The Arras Battle
"The attack on the 9th April was launched at 5.30 a.m. under cover of an effective artillery barrage. Closely following the shell fire, infantry troops poured across the German lines, overwhelming their garrisons.
Within forty minutes of the opening of the battle, practically the whole of the German front line system on the front attacked had been stormed and taken. Only on the extreme left fierce fighting was still taking place for the possession of the enemy’s trenches on the slopes at the northern end of the Vimy Ridge.
At 7.30 a.m. the advance was resumed against the second objectives. Somewhat greater opposition was now encountered, and at the hour at which these objectives were timed to have been captured strong parties of the enemy were still holding out on the high ground north at Observation Ridge, and in Railway Triangle.
By 12 noon they had captured Observation Ridge and, with the exception of Railway Triangle, the whole of the second objectives were in our possession.
A large number of prisoners had already been taken, including practically a whole battalion of the 162nd German Regiment at the Harp".
The battle at Arras on 9 April 1917 in military terms was deemed successful as Haig's description of events above eludes, but the human cost of these battles was immense.
Men from the Dorsetshire regiment who had been absorbed into the 1st Wiltshire regiment were in the midst of the fighting.
Wilf Burden from Osmington and Alfred Bradshaw were both severely injured during the fighting and neither would fight in a battle again.
On 14 April 2017 accompanied by representatives of both Wilf Burden's family and Alfred Bradshaw's family, local residents of Osmington (and neighbouring villages) and Osmington history representative Lucy Wyman, the local team vicar Rev Brian Ellis lead a service of remembrance for Private Wilfred Burden.
It was exactly 100 years to the day that he died and participants were told how the events of the day unfolded by Pte Bradshaw's son, Tony Bradshaw.
He explained that his father was severely injured in the battle of Arras on 9 April 1917 after being hit by shrapnel in his mouth and throat. He would have died without the quick thinking of an Officer, who instructed captured German prisoners of war to evacuate injured men to the field hospitals.
Wilf Burden and Alfred Bradshaw were evacuated back to Britain to war hospitals in the north of the country. Sadly Wilf died on 14 April in Bradford War hospital and his body was returned for burial in Osmington but Alfred recovered; spending the next two years recovering from his injuries, eventually he was well enough to leave hospital.
The long term consequences of his experience in the battle of Arras were that Alfred suffered shell shock for the next ten years. He was unable to cope with loud noises such as thunder and lightening and would have to take cover indoors if a storm came. He was also told for his health he needed to live in the countryside.
He was fortunate to gain employment with a landowner and former army officer near Gloucester and began work in agriculture on the landowners estate. He had a cottage and married and started a family.
Tony Bradshaw emphasised how important it was to realise the sacrifice that Wilf Burden had paid. He was represented by relatives from his Mother's family but had no direct descendants. Alfred had a family of four children and two of his grandchildren were present for the service. Tony expressed that they would not have existed, nor their children and grandchildren if his father's fate had been the same as Wilf's.
The human cost of the battle of Arras was enormous and has repercussions on today's population.
The battle at Arras on 9 April 1917 in military terms was deemed successful as Haig's description of events above eludes, but the human cost of these battles was immense.
Men from the Dorsetshire regiment who had been absorbed into the 1st Wiltshire regiment were in the midst of the fighting.
Pte Alfred Bradshaw in his hospital blues during his recovery in 1919
Wilf Burden from Osmington and Alfred Bradshaw were both severely injured during the fighting and neither would fight in a battle again.
It was exactly 100 years to the day that he died and participants were told how the events of the day unfolded by Pte Bradshaw's son, Tony Bradshaw.
He explained that his father was severely injured in the battle of Arras on 9 April 1917 after being hit by shrapnel in his mouth and throat. He would have died without the quick thinking of an Officer, who instructed captured German prisoners of war to evacuate injured men to the field hospitals.
Wilf Burden and Alfred Bradshaw were evacuated back to Britain to war hospitals in the north of the country. Sadly Wilf died on 14 April in Bradford War hospital and his body was returned for burial in Osmington but Alfred recovered; spending the next two years recovering from his injuries, eventually he was well enough to leave hospital.
The long term consequences of his experience in the battle of Arras were that Alfred suffered shell shock for the next ten years. He was unable to cope with loud noises such as thunder and lightening and would have to take cover indoors if a storm came. He was also told for his health he needed to live in the countryside.
He was fortunate to gain employment with a landowner and former army officer near Gloucester and began work in agriculture on the landowners estate. He had a cottage and married and started a family.
Tony Bradshaw emphasised how important it was to realise the sacrifice that Wilf Burden had paid. He was represented by relatives from his Mother's family but had no direct descendants. Alfred had a family of four children and two of his grandchildren were present for the service. Tony expressed that they would not have existed, nor their children and grandchildren if his father's fate had been the same as Wilf's.
The human cost of the battle of Arras was enormous and has repercussions on today's population.
Historian Tony Bradshaw
This plaque hangs in St Osmund's church in Osmington and is the full list of all the soldiers from the village who fought in World war one.
We are now keen to trace the stories of all the soldiers and find out what happened to them.
If you have any information, photos, family connections please do contact us.
It is important that their story is told. Thank you.
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