Current Information:

Born-Croydon

Roclincourt Valley Cemetery, France

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.

On 9th April, 1917, 34th Division attacked with all three brigades in line with their objective being the Point du Jour line and then a Green Line some 300 yards beyond it. On the front held by 102 Brigade, the 21st Northumberland Fusiliers and the 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers led the attack front and reached the Blue Line. The advance then continued with 20th Northumberland Fusiliers and 23rd Northumberland Fusiliers. 23rd Northumberland Fusiliers had to cut lanes in the wire and because of a hold up on their left, had their flank in the air. They took the support trench after a stiff fight and by advancing in small rushes and finally both battalions dug in a little short of the Green Line. Their success came at a cost and among their many casualties was Stephen Richardson of 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers.