213415 Pte. John Patrick Connolly British Army 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment from:Middlesbrough (d.8th July 1916) Private John Patrick Connolly served with the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, he was reported Missing In Action presumed dead July 8th 1916
An Extract from the regiment's diary for that day:
5-45am – The battalion moved off up the valley by Talus Boisse to a position just west of Bernafay Wood with orders to attack and take the southern portion of Trones Wood.
This accomplished the Wiltshires were to attack from Maltz Horn Alley their right joining up with the left of the French who were attacking at the same time.
The 19th Manchesters were in trenches behind available for support and the 18th Kings Liverpools were detailed to provide carrying parties, battalion HQ was at the Briqueterie.
7-15am – “C†Company under Capt Maude entered Bernafay Wood followed in succession by the bombing sections, “D†Company under Capt Belcher, “B†Company under 2nd Lt Hubbard and “A†Company under Capt Colley.
8-00am – Under severe shellfire which caused casualties before starting and added to some confusion caused by the passage through the wood.
“C†Company emerged from the wood and commenced to cross the open space between it and Trones Wood.
For about 80 yards rising ground gave some cover but immediately this was topped a very heavy machine gun and rifle fire was opened from the edge of Trones Wood and the front line was practically hit to a man.
Some men got into Trones Alley a communication trench between the two woods and Lt Field with the battalion bombers made an attempt to bomb up it and get into the wood, snipers in trees defeated this and seeing that without further and more powerful artillery support a direct attack was hopeless and a withdrawal to Bernafay Wood was ordered at 8-30am
The Germans now commenced a heavy and constant bombardment of Bernafay Wood with guns of every calibre.
Cover was poor and for the rest of the day the battalion could do nothing but hold on under heavy punishment. Casualties were numerous and the removal of wounded was a matter of the greatest difficulty.
Mens nerves were subjected to probably the greatest strain the battalion had yet to bear in this war and it was with great relief that at 7-00pm orders were received to withdraw.
Casualties were : Officers killed = 3
Officers wounded = 4.
Other ranks killed = 19
Wounded = 116
Missing = 17.
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