15th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (1st London Welsh)

In May 1917 38th (W) Division was warned that the British would launch an offensive (the [[Battle of Passchendaele|Third Battle of Ypres]]) on the division 's front during the summer, and training was intensified: 15th RWF was training at [[Houtkerque]] and [[Ochtezeele]] from 20 May to 10 June. Other preparations included digging assembly trenches and even a new front line trench {{convert|300|yd|m}} closer to the enemy. The Germans seem to have regarded this as a feint, and took little notice.Towards the end of June the whole division was taken out of the line and went to the [[Saint-Hilaire-Cottes|St Hilaire]] area to train for the attack over replica trenches and strongpoints, carefully timed to match the [[Creeping barrage]] that would be fired by the artillery. On 16 July the return march to the front began, and by 20 July 38th (W) Division was back in the line. The battalions were constantly called on for working parties to complete preparations for the much-delayed offensive. German artillery was active over both the front and rear areas attempting to disrupt the preparations with high explosive and the new [[Mustard gas]], causing numerous casualties. The opening of the offensive was finally fixed for 31 July. The British preliminary bombardment had begun as far back as 12 June, and on the morning of 27 July the [[Royal Flying Corps]] reported that the enemy trenches in front of 38th (W) and Guards Division were unoccupied. The two divisions were ordered to send forward patrols to test the defences. 38th (W) Division tasked 15th RWF and 15th Welsh each with sending two platoons out at 17.30. The Guards found that the Germans had evacuated the whole of their first position to avoid the shelling, and they were able to establish a line across the canal. The two Welsh battalions advancing from the canal also found the German front line unoccupied, but discovered that the support and reserve lines were still strongly garrisoned, as well as the whole of the second position. A Company 15th RWF had almost reached 'Cactus Junction' when the German opened a heavy fire on them, inflicting heavy casualties. The company commander, Maj Evan Davies, was wounded and captured, as were most of the men sent forward. A platoon of D Company went up in support and was also badly cut up. The enemy continued shelling the division's line, but 15th RWF was relieved on 28 July to go back to Dublin Camp to prepare for the assault. On the evening of 30 July the battalion marched up towards the assembly trenches with a fighting strength of 12 officers and 420 ORs. A reconnaissance party examined the canal bridges: most had been smashed by the enemy's shelling, but Bridge 6Z was still crossable. The battalion went over this bridge and by 02.30 on 31 July had formed up in the assembly trenches on the east side of the canal. The enemy was unusually quiet, which was attributed to the heavy gas shelling of their positions.<ref name = WD/><ref>Edmonds, ''1917'', Vol II, pp. 140–1.</ref><ref>Headlam, pp. 236–41.</ref><ref>Munby, pp. 22–3.</ref><ref>Dudley Ward, pp. 324–8.</ref>

In May 1917 38th (W) Division was warned that the British would launch an offensive (the [[Battle of Passchendaele|Third Battle of Ypres]]) on the division 's front during the summer, and training was intensified: 15th RWF was training at [[Houtkerque]] and [[Ochtezeele]] from 20 May to 10 June. Other preparations included digging assembly trenches and even a new front line trench {{convert|300|yd|m}} closer to the enemy. The Germans seem to have regarded this as a feint, and took little notice.Towards the end of June the whole division was taken out of the line and went to the [[Saint-Hilaire-Cottes|St Hilaire]] area to train for the attack over replica trenches and strongpoints, carefully timed to match the [[Creeping barrage]] that would be fired by the artillery. On 16 July the return march to the front began, and by 20 July 38th (W) Division was back in the line. The battalions were constantly called on for working parties to complete preparations for the much-delayed offensive. German artillery was active over both the front and rear areas attempting to disrupt the preparations with high explosive and the new [[Mustard gas]], causing numerous casualties. The opening of the offensive was finally fixed for 31 July. The British preliminary bombardment had begun as far back as 12 June, and on the morning of 27 July the [[Royal Flying Corps]] reported that the enemy trenches in front of 38th (W) and Guards Division were unoccupied. The two divisions were ordered to send forward patrols to test the defences. 38th (W) Division tasked 15th RWF and 15th Welsh each with sending two platoons out at 17.30. The Guards found that the Germans had evacuated the whole of their first position to avoid the shelling, and they were able to establish a line across the canal. The two Welsh battalions advancing from the canal also found the German front line unoccupied, but discovered that the support and reserve lines were still strongly garrisoned, as well as the whole of the second position. A Company 15th RWF had almost reached 'Cactus Junction' when the German opened a heavy fire on them, inflicting heavy casualties. The company commander, Maj Evan Davies, was wounded and captured, as were most of the men sent forward. A platoon of D Company went up in support and was also badly cut up. The enemy continued shelling the division's line, but 15th RWF was relieved on 28 July to go back to Dublin Camp to prepare for the assault. On the evening of 30 July the battalion marched up towards the assembly trenches with a fighting strength of 12 officers and 420 ORs. A reconnaissance party examined the canal bridges: most had been smashed by the enemy's shelling, but Bridge 6Z was still crossable. The battalion went over this bridge and by 02.30 on 31 July had formed up in the assembly trenches on the east side of the canal. The enemy was unusually quiet, which was attributed to the heavy gas shelling of their positions.<ref name = WD/><ref>Edmonds, ''1917'', Vol II, pp. 140–1.</ref><ref>Headlam, pp. 236–41.</ref><ref>Munby, pp. 22–3.</ref><ref>Dudley Ward, pp. 324–8.</ref>

