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Crosses being laid up at our Memorial Wall on 30th July 2016 in remembrance of the 181 men who were killed at High Wood 100 years before.

Remembering the Battle at High Wood, 30th July 1916

Crosses being laid up at our Memorial Wall on 30th July 2016 in remembrance of the 181 men who were killed at High Wood 100 years before.
Crosses being laid up at our Memorial Wall on 30th July 2016 in remembrance of the 181 men who were killed at High Wood 100 years before.

On 30th July 2016 we remembered 154 men of The Black Watch who were killed, most at the Battle of High Wood (as part of the Battle of the Somme). The Memorial Service was led by Rev Alex Forsyth, and attended by families of the fallen, veterans and members of the public. 154 crosses were laid up at our Memorial Wall.

Find out more about the Battle by reading on.


The Battle for High Wood, 30th July 1916

From early July British forces continued to engage the Germans on the ridge above the Somme valley.  Their objective was to consolidate, hold and where possible advance their own front line. By doing so they would gain the ability to observe the enemy from the high ground and to actively press home their attack.

The position of High Wood, one of the highest points on the ridge, provided an excellent observation position , South over the ridge at Montauban, South-East towards Delville Wood, North-East to Flers and Gueudecourt and North-West to Martinpuich and Courcelette. Each of these locations central to future advances towards the Belgian border. High Wood had to be taken and the high ground occupied.

High Wood had been well prepared to withstand an attack. A trench system known as the ‘switch line’ ran from a point several hundred yards from the northwest corner of the wood, ran through the northern most point of the wood then extended east and south for several hundreds of yards. This was a deep trench system protected by lines of barbed wire, machine gun posts and a network of forward trenches.

There were two approaches that provided some cover into the wood from the British lines. Wood Lane to the east running along the plateau and alternatively a shallow valley running North from Crucifix Corner directly into the wood. The former was exposed to fire from the extended switch line and from the wood itself and the latter, although hidden from view was uphill and in easy range of the German artillery.

  • 14th July: Initial attacks driven back by heavy fire causing severe casualties.
  • 16th -19th July: Heavy rain and poor weather was turning the ground into a quagmire.
  • 20th-23rd July: British troops advance from Crucifix Corner and Wood Lane and begin an attack but are repulsed by heavy fire from the switch line. Germans hold High Wood with only the southernmost corner taken and held by British troops.
  • 30th July: Improved aerial reconnaissance by the Germans allows them to observe the build-up of British troops and equipment preparing for a major assault.

On the evening of 30th July at 6:10pm, 7th BW begin an advance on the eastern side of High Wood along Wood Lane. This is done in conjunction with a supporting, creeping barrage. The Germans were prepared for this attack. Artillery and machine gun action cause many casualties.

Of the 154 men killed on 30th July 1916: 97 had served with the 6th Battalion at High Wood; 40 served with the 7th at High Wood; 7 served with the 5th; 6 served with the 4th; and 4 served with the 8th Battalion.

With thanks for Derek Bowes for his research and Major Colin Innes for reading these words at our Memorial Service on 30th July 2016.

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3 thoughts on “Remembering the Battle at High Wood, 30th July 1916”

  1. Suspect Great Grandfather Pte Thomas Bonthrone, 3832, 6th Black Watch, Royal Highlanders, 51st Highland Division is one of those who died of wounds at High Wood. Would love to find out more.
    Believe he was conscripted in May 2016, mobilsed in July, dead by 13 Aug 1916 Aged 34. I have visited his grave in St. Sever, Rouen France. The number of headstones was emotional and hit home how many others had lost their lives for us. His brothers Commonwealth Graves are in Forteviot Church graveyard, Alexander, Guardsman Scots Guards, 13553, died of lightening strike in Kensington, 12 Aug 1915 Aged 23. David Corporal The Black Watch S/40285, 29th February 1920, Aged 33. John, Pte The Black Watch 19547, 25th March 1920, Aged 23.

    Reply
    • Hi Elaine,

      Thank you so much for sharing the poignant and deeply personal history of your great-grandfather, Pte Thomas Bonthrone, and his brothers, Alexander, David, and John. Their service and sacrifices are a powerful reminder of the profound impact of the First World War on countless families.

      If you would like to find out more, we recommend reaching out to our research department. Please feel free to email them at research@theblackwatch.co.uk with any details or inquiries you may have regarding your Great Grandfather’s service. They will do their best to provide you with the information you are seeking.

      Once again, thank you for sharing this moving piece of history.

      Reply

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