Lives of the First World War

18th December 1914 - 19th December 1914

From the 2nd Bn, RWR War Diary = 18th Dec. 1914 "The Bn was ordered to advance in 3 lines at 4.30 pm to attack & take the German Trenches which were in front of le MALSNIL [Le MAISNIL]. The attack was proceeded by a heavy artillery bombardment by our artillery to which the enemy made hardly any reply. Attack was started by "B" Company on the right, led by Capt Haddon, advancing in 2 lines : A Co advanced on the left in 2 lines with D Coy in the centre. "C" Coy formed the third line with entrenching tools. A Machine Gun was on each flank. Immediately the attack was opened, the enemy opened a very heavy rifle & machine gun fire. The Battalion advance under this with steadiness, suffering very heavy casualties. The 2/Queens sent in 1 1/2 companies in support & although our dead were found only a few yards from the German trenches, the attack failed in its objectives. What remained of the Bn. subsequently retired into our trenches. Shortly after daylight the enemy came out and started examining our dead. Parties went out fr. our lines & buried some of the officers and collected discs from some of the killed. Owing to 2 officers of the Queens & several small parties of the Bn, when engaged in carrying our wounded into the enemy's lines, (the enemy refusing to allow us to remove our wounded) being made prisoners, & also to Lt Bover S. Staffords being killed while helping to collect our wounded, the informal armistice was terminated. Lt. Col Brewis was found killed about 40 yards from the ememys line. Capt. Brownfield, Lts. Monk, Tucker, Campbell & Birt (attached R.E.) together with 34 men were found a few yards from a German Machine gun, from evidence available it is apparent that Capt Brownfield though previously wounded continued to lead the attack on the Gun."

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