 years old for the move to Teddington.

The family home for the next decade or so was 6 Beaconsfield Villas, 48 Fulwell Road, Teddington, Middlesex. During his time at 6 Beaconsfield Villas, his parents had to complete the 1901 Census with the Enumerator. The record showed that Edward, aged 14, was a Gardener.

They moved one street away to 2 Albert Villas, 23 Prince's Road, Teddington, for about a year 1904 to 1905, before moving again to 1 Albion Villas, 17 Prince's Road, Teddington in 1905 and remaining until 1910/1911. In the 1910 Register of Voters Edward Pomeroy is listed as renting a room at Charles Pomeroy's home. Edward was aged 23 in 1910.

In the 1911 Census record, Edward, aged 24, single a Groundsman at the Golf Club, living with his parents Charles and Charlotte Pomeroy at The Prince Albert, a Public House in Pield Heath Road, Colham Green, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex.

Family Life

Single in the 1911 Census, the next record found for him was his Marriage Register Index.

This index was from quarter 4 of 1911. Volume 3a page 86.

Edward married Florence Davis in Uxbridge Registration District

Charles Edward was born on 15^th January 1912 and Baptised on 30^th January 1916, when he was 4 years of age, to Edward and Florence Pomeroy of Ash Cottage, Colham Green, Hillingdon, Middlesex. His father's occupation appears to be Pressman.

On the same day, 30^th January 1916, on the next page, Florence Ethel is recorded as being Baptised, having been born on 4th November 1915.

Was this a job lot, buy one get on free, BOGOF, or was there a sudden urgency? Had Edward just received his call-up papers? He was 29 years and 1¹/₂ months old at the date of the Baptisms. However, as stated within his elder brother's section, conscription only started in the first few months of 1916, the Military Service Act was passed by the British Government, rendering all fit males of military age liable for call up. So not that. Were the rumours rife, so he was preparing for them?

Apparently Pressman is;- Printers or pressmen spread the ink, a mixture of oil and lamp black, evenly over the form then applied this to each sheet of paper in turn.

Perhaps reading the newspapers as well as printing them caused concern. Was printing a protected job up until then? From Groundsman at the Golf Club to Pressman is a significant shift. Some golf courses were turned over to food production.

Perhaps he had already signed up as a volunteer.

Enough speculation, back to facts.

Their abode was stated on the Baptism Records as being Ash Cottage, Colham Green. Ash's Cottages are between the Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales according to the 1926 Register of Voters. Very close to Edwards parents at the Prince Albert Pub, according to the 1911 Census.

Although, Edward's parents Charles and Charlotte Elizabeth Pomeroy had moved away from the Prince Albert Public House to 3 Stewkley Terrace, 38 Heath Road, Hillingdon, Uxbridge between 1912 to 1913, so were there at the time of the Baptisms.

World War 1

Forces War Records record for Edward Pomeroy

There are two potential Regimental Numbers for Edward Pomeroy, 5338 and G/40467. From Army Service Numbers 1881-1918, Middlesex Regiment - 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Battalions, 5332 joined on 14th February 1898 and 5669 joined on 16th January 1899. On 14th February 1898 Edward was 11 years 2 months old. On 16th January 1899 he was 12 years 1 month old. Did he enlist in the Middlesex Regiment when he was 12?

Charles and Charlotte had six children living with them on 31 March 1901, the date of the Census that year. Charles Pomeroy and his family was still living at 6 Beaconsfield Terrace, Fulwell Road, Teddington, Middlesex. Edward, aged 14, a Gardener. The previous census, he would have only been 4, slightly too young for the army. Did Edward manage to slip in a couple of years service as a boy between 1898 and 1901?

When Britain went to war with Germany in August 1914, the Middlesex Regiment maintained the number series above for men enlisting for regular periods of service and started new number series for those men enlisting for wartime service only. It also started new series for war-time enlistments joining the 5th (Special Reserve) & 6th (Extra Reserve) Battalions which I'll deal with in future posts.

War-time only enlistments in the 11th - 15th service battalions, the 20th - 22nd Battalions, the 28th - 32nd Battalions and the 1st Garrison (Home Service) Battalion had their numbers prefixed with the letter G/ (or GS/ in some cases). Those men enlisting as regular, career soldiers, still received their numbers from the old series, prefixed with the letter L/.

