Essex Yeomanry at Monchy le Preux 1917
Memorial
at Monchy le Preux to Essex Yeomanry and Essex Regiment
Essex
Yeomanry were involved in the Battle for Monchy le Preux in
April 1917.
This battle took place as part of the battle of Arras during
which the Essex Yeomanry were part of the 3rd Cavalry Division.
Monchy le Preus was a small market town about 3 miles
north east of Arras that was of strategic importance as it was
set on a hill.
On 11 April the town was taken from
the Germans by the 37th Infantry.
The 3rd Cavalry Division attacked the enemy positions on the
surrounding heights but were beaten back by stiff resistance.
During this attack lance Corporal Harold Mugford who had
recently transferred from the Essex Yeomanry to the machine gun
corps carried out heroic actions that led to the award of the
VC.
They then garrisoned the town with orders to hold it against the
expected German attack.
Their defence of the town over the next day was to be one of
their finest moments in the war. When they entered the town is
was virtually undamaged but by the time they were relieved 18
hours later the town was in ruins.
Troops allocated to the defence of the town were three squadrons
of the Essex Yeomanry and two squadrons of the 10th Hussars and
a party from the Northants Yeomanry plus a few remaining members
of the111th and 112nd infantry Brigades who had remained in the
town after its storming.
Colonel Whitmore arranged the defences and during the morning
sent a series of messages asking that that the Brigade send
reinforcements and artillery support as the town was being
ringed by German forces and the town was being bombarded by
enemy shells and the defenders pinned down by enemy machine gun
and rifle fire.
No reinforcements arrived although at 1pm intelligence was
gained from an aeroplane that the Germans were massing to the
south of the town.
A search of the town revealed 4 machine guns which were
operated by remaining members of the Infantry and would play an
important part in the defence.
Finally a squadron of horse guards was sent to help but that was
caught by an enemy barrage outside the town and most of its
Officers and men died.
The town now came under attack from enemy aircraft who flew over
the town shooting horses and me with machine guns.
By 6.30pm Colonel Whitmore reported that the strength of The
Essex Yeomanry and the Hussars was now about 85 men each and
that his men had not has food or drink for 24 hours.
After dark patrols revealed that the Germans were digging in
about 200 yards from the outskirts of the town but there was no
let up in the German assault.
At about 11pm the 37th Brigade arrived to take over the defence.
although due to the situation some of the units remained in
their positions until the next day when the situation quietened
enough for them to be relieved and make their way out of Monchy.
Casualties 1 Officer killed and 12 other wounded; other ranks 18
killed , 94 wounded and 10 missing. A total of 135 casualties.
Most of the Yeomanry horses had been killed.
Colonel Whitmore later had the honours of commanding the 10th
Hussars and became the only territorial Officer to command a
regular cavalry Regiment.
He went on to become Sir Francis Whitmore and was Lord
Lieutenant of Essex from 1936 to 1950.
After the battle a Personal note was sent to Colonel Whitmore
from Lord Tweedmouth who was acting Commander of the 8th Cavalry
Brigade after the death of Brig General Bulkeley Johnson in the
battle.
"It is a source of the
greatest regret to me that General Bulkely Johnson was nor there
to see and approve the gallant manner in which the Essex
Yeomanry and 10th Hussars took and garrisoned Monchy under most
difficult circumstances repelling two counter attacks, under
heavy shell fire and machine gun fire, and consolidating their
position was to effectively deny a much coveted position to the
enemy. The courage and determination of all ranks were most
notably conspicuous and their coolness during a long and trying
day beyond all praise. I would like to emphasize the fact that
the success achieved that day was entirely due to your admirable
dispositions and the gallant manner in which they were carried
out."
70 men had
their names entered in the War Diary for their conduct during
this battle.
Headquarters
RSM C Farrell
Sergeant F H Jenkins
Corporal R L Wheatley
Lance Corporals A E Perry, P H Leeks, L H Law and W Stock
Privates C H Ridgewell, W G Gardiner, H Thorn, A D Page and C F Johnson.
A Squadron
SSM W W McKellar
Sergeants G C Crees, F G Aldous, G Siddons, R S Grant
Corporal C G H Midgley
Lance Corporal L Paton
Privates F Austin, H Burns, H C Cordell, J Caines, T H Curtis, A J Claxton, H Digby, A W Hawes, F Last, H T Moss, E Rampling, C Self, S E Peacock, B G Steward, O t Sutton, W Watts, E Tompkins, C N Ridgewell, P Pryke, R P Sandbrook, A S Rutland and W J Pleasant.
B Squadron
Sergeants J Brown, W Ridgewell
Corporals A D Tompkins, G Pettit
Lance Corporals J N Bucknell, F T Kavanagh, W W Bunting, E Finch, A Hazell, W A King, W Roper, H Shrimpton, E W Smith, C E Wood, D Wood.
C Squadron
Sergeants L G Cook, G S J Rex, W H Penall, G Hodge, O W Bugg
Corporals G E Rowell, J Barbour, C J Bruce, J A Cowell, G C Foster, Hooper, D Holl, F Hobrough, D Matthams, D S Saville and M J Whiffen.
