William Dickman

William Dickman enlisted at Mansfield on 18 August 1914. He joined the 9th (service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). After training at Belton near Grantham and Frensham, the battalion embarked for Gallipoli. It is likely that William was wounded during August 1915 and after returning to England for treatment, would have been posted to 1st battalion on the Western Front. At some point he was posted to the 2/5th battalion and on 14th April 1918 they were involved in the Battle of Bailleul, part of the German Spring offensive. The 2/5th, were ordered to move up on 13 April 1918 and fill a gap in the line. 'A' and 'B' companies successfully got into position at 11 am. On 14th at 7-30 am , the enemy commenced heavy shelling of the line and a report came that Neive-Eglise had been lost but this was regained. The 2/6th battalion sent a company to strengthen the 2/5ths right. At 1.pm, the enemy attacked but only with a small force, which was stopped by the battalions rifle and machine gun fire. The enemy also sent gas shells over causing casualties and at 4.30 pm, began a heavy artillery barrage once again. At 6 pm, the enemy captured Neuve-Eglise. By 8 pm, the two support companies got into position , passing through heavy shelling in getting into the line and suffering casualties. At 11.30 pm, orders were received to withdraw throughout the whole line to the support line, which became the front line. This difficult operation was carried out successfully, despite the difficulty of informing the front line troops. At some point during this desperate day William was killed. He has no know grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial Belgium.

John Morse notes 'The 1st Battalion was out of the line from 3 April 1918 for three weeks. 2/5th were in line near Kemmel. The men killed are on the Ploegsteert Memorial. He must have moved just prior to being killed, as SDGW has 1st Battalion.'