Pte Tom Alfred Simmonds, 43329, 17th Battalion

[andrewr]

KIA 22nd April 1917

Could someone please provide information from the Regimental diary or history as to what the battalion were dong on that day?

Thanks,
Andrewr

[steven donnelly]

Hi Andrew
   They was in front of heninel getting ready to attack at cherisy on the 23rd
  prior to the morning of the 23rd the battalion sustained a number of casualties
  in consequence of the heavy hostile shelling, Lieut. F.E Holmes and thirteen men being wounded and six men killed.

On the morning of the 23rd, the battalion took over up an advanced position and dug themselves in. But at 9:00am the enemy launched a counter attack. Which, owing to the gallantry of the defenders, was repulsed and the position maintained.
   Andrew, I have a military medal to a 17th pal. Who won it at Heninel on the 23rd.

I was at Heninel and Cherisy in September myself, there is a few small cemeteries scattered around, where there are quite a few Manchester pals buried.

Steve.

[steven donnelly]

hi  looking at the k i a for the 22nd looks like your man was one of the six
that was killed in the heavy shelling
           steve

[andrewr]

Steve,
Thanks very much for this information - I have added it to the information I have on 'my' man

Andrewr

[Tim Bell]

Hi Andrew,

We're approaching the Royal Berks / Manchester Regiment connection from different directions, although I am a little late!

If you're still out there, please can you let us know what information you have on Tom Simmonds.  His number falls in the heart of the batch of men transferred from Royal Berks Rgmnt on 1/9/16.

Tim
Edit. Now read his Service Record.  Do we know if the batch of RBR men posted to the 17th Manchesters on 11th July 1916 were present at the Guillemont assault on 30/7/16?

[andrewr]

Tim,
The MIC for Tom Simmonds only mentions the Manchesters, so I assume he may have been transferred before leaving the UK

Andrewr

[Tim Bell]

Hi Andrew,

Tom's Service Record is similar to a big batch of former 9th Reserve RBR men.  Many attested in Nov/Dec 1915; called up in March/April 1916; Left Folkestone 30/6/16; Arrived France posted to 5th RBR; on Roll of 46 IBD (Infantry Brigade Depot??) at Rouen 3/7/16; on Roll of 17th Manchesters 11/7/16; transferred to 17th Bttn on 1/9/16.

I can't find any evidence that any of the group were wounded at Guillemont on 30/6/16.  However, I suspect that some of the 25 fatalities of the RBR on this date were in the group.  These include a number allocated to the 5th RBR which was out of the line on that date.  As the 5th Bttn RBR War Diary mentions no casualties on 30/6/16 it appears my hunch may be right, but any further thoughts from the forum would be helpful.

Tim