Letters from James Murtagh, item 10
Transcription
Transcription history
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LEFT PAGE
Regimental History Extract
Left column, page 149
BATTLE OF THE ANCRE, NOVEMBER 14th
battalion was reorganized about 2 a.m. on November 14th,
and at 6 a.m. the Fusiliers attacked once more. It was
at this point that the 7th Battalion came into contact
with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who attacked
between the 13th Rifle Brigade and the 13th King's Royal
Rifle Corps. The 13th moved off a little too eagerly and
suffered some casualties from our own barrage. They
withdrew 50 yards and then resumed the advance under
a harassing machine gun fire from the Beaucourt village.
A strong point on the left flank resisted with great determination,
and the 13th Rifle Brigade were to the rear of
the 13th Royal Fusiliers when the first objective was
taken. Meanwhile, Captain Goddard, with the 7th, had
amalgamated the battalion's two waves, and after one
and a half hours' shelling of the final objective, advanced
and took it without much opposition. He had turned
to the right and with elements of the 13th Battalion, the
13th K.R.R.C., and the H.A.C., consolidated the right
flank on the bank of the Ancre, south-east of Beaucourt,
which had fallen a little earlier to the charge of Freyberg's
force.
Up to this point the position on the left of the 13th
Battalion still caused trouble. Most of the casualties
suffered by the 7th in their advance to the final objective
had come from this quarter, and the 13th remained on
the first line captured. But the 10th Battalion, who, like
the 13th, belonged to the 111th Brigade, had had the
pleasant experience of co-operating with a tank in the
reduction of the German redoubt which had held up the
centre of the 63rd Division. The mere appearance of the
tank seems to have been sufficient, and without firing a
shot the 10th Battalion took 270 German prisoners,* and
three machine guns. They also liberated 60 British
prisoners who had been well treated, but were naturally
glad to get back to their own army. The 7th Battalion
passed from this area and the 13th did not figure in again in
the battle. The former had attacked 22 officers and
note at bottom of page
*Eight hundred prisoners in all were taken from this redoubt.
right column, page 150
ROYAL FUSILIERS IN THE GREAT WAR
629 other ranks strong. They lost 13 officers and 331
other ranks, more than half the total strength. The
casualties of the 13th were 8 officers (including Lieut.-
Colonel Ardagh, wounded) and 130 other ranks. But the
victory was complete. It was a great blow to German
prestige, and it made an important improvement in the
British positions.
* * * *
There were still some local operations in this area before
the battle died down and a final line could be organised
for winter. The 10th Battalion took a prominent part
in these attempts to round off the gains of the first three
days. Part of the final line still remained in German
hands. The 13th Battalion, on the morning of the 14th,
had been held up by opposition on its left, and patrols
sent out failed even to locate the objective. Muck Trench,
as it was called, continued to lure the 111th Brigade, and
the 10th Battalion attacked at dawn on November 16th
with the object of capturing it. They were beaten back
by intense machine gun fire. In the afternoon two
bombing parties attempted to get forward and actually
reached the trench, but they were promptly attacked by
superior forces and compelled to retire. Lieutenant R.
Stephenson was killed on this occasion. The German
barrage prevented a third attempt, but Second Lieutenant
Ground succeeded in establishing two posts in the trench
on the left before dusk, and two others were established
during the night by Second Lieutenant Bainbridge.
These posts were reinforced and organized. But during
the night of the 17th the machine gun team in the trench
was shelled and almost wiped out. At 6.10 a.m. on the
18th the battalion attacked on the right of the 32nd
Division and stormed all its objectives but one. Unfortunately
these gains had to abandoned owing to the
failure of the right of the 32nd Division. On November
19th the 10th delivered yet another attack. Two patrols,
under Second Lieutenants Bainbridge and Heywood,
respectively, reached the objective, but were compelled
end of first clipping
second clipping, page 151
END OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
to withdraw. During the night the battalion was relieved
after an extraordinary exhibition of tenacity of purpose.
The most important and most spectacular achievement
of the Fusiliers in the battle of Ancre was the capture
of the redoubt which had almost brought the advance to
a standstill. But it was the least difficult task, and the
10th, who accomplished it, did more distinguished service
in the following days, though their repeated attacks merely
served to secure a few points of tactical importance.
