Battle help needed

[RobertS]

I have a relative who died in 1918 and I have the basic facts. I'm looking for help from someone who can help with the details. Looked on Long Long Trail but pages that might help are still under construction.

What was the likely action in which William John Steer died? What was the "D" Coy?

Private WILLIAM JOHN STEER
</SPAN>
40389, "D" Coy. 11th Bn., Essex Regiment
who died age 28
on 17 September 1918
Son of William and Elizabeth Steer, of High St., Elstree, Herts; husband of Ella Rosa Steer.
Remembered with honour
TREFCON BRITISH CEMETERY, CAULAINCOURT

Thanks

11th (Service) Battalion
(Essex) Formed at Warley, September 1914, as part of K3. September1914 : attached to 71st Brigade, 24th Division. 11 October 1915 : transferred with Brigade to 6th Division. 27 October 1915 : transferred to 18th Brigade, 6th Division.

 

[barrie]

"D Coy" is military talk for D Company. A Battalion would be split into Companies, each commanded by a Company Commander, usualy called the O.C. (officer commanding) and usually of the rank of Major.

Barrie.

 

[RobertS]

Thanks Barrie

 

[terry carter]

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk...sp?Edoc_Id=7799681&queryType=1&resultcount=72

Above is the link to the National Archives site at Kew and the War Diary concerning the 11th Essex for September 1918. It costs £3:50 to download. I would say he was killed during what was known as the battles for the Hindenburg Line.

Soldier's Died in the Great War gives this info.... Born, Boreham Wood, Herts and Enlisted at St Albans.

Terry

 

[RobertS]

Thanks Terry, will do.

 

[Lloyd]

Here's his medals record card, if you don't have it already.
(Click on it to enlarge)

 

[RobertS]

Thanks Lloyd, great.

 

[Chris_Baker]

Only just spotted this, RobertS.

On 17 September 1918, the 11th Essex was involved in an attack by 6th Division. Starting from a position at the eastern edge of Holnon Wood, they were ordered to advance with the 1st West Yorks and establish a line east of Savy Wood - east of Holnon - Badge Copse. The battalion achived its objectives, as did the West Yorks, although the latter had to withdraw from some of the ground gained when an expected French attack did not materialise. This action was one of many localised affairs as the army approached the main Hindenburg Line in the St Quentin area.

Hope that helps.

 

[RobertS]

Thanks Chris Baker

I ordered up the war diary from the national archives site and this gives a rather unerving handwritten personal view by the officer reporting back. Although I have the account for the whole of that September it clearly assumes knowledge of the battleplan.

Your brief description has been very useful by just saying what they were up to.

Once again very many thanks