[[File:A team of stretcher bearers struggle through deep mud to carry a wounded man to safety near Boesinghe on 1 August 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres. Q5935.jpg|thumb|right|Stretcher-bearers struggle through the mud after the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, 1 August 1917 (Photograph by [[John Warwick Brooke]]).]]

[[File:A team of stretcher bearers struggle through deep mud to carry a wounded man to safety near Boesinghe on 1 August 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres. Q5935.jpg|thumb|right|Stretcher-bearers struggle through the mud after the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, 1 August 1917 (Photograph by [[John Warwick Brooke]]).]]

The plan for 38th (W) Division's attack was that 113th (left) and 114th Bdes (right) would advance up the slope and capture three successive objectives (the Blue, Black and Green Lines), including the fortified Pilckem village and the [[Pillbox (military)|pillbox]] at 'Iron Cross' crossroads. Then 115th Bde would pass through and descend from Iron Cross Ridge to capture the line of the Steenbeek stream (the 'Green Dotted Line'). 113rd Brigade led with two companies each from 13th and 16th RWF to take the Blue Line, the other companies to take the Black Line, then 15th RWF would pass through to take the Green Line. Zero was at 03.50 when it was still dark, and the troops following the barrage had difficulty keeping direction. The advance to the Blue Line was carried out easily, but opposition increased on the way to the Black Line, including fighting in Pilckem village. 15th RWF following behind suffered a few casualties from the German barrage and snipers in Pilckem, but was ready on time to attack from the Black Line. It was supported by two companies from 16th RWF and six Lewis gun teams from 14th RWF. The battalion ran into serious opposition at 'Battery Copse' and from the fortified houses and pillboxes around the railway crossing, By the time the men got through this they had fallen behind the barrage, but the smoke barrage fell amongst them, adding to the confusion. Casualties among the junior officers were heavy, and Lt-Col Norman was wounded about this time. Before he was evacuated he ordered the battalion to consolidate on 'Iron Cross Ridge'. As there were no other officers left in the front line, he handed the battalion over to [[Regimental sergeant major|Regimental Sergeant-Major]] Jones to carry this out. This had to be done some way short of the Green Line, leaving a bigger task for 115th Bde, which was passing through. During the afternoon it had begun to rain, and the positions in the Steenbeek valley became very muddy, hindering all further movement. 115th Brigade had to hold off heavy counter-attacks and 15th RWF remained holding its positions on Iron Cross Ridge in case these broke through. On the evening of 1 August orders were received to advance to relieve the remnants of 115th Bde, and Capt R. Bower arrived from the rear to take charge of the battalion. It was in position along the line of the Steenbeek by about 01.30 on 2 August. Shortly afterwards Capt Bower was wounded while going round the outposts; Capt S.A. Fitzsimons then took over temporary command. It was still raining and the ground was (in the words of the battalion war diary) 'a sea of mud'. It held the outposts for 'another awful night' on 3/4 August, and was finally relieved the following night, going back to Canal Bank. Here Capt Fitzsimons collapsed, and the command was taken over by a 2nd Lt Ratto. The battalion was taken by bus to [[Elverdinge]] Chateau, where it was provided with hot food and clean clothes, and then it entrained for a tented camp at [[Proven]], where it got two week's rest. Major Robert Montgomery of 13th Welsh Regiment arrived on 9 August to take command of 15th RWF.<ref name = Riley/><ref name = Becke38/><ref name = Trail38/><ref name = WD/><ref>Edmonds, ''1917'', Vol II, pp. 160–1, 174–5, 185, Sketch 13.</ref><ref name = Munby23>Munby, pp. 23–7.</ref><ref>Dudley Ward, pp. 328–31.</ref> (After he recovered from his wound, Lt-Col Norman successively commanded 17th RWF, 2nd RWF and 14th RWF.)<ref name = Munbyxiii/><ref name = COs/><ref name = WD/><ref>Dudley Ward, p. 330.</ref>

