Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frank Sansome, a gardener, born 1863 in Shilton, Warwickshire and his wife Emma Elizabeth Sansome (nee Hall, married on the 14th April 1891 in Appleby Parish Church, Lincolnshire), born 1866 in Appleby, Lincolnshire. Howard Victor was born in the 1st quarter of 1898 in Leicester and was baptised on the 22nd January 1898 in St. John the Baptist Church, Leicester, his siblings were, William Ernest, born on the 12th March 1892 and baptised on the 24th April 1892 in Shenton Parish Church, Isabel Catherine, born on the 14th August 1893 and baptised on the 8th October 1893 in Shenton Parish Church and Frank, born 1895 and baptised on the 11th August 1895 in Shenton Parish Church, the latter three siblings were all born in Shenton, Leicestershire and George H., born 1897 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 243, Welford Road, Leicester. In April 1911 Howard was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Forest Lane, Narborough Park, Narborough, Leicestershire, together with his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, William, a clerk, Isabel, a dressmaker, George, a schoolboy and Reginald Harold, a schoolboy, born on the 11th November 1901 in Leicester and baptised on the 29th January 1902 in St. Michael and All Angel’s Church, Knighton, Leicester.
Howard was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 26 Oct-17 – POLDERHOEK. The Battalion in conjunction with the 15th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT attack the enemy’s position in POLDERHOEK CHATEAU and his defences immediately North and South roughly between the REUTELBEEK and SCHERRIABEEK. The attack is most successful, except on the Battalion’s right, and the CHATEAU and surrounding defences are all taken after some extremely heavy hand-to-hand fighting. About 250 prisoners are taken and very many killed counted. The following orders – Maps – narrative etc., attached, give full details of the engagement:- Battalion Operation Orders Appendix No.5. Message Map showing, our own and enemy’s dispositions, Appendix No.6. A full narrative of the engagement, Appendix No.7. Various orders etc., bearing on the situation Appendix No.8. At 7.30 am as the right flank is very exposed – owing to my right Company being held up – and the whole area is under Machine Gun fire from the SCHERRIABEEK and GHELUVELT – the 7th Division having been held up, the order to withdraw is given by a junior officer of the left Battalion, without any reference being made to his Battalion Headquarters. The left Battalion then withdrew, necessitating the 14th Battalion to conform. Both Battalions reoccupy the old front line trenches. The officers N.C.O.’s and men behaved throughout with splendid dash, courage and determination, against which the Germans could not stand.
27 Oct-17 – RIDGE WOOD. The Battalion is relieved by 1st BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT the relief being completed by about 12.15 am and withdraw.
Total casualties between the 24th and 26th instant. Officers: Killed: 2nd Lieutenant’s W. J. ALLCHIN, K.S. CURTIS, P. H. DAVIS, F. L. TOWNLEY, J. P. TURNER. Missing: H. V. SANSOME. Wounded: H. DREES, R. O. BANKS, R. S. WARREN. Other ranks: Killed: 30; Missing: 59; Wounded: 141. Total 10 Officers and 230 Other ranks.
APPENDIX NO.7
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS between 25th and 27th October 1917.
24-10-17: In accordance with Brigade and Battalion Operation Orders, No’s. 137, 140 the Battalion move out of BEDFORD HOUSE at 3.30 pm and proceeding by STIRLING CASTLE, INVERNESS COPSE and NORTHAMPTON FARM took over Front Line Trenches from 9th KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS. The relief was reported complete at 10.30 pm.
The trenches as taken over by the Battalion were found to be in an extremely muddy condition, and the mud in some places being above the knee. The route to trenches from the TOWER, J.14.d.95.45 to front line trenches was extremely bad and caused the men much fatigue.
The mud was in many places knee deep, and the Bog between the Battalion Headquarters, J.15.d.40.70 and Front Line, caused by the overflow of the REUTELBEEK was particularly bad, and the relief could only be carried out in single file. The Battalion was extremely lucky in getting through the relief without much enemy shell fire, casualties being few.
25-10-17: The day of the 25th October was spent by Officers Commanding Companies in reconnaissance work,
[a]. Of enemy’s front line system, especially the WOOD and POLDERHOEK CHATEAU, and
[b]. The assembly area to be taped out during the night of the 25th.
