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 15th January 1912 and Baptised on 30th 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, 30th 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
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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)
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 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.
Terms of Service, War. Service reckons from 20 March 1916.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 Pomeroy Killed in Action on 23 April 1917.
War Diary or Intelligence Summary relevant to that day.
A Google Map showing Brown's Copse Cemetery and the walking route to the location of the WWI Chemical Works, where the heavy Machine Gun fire was experienced. A straight line distance of about 850 m. I have no evidence that Edward Pomeroy died on the attack Chemical Works, just that he died on that date.
Brown's Copse Cemetery
Sergeant 40467 Edward Pomeroy of the Middlesex Regiment, 23rd April 1917, his headstone at the Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France. The original photo was posted on Ancestry by Elizabeth A Reynolds, my 3rd cousin 1x removed. I have altered it in post production, not in an attempt to improve the aesthetics of the photo but to enhance the legibility of the inscription and Middlesex Regt. emblem.
Click on the photo for more details about Brown's Copse Cemetery, the final resting place of Edward Pomeroy, Ted as he was known.
Now for the dreaded letter, feared by mothers and wives across the country at the time. The letter from the Ministry, almost always bad news.
The original was posted on Ancestry by Elizabeth A Reynolds. I think this must be a Family kept document and not a record from one of the Family History or Archive collections.
The place is not stated in the letter, but the date is. The Battalion Troop Movements and the War Diary suggest the advance on Greenland Hill and possibly in the area of the Chemical Works at Roeux, near the Brown's Copse Cemetery
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 15th 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 23rd April 1917, Killed in Action, Near Roeux, Near Arras, France.
Edward Pomeroy
b 15th December 1886 at 20 Torrens Buildings, Torrens Street, Angel, Islington, Middlesex
d 23rd 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
15th January 1912 - Charles Edward Pomeroy
4th November 1915 - Florence Ethel
Homes
Ash Cottage, Colham Green, Hillingdon, Middlesex