Current Information:

Age-27

Born-Camberwell

Gourock Trench Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, France

The Battle of Arras was a series of offensives by the British Army between 9th April 1917 and 16th May 1917. It had been planned in conjunction with the French who would attack in Artois and between them the Allies would force the Germans out of the large salient they had held since the line of trenches was first established. But the Germans had spoiled this plan by falling back to the new and very strong Hindenburg Line in January 1917 and the salient no longer existed.  For the want of an alternative plan the attack went ahead anyway. It all started well for the British who made substantial gains on the first two days but then the offensive ground to a halt and by the end their losses amounted to over 150,000.

The First Battle of the Scarpe (9-14 April)

On 9th April, 1917,  12th Division attacked due east of Arras with 37 Brigade on the right and 36 Brigade on the left.  36 Brigade attacked at 5.30am with the 8th Royal Fusiliers and 9th Royal Fusiliers battalions. They emerged from the shelter of the Arras caves and the assault on the German line began behind an artillery and smoke barrage provided by the gunners and a machine gun barrage from 24 guns which kept the enemy firmly in their dug-outs. The first objective was reached  relatively easily but the Blue Line beyond that proved a tougher nut to crack. German strongholds barred the passage to this objective and it was not until 10am, when 35 Brigade moved forward in support that it was finally reached. From here the attack was continued by units of 35 Brigade while the other two brigades consolidated the Blue Line. 8th Royal Fusiliers suffered about 150 casualties during the course of the day, one of whom was Henry Allchin.