Denby,+William

Private, 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Service No: 12044. Age: 21. Died 20/09/1917. Son of William Denby, of 92, Turkey St., Keighley, Yorks. TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Panel 82 to 85 and 162A.
 * William Denby**

1914 Star War Medal Victory Medal Thank you for your sacrifice. God Bless you Great Great Uncle William.
 * Service with Colours 1914-1917. Medals awarded:**




 * William's name inscribed on the Tyne Cot memorial:**

Here is the last few weeks of Williams life, he had already served three years in WW1, being wounded on two other occasions. the thirrd time at the battle of Menin Road would be fatal.
 * 23rd Division History:**

Until 9th August, in hard training partly near Wizernes, partly near Meteren. August 21st, 69th Bde move forward to Wippenhoek area. 24th Aug in reserve about Dickebusch. 70 Bde was in front line. 30 Aug 23 Div out of front line 2 Sep division bombed around Dickebusch and Cafe Belge. 3 Sep transferred to XV Corps and warned to complete prep for an attack astride of the Menin Road by 18 Sep. 14 Sep 69 Bde moved to Westoutre 18 Sep quote from history "what was to prove to be the greatest battle in the history of the 23rd Division". 69th Bde was the left Bde of the two attacking Bdes. Final objective trenchline running south-north from just S of Menin Road to Reutelbeek. 13DLI on the right, 10 DoW on the left allotted to the third and final objective. 10 DoW assembly positions were in the northern end of Sanctuary Wood. When second objectives secured 10 DoW moved forward suffering considerable losses from artillery fire. "B and D Companies of the 8th Yorkshire Regiment were attached to the 10th Duke of Wellington's. The latter company, moving forward on the left of this battalion, reached its position on the Blue Line without serious casualties, but the Duke of Wellington's suffered considerable losses from artillery fire during this approach movement. One of its companies ( lost all its officers except one, but it was reorganised on the Blue Line [second objective] by Captain Payne, together with his own company (A). At 9.53 A.M. the final phase of the attack opened with the advance of the 13th Durham Light Infantry and the 10th Duke of Wellington's along the whole Divisional front. The left of the Durham Light Infantry, whose advance lay across the broad summit of the Tower Hamlets Spur, now crossed the Menin road, which ran diagonally across the battalion's front. They were soon engaged in stiff fighting among the remains of the scattered buildings which flanked the road. For a space the left of the battalion was held up by fire from a German dug-out. Company-Sergeant-Major Parker of the 10th Duke of Wellington's, observing this, attacked the dug-out from front and rear, and quickly captured it. With their flank so secured, the battalion pushed forward all along the line. Making quick work of all further resistance, they captured 200 prisoners, and gained the line of their objective, with its wonderful observation over the plain which spread out below to the south and south-east. Further to the right, on the front of the 41st Division, the attack had not been so successful, but before turning to this it is necessary to follow the fortunes of the 10th Duke of Wellington's. From an observation-post established at the tower the advance had been watched till the troops disappeared in a cloud of smoke and dust just short of their objective. On the left, Northampton Farm, which had been regarded as a possible seat of trouble, itself proved no obstacle. But just beyond it the attack was confronted by a line of over a dozen concrete dug-outs manned by machine-guns. These, combined with artillery fire, caused many casualties in the already reduced ranks, but failed to break the attack, which was pressed forward with the utmost determination. The position was cleared and the final objective gained on this flank by Captain Tilly's company of the 8th Yorkshire Regiment and advance troops of B and D Companies of the Duke of Wellington's. A platoon and two Lewis-guns were now brought forward to protect the right flank of these troops, since touch had been temporarily lost between the centre and right of the attack. Here A and C Companies of the Duke of Wellington's had encountered stiff opposition among the concrete dug-outs of Veldhoek, and from a strongly held hedge which covered these. But the check was of short duration. 2nd Lieutenant Anderson's platoon, which had been delayed by a slight loss of direction, arrived opportunely; the centre of resistance was outflanked and captured. Almost simultaneously 2nd Lieutenant Wilson, noticing the gap between the centre and right of the attack, pushed forward his platoon to fill it, so enabling the troops thrown out for protection here to be withdrawn. It was due in no small degree to the skill of Major Borrow, 10th Duke of Wellington's, who was directing the attack, that the battalion and attached companies of the 8th Yorkshire Regiment had won their way forward. The Green Line, the final objective of attack, had been captured along the whole front of the 23rd Division. Brigades were in touch, and on the left junction had been effected with the 2nd Australian Brigade (1st Australian Division).
 * This extract from 23 Div history:**

