Current Information:

Age-25

Born-Lambeth

Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France

The Battle of Festubert (16–25 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 new 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. This was unfortunate because their failure to get forward on the left meant that they were not in a position to support the attack at 3.10am on 16th May by 20 and 22 Brigades of 7th Division which did finally manage to secure most of its objectives but at a terrible cost in casualties. 21 Brigade was in reserve and as the day progressed the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers battalion were ordered to move forward in support of 22 Brigade. As they advanced to the original British front line they suffered casualties from the heavy shell fire of the enemy. The next day it was their turn to attack and at 2pm, the 2nd Wiltshire and 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers battalions advanced eastwards towards La Quinque Rue between the Orchard and the cross roads south of Ferme Cour d’Avoué.  On the right 2nd Wiltshire managed to occupy the northern section of the breastworks there but had to abandon this when they met concentrated flanking fire from previously unknown German positions.  2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers suffered heavily at the hands of 2nd Division’s artillery which fell short among their ranks and stopped them from going forward. That evening they were withdrawn from the line and went back to billets in Rue de l’Epinette having suffered nearly 200 casualties, including John Harrison who was killed on 16th May.