26-10-17: At 3.45 am all Companies had assembled on the taped lines about 100 to 150 yards West of the Western Edge of POLDERHOEK WOOD, and messages sent through to the Brigade to this effect.
At 5.40 am – Zero Hour – I watched the troops going over the top. They were apparently in very good order and disappeared into the wood.
At 6.22 am the first information was received. Company Sergeant Major PLENDERLEITH arrived wounded in the chin and hand, and reported that most of the Platoons were well on to, and past the CHATEAU, and that many Germans were fleeing under our fire, and that about 30 prisoners were waiting to be sent down. He also reports that Machine Gun fire from the right was very severe. This message was sent to the Corps by pigeon, and to Brigade by lamp and runner.
At 6.45 am the above information was confirmed by two runners from “D” Company.
At 7.15 am German Prisoners begin to arrive, and these and their escorts report that the CHATEAU is surrounded by our troops, and that many prisoners are being sent down, and that the enemy has suffered heavy casualties.
At 7.30 am a message map was received from Captain REES showing his Company in position on BLUE Objective from roughly, on the South, J.16.d.60.55 to, on the North, J.16.d.55.85. This and all subsequent messages and information as received, are transmitted at once to Brigade by Lamp and Relay, also the fact that from identifications obtained the 15th Division is holding the line opposite with 160th and 89th Regiments.
At 8.00 am I received information from my Reserve Company that they have moved forward in support to front line troops, and asking that reinforcements may be sent up, as the original front line is at present almost empty.
At 8.05 am I send through to 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS asking for One Company to reinforce front line.
About this time a message is received that the enemy are massing for a counter-attack about 600 yards to the East of our BLUE Objective. This information is sent to Brigade by Power Buzzer and Lamp. They are asked to deal with the situation. I interview the barrage Machine Gun Officer and point out the situation to him and indicate where I require his fire to be directed.
At 8.20 am I received a message from “D” Company that more Lewis Guns and Rifles are wanted as, owing to the indescribable mud conditions, our Lewis Guns and rifles were practically all out of action. I ask 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS to send up Lewis Guns and Magazines with their reinforcing Companies.
At 9.30 am I send a message to 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS reporting the non-arrival of their Company and pressing for same. I said that only one Officer and a few men arrived.
At about 9.30 am I receive information from 2nd Lieutenant F. C. ILETT, “B” Company, transmitted by Officer Commanding “C” Company, Reserve Company, to the effect that he is badly held up and requires reinforcements. 2nd Lieutenant N. M. SHEPPARD, Officer Commanding “C” Company, acts on this call by collecting together all available men and sending them forward under 2nd Lieutenant B. B. TIMMIS. It subsequently transpires that this party were unable to join up with “B” Company owing to heavy enemy shell fire, and the fact that the exact whereabouts of the remainder of “B” Company could not be ascertained.
At 10.03 am I interview the Officer of the 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS who has arrived, and explain to him, both verbally and by written orders what I require of his Company on its arrival. I instruct him that he will be required to move up to the original front line trench in the vicinity of the TOWER about J.22.a.55.95, and that on arrival there he is to get in touch with my right, “B” Company, and together with them, form a defensive right flank for the protection of the CHATEAU.
At 11.00 am I send a further message to 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS to say that their Company has not yet arrived, and that the position is serious.
At 11.15 am I write to all Companies explaining the position in full and giving instructions that they are to do everything in their power to guard their right flank until reinforcements arrive, which are at present on their way. This message was on the point of being sent when Captain KIDD, 13th MACHINE GUN COMPANY reports that our troops are withdrawing. I personally confirm this information and report the fact to Brigade Headquarters.
At 11.20 am I send my Adjutant, captain WATTS, forward to re-organize the Companies in their original positions. I closely follow the Adjutant to see that this is carried out and lead up the two Companies 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS who have arrived at this time. We re-organized the line, getting the remnants of the Battalion into position and also the two Companies 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS.
About 1.00 pm I receive a message from 1st ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT giving me their dispositions. From this it would appear that although they in the first, gain their RED Objective that they have had to withdraw, so that my right flank is very much exposed.
At 1.22 pm I send a message to 1st ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT showing my dispositions, and said that I have had to withdraw into original positions in the old front line.