Reflecting on the tasks which the attacking troops had accomplished, one concludes that that given to the 68th Infantry Brigade was the more formidable. The descent to the marshy bottom of the lake area, necessitating skilful manoeuvre under the full observation of the enemy, as distinct from the direct advance which had become habitual in former battles, the capture of the Tower Hamlets Ridge and the improvisation of protection to their right flank, called for skill in the leaders no less than staunchness in their men. But while the advance of the 69th Infantry Brigade lay over more favourable ground, the positions to be overcome were no less formidable than on the right. Though the enemy held no commanding ground on this flank, the flat open ground gave a perfect field of fire to the machine-guns of his concrete defences. An inspection of the ground suggests that the Germans probably relied on the Tower Hamlets position, attacked by the 41st Division, and the group of dug-outs surrounding the tower, captured by the 9th Yorkshire Regiment, as their main centres of resistance. The chief opposition to the attack had been from machine-guns. The hostile artillery was on the whole weak and ineffective. At the commencement of the attack it was mainly concentrated on our old front line. As the attack developed, the enemy barrage, in addition to being weak, was disjointed and erratic. Each successive barrage was weaker than the last, suggesting the withdrawal of guns. Only two or three batteries employed instantaneous fuzes, the greater part of the barrage consisting of smothered bursts of 4.2. Earlier in this history it has been related how, with the introduction of the bomb, the rifle had been in danger of being regarded as the infantryman's badge of office rather than as his weapon. Following the Somme battles, great effort had been made in the Division to restore the confidence of the infantry soldier in his rifle. On September 20, 1917, the results of recent training towards this end were made manifest. The great majority of the German dead had been killed by the bullet. Undoubtedly the machine-gun barrage had been very effective, and the machine-guns and Lewis guns accompanying the advance had certainly inflicted many casualties. But the average expenditure of seventy rounds per rifle indicates the extent to which the infantry most closely engaged must have employed their rifles. To return to the fighting which ensued after the capture of the Green Line. [Final objective] At 2.45 p.m. large bodies of the enemy were observed from the tower to be massing for counter-attack on a line south of the Reutelbeek. Artillery fire was immediately brought on to these, and the attack failed to materialise. About 3 p.m. some hundred Germans advanced from the railway cutting north of Gheluvelt against the left company of the 13th Durham Light Infantry. This isolated effort broke down under rifle and Lewis-gun fire immediately after it was detected. Later, a further concentration of the enemy west of Gheluvelt was dispersed by the fire of our artillery. At 6.40 P.M. the 41st Division renewed its attack on the Tower Hamlets. The 15th Hampshire Regiment, on the left of the 122nd Infantry Brigade, succeeded in capturing their objective, together with 30 prisoners and a field gun, and gained touch with the right of the 68th Brigade. The centre and right of the attack were, however, less fortunate; touch was again lost, and a fresh attack ordered for 9.30 a.m. on the 21st. The 10th Duke of Wellington's Regiment had suffered heavy casualties during the day. The relief of their two left companies by the reserve company of the 8th Yorkshire Regiment was now ordered. The remainder of the 69th Infantry Brigade front was held by two weak companies of the 10th Duke of Wellington's, with one company of the 8th Yorkshire Regiment in close support. The relieved companies were placed in immediate reserve for the whole brigade front. On the 68th Infantry Brigade front, the 9th York and Lancaster Regiment (70th Infantry Brigade), who had moved forward at zero to Torr Top, were now ordered to the Blue Line in relief of the 10th Northumberland Fusiliers, who were withdrawn to brigade reserve. These reliefs were commenced during the afternoon under heavy hostile shelling. They were completed during the night, which passed quietly. Daybreak on September 21 found the infantry of the Division disposed as under :- Left Section. Right Section. Green Line. 8th York and 10th Duke of W. 12th and 13th D.L.I. Blue Line. 9th York 9th York and Lanc. Red Line. 11th West York 11th North'd Fusiliers. Reserve. . 