Current Information:

Age-32

Born-Stepney

The Battle of Arras was a series of offensives by the British Army between 9th April 1917 and 16th May 1917. It had been planned in conjunction with the French who would attack in Artois and between them the Allies would force the Germans out of the large salient they had held since the line of trenches was first established. But the Germans had spoiled this plan by falling back to the new and very strong Hindenburg Line in January 1917 and the salient no longer existed.  For the want of an alternative plan the attack went ahead anyway. It all started well for the British who made substantial gains on the first two days but then the offensive ground to a halt and by the end their losses amounted to over 150,000.

After their involvement at the beginning of the Battle of Arras, 14th London (London Scottish) of 168 Brigade, 56th (London) Division did not return to the front line there until May 5th, 1917,  when they took over the line just north of the Arras-Cambrai road. They were relieved from these positions on 8th May and moved back to the old enemy trenches near Wancourt. They returned to the front line two days later and on 11th May, along with 4th London, they carried out a successful attack against a German position called Tool Trench. To maintain surprise the attack was made at 8.30 pm without an artillery barrage. The ruse worked and the men from 168 Brigade were in among the Germans before they had time to call for artillery support. Tool Trench was captured along a one mile front with minimum casualties but D Company overran its objective, a line of shell holes difficult to recognise in the fading light, and were hit by machine-gun fire which caused serious casualties among their number. The survivors returned to their correct position and helped to fight off counter-attacks that night and the following day. Among the casualties suffered by 14th London during this operation was Sidney Riley.