WW1 Casualty: Serjeant 12168 Wilfred Hyde - Serjeant 12168 Wilfred Hyde
| Unit/Regiment |
6th Bn., King's Own Scottish Borderers |
| Date of Death |
14/07/1916 |
Age at Death |
23 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Thiepval Memorial
Pier and Face 4A and 4D |
| CWGC Family Details (if shown) |
Son of Mr. W. H. and Mrs. C. Hyde, of 31, Columbia Rd., Prescot, Lancs. |
| Census Details |
1901 Census -
William Hyde (31, a Pipe Fitter) and his wife Clara (30), lived at 14 Crosshouse (?) Terrace, Helsby, with their children Jessie (9), Wilfred (7), Edward (5) and Elizabeth (3). Although William and Clara were both from the Manchester area, their 3 eldest children are all recorded as being born in Scotland.
The 1911 census had listed the family at 31, Columbia Road, Prescot, comprising parents William H (42) and Clara (40), with children Jessie (19), Wilfred (18), Edward (15), Elizabeth (13), Clara (10) and Ethel (5). |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Edinburgh |
| Enlisted |
Warrington, Lancs |
| Resided |
Preston |
| How Died |
Killed In Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Research Ref. No. |
P163 |
Service Details
The Hyde family listing in the 1914 Electoral Roll
In the first few days of the Somme offensive of July 1916, the 6th Battalion, King's own Scottish Borderers were in support of the front line and spent much of their time providing carrying parties (ammunition and supplies) in support of the remainder of the Divisions at Montauban Wood.
The Battalion diary records that on the night of 30th June/1st July, the battalion paraded as late as 11:10 p.m. at the cross roads at GROVETOWN then marched to TRIGGER WOOD VALLEY, all arriving by 12:45 a.m.
It reported the men as being in splendid condition and very keen to be involved in the forthcoming actions, going on to say, 'Bombardment all night by us, very intensive from 5:00 to 7:30 a.m. Our infantry attacked on large front at 7:30 a.m. At 12 noon, objective reported taken in immediate front, MONTAUBAN. Weather splendid, Wind S.W.'
'D' Company went out at on carrying duty at 7:15 p.m. and only returned at 5:30 a.m. on the 2nd July. They had been carrying Royal Engineer's stores to LOOP TRENCH for the Essex Battalion of the 53rd Brigade. 'A' Company went out at 11:50 p.m. on the 1st, returning at 6:30 a.m. on the 2nd, carrying stores to the forward dump of the 54th Brigade at POMMIERS REDOUBT.
On the 2nd, the diary reports that the battalion was ready to move out at short notice, but stayed in place for most of the day until they left TRIGGER WOOD VALLEY at 9:15 p.m. for TRAIN ALLEY, arriving there at 5:15 a.m. on the morning of 3rd July. Here they formed working parties, presumably repairing and reinforcing trench positions.
At 7:00 p.m. they battalion received Operational Orders to attack BERNAFAY WOOD. They formed up immediately and the attack commenced at 9:00 p.m. accompanied by the 12th Battalion of the Royal Scots. The attack was successful and the wood was taken, with 2 machine guns being captured and 11 prisoners taken, 5 casualties being incurred.
Almost immediately, a very heavy enemy bombardment of the newly captured positions began and this continued all night. Headquarters for the battalion was established in a shell hole in the South Western end of the wood and consolidation of the positions was undertaken.
The intense enemy bombardment continued into the 4th July and Headquarters was moved to CHIMNEY TRENCH.
Casualties were reported as 2 officers killed, 2 wounded and 2 more suffering from shell shock. 'Other Rank' casualties for the day are simply reported as 130, without any indication of how many were killed and how many wounded.
The bombardment continued throughout the following days, with a steady stream of casualties in officers and also Other Ranks. On 7th July, it was reported that Headquarters had been moved to a German dugout in BERNAFAY WOOD. One officer and 40 OR casualties were incurred, and 'C' company was sent back to TALUS BOIS for rest.
At 8:00 a.m. the following day (8th July), TRONES WOOD was attacked by the Yorkshire Regiment, who passed through the KOSB lines in BERNAFAY WOOD en route. The southern end of the wood was initially taken but then lost in a German counter attack. The Wilstshire Regiment then joined in the assault and the wood was finally taken and held at 10:30 a.m.
The 6th Battalion of the KOSB assisted in this attack by sending forward Lewis gunners and snipers. As a result of these offensives, the enemy bombardment of BERNAFAY WOOD became even more intense. 'B' Company were relieved by a company of South Africans and marched back to rest at the south end of BILLON WOOD. HQ were also relieved, and 'C' Company rejoined the battalion. 'A' and 'D' companies were now left under the command of the South Africans. Casualties for this day were 1 officer wounded and 70 other ranks killed or wounded.
On the 9th, the remaining companies of the battalion in the front line were relieved and a call was taken south of BILLON WOOD. 16 officers and 300 other ranks failed to answer the call.
The 10th to 12th July were spent in reorganising, cleaning up and resting.
On 13th, the battalion received orders to be ready to move out that night to take part in an attack on the German second line trench system. The attack was to be led by the South Africans and again the 6th KOSB were to act as carrying partiers in support of the main offensive. The battalion left BILLON WOOD at 9:00 p.m., 'A' and 'B' Companies to BRESLAU TRENCH while 'C' and 'D' Companies went to the quarry in CATERPILLAR VALLEY and then moved on to the Brigade dump.
The attack on the German second line from BAZENTIN-LE-GRANDE to LONGUEVAL commenced at 3:25 a.m. on the 14th July, preceded as usual by an intense artillery bombardment. After hard fighting, the line was taken with 8 other ranks being reported as killed in action.
Among these was Serjeant Wilfred Hyde. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Prescot Reporter, 04/08/1916
"The official news has been received that Sergeant Wilfred Hyde has been killed in action in France. The deceased was 23 years of age and the son of Mr. William Henry Hyde of 21, Columbia Road, Prescot. He was attached to the King's Own Scottish Borderers and had been in France for 18 months. He had taken part in many engagements and was among the wounded at Loos in September last. Death was caused by a shot through the head.
Before the joined the army, about a week after the outbreak of war, he was a steward on board the 'Arabic'. He comes of a fighting family, for his father is now with the British Expeditionary Force in the Mediterranean and his brother George Edward is a Sergeant in the deceased's old regiment."
Wilfred's father was William H Hyde and his brother was Edward Hyde
William Hyde's entry in the Register of Soldiers Effects
Sergeant Hyde's Medal Index Card confirming his arrival into France on 12th May 1915, entitling him to the 1914-1915 Star.
The Medal Rolls entries for William Hyde
Wilfred Hyde's inscription on the Thiepval Memorial
Picture taken on Monday 21/02/1011.
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