Hear The Boat Sing by McCrery Nigel

Author:McCrery, Nigel
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780750981989
Publisher: The History Press

Stanhope is standing at the back on the far left.

The men however were not to be denied and though the right flank was raked by heavy machine gun fire in enfilade and though the wire and trench on that part of the front owing to impossibility of observation wire untouched by the Brigade continued to advance, but as a Brigade rather than as 4 battalions. The parties who were drawn to the left by the appallingly exposed flank found themselves among the 1st Brigade but did not suffer severely as the wire and trench there had been completely destroyed.

It was on the right flank that our chief casualties were incurred. They included the Commanding Officer Lt Col B.N.S. Brooke D.S.O. and most of the officers except Capts GORDON & HOPLEY.

After reaching the first objective – the German line running through T.8.a.b.2.d it was found that there was a gap between the left parties and the right which was occupied by the enemy who began to enfilade the trench with M.G.s and shell fire.

Composite bombing parties however dislodged them and the whole first objective was in our hands. Our right flank was however completely exposed as the troops on our right were only a short distance, if any, in front of GINCHY TELEGRAPH.

On the right therefore it was impossible to push on but more in the center in composite party of men of the 2nd Gds Brigade under MAJOR ROCKE went forward and established themselves just short of the second line in T.9.b but as that party was only 100 strong and had two open flanks it was impossible to assault the second line. It appeared that LES BOEUFS would have fallen into our hands without opposition or at any rate with only ill-organized resistance if more troops could have been packed on. This was not done doubtless owing to the threat to the right flank of the Division – a threat which would have become more acute with every additional yard forward.

The position was therefore consolidated but the advanced party under Major ROCKE after withholding one counter-attack had both flanks enveloped and being attacked frontally had to fall back on to the first objective. On the evening of the 15th therefore this Battalion held a small frontage on the right of the first objective. This flank was subjected to repeated bombing attacks and the Germans also attempted to work riflemen round it. Fire steps had to be dug in both sides of the trench and bombing parties organized to resist the enemy bombing down. Fighting on a small scale therefore continued throughout the night 15/16th and resulted in all counter-attacks being repulsed. The enemy drove us back at one time about 70 yards but his success was momentary only and the ground was immediately re-taken and 1 machine gun captured.

Stanhope was shot and seriously wounded, dying in his servant’s arms the following day, becoming one of the 415 Guards casualties taken during that attack. Stanhope’s body was never discovered or identified and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier and face 8D.

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