Irish Heroism storms into German positions on the Somme
Ulstermen remember the 1st July 1916 as the day so many in their men died the slopes of Thiepval whilst fighting with the 36th Division ;It is also a time when those from Tyneside remember loved ones killed during fighting with the Tyneside Irish at La Boiselle (another very much forgotten Irish regiment ) The time for remembrance for many southern Irishmen is Easter Monday 1916, the Irish rising in Dublin.Only a few months later, in September, Irish soldiers in the 16th ( Irish )
Division fought and died in two major Somme battles, Guillemont and Ginchy, that became the graveyards of the ' Irish Brigade '. Few remeber them.
Division fought and died in two major Somme battles, Guillemont and Ginchy, that became the graveyards of the ' Irish Brigade '. Few remeber them.
At this stage i think it would be best to describe the actions at Guillemont and Ginchy straight away without describing the ' tragic ' first day of the Somme. I think that that part of the Somme battle would be best left to the sections on the 36th Ulster Division and the Tyneside Irish. This is the story of the 16th ( Irish ) Division.
The Visit (long awaited)
Guillemont Cemetary
Guillemont Cemetary
Well, here we are, all lined up neat and tidy, ready for our visitors-if they come.We don't have many these days. Don't know why? We used to Get quite a few, but they died off now.
When it happened they kept us out in the field for a while. It was'nt safe to Bring us in. They did finally get us here, cleaned us up and gave us a decent Place to rest.
We are looked after well, they're always brightening the place up with plants And flowers-they are really for the bebfit of the visitors-it keeps them happy.
Harry's niece came to visit a while back. She brought some crocuses, said they'd
Look nice in the spring. Cheered him up no end. Thought they'd forgotten all About him! " Course not! " i said " They'll not forget us-will they?
Turnpike's brother ( forget his name now) used to come and visit. We'd been in The same battalion, the same trench....Anyway, stopped coming. His health Wasn't what it used to be.
Once thought i heard a fellow mention my name-he looked vaguely familiar around The eyes, but i could'nt place him. He slowed as he walked past and gave a look as if to say " poor chap , never mind " Did'nt see if he found who he was looking for.
Shame, it would've been nice to have had a visitor.
Wyndham and Asquith, they get plenty of visitors-and don't know any of them! Rank And who you know counts for a lot. Hope i do get a visitor. A relative would be nice, Course they'll be busy i suppose, with their famillies and things....
When it happened they kept us out in the field for a while. It was'nt safe to Bring us in. They did finally get us here, cleaned us up and gave us a decent Place to rest.
We are looked after well, they're always brightening the place up with plants And flowers-they are really for the bebfit of the visitors-it keeps them happy.
Harry's niece came to visit a while back. She brought some crocuses, said they'd
Look nice in the spring. Cheered him up no end. Thought they'd forgotten all About him! " Course not! " i said " They'll not forget us-will they?
Turnpike's brother ( forget his name now) used to come and visit. We'd been in The same battalion, the same trench....Anyway, stopped coming. His health Wasn't what it used to be.
Once thought i heard a fellow mention my name-he looked vaguely familiar around The eyes, but i could'nt place him. He slowed as he walked past and gave a look as if to say " poor chap , never mind " Did'nt see if he found who he was looking for.
Shame, it would've been nice to have had a visitor.
Wyndham and Asquith, they get plenty of visitors-and don't know any of them! Rank And who you know counts for a lot. Hope i do get a visitor. A relative would be nice, Course they'll be busy i suppose, with their famillies and things....
Like so many, A soldier of the Great War By Helen Charlesworth.
Known unto God
Known unto God
the battle of guillemont
was a British assualt on the German held village of
Guillemont during the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Guillemont lay on the right flank of the British sector where it linked with French Forces and by holding it, the Germans prevented the Allied armies from operating in unison.
Guillemont came in range of British forces following the Battle of Bazentin Ridge on the 14th July and it was subjected to a number of costly attacks in late July and August. This sector contained a number of German strongpoints- Deville Wood, Falfemont Farm, the villages of Guillemont, Combles and Maurepas, each providing protection for each other. On the 18th August a combined British-French offensive was launched on the sector with three corps attacking around Guillemont while the French attacked Maurepas. The British managed to seize Guillemont Station but otherwise failed to reach their objectives.The capture of Guillemont weakened the German hold on this sector. Deville Wood was finally secured and the neighbouring village of Ginchy fell relatively quickly on 9th September. By 15th September British were in a position to mount their next major offensive on a broad front, The Battle of Flers-Courcellette.
Guillemont came in range of British forces following the Battle of Bazentin Ridge on the 14th July and it was subjected to a number of costly attacks in late July and August. This sector contained a number of German strongpoints- Deville Wood, Falfemont Farm, the villages of Guillemont, Combles and Maurepas, each providing protection for each other. On the 18th August a combined British-French offensive was launched on the sector with three corps attacking around Guillemont while the French attacked Maurepas. The British managed to seize Guillemont Station but otherwise failed to reach their objectives.The capture of Guillemont weakened the German hold on this sector. Deville Wood was finally secured and the neighbouring village of Ginchy fell relatively quickly on 9th September. By 15th September British were in a position to mount their next major offensive on a broad front, The Battle of Flers-Courcellette.
Below, map showing Guillemont and the front lines on different dates as the British Front painfully advanced
Guillemont was a triumph for the troops of Southern Ireland. 'The men of Munster, Leinster and Connaught broke through the intricate defences of the enemy as a torrent sweeps down rubble ' the author John Buchan wrote. One of two Victoria Cross winners in the 16th ( Irish ) Division, Private Thomas Hughes of the 6th Connaught Rangers, was an Ulsterman from County Monaghan, then one of the historic nine counties of Ulster ( this is such a valid point to make because it clearly shows that Irish Battalions were not simply ' Catholic ' or ' Protestant ' as one might believe, both would often fight side by side as brothers. It is also the same with the Royal Ulster Rifles and other Irish Regiments during the Second World War . Men from the North and South of Ireland fought together within the ranks of these famous Irish Regiments ) The 6th Connaught Rangers and 7th Leinsters would bear the brunt of the Brigade's ( 47th Brigade ) attack to capture the ruined village of Guillemont on 3rd September. The 47th Brigade was part of a large assault force, but it was not too much to say that ' Guillemont ' was devastated by an avalanche of Irish troops...We swept through the Germans like the Dublin Mail going through Westport ' a Connaught Ranger said ' The English are in Guillemont ' would have greatly annoyed the Irishmen in the 47th Brigade had they heard it.