RIGHT PAGE
ornate border showing silhouetted scenes of soldiers, medals, and other elements
IRELAND'S MEMORIAL RECORDS 1914-1918
MURRIE, JOHN WILLIAM COWELL.
Reg. No. 43300. Rank, Private, Northumberland
Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish); died,
France, April 28, 1817; born Amble, Northumberland
MURRIN, PATRICK. Reg. No. 2247-
Rank, Private, Irish Guards, 1st Batt.: killed
in action, France, April 5, 1915; born
Killybegs, Co. Donegal.
MURTAGH, CHRISTOPHER. Reg. No.
17624. Rank, Lance-Corporal, Royal Dublin
Fusiliers, 8th Batt.; died of wounds, France,
April 29, 1916; born Dublin.
MURTAGH, JAMES. Reg. No. 26565.
Rank, Private, Royal Irish Regiment, 7th
Batt.; killed in action, France, October 23,
1918; born Meath.
MURTAGH, JAMES. Reg. No. 27177.
Rank, Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers,
1st Batt.: killed in action, January 27, 1917;
born Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.
MURTAGH, JAMES C. Reg. No. 5192.
Rank, Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers,
1st Batt.: killed in action, January 27, 1917;
born Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.
MURTAGH, JOHN. Reg. No. 8871.
Rank, Corporal, Royal Irish Rifles, 1st Batt.;
killed in action, France, May 9, 1915, born
Newry, Co. Down.
MURTAGH, JOHN. Reg. No. 9281.
Rank, Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers,
1st Batt.; died of wounds, Egypt, September
20, 1915; born Bulgriffin
MURTAGH, JOHN. Reg. No. 18477.
Rank, Private, Royal Irish Fusiliers, 1st Batt.;
killed in action, France, October 12, 1916;
born Dromiskin, Co. Louth.
MURTAGH, MICHAEL. Rank. Private,
Connaught Rangers; killed in action, France,
1915, born Ireland; age 24.
MURTAGH, MICHAEL. Reg. No. 10139.
Rank, Private, 2nd Leinster Regiment; died
of wounds, France, April 10, 1915; born
Portumna, Co. Galway.
MURTAGH, MICHAEL. Reg. No. 40027.
Rank, Rifleman, 7th Royal Irish Rifles;
killed in action, France, August 16, 1917;
born Clayton, Co. Mayo.
MURTAGH, PATRICK. Reg. No. 4356.
Rank, Private, Irish Guards, 1st Batt.; died,
France, April 23, 1916; born Forkhill, Co.
Armagh.
MURTAGH, PATRICK. Reg. No. 13060
Rank, Guardsman, Grenadier Guards, 1st
Batt.; killed in action, France, October 26,
1914; born Knock, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.
MURTAGH, PATRICK. Reg. No. 219973.
Rank, Driver, Royal Field Artillery (formerly
Royal Army Service Corps); killed in
action, France, February 18, 1918; born
Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
MURTAGH, ROBERT. Reg. No. 8118.
Rank, Lance-Corporal, Connaught Rangers,
1st Batt.; killed in action, Mesopotamia,
January 21, 1916; born Dublin.
-
Regimental History Extract
Left column, page 149
BATTLE OF THE ANCRE, NOVEMBER 14th
battalion was reorganized about 2 a.m. on November 14th,
and at 6 a.m. the Fusiliers attacked once more. It was
at this point that the 7th Battalion came into contact
with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who attacked
between the 13th Rifle Brigade and the 13th King's Royal
Rifle Corps. The 13th moved off a little too eagerly and
suffered some casualties from our own barrage. They
withdrew 50 yards and then resumed the advance under
a harassing machine gun fire from the Beaucourt village.
A strong point on the left flank resisted with great determination,
and the 13th Rifle Brigade were to the rear of
the 13th Royal Fusiliers when the first objective was
taken. Meanwhile, Captain Goddard, with the 7th, had
amalgamated the battalion's two waves, and after one
and a half hours' shelling of the final objective, advanced
and took it without much opposition. He had turned
to the right and with elements of the 13th Battalion, the
13th K.R.R.C., and the H.A.C., consolidated the right
flank on the bank of the Ancre, south-east of Beaucourt,
which had fallen a little earlier to the charge of Freyberg's
force.
