Lives of the First World War

Hoskins William Stanley Private 17261 (I think this is the right record despite the name). 6th (Service) Battalion (K1) Somerset Light Infantry. (43rd Infantry Brigade 14th Light Division). Killed in action 18th August 1916 during the Battle of Delville Wood 13th-30th August. The Battle of Delville Wood, Somme July 15th-September 3rd, 1916. The Battle of Delville Wood which included the village of Longueval, which began on the 13th September was the scene of desperate fighting by infantry of seven divisions. Both the Wood and Longueval were taken by the 14th but German counter-attacks with lachrymatory and asphyxiating gas shells, forced a retirement from the positions in the wood. Between the 23rd and 28th a terrible struggle ended with its capture on the 28th. The South African brigade (9th Scottish) Division and Scottish troops of that same division displayed great courage whilst suffering very heavy loss. The operation involving 6th Somerset Light Infantry. On the morning of the 18th at 3am the four coys of the 6th Battalion moved up from the village of Montauban to the assembly positions in the SE corners of Delville Wood and at 6am a preliminary bombardment commenced on BEER Trench and HOP ALLEY. At 2.45pm attacking troops advanced across NML and entered enemy trenches at the junction of BEER TRENCH and HOP ALLEY. Heavy fighting took place at this point. At 6pm an enemy counter-attack developed from PINT TRENCH but the positions gained earlier were held. The cost of the operation was 5 officers killed 7 officers wounded, 48 o/rs killed, 220 wounded and missing. He was the son of George and Mary Emma Hoskins, of 31, Rockleford Road, Yeovil. Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 2A.

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