Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 155

A Great War Trench Raider's M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant H. E. Wyatt, Worcestershire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. H. E. Wyatt.), together with corresponding miniature awards, good very fine (6)

M.C. London Gazette 20 October 1916:

'For conspicuous gallantry during a raid, when, finding himself with six men, detached from the raiding party, he went through a weak place in the enemy wire, into the enemy trench, bombed a dugout and was himself wounded. On the way back to our lines, with three men, he captured four enemies.'

Hubert Edgar Wyatt was born on 6 December 1893 in the district of Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, the son of Mr E. J. Wyatt. At some point the family moved to Blockley, Gloucestershire and took up residence in Fair View, Bell Lane, Blockley.

Wyatt attended the Worcester Royal Grammar School, joining the O.T.C. in 1914. He had left school by this time and had been admitted to Emanuel College, Cambridge, living in North Court at the time he volunteered for service in the Army on 9 June, 1915. He requested an appointment to the Suffolk, Worcestershire or any West Midlands regiments, but for some unknown reason, not the Gloucestershire Regiment. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Worcestershire Regiment on 29 July 1915 and began his training.

He was posted to the 4th Battalion and arrived in France to join them on 29 May 1916. The Battalion had been heavily involved in the Gallipoli Campaign. After the Gallipoli campaign the 4th Battalion were ordered to proceed to France. They disembarked at Marseilles on the morning of 20 March 1916. The 29th Division, of which the 4th Battalion was a part, took over the line facing Beaumont Hamel.

The Battalion were in billets at Engelbelmer from 18-28 May. From 28 May-7 June, 11 men were killed and 2nd Lieutenant R. H. New and 29 other ranks were wounded (most of these casualties were caused on the night of 3-4 June by German bombardment during a raid carried out by other troops further to the left - against "Hawthorn Redoubt".)

On 7 June the Battalion moved into billets at Louvencourt and a week later moved back to billets at Engelbelmer, where they stayed until 23 June, before moving back to billets at Louvencourt. When out of the line the Companies were busily engaged on works for the forthcoming offensive. On 21 June, the War Diary records Wyatt had been sent with others junior officers for additional training at Divisional HQ.

Somme

The general plan of the great attack was to break through the enemy's positions in the valley of the Ancre between La Boisselle and Serre, and then to roll up the German defences to the northward by a rapid turning movement carried out by fresh troops brought up from reserve. The main attack was to be made by the IIIrd, Xth and VIIth Corps of the Fourth Army. To assist the main attacks, subsidiary attacks were to be made, on the southern flank by the XIIIth and XVth Corps of the Fourth Army, on the northern flank by the VIIth Corps of the Third Army. When the enemy's lines had been broken the turning movement to the northward was to be made under the direction of a fresh staff ready for the purpose, designated, for the time being, "The Reserve Army" under General Sir Hubert Gough.

On 24 June, the preliminary bombardment commenced. All along the line the British batteries opened a heavy fire, carefully directed on successive points of the German line. In order to increase the demoralising effects of the bombardment, and to identify the German units holding the line, a number of raids were carried out during the last days of June. Of these raids, one near Hebuterne was entrusted to the 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, and was carried out on the evening of 28 June; but unbroken enemy wire prevented success.

The first days of the bombardment were fine and hot, although occasional small thunderstorms competed with the crash of the guns: then the weather broke, and rain fell heavily, causing the date of the attack to be postponed at the last minute from 28 June to 1 July. The postponement brought no better weather, and dawn of the 30 June found the rolling country of Picardy still shrouded in drizzling rain; but it would have needed more than rain to damp the enthusiasm of the troops; and the 4th Battalion Diary recorded that all ranks were '...going about singing, and as cheerful as could be.'

In the afternoon the sky cleared and, as dusk fell, the move forward to the assembly positions was begun. All along the 20 mile front from Hannescamps to the River Somme long columns of British troops were on the move; and that night four Battalions of the Regiment were marching forward from their billets through darkness lit by continuous gun-flashes towards the soaring flares and bursting shells which marked the battle line. The 4th Battalion marched at 1900hrs from Louvencourt to Acheux Wood; where hot tea and rum were issued. At 2300hrs the march forward was resumed. Through Mailly Maillet, the Battalion marched to Auchonvillers. Then, amid terrific gun-fire which lit up the whole sky, the companies filed into communication trenches and worked their way forward to their allotted position in the assembly trenches. The dispositions were not completed until 0300hrs. Then, crouching in the trenches under a heavy bombardment, the platoons of the 4th Battalion waited for dawn.