Up to this point the position on the left of the 13th
Battalion still caused trouble. Most of the casualties
suffered by the 7th in their advance to the final objective
had come from this quarter, and the 13th remained on
the first line captured. But the 10th Battalion, who, like
the 13th, belonged to the 111th Brigade, had had the
pleasant experience of co-operating with a tank in the
reduction of the German redoubt which had held up the
centre of the 63rd Division. The mere appearance of the
tank seems to have been sufficient, and without firing a
shot the 10th Battalion took 270 German prisoners,* and
three machine guns. They also liberated 60 British
prisoners who had been well treated, but were naturally
glad to get back to their own army. The 7th Battalion
passed from this area and the 13th did not figure in again in
the battle. The former had attacked 22 officers and
note at bottom of page
*Eight hundred prisoners in all were taken from this redoubt.
right column, page 150
ROYAL FUSILIERS IN THE GREAT WAR
629 other ranks strong. They lost 13 officers and 331
other ranks, more than half the total strength. The
casualties of the 13th were 8 officers (including Lieut.-
Colonel Ardagh, wounded) and 130 other ranks. But the
victory was complete. It was a great blow to German
prestige, and it made an important improvement in the
British positions.
* * * *
There were still some local operations in this area before
the battle died down and a final line could be organised
for winter. The 10th Battalion took a prominent part
in these attempts to round off the gains of the first three
days. Part of the final line still remained in German
hands. The 13th Battalion, on the morning of the 14th,
had been held up by opposition on its left, and patrols
sent out failed even to locate the objective. Muck Trench,
as it was called, continued to lure the 111th Brigade, and
the 10th Battalion attacked at dawn on November 16th
with the object of capturing it. They were beaten back
by intense machine gun fire. In the afternoon two
bombing parties attempted to get forward and actually
reached the trench, but they were promptly attacked by
superior forces and compelled to retire. Lieutenant R.
Stephenson was killed on this occasion. The German
barrage prevented a third attempt, but Second Lieutenant
Ground succeeded in establishing two posts in the trench
on the left before dusk, and two others were established
during the night by Second Lieutenant Bainbridge.
These posts were reinforced and organized. But during
the night of the 17th the machine gun team in the trench
was shelled and almost wiped out. At 6.10 a.m. on the
18th the battalion attacked on the right of the 32nd
Division and stormed all its objectives but one. Unfortunately
these gains had to abandoned owing to the
failure of the right of the 32nd Division. On November
19th the 10th delivered yet another attack. Two patrols,
under Second Lieutenants Bainbridge and Heywood,
respectively, reached the objective, but were compelled
end of first clipping
second clipping, page 151
END OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
to withdraw. During the night the battalion was relieved
after an extraordinary exhibition of tenacity of purpose.
The most important and most spectacular achievement
of the Fusiliers in the battle of Ancre was the capture
of the redoubt which had almost brought the advance to
a standstill. But it was the least difficult task, and the
10th, who accomplished it, did more distinguished service
in the following days, though their repeated attacks merely
served to secure a few points of tactical importance.
-
Regimental History Extract
Left column, page 149
BATTLE OF THE ANCRE, NOVEMBER 14th
battalion was reorganized about 2 a.m. on November 14th,
and at 6 a.m. the Fusiliers attacked once more. It was
at this point that the 7th Battalion came into contact
with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who attacked
between the 13th Rifle Brigade and the 13th King's Royal
Rifle Corps. The 13th moved off a little too eagerly and
suffered some casualties from our own barrage. They
withdrew 50 yards and then resumed the advance under
a harassing machine gun fire from the Beaucourt village.
A strong point on the left flank resisted with great determination,
and the 13th Rifle Brigade were to the rear of
the 13th Royal Fusiliers when the first objective was
taken. Meanwhile, Captain Goddard, with the 7th, had
amalgamated the battalion's two waves, and after one
and a half hours' shelling of the final objective, advanced
and took it without much opposition. He had turned
to the right and with elements of the 13th Battalion, the
13th K.R.R.C., and the H.A.C., consolidated the right
flank on the bank of the Ancre, south-east of Beaucourt,
which had fallen a little earlier to the charge of Freyberg's
force.
