Current Information:

Born-Islington

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.

4th Division were involved in the first stage of the Battle of Arras which became known as the First Battle of the Scarpe and 1st Rifle Brigade of 11 Brigade had seen their fair share of the action. On 15th April they were in support trenches near the village of Fampoux. B Company was sent to support 1st Hampshire in a bombing attack on the German trenches while the remainder of the battalion had to contend with being heavily shelled in their support positions, Hyman Trench and Sunken Road trench. Among those from 1st Rifle Brigade who were killed on 15th April was William Darling.