| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Rue De L'Epinette Trenches |
| Entry | These reliefs were completed about 1am. The Battalion was subjected to a bombardment almost heavier than the day before, but as 2000 sandbags had to be brought up & put into the parapets it was in a better position to withstand it. During the night of 18th/19th Lt Stamford with one platoon of 'C' Coy came up from doing prisoners escort duty and rejoined 'C' Coy. Lt Yeatman (OC 'C' Coy) wounded. During the bombardment the old German trench near M3 was practically destroyed, but head quarters remained there till a shell burst through the parade & the fuse struck the C.O's water bottle, probably saving the life of the adjutant Capt Ponsford who was immediately behind it, The CO then gave the order for HQ to retire to the old British line. About half an hour afterwards both the C.O's and signallers dugouts were destroyed. This happened about midday. Orders were received for the relief of the Battalion by the 8th Canadians. This was the same Battalion that relieved the 2nd Wilts at LA BOUTILLERIE. Some of the Canadian Officers arrived and were shown around the trenches during the afternoon. But when the relief actually arrived, it was found that 'A' & 'B' Coys were not to be relieved, but under instructions from 21st Brigade these two companies were withdrawn without relief. The Battalion was luckily not shelled during the relief and the whole of it rendezvoused near LETOURET about 11pm. As the men were completely done up the CO decided to draw the men's coats & stay the night there. Proceeding to billets next morning. Almost every man of 'A' & 'B' &'D' Coy were wet through and covered with mud, and the majority of rifles would not work as there had been heavy rain during the action and the ground was intersected by wide ditches. The losses of the Battalion were as follows:- Officers men killed 1 19 died of wounds - 2 wounded 3 126 missing - 11 ____________ 4 158 admitted to hospital since 15th inst 22 Officers present with Battalion during action Officer Commanding Capt EL Makin Adjutant Capt JM Ponsford Medical Officer Lieut GB Harrocks Hon Lt & QM Lieut S Hewitt 'A' Company Lieut JE Alexander Comdg (wounded) Lieut HDJD Brown 2Lt FM Strawson 2Lt RS Shepherd attached to RE 2Lt FH Freend 2Lt CA Monson Grenade Coy (killed) 'B' Coy Capt D Manners Davis Comdg Lieut GMU Wilson 2Lt FH Bone 2Lt LE Schultz (wounded) 'C' Company 2Lt HM Yeatman Comdg 2Lt GM Stamford 2Lt FN Verran 2Lt HJ Samut M.G Officer 'D' Company Capt EP Lewis Comdg 2Lt SJ Belshaw 2Lt JM Bales 2Lt JGG Jansy 2Lt G Bryer Ash |
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