On this day 5th May 1918 – an enemy aircraft was brought down in flames

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Hostile artillery quite. An enemy aircraft was brought down by machine gun fire and fell in flames in X22b.

Our line was advanced during the night an average distance of 150 yards on whole front. Posts were established and no enemy were encountered. This was not conducted as an offensive operation as it simply intended to make a better outpost line.

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

92827 Pte Albert Henry Wheway from Derby was killed in action but his body was not recovered and he is Commemorated on the Loos Memorial. 

Albert was conscripted into the Sherwood Foresters in the Summer of 1917 and initialed served in France with the 1/7th Battalion before transferring to the 1/8th Battalion in January 1918 when the Robin Hoods disbanded.

On this day 4th May 1918

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5.5.18 GORRE: The Battalion were relieved by the 1/8th Sherwood Foresters and moved in Brigade Support, Headquarters in LE QUESNOY.

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

4/5/18: Hostile artillery active during the evening. Many enemy aircraft were seen during the evening and MGs were active at night. Inter Battalion reliefs during night.

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

On this day 3rd May 1918

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3/5/18 GORRE SECTION: Hostile artillery fairly active during the afternoon. No trench mortaring except for a few Priester Bombs fired on vicinity of our front line. Seven patrols were out during the night.

Priesterwerfer was called the ‘kleine Granatenwerfer 1916’

203240 Pte Norman Boycott Hinckesman aged 34 and Son of Sarah Hinckesman of Vine Cottage Shucknall in Herefordshire and the late Charles Robert Hinckesman.

1708/305226 Pte Albert Edward Cliff aged 23 and Son of David and Fanny Cliff of 14 Newton St., Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. Killed on the morning that his time expired after serving 3 years and 3 months in the trenches. Previously served with the 1/8th Battalion.

66th Trench Duty 2nd-4th May 1918

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2.5.18 VERQUIN: The Battalion releived the 1/6th North Staffs Regt in Right Subsection of the GORRE SECTOR.

Right Sub-Sector of the GORRE Section

Left Sub-Sector of the GORRE Section

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

1/5/18 – 2/5/18 GORRE SECTOR: Brigade in Divisional Reserve in FOUQUIRES VADRICOURT area. Relieves 137th Infantry Brigade in GORRE SECTION on night 2/3 May.

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

On this day 30th April 1918

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30.4.18 VERQUIN: Lieut VTG HORE rejoined from England after 6 months tour of duty at home.

Victor Thomas George Hore

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

29/4/18 – 30/4/18: Cleaning up and training of units under Battalion arrangements.

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

Captain Harold Keith Simonet MC and his runner Pte George Frederick Garratt MM are mortally wounded

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“It was during the first tour that we had the great misfortune to lose a very gallant Officer and sportsman – H. K. Simonet.

He had moved his Company Headquarters from an unprotected hellhole to a cottage at Les Facons, in the outpost line itself, only to get a direct hit on it almost immediately which resulted in Simonet and his runner Pte Garratt, one of the most reliable and gallant men in the Battalion, being badly wounded. Neither recovered, and they were buried near each other in the Cemetery at Lapugnoy”

[History of the 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919, Captain WCC Weetman]

Harold Keith Simonet

“A most capable Officer of Fien leadership and magnificent character, “Simmy” was liked by all and his loss was felt most keenly throughout the Battalion”

307644 Pte George Frederick Garratt

George Frederick Garratt aged 20 and the son of Lucy Ann Garratt of 28 Babbington Lane, Derby.

George only served overseas with the 1/8th Battalion, but most likely joined the 3/5th Battalion prior to that. It is unclear when he won the Military Medal, which was announced in the London Gazette on the 28th January 1918. Captain Simonet lead a number of fighting patrols towards the end of 1917 and as his Company Runner, its likely that George accompanied him on these raids and won the gallantry award during this time. There is no record in the Battalion War Diary or Battalion History.

On this day 28th April 1918

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28.4.18 FOUQUIRES: Battalion relieved by 1/5th Lincolnshire Regiment and moved into Divisional Reserve at VERQUIN.

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

28/4/18: 139th Infantry Brigade is relieved in ESSERS SECTION by 138th Infantry Brigade.

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

On this day 28th April 1918 – Several Brigade casualties

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28.4.18: Battalion relieved by 1/5th Lincolnshire Regiment and moved into Divisional Reserve at VERQUIN.

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

28/4/18: 139th Infantry Brigade is relieved in ESSARS SECTION by 138th Infantry Brigade.

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

202168 L/Cpl Sidney Earle Keeler aged 23. Son of John Edmund and Anna Maria Keeler, of Manor Farm, Roughton, Norwich.

201856 Pte Thomas Edward Walton aged 24. Son of Mr. C. E. and Mrs. S. H. Walton, of 19, Vale St., Derby.

241479 Pte George Arthur Page aged 41. Son of George and Zilpah Page, of 6, Bank Yard, Low Pavement, Chesterfield.

306071 Pte Ernest Cross aged 39. Son of George and Sarah Ann Cross, of 56, William St., Newark, Notts.

306497 Pte Fred Townsend aged 19. Son of William Townsend, of Wellingore, Lincoln.