W C Garfield


	William Charles Garfield


	Known as Bill, he was born in Warmington and enlisted in Oundle as Private 17102 in the 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. He was killed in action on the 3rd May, 1917, during the Battle of Arras. His body was never found and so he is therefore commemorated by name on the Arras War Memorial.

The Peterborough Advertiser of the 26th May, 1917 reads:

“Private William Garfield, Northants Regiment of Warmington was killed in action in France. He had previously been wounded and had rejoined his regiment. The deceased leaves a widow and three young children.


	He was an old scholar of the Wesleyan Sunday School and as a last token of respect a very impressive service was held in the chapel on Sunday evening conducted by Mr Burdett of Kettering, who preached a very appropriate sermon. At the close, the ‘Dead March’ was played by the organist, the congregation standing.”

6th Battalion Northampton Regiment War Diary

Neuville Vitasse 3.5.1917

“12.30 am Bn left Neuville Vitase by Companies. 1st Coy at 12.30 am, remaining Coys at 5 mins intervals and marched to trenches at N.29.C (Map 51 SW) arriving at 1.45 am.

3.45 am Zero Hour

The Bn was not engaged in the first part of the operations.

After retirement from positions W of Cherisy and Fountaine-Croisille, the Bn was ordered to counter-attack and occupy Fontaine Trench from 0.32.a.S.3 to 0.26.c.2.o and the circular trench in rear of it.


	Orders had been received that the bombardment would start at 5.30 pm for half an hour, then a pause for a quarter of an hour and the rolling barrage would open at 6.15 pm 20 yards in front of our trench, but this was later postponed for one hour.




	William’s cap badge sent home after his death

Battalion was in position at 5.30 pm (all in front line trench) with the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT (110 Infantry Brigade) on the right and 7th Queens (5 Brigade) on the left. These battalions were to attack simultaneously after a preliminary bombardment as stated. The rolling barrage opened and the Bn attacked with 2 Coys, 2 platoons in the front line and 2 platoons 2nd line. A and D Companies were in support of the attacking Companies, B Coy under Captain Mobbs were on the right and C Company under Captain Shepherd on the left.

A Company were on the right, D Company on the left as supporting Companies.

D Company furnished a bombing party (1 NCO and 8 men) who advanced down CABLE TRENCH with the leading wave of the asaulting Company. They also furnished carrying parties for bombs and SAA for C Coy down CABLE TRENCH running towards CHERISY from o.31.b4.9.

B and C Coys advanced as close to the barrage as possible having several casualties from the barrage. The hostile machine gun fire which swept across the area they had to cross was as bad as in the attack of the morning. B Coy (right assaulting Coy) having 50% casualties by the time they reach within 50 yards of the enemy wire - having covered nearly 900 yards. They found the wire intact, the bombardment not having touched it and the machine gun fire from the right flank as well as from the front rendered further advance impossible.

C Coy (left assaulting Coy) were able to get doen CABLE TRENCH owing to the STOKES GUN having totally cleared the trench of enemy. They started over the top but found machine gun fire rendered further advance impossible. They pushed their way by bombs and rifle grenade down CABLE TRENCH to the junction at FONTAINE TRENCH and worked their way along the trench for about 70 yards. After a severed bombing and grenade fight, where several enemy were killed, this Coy finding its flanks in danger was compelled to get back to the original front line.




	William’s Cigarette case sent home after his death

No blame can be attached to the Coy Comd, on the contrary he personally and the Officers of the whole Company put up a very big fight. The right Coy were then ordered to withdraw to original front line. One of the objects of the attack was to enable wounded men and others who were lying out since the morning to get back. A considerable number of men did so.

No. of casualties 120 including 6 Officers.

Lack of success in this operation was due to the intensive machine gun fire.”


	The entry for W C Garfield in the Arras Memorial Book of Remembrance (middle of left-hand column)


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William Charles Garfield