Although both 5338 and G/40467 are used for Edward Pomeroy a search for 5338 reveals a 19 year old Frank Webber born in 1879 at Islington, Middlesex.

Frank Webber, 5338 signed up at Hounslow on the 25th February 1898, when he was 19 years 4 months old. He was discharged on 24th February 1914 with 16 years service. Frank would have been 35 years of age.

Frank Webber spend over 3 years in South Africa between 1899 and 1902.

South African War, also called Boer War, Second Boer War, or Anglo-Boer War; to Afrikaners, also called Second War of Independence, war fought from October 11, 1899, to May 31, 1902.

His parents were William and Mary Anne Webber of 18 Copenhagen Street, Islington, Middlesex and are recorded as his next of kin. The is no mention of a wife or children in the record for 5338.

Frank Webber born in 1879 and Edward Pomeroy in 1886, seven years between them. Frank singed up in 1898 when Edward would have been 11 years 2 months, I think he would have found it difficult to have passed himself of as a 19 year old.

The Great War - Overview

The Great War

(Sorry, just a repeat of the same section for William Henry Pomeroy)

His Service Record

Pomeroy, Edward 40467

Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment
4th Battalion

Acting Sergeant

Ancestry Effects Record for Edward Pomeroy

Fold3 Pension Record for Edward Pomeroy

A transcription record for E Pomeroy 40467 from Forces War Records

A search of the National Achives and a subsequent purchase, (signed in so free purchase) allowed the download of the above record. It also has two Regimental Numbers, which explains why Forces War Records has both numbers.

Again Ancestry has a rescanned copy. Issued Victory Medal and British War Medal posthumously.

The above Roll of Individuals entitled to the Victory Medal and/or British War Medal granted under Army Orders, has Pomeroy, Edward and Edwards, Amos. The relevance of the latter will become apparent below.

The Territorial 1/7th Battalion spent the first seven months of the war in England and Gibraltar but landed at Le Havre in March 1915. Attached to 23rd Brigade in 8th Division, it served on the Western Front until July when it was amalgamated with 1/8th Battalion.

Men of 1/7th Battalion The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1915 [Image number: 91190] National Army Museum

This is a photo from the National Army Museum and is very very unlikely to include Edward Pomeroy, and if it does in is just random.

Edward Pomeroy Regimental number is G/40467. Perhaps a number nearby in the sequence will give us an idea about his signup date. A lot of records were lost in WW2, which could explain the lack of signup records for Edward Pomeroy. A near number is, G/40470 - Amos Edwards Born 1879 Middlesex. Wo 363 - First World War Service Records 'Burnt Documents'.

From the scraps of burnt records. Amos Edwards, of 1 Cave House Cottages, High Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex, a British Subject, 36 years old, an Unmarried Mill Hand, who had previously served in the 20 Hussars for 12 years, signed up in December 1915.

His next of kin is listed as George Edwards, his brother, of the same address. Military History, Home 20 March 1916 to 19 September 1916 (i.e. UK) and France from 20 September 1916. Decorations, British War Medal 1914 - 16 and Victory Medal.

Embarked Folkstone 20 September 1916, disembarked Boulogne 20 September 1916.

Posted to 1/7th Middlesex 20 September 1916. Posted to 4th Battalion Middlesex 30 September 1916. Joined 4th Battalion Middlesex 3 October 1916. Noted as Missing on 16 April 1917.

From the Medical Record, the initial sign up or Medical was on 11th December 1915 at Uxbridge and again on 20 March 1916 at Hounslow. Amos Edwards was 36 years old, 5ft 6in tall and 144lbs in weight.

... Enlistment 8th Middlesex Regt. Number 6364 later G40469.

Using yet another soldier's records, the order of information is, and the dates from Amos Edwards;-

General Service, Attested -- 11/12/15

General Service, To Army Reserve -- 12/12/15

Mobilized -- 20/3/16

Posted -- 21/3/16

Appointed L/C -- 19/5/16 (Not Edward Pomeroy)

Posted -- 20/9/16

Posted -- 30/9/16

Now, to reiterate, these are not the records of Edward Pomeroy. However, there is only a small difference in time a number between G40469 or G40470, and Edward Pomeroy G40467. I therefore assume that Edward's initial military history is very similar.

