12th btn middlesex regiment

[yekepa]

Does anyone know where the 12th Btn Middlesex Regiment were on 3rd May 1917.  This is the date my Uncle aged 19 was killed.
Thank you
Yekepa

[rosie17]

Do you have a name for your Uncle which would make it easier to find out where he died

[newburychap]

3 May 1917 was a big day for the 12th Middlesex - they were part of a divisional assault on German positions near Cherisy, SE of Arras (part of the Battle of Arras).  The 18th Division captured Cherisy but could only hold it for a matter of hours.

The battalion war diary (wo 95/2044/1) is available on the National Archives website (£3.36) - it has four pages on the day.  Casualties amongst other ranks: 19 killed, 111 wounded, 173 missing - your chap had plenty of company.

[newburychap]

The 12 Middlesex diary doesn't have any maps from the assault (diaries quite often do), so I looked for the other assaulting battalions from 54 Brigade (7 Bedfords & 11 Royal Fusiliers) - I don't have the 7 Beds diary, and the 11 RF doesn't have maps, another good account though.  The 6th Northamptons followed up later in the day, again no maps

But I did find a brigade history online   It has a chapter on Cherisy (pp96-104).

[yekepa]

Newburychap
Thank you so much, lots for me to check out.
Y

[yekepa]

Newburychap
Followed up your info on war diaries, bought them, it has given me a good insight into "the day"
thanks again
Y.