The attack on Gueudecourt was to be made in two waves by the companies in the front line, the first objective being Gird Trench. Once captured the 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry would continue moving forward, with artillery support and capture the German trench defending the village, called, Gird Support.

Due to poor reconnaissance, unbeknown to the commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ritchie, there was another trench which he later called “X-X” just beyond “A-A” but out of view due to the deceptive undulating topography of the land.

At zero hour, 9.25am the attack began. The three attacking companies A, B, and C, followed the barrage and soon reached what they thought was their first objective, the German, “Gird Trench.” However what they actually had reached was the previously unknown “X-X” trench.

Six Germans were captured and about a hundred were seen running away.

When coming over the ridge between “A-A” and “X-X” trench the Somerset men had come under heavy German shelling and machine gun fire from German positions to the north and east.

One particular machine gun position caused much of the carnage; it was situated on higher ground to the right of the advance near the village of Les Beoufs. .

The men were also coming under mortar bomb fire from “Gird Trench.”

After 25 minutes of intense fire B Company sent a message saying they couldn’t advance due to the German resistance and heavy fire.

Walt and the other men of D Company were sent to help B Company now pinned down in “X-X” trench.It was during this engagement that Walt was killed, most likely shot by the heavy machine gun fire.

The attack failed to reach the German lines let alone liberate Gueudecort.

The remainder of the Battalion, supported by one company from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, held on in “X-X” trench through the night until day break when they were relieved.

The Somerset casualties were truly horrific. Every officer who went over the parapet (and there were 17), had become a casualty. Three had been killed, 12 wounded and two were missing. In other ranks the Battalion had lost 41 killed, 203 wounded and 143, including Walt, missing.

Overall 1,391 men had been killed, wounded, or were missing believed killed.

The ridge between “A-A” and “X-X” trenches had been a killing ground.

Sadly his body was never found. The 142 other men reported missing and the same time as Walt, evidenced the complete destruction and slaughter of that attack.

Walters name is engraved on Pier 2A. Thiepval memorial, France.

He is also commemorated on the Country Department and Spelter Work's War Memorial 1914-1919 at the Avonview Cemetery, Beaufort Road, St George, Bristol. The last name to be added to the Memorial

Rob Jones