The12th Battalion Manchester Regiment advanced from their trenches near Contalmaison on 7th July 1916. 555 men were killed, wounded or missing in the assault.
Courtesy Manchester Regiment Forum
“The steadiness of the men was wonderful and they went over in as good a line as if on parade, although as soon as the advance started they were subjected to very heavy shelling and machine-gun fire. As our barrage had ceased, they had no shelter whatever and had a distance of 700 yards to cross. As soon as the first three companies showed themselves on the ridge overlooking the trench they were met by a withering fire and were mowed down in great numbers…….in a few seconds, hardly any of us were on our feet. The casualties were very numerous. Only two officers came out unwounded and one wounded officer was never fit for service again”
The Memorial commemorates all members of the Battalion killed in the Great War. It is located at the back of the Communal Cemetery for Contalmaison village.
MR02162 Laying a wreath following the unveiling of the Memorial to the 12th Battalion at Contalmaison, France. 4.8.1929 (c) Manchester Regiment Image Archive
17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme 