Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Mrs Annie Hickling. The War Diary for today records. TRENCHES BIENVILLERS. At 8.00am the enemy front line to the left of the MONCHY – BIENVILLERS road is overlooked from our trenches in the neighbourhood of MONCH MILL SOUTH. For the first time movement has been seen here. Three men are seen to hurry past. During the morning more men are seen including an officer, all without equipment. Some hurry past as if conscious of danger whilst others take the opportunity in order to have a look across at us. We refrain from sniping and hope to observe a relief or gain other important information. At 1.00pm a few rifle grenades, whizz bangs and what appeared to be sling-bombs arrived at 87 and 88 and their supports. Four casualties, two killed and two wounded were the result. At 7.15pm a few high explosive shrapnel were fired at various targets during the day. Sixteen of these were fired at CROSS STREET LEFT, Seven of the last eight were ‘blind’. The Battery was marked down. Enemy working parties were seen during the day but were well out of rifle range. At 8.00pm a French -?- -?- was seen going towards DUCHY on the DUCHY – MONCHY ROAD. 2nd Lt COLES reported for duty from England.