April 9, 1917

From.

M.O.

i/c 8th East Lancs Regiment

Sir,

April 9th. Aid Post marched with Battalion to West of ARRAS, later advanced with regiment to old British Front line, and thence to German second line trenches, up to this point the battalion suffered only two casualties. From here Aid Post advanced with Battalion which eventually occupied a line west of enemy third line system. During this advance, we for the first time came under machine gun fire and several casualties occurred. My bearer squad from 50th Field Ambulance was sent back to A.D.S. with one case. Aid Post eventually established in a shell hole about 60 yards behind battalion front, and runner sent back to inform A.D.S. of our position. We remained here during the night, and received several casualties from battalion. We were rejoined by bearer squad and runner. 

[9-12 April 1917 : Regiments of the 112th Brigade, 37th Division took part in the Battle Of Arras. Arthur was Medical Officer to the 8th East Lancashire Regiment which had orders to advance and capture Monchy-le-Preux, a village to the south east of Arras on the Cambrai road.]

[Description of the night of the 9th April, 1917:

The men fell back onto their starting position. Soon after dark, snow began to fall and a heavy carpet quickly covered the hardening ground. The temperature dropped below freezing and a savage blizzard lashed the troops as they huddled together for warmth. There was to be no sleep and some died from exhaustion and exposure. Many with frostbitten feet had to be evacuated from the line in the morning. An eyewitness who was out that night described it as the worst he ever experienced. 1.]

1. Barker, S. & Boardman, C., Lancashire’s Forgotten Heroes p.112 (The History Press: 2008)