Up to this point the position on the left of the 13th
Battalion still caused trouble. Most of the casualties
suffered by the 7th in their advance to the final objective
had come from this quarter, and the 13th remained on
the first line captured. But the 10th Battalion, who, like
the 13th, belonged to the 111th Brigade, had had the
pleasant experience of co-operating with a tank in the
reduction of the German redoubt which had held up the
centre of the 63rd Division. The mere appearance of the
tank seems to have been sufficient, and without firing a
shot the 10th Battalion took 270 German prisoners,* and
three machine guns. They also liberated 60 British
prisoners who had been well treated, but were naturally
glad to get back to their own army. The 7th Battalion
passed from this area and the 13th did not figure in again in
the battle. The former had attacked 22 officers and
note at bottom of page
*Eight hundred prisoners in all were taken from this redoubt.
right column, page 150
ROYAL FUSILIERS IN THE GREAT WAR
629 other ranks strong. They lost 13 officers and 331
other ranks, more than half the total strength. The
casualties of the 13th were 8 officers (including Lieut.-
Colonel Ardagh, wounded) and 130 other ranks. But the
victory was complete. It was a great blow to German
prestige, and it made an important improvement in the
British positions.
* * * *
There were still some local operations in this area before
the battle died down and a final line could be organised
for winter. The 10th Battalion took a prominent part
in these attempts to round off the gains of the first three
days. Part of the final line still remained in German
hands. The 13th Battalion, on the morning of the 14th,
had been held up by opposition on its left, and patrols
sent out failed even to locate the objective. Muck Trench,
as it was called, continued to lure the 111th Brigade, and
the 10th Battalion attacked at dawn on November 16th
with the object of capturing it. They were beaten back
by intense machine gun fire. In the afternoon two
bombing parties attempted to get forward and actually
reached the trench, but they were promptly attacked by
superior forces and compelled to retire. Lieutenant R.
Stephenson was killed on this occasion. The German
barrage prevented a third attempt, but Second Lieutenant
Ground succeeded in establishing two posts in the trench
on the left before dusk, and two others were established
during the night by Second Lieutenant Bainbridge.
These posts were reinforced and organized. But during
the night of the 17th the machine gun team in the trench
was shelled and almost wiped out. At 6.10 a.m. on the
18th the battalion attacked on the right of the 32nd
Division and stormed all its objectives but one. Unfortunately
these gains had to abandoned owing to the
failure of the right of the 32nd Division. On November
19th the 10th delivered yet another attack. Two patrols,
under Second Lieutenants Bainbridge and Heywood,
respectively, reached the objective, but were compelled
-
Regimental History Extract
Left column, page 149
BATTLE OF THE ANCRE, NOVEMBER 14th
battalion was reorganized about 2 a.m. on November 14th,
and at 6 a.m. the Fusiliers attacked once more. It was
at this point that the 7th Battalion came into contact
with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who attacked
between the 13th Rifle Brigade and the 13th King's Royal
Rifle Corps. The 13th moved off a little too eagerly and
suffered some casualties from our own barrage. They
withdrew 50 yards and then resumed the advance under
a harassing machine gun fire from the Beaucourt village.
A strong point on the left flank resisted with great determination,
and the 13th Rifle Brigade were to the rear of
the 13th Royal Fusiliers when the first objective was
taken. Meanwhile, Captain Goddard, with the 7th, had
amalgamated the battalion's two waves, and after one
and a half hours' shelling of the final objective, advanced
and took it without much opposition. He had turned
to the right and with elements of the 13th Battalion, the
13th K.R.R.C., and the H.A.C., consolidated the right
flank on the bank of the Ancre, south-east of Beaucourt,
which had fallen a little earlier to the charge of Freyberg's
force.
Up to this point the position on the left of the 13th
Battalion still caused trouble. Most of the casualties
suffered by the 7th in their advance to the final objective
had come from this quarter, and the 13th remained on
the first line captured. But the 10th Battalion, who, like
the 13th, belonged to the 111th Brigade, had had the
pleasant experience of co-operating with a tank in the
reduction of the German redoubt which had held up the
centre of the 63rd Division. The mere appearance of the
tank seems to have been sufficient, and without firing a
shot the 10th Battalion took 270 German prisoners,* and
three machine guns. They also liberated 60 British
prisoners who had been well treated, but were naturally
glad to get back to their own army. The 7th Battalion
passed from this area and the 13th did not figure in again in
the battle. The former had attacked 22 officers and
note at bottom of page
*Eight hundred prisoners in all were taken from this redoubt.
right column, page 150
ROYAL FUSILIERS IN THE GREAT WAR
629 other ranks strong. They lost 13 officers and 331
other ranks, more than half the total strength. The
casualties of the 13th were 8 officers (including Lieut.-
Colonel Ardagh, wounded) and 130 other ranks. But the
victory was complete. It was a great blow to German
prestige, and it made an important improvement in the
British positions.
