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Seeing as tomorrow will probably (rightly) be swamped with British 1st July '16 stories, I thought I'd sneak this thread in today!
Another tag I obtained at the same time as the 'Mametz '14' disc (see other thread). Rather aptly for the date, this one has a #Somme 1st July link.
Another tag I obtained at the same time as the 'Mametz '14' disc (see other thread). Rather aptly for the date, this one has a #Somme 1st July link.
A farmer in his civilian life, Lucien Joseph Roux was born on 25 Sept 1896 at Neuvéglise (Cantal)...
...Due to wartime necessities, his compulsory military service was brought forward, and he was incorporated into the 86e régiment d’infanterie at Aurillac on 9 April 1915 before completing his training with them at Caserne Romeuf, Le Puy...
...Transferred to the 38e régiment d’infanterie upon completion of training, he joined his new regiment while they were out of the line at Crèvecœur-le-Petit, Oise on 4 December 1915...
The following weeks saw Lucien experience his first front line service in the relatively quiet sector of the Dancourt salient, but, on 21 February 1916, the Germans launched their offensive at Verdun necessitating rapid reinforcement of this sector.
Consequently, on 23 February, the 38e entrained at Montdidier for the Verdun front.
During 14 days of continuous action, the 38e resisted German assaults & endured bombardments in the sectors of Eix, Tavannes & Vaux (earning a divisional citation on 10 March at Fort de Vaux) …
During 14 days of continuous action, the 38e resisted German assaults & endured bombardments in the sectors of Eix, Tavannes & Vaux (earning a divisional citation on 10 March at Fort de Vaux) …
… before being relieved on 15 March and moving to St Dizier and Verberie for rest and refit.
During this period of rest, on 25 April, Lucien was transferred to 26e régiment d’infanterie (which had recent similar experiences to the 38e - not only at Verdun, but also in the Champagne in Sept & Oct 1915 & was in even more dire need of reinforcement).
He arrived at his new regiment en-route, & in training, for the Somme on 25 April 1916.
Relieving the British 30th Division from the occupation of the frontline immediately north of the River Somme from 1 June, Lucien entered the line to the east of Maricourt on 5 June,…
Relieving the British 30th Division from the occupation of the frontline immediately north of the River Somme from 1 June, Lucien entered the line to the east of Maricourt on 5 June,…
…intermittently holding the front (and engaging in much defensive work and reconnaissance patrolling) until 23 June.
Returning to the line on 28/29 June, patrol activity into the German front line increased and numerous prisoners were taken for intelligence purposes (though not without cost – 29 men were killed and 13 wounded during patrols and trench holding on 29/30 June).
The night of 30 June – 1 July saw an advancement of shallow trenches into ‘No-Man’s Land’ from which to springboard the attack in a few hours’ time.
2 hours before ‘H Hour’, the lines were filled with attackers as the bombardment of the German lines reached a crescendo
2 hours before ‘H Hour’, the lines were filled with attackers as the bombardment of the German lines reached a crescendo
… then, at 7:28am, the guns switched to range on specific target points immediately prior to the whistles blowing & the orders to “Advance! Aller le feu!” were shouted along the line.
The first objective of ‘Tranchées des Marteaux’ & ‘Kitchener’ were easily taken with relatively little resistance before moving on to the next objectives of ‘Tranchées du Rabot’ & ‘de la Varlope’
More resistance was encountered in the capture of Boyeau de Poinçons &, especially, in bois de l’Endurance (‘Support Copse’ to the British), but, with the aid of supporting artillery, this was short lived. By the end of 1 July, all objectives had been taken.
229 prisoners (incl 4 officers) were captured & casualties were light at 35 dead & 199 wounded (actually quite heavy in comparison to the regiment immediately to their south, the 69e RI which suffered a total of 15 combat casualties on 1 July – all wounded (no fatalities) …
…a pretty unique situation for this day!). Lucien, however, was one of the 199 wounded after being hit in the area of strongest resistance that day, bois de l’Endurance.
Though there is no record of exactly what his wounds were, it would appear that they were enough to end his active military service.
Though remaining (on paper) with the 26e RI until discharge in August 1919, there is no further record of service other than mention of ‘cardiac palpitations aggravated through service’ that prevented him from fulfilling his reserve and territorial commitment post-war.
He received a regimental ‘mention in dispatches’ in June 1917 (linked to his 1916 service) stating that he was “an excellent soldier, full of enthusiasm & dedication, who had shown great courage & energy in all circumstances”.
He died, aged 42, in July 1939.
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He died, aged 42, in July 1939.
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