William Slade Vincent

7.4
Return to the trenches in France

On 18th August 1917, William re-joined the 7th Bn. K.O.R.L.R. at Le Wast, France, about 20km south of Calais. Three days later his Bn. was loaded into lorries and transported to Ecault (a 20km trip) and went “sea bathing” and played “point to point” races.

William reinforces the 7th Bn. at Le Wast, France, August 1917 [65]

When he re-joined the 7th Bn., he was assigned to the Bn. Headquarters staff. But a month later he, with other officers, was on a list of officers “going into action”.

William goes into action September 1917 [66]

It was not until 20th September 1917 that the 7th Bn. was positioned at Buffs Bank on the front line of the northern side of the Ypres – Commines Canal and railway embankment in Belgium. The Bn. then moved 150 yards north-east of Hessian Wood where they relieved the 6th Wiltshire Reg. and 9th Royal Welsh Fusiliers (and elements of the 9th Welsh Regiment).

Millar Buzzard, William’s half-brother, was gassed, 3 months later, on 28th December 1917 near Wytschaete, Belgium, which was only about 5km from where William was to see action at Hessian Wood. In fact, the 16-pounder artillery piece that Millar’s battery fired, would have been able to cover Hessian Wood with ease.

Hessian Wood about 7km SE of Ypres, Belgium [67]

Up until that time they had only had to weather intermittent shelling from German artillery. However, in the early morning of 23rd September 1917, they experienced very active artillery shelling, including gas shells, and that morning had to contend with “hostile sniper and machine guns causing some annoyance”.

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[65] - [67] National Archives - War Diary W/O 95