Current Information:

Age-19

61 Earlsmead Road, Kensal Rise

Hebuterne Military Cemetery, France

On 21st June, 1916, 3rd London of 167 Brigade, 56th Division moved into the front line at Sailly-au-Bois and Hebuterne Keep in the Somme where preparations were well advanced for the forthcoming battle, the ‘Big Push’ as it was known in some quarters.  Large working parties were a feature of their stay here, digging jump-off trenches and bringing up supplies. The enemy was well aware of these preparations and did their best to disrupt them with their artillery. The Battalion Diary entry for 26th June, 1916 simply reads, ‘Sailly shelled by enemy but no damage done.’ The trenches may well have remained intact but there was certainly human damage as witnessed by the death of William Hand and at least two others from 3rd London who were killed on this day.