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First World War 1916

WREXHAM & EAST DENBIGHSHIRE TELEGRAPH

1916

POEM FROM THE TRENCHES

The following poem has been written by Pte. Albert Jones of Coedpoeth, at the front:

‘Sing Me To Sleep’

Sing me to sleep where the bullets fall,
Let me forget the world and all;
Damp is my dug-out, cold are my feet;
Nothing but “bully” and biscuits to eat.

Sing me to sleep in some old shed –
A dozen rat-holes around my head –
Stretched out upon my waterproof
Dodging the raindrops that fall from the roof.

Far, far from Ypres, I long to be,
Where German snipers can’t “pot” at me;
Think of me crouching where worms do creep;
Waiting the sergeant to sing me to sleep.

Pte. Albert Jones (Y Golchwr)
2nd. Batt., R.W.F., Somewhere in France.

(Wrexham Advertiser, January 29th 1916)

First World War recruitment poster. WCBM 84.50.10

D.C.M. FOR BERSHAM SOLDIER

Lance-Corporal Joseph Evans Roberts, of the London Regiment, and son of Mr Isaac Roberts, Bersham, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Some time ago we published a stirring story of his rescue of an officer while under fire, and his bravery has now been recognised.

(Wrexham Advertiser, June 10th 1916)

GALLANT WELSH FUSILIERS

BRILLIANT GIVENCHY COUNTER ATTACK

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers taught the enemy a wholesome lesson the day before yesterday. The official communiqué of that date speaks of it as a ‘very gallant and successful affair’.

The scene of the affair was the Givenchy Hill. The enemy attacked in three columns abreast, after the usual heavy bombardment. However, quite undemoralised, the Welshmen were waiting for them and there then seems to have followed some really great hand-to-hand fighting. The Germans as is their way on such occasions were armed with bludgeons, daggers and pistols. Our men had their bayonets and rifles. In their hands the regulation weapons displayed their superiority. In 15 minutes from the time the Germans had reached our front line, they had been thrown back again and were caught by machine gun and artillery fire as they went.

(Wrexham Advertiser, July 1st 1916)

A BROUGHTON HERO

WOUNDED TWICE BUT CONTINUED FIGHTING

How a Broughton soldier met his death in the present great push provides a stirring narrative of British pluck and bravery. The hero concerned was Pte. Hywel Price, of the R.W.F., and a native of Bwlchgwyn.

Pte. Price was wounded, but after having his wound dressed, he returned to the trench. He was again wounded, and stubbornly refused to be conveyed to safety, he again returned to the fray. The third time, however, he was fatally wounded, and died in a short time. The deceased soldier was recommended for gallantry.

(Wrexham Advertiser, August 5th 1916)

First World War silk postcard. WCBM 85.270.26

WARS TOLL

BRITISH LOSSES ON ALL FRONTS

In a written answer in Friday’s Parliamentary debates, the Prime Minister supplied the following figures for total casualties in all fields of operations up to December 9th.

Officers and Other Ranks:

Killed - 119,923
Wounded - 338,758
Missing - 69,546
Total British Casualties - 528,227

(Wrexham Advertiser, January 1st 1916)

Editorial

Britain’s big plan to defeat Germany by Christmas 1916 ground to a halt in the Battle of the Somme. The battle lasted from July to November 1916. The British suffered 400,000 casualties and advanced only eight miles.

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