Monchy le Preux. 7 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. May 1917.
At the beginning on May the 7 Bn KSLI had played their part in Third Battle of The Scarpe. 8 Brigade, including 7 Bn KSLI, had been detailed to attack Bois des Vert near Monchy le Preux. The KSLI were to be in support to the 2 Bn Royal Scots. The attack had started at 4.45am on 2 May but was soon held up by heavy machine gun fire and progress was halted, No further advance was possible and by 8.00am the 7 Bn KSLI found themselves digging in and consolidating the ground that had been gained. They remained in the front line until 7 May when they were relieved by 1/12 London Regiment and went back to Arras. Casualties for this period were – officers 2 KIA and 3 wounded and ORs 7 KIA, 34 wounded and 57 missing.
On 10 May they returned to the front relieving 2 Suffolk Regiment in the defences of Monchy. On 11 and 12 May a renewed assault was commenced to capture Tool Trench, Cavalry Farm and Devil’s trench. The battalion were not involved in the action but suffered casualties due to the enemy counter bombardments – casualties for 11-13 May were ORs 3 KIA and 21 Wounded. The battalion was relieved on 14 May and moved back to Tilloy and then by motor buses to Berneville.
GOOGLE MAPS – satellite view, centres on Bois des Vert, Monchy.
7 Bn KSLI, Monchy, 1-14 May 1917. (National Archives)
References and Sources WAR DIARY 7 Bn KSLI and History KSLI
B&O 1917. Arras. 3 Scarpe. Monchy. 7 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 1-14 May & June1917.
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