At 2.00 pm I receive a message from Brigade Headquarters ordering a reconnaissance to be made of the CHATEAU, and if found to be unoccupied to re-establish the line in front of it. I personally satisfy myself that the CHATEAU has again been occupied by the enemy, and confirm this on consultation with Captain AUCOTT, 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS and my Company Officers. I also instruct Captain WATTS, my Adjutant to confirm this information, and he does.
At 7.30 pm I received Relief Orders from Brigade Headquarters. On this I find that 1st BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT will relieve us this night.
7.45 pm Colonel WORRALL, Commanding 1st BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT arrives, and together we arrange the relief. His Battalion is taking over from 15th and 14th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT.
At 8.30 pm I send forward to Companies in Front Line and 2 Companies 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS orders for the relief.
Midnight 26/27th October: Relief is reported complete, and the Battalion withdraws, partly to BEDFORD HOUSE and partly to RIDGE WOOD.
SUMMARY.
From a full investigation of all available witnesses I have found out the following facts about the attack and the withdrawal:-
At Zero Hour both “D” and “A” Companies, the former detailed for the attack and consolidation of the CHATEAU LINE, the latter for the attack and consolidation of the BLUE LINE, together with “B” Company on the right for the attack and capture of [a] Pill Boxes, South of the CHATEAU and [b] BLUE LINE, in prolongation of “A” Company’s right, advanced to the attack followed closely by “C” Company, who are detailed to take up position in the original front line trench.
A very stubborn resistance was offered by the enemy at the CHATEAU and surrounding Pill Boxes, and “C” Company was called upon to Support, which they did.
After some very heavy hand-to-hand fighting the CHATEAU and the Pill Box on the immediate right were taken, with the assistance of the 15th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT on our left. The enemy sustained very heavy casualties, and about 250 Prisoners are said to have been sent down.
Both “A,” “D” and “C” Companies became very much mixed up at this stage and a mixture of all three Companies went forward to the BLUE Objective, on the right of the 15th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT.
Captain REES who was hit soon after taking the CHATEAU handed over to 2nd Lieutenant BOLWELL.
2nd Lieutenant BOLWELL took up position about 60 yards East of the CHATEAU and started to consolidate that line.
Up to this time, about 9.00 am to 9.30 am no information has come through as to the progress made by my right Company, “B” under 2nd Lieutenant F. L. TOWNLEY, and in consequence, the right was in the air.
Throughout the advance on the CHATEAU, and subsequently, the Battalion suffered heavy casualties by Machine Gun fire from a Pill Box in the SCHERRIABEEK and from GHELUVELT. It transpired afterwards that GHELUVELT had not been captured by the 7th Division, and therefore the enemy were at liberty to concentrate on the advance of our troops.
As soon as the enemy had learned that we had taken the CHATEAU he put down and extremely heavy and well directed shell fire on to the CHATEAU itself and the surroundings, causing the Battalion many casualties.
As regards my right Company, “B” it transpires that almost as soon as they had crossed our original front line they came under very heavy Machine Gun fire from the SCHERRIABEEK Pill Box and from GHELUVELT, and that they very quickly sustained something like 70 casualties.
They managed to take the first Pill Box encountered, but from this point do not seem to have made any further progress. The Company Commander 2nd Lieutenant TOWNLEY – together with 2nd Lieutenant SANSOME were killed and 2nd Lieutenant WARREN, wounded. This left 2nd Lieutenant ILETT the only Officer and in Command of the Company. The N.C.O.’s and Lewis Gun Teams had also suffered heavily.
At about 10.45 am to 11.00 am it appears that the Senior Officer of the Battalion on the left talked over the situation and decided that, owing to the exposure of the right flank and the threatening attitude of the enemy, who were forming up, both on the front and on the right, and also owing to the useless condition of the Lewis Guns and Rifles on account of mud, that the only thing to do was to retire back to our original positions. The left Battalion retired first, and the 14th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT conformed to this movement.
I had made all arrangements to form a defensive flank on the right of the CHATEAU, and had reinforcements arrived sooner, this would have been done in time.
As it was, the 2 Companies 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS arrived simultaneously with the news that our troops had retired.
As the enemy re-occupied the CHATEAU and Front Line System almost immediately afterwards, it was quite impossible to move the troops forward again to take over that position.
On the 31st January 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour in which Howard is shown to have been a pupil at the school between the years 1910 and 1913.