Pr to G/8744 Cpl Herbert Sherringham 4th Middlesex, wounded in action 31 July 1917
Herbert Sherringham (Herbert William Sherringham according to one source) was born circa 1896. He stood 5' 8" tall and had a fair complexion, brown eyes and brown hair and by early 1915 was employed as a butcher.
He enlisted at Southend on 1 March 1915 aged around 19, filling out a Short Service Attestation to join the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment, where he was given the regimental number G/8744. He gave as his next of kin his father, William Sherringham, of Coventry, Victoria Rd, Southend On Sea.
He was posted almost immediately on to the 5th (Reserve) Battalion of the Middlesex at Rochester and later Chatham. After training, he was posted overseas in the rank of Corporal to join the 4th battalion, then serving with the 63rd Brigade, of the 21st Division, BEF, on 3 May 1916, probably as one of a draft of 112 men (50% of whom had been out at the front before) who joined the battalion in the line at Fricourt on 14 May. The main feature of this tour in the line appears to have been aerial activity and artillery fire exchanges and few casualties were sustained, although the War Diary confided that the weather was very hot and the glare from the trenches was trying. Cylinder gas attacks were also a concern, and earlier a note was made of officers of the battalion attending demonstrations of the Vermorel Sprayer and Ayrton Fan. On 23 May the battalion left the line for billeting and training (including wood fighting, bomb throwing and attacks on a facsimile trench) at La Neuville. The war diary comments how "these exercises are doing much to foster the offensive spirit in all ranks which is apt to deteriorate in this Trench Warfare which has lasted so long". Entries in June describe the provision of working parties and holding the line and comment upon the fitness of the battalion and their "eagerness to get to grips with the Enemy".
This approximate date of joining the battalion would have put him in line to take part with the battalion in the 63rd Brigade's attack on Fricourt on 1 July 1916, when the battalion's objective was Fricourt Farm. Owing to intense machine gun fire the leading platoon were driven back to their trenches upon first leaving at 7:25am and only after two mines had exploded at the Tambour were they able to leave again at 7:30am. Overrunning the German front line and support line the survivors of the leading Companies (less all but one of their officers) consolidated between the support line and sunken road, remaining attached to the 8th Lincolnshires (one of the support battalions) until brought back on the morning of 3 July. At the same time the supporting companies of the 4th Middlesex advanced and under machine gun fire the 100 or so survivors (4 officers and about 100 other ranks) consolidated the German front line and later in the morning formed a defensive flank towards Fricourt until, again, relieved on 3 July. On 4 July the battalion was withdrawn via Dernancourt and Vaux and on 7/8 July 1916 the brigade transferred to the 37th Division. With them it took part in a number of subsequent engagements of the Battle of the Somme, as well as following up the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917 and playing a role in the Battle of Arras in April and May 1917.
On the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres (Battle of Pilckem Ridge) the 4th Middlesex along with the 8th Lincolnshire in the 63rd Brigade were dedicated to a subsidiary action, attacking alongside the 19th Division in the area of Rifle Farm, in the south of the Salient, between Wytschaete and Hollebeke.
"During the advance on 31 July, 37th Division in IX Corps, Second Army were in the south of the Ypres salient. Assigned to carry out a subsidiary action to the main advance, at 03.50 two battalions of 63rd Infantry Brigade, 8th Lincolnshire Regiment and 4th Middlesex Regiment, supported by the Divisional Artillery attacked alongside 19th Division to capture positions at Bar Farm and May Farm, north of the Wambeke near Oosttaverne (Oosterverne).
Reverting back to 37th Division control for a subsequent advance at 07.50, 8th Lincolnshire Regiment and 8th Somerset Light Infantry captured July Farm and continued to support 4th Middlesex Regiment [this would have been "B", the Reserve Company] attacking May Farm. Counter-attacked at Rifle Farm during the evening, at 20.00, 8th East Lancashire Regiment came up in support to regain the position."
Whilst serving with 'A' Company of the 4th Middlesex, on 31 July 1917 Cpl Sherringham was wounded, suffering a compound fracture to his right arm and a slight through and through wound to his left thigh. The War Diary (noting that "the best evidence is still not available") describes this action as follows:
"The order of advance was:- "C" Company on the Right, "D" Company on the Left, "A" Company supporting "C" and "B" Company in reserve"
At zero hour the Battalion left the trenches and formed up "as on parade" parallel with the barrage. It was almost dark at this time. "C" Company had to fired-up on the east side of MAY FARM. As they passed over it, one German ran forward with his hands up and surrendered.
