Current Information:

Enlisted Mill Hill

Born-East Finchley

Throughout October 1918, the last full month of the war, the Allies were advancing all along the Western Front against a demoralised and drastically shrinking German Army which could do little other than fight, often desperate, rear guard actions. These continued to take a heavy toll of both sides, but failed to halt the forward momentum. Towns, villages and whole areas, which had been under German occupation for four long years were now liberated in a series of operations.

On 1st October, 1918 as part of a series of actions which became known as the Battle of the Canal du Nord, 2nd Division and 3rd Division  attacked the village of Rumilly and the high ground to the north of it, including Mont sur l’Oeuvre. Advancing behind a protective artillery barrage, the 2nd Suffolk battalion of 76 Brigade, 3rd Division came under severe rifle and machine-gun fire as they moved forward and although they managed to reach the southern end of the village, they were unable to hold on to it and withdrew to their starting line. Another attempt was made at 6.30pm and was much more successful. Advancing across a narrow no-man’s-land in the failing light, the enemy were taken by surprise and over four hundred of them were captured. A new line was established beyond Rumilly and Mont sur l’Oeuvre. There were the inevitable casualties, one of whom was Herbert Barnard.