Current Information:

Belgrave Square

Fricourt British Cemetery, France

The opening day of the Battle of the Somme 1st July 1916

This was a disastrous day for the British Army in France. Eleven divisions of Fourth Army attacked along a 15 mile front from Maricourt to Serre. Two further divisions of Third Army launched a diversionary attack just to the north of Serre at Gommecourt. For a week beforehand the British artillery pounded the German trenches but the Germans had been there for a long time and they had constructed deep, concrete reinforced shelters beneath their trenches and many survived the bombardment. The troops went over the top at 7.30am but even before they had left their overcrowded trenches, many had been killed or maimed by German artillery. The Germans knew that they were coming. Once in No-Man’s-Land the artillery continued to take its toll and then the machine guns opened up on the advancing British infantry. They fell in their thousands and the attack came to a standstill almost everywhere. Survivors sought cover wherever they could find it and at night they crawled back to their own lines, often dragging a wounded soldier with them. Only in the south were any advances made with the attack on Fricourt and Mametz. Over 19,000 British soldiers were killed on this day, including 2,500 from London. 

On 1st July, 1916, 50 Brigade of 17th Division were attached to 21st Division to cover its dangerously exposed right flank in front of Fricourt whilst at the same time assaulting and clearing that heavily fortified village. 10th West Yorkshire led the attack with 7th Yorkshire (Green Howards) and 7th East Yorkshire in support at Bécordel and 6th Dorset in reserve at Méaulte.  When the attack was launched at 7.30 a.m. the 2 leading companies of 10th West Yorkshire got across no-man’s land with only a few casualties, occupied Konig Trench and then pressed on to their objective, the northern edge of Fricourt. But at this stage the barrage moved on to the next objective and the German were able to emerge from their deep dug-outs and destroy the next 2 companies as they made their way across.  At 2.30 p.m. 7th East Yorkshire and 7th Yorkshire moved to the attack.  Only 3 companies of 7th Yorkshire were available as the 4th company had attacked in error at 7.45am and been destroyed in 20 yards by 1 machine gun.  50 Brigade argued that this second attack at 2.30pm would be useless without the flank protected but were ordered to do so anyway.  7th Yorkshire attacked between Wing  Corner and the German Tambour, the strongest part of the Fricourt defences where there were only 4 gaps in the wire and where the deep dug-outs still existed.  The enemy stood on the parapet to fire at them and whole lines fell in the first 50 yards.  In the first 3 minutes of this attack 7th Yorkshire’s casualties numbered over 300..  The few who reached the village were either killed or captured.  Survivors lay in shell holes until dark. 7th East Yorkshire advanced a little later and suffered the same fate.  By now, no-man’s land up to the enemy parapet was so covered with wounded that no further bombardment was possible. 50 Brigade were relieved that evening and those who were still standing went back to Heilly and Méaulte to reorganise and form carrying parties for 51 Brigade who took their place in the line.