Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Walter Thomas Mynors Baskerville, born 1839 in Bath, Somerset, baptised on the 20th February 1839 in Walcot St. Swithin, Parish Church, Somerset and his wife Bertha Maria Baskerville (nee Hopton, married in the 4th quarter of 1875 in the Ledbury, Herefordshire district), born 1848 in Kemerton, Gloucestershire. Ralph Hopton was born in the 1st quarter of 1883 in Breconshire, Wales, and was baptised on the 4th April 1883 in Clyro Parish Church, Radnorshire, Wales, in April 1891 Ralph was absent from the family home at Canon Frome Court, Ledbury, Herefordshire, residing there was his mother, living on her own means, and his siblings, Sybil Maud, a schoolgirl, born 1877 in Clyro, Radnorshire, Wales and Dorothy, a schoolgirl, born 1880 in Canon Frome, Herefordshire, Ralph was a schoolboy, and was residing as a boarder at Elmsdale, Abbey Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire. In the 3rd quarter of 1897, in the Hay, Breconshire, Wales district, Ralph’s father died aged 58. In March 1901 Ralph was a pupil preparing for University and was residing as a boarder at Whatley Rectory, Frome, Somerset. In April 1911 Ralph was employed as a T.P. and was residing at The Cadogan Hotel, 75, Sloane Street, Chelsea, Middlesex.
The War Diary records: 9-13 Apr-18 – FLEURBAIX SECTOR. At 4.20 am enemy barraged our front line and attacked in force.
Battalion fought a rear guard action until 13th April. See Narrative attached marked “A.”
“A.”
18th Battalion The Welsh Regiment.
Narrative of events 9th April to 14th April 1918.
Pages 1 to 9.
The Battalion was on the night 8/9th April 1918 holding the line on the right sub sector of the FLEURBAIX SECTOR, having the PORTUGUESE CORPS on the right and the 13th EAST SURREY REGIMENT on the left.
At 1.35 pm on the 8th 2nd Lieutenant J. O. HILL and 2nd Lieutenant A. BACHUS with 10 other ranks made a reconnaissance into the enemy lines working down NECKLACE and NEPHEW TRENCHES, they found the trenches and No Man’s Land water logged, the patrol returned about 2.00 am having seen no signs of the enemy.
At 4.15 am the Artillery put down a heavy barrage on the enemy front line till 4.50 am, and again from 5.10 to 5.30 am.
At 4.20 am the enemy barraged our front line and also shelled heavily the support line and all posts.
At 5.55 am a message was received from Officer Commanding right front Company that the enemy was coming over on the PORTUGUESE front in huge numbers and that the barrage had moved to our support line. EXETER AVENUE had been manned by the Reserve Company on the outbreak of the shelling.
At 4.30 am the enemy also fired over gas shells mixed with his high explosive.
At 6.00 am the enemy broke through between our left post and the first post of the Battalion on our left in large numbers spread along the front line towards our right and advanced on our Transport Lines.
The posts in the front line were apparently cut off as the Garrison did not fall back on to the support line.
The support line Garrison put up a good defence. 40 dead Germans being counted in front of No.12 Lewis Gun post and 30 in front of a post on the right.
I sent up for a platoon of my Support Company to reinforce the support line at 7.00 am on receipt of message that the enemy were in the line.
Officer Commanding right Company reported at 8.00 am that intense fire was being put on the support line and at 8.20 am that the barrage has lifted and that he was surrounded by the enemy in large numbers but was holding on to the last. There are no survivors of the Company.
By 9.00 am left front Company remnants had been forced back down IMPERTINENCE AVENUE on to the road and reported the enemy in large numbers advancing down IMPERTINENCE and V.C. AVENUES. At the same time the enemy put down intense fire on Brigade Headquarters destroying the mess and Headquarters Company billets.
At 9.40 am the enemy force had advanced on the line V.C. AVENUE and IMPERTINENCE AVENUE. I detailed my two reserve Lewis Guns to hold the road here but -?- -?- were -?- on to between -?- trenches by shell fire.
At 10.00 am the enemy being between 100 yards of Brigade Headquarters I decided to evacuate and with remnants of the Headquarters and fought a rear guard action in the direction of WINTERS NIGHT POST accounting for many of the enemy who were within point blank range and at the same time sustaining many casualties, including my Adjutant, Intelligence Officer and Lewis Gun Officer.
At 10.43 am I arrived at WINTERS NIGHT POST which was Garrisoned by a detachment of 21st MIDDLESEX REGIMENT.
I drew 4 boxes of small arms ammunition from their Battalion Headquarters but on endeavouring to return to the post found it was surrounded by the enemy who were advancing on Reserve Battalion Headquarters. The Garrison at the post -?- only the 21st MIDDLESEX REGIMENT and the 18th WELSH REGIMENT were practically wiped out both with shell fire and Machine Gun fire and only a very few were able to fall back.
My Reserve Company which manned EXETER AVENUE by posts as far as CHARRED POST put up a strong resistance. The Officer Commanding Company being dangerously wounded. The enemy took them in front, flank and rear and the whole Company is now missing.
