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Born-Camberwell

The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915)

This followed quickly on the heels of the Battle of Aubers Ridge and was an offensive operation by the British Army in the Artois region of France in conjunction with a French attack further south.  Initial success soon ground to a halt and although there had been an advance of two miles in some places the end result was not the hoped for breakout but merely more muddy trenches which became the front line. British casualties over the ten days amounted to nearly 17,000, three times as many as inflicted on the Germans.

The Battle of Festubert was preceded by a three day bombardment of the enemy positions and at 11.30pm on 15th May 2nd Division and the Meerut Division from the Indian Army attacked with mixed results. On the right of the 2nd Divisional front 6 Brigade attacked with the 1/7th Liverpool (Kings), 1st Royal Berkshire and 1st King’s Royal Rifle Corps battalions in one of the more successful actions of the battle. Advancing in silence at walking pace 1st Royal Berkshire got to within 200 yards of the enemy line before the Germans became aware of their approach and opened up with heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. They rushed the remaining distance and captured the enemy front and second lines, both of which they consolidated  They spent the following day continuing to strengthen these new positions while under heavy shell fire until they were relieved and moved back to positions behind the old British front line. At 11am on 17th May they returned to this original front line which was being heavily targeted by the enemy artillery and then in the evening moved forward once again to the captured trench to support a further attack but when this was cancelled they returned to their original positions. One of the many casualties suffered by 1st Royal Berkshire during this battle was John Beale.