Current Information:

Born-Banbury

Enlisted-Mill Hill

The Battle of Cambrai

This was a major British offensive on the Western Front that was launched on 20th November, 1917 and lasted through to the beginning of December. As the name suggests it was an attack towards the city of Cambrai and the important German railhead there, which it was hoped would be captured. The battle was notable for two things: the massed use of tanks for the first time and the success of the first day’s fighting when the formidable Hindenburg Line was breached and gains of five miles were made in places. In celebration the church bells throughout Britain were rung. However this success was short lived. The tanks were not reliable and the German defence stiffened as the fighting progressed and when they counter attacked in force on 30th November, the British came under so much pressure that they were forced to withdraw from many of the positions they had captured earlier on. Both sides suffered around 45,000 casualties during the course of the fighting.

When the Germans attacked on 30th November, 1917, 12th Division were in trenches in front of Gonnelieu and Gouzeaucourt with all three brigades in the line. On the left 37 Brigade had the 7th East Surrey battalion in the defences around Bonavis Farm supported by a company of 6th East Kent (Buffs). At 6.30 am the enemy began their artillery bombardment and when the infantry attack started 7th East Surrey found themselves attacked on both flanks and fell back along the Hindenburg support system. Pam Pam Farm now became the focus of the fighting. As the enemy drove forward they captured it but then lost it in a counter-attack before eventually capturing it once again. Fighting now became confused in the ebb and flow of battle but eventually a mixed force, containing most of the survivors of 7th East Surrey consolidated a position in a communication trench near La Vacquerie and remained here until relieved on the following day by which time the battalion strength was less than 100. One of those who had not survived the fighting on 30th November was Henry Peachey.