Current Information:

Born-Tottenham

Action of Pietre

With the aim of diverting German troops away from Loos when the British attack went in there on 25th September 1915, there was an attack by the Meerut Division of the India Corps along a 1500 yard front against the German salient west of the Moulin du Pietre with the possible objective of gaining a foothold on the Aubers ridge in which case the Lahore Division  would attack through the Bois du Biez.  As at Loos, gas and smoke were used but this handicapped the attackers more than the defenders, especially when German shells destroyed some of the cylinders. 

On the right of the Indian Corps involved in the Action of Pietre was 19th Division which had arrived in France in July 1915. Their orders were to co-operate with 2nd Division on their right as they attacked astride the La Bassée Canal by attacking the Rue d’Overt with 58 Brigade. For this purpose 9th Welsh and 9th Royal Welsh Fusiliers moved forward from their trenches at 6.30am but because of the failure of 2nd Division their advance was brought to a halt after 200 yards. Half an hour later the other two battalions of 58 Brigade, 6th Wiltshire and 9th Cheshire moved up to reinforce them. However all four battalions were gradually pushed back and by noon the attack was abandoned.

6th Wiltshire had been formed in September 1914 and was made up of 1/3rd  Wiltshire men, 1/3rd Londoners and 1/3rd Birmingham men and was supplemented by a train load of London businessmen. Their casualties on this day amounted to over one hundred officers and men.