Battle of the Boar’s Head at Ferme du Bois, Near Richebourg, Northern France, 30th June, 1916.
The westward pointing salient in the German line,
Looked like a boar’s head, perhaps an ominous sign.
It had long ‘been a thorn in the side’ of the Brit
And our local commanders, wanted rid of it.
To fox the Hun for tomorrow’s ‘Battle of the Somme’,
Diversions were planned from where the true thrust would come.
The Royal Sussex Regiment was chosen to attack
And from three ‘Pals Battalions’, few were coming back.
Our artillery bombarded the German line and wire,
While our Sussex lads practiced being under fire.
The foe then erected signs, on their parapets –
“When are you coming over Tommy” – worse it gets.
The bombardment had acted as a ‘calling card’
And we were expected – the fighting would be hard.
They ‘went over the top’ at night, those Southdown braves
Through smoke screens, cutting wire, in grim, determined waves.
The Hun sent up a string of lights, then opened fire
And the blood of Sussex soldiers, mingled with French mire.
Bombing and bayoneting, they reached the first trench,
With white knuckles round their rifles, firmly clench.
The second line was captured and held for half an hour.
Counter attacks were repulsed, but things were turning sour.
Losses of men and ammo, forced us to withdraw.
Three hundred and sixty six men had been killed, what’s more.
Hundreds were wounded or captured – God! How they’d tried.
Veterans speak of a ‘Butcher’s Shop’ – ‘the day Sussex died’.
Our Commanders saw it as a successful ‘raid’;
But to fox the Hun! – Oh! what a price they all paid………..
Don Filliston MBE.
Aged 87 married, 2 children, 3 grandchildren, living in Storrington. No connection with this battle, but lost a great uncle in the WW1 trenches. My Dad’s cousin was only 18. An evacuee for 6 years in WW2, then served in the Royal Navy after the war. A Unilever manager for 35 years and have lived in Sussex for 46 years. Made an Honorary citizen of Storrington/Sullington after chairing the Sandgate Conservation Society for 20 years and awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Conservation in 2003. After retiring from the chair, took up poetry and write regularly for the West Sussex Gazette, who have published more than a hundred in the last few years.
