On 28 July 1/5 KOYLI took part in a small scale attack to extend the British foothold in the Leipzig Salient. The battalion had recently returned to the front line trenches, following a period of rest after the costly battles around north of Thiepval on 4-5 July. #KOYLI #FWWGoole

Ominously these trenches had already been attacked a few days earlier without success, firstly by 1/4 York & Lancs and then 1/4 KOYLI, the latter resulting in over 60 casualties. Men from 1/5 KOYLI had even been called up in support following an immediate German counter attack.

One of those killed with 1/4 KOYLI was 2/Lt Allan Mountain who had worked as a clerk at Barclay’s Bank in Goole before the war. Wounded during the attack, he had to be left behind in the enemy trenches and later died of his wounds.

However, the position was a valuable one as it offered excellent views over the German rear area and up towards the Pozieres Ridge. Regardless of previous failed attempts, the 1/5 KOYLI were ordered to make another attack.

In spite of a heavy German mortar barrage that had hit the KOYLI’s trenches that night, at 8am on 28 July men from B Company went over the top attacking towards Hindenburg Trench.

As with the previous attack, the troops were met with heavy fire in front and from the communication trenches on their flanks. Remarkably, two bombing parties were successful in getting into the German trenches but were unable to hold on following a strong German counter attack.

Following a heavy artillery bombardment of the British positions in the Leipzig Salient, as well as the KOYLI withdrawal, came the inevitable German counter attack. However, this was driven off by accurate fire from the battalion’s Lewis gun teams.

The KOYLI attack had been another failure and the battalion had suffered 10 killed and 49 wounded. This was a serious loss when considering that this loss was borne mostly by the one attacking company.

Among the dead was Charles Wilson, a pre-war territorial who had stayed in England before coming out to France in the summer of 1915. His brother Fred had fought in this sector with 2/KOYLI on 1st July and would himself be killed in April 1917.

Richard Ramskill, from Goole, was also killed and had been with the battalion for only three weeks, having arrived with a draft of reinforcements.

2/Lt Arthur Baker, coming from the ranks of the Canadian Mounted Rifles, had only been with the battalion since June before being killed, aged 40. He had served as a volunteer in the Artists Rifles, took part in the Zulu Campaign of 1906 and served in South Africa (1903-11).

Others were luckier. One of those who managed to get into the German trenches was Sgt John Knight before being wounded in the thigh and hand by a grenade. In spite of his wounds he made it back to the British trenches, as did Pte. T Foster, from Reedness.