During the first advance of the barrage (up till Z plus 40) touch was at first lost with the Battalion on our left but was regained by a divergence of "D" Company to the left. At Z plus 40 the Battalion was on the objective "C" Company RIFLE FARM. "D" Company after a gap to the left - "A" Company behind RIFLE FARM. Its left platoon had its right on the northern enclosing hedge.
Up to this time touch was maintained with the company of 8th Lincolns, at JUNE and JULY FARMS."
The further advance was then described as follows: ""A" Company advanced to search BAB FARM. They found two German medical officers and eight other ranks. Almost at once a counter-attack came up, which they repelled, and stood their ground waiting for more, "C" Company moved forward from RIFLE FARM to support them. About two more counter-attacks were repelled by rifle-fire & rifle grenades.
At this time the two companies had machine gun fire playing on them from their left front, front, right front, and right. Finally a counter-attack came from their left front. The left was thrown back and extended to meet it. On it being repelled very few men were left, and they were taken to the left by CSM Worboys to join "D" Company." By this time "D" Company had taken BEE FARM and 40 prisoners, roughly half of whom fell under German fire, and fought off attacks from hostile bombers.
The War Diary resumes: "From about 9am, when the remnants of "A" and "D" [presumably a mistake for "C"] joined them ["D" Company] they were shelled heavily by 5.9" till about mid-day and suffered considerable casualties. Hostile rifle fire was also fairly active.
At about 12-30pm, from sounds of machine guns it appeared that the King's Own was being attacked.
At about 1-15pm a counter-attack appeared advancing on their front, and also around the left rear. The position was considered untenable by the Officer in Command who ordered a retirement fighting on our front shell-hole line. This was carried out covered by Lewis Gun fire. They retired into the front of the 19th Division having four privates of the Kings Own with them. No more of the 19th Division was seen and the line was held against a possible further advance."
Cpl Sherringham was one of 97 other ranks reported as wounded in this action, 15 other ranks being reported killed, 69 missing believed wounded, and 213 missing, believed killed. He was admitted that same day to No.53 Casualty Clearing Station and then passed down through the casualty evacuation chain via No.12 Ambulance Train to No.18 General Hospital, Camiers. From there he was sent home via 31st Ambulance Train (Trip No. 114. Convalescents for England), entraining on 6 August at Camieres and detraining at Le Havre to board HM Ambulance Transport Essequibo on 7 August 1917 for England. On arrival he was posted for records purposes to the regimental depot whilst he convalesced. He was recorded accordingly as Wounded on War Office Daily List No. 5360, Report Date 10/09/1917. He also featured under the heading 'ESSEX CASUALTIES' in the Chelmsford Chronicle for Friday 14 September 1917:
... -Cpl. W.. Romford: Cody, Cpl. F.. Hohhs, Sgt. C. Leyton: Kemp. Act,- Cpl. A.. Colchester; hayille. 'J., Leigh-on- Sea ; Sherringham, Cpl. H., Southend; rell, G., South Start. Cpl. A.jd fceyton; Webb. L.-Cpl. W Thetford. * B.l.R.รข€”Rusaill. J. W.. Walthamstow ...
In the meantime, the following describes the progress of the opening day of the battle:
"On the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres, General Gough and the British Fifth Army were tasked with securing Pilckem Ridge, the only high ground to the north east of Ypres.
A huge artillery bombardment followed by a creeping barrage opened the assault as British infantry advanced towards German lines. Great progress was made in the early hours of the battle, but as the day progressed the attack lost momentum, slowed by heavy rain and determined German counter-attacks.
With the offensive halted, the British infantry withdrew from their furthest forward positions, consolidated their gains and were able to repulse further enemy counter-attacks. Gains included the strategically important Pilckem Ridge, Bellewaarde Ridge and German observation posts on Gheluveld Plateau, but were less than half of those intended and cost nearly 32,000 casualties."
Cpl Sherringham was subsequently discharged, aged 21, from the Depot, Middlesex Regiment on 31 December 1917 owing to wounds after 2 years 307 days' service and permanently excluded from medical re-examination under the Military Service Act 1917. In January 1918 he was awarded Silver War Badge Number 221290 and (in August that year) a King's Certificate. Address was 2 Church Road, Southend-on-Sea. Character was given as Very Good. In consideration of a gun shot wound to the right forearm (resulting in a fractured ulna) and a slight thigh wound, he was pensioned at 30/- weekly, to be reviewed after 26 weeks. Subsequent address was 17 Hanover St, Regent Street London W.I. although by January 1921 he had returned to 2 Church Street, from where he acknowledged receipt of his British War and Victory Medals, in January and February of that year respectively.
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