Festubert

On 15th May at Festubert the 1st Battalion took part 1st Bu. in the first night attack of the war. The attack carried the three first lines of German trenches before daybreak on the 16th. The trenches taken were consolidated and retained in spite of the usual terrific volume of German machine-gun fire. Failure on our left caused heavier losses to the Battalion. The Commanding Officer, LieutenantColonel G. C. Shakerley, D.S.O., was killed.

Losses: Officers: killed 5, wounded 8; Other Ranks: 294.

On 23rd May Rifleman William Mariner, 2nd Battalion, was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Hooge - 30th June

In June, the 14th (Light) Division were sent straight to the Ypres Salient and soon were subjected to a severe trial. On 30th June at 3.30 a.m. the Germans attacked in force the trenches occupied by the 7th Battalion and 8th Rifle Brigade. The attack was accompanied by overwhelming shell and mortar fire, and flame-throwers were used for the first time. The Battalion was forced back to a line on the outskirts of Sanctuary and Zouave Woods, after heavy fighting. An immediate counter-attack at 2.45 p.m., ordered by VI Corps, was unsuccessful despite great gallantry shown by the 8th Battalion and 7th Rifle Brigade, tired and unfed and only just relieved. The 9th Battalion and 6th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry also took part in the attack, the former regaining some of the lost trenches facing east. No time for reconnaissance or a proper fire plan was given. Brigadier-General O. Nugent's estimate that a division would be necessary was afterwards found to be correct. Lieutenant-Colonel C. S. Chaplin, 9th Battalion, was killed.

Losses to the three Battalions: Officers: killed 21, wounded 16; Other Ranks: 812

Loos - 24th September to 15th October

On 25th September the British army was involved in a major battle designed to relieve the pressure on the Russian front and drive the Germans out of their big salient in Champagne. To allow of this, the British First Army was ordered to support the French left in their attack on the Vimy Plateau and Douai Plains. In the British attack gas discharged from containers was used to compensate for our lack of guns and ammunition. The main attack was to be made by the I and IV Corps, in which were our 1st and 2nd Battalions. These attacks had some initial success, but the supporting divisions were too far away and had no previous experience of fighting. The reserve division was farther away still and was not at the Army Commander's disposal when wanted.