Guy Kenyon's Story.
Guy Kenyon Pierson was born in Knutsford, one of five children born to Charles (a land agent) and Betsy Pierson who moved to The Mount, Altrincham. On marrying Edith Alice he moved to 'Ingleside', Mobberley.
He enlisted in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers as private no SPTS/4228.
Guy was killed in action on the 7th July 1916.
On that fateful day:
The war diary for the above date states:
˜7.7.16 IN FRONT OVILLERS
4.30 am
Our bombardment commenced and became intense at 5.30 am at which time the Company took up its position in the front line ready for the assault. A Coy on the left D on the right were to form the first line and to be followed immediately by B + C Coys respectively. The enemy retaliated almost immediately as soon as our bombardment commenced + our trenches were shelled by guns of big calibre. There were no dug-outs available and our casualties were very heavy. C Coy suffered most heavily, being reduced to about 40. It was then decided that C Coy should go over with D. At 8.30 am, the time for the assault A and D with the remnants of C left our trenches.
A Coy was decimated by M.G. fire and the same fate met 2 platoons of B which followed. The remaining platoon of B were ordered to remain in the trench as it was seen to be useless to send them across at the same place. D + C on the left were more successful + although greatly weakened managed to reach the German trench which they carried by assault.
The Enemys fire and support trenches were captured and consolidated. Two M.G. were put out of action + 50 prisoners were captured.
Continual bombing attacks were beaten off with loss to the Enemy.
About 5.30 pm the remaining platoons of B Coy managed to get across and brought with them a large supply of bombs. It was raining heavily during the day. In the morning we bombed along the trench on our left flank and gained about 90 yards. We handed this over to the 9th Essex (35th Bde) which had arrived.
During the day the Enemy shelled us rather heavily.
7 PM
Trench taken over by 2nd Batt Manchester Regiment. The Batt was met by cookers at CRUCIFIX CORNER where they had tea.'
The war diary makes no mention of the number of casualties but as you can see from the above diary extract they must have been considerable.
Researched and compiled by Tony Davies