John William's Story.
John William Boardman was born in Altrincham on the 26 August 1894, one of three children born to Edward (an ironmonger) and Edith Boardman of 7, Broom Road, Hale. John became an apprentice brass finisher.
He enlisted in the army at Hale Recruiting Office, becoming Private no. 240329 in the 1/5th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. He arrived in France on the 14 February 1915.
John was killed in action on the 1 July 1916.
An appendix to the War Diary states:
‘The attack commenced at 7.30a.m. when the 1st wave of infantry stormed the German positions
“A” Coy went over by platoons in the 3rd wave behind the L.R.B., Q.W.R. and Q.V.R. 2/Lt. E.I. Andrews was wounded before reaching the German first line but went on. Work commenced upon the strongpoint running through EMS to the CEMETERY,
Some numbers of the 5th Cheshire’s, passing along ECK accidentally dropped a bomb which exploded and seriously wounded Lt. P.B. Bass.
Owing to intense bombing by the Germans, many casualties were inflicted on the Company which had to eventually withdraw from the enemy’s position about 8p.m. No platoon commander returned with the Company.
“C” Coy. of this unit awaited orders all day in the reserve trenches. One platoon under Lt. H.R. Leigh was ordered to re-inforce the London Scottish but when it reached the German wire, this order was countermanded and the platoon returned to the remainder of the Company. Lt. Leigh was badly wounded in the arm.
The work of “B” Coy. in the attack was as follows:-
2/Lt. F.A. Davies went over in front of his platoon but was killed by machine gun fire as soon as he entered no man’s land. The leading men were also killed or wounded and the reminder of the platoon was held up.
2/Lt. W.F. Smith was ordered to go over behind the 3rd London Regiment, which was in reserve. This battalion was not called upon to go over, so that 2/Lt W.F. Smith with his platoon remained all day in our own trenches.
2/Lt. H.W. Glendenning preceded with his platoon to the barricades on the HEBUTERNE-BUCQUCY Road, succeeded in removing one barricade, but was unable to carry on owing to heavy casualties. The barricades in question were in the German barrage fire, which was very intense. Several attempts were made to carry on but the barrage was too intense to work under and the work had to be abandoned.
2/Lt. J.D. Salmon succeeded in blowing up the barricade on the HEBUTERNE-GOMMECOURT Road with gun cotton charges and bridged all trenches to the front line, thus satisfactorily performing the task allotted to him.
Casualties – Killed – 1 Officer 12 OR
Wounded 3 officers 84 OR
Missing 2 Officers 75 OR
Later died of wounds 6 Officers 172 OR.
John was killed in action on the 1 July 1916.
An appendix to the War Diary states:
‘The attack commenced at 7.30a.m. when the 1st wave of infantry stormed the German positions
“A” Coy went over by platoons in the 3rd wave behind the L.R.B., Q.W.R. and Q.V.R. 2/Lt. E.I. Andrews was wounded before reaching the German first line but went on. Work commenced upon the strongpoint running through EMS to the CEMETERY,
Some numbers of the 5th Cheshire’s, passing along ECK accidentally dropped a bomb which exploded and seriously wounded Lt. P.B. Bass.
Owing to intense bombing by the Germans, many casualties were inflicted on the Company which had to eventually withdraw from the enemy’s position about 8p.m. No platoon commander returned with the Company.
“C” Coy. of this unit awaited orders all day in the reserve trenches. One platoon under Lt. H.R. Leigh was ordered to re-inforce the London Scottish but when it reached the German wire, this order was countermanded and the platoon returned to the remainder of the Company. Lt. Leigh was badly wounded in the arm.
The work of “B” Coy. in the attack was as follows:-
2/Lt. F.A. Davies went over in front of his platoon but was killed by machine gun fire as soon as he entered no man’s land. The leading men were also killed or wounded and the reminder of the platoon was held up.
2/Lt. W.F. Smith was ordered to go over behind the 3rd London Regiment, which was in reserve. This battalion was not called upon to go over, so that 2/Lt W.F. Smith with his platoon remained all day in our own trenches.
2/Lt. H.W. Glendenning preceded with his platoon to the barricades on the HEBUTERNE-BUCQUCY Road, succeeded in removing one barricade, but was unable to carry on owing to heavy casualties. The barricades in question were in the German barrage fire, which was very intense. Several attempts were made to carry on but the barrage was too intense to work under and the work had to be abandoned.
2/Lt. J.D. Salmon succeeded in blowing up the barricade on the HEBUTERNE-GOMMECOURT Road with gun cotton charges and bridged all trenches to the front line, thus satisfactorily performing the task allotted to him.
Casualties – Killed – 1 Officer 12 OR
Wounded 3 officers 84 OR
Missing 2 Officers 75 OR
Later died of wounds 6 Officers 172 OR.