The Friends Of The Suffolk Regiment

  • Welcome
  • Introduction
    • The 'Family'
  • Publications
    • Operation 'Legacy'
  • Join Us
  • 'Honours and Awards'
  • Battlefield Tours
  • The Team
  • Friends News
  • Contact
  • Welcome
  • Introduction
    • The 'Family'
  • Publications
    • Operation 'Legacy'
  • Join Us
  • 'Honours and Awards'
  • Battlefield Tours
  • The Team
  • Friends News
  • Contact

OPERATION LEGACY
​A UNIQUE DAY-BY-DAY REMEMBRANCE, 2014 - 2018

follow below, the great war service of the suffolk regiment,
​from mobilisation to the armistice

"Am Trying To Consolidate Trench Running North To South Of Quarries....With Mixed Norfolks And Suffolks. No Sign Of Berkshires"

13/10/2015

 
Picture
To the southern side of the “Hair-pin” the attack continued, this time with ‘D’ Company. It was held up at German wire and by their bombers who were just yards away.
Captain G.H. Henty pushed forward but was wounded. Captain C.H. Sorley and Lieutenant G.D. Wood went forward to
try and open a gap but both were killed. Sorley being shot through the head by a German sniper.
Lieutenant Deighton, now the only officer left in the Company, took command. He succeeded in bombing his way along the southern side of
the “Hair-pin” and managed to dislodge the Germans from the apex. With much effort, he consolidated his gains and with pick and shovel and succeeded in linking up with Captain Thomas’ men in the northern trench.
Deighton scribbled a note in his pocket book and sent it back by runner to the Battalion Adjutant; Captain Harry Gadd, who had the previous August left the Curragh when war was declared, to proceed to the Depot and organise the mobilisation of the Reservists. The message ran:
“To Adjt. 7th Suffolks. Am trying to consolidate trench running north to south of quarries. We hold 200 yards of trench north of quarries with mixed Norfolks and Suffolks. No sign of Berkshires. G.W. Deighton, Lt.”
During the night, a German mortar caused much trouble to those in the newly-won positions. Lieutenant Deighton in his forward position had by now managed to get telephone communication with Battalion HQ. He managed, using one of the heavy batteries of artillery behind the British line, to silence the mortar just after 2.00am that morning. Throughout all this, the entire position was strengthened and reinforced by the follow-up platoons who did much of the heavy work  with picks and shovels.
At 3.30am, 9th Essex Regiment arrived to take over the position and 7th Suffolk withdrew shortly afterwards. Casualties during the attack were 8 officers killed, 3 wounded. Other ranks killed and wounded numbered 150. Both Captain Chitty-Thomas and Lieutenant Deighton were awarded the Military Cross for their actions that day. Deighton also received the Croix de Chevallier of the 
Legion of Honour.
​As first actions went, it was hard and bloody, but like their counterparts in the 9th (Service) Battalion a fortnight before, these citizen soldiers of the New Armies had proved that they could be every bit as good as their regular counterparts.


Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Welcome to our online 'blog' charting the history of the many Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment and the part they played in the Great War.
    Starting back in March 2014, we have recorded the events of 100 years ago on the centenary of their happening.
    Keep checking back to see how the Great War is progressing for the men of the Suffolk Regiment.
    ​

    Archives

    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.