From the war diary of the 8th King’s Own (Royal Lancaster) for 9th April 1917
Battalion in brigade reserve. 76th Brigade assaulted the enemy trenches and carried all objectives. The Gordons assisted by B Coy of the King’s Own who rendered valuable service, taking the first line well within stated time. The 10th RW Fusiliers then passed through & then captured the Black Line at 7.45am. A Coy The King’s Own, then going forward to the second German line as a carrying party. at 8.15am the 9th Bde attacked at took Tilloy & The Harp. At 10.40am one platoon of the King’s Own was placed at the disposal of 8th Bde for carrying ammunition.
Battalion remained in Assembly positions until about 12noon when orders were received to move forward to the Western Trench of The Harp where the Battalion spent time in consolidating and making a roadway for the cavalry. At 6.35pm being in being in reserve to the 8th Bde orders were received to move forward and attack the Brown Line at 7pm. The Battalion was quite unable to get into position in time as it was full 1¼ miles to the assembly positions. The Gordons who has also received orders to attack being 900 yards nearer were able to attack but failed to get their objective and lost a number of men and three officers. The Battalion moved forward not knowing how far away the line was situated and (on the way Capt. Dickinson was wounded) also what was its objective. On its way it met some of the Gordons falling back but Col. Hunt led the Battalion forward in artillery formation, the enemy bursting shrapnel over the left sections. At this point Col. Lumsden of the 2nd Royal Scots met the C.O. and explained to him that there were scattered units of the 8th Bde some hundred yards away & that the battalion was required to fill a gap caused by his battalion pressing too much to its right. On arrival at the line where the previous troops had formed the scattered units of the 8th Bde & 1st Gordons were found. They were extended by orders of the C.O. & finding the left of the position was in the air the left flank was swung back to run almost parallel to the ARRAS, CAMBRAI road.
The battalion dug in all night making a good trench from which the assault on the Brown Line was launched next day.
10th April 1917
Just before the dawn the battalion withdrew to NAMUR TRENCH handing over positions to the 8th Bde. The KING’S OWN and the 1st GORDONS in reserve to 8th Bde. At 6.30 am the 8th Bde attacked and took the BROWN Line. The Battalion remained in NAMUR TRENCH all day trying to get as much rest as possible. In afternoon message received from G.O.C. 8th Bde thanking the battalion for its services and informing it was returned to the 76 Bde. Warning received from 76 Bde to be ready to move at 15 minutes notice.
11th April 1917
C.O. left at 3.30 am to attend Bde conference at Bde Headqrs, Feuchy crossroads. Battalion moved at 4.30 am in artillery formation to the BROWN LINE, having received orders to attacl & capture GUÉMAPPE. Arrived at assembly trenches just after dawn, which gave the enemy time to observe the men taking up position in the assembly trenches. Second line (D Coy & HdQrs) heavily shelled for a short time. Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt wounded by remained at duty, 2 Lieut W.R. Jones wounded, 3ORs killed & 6 wounded.
Capt. Wallace showed conspicuous bravery by remaining in the shelled trench & amputating the leg of one of the wounded men. Zero hour put off for half an hour, no time to warn C Coy who advanced at original hour 6.30 am. Men were sent back to their trenches, and the Battalion, A&C Coys in front line, B in support and D in reserve, with the 2nd Suffolks on the right and the 10th R.W. Fusiliers in Bde support went over at 7am. Advance went well at first, but when the front line passed the crest of the hill, heavy M.G. fire broke out from the opposite slope, causing heavy losses and holding up the advance on the line occupied by a brigade of the 12th Division who had made and attack on GUÉMAPPE the previous day. Men occupied shell holes, & during the day movement was almost impossible owing to M.G. and very accurate sniping fire. HdQrs in gunpits on crest of hill. No information was received from Coys, so the C.O. and the adjutant went up to the line to find out position of affairs. At 4.30pm the Gordons were ordered to attack, the units occupying the shell holes to join in as the Gordons passed. Attack a failure, barrage having not having touched the numerous enemy M.G.s and the advancing troops coming under a heavy barrage. Casualties in officers were tw killed (2/Lts Ellis and Wilkinson) and 11 wounded. Owing to the exhausted condition of all units it was dangerous to hold the line during the night with these units, so 76 Bde were relieved by 9th Bde. The King’s Own part of the line being taken by two Coys of the 10th W Yorks.
12th April 1917
Relief complete 1 am. Battalion returned to dugouts in The HARP arriving about 5 am finding rations waiting & the cookers up with hot tea & rum. The day and night spent resting.
13th April 1917
Battalion remained in dugouts in the HARP. Day spent in making first lists of casualties, in reorganising & in making up ammunition bombs &c. At 9.15 pm the Battalion moved in platoons at 200 yds distance. D Coy leading followed by HdQrs, A, B, C back to ARRAS via FIFTEEN STREE[T] & the Rue de St. QUENTIN. Battalion in billets & cellars in ARRAS. Fuel provided and the men went to sleep warm & comfortable.HdQrs in No33 Rue D’AMIENS. Battalion settled in billets by 11.0 pm.
14th April 1917
Day spent in resting & cleaning up. C.O. to F.A to have eyes attended to. Casualties during operations 8th – 11 April.
Officers killed Lieut. E.J. Fielder Other Ranks 2/Lt J.F. Sparks Killed 38 W.M. Higson Wounded 164 F.J. Wilkinson Missing 28 H. Ellis Wounded Capt. J.R. Dickinson 2/Lt. H.T. Martin A.H Giteham J.G. Lindsay H.W. Cook E.J. Bradshaw A.C.H. Jarrett W.R. Jones Wounded at duty Lt. Col. R.S. Hunt Capt A.H Pollock 2/Lt H. Young
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