North Staffs under attack

The 1/6^th North Staffords including my Great Uncle's Benjamin and James Hollins as well as other ancestors such as JamesFisher and George Hollins had been in the Trenches since the 25^th September. 

Benjamin Hollins

The weather conditions were wet and showery and the battalion had suffered eight casualties (all wounded) during this stint in the front line (trenches 33-35) during the on-going fighting following the initial assault at the Battle of Loos.

At 6.30pm on the 30^th September 1915, 100 years ago today, the Germans attacked from an unexpected direction.

The battalion War Diary entry for the 30^th Sept reads as follows

At 6.30pm the enemy exploded a mine just outside trench 35 right – Parapet for about 20 yards was knocked down – Crater about 25 yards diameter and 20 feet deep. Rapid fire was at once opened and enemy made no attempt to attack. The enemy at the same time heavily bombarded the wood at back, the battalion headquarters and support trenches. All telephone communication to batteries and Brigade was interrupted. Artillery support was obtained through 1/5^th North Staffs Head Quarters. The enemy showed themselves a good deal over their parapet and it is believed that our rifle fire – bombing and shelling reply was very effective.

Casualties - 6 Killed, 14 Wounded, 1 Missing

The six causalities killed were

Pte. L. H. Bond - Grave Ref D3

Pte. W Smalley - Grave ref D2

Pte. R. Smith - Grave ref D2

Pte H. Davies (aged 26) - Grave Ref D3 - Husband of Nellie Davies, of 13, Tixall Rd., Littleworth, Stafford.

Cpl. Charles Edward Collins (aged 40) - Grave Ref D2 - Eldest son of the late Charles and Elizabeth Collins, of Forebridge. Staffs.

Pte. S Rowley - Grave Ref D3

All six are buried in the Blauwepoort Farm Cemetery in West-Vlaanderen, Belguim.

The missing solider is likely to have been Pte. Harold Young (aged 23) who was the son of Charles and Annie Young of 92, Dale St, Burton-on-Trent and who is commemorated on panel 55 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.