Prescot Roll of Honour

Service Details

Brother of Henry Norris, also had a younger brother, Richard, killed in the Second World War

The 89th Brigade, which included the 17th, 19th and 20 battalions of the King's, returned to the trenches in the third week of June, although the 20th Battalion did not move into the forward trenches until the 23rd, the day before the opening barrage of the forthcoming battle of the Somme.

Several battalions of the King's (Liverpool Regiment) were involved in the first attack on Guillemont in the Somme campaign. This attack took place on the 23rd July but failed. Another attempt was ordered for the 24th, but was then cancelled for a further 48 hours as the French troops involved had not moved up in readiness. Attacks planned for 26th and 28th were also postponed for the same reason, but the next attack was ordered to take place on 30th July.

The 89th Brigade included the 17th, 19th and 20th Battalions of the King's. For the assault on Guillemont, the 20th were to attack on the right and the 19th on the left. The 17th were to be in support in the trenches running from Trones Wood, with the Bedfordshire Regiment in overall support.

Zero hour was 4.45 a.m. on 30th July 1916.

The battalion diary states "At 4.45 a.m. prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about six o'clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards away. This being so it was not surprising to find that he attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection."

At 6 a.m., Lt Melley of No 1 Company reported that he had gained the German Maltz Horn Trench. Shortly after, 2/Lt. Moore reported that he had 150 men with him but he was the only officer remaining. Both his flanks were "in the air". At 9.10, the same officer reported that he now only had 75 men. He had sent two patrols in front but neither had returned.

Just after 10 a.m. 2/Lt. Musker reported that he had just over a company under his command but that the Germans were enfilading his left flank with machine-gun fire. At 11.30, the same officer reported that the machine-gun fire had caused over 30 casualties. All efforts to contact the party failed, all runners sent from battalion HQ being either killed or wounded. No further information was received by Musker's party until its remnants were brought back by Lt. Worsley at about 9.30 p.m.

The total casualties in the battle for the 20th King's were 16 officers and 357 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. Amongst these was Private Norris. His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

William Norris's Medal Index Card

William Norris inscrption on the Thiepval Memorial
Picture taken Monday 21/02/1011