Lives of the First World War

On the 9th April 1916, the battalion marched to Sanniyat, Mesopotamia, where they were to attack enemy trenches. Col HC Wylly CB wrote in his book “Loyal North Lancashire Regiment vol II 1914-1919” (1933 London, The Royal United Service Institution Whitehall SW1): “it was now arranged that the 13th Division should be brought up and renew the attack on the morning of the 9th. In this attempt the 38th and 40th Brigades were to be in front on the right and left respectively, each brigade having all its battalions up in the line, the 6th Loyal North Lancashire being on the right of the Brigade and Division: the 39th Brigade was in support.” Wylly records General Maude’s diary of the battle: “At 4.30am line moved forward to assault, orders being to rush the first three lines…Line advanced steadily and noiselessly till 4.28, when leading line was within 100 yards of position. The Turks then sent up a flare from their left which made our left lose direction slightly. About half a minute later another flare went up from the enemy’s right, followed by heavy outburst of machine-gun and rifle fire. Second line lay down while 1st line pushed on. Consequently first line, which did splendidly, got into Turks’ trenches in a good many places - North Lancs, King’s Own, Welsh Fusiliers and Wilts especially. But being unsupported by second line had to give way…We held on tenaciously where we were all day, the troops scratching holes in the ground and digging themselves in as best they could, and at night we withdrew into the trenches we started from in the morning.” Lance Corporal Charles Buckley was killed in action in this assault on 9th April 1916 along with 6 men; 6 officers and 79 other ranks were wounded; 4 officers, 165 NCO’s and men were missing. The 13th Division, made up of the 6th King’s Own, 6th Loyal North Lancashire, 5th Wiltshire and 8th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, sustained 1,807 casualties. The 6th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment lost 26% of it’s strength.

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