Current Information:

Born-Clapton

Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France

On 30th May, 1916, 15th Warwickshire of 13 Brigade, 5th Division, moved into the front line in the Thelus sector at Arras. Their first three days here were relatively quiet but this peace was shattered on 4th June, when, between 4pm and 7pm the enemy opened up an intense artillery bombardment on their front line and support trenches. Certain points received special treatment which resulted in B Company being isolated. Telephone communications were cut and the company HQ and dug-outs were smashed with many men buried beneath the debris. Working parties  began desperately clearing the rubble in order to release the trapped men but their efforts were severely hampered when  at 9pm the bombardment started again followed by a large raid of between 500-600 of the enemy on a wide front. Some of them entered  B Company’s trenches where they bombed any remaining dug-outs. At 11pm the artillery of both sides ceased and 15th Warwickshire were relieved and moved back to Arras. Among the many casualties suffered by 15th Warwickshire in this attack was Claud Raper.