Not only do we get an idea of when Edward Pomeroy signed up and his initial posting, we may have resolved the additional number. Have another look at the Roll of Individuals. Amos Edwards also has his number amended on the roll to account for the number whilst with the Territorials, the 1/7th Middlesex. The brunt papers initial regimental number of 6364 is the number the Roll is amended to. Two other soldiers on the page also start with a four digit number, I conclude therefore that Edward Pomeroy 5338 is the short period he was with 1/7th Middlesex before being posted to the 4th Middlesex on, I suspect, 3 October 1916. I will use this date for the start of the Troop movements of the 4th.

Troop Movements

WW1 Troop Movements and ORBATS for Edward Pomeroy - 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

Zoomed in to the area surrounding Arras.

Edward Pomeroy assumed to have Embarked to France on 20/09/1916

Background picture of the situation before he arrived at his posting to the 4th Battalion.

Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of Flers-Courcelette - 17/09/1916

Location: area of Gird Trench. German success in overall British victory. This battle saw the first use of massed tanks as an offensive weapon.

After the failure of the major Somme Offensive or 'Big Push' on 1st July, Haig wanted a breakthrough by mid-September and before the onset of winter. An attack was planned to involve 11 Divisions of infantry and mounted cavalry, supported by tanks and artillery across a 12,000 yard front, from Courcelette in the north to Lesboeufs and Morval in the south.

21st Division in XV Corps, Fourth Army were in reserve during the opening of the battle. 64th Infantry Brigade moving forward on 16th September to assist 41st Division to continue their attack on Gird Trench and Gird Support, south-west of Gueudecourt.

9th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and 15th Durham Light Infantry led the attack, 1st East Yorkshire Regiment and 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in support. Suffering heavy casualties from artillery and machine-gun fire before they had even reached their start point, the attackers were unable to reach the first objective before falling back.

Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of Morval - 25/09/1916

Location: area of Goat Trench. British victory. Preparations for an ambitious offensive against Morval, Lesbouefs, Gueudecourt and Martinpuich were delayed by inclement weather but the attack was eventually started on 25th September.

In the attack, 21st Division were on the right flank of XV Corps, Fourth Army, attacking the trench systems south-west of Gueudecourt known as Gird Trench and Gird Support. 110th Infantry Brigade were on the left, 8th Leicestershire Regiment and 9th Leicestershire Regiment the lead battalions, 64th Infantry Brigade on the right, 1st East Yorkshire Regiment and 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, the lead battalions.

1st Lincolnshire Regiment were attached from 62nd Infantry Brigade in support, due to pass through the lead battalions once they had secured their first objectives. Finding the wire in front of their advance almost intact, 1st East Yorkshire Regiment and 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were unable to make a great deal of headway but suffered very heavy casualties before retiring.

1st Lincolnshire Regiment coming up support also suffered casualties before the same obstacles. However on the left, 9th Leicestershire Regiment and 8th Leicestershire Regiment were more successful.

Overcoming stiff resistance they had a hard fight in gaining a position in Gird Trench, 9th Leicestershire Regiment clearing Goat Trench and New Trench in the process. At 06.00am the following morning, a bombing party from 7th Leicestershire Regiment supported a tank in clearing more of Gird Trench to the right of Pilgrim's Way, and Gueudecourt was occupied that evening.

Battles Of The Somme - Capture Of Gueudecourt - 26/09/1916

Location: Gueudecourt. British victory. In the general advance of 25th September 1914, 21st Division in XV Corps, Fourth Army, had attacked from north-east of Flers towards Gueudecourt.

Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of The Transloy Ridges - 01/10/1916

Location: Gueudecourt. Indecisive. Final British Fourth Army offensive during the Battle of the Somme.

The Battle began well with the capture of Eacourt L'Abbaye as well as advances along the Albert to Bapaume road to take Le Sars. However, there were no substantial gains or losses for either side.

