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ch had been breached by our artillery. Lt Parker, of D
Company had about 30 men on the enemy parapet.
“A” Company were nearly all wiped out. “B” and “C”
Company who were in support of “A” and “D” advanced
at 6 AM, but immediately, on quitting the orchard, came
under machine gun fire and were unable to reach the
enemy’s trenches to assist.
At 7.15AM a request was made for artillery to hit the
machine gun positions. All communication between the
companies at the front and brigade headquarters had
broken down and private Lapham volunteered to go
forward, under heavy fire, to find out the position. As a
result of his report Brigade were told that the Regiment
could make no further progress. The remainder of the
Regiment remained in the trenches and were heavily
shelled for the rest of that day and through the night.
The stretcher bearers went out and brought in large
numbers of wounded. These parties were obliged to
remain in the open till nightfall owing to the heavy enemy
fire.
At 9.15 PM the Regiment was ordered to withdraw to the
rear trenches and this was achieved by 2.45AM on the 10th.
Albert Lattimore died in the middle of this mayhem. The Times
on the 14th May commented
“It was not a battle but a massacre.”
The Stamford &Rutland news of 5th June 1915 reports:-
“Kings Cliffe. Mr and Mrs Lattimore received a communication from
the War Office, stating that their son, Private Albert Edward Lattimore
had been killed in action on 9th May. Private Lattimore had served in
the 2nd Northants for four years. He took part in the battle of Neuve
Chapelle, and was wounded, but was soon back in the firing line.
Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents.”
He is commemorated on the Ploegstreet Memorial, Panel 7,
under the name Albert Edward Smith.
113
Company had about 30 men on the enemy parapet.
“A” Company were nearly all wiped out. “B” and “C”
Company who were in support of “A” and “D” advanced
at 6 AM, but immediately, on quitting the orchard, came
under machine gun fire and were unable to reach the
enemy’s trenches to assist.
At 7.15AM a request was made for artillery to hit the
machine gun positions. All communication between the
companies at the front and brigade headquarters had
broken down and private Lapham volunteered to go
forward, under heavy fire, to find out the position. As a
result of his report Brigade were told that the Regiment
could make no further progress. The remainder of the
Regiment remained in the trenches and were heavily
shelled for the rest of that day and through the night.
The stretcher bearers went out and brought in large
numbers of wounded. These parties were obliged to
remain in the open till nightfall owing to the heavy enemy
fire.
At 9.15 PM the Regiment was ordered to withdraw to the
rear trenches and this was achieved by 2.45AM on the 10th.
Albert Lattimore died in the middle of this mayhem. The Times
on the 14th May commented
“It was not a battle but a massacre.”
The Stamford &Rutland news of 5th June 1915 reports:-
“Kings Cliffe. Mr and Mrs Lattimore received a communication from
the War Office, stating that their son, Private Albert Edward Lattimore
had been killed in action on 9th May. Private Lattimore had served in
the 2nd Northants for four years. He took part in the battle of Neuve
Chapelle, and was wounded, but was soon back in the firing line.
Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents.”
He is commemorated on the Ploegstreet Memorial, Panel 7,
under the name Albert Edward Smith.
113
