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Age-25

20, Martindale Road, East Sheen

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 4th May, 1917, 1st East Surrey of 95 Brigade, 5th Division relieved the Canadians in the recently captured Fresnoy salient, near Vimy. Their relief from this position was due on the night of 8th-9th May, but before that could happen the enemy attacked in force. At 3.45am on 8th May parties of Germans advanced on their trenches and on those held by their neighbouring battalion, 12th Gloucestershire. These initial forays were seen off but two hours later the main German attack was launched by a fresh division and the line held by 12th Gloucestershire and the 19th Canadian battalion on their right was crushed. Artillery support was called for but this was not sufficient to stop the attack. The line held by 1st East Surrey was rolled up and the battalion was almost annihilated trying to retire. The whole of the  Fresnoy salient was lost as the survivors fell back to the eastern outskirts of Arleux. Those left of 1st East Surrey moved back to bivouacs east of the Vimy Ridge. Their casualty list amounted to nearly 500 officers and men and included Oliver Strong.