In that attack the Fourth Division was using the 10th (left) and 11th (right) Brigades. Its starting line was East of Langemarck and its final objective lay NW. of Poelcappelle, which village the Eleventh Division on its right was attacking. The 1st Hampshire were on their brigade’s left and their first objective was behind Kangaroo Trench, 350 yards away, the final objective,which included Tragique Farm, being 500 yards further on. Starting at 6.I0 a.m., the battalion ( those actually engaged in the attack came to 18 officers and 522 other ranks: Captains De Gaury (C) and German (D), and Lts. Gullick (A) and Harding (B) commanded the companies) for once found our barrage ragged and inaccurateand suffered more from it than from the enemy’s fire. However, Kangaroo Trench was soon rushed, 30 prisoners and a machine gun being taken, and by 6.50 the first objective about Beek Villa had been taken, several ‘ pill boxes ’being effectively tackled. The Somerset on the right had had much trouble with ‘pill boxes’ but they also had gained their objective. After an hour’s pause B Company went forward on the right through C, pushing on past Lemnos House and Imbross House, to be checked by our barrage and forced to come back and dig in short of their objectives, while the Somerset, who also had had to fall back a little way, carried on the line just short of Ferdan House (Kangaroo Pond). On the left A Company, after advancing some way, found itself ahead of the 10th Brigade and was checked, but touch was obtained with the troops on both flanks and consolidation was started, the battalion’s front line running from Lemnos House (right) to Imbross House, with supporting posts close behind,D Company in battalion reserve being some way in rear near Red House.
Some enemy who were sheltering in shell holes in front were now dislodged by hand grenades and shot down as they bolted.
About 1 p.m. heavy machine gun and rifle fire developed against the left, evidently heralding a counter-attack, and the position was endangered by the 10th Brigade being driven off 19 metre Hill to which it had advanced. The Hampshire and Somerset held on, however, though the Hampshire’s left was‘ in the air ’ Lt. Stannard now showed conspicuous initiative and determination, going out to rally troops who were retiring and leading a counter-attack which helped to check the enemy, and before long the East Lancashire sent up a detachment which covered this exposed flank, while later they assisted the 10th Brigade to bring its line forward again. Pressure on this flank continued, and though the Rifle Brigade’s intervention checked a second retirement,the left remained unsettled and the Hampshire had to establish posts behind this flank. This, however, proved sufficient, the enemy did not attempt topress any further, and as the night passed quietly some reorganization was possible and good progress made with the consolidation. Next morning also proved quiet, but the enemy’s shelling became heavier in the afternoon and went on till dusk, after which the Rifle Brigade relieved the Hampshire, who spent the next two days at Louis Farm (Langemarck) in support under shellfire, finding parties to carry rations, water and ammunition up to the front (pack transport was now being mainly used in the battle area), they then moved back across the canal (Boezinge), on their brigade going into reserve. The Hampshire’s casualties came to 50 % of those in action : Lt. Harding,2 /Lts. H. C. Hall, Perrett and Phippard and 64 men killed, 16 men missing,Colonel Armitage, who remained at duty (the chaplain, the reverend A.E. Lawrie, was hit but remained on duty. He was an outstanding figure in the batt., much loved and respected by all.He set a wonderful example of courage and devotion to duty and had a remarkable hold on the batt.), Lt. Collett, 2 /I.ts. G. F. Ball, Chester, McCulloch, Middlemass and Scrivens and 187 men wounded. But the gain of ground, if less than had been hoped for, was not unsatisfactory, considering all the difficulties to be overcome (Lt. Stannard was awarded the M.C..
On October 9th when the Fourth Division made its second effort in ‘Third Ypres ’ and secured nearly all its objectives NW. of Poelcapelle, only the 12th Brigade was engaged, the 11th, who stood to all day in readiness, not being required to assist, and though three days later the Rifle Brigade was attached to the 12th to share in another attack near Poelcapelle, the 1st Hampshire were again not put in but moved back by Proven to Poperinghe to entrain on the 18th for the South, on returning to the Third Army and, as it proved, to familiar ground at Monchy. Nobody was ever very sorry to leave the Ypres Salient, but this time the 1st Hampshire had made some contribution to its expansion.
Bron: The Royal Hampshire regiment Vol.II 1914-1918; door Atkinson C.
