The Friends Of The Suffolk Regiment
  • Welcome
  • Introduction
    • The 'Family'
  • Publications
    • The Current Issue
  • Join Us
  • Operation 'Legacy'
  • 'Honours and Awards'
  • Battlefield Tours
  • Our 'Comrades'
  • The Team
  • News
  • Contact

"Jumping Back Into His Trench Impaled Himself On His Bayonet”

14/7/2018

 
Picture
By mid-May 1918, the 15th Battalion had arrived in France from Egypt.  Slightly under strength for War Establishment, they numbered 36 officers and 756 other ranks. After a period of some weeks training in numerous villages behind the lines around Bethune, they were brought into the front line at St. Venant in the Robecq sector of the line.
On 9th July, the Battalion took over from the 2/5th Worcesters late at night. ‘C’ and ‘B’ Company’s were placed in the front line with ‘A’ and ‘D’ Company’s in reserve behind in the “Amusoires – Haverskerque Defence Line”. 
The front line was in this sector was at this stage, fragmented following battles their earlier in the year. It was almost a complete line again before the Battalion arrived and a few days work, finally got the line into a semblance of order. “After consolidation” detailed the War Diary “it was considered desirable to readjust the distribution to only hold the front line very lightly with one coy and keep two in the reserve line”. 
By the 17th July, ‘B’ Company had been withdrawn leaving just ‘C’ Company in the front line.  ‘B’ Company instead moved northwards to try and improve the line in the north near Calonne where the line was held by the Royal Sussex. “The line was not in a good state of upkeep when taken over and a lot of work had to be done which necessitated all ranks being up all night, which made the period an exceedingly tiring one, although in other respects, it was very quiet”.
In this period of quietness, the enemy seldom made an appearance and apart from the odd shot in the early hours or aircraft overhead, there was no real presence of the enemy. The Battalion therefore sent out numerous patrols to gain information on the enemy that confronted them. “Patrols were sent out every night but they never encountered any hostile ones: the Bosches seemed to rarely come out beyond his wire – owing to the standing crops it was exceedingly difficult to locate their patrols, if they had any out so as to try and ambush them”.
​With Battalion HQ at Carvin Farm; about half way between the rear defensive line and the frontal positions, the C.O., Lieutenant-Colonel F.W. Jarvis, was much further forward than many of his contemporaries. The only casualty that the Battalion suffered at this time was a tragic one. 
On 14th July, Private George Hawes of ‘D’ Company, was killed by accident as he jumped back into the front line trench after being out on a working party. “While working outside his trench the enemy opened fire with machine guns and Pte. Hawes jumping back into his trench impaled himself on his bayonet”


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.
  • Welcome
  • Introduction
    • The 'Family'
  • Publications
    • The Current Issue
  • Join Us
  • Operation 'Legacy'
  • 'Honours and Awards'
  • Battlefield Tours
  • Our 'Comrades'
  • The Team
  • News
  • Contact