Current Information:

Enlisted-Handel Street

Between 25th May and 28th May, 1916, 1st London of 167 Brigade, 56th Division, were engaged each night in digging new assembly trenches near Hebuterne in preparation for the forthcoming Somme offensive. This task was not without danger. Despite all the precautions taken to disguise their activities and every attempt to keep as quiet as possible, the enemy were aware that something was going on and targeted the area with artillery, machine gun and other fire. The night of 27th-28th May was particularly fraught with danger and when the working parties withdrew 9 men had been either killed or were missing and another 24 wounded. Among those killed was Lionel Hicks.