Out of the Troops holding the line on the night 8/9th April only two Officers, myself and Signalling Officer and 20 other ranks survived.
And I had now no troops left to command. I made my way to Brigade Headquarters, ST. MAUR hoping to find some of my men on the road to reorganise but found none, except a Lewis Gun with some men whom I placed to hold the pontoon bridge here. The Gun and one of the team were knocked out with a shell.
I then reported to Brigade at CROIX DU BAC and went on to LE PETIT MORTIER.
10th April.
At 4.20 pm. I was found in Command of 119th Infantry Brigade Composite Battalion and instructed to take up a position in the STEENWERCK SWITCH which I did with 21st MIDDLESEX REGIMENT on right, EAST SURREY REGIMENT and ? 12th YORKSHIRE REGIMENT and detachments of other Brigades, the line running from G.10.b central to LEKIRLEM in front of PETIT MORTIER with Brigade Headquarters at LE PETIT MORTIER.
Owing to the right flank falling back I had to conform and the -?- -?- at 4.00 pm on G.3.d.2.0 and the left flank on A.28.a.2.6. This position was held all day. The enemy shelled very heavily at intervals.
The 120th Infantry Brigade Composite Battalion were in touch on the left
Patrols were sent out during the day to LA BOUFRELLE, SAILLY and CROIX DU BAC getting in touch with troops in front.
At 3.15 pm the enemy were observed at A.29.a.40.90. At 3.50 pm the enemy broke through our line at Pt. PAHUREEM and the line was forced back to 28.c. At 4.10 pm I was informed that Division on the left had fallen back. At 4.45 pm I took my line back to A.28.d.8.5 but at 7.20 pm had again to conform with Brigade on left and withdraw to A.28.c.
This final position was held all night which was quiet except for Machine Gun fire.
April 11th. This line held to 4.00 pm.
At 5.25 pm 2nd SOUTH WALES BORDERERS and KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS reported and took up position in the rear.
At 7.10 am the enemy shelled the front line heavily. Brigade Headquarters was at A.26.d.8.5.
8.00 am. Officer Commanding 21st MIDDLESEX REGIMENT reported that the enemy was gaining superiority of fire on our right flank and I detached two Machine Guns to cover the flank.
The enemy were in G.10.c and d.
Kept up heavy fire. About 11.00 am the enemy put down an intense barrage including F on the line and advanced under Machine Gun fire, both of our flanks gave way, and our line had to give way taking up a position through G.2.c.5.7 and A.27.d.2.8. About 11.00 am the enemy barraged this line with very heavy stuff and also demolished Brigade Headquarters Farm. The enemy broke through on both flanks and the line again fell back on the STEENWERKE ROAD where the 119th and 120th Brigades were reorganised on a line in front of LEVERRIER approximately A.20.a.5.0 to A.26.c.0.7. This line was organised in depth and a forward line on the railway.
The enemy shelled continuously and also fired flanking Machine Gun fire.
This line was held all night. About 7.00pm the enemy appeared to -?- -?- from about A.21 central but was repulsed by our Machine Gun fire. From 9.00 pm onwards he was quiet.
April 12th. At 8.25 am the 92nd Brigade completed the taking over of the line covering our position and I withdrew the 119th and 120th Composite Battalions to STRAZEELE arriving there about 11.30 pm. The relief was completed without incident.
After the men had a meal instructions were received to dig and man a line for the defence of STRAZEELE on the East and South side of the village. This was cancelled later and the 119th Infantry Brigade Composite Battalion was given to the East side.
This line was set out and men were in position and digging by 4.00 pm.
This line ran (HAZEBROUK Map) due East through A in STRAZEELE to road junction South of 6 in 620 then South to get in touch with 121st Brigade, 21st MIDDLESEX REGIMENT on right, 13th EAST SURREY REGIMENT in centre and 18th WELSH REGIMENT on left.
Many patrols were sent out all night both to front and flanks and information sent to Brigade. The line was heavily shelled till dark but the night was quiet.
April 13th. During the early morning considerable shelling took place. A Division of the ANZAC Corps having taken up a position in front of us (4th Australian Division) during the night. Instructions were received to withdraw the troops to PRADELLES and this was completed by 2.30 pm. The combined Troops of the Brigade then marched to LE BREARDE. Had a meal and marched to STAPLE and lay there the night.
April 14th. Marching at 8.00 am to TILQUES whence they were billeted.
April 15th. And moving again to MOULLE the next day to billets.
Signed: W. S. Brown. Lt. Col. Commanding 18th Welsh. 16/4/18.
On Friday May 10th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BARROW-ON-SOAR.” – CAPT. R. H. BASKERVILLE KILLED. – Capt. Ralph Hopton Baskerville, of Chippendal House, Barrow-on-Soar, and Clyio Court, Herefordshire, was killed in action in France on April 21st. Capt. Baskerville has resided at Barrow-on-Soar over four years, and has hunted with the Quorn. For a number of years he was Master of the East Sussex, besides hunting a private pack. He was a major in the Glamorgan Yeomanry, being afterwards transferred to the Welsh.