Current Information:

Age-28

Enlisted-Blackheath

Summit Trench Cemetery, Croisilles, France

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. The following day 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.

When the Battle of Albert began, 58th (London) Division were in reserve with one brigade in  position behind 47th and 12th Divisions, and another brigade as a reserve to 18th Division. They were called into action on 24th August when 175 Brigade attacked across Happy Valley as a result of which they had established themselves by 6.30am on 25th August, on a line in front of the village of Maricourt. 173 Brigade then passed through and continued the attack towards Maricourt. Their way was barred by Billon Wood, an enemy stronghold, which 2/4th London was sent to clear. This was achieved by mid-afternoon with help from 2/2nd London in support while 3rd London remained in reserve. The two forward battalions were then ordered to move north to the Suzanne-Carnoy road and after some hard fighting they reached their objective, a salient about half a mile from Maricourt, formed by two roads. Maricourt was still strongly held by the Germans as was Carnoy on their left flank so here they stopped. At 4am the next day, 26th August, 3rd London, supported by 2/2nd London, moved further forward, in the face of some heavy machine-gun fire, to a line along the western edge of Maricourt. Some of 3rd London actually entered the village but were unable to remain there. At the same time 2/4th London were sent forward from reserve at Great Bear Wood to deny the high ground north of Billon Wood to the enemy in the case of a counter attack. The results of these two days of fighting by 173 Brigade had been very encouraging in terms of land gained and prisoners captured but at times the fighting had been fierce and there were many casualties, one of whom was Reginald Barton of 3rd London who was killed on 26th August.