Samuel Leonard Hartshorn

Samuel Leonard Hartshorn enlisted in Nottingham and died of wounds at No. 33 Casualty Clearing Station on 10th February 1917. Bethune Town Cemetery, Grave Reference: VI B 40

In the early hours of the 9th February 1917, British artillery and trench mortars opened fire on No Man's Land, battering down the German barbed wire. The barrage then rolled forward to the German front line. Other artillery pieces fired a protective smoke barrage. Dashing across No Man's Land just behind the barrage were 100 men from "C" Company. The Battalion's War Diary records that when they got across they found that 'part of the enemy front line could not be distinguished have been obliterated by our shells.The party remained a considerable time in the enemy's line and penetrated 200 yards and bombed or blew up 20 dug-out entrances. The enemy showed little disposition to fight. Eight prisoners were captured, including three wearers of the Iron Cross. They all belonged to the 26th Regiment (mainly Saxons).' Death notices published on 27th February 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- 'HARTSHORN. – Killed in action, February 9th [sic], Private Samuel Leonard Hartshorn, Sherwood Foresters, aged 20. – From mother and brother.' 'HARTSHORN. – Killed in action, February 9th, Private Samuel Leonard Hartshorn, Sherwood Foresters, aged 20. – From Emily and Horace.' Notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918