* * * *
There were still some local operations in this area before
the battle died down and a final line could be organised
for winter. The 10th Battalion took a prominent part
in these attempts to round off the gains of the first three
days. Part of the final line still remained in German
hands. The 13th Battalion, on the morning of the 14th,
had been held up by opposition on its left, and patrols
sent out failed even to locate the objective. Muck Trench,
as it was called, continued to lure the 111th Brigade, and
the 10th Battalion attacked at dawn on November 16th
with the object of capturing it. They were beaten back
by intense machine gun fire. In the afternoon two
bombing parties attempted to get forward and actually
reached the trench, but they were promptly attacked by
superior forces and compelled to retire. Lieutenant R.
Stephenson was killed on this occasion.
-
Left page
Regimental History Extract
BATTLE OF THE ANCRE, NOVEMBER 14th
battalion was reorganized about 2 a.m. on November 14th,
and at 6 a.m. the Fusiliers attacked once more. It was
at this point that the 7th Battalion came into contact
with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who attacked
between the 13th Rifle Brigade and the 13th King's Royal
Rifle Corps. The 13th moved off a little too eagerly and
suffered some casualties from our own barrage. They
withdrew 50 yards and then resumed the advance under
a harassing machine gun fire from the Beaucourt village.
A strong point on the left flank resisted with great determination,
and the 13th Rifle Brigade were to the rear of
the 13th Royal Fusiliers when the first objective was
taken. Meanwhile, Captain Goddard, with the 7th, had
amalgamated the battalion's two waves, and after one
and a half hours' shelling of the final objective, advanced
and took it without much opposition. He had turned
to the right and with elements of the 13th Battalion, the
13th K.R.R.C., and the H.A.C., consolidated the right
flank on the bank of the Ancre, south-east of Beaucourt,
which had fallen a little earlier to the charge of Freyberg's
force.
Up to this point the position on the left of the 13th
Battalion still caused trouble. Most of the casualties
suffered by the 7th in their advance to the final objective
had come from this quarter, and the 13th remained on
the first line captured. But the 10th Battalion, who, like
the 13th, belonged to the 111th Brigade, had had the
pleasant experience of co-operating with a tank in the
reduction of the German redoubt which had held up the
centre of the 63rd Division. The mere appearance of the
tank seems to have been sufficient, and without firing a
shot the 10th Battalion took 270 German prisoners,* and
three machine guns.
-
Left page
Regimental History Extract
BATTLE OF THE ANCRE, NOVEMBER 14th
battalion was reorganized about 2 a.m. on November 14th,
and at 6 a.m. the Fusiliers attacked once more. It was
at this point that the 7th Battalion came into contact
with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who attacked
between the 13th Rifle Brigade and the 13th King's Royal
Rifle Corps. The 13th moved off a little too eagerly and
suffered some casualties from our own barrage. They
withdrew 50 yards and then resumed the advance under
a harassing machine gun fire from the Beaucourt village.
A strong point on the left flank resisted with great determination,
and the 13th Rifle Brigade were to the rear of
the 13th Royal Fusiliers when the first objective was
taken. Meanwhile, Captain Goddard, with the 7th, had
amalgamated the battalion's two waves, and after one
and a half hours' shelling of the final objective, advanced
and took it without much opposition. He had turned
to the right and with elements of the 13th Battalion, the
13th K.R.R.C., and the H.A.C., consolidated the right
flank on the bank of the Ancre, south-east of Beaucourt,
which had fallen a little earlier to the charge of Freyberg's
force.
-
Left page
Regimental History Extract
BATTLE OF THE ANCRE, NOVEMBER 14th
battalion was reorganized about 2 a.m. on November 14th,
and at 6 a.m. the Fusiliers attacked once more. It was
at this point that the 7th Battalion came into contact
with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who attacked
between the 13th Rifle Brigade and the 13th King's Royal
Rifle Corps. The 13th moved off a little too eagerly and
suffered some casualties from our own barrage. They
withdrew 50 yards and then resumed the advance under
a harassing machine gun fire from the Beaucourt village.
A strong point on the left flank resisted with great determination,
and the 13th Rifle Brigade were to the rear of
the 13th Royal Fusiliers when the first objective was
taken.
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