| Regiment | 1st Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, LE PREOL |
| Entry | Battn in billets. Minor operations were carried out by the Brigade in which B company of the battalion took part.: The objective was a portion of the German trenches known as the DUCK'S BILL, and the operations directed against it were for the purpose of ascertaining if any "mining" was taking place towards our line. The Battn supplied a storming party of 1 officer and 30 NCO's and men - 1 officer and 20 men in immediate support, and 1 officer with two platoons as local reserve. These parties were respectively commanded by Lt EEN BURNEY, 2/Lt EN GETTING, and Capt LW BIRD. A similar party was furnished by the 1st Btn South Staffordshire Regt, and there was a demolition and blocking party consisting of 3 officers and 32 NCO's and men of the East Anglian Royal Engineers (TF). Capt CG Hill DSO was in command of the operations. At 4.50pm the storming, demolition and blocking parties with their supports were moved to both flanks of our trenches in order to clear a space for the artillery bombardment of the DUCKS BILL: This bombardment was carried out by the 17th Battery RFA 47 howitzers and 1st Siege Battery RGA. It commenced at 5pm. At 5.15pm the storming, demolition and blocking parties with supports moved from positions on flanks to that portion of our trench from which the assault was to be launched. At 5.20pm the artillery lengthened their range and the order to assault was given:- Lieut EN Burney led his storming party with great gallantry and reached the German trench with few casualties - our men went along the German trenches shooting bombing and bayonetting - Lieut EN Burney was badly wounded in the right arm during the operations: Sgt BURGESS though wounded in the face assumed command of the party:- The officer of the Royal Engineers in command of the demolition party reported that he could find no trace of German mines, and at 5.40pm the signal to retire was given by the firing of red rockets and Very pistols from our trenches. Our casualties were 5 NCO's and men killed and 1 officer and 5 NCO's and men wounded, mostly caused by enfilade fire from both flanks. The withdrawal of the storming, demolition and blocking parties was completed and the trenches re-occupied by the original bodies, namely the Kings (Liverpool) and S. Staffs Regiments by 7pm. Brigadier General R Fanshawe Commnd 6th Infantry Brigade expressed himself entirely satisfied with the result of the operations, and desired that his remarks should be conveyed to the Battns concerned: Where all concerned behaved with such great valour it was difficult to select Officers, NCO's and men for special recommendation but the following were made: Names of Officers, NCO's and men recommended for Distinguished Conduct during operations on 20.2.15: Lt E. N. Burney for gallantry. Leading of Storming Party. No 8070 Act Sgt E Burgess "B" Coy. Took command of Party when Lt Burney was wounded and although wounded himself stayed behind and collected a few men to cover retirement of main party. He was the last of his party to leave the German trenches. No 7265 Pte J Penney "B" Coy. Carried Lt Burney, who had been wounded, from German trenches to our own under great difficulties and very heavy shell and rifle fire. Specially mentioned by Lt Langley, Royal Engineers. [Margin notes added later] Sgt E Burgess granted DCM 3.3.15 Pte J Penney granted DCM 3.3.15 |
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