Arthur Hallam

Arthur Hallam, 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) enlisted in December 1915. He served with the 1st Battalion until his death on 4 March 1917. The battalion took part in an attack on the ridge south of St Pierre Vaast Wood. 'A' Company was attached to 1st Worcester's as 'Carriers'; 'B' Company to the 2nd Northampton, as 'Moppers up' and 'D' Company attached to 1st Worcester's as 'Moppers Up'; At 5.15 am the British barrage opened up but within 3 minutes the enemy began its counter barrage, almost before the men could move forward. One Platoon had 9 men hit by one shell but the remainder moved forward through the enemy fire into the front line trenches. The enemy had prepared a number of bombing (grenade) Posts in Pallas Trench and these needed to be neutralized. This took hand to hand fighting and the bravery of Private Ben Caunt who rushed the enemy, taking 7 prisoners (13791 Pte Ben Caunt was awarded a DCM for this action to add to the MM he had already won. He was killed on 31/7/1917). Other groups of men cleared dugouts. Whilst the two 'Mopping Up' companies went about their task, 'A' and 'B' companies were carrying ammunition and material from the original front line to Pallas Front and Support trenches crossing over No Man's Land continuously through enemy fire. By 6.15 am, all objectives had been taken and held, with the battalion's 'Mopper's Up' having cleared all of the new support trenches. The attack had been successful and the capture of the high ground made Aldershot Valley safe from enemy observation. Arthur was one of 47 men from the battalion killed that day.

Thiepval memorial