Current Information:

Age-30

804, Old Kent Road

Templeux-le-Guerard British Cemetery, France

During February and March, 1917, the Germans made a strategic withdrawal to a new and very strong line running from Arras to Soissons. By doing this they eliminated two large salients and greatly reduced the number of troops needed to man the new defences. As they pulled back to the Hindenburg Line (Siegfriedstellung) they adopted a ‘scorched earth’ policy, systematically destroying everything in their path so as to leave nothing behind that would assist the enemy. Railways and roads were dug up, wells poisoned and even trees chopped down. Mines and booby traps were set to further hinder the British and French troops who followed up behind them until they reached the new formidable defences where one again trench warfare was established.

2nd 8th Sherwood Foresters arrived in France on 27th February, 1917 as part of 178 Brigade, 59th Division and on 29th March moved into the area vacated by the German withdrawal to dig trenches between the villages of Flechin and Bernes, some four miles to the east of Peronne. They saw their first action on the night of 6th-7th April when they attacked the nearby village of Le Verguier and then, on 27th April, 1917, they made another attack, this time in conjunction with 2nd 6th Sherwood Foresters, near the village of Hargicourt. Their objectives were the local Quarries and Cologne Farm. Zero hour was at 3.55am. They advanced behind an artillery barrage, which had dealt with the German wire,  and easily took the first objective, the Quarries, from which the enemy streamed back to their support line. After that, progress was more difficult. There was only one gap in the second barrier of barbed wire and once through that they came under fire from both flanks. Contact was made with 2nd 6th Sherwood Foresters on their right but it soon became obvious that the second objective was untenable as there was no trench there for them to shelter in and consolidate so they withdrew back to the first objective. Reinforcements sent up across the open were subjected to heavy sniper fire which added to their casualties. Ernest Dennis was one of those from 2nd 8th Sherwood Foresters who was killed during this operation.