| Regiment | 5th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Support Trenches |
| Entry | 10a.m. Great Coats and Caps were stacked in Dugouts. The men put on their Smoke Helmets. 12.30p.m. Head Quarters moved up to the Firing Line, and on arrival there about 2.20p.m. with one Company on the line K.C. as per Brigade Orders No.8. I met O.C. 7th Norfolks who told me that the majority of his 3 Coys he had sent forward to the attack had become casualties but that some had reached their objective, the trench in front of the Quarries and were urgently in need of reinforcements. I at once despatched "A" Coy 5th Royal Berks under Major Bayley to reinforce. This Company met with very severe Machine Gun fire from the trenches that the O.C. Norfolks was under the impression that his men held, hardly any getting half away. It was perfectly obvious that the O.C. Norfolks was mistaken and that the trench was still strongly held by the Germans. As the Brigadier gave me a free hand in the matter I did not deem it advisable to continue the attack. The reinforcements reached approximately a line drawn through point (G12 a) point 51 parallel with road running from point 46 to 82. We now hold as ordered from G12 a 54 to G11 b 93. Bombing attack made by 5th Royal Berks The attack was made by five parties of eight men drawn from each Coy of the Battn. I Sergt and 1 Corp under Lt R. Pollard. 'B' Coy Party led followed by the parties from D, A and C Coys. Lt Pollard had arranged to station himself in the centre of the detachment but finding that the way thro' to the German Trench had not, as arranged been cleared by the Trench Mortar fire he took charge of the leading party. Our barricade was built of sandbags, to a height of about 7 ft, the bayonet men of the B Coy party went over first followed by Lt Pollard carrying bombs. A machine gun opened fire from the right and Lt Pollard was hit in the face whilst on the barricade where two other men were also wounded. On the further side of the barricade was some Trench wire with strands of barbed wire Through it. The only cover from fire was some earth about 18 inches high - so That it was necessary to crawl through the wire on ther stomach - two men who raised themselves on their hands and knees being immediately hit. The men discarded their equipment and crawled thro' pushing their bombs ahead. Lt Pollard bombed the German Trench which was loopholed and surrounded by stiff wire and followed by B and D Coys parties scrambled over and bombed thro' several traverses. The A and C Coy parties passed up their bombs and were following over the German barricade when L/c Redford of 'C' Coy observing that no one was following and hearing urgent calls for more bombs returned with the 3 men behind him and shouted for bombs which they passed along as they came over the barricade. By this time the advance had been checked owing to shortage of bombs Pte Mansell the leading bayonet man had been wounded but carried on firing steadily whenever any German showed himself round the corner Mr Pollard was again wounded but continued to throw bombs and direct operations. At this point the parapet was only some four feet high so that the party were exposed to rifle and Machine gun fire from the right whenever they rose to throw or observe. Some Germans led by an Officer attempted to rush the party from the trench on the right but were beaten off by bombs and rifle fire. The leading bombers of 'B' Coy were now exhausted; they fell back but continued to pass up bombs, their places been taken by Pte Branch 'D' Coy and L/c Day who although wounded continued to throw until he was hit a second time when Pte Lamball also wounded ran up and was wounded again but continued fighting until the end. Lt Pollard continued throwing bombs until unable to stand, he supported himself against the parapet still directing operations; in this position he was killed. The supply of bombs was unsatisfactory many of the lemon bombs were unserviceable owing to the pins being bent during their passage over the two barricades - being thrown from hand to hand either singly or in sandbags. At one point no lemons could be obtained and the cricket balls passed up could not be used as the men then bombing had no strikers. Lt Pollard understood he was to receive nothing but lemon bombs. During this period the party were defending themselves with rifles only. In response to urgent calls for reinforcements four men of the Buffs came up one of them had a striker enabling the Cricket balls to be used. The party continued to hold their ground until the order to withdraw was given; they then retired in good order. L/c Goddard staying to remove the watch from Lt Pollard's wrist. Of the 'B' Coy party Pte Hendon is reported to be killed. L/c Day died of wounds, L/c Smith, Pts Harrison and Mansell wounded. Of the 'D' Coy party Pts Allaway, Moore and Davies are reported to be killed and Pts Lamball and Smith wounded. All the survivors agree in their praise of the splendid courage and endurance shown by Lt Pollard and of the pluck displayed by No.10311 Pte Lamball of 'D' Coy and by No.11106 L/c Day and No.10299 Pte Mansell of 'B' Coy - all of whom carried on in the forefront of the fight after they had been wounded. [next page of the war diary is a hand drawn trench/position map] Our Casualties amongst Officers was heavy Killed Capt Spencer Machine Gun Officer Lieut R. Pollard in charge of Bombers Missing Major W.K. Bayley Comdg A Coy Capt F.A. Morant } Lieut L. Reiss } A Coy Lieut Trevellian James } Capt & Adjt T.W. Hudson Wounded Capt P.H. Gold B Coy Shock Lt H.C. Horsford C Coy Capt E.C. Stacey R.A.M.C. back badly crushed by roof of Dugout of dressing Station falling on him and [no more, same on P.R.O. copy] Killed Serg Major Farmer and 36 N.C.O's and men. Missing 22. Wounded 91. Total 149. Most of the night was spent clearing the Trenches of dead and collecting the wounded and also repairing the parapets. [See end of month for telegrams] |
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