On the opening of the battle on 1st October, 21st Division in XV Corps, were in trenches north and west of Gueudecourt. Holding this position during the day, they were relieved by 12th Division during the night of 1st-2nd October.

Edward Pomeroy assumed to have joined the 4th Middlesex on 3rd October 1916.

Battles Of The Somme - Battle Of The Ancre - 13/11/1916

Location: Beacourt-sur-l'Ancre. British victory. The attack of the British Fifth Army against German First Army along the River Ancre between Thiepval and Beaumont Hamel was the final large-scale British attack on the Somme before winter set in.

Involving divisions of II Corps and V Corps, the main effort came from V Corps with 63rd, 51st , 2nd and 3rd Divisions all in action against positions north of the Ancre. Preceded by seven days of artillery bombardment, including on the final evening poison gas, the attack was a great success.

Over 7000 enemy troops were taken prisoner and four German divisions had to be relieved due to the number of casualties sustained. 37th Division were not initially in action as a division on the Ancre, the individual brigades being sent up on 13th November to reinforce other attacking divisions.

63rd Infantry Brigade and 111th Infantry Brigade reinforcing 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and 112th Infantry Brigade reinforcing 2nd Division. 111th Infantry Brigade, 13th King's Royal Rifle Corps, 13th Royal Fusiliers and 13th Rifle Brigade being involved in the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division capture of Beacourt-sur-l'Ancre on 14th November.

At noon on 15th November the 37th Division took over the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division front at Beacourt-sur-l'Ancre with the 63rd Infantry Brigade and 111th Infantry Brigade. 112th Infantry Brigade rejoining from 2nd Division on 17th November.

37th Division held this part of the line until relieved by 7th Division at 06.00am on 26th November. The Divisional Artillery was also in action from 13th November, covering 63rd (Royal Naval) Division until 15th November and then 37th Division once it had take over the front.

German Retreat To The Hindenburg Line - 29/03/1917

Location: Hamelincourt. German tactical victory. Known to the Germans as 'Operation Alberich', this was a strategic German withdrawal to a series of fortifications that had been planned and built during the winter of 1916-1917.

Buildings were demolished, roads and railways mined, bridges blown up and water courses poisoned. When the retreat to the Hindenburg Line began, 21st Division in VII Corps, Third Army were at Halloy, spending a period out of the line in training exercises.

Moving up on 29th March they took over the front line around Hamelincourt, pushing forward towards Croisilles during the night of 30th and 31st March, 1st Lincolnshire Regiment were attacked by a German bombing party during 31st March. On 2nd April 12th Northumberland Fusiliers and 13th Northumberland Fusiliers of 62nd Infantry Brigade, together with the divisions on either side of them, attacked between Henin-sur-Cojeul and Croisilles, 1st Lincolnshire Regiment covering both flanks.

Map showing Hindenburg Line and and Arras inset.

Battle of Arras

Battle Of Arras - First Battle Of The Scarpe - 09/04/1917

Location: Cross of Sacrifice, Coejeul Cemetery. German defensive success in overall Allied victory. Part of a large Allied offensive to break through German front lines and attack reserves of troops and materials.

British advance before dawn and through inclement (sleet, snow, strong winds) weather. The primary objective on the first day of the offensive was the Observation Ridge north of the Cambrai to Arras road.

On the right flank of the attack, 21st Division in VII Corps, Third Army were holding a front of around 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Henin-sur-Cojeul. Facing the prepared fortifications of the Hindenburg Line, only 64th Infantry Brigade on the left attacked on 9th April.

Advancing on Henin Hill, east of Henin-sur-Cojeul, to cover the right flank of 30th Division who were attacking Neuville Vitasse further north. 9th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were on the left, 15th Durham Light Infantry in the centre and 1st East Yorkshire Regiment on the right.

Temporarily held up by uncut wire, the troops were able to advance once 64th Trench Mortar Battery had used their Stokes Mortars as artillery pieces to blow gaps through the wire, enabling the brigade to seize the trenches on the summit of Henin Hill. However the failure of the 30th Division advance made the position of the troops on Henin Hill extremely vulnerable.

