Current Information:

Born-Bow

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, which cost them dear, 12th London (Rangers) of 168 Brigade, 56th (London) Division did not return to the front line there until May 7th when they took over a sector near the village, or rather the ruins of the village of Guemappe. They spent a very unpleasant four days here under constant shell fire but perhaps their worst moment was when they were being relieved on the night of 10th-11th May. The enemy always seemed to know when a relief was taking place and would bombard the trenches with particular ferocity in order to disrupt proceedings. This happened during this particular relief and 12th London had ten men killed and another nineteen wounded. William Bradbury was among those who lost their lives on 11th May.