Current Information:

Born-Wandsworth

In July 1916, while all eyes were on the events on the Somme, the war continued along the length of the Western Front. During the night of 6/7th July, the 11th Rifle Brigade battalion of 59 Brigade, 20th Division moved into the front line near Wieltje in the northern part of the Ypres salient. At 10.30pm on 10th July, two twenty strong parties from the battalion attempted a raid on German positions opposite, after the discharge of gas, and a smoke and artillery barrage. The raid was a failure and they were unable to enter the enemy lines. The Battalion Diary blamed the premature release of the gas and its consequent failure to trouble the enemy. It also mentioned a  failure to synchronise watches, and the accuracy of the German artillery fire. Among the many casualties that resulted from this raid was Bernard Stoneham.