Ovillers-la-Boisselle in Somme, Upper France, France — Western Europe
Pte. 1216 Charles R. Frankish
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
1. Pte. 1216 Charles R. Frankish Marker
10th Lincolns (Grimsby Chums)
Each year, during the annual Lochnagar Remembrance Ceremony Roger Frankish, a stalwart Friend of Lochnagar has placed a wreath to his father who was wounded at the Crater on 1st July. Roger has written a superb book on the experiences of the men of his village, called 'The Barnetby Boys'. Here is part of his father's account.
"It seemed a long wait until 7.28am when the mine went up. I remember the ground shaking like a jelly. We had been told that the advance would be a walk- over, as the trenches had been destroyed and most of the troops killed but we knew this was not true, as several times before the attack we had shown our dummy troops over the parapet, (tunics filled with straw and wearing gas masks and tin hats). The reply was a terrific hail of machine-gun and rifle fire.
After two minutes we went over the top into the churned mud of no-man's-land. The small arms and shell-fire was very heavy. I had not gone far when a bullet struck my equipment and spun me round like a top, but I was none the worse. It was very hard
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About half way to the German trenches I received a terrific blow on my left forearm. I collapsed into the nearest shell hole, my arm quite useless, apparently broken.
Eventually I made it to No. 102 Field Ambulance Station to enjoy the best sleep I had had for months."
In those 500 yards (approx. 450 metres) of the attack, from a fighting strength of 840 men the Grimsby Chums suffered over 500 casualties, with 180 men killed.
The Lochnagar Crater is privately owned by Richard Dunning MBE and is dedicated to Remembrance, Respect and Reconciliation.
www.lochnagarcrater.org
'The Lochnagar Promise For Peace'
“In Remembrance of all those who have suffered in conflict, and those who are suffering still may we live our lives today with more Compassion and Kindness. Understanding and Forgiveness Reconciliation and Unity. Let us now, in their honour, wage Peace.”
The Trustees are grateful for the generous bequest which enabled the refurbishment of these Visitor Information Panels.
www.lochnagarcrater.org
Soldat 1216 Charles R. Frankish
10ème Lincolns (Grimsby Chums)
Lors de chaque Cérémonie Annuelle du Souvenir, Roger Frankish, l'un des piliers des Friends of Lochnagar, dépose une gerbe
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
2. Pte. 1216 Charles R. Frankish Marker
« L'attente nous a semblé longue jusqu'à 07h28 quand la mine a sauté. Je me souviens que la terre tremblait comme du jelly. On nous avait dit que ce serait du gâteau d'avancer, car les tranchées seraient détruites et la plupart des troupes tuées, mais nous savions que ce n'était pas vrai, puisqu'à plusieurs reprises avant l'assaut nous avions montré nos soldats factices (des tuniques rembourrées de paille, portant des masques à gaz et des casques). La réponse ovait été une grêle terrible de tirs de mitrailleuses et de fusils.
Au bout de deux minutes, nous avons quitté les tranchées pour le bourbier du no man's land. Le feu des armes légères et des obus était nourri. Je n'étais pas encore allé bien loin lorsqu'une balle a frappé mon équipement, me faisant tourner comme une toupie, mais je n'étais pas blessé. Pour moi, avancer était d'autant plus pénible que je portais deux mortiers de tranchée dans un sac de sable. A environ mi-chemin des tranchées allemandes, j'ai ressenti un grand coup l'avant-bras gauche. Je me suis effondré dans le trou d'obus le plus proche, man bras totalement inutile, vraisemblablement cassé.
Enfin j'ai pu atteindre le Poste de Secours d'Ambulance de Campagne n°102, où j'ai profité de mon meilleur sommeil depuis des mois.
En une distance d'attaque de 450m, les Grimsby Chums, partis à 840 hommes, déplorent 500 victimes, dont 180 morts.
Erected by The Lochnagar Crater Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1216.
Location. 50° 0.901′ N, 2° 41.832′ E. Marker is in Ovillers-la-Boisselle, Hauts-de-France (Upper France), in Somme. It is on Route de la Grande Mine south of Route D20, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 Rte de la Grande Mine, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, Hauts-de-France 80300, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Women of the Great War (a few steps from this marker); The Sacrifice of All Nations (a few steps from this marker); A German defender's experience (a few steps from this marker); Roy Bealing and his best friend Pte. Alfred Moxham (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bretons at La Boisselle (within shouting distance of this marker); An account by Pte. Billy Disbrey (within shouting distance of this marker); RAF Mountain Rescue Association Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 15th and 16th Royal Scots (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ovillers-la-Boisselle.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
