A Scarce Battle of Flers Courcelette (Somme) MILITARY MEDAL.
To:
1655 / 200231 Pte, Col/Sgt William Young. 4th Bn Yorkshire Regt.(T.F.)
(The Green Howards)

On 9th September 1916 the Battalion moved up to the front and occupied Swansea Trench in support of the 149th Brigade around the ruined village of Bazentin le Petit.

At 6.30 am on 15th September 1916, the 4th and 5th Battalions advanced to attack between High Wood and the ruined village of Martinpuish which was occupied by the enemy. Whilst successfully achieving their objectives, they were heavily shelled before being relieved on 19th September.

[THE SOMME-1916]
The Infantry Brigade’s objectives were trenches along the high ground East and Southeast of Martinpuish, with High Wood still occupied by the Germans.

The preliminary bombardment commenced on 12th September and lasted for three days so that the Germans had to remain underground to avoid being blown away. The attack on the 15th September was the 50th Division’s first engagement in a set battle that became known as The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. This was the first time that a so-called ‘creeping barrage’ was used to keep the enemy down in their dug-outs and so prevent a repetition of the slaughter of advancing infantry.

It was also the first use of the new war weapon ‘The Tank.’

The 50th division had only two tanks attached to them and as these metal monsters moved towards Martinpuish at 06.18 am they caused many Germans to run away in fear. The 4th and 5th Green Howards took the first objective of HOOK trench and under heavy fire from Martinpuish they moved on to the second objective the STARFISH line which was taken at 9.57 am.

Whilst the enemy counter attacked, the Yorkshires held their position, greatly assisted by the 47th London Division’s capture of High Wood. This was at a very high price in losses as can be seen by a visit to the London Cemetery at High Wood.

On 16th and 17th the attack continued on the STARFISH line, but the enemy could not be dislodged from this strong point and both 4th and 5th battalions suffered further casualties.

An excellent Green Howards gallantry award bound for a good Yorkshire Regt collection.

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