100 Days.
Somme. Morval. 14 Bn Welsh Regiment. 30 August 1918.
During August 1918 the 14 Bn Welsh Regiment were engaged in the fighting on the Somme in the area around High and Delville Woods. They received orders to attack Morval. On 28 August they moved into High Wood and then during the afternoon of the next day moved to Guinchy. Early on the 30 August they moved to their start line along a sunken road (Map) to the west of Morval. The attack went over at dawn. At first the attack progressed well but as they approached the village they were met with heavy machine gun fire. Unable to progress further they quickly formed a defensive line to the north of the village and facing south east (Map A). At about 8.15am Captain RR Williams, C/O of D Coy sent the message below back to battalion HQ. There were heavy casualties, particularly among the officers, one of whom was Charles Hughes.
Second Lieutenant Charles H Hughes, 14 Bn Welsh Regiment KIA 30 August 1918, Morval British Cemetery
GOOGLE MAPS – Satellite view centres on Morval.
Transcript:
To: O/C 14 Bn Welsh Rgt. – The enemy is putting up resistance immediately in front of the village, about 100 yards in front of us, chiefly MGs. We are holding on and watching our flanks. RR Williams. Capt. O/C D Coy.
14 Bn Welsh Regiment. Morval. 30 August 1918. (National Archives)
References and Sources WAR DIARY14 Bn Welsh Regiment
B&O 1918. 100 Days. Somme. Morval. 14 Bn Welsh Regiment. 30 August 1918.
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