Current Information:

Enlisted-Hammersmith

Along with the other units of the 58th Division, all second line London territorial battalions, 2nd7th London of 174 Brigade, had arrived in France in January 1917. Trench instruction had soon followed and this had been followed by a period in the line on part of the old Somme battlefield that had witnessed such carnage the previous summer, but which by now was relatively quiet.  Since the beginning of April they had been at Bihucourt, re-building and clearing roads that the Germans had destroyed as they had retreated back to their prepared positions along the Hindenburg Line.

Whilst they had been engaged in these more mundane tasks dramatic and bloody events had been taking place nearby as British troops attacked the Germans in their positions east of Arras. Ground had been gained but at a terrible cost in life and no more so than at the village of Bullecourt. The village had finally fallen to the British on 17^th May after a prolonged struggle in which the Australians covered themselves in glory, but to the north of the village a strong position, Bovis Trench, was still in German hands and it was important that this was captured so that the advance could be continued. This was the task that was given to 2nd6th London. The attack, which took place on 21st May was not a success and 2nd6th London lost heavily. That evening 2nd7th London relieved what was left of them in the front line, losing a number of men themselves as the enemy artillery pounded the British positions. One of those from 2nd7th London who was killed was Alfred Dorsett.