The Battle of Albert is the official name given to the whole of the first phase of the Somme offensive from 1-13 July 1916. The morning of 1 July 1916 dawned calm and clear. The fire of the British artillery had slackened a little before dawn, but at 0600hrs the guns broke out all along the line in a furious bombardment. For over an hour shells rained upon the German position: then, at 0730hrs, all along the line the British Battalions advanced to the attack.

Beaumonth Hamel

On the front of the 29th Division the moment of attack was heralded by the explosion of a great mine under a German entrenchment known as 'Hawthorn Redoubt'. The earth all around shook with the concussion. Then, amid an inferno of gun-fire, the 86th and 87th Brigades attacked. The troops of the 88th Brigade, crouching under cover in the reserve trenches, heard through the thunder of the artillery another intermittent note: the dry stammer of machine-gun fire. That ominous sound did not cease, and it told the listeners clearly enough that the German resistance was not broken. At 0900hrs came word that the Battalions of the 88th Brigade would advance. The Newfoundland and Essex Regiments went first, filing forward up the communication trenches to the front line. The listeners in rear heard the machine-gun fire rise to greater intensity; and presently wounded Newfoundlanders brought news that the attack had failed.

At 1130hrs came orders for the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment to advance. Immediately in front of their position the enemy had put down a barrage of heavy shells between the British front and reserve lines, and through that curtain of explosions the Battalion had to pass. The Platoons filed forward as best they could, along smashed communication trenches choked with wounded men. Before the front line was reached a hundred (6 officers [Lts. R. C. Wynter and L. T. H. Leyland, 2/Lts. J. S. Wesson, A. E. Allsopp, K. Mossman and J. Scott] and 96 other ranks) of the Battalion had been killed or wounded. The front trenches themselves were found to be in but little better case, everywhere broken down and under a heavy bombardment. Under cover of the shattered parapets were crouching some survivors of the regiments which had led the way-South Wales Borderers, Border Regiment and Newfoundlanders-while out on the open slope in front lay thickly strewn the remainder of the officers and men of those brave battalions. Everywhere shells were bursting, and the unconquered German machine-guns swept the wrecked trenches with their fire. Under that fire the unit made preparations for attack; but at 1300hrs came counter-orders. The attack on Beaumont Hamel had failed completely, and it was anticipated that the enemy would probably make a counter-attack; the Battalion, together with the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, the only Battalions of the 29th Division still in fighting trim, must hold the line at all costs. The Battalion extended its front to the left and prepared for defence and '...everyone worked hard in repairing the broken trenches under most trying conditions' (Battalion War Diary, refers).

At 1600hrs came orders that next morning the Battalion would attack the opposing salient in the German line (at the western end of "Y Ravine"). Grimly preparations were made, though there seemed little hope of success. Late that night (2345hrs) came word that the attack was cancelled.

By that time it was known that all three Divisions of the VIIth Corps had failed in their attack, with crushing loss of life. All that could be done was to repair the shattered trenches and succour the hundreds of wounded lying between the lines. All night long rescue parties were in "No Man's Land," bringing back wounded men.

Dawn found one Worcestershire lad tending a stricken comrade close to the enemy's line. The mist which had shielded him suddenly lifted, and showed the German trench only a few yards away. The enemy levelled their rifles, but were checked by an officer, who stood up and shouted in English:

'You must not stop there with that man. If you want to come in, come along: or else go back to your own trenches.' The lad answered, 'I'll go back to my own trenches, sir'; and trudged back unhurt.

Two stretcher-bearers went out, protected by their red-cross armbands, and brought the wounded man back to the British lines (The incident is recorded in the Battalion War Diary. The enemy were the 121st [Wurtemberg] Regiment).

The unit remained in position facing Beaumont Hamel, since the opening day of the battle. Any idea of renewing attack in that sector had been abandoned, and the activities of the Battalion were restricted to the repair of the defences and the clearing of the battle-field. The latter was a difficult, dangerous and unpleasant task; but it had to be done, and together with the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment were the only Battalions of the 29th Division still capable of serious work; so no relief was possible and for thirteen long days and nights they laboured on the trenches and in the open ground beyond. At first the task was complicated by heavy rain: later the weather cleared and by 6 July the Battalion War Diary recorded a visible improvement. The enemy's artillery was active and the German snipers were on the alert. Casualties were frequent and between the 2-14 July they lost 70 all ranks. On the night of 13-14 July a small raid attempted by a party of the unit from Mary Redan against the opposing trenches did not succeed, for the intensity of the enemy's fire made advance impossible.

