LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI
Private Harry Charles Moore
A Coy 7th Bn London Regiment
Town Memorial P5.R4.C1
Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS
Pte
Harry C Moore
7th London Fusiliers
Corbie
Aug 18 1918 [sic]
The closest possible identification [at the time of Liam's research, but
a false trail] to Harry Moore in the Fusiliers list of dead was:
Henry Moore
Born: Cobham, surrey
And listed: Guildford
Private, Number G67250, serving with the 4th. Bn. Royal Fusiliers and
'killed in action' on 21st or 22nd of August 1918.
Notes on sources
Soldiers Who Died in the Great War (Royal Fusiliers) - Royal Fusiliers
Museum, HM Tower of London
N.B. the War Diary reference in the Public Record Office for the 7th.
Bn. Royal Fusiliers is W095–1431
[Further research shows that this would have been a false match - the
correct one is as shown from the CWGC]
Further research
Private
MOORE, HARRY CHARLES
Service Number 365138
Died Between 08/08/1918 and 09/08/1918
Aged 18
"A" Coy. 7th Bn. London Regiment
Son of Mr. W. and Mrs. E. Moore, of 1, Mole Villa, Belmont Rd.,
Leatherhead, Surrey.
INSCRIPTION
THERE IS A LINK DEATH CANNOT SEVER LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE LIVE FOR EVER.
MUM
Buried at BEACON
CEMETERY, SAILLY-LAURETTE
Location: Somme, France
Cemetery/memorial reference: V. E. 1.
He enlisted at Clapham, Surrey into the London Regiment and his former service numbers were 4490 when in the 2/23rd Battalion, London Regiment and 653892.
His military records show that he was either Killed in Action or died of his wounds. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records show his death as between 8 August 1918 and 9 August 1918 which is at odds with the date of 18 August 1918 on the Leatherhead War Memorial and the inscription on his parents grave.
The 7 Bn London Regiment's War Diary (WO95/3005) shows that it was not in action or in the Front Line on 18 August 1918:
ROUND WOOD
16.8.18 Coys under Company Commanders - All Junior Officers under CO
from 9am to 10am
New Draft inspected by Medial Officers
Baths allocated from 5pm to 8pm
17.8.18 Battalion in [practice] Attacks from 9am to 12.30pm
Afternoon Remainder of Bn Baths on ?PRANVILLERS
18.8.18 Brigade Church Services
It was in very heavy action on the 8th-10th August. The following is an extract from the Narrative of Operations 8th 9th and 10th August 1918:
1. Approach March
and Assembly
... Shortly before 4 am on the 8th a heavy mist fell and by Zero hour
(4.20 am) it was impossible to see more than 20 to 25 yards. The tanks
which were cooperating on the Bn front were late and only passed Bn HQ
at 4.18 am.
173rd Inf Bde were assembled in rear of my assembly position.
2. OBJECTIVES
The ultimate objective of the Bn was the line K.27.d.2.4-K27.B.9.7. "A"
and "B" Coys passing round to the N side of MALARD wood supported by "C"
Coy and "D" Coy containing the NW side of the wood from K.26.D.9.5 to
K.27.D.65.95.
173rd Inf Bde were to pass through one hour later and take a further
line beyond on the SOMME RIVER.
3. THE ASSAULT
The barrage opened punctually at 4.20 am and was very good. Troops at
once advanced to the assault in the heavy mist which made direction very
difficult and without the tanks which has not yet arrived. Owing to the
mist it was impossible to observe the progress of the operation but
batches of wounded and prisoners soon began to arrive and as information
filtered back I gathered that progress was satisfactory at any rate as
far as MALARD Wood.
I then moved my HQ
forward to a small Quarry to K.26.?.O.6 and went forward with my Adjt to
ascertain the position. The mist was now beginning to clear and the
enemy's shelling which have been considerable to start with was
diminishing. I made my way to MALARD Wood and found the nucleus of my Bn
at the Ravine in K.27.a and b. under Captain P Halley-Jones.
Situation was then as follows: – In the heavy mist touch and direction
were inevitable lost, the situation E of MALARD Wood was not known and
my left flank was in the air. The 173rd Inf Bde had become scattered in
the fog and had not carried out their role. I then reorganised my Bn and
push them forward to the high ground in E.27.b. with orders to push out
to both flanks to gain touch.
At that time there were
3 Officers and 77 other ranks present. I kept in my own hand some
elements of the 8th Bn who reported to me and also some of the 6th Bn.
Elements of the 173rd Inf Bde were also filtering up: these I had
organised and posted them on my left flank at K.27.a.9.9.
"A" Coy of the Suffolk pioneers were meanwhile digging in to form a
flank in K.26.b.
