1st July 1916 - Battle of the Somme

Soldiers "Going Over The Top"
Somme, 1 July 1916
Scenes staged for a newsreel film of the Battle

 

1^st July 2021 marks the 105^th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1^st July 1916.

The First Day of the Battle of the Somme, was the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army.  The Army suffered 57,470 casualties, of whom 19,240 were fatalities.  By the end of the day the army had just only gained three square miles of territory.

The Somme Campaign a joint campaign between the British and the French, it was breaking the deadlock on the Western Front.  Before the first day, there was a weeklong artillery bombardment, which was intended to break the German barbed wire and to destroy defences. 

British objectives,
Somme, 1 July 1916

The British front of attack was from Serre in the north to near Montauban in the south.  Many of the battalions notable Pals Battalions that were to see action that day, comprised of volunteers, friends, relatives and workmates whom enthusiastically enlisted in early months of the outbreak of the war during 1914.  For these Battalions it would have been their first experience of seeing action in a Battle, of which the British Army had not conduced.

The Zero Hour was set for 07.30 on the 1^st July.

Hawthorn Redoubt,
Somme, 1 July 1916

07.28, nineteen mines were detonated exploding under the German trenches.  The mines were dug by  soldiers nicked named "The Moles" Tunnelling Companies of the Royal Engineers.   

One of the nineteen mines, situated at Hawthorn Redoubt, the tremors from which were felt in London.

Soldiers Going Over The Top
Somme, 1 July 1916

As the soldiers went Over The Top at Zero Hour,  officers had instructed that they were not rush and walk as though on parade, they were also informed that the Germans would have been killed during the previous week bombardment 

As the infantry progressed they were met with a murderous hail of machine gun fire.  

The British bombardment had largely failed, the Germans defences hadn’t been affected.  

The majority the infantries involved in the first day, weren't able to take their objectives. Those that did reach the German trench were forced back, finding that the wire hadn’t been cut.

However, there were some successes. Objectives been reached around Montauban in the south.  The Irish at Thiepval seizing the Schwaben Redoubt, but they were forced to withdraw, without having any support. The French troops had some success south of the River Somme.  The Battle lasted for four months

Two notable Captains whom were to be killed on the 1^st July, were, Wilfred Nevill and Duncan Lenox Martin

Wilfred Nevil

Wilfred Nevil, captain of the East Surrey Regiment.  Prior the war, was a student at Jesus College, Cambridge studying Classical Tripos.  Whilst at Cambridge, he watched Wimbledon tennis champion, A. F. Wilding and witnessed Gustav Hamel fly over the city.

Nevil became a member of the Cambridge University Officer Training Corp, summer of 1914, attended the summer training camp at Mytchett. 

November 1914, Nevill enlisted in the army, where he was quickly promoted to Captain.

Wilfred Nevil's
Football

Whilst on leave in London, Nevil brought two footballs.  On the First Day of the Somme, Nevil was the originator of the famous “Football Charge”. 

Wilfred Nevil's Grave
Carnoy Military Cemetery

Emerging from the trenches at Carnoy, the East Surrey Regiment's, objective was 300 yards at Montauban, it was here that the footballs were used.  

Nevil was the be killed during the day.  He is buried at Carnoy Military Cemetery.

Writing a letter, Second Lieutenant C. W. Alcock to Nevil’s sister he wrote in reference about the footballs. 

“There were two footballs, and on one was printed:- "The Great European Cup-Tie Final. East Surreys v Bavarians. Kick off at zero." On the other in large letters was this: “NO REFEREE”, which was W.’s way of telling the men they needn’t treat the Hun too gently. Five minutes before ‘zero’ hour (7.30 am) your brother strolled up in his usual calm way and we shared a last joke before going over. The Company went over the top very well, with Soames and your brother kicking off with the Company footballs”

The footballs were found the following day, 2^nd July and returned back to England.  One is now displayed at Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Museum, Dover Castle.

Duncan Lenox Martin

Duncan Lenox Martin, captain of the Devonshire Regiment.  Prior to the war, Martin settled at St. Ives, Cornwall, 1908, where he joined an art school run by Elizabeth Forbes and a group of other artists.

Like Nevil, after volunteering Martin was commissioned in the newly formed Devonshire Regiment as a Captain.

Days before the battle, Martin briefed his fellow officers, also building a model of where the battalion would be attacking.  Martin was convinced that if the German machine gun hadn’t been destroyed, it would be this or another  machine gun that would fire at his Company as it advanced. 

Martin was one of the first to fall during the battalion's advancement.  The battalion's casualties numbered 141 killed, with a further 268 wounded and 55 missing. 

It is unknown if Martin's model survived the war.

Duncan Lenox Martin's
Grave
Devonshire Cemetery

Three days later, the Devonshire Padre, The Rev Ernest Crosse DSO, MC, buried Martin along with a further 159 men in a patch of ground at Mansel Copse.  The Cemetery became to be known as Devonshire Cemetery 

Above the graves a white board was placed which read.

“The Devonshires held this trench.

The Devonshires hold it still.”

 

Herbert Eustace Davies's
Grave
Devonshire Cemetery

Two of those men buried at the Devonshire Cemetery, hailed from Swansea,  Herbert Eustace Davies and William Green.

Lance Corporal Herbert Eustace Davies, whom was 18 years at the time of his death, 1^st July.  

He was the son of John Isaac Davies, 22 Phillips Parade.

Davies born 1898, at the time of the 1911 census, the family were residing at 135 St. Helens Avenue.  Davies was listed as being In School.  His father, John, Carmarthen born, his occupation listed as an Engine Driver and his mother, Ellen.  Parents were to have six children.

1911 Census
135 St. Helen's Avenue, Swansea