On 17 July, the 88th Brigade was drawn back into Divisional Reserve. They marched westward into huts in Acheux Wood, where the Battalion remained until the Division moved back to rest. By that time it had been decided that the 29th Division should be sent to Flanders. On 27 July, they marched from Beauval to Candas; where, shortly after midday, the Battalion entrained for the north.

After quitting the Somme area, had moved by train to Poperinghe. The Battalion detrained at that town towards dusk on 27 July and marched to good billets in two convents near the Cathedral. For two days the Battalion remained in Poperinghe: then on the night of 29-30 July, they moved forward by train to Ypres, and were quartered in the ruined city, two Companies being accommodated in the ramparts.

After dark on the following night (30 July) the Battalion moved forward to the line. Through the Menin Gate and up the Menin Road the companies tramped, past 'Hell Fire Corner' to 'Birr Cross Roads'. There the Platoons were led to the left, and filed (relieving a Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment) into the trenches on the slope of Bellewaerde Ridge between the Menin Road and the Roulers Railway, the trenches captured in June 1915. There, on the very ground on which the 3rd Battalion had then suffered so severely, the 4th Battalion carried on an active trench warfare for ten days, sniping, bombing and labouring, encouraged and inspired by the ever-active Divisional Commander, General de Lisle. On 9 August they were relieved, by the Newfoundland Regiment, and after ten days in Brigade Reserve at Ypres, were carried back by train to camp in Divisional Reserve by Vlamertinghe. On 31 August the Battalion moved into Ypres and on 8 September again marched up the Menin Road through a very damp and misty night to the Bellewaerde trenches (relieving the Newfoundland Regiment). For some days normal activity was maintained, while arrangements were made for a raid on the opposing German line.

Immediately on 8 September, a patrol of ten under Wyatt, '...in connection with (the) coming raid, reported that they plainly heard the Germans working and by the sound heard, they must have been using concrete.'

The raid was carried out on the night of 15 September. After a preliminary bombardment, which commenced at 2300hrs, consisting of artillery and trench mortars, concentrated on the point of entry into the German trenches and at firing places in the German line where wire had been previously noted. The raiders, consisting of 3 officers and 30 men crept out from the left of the Battalion's trenches and made for a small salient in the enemy's line just south of the Roulers Railway at 2330hrs. In the confusion caused by darkness and heavy shell-fire the party disintegrated. On the left, Wyatt and five men entered the German trench. A fierce little fight ensued in the course of which the Subaltern was shot in the stomach by a German officer, who then ran into a dugout. Two men from his party threw a total of 18 mills bombs into the dugout and then removed Wyatt out of the trench. The opposing enemy were driven out of their dugouts and the little party then withdrew across the railway. On their way back, they encountered a small party of Germans who were taken Prisoner, but 2 were wounded, 1 killed and only 1 was brought back into the British lines, which was all that was required for unit identification purposes. They returned through the trenches on the left held by the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment and were heavily fired upon; but eventually they reached safety, returning with their prisoner and the wounded Wyatt.

In this raid, Privates C. Edkins and W. H. Dean were awarded the M.M. and Wyatt his M.C., he later was able to communicate with his parents from France and stated '...improving steadily; prospects better every day.'

Wyatt had been severely wounded - two holes in the stomach, eight holes in the jejunum, (a part of the small intestines between the duodenum and ileum) and partial severing of the colic artery. The repair involved a 7 ½ inch abdominal section along the middle line of his abdomen. He was evacuated home and received further treatment at the 2nd Western General Hospital, Whitworth Street, Manchester, where he was finally discharged on 3 November 1916.

He was considered unfit for further active service, but was made temporary Lieutenant on 30 July 1917 and placed in command of an Officer Cadet Battalion, where he assisted in the training of 150 Officer Cadets. He relinquished his commission on account of his wounds on 6 September 1918, being given the honorary rank of Lieutenant.

After the Great War, he became a Civil Servant and was appointed an Assistant Inspector of Taxes with the Inland Revenue in March 1920. At some point he appears to have lived at 70 Stratford Avenue, Brighton in December, 1922, when he wrote a letter to the Wound Pensions authority. Wyatt died aged 51, in the district of Westminster, London in late 1944; sold together with an original photograph of him in uniform and an original London Gazette entry for the Military Cross.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.