A Short History of the 6th Division: Aug. 1914-March 1919 (WWI Centenary Series)

Thomas Owen Marden

• Publisher: Last Post Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781473314214
• eBook ISBN: 9781528765480
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: British History
• Index: History

""This short history has been compiled mainly from the War Diaries. My reason for undertaking the task is that there was no one else to do it, the units composing the Division being scattered far and wide, and there being no Divisional habitat with local historians as in the case of Territorial and New Army Divisions. My object is that all who served with the Division for any period between 1914-1919 may have a record to show that they belonged to a Division which played no inconspicuous part in the Great War."" This book is part of the World War One Centenary series; creating, collating and reprinting new and old works of poetry, fiction, autobiography and analysis. The series forms a commemorative tribute to mark the passing of one of the world's bloodiest wars, offering new perspectives on this tragic yet fascinating period of human history. Each publication also includes brand new introductory essays and a timeline to help the reader place the work in its historical context.

APPENDIX I

BATTLE CASUALTIES

1914, Aisne (19th Sept.--12th Oct.), 1,482, Battle of the Aisne.

1914, Armentières (13th--31st Oct.), 4,696, First Battle of Ypres.

1914-15, Armentières (1st Nov.--31st May), 3,940, Trenches.

1915-16, Ypres (1st June 1915--31st July 1916), 10,938, Includes 1,780 in attack on Hooge; 660 gas attack, 15th Dec; 400 Morteldje attack.

1916, Somme (5th Aug.--20th Oct.), 7,430, Battle of the Somme.

1916-17, La Bassée (25th Nov. 1916--16th February 1917), 709, Trenches.

1917, Loos (2nd Mar.--25th July), 4,884, Raids and attacks, Hill 70.

1917, Loos-Lens (26th Aug.--23rd Oct.), 1,400, Trenches.

1917, Cambrai (20th Nov.--10th Dec.), 1,790, Battle of Cambrai.

1918, Bapaume (17th Jan.--20th March), 313, Trenches.

1918, Lagnicourt (21st--22nd March), 5,160, German offensive.

1918, Ypres (3rd April--24th Aug.), 4,715, Includes 750 at Neuve Eglise (71st Infantry Brigade) and 250 in attack on Scottish and Ridge Woods.

1918, St. Quentin (14th--28th Sept.), 3,163, Battle of St. Quentin.

1918, Bohain--Ors (4th--29th Oct.), 3,120, Battles of Bohain, Vaux-Andigny, and Ors.

,

,, ---------,

, Grand Total, 53,740,

,, ---------,

N.B.--Above are approximate, and have been compiled from D.H.Q. War Diaries (Administrative).

APPENDIX II

V.C.s WON BY THE DIVISION

No. 7504 Private Henry May, 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 19th Infantry Brigade, at that time attached to 6th Division.

For most conspicuous bravery near La Boutillerie, on 22nd October 1914, in voluntarily endeavouring to rescue, under very heavy fire, a wounded man, who was killed before he could save him, and subsequently, on the same day, in carrying a wounded officer a distance of 300 yards into safety whilst exposed to very severe fire. (Gazetted 21st April 1915.)

No. 9730 Private John Caffrey, 2nd Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery on 16th November 1915, near La Brique.

A man of the West Yorkshire Regiment had been badly wounded, and was lying in the open unable to move, in full view of, and about 300 to 400 yards from, the enemy's trenches. Corporal Stirk, Royal Army Medical Corps, and Private Caffrey, at once started out to rescue him, but at the first attempt they were driven back by shrapnel fire. Soon afterwards they started again, under close sniping and machine-gun fire, and succeeded in reaching and bandaging the wounded man, but just as Corporal Stirk had lifted him on Private Caffrey's back he himself was shot in the head.

Private Caffrey put down the wounded man, bandaged Corporal Stirk, and helped him back into safety. He then returned and brought in the man of the West Yorkshire Regiment. He had made three journeys across the open under close and accurate fire, and had risked his own life to save others with the utmost coolness and bravery. (Gazetted 22nd January 1915.)

No. 3/10133 Sergeant Arthur Frederic Saunders, 9th (Service) Battalion The Suffolk Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery. When his officer had been wounded, in the attack he took charge of two machine-guns and a few men, and, although severely wounded in the thigh, closely followed the last four charges of another battalion, and rendered every possible support. Later, when the remains of the battalion which he had been supporting had been forced to retire, he stuck to his guns, continued to give clear orders, and by continuous firing did his best to cover the retirement. (Gazetted 30th March, 1916.)

2/Lieutenant Frank Bernard Wearne, 11th (Service) Battalion Essex Regiment.

For superb courage, leadership and self-sacrifice.

On 28th June 1917, 2/Lieut. Wearne was in command of two sections on the left of a raiding party, whose objective was the German front line, east of Loos. He led his men into the objective against opposition, and by his magnificent example and daring, they held on to the German trench for one hour according to orders.

Throughout the hour they were repeatedly counterattacked, from their left down the trench and from their front over the open. Grasping the fact that if the left flank went, our men would have to give way, 2/Lieut. Wearne at a moment when the attack was being heavily pressed, and when matters were most critical, leapt on to the parapet and, followed by his left section, ran along the top of the trench, firing and throwing bombs at the enemy. This unexpected and daring manœuvre threw the enemy back in disorder. Whilst on the top 2/Lieut. Wearne was severely wounded, but refused to leave his men. He remained in the trench directing operations, organizing the defence and encouraging all. Just before the order to withdraw was given 2/Lieut. Wearne was severely hit for the second time, and when being brought away was hit for the third time and killed.

His tenacity in remaining at his post, though severely wounded, and his magnificent fighting spirit enabled his men to hold on to the left flank; had this gone, the whole operation would have failed. (Gazetted 5th August 1917.)

2/Lieut. (A/Captain) Arthur Moore Lascelles, 3rd Battalion, attached 14th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry.

At Masnières on 3rd December 1917, showed the greatest courage, initiative, and devotion to duty when in command of his company.

His company was in a very exposed position, and after a very heavy bombardment, during which Captain Lascelles was wounded, the enemy attacked in strong force, but was driven off, largely owing to the fine example set by this officer, who refused to allow himself to be dressed, but continued to encourage his men and organize the defence. Shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench, taking several of his men prisoners. Captain Lascelles at once jumped on to the parapet and, followed by the remainder of his company, twelve men, rushed across under very heavy machine-gun fire and drove over sixty of the enemy back, being wounded again, thereby saving a most critical situation. He then was untiring in re-organizing the position, but shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench and Captain Lascelles. Later he escaped, being wounded again in doing so.

The remarkable determination and gallantry of this officer inspired everyone. (Gazetted 11th January 1919...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction to the World War One Centenary Series
• A Timeline of the Major Events of World War One in Europe
• We Shall Keep the Faith by Moina Michael (1918)
• A Short History of the 6th Division: Aug. 1914-March 1919
• II., Battle of the Aisne
• III., Move to the North and First Battle of Ypres
• IV., Armentières
• V., Ypres Salient
• VI., The Somme
• VII., Loos Salient
• VIII., Cambrai
• IX., German Offensive of March 1918
• X., Ypres Salient Again
• XI., The Allied Offensive in the South
• XII., The March to the Rhine and Occupation of Germany
• Appendix