Current Information:

Born-Bermondsey

Canadian Cemetery2, Neuville-St Vaast, 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.

On 4th May, 1917,the 1st Cornwall Light Infantry battalion of 95 Brigade, 5th Division relieved the Canadians in the recently captured Fresnoy salient, near Vimy. Over the next three days they were subjected to some heavy shelling which, on 8th May, started growing in intensity and was followed by an infantry attack. On 95 Brigade’s front, the 1st East Surrey and 12th Gloucestershire battalions were in the front line, the dividing line between them running through  Fresnoy Wood. A and B Companies of 1st Cornwall were in support on the left, D Company were in an old German trench, and C Company were  in Arleux Loop trench. The first attack was repelled but the second was more successful. 1st East Surrey drove the enemy back but 12th Gloucestershire were overwhelmed and the Germans poured through a gap that appeared in their line as a result of which 1st East Surrey were surrounded and practically annihilated. Fresnoy and Fresnoy Wood fell to the enemy and although D Company of 1st Cornwall plus the reserve of 12th Gloucestershire counter attacked and reached the front support trench, they could go no further and survivors withdrew to original positions. On the right A and B Companies faced the full might of G attack in front of Arleux Wood in a deep but narrow trench which allowed them to hold on there assisted by the 1st Devonshire battalion who  moved up from reserve. At dusk the firing slackened and then stopped. Fresnoy had been captured but not Arleux nor Arleux Wood.  For whatever reasons there had been no protective barrage from the British guns and there were very many casualties for 95 Brigade, including James Fitzgerald who was killed in action.