4.10.17 HILL 70: Relieved 1/5th Battalion in front line.

N.2.b.5.8. to H.32.a.58.37

Battalion HQ H.31.d.05.20

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]

4/X/17: Quiet day until 7.20 pm when heavy barrage of artillery and TMs was directed on our left sub sector. Enemy attempted to raid two of our posts but was driven off. Inter-Battalion reliefs took place at night.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

“Nothing of importance happened”

1/8th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]

But…..

‘Our most unpleasant experience undoubtedly was on October 4th when we got caught in the bombardment connected with an attempted Boche raid on the 7th Battalion whom we were relieving … B Company unfortunately got mixed up with some of the shelling and lost several men, including Sergt. Drabble, who was killed.’

305127 Sergeant William Henry Drabble aged 22 and Son of William and Alice Drabble of Easthorpe, Southwell in Nottinghamshire.

306365 Pte George Henry West from Mansfield. His wife Clara died in 1918 leaving four orphaned children all under the age of 8 years.

307608 Pte Archibald Lovegrove aged 21 and Son of George Lovegrove of 43 Arundel St., Derby.