Current Information:

Age-20

7, Palace Square, Upper Norwood

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, IV Corps attacked with 3rd, 12th and 15th Divisions between Tilloy les Mofflaines and the Scarpe with their main objective being the Wancourt-Feuchy line. They all reached the first objective, the Black line without too much trouble but the capture of the Blue line was more problematic. At noon, 112 and 111 Brigades of 37th Division, were ordered up to the Black Line and during the afternoon, 112 Brigade were ordered forward in rear of 12th Division. On 10th April the 10th Loyal North Lancashire battalion moved forward to strengthen the attack where needed but by now the enemy resistance had increased and their machine-guns, firing from Monchy, prevented further advances. At 5am on 11th April 10th Loyal North Lancashire continued the advance but were immediately met by heavy machine-gun and shell fire and although they managed to capture an enemy trench east of a sunken road they suffered many casualties in doing so. A small group went on to attack and capture a small trench running southwards from the Cambrai road in the direction of Guemappe. They consolidated this position despite being well forward of the units on their left and right. Gradually more of 112 Brigade made it forward and that evening 10th Loyal North Lancashire were relieved and moved back to Tilloy. The battalion had fought hard and achieved much during the day but at a cost of 300 casualties, about 60% of their total strength. Joseph Goodman was one who did not survive the day.