1st Essex at Masnieres & Marcoing in 1917
The 1st Essex were moved from Arras to Peronne and then to Fins to enable then take part in the taking of Masnieres and the St Quentin Canal.
The 1st Essex was given the task of taking the village of Masnieres and the crossing over the St Quentin Canal in that village.
Holding the bridge would allow tanks through and punch a hole in the German defences.
At 6.20am on 20 November 1917 the 1st Essex accompanied by four tanks and the remainder of 88th Brigade moved forward. Two companies of the machine Gun Corps led by 2nd Lieutenants A C Gadsby and E A M Lys were tasked with supporting the attack.
The first line of defensive trenches were overwhelmed with 70 prisoners taken by the 1st Essex and three field guns were captured by a platoon led by Captain Hobday. The casualty list at this point was slight although 2nd Lieutenant Davies was wounded by a ' treacherous shot' from the Germans.
By 1pm the Southern bank of the canal had been reached although the stone bridge had been damaged and a tank that attempted a crossing became marooned on the bridge.
Attempts were then made to cross the canal by use of two footbridges although this drew fierce fire from the defenders.
Under cover from Y company led by Captain Morrison and two tanks an attempt was made to rush a small pontoon bridge but 2nd Lieutenant F L Marchant ( 7th Essex) and several of his men were killed in the attempt. A second attempt by Captain Morrison resulted in his death and a third attempt by Lieutenant Hopegood and Lieutenant Reid also failed leaving them wounded.
Under cover of night small parties led by Lieutenants Curzon, Hope, Vaughton and 2nd Lieutenant Miles crossed the canal via a lock to clear out snipers and reconoitre. Their success led to Y and Z companies crossing via the lock and establishing a bridgehead on the German side of the canal.
Further advances were made and a German counter attack repulsed following which the Germans abandoned their positions at Masnieres leaving the British in control of the crossing.
The 1st Essex moved a few miles to the town of Marcoing but fighting continued with German resistance building thanks to explosive and gas shelling and aircraft attacks.
Counter attacks by the Germans continued with 1st Essex now dug in south of Marcoing to help protect the British flank.
The commander of Y Company, Captain D F Hobday was mortally wounded but still gallantly charged the enemy forcing some Germans to a temporary retreat.
During the fighting the Adjutant, Captain Goddard was wounded with Lieutenant A J Miles taking over. Z Company suffered when Captain A Grant was killed and 2nd Lieut Cremer was injured.
The struggle continued and the Command realised that if the Germans broke through they would make a major advance unimpeded. A message was sent to all companies -'Hang on at all costs'.
The battle contained with the Division giving small amounts of ground. By now the effects of continuous fighting was taking effect and the manpower not sufficient to man the entire front line. Redoubts were constructed to cover the gaps.
On 5 December 1917, after 15 days fighting, a full strength 108th Division arrived to relieve the 88th.
The losses were so severe that the whole 88th Division only required one train to take them to the reserve area.
After the war it was realised that the 88th Division had resisted no fewer than 11 German Divisions in their order of battle.
