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Age-21

31, Couthurst Road, Blackheath

The Battle of Albert was a continuation of the Battle of Amiens that had been fought earlier in the month and which had been the start of the Hundred Days Offensive that culminated in the collapse of the German army and the end of the war. On the first day, 21st August, the British Third Army attacked along a front that stretched over ten miles northwards from the town of Albert as far as Moyenneville and made significant advances everywhere.

On 22nd August, the British Fourth Army came into action when they attacked the ridge of high ground that lay between the Somme and Ancre river valleys, stretching north from Bray to the town of Albert. 47th and 12th Divisions attacked with 18th Division swinging forward to protect the left and the 3rd Australian Division covering the right. At 4.45am, 47th Division sent forward the 20th London and 19th London battalions from 141 Brigade with  18th London in support. They had to cross a valley and a spur before they could reach Happy Valley, the intermediary objective for the day, but a combination of mist, smoke, poor staff work and insufficient training of the young, inexperienced troops meant that  they halted well short of their objective. Nevertheless at this stage the three battalions of 142 Brigade moved up to this line and resumed the attack which ended up as a costly failure as a result of which, in the afternoon, the survivors retired through the line held by 141 Brigade. The enemy artillery fire now targeted 19th London and 20th London, causing many casualties and that evening they too were withdrawn back to their starting line. Among the casualties suffered by 20th London on this day was Ernest Guess.