Current Information:

Enlisted-Rotherhithe

St Amand British Cemetery, France

On 21st June, 1916, 3rd London of 167 Brigade, 56th Division moved into the front line at Sailly-au-Bois and Hebuterne Keep in the Somme where preparations were well advanced for the forthcoming battle, the ‘Big Push’ as it was known in some quarters.  Large working parties were a feature of their stay here, digging jump-off trenches and bringing up supplies. The enemy was well aware of these preparations and did their best to disrupt them with their artillery. In the early hours of the morning of 25th June, 1916 and again twelve hours later, Sailly-au-Bois was heavily shelled, wounding eight men and killing three more. One of those killed was Charles Garner.