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Born-Camberwell

The Battle of Messines was a successful British offensive between 7th-14th June, 1917 that dislodged the German army from the Messines Ridge, a salient jutting into the British lines, that they had held since 1914. The front attacked ran south for nine miles from Mount Sorrel, through the villages of Messines and Wytschaete, down to Ploegsteert and its capture gave the British control of the high ground to the south of Ypres. This greatly facilitated their attack further north the following month which became known as the 3rd Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele. The success at Messines was a result of some careful planning and the explosion of nineteen large mines at zero hour on 7th June, along the length of the ridge. Twenty two mine shafts had been constructed but one was discovered by the enemy and destroyed and two failed to explode. Nevertheless the resulting explosion was so loud that it could be heard in London and so powerful that 10.000 German soldiers were killed. Nine British, Australian and New Zealand divisions then attacked behind a creeping artillery barrage and all first day objectives were soon taken. Over the next few days  German counter attacks were repelled and by 14th June the whole of the ridge had been captured.

On 7th June, 1917, 47th (London) Division attacked astride the Ypres-Comines canal in the northern section of the battle zone. The attack was made successfully, by 140 and 142 Brigades with 141 Brigade in reserve but all four of its battalions were used in some capacity; carrying parties taking ammunition and other supplies forward, sending up platoons or companies to consolidate the gains that had been made and  reinforcing the attack when necessary. 17th London started the day at the Spoil Bank, a long mound of earth that had been excavated during the building of the canal, part of which was in British territory while a further section was in German hands. Throughout the day they provided carrying parties for 142 Brigade, taking supplies across No-Man’s-Land, often under shell fire. During the afternoon German heavy artillery shelled Old French Trench, in which some of the battalion were sheltering and at night they moved forward to positions in the old British front line and the first line of captured German trenches. There were a number of casualties sustained by 17th London throughout the day and night, one of whom was Charles Side.