My great uncle Jack Walker served with the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers which recruited in London.
On this day 102 years ago the battalion was moved to Bernafay Wood near Guillemont which was at the southern end of the Somme battlefield. Bernafay was about one mile from the village where the Germans were putting up fierce resistance. British and Commonwealth troops mounted attack after attack – often following the same failed pattern. By now Guillemont was a shattered wreck where the Germans had constructed a network of hidden tunnels and fortified positions. Startled British troops would often fight their way into the “village” only to find hidden machine gun nests opening up behind them on ground they thought they’d cleared. Casualties on both sides were horrendous.
Taken from the War Diary of the 12th Battalion:
9.8.16
Location: Bernafay Wood.
Blazing hot day. Relieved 2nd South Staffords in Bernafay Wood. Enemy artillery very active on road outside H.Q. 2nd Lt E Walker wounded. Also Rgt SM Sabey
Casualties: Wounded: 1 officer. 10 OR (Other ranks)
I assume Rgt Sgt Major Sabey never recovered because a Sgt Percy George Sabey from the 12th Battalion Royal Fusiliers died four months later on 20th December. He is buried in Islington Cemetery.
His infant son was also to be a casualty of war 29 years later, killed while serving in Italy in August 1945.
Ramblings of a Walker 