Current Information:

Born-St Pancras

Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery, France

On 7th July, 1917, 2/10th London of 175 Brigade, 58th Division moved into the trenches in Havrincourt Wood, about six miles due east of Bapaume. They were still there on the night of 20th/21st July when a fierce artillery bombardment of their positions was unleashed by the enemy during which the Battalion HQ received a direct hit. Under the cover of this bombardment a German raiding party of around one hundred left Havrincourt Park, intent on gaining access to the trenches held by 2/10th  London. This they managed to do on the left of their attack but elsewhere they were seen off by Lewis gun fire. Those who did enter the trenches did what damage they could but, according to the battalion diary, were soon driven out and returned to their own lines. Nevertheless the battalion suffered nearly forty casualties during this raid, including Arthur Harris who was killed.