Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The War Diary for the 21st March 1918 records. Very heavy enemy barrage on front line from 1.00am to 9.30am. Enemy attacked at 9.30am. Bn suffered very heavy losses.
NARRATIVE OF THE GERMAN ATTACK AGAINST THE 2ND/6TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS ON THE 21ST MARCH 1918.
The Battalion went into the line on the 9th March. From the first all ranks were acquainted with the fact that the Germans contemplated an offensive and that the Battalion front was certain to be attacked if they carried it out, consequently everything possible was done to make the sector strong in defence. I state this to show that there was no question of surprise. The 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, the right Battalion of the Division, linked up with the left Battalion of the 6th Division, and the 2nd/6th Sherwood Foresters continued the line northwards, joining the right Battalion of the 176th Brigade just south of BULLECOURT village.
The Battalion was organised in depth, two Companies in front of the RAILWAY RESERVE holding advanced posts and the support line, two Companies and Battalion Headquarters in RAILWAY RESERVE.
During the night 20th/21st March my patrols were very vigilant, but they failed to notice anything unusual in No Man’s Land. (After my capture), a German told me that the attacking troops were lying out in front of the trenches, having taken up their position earlier in the night.
At 5.00am the enemy opened a terrific bombardment with guns of all calibres on to RAILWAY RESERVE, and the same time commenced shelling the posts in front of that line with trench mortars.
The bombardment was continuous until 9.00am – except for a slight lull at 7.00am. During the lull I was able to get in touch with my posts. I found that the Battalion had had few casualties and the situation was well in hand. I informed the Brigade of the state of affairs. The bombardment commenced more intensely than ever and continued until 9.00am. Simultaneously with the Artillery lifting, the enemy infantry came forward. This attack was easily stopped, and the enemy was driven back to his own trenches. For some time things were very quiet and I was able to make reconnaissance, and I found the situation at 9.45am as follows… three of my front posts were holding out; the supports on the left formed a protective flank from TANK AVENUE, but the supporting posts in the rear of the right Company had apparently been knocked out by trench mortars fired from the apex. A considerable force of infantry was advancing in that direction and they appeared to have taken all the posts of the Battalion on my right. About this time a number of stragglers from the 7th Battalion came to my Headquarters; these I collected and placed in my trenches. They informed me that the Germans had already taken their own Battalion Headquarters, and that their Battalion was “Done in.” I was then isolated from the rear, and the enemy was working round my right. I reinforced my right and as the men went along I explained the situation and told them to do their duty and hold on to RAILWAY RESERVE at all costs as we were certain to be relieved when our counter-attack made itself felt. At 10.00am my left Company in RAILWAY RESERVE reported that the enemy was attacking in strong force from the direction of TANK AVENUE. I was able to reinforce this part of the line, where some extremely bitter fighting took place at close quarters. I was not able to communicate with this Company after this, but we could see them holding on and fighting with bombs for some time. At 10.30am a force of the enemy moved round my flank and occupied SIDNEY AVENUE, the whole of the RAILWAY EMBANKMENT was at this time enfiladed from the south by trench mortars and machine guns. I was suffering very heavy losses and it was not possible to collect men to make a bayonet charge which I had ordered to be made.
The enemy, after this by bombing, eventually captured the trenches on the embankment up to the Regimental Aid Posts. He had also penetrated on my left. After collecting signallers, runners and servants, Battalion Headquarters fought (with practically no cover from the rear) until the ammunition was spent, and most of the officers and men were casualties. It was not until we were entirely surrounded that that part of the RAILWAY EMBANKMENT near the Battalion Headquarters was taken by the enemy.
I am proud to state that all ranks fought splendidly, and it is difficult, where all did so well, to single out any individuals for special praise, but I should like to bring to your notice the names of the following Officers and NCO’s.
CAPTAIN S. A. ROGERS who commanded the left Company in RAILWAY RESERVE, was killed after refusing to surrender. He led his Company with great ability, and his personal example was magnificent.
MAJOR A. C. CLARKE although wounded, worked a Lewis gun with much effect and on one occasion used it against a party of the enemy who were forming up for attack and inflicted many casualties upon them. He did splendidly all through.
2nd LIEUTENANT S. M. JOHNSON (being badly wounded), collected reports throughout the action, and his utter disregard of danger kept up the morale of the men. His work was of great importance and he kept going until he became unconscious.
2nd LIEUTENANT D. St. LEGER (ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY) died of wounds the following day. This officer after the lines of his Battery had gone, used a rifle until he was so badly wounded that he was unable to stand. St. LEGER was several times wounded, and even when his jaw had been shattered, remained cheerful. He was a real hero.
2nd LIEUTENANT H. HICKMAN Acting Adjutant, did well throughout the action and his work collecting stragglers was of great value. He personally destroyed all the correspondence and telephone apparatus, so that nothing of importance fell into the hands of the enemy.
SERGEANT MAJOR HOLROYD set a fine example to us all. He voluntarily took up the task of organising ammunition for the last stand, and regardless of personal danger kept up a supply of bandoliers. This NCO’s devotion to duty was magnificent.
SERGEANT’S PARSON and MITCHELL were both killed in the discharge of duties for which they had specially volunteered
H.S. HODGKIN Lieutenant Colonel (4th Dragoon Guards)
Commanding 2nd/6th Sherwood Foresters