206692 Pte. Edward Myers British Army 7th Btn. A Company Yorkshire Regiment from:Middlesbrough (d.1st Jul 1916) Edward enlisted at the age of 34 in Middlesbrough. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Williams in 1909. At the time he was a Stevedore working at Middlesbrough docks. Edward was awarded the three medals, the Star, War medal and Victory medal.
I have only found this information by completing my family history, now I have copies of his medals, medal card and scroll which I have put in a presentation frame, next to my father's and mine. Additional Information: | Fricourt
1st July 1916
The attached Battn Operation Order No 63 gives the general and detailed orders for the offensive for which the Battn assembled in the trenches opposite Fricourt Village on the afternoon of 27th June 1916. The first zero hour was 7.30am on July 1st when the troops on our left and right attacked, and the 2nd zero hour was at 2.30pm when the battalion assaulted. Owing to an unfortunate mistake on the part of the officer commanding A Coy, his company assaulted at 7.45am. As soon as they began to climb over the parapet terrific machine gun was opened by the enemy and the company was almost at once wiped out. The survivors lay in crump holes some 25 yards in front of our wire until after dark. As soon as it was discovered that A Company had assaulted by itself, D Coy (the reserve Coy) was brought up into the assembly trenches to take A Coys place.
At 2pm 1/7/16 our artillery began the 1/2 hours preliminary bombardment of Fricourt Village. This bombardment was feeble and did little damage to the enemy as the battalion soon learned to its cost. At 2.30pm the Battn assaulted and were met by a murderous machine gun and rifle fire, officers and men were literally mown down and were finally brought to a standstill about half way across to the enemy’s trenches. 13 Officers and over 300 men became casualties in about three minutes. The survivors lay in crump holes until dark with a few exceptions who managed to crawl back. Many magnificent deeds of courage were performed especially in bringing in wounded and carrying messages under fire. David Williams
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