11th Sherwood Foresters 10th North'd Fus. and (Sanctuary Wood) 8th K.O.Y.L.I. (Torr Top) 8th York and Lane. (Railway Dug-outs) Headquarters 68th Infantry Brigade, Torr Top. Headquarters 69th Infantry Brigade, Sanctuary Wood (500 yards west of Stirling Castle). Headquarters 70th Infantry Brigade, Bedford House. During the previous afternoon one company of the 9th York and Lancaster Regiment had established a defensive flank between the right of the 13th Durham Light Infantry and the left of the 41st Division. Two companies of the Yorkshire Light Infantry had been employed during the night in carrying water and material to the front line. At 8 a.m. on the 21st about 200 of the enemy attacked the left of the 13th Durham Light Infantry, but were dispersed with heavy casualties by rifle and machine-gun fire, 1 German officer and 5 other ranks being made prisoners. The attack was repeated half an hour later, but again failed. Later, an effort was made south of the Menin road with no better success, the enemy suffering heavily from the enfilade fire of a platoon pushed forward to a position north of the road. The total casualties caused by these three attacks amounted only to 2 killed and 6 wounded. At 3 p.m., after an hour's artillery preparation, a fourth counter-attack was launched, directed this time against the right of the line from the Gheluvelt Valley. This also broke down under rifle and machine-gun fire. Finally, at 7 P.M., after a two hours' bombardment, the enemy was observed massing south of the Menin road near Gheluvelt. The S.O.S. was sent up, and the prompt reply of the artillery smashed this concentration before attack could be developed. The right company of the 13th Durham Light Infantry had suffered heavy casualties and severe damage to their trenches from the hostile bombardment. To meet the threatened attack they had been reinforced by their battalion headquarters party and four Lewis-guns of the 12th Durham Light Infantry. These were withdrawn at 8.15 p.m. when the situation had quietened. On the left of the 23rd Division the Australians had maintained their position. But on the right the Tower Hamlets position continued to give trouble. The left of the 41st Division in their attack at 9.30 a.m. had gained the Green Line, but the stiff resistance of the Germans south of the Tower Hamlets could not be overcome. Heavy enemy counter- attacks delivered throughout the day forced the withdrawal to the Blue Line of the troops who had gained their objective in the morning. This withdrawal increased the defensive flank of the 23rd Division to over 700 yards. During the whole day the German artillery, assisted by aeroplanes, persistently shelled our battery areas, causing much damage to guns and ammunition. On the night of the 21st/22nd the infantry was disposed as under :- Left Section. Right Section. Green Line. 11th Sherwood Foresters. 8th K.O. Y .L.I. 2 companies 8th York in close support. Blue Line. 9th York and 2 coys. D. of W. 2 coys. 9th York & Lanc. 2 coys. 9th Y & L (Defensive flank) Red Line 11th West York. 2 coys. 12th D.L.I. 2 coys.11th North. Fus. Reserve 2 coys. D. of W. 2 coys. 12th D.L.I. 2 coys. 8th York. 2 coys. 13th D.L.I. By the morning of September 22 all strong-points had been completed and wired in, and the successive lines of defence thoroughly consolidated. The German infantry remained inactive, but the artillery continued to shell our battery positions throughout the day, A/103, A/315, B/242 Batteries and those of the 156th R.F.A. Brigade suffering most. The Division was now required to extend its front northwards to take over 600 yards of line from the Australians as far as Black Watch Corner road junction. To effect this, fresh dispositions were arranged, by which the 70th Infantry Brigade (less 8th York and Lancaster Regiment), reinforced by the 68th Infantry Brigade (less Brigade Headquarters and the 11th Northumberland Fusiliers), would take over the right section, with a frontage of 1200 yards; the 69th Infantry Brigade, plus the 8th York and Lancaster Regiment, would occupy the left section, with a frontage of 750 yards. The reliefs necessary to this were carried out during the night 22nd/23rd. Hostile artillery and aircraft were very active during September 23, and our batteries again suffered severely from the enemy's bombardment. This died down on the 24th, and fortunately, for the relief of the Division had been ordered to commence during this day. The 33rd Division was to take over the line north of the Menin road; the 39th Division to take over south of the road. Such reliefs as could be carried out during daylight were accomplished without difficulty. But in the case of the majority of units it was necessary to wait till dark. By then the enemy's artillery fire had increased, and continued heavy throughout the night. Heavy shelling and the thick mist in the early morning combined to delay the relief, and at dawn the situation in the front line was somewhat obscure. Fortunately, casualties were not heavy, and by 9.30 A.M. the 69th and 70th Infantry Brigades were reported clear of the forward area."