Harold Hazzledine

Harold Hazzledine enlisted in August 1914 and after training was one of a draft of 116 other ranks sent to 1st battalion on 19 March 1915 to make up for losses sustained during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. On 5 July 1916, after the horrendous losses of 1st day of the Somme, the battalion were tasked with attacking to straighten the front line near La Boiselle. All was chaos and elements of 57th brigade occupied the trenches and dugouts. Adding to this ration and working parties were also attempting to get through. The original jump off time of 2pm was put back to 2.15pm, and the CO found that the reserve had arrived and commenced going over the top, At 2.50 pm the centre column advanced but were held up by a block of earth some 12 feet high and after costly attempts to overcome the obstacle, had to give ground, The Right column advanced, gained its objective but was driven back by enemy bombs, The Left column was held up from the start. Fighting at close quarters continued for several hours but by 7 pm it became clear that all but 'D' company had been driven back. 'D' company attacked 5 times and eventually won and consolidated their trench. At 9 pm, 'D' Company had to be withdrawn as it was in danger of being cut off and all companies were in practically the original front line. 'A' Company suffered heavy casualties. 'B' and 'C' made three attacks but were forced back by superior numbers and bombs. At 2 pm the enemy counter attacked but this failed. After the battle it was found that a regiment of the Prussian Guards Division had been brought up to counter-attack and retake La Boiselle. This attack coincided with the 1st battalion's. The battalion had stopped the finest regiment in the German army, with superior numbers, retaking La Boiselle. The battalion had some 60 men killed on the day, with a large number wounded and missing. Harold is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

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