The plan for 38th (W) Division's attack was that 113th (left) and 114th Bdes (right) would advance up the slope and capture three successive objectives (the Blue, Black and Green Lines), including the fortified Pilckem village and the [[Pillbox (military)|pillbox]] at 'Iron Cross' crossroads. Then 115th Bde would pass through and descend from Iron Cross Ridge to capture the line of the Steenbeek stream (the 'Green Dotted Line'). 113rd Brigade led with two companies each from 13th and 16th RWF to take the Blue Line, the other companies to take the Black Line, then 15th RWF would pass through to take the Green Line. Zero was at 03.50 when it was still dark, and the troops following the barrage had difficulty keeping direction. The advance to the Blue Line was carried out easily, but opposition increased on the way to the Black Line, including fighting in Pilckem village. 15th RWF following behind suffered a few casualties from the German barrage and snipers in Pilckem, but was ready on time to attack from the Black Line. It was supported by two companies from 16th RWF and six Lewis gun teams from 14th RWF. The battalion ran into serious opposition at 'Battery Copse' and from the fortified houses and pillboxes around the railway crossing, By the time the men got through this they had fallen behind the barrage, but the smoke barrage fell amongst them, adding to the confusion. Casualties among the junior officers were heavy, and Lt-Col Norman was wounded about this time. Before he was evacuated he ordered the battalion to consolidate on 'Iron Cross Ridge'. As there were no other officers left in the front line, he handed the battalion over to [[Regimental sergeant major|Regimental Sergeant-Major]] Jones to carry this out. This had to be done some way short of the Green Line, leaving a bigger task for 115th Bde, which was passing through. During the afternoon it had begun to rain, and the positions in the Steenbeek valley became very muddy, hindering all further movement. 115th Brigade had to hold off heavy counter-attacks and 15th RWF remained holding its positions on Iron Cross Ridge in case these broke through. On the evening of 1 August orders were received to advance to relieve the remnants of 115th Bde, and Capt R. Bower arrived from the rear to take charge of the battalion. It was in position along the line of the Steenbeek by about 01.30 on 2 August. Shortly afterwards Capt Bower was wounded while going round the outposts; Capt S.A. Fitzsimons then took over temporary command. It was still raining and the ground was (in the words of the battalion war diary) 'a sea of mud'. It held the outposts for 'another awful night' on 3/4 August, and was finally relieved the following night, going back to Canal Bank. Here Capt Fitzsimons collapsed, and the command was taken over by a 2nd Lt Ratto. The battalion was taken by bus to [[Elverdinge]] Chateau, where it was provided with hot food and clean clothes, and then it entrained for a tented camp at [[Proven]], where it got two weeks rest. Major Robert Montgomery of 13th Welsh Regiment arrived on 9 August to take command of 15th RWF.<ref name = Riley/><ref name = Becke38/><ref name = Trail38/><ref name = WD/><ref>Edmonds, ''1917'', Vol II, pp. 160–1, 174–5, 185, Sketch 13.</ref><ref name = Munby23>Munby, pp. 23–7.</ref><ref>Dudley Ward, pp. 328–31.</ref> (After he recovered from his wound, Lt-Col Norman successively commanded 17th RWF, 2nd RWF and 14th RWF.)<ref name = Munbyxiii/><ref name = COs/><ref name = WD/><ref>Dudley Ward, p. 330.</ref>

[[File:Hedd Wyn Grave at Artillery Wood Cemetery 7.jpg|thumb|upright|The grave of Hedd Wyn at Artillery Wood Cemetery.]]

[[File:Hedd Wyn Grave at Artillery Wood Cemetery 7.jpg|thumb|upright|The grave of Hedd Wyn at Artillery Wood Cemetery.]]

Among the battalion's other casualties of 31 July was the shepherd and poet '[[Hedd Wyn]]' (Private Ellis Humphrey Evans), who was fatally wounded and died at an aid post on 4 August. When the [[National Eisteddfod of Wales]] was held later that year Hedd Wynn had won the bardic chair: when called to take his place, it was announced that he was dead. The chair was left empty and draped in black. He was reburied at [[Artillery Wood Cemetery]] at [[Boezinge]] in 1919. His headstone bears the additional inscription ''Y [[Prifardd]] Hedd Wyn'' ('The Chief Bard, Hedd Wyn').<ref name = Griffithxiv/><ref name = Riley/><ref>[https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/100906/ellis-humphrey-evans/ Ellis Humphrey Evans at CWGC Records.]</ref>

Among the battalion's other casualties of 31 July was the shepherd and poet '[[Hedd Wyn]]' (Private Ellis Humphrey Evans), who was fatally wounded and died at an aid post on 4 August. When the [[National Eisteddfod of Wales]] was held later that year Hedd Wynn had won the bardic chair: when called to take his place, it was announced that he was dead. The chair was left empty and draped in black. He was reburied at [[Artillery Wood Cemetery]] at [[Boezinge]] in 1919. His headstone bears the additional inscription ''Y [[Prifardd]] Hedd Wyn'' ('The Chief Bard, Hedd Wyn').<ref name = Griffithxiv/><ref name = Riley/><ref>[https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/100906/ellis-humphrey-evans/ Ellis Humphrey Evans at CWGC Records.]</ref>