The situation on both
flanks was still obscure, and there appeared to be enemy machine guns
firing from about K.35 central. I then found two Coys of the 2/2nd
London Regt advancing in K.26.c.and finding that they had no definite
instructions, I arranged with the senior Coy Commander to deploy and
advance through MALARD Wood.
I got them the assistance of a tank and of 174th L.T.M.B. [Light Trench
Mortar Battery]. This movement was carried out without opposition and
they advanced to the East side of the Wood. I then returned to my Bn and
found that they had got touch with a party of the 6th Londons digging in
near the Quarry at K.27.d.9.0.
By this time our line
was established from K.27.d.4.9. to K.27.b.3.7. with Lewis Gun
Posts pushed out in front, but it was not till the afternoon that
the situation on my left was finally cleared up by the 5th Royal Berks
establishing a line from K.27.b.2.9 to K.21.a.3.7. I then sent
away all troops with me of other Regts except 3 Officers 60 men 8th
London Regt whom I kept in the Ravine in K27.a and b. as a counter
attack force.
4. FURTHER OPERATIONS
On the evening of the 8th an abortive attack was launched by 173rd Inf
Brde on my right flank and subsequently the 9th London Regt took over
the line E of MALARD Wood leaving elements of the 173rd Inf Bde in
between my right and left flank.
On the afternoon of the 9th the Troops of the 8th London Regt with me
were withdrawn as further operations were contemplated. By that time I
had collected scattered elements of my own Bn and had at my disposal 6
Coy Officers and about 200 other ranks.
I had no precise instructions as to the operation but I understood the
American troops were to attack GRESSAIRE WOOD from my left flank at 5.30
pm and that I had to advance on the right to the RIVER SOMME at K.29
central. I had barely time to instruct my officers as to the role and
objectives. I put my main force under Capt P Halley-Jones and
detached a platoon to advance on my right as I feared machine-gun
nests on my right and was uninformed as to what troops were operating
there. I had with me my Adjutant and Capt GG Jackson: my HQ were in the
ravine at K.27.a.8.5.
5. SECOND ASSAULT
At 5.30 pm on the 9th the barrage opened. The American Troops [were] not
assembled in time to take full advantage of it but tanks went forward
and assisted in breaking down opposition. My own force being ready in
position on high ground got away ahead of the American Troops and
encountered severe machine-gun fire but advanced steadily, gallantly led
by Capt Halley Jones who was unluckily was not long after mortally
wounded.
After passing the high ground and reaching the edge of the wood in
K28.Central the opposition was less but casualties in officers were very
heavy and the survivors of the assaulting troops reached
K.29.a.1.0 without officers. I received information of the situation and
I sent forward Captain GG Jackson to take charge and he carried them on
to the top of the ridge at K.29.d.5.7. Instructions had been so lacking
that none of the men knew where their objective was.
At 6.20 pm I and my Adjt with HQ Lewis Guns moved forward and from
K.27.b.9.6.I was able to observe British and American troops
establishing posts on the ridge SE but fighting still appeared to be
going on to my right in the lower ground and also in GRESSAIRE
wood. I pushed forward picking up some stragglers on the way and
finally had 35 other ranks and 5 Lewis Guns with me when I joined Capt
JACKSON who had only 30 other ranks with him whom he was establishing in
posts on the ridge. There were American troops on my right and left –
four Coys of my right and one on my left. I also took charge of about 20
other ranks of the 12th London Regt who had arrived there. All
opposition had now died down with the exception of two machine guns on
the ridge at K.29.b.1.9. I sent Captain GG Jackson back as he was
wounded.
With my own men and those of the 12th London Regt I established a line
from K.29.a.8.3. to K.29.c.5.4. I arranged with the American Coy on my
left for them to deal with the two machine guns above mentioned and to
establish a line of posts to get touch with the troops on their left
flank which was in the air. The American troops on my right undertook
the picketing of the bridge river crossing at k.29.D.3.3.
My Adjutant Captain KO PEPPIATT did invaluable work in assembling the
Americans on my left to organise their defences and he personally lead
parties of them to drive off the machine guns at K.29.b.1.9 and captured
11 prisoners.
Touch on my left in GRESSAIRE WOOD was still lacking, so I arranged with
the American officer in charge on my right to move two his companies up
through GRESSAIRE WOOD to fill in the gap which he accordingly did at 5
am on 10th and the line was then finally established. I then reported
the situation personally to Brigade HQ
... Casualties were unfortunately heavy on both days amounting to 19 officers and about 300 other ranks.
Lieut Colonel Commanding 7th Battalion The London Regiment
Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry)
Tuesday 8 October 1918