Current Information:

Age-34

8, Richmond Road, Wimbledon

Roclincourt Military Cemetery, 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 9th April, 1917, 34th Division attacked with all three brigades in line with their objective being the Point du Jour line and then a Green Line some 300 yards beyond it. On the front held by 103 Brigade, the 24th Northumberland Fusiliers and the 25th Northumberland Fusiliers led the attack front and easily reached their first objective. They then met heavy fire as they approached the second objective and 25th Northumberland Fusiliers were further hindered by 51st Division troops crossing its front. Eventually with the support battalions, 26th Northumberland Fusiliers and 27th Northumberland Fusiliers, attacking up the communications trenches, the objective was taken but valuable time had been lost. At 1.40pm 26th Northumberland Fusiliers advanced on the Brown Line but was straight away checked by machine-gun fire from the left. Among the casualties suffered by 103 Brigade was Thomas Blott of 24th Northumberland Fusiliers.