200 THE YPRES TIMES All these were killed in the futile attacks on Morval on August 30th. In addition, the same cross marked the graves of L./Cpl. C. Coleman, of Sutton-in-Ashfield. Pte. J. R. Jones, of Pont-y-cymmer. The former fell earlier in the day at Delville Wood, and Pte. Jones on August 27th. Two of the fallen the writer particularly remembers. Capt. T. C. H. Berry was his own brother and had joined the 14th Welch Regiment only a few days before. He had been severely wounded at Messines in June, 1917, when serving with the ist/8th City of London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), and had spent most of the year following in hospitals. He fell whilst gallantly leading his company against the commanding stronghold of Morval. Lieut. Balsom was another Territorial Officer (4th Welch Regiment), but recently attached to the 14th Welch Regiment. G. Y. P. Jones impressed all who knew him, not less by courage and cheerfulness than by the handsome charm of his youth. Among others of the Welch Regiment who fell during these actions, and whose graves are in Morval Cemetery, were: Capt. C. J. Boulton, M.C., of Hanley, the brave and deservedly popular Adjutant of the 13th Welch Regiment, killed August 30th. 2/Lieut. E. Burtonwood, of Maesteg, also of the 13th Welch Regiment aged 23. 2/Lieut. C. H. Hughes, 14th Welch Regiment, killed September 1staged 22. 2/Lieut. H. J. Bladon, of Cardiff, who, like Graham (above), was attached to the 14th Welch Regiment from the 4th (Territorial) Battalion killed September 1st aged 28. 2/Lieut. C. H. Hughes, of Morda, 14th Welch Regiment, killed August 30th aged 22. Two other officers of the Welch Regiment who made the supreme sacrifice at about the same time as those mentioned above were Lieut. A. D. Morris, 13th Welch Regiment. 2/Lieut. E. V. Rowe, 13th Welch Regiment. Their graves have never been identified and so their names are engraved on Panel 7 of the Memorial to the Missing erected by the Imperial War Graves Commission* at Vis-en-Artois. Morris had served continuously with the 13th Welch Regiment since 1915 and, as a result of fearless patrolling work, none knew No Man's Land" from Weiltje to Boesinghe as he did. His duties as bombing officer earned for him the affectionate name of Dai Bombs." Six other officers of the Welch Regiment may also be mentioned as their deaths in action belong to this period, though immediately preceding the attack on Morval2/Lieut. E. G. Jones and 2/Lieut. P. L. Leech, both of the 13th Welch Regi ment, whose graves are at Gezaincourt and Longueval (Caterpillar Valley) respectively Lieut. C. T. Osmond and 2/Lieut. W. H. Hazard, both of the 14th Welch Regiment, are buried at Gezaincourt Bagneux) and Delville Wood respectively 2/Lieuts. R. C. Evans and W. Bowe are buried at Pozières and Fienvillers. So heavy were the losses among other ranks that it is impossible to refer to them individually, though mention has been made above of those who, in the equality of death, shared a common grave at Morval. During the whole of the Second Battle of Bapaume, which lasted altogether less than a fortnight, i.e., from August 21st to September 3rd, the three Service Battalions of the Welch Regiment lost 15 officers killed and 28 woundedf. Among other ranks the casualties were 208 killed, 900 wounded and 55 missing. The total casualties (killed, wounded and missing) for all ranks were thus 1,206. The Secretary, Imperial War Graves Commission, has most kindly supplied me with this and other information. J I am indebted for these figures to the History of the Welch Regiment, Part II, by Major General Sir Thomas O. Marden, K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. This splendid history is a unique source of information for all matters relating to the history of that regiment. Reference may also be made to the brief History of the 38th {Welsh) Division, by Lieut.-Colonel Rhys Price, C.M.G., D.S.O., and Lieut.-Colonel J. E. Mumby, C.M.G., D.S.O.

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1933 | | pagina 10