Current Information:

Age-29

78, Thicket Road, Anerley

London Cemetery, Neuville-Vitasse, France

The Battle of Arras was a series of offensives by the British Army between 9th April 1917 and 16th May 1917. It had been planned in conjunction with the French who would attack in Artois and between them the Allies would force the Germans out of the large salient they had held since the line of trenches was first established. But the Germans had spoiled this plan by falling back to the new and very strong Hindenburg Line in January 1917 and the salient no longer existed.  For the want of an alternative plan the attack went ahead anyway. It all started well for the British who made substantial gains on the first two days but then the offensive ground to a halt and by the end their losses amounted to over 150,000.

The First Battle of the Scarpe (9-14 April)

169 Brigade was in reserve when, on the morning of 9th April, 1917, the opening day of the battle, the other two brigades of  56th (London) Division attacked and captured the strongly fortified village of Neuville-Vitasse, just to the south of Arras. Two days later, on 11th April, 169  Brigade relieved 167 Brigade here and at 5.15am the following morning the 5th London and 2nd London battalions  bombed their way up Cojeul Switch, worked their way round either side of Hill 90 and joined up on the other side. Within 20 minutes 2nd London had occupied Heninel and 5th London had taken Wancourt, then moved to the heights beyond the village. There were casualties for both battalions during this operation, including William Tanner of 5th London.