10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry moved up to reinforce the position during the night, but the survivors of the four battalions were still not holding the position in large enough numbers to hold a large German counter-attack on 10th April. Henin Hill was finally taken by the Division on 12th April as the German army pulled back.

21st Division moving on into Heninel later in the day. Further advances were made east into the Hindenburg Line on 13th and 14th April, following which the Division were relieved by 33rd Division.

The Cross of Sacrifice in Coejeul Cemetery marks the action of 64th Infantry Brigade at Henin Hill. The original wooden marker erected on the spot in 1919 is now in the Chapel of the East Yorkshire Regiment in Beverley Minster.

Private H. Waller, 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions on Henin Hill on 10th April.

Battles Of Arras - First Battle Of The Scarpe - 09/04/1917

Location: Orange Hill Cemetery. Allied victory, part of a large Allied offensive to break through German front lines and attack reserves of troops and materials. British advance before dawn and through inclement (sleet, snow, strong winds) weather.

The primary objective on the first day of the offensive was the Observation Ridge, north of the Cambrai to Arras road. Secondary objectives were the village of Feuchy plus the German second and third trench lines.

South of the road, a trench known as the Monchyriegel, a major supply route and key element of the German trench system in the area, was the main objective but Delville Wood, Tilloy-des-Mofflaines and the Bois-de-Boeufs had to be taken first. During the opening of the offensive, 37th Division were the Corps Reserve of VI Corps, Third Army, as they advanced between the River Scarpe and the Arras to Cambrai road, east of Arras.

Taking up positions in Battery Valley during the afternoon, 111th Infantry Brigade and 112th Infantry Brigade moved forward just before 19.00pm to exploit the position achieved by 15th Division, in order to swing right and continue the attack on Monchy-le-Preux. The advance seems however, to have taken a direction rather too much to the south.

With the result that instead of moving through 15th Division, they instead veered into the areas of 12th and 3rd Divisions outside Feuchy. Here they met the same impenetrable field of barbed wire which had halted those two divisions with the same result.

The two brigades remained in line east of the Feuchy to Feuchy Chapel road. 63rd Infantry Brigade, however, did manage to keep direction and established a position at the north end of Orange Hill, well up to the third objective and in touch with 15th Division.

Renewing the advance on 10th April, 63rd Infantry Brigade swung round to the south whilst, 111th Infantry Brigade and 112th Infantry Brigade attempted another attack on Monchy-le-Preux. 111th Infantry Brigade attacking the village itself, 10th Royal Fusiliers and 13th Royal Fusiliers the leading battalions.

Moving out from the north of Orange Hill, they swung left to approach Monchy through the woods on the west, reaching a position around 600 yards west of the village before heavy shell-fire caused them to halt and dig in. 112th Infantry Brigade on the right advanced towards the La Bergere crossroads, 10th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and 11th Royal Warwickshire Regiment clearing the trench system around the crossroads with tank support, whilst 6th Bedfordshire Regiment captured La Folie Farm (Folie Farm).

Battles Of Arras - Capture Of Monchy-Le-Preux - 11/04/1917

Location: 37th Division Memorial, Monchy-le-Preux. British victory. The village, situated on high ground overlooking largely flat land was the key for control of the Arras battlefield.

British troops had advanced over three miles on 10th April, but their offensive fell short of Monchy-le-Preux. Vital to their objectives the offensive on the village was renewed on 11th April.

37th Division in VI Corps, Third Army, had been in Corps Reserve during the opening of the attack, moving through the leading divisions to attack Monchy-le-Preux during the afternoon of 9th April. The village being held by German 3rd Bavarian Division.

111th Infantry Brigade continuing that attack on 10th April, they had reached a position in woods around 600 yards to the west of the village before heavy shell-fire caused them to halt and dig in for the evening. 154th Field Company, Royal Engineers assisting in the construction of a new trench line as the weather worsened.

At 05.00am on 11th April, 111th Infantry Brigade attacked again, through what was now a driving snowstorm, 13th Rifle Brigade and 13th King's Royal Rifle Corps the lead battalions, 10th Royal Fusiliers and 13th Royal Fusiliers in support. As 13th Royal Fusiliers rushed forward to establish themselves north of the village, the other three battalions assaulted the village itself, with the aid of four tanks.

Facing stiff resistance from machine-gun posts among the houses and cellars, the two lead battalions had secured the village by 09.00am, where they linked up with 10/11th Highland light Infantry of 15th Division who had managed to force their way through from the north. 8th Cavalry Brigade following the infantry and tanks into the village, at 10.30am, 63rd Infantry Brigade were ordered to pass through Monchy-le-Preux and continue the attack east with them.

8th Cavalry Brigade being unable to advance in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, the attack was abandoned and the village consolidated. South of Monchy-le-Preux, 112th Infantry Brigade repelled two German counter-attacks against their positions at the La Bergere crossroads.

The 37th Division Memorial in Monchy-le-Preux commemorates the Division's capture of the village.

Battles Of Arras - Second Battle Of The Scarpe - 23/04/1917

Location: Greenland Hill. Inconclusive. On 23rd April 1917, the British launched an assault east from Wancourt towards Vis-en-Artois.

Elements of the 30th and 50th Divisions made initial gains, and were able to secure the village of Guemappe, but could advance no further east and suffered heavy losses. Farther north, German forces counter-attacked in an attempt to recapture Monchy-le-Preux, but troops from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment were able to hold the village until reinforcements from the 29th Division arrived.

British commanders determined not to push forward in the face of stiff German resistance and the attack was called off the following day. 37th Division in XVII Corps, Third Army, were in trenches north of Roeux on the north bank of the River Scarpe.

Attacking on 23rd April with all three brigades in the line, 111th Infantry Brigade on the left, 63rd Infantry Brigade in the centre and 112th Infantry Brigade on the right, their objectives were Greenland Hill and the Plouvain to Gavrelle road. 111th Infantry Brigade and 63rd Infantry Brigade gaining the trenches on the lower slopes of Greenland Hill, whilst 112th Infantry Brigade were held back by machine-gun fire from Roeux Chemical Works.

Edward Pomeroy Killed in Action on 23 April 1917.

Part of a conversation about the area in which Edward Pomeroy was killed on Great War Forum.

During the Battle of Arras, Greenland Hill became infamous for the number of men lost in its environs.

For instance the 6th Bn. KOSB lost over 400 men there on the 3rd May 1917.

The battlefield later became a large interchange for the A26 and A1 and E17 motorways.

A Google map satellite image with Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux, tagged and Greenland Hill shown on the 1917 map added in red text.

Bing Map with some of the villages and towns mentioned in the Troop Movements and War Diaries.

Key to Above Trench Map

Battles Of Arras - Second Battle Of The Scarpe - 23/04/1917 (Repeated to aid reading of Trench Maps)

Location: Greenland Hill. Inconclusive. On 23rd April 1917, the British launched an assault east from Wancourt towards Vis-en-Artois.

A sequence of three Trench Maps near Arras France, dated 4 March 1917, 25 May 1917, and 20 November 1917, showing the progress of the advance of the Allied troops. The last one is a zoom in showing the Trenches and names of the front on 20 November 1917 between the Chemical Works at the bottom and Greenland Hill at the top.

His Death

Edward (Ted) Pomeroy 1886 - 1917

1st cousin 3x removed

Something of the life of Edward Pomeroy, Husband of Florence, son of Charles and Charlotte Elizabeth Pomeroy. Born on 15^th December 1886 at 20 Torrens Buildings, Torrens Street, Angel, Islington, Middlesex and died in the service of his country aged 30 years 4 months 8 days, or 11,086 days, on 23^rd April 1917, Killed in Action, Near Roeux, Near Arras, France.

Edward Pomeroy

b 15^th December 1886 at 20 Torrens Buildings, Torrens Street, Angel, Islington, Middlesex

d 23^rd April 1917 Killed in Action, France and Flanders, Near Arras, France.

m quarter 4 of 1911 in Uxbridge Registration District to Florence Davis

Widow

Florence Pomeroy

Children

15^th January 1912 - Charles Edward Pomeroy

4^th November 1915 - Florence Ethel

Homes

Ash Cottage, Colham Green, Hillingdon, Middlesex

Great War

Stories of Family in the Great War