George Lilwall — Portrait Of Pembridge

George Lilwall, Private, 1st/1st Battalion Herefordshire Regiment

Above photo: Pte. George Lilwall 3rd from left, back row, Herefordshire Regiment (1)

George Lilwall was born in 1879 in Pembridge to Richard and Eliza Lilwall (nee Watkins), who, likewise, had both been born in Pembridge.

In the 1881 census, the family are living in Bridge Street, Pembridge. Richard Lilwall is described as a “cowman labourer”. George, aged 2, has a younger brother and sister.

By 1891, the family is living at “Townsend”, Pembridge. George is listed as a scholar. By this time, another son and two more daughters are additions to the family. In the census of that year, George’s father, Richard is described as a labourer. The family live in a four room house (including kitchen).

By 1901, George (aged 22) is still living with his parents and two brothers and three sisters at “Townsend, Pembridge”. His father is a “cowman on farm” and George is a general labourer.

In 1902, he marries Alice Ricketts, who, like her husband, was born in Pembridge.

In 1904, Alice gives birth to a son, Edward Arthur, who dies a year later.

In 1906, Alice gives birth to another son, Gilbert Thomas and a daughter, Marjorie, follows, in 1909. Another child is born before 1911.

The 1911 census states that George Lilwall, Alice and their three children are living at Bridge Street, Pembridge. Between the five of them, they share a kitchen, back kitchen and two bedrooms. George is now a “cowman on farm”.

In May 1915, George Lilwall had enlisted in the Herefordshire Regiment in either the 2nd or 3rd Battalion.

“The 2nd/1st Battalion (Herefordshire) Battalion was formed on August 22nd 1914 and at that time comprised the small Hereford staff and the hundreds of volunteers that had enlisted. As things settled down many of these volunteers were transferred to the 1st battalion and men who were unfit or who had not signed the Imperial Service obligation were transferred from the 1st battalion to the 2nd.

“The 3rd/1st Battalion (Herefordshire Regiment) was formed in Autumn 1914 to handle the large number of volunteers. It became the Depot & Training Battalion for the Regiment, training new recruits and receiving soldiers returning to fitness after wounds and sickness before posting them to an operational unit.” (4)

Above photo: Soldiers of Kitchener's Army doing physical training exercises at Branksome (IWM)

As things settled down many of these men from 2nd and 3rd Battalion were transferred as reinforcements to the 1st Battalion and other operational units.” (5)

After the failure at Gallipoli in which the 1st Herefordshire Battalion had taken part, the now depleted battalion found itself posted to Egypt and needing further reinforcement drafts from England. George Lilwall was in one of these drafts. He arrived in Egypt around June 1916.

By July, “the Battalion was almost up to strength and was towards the end off the month deployed to the East of the Suez Canal to Romani to counter a Turkish threat to the Suez Canal.” (6)

Egypt was part of the British Empire and the Suez Canal was a key transport route to the Indian subcontinent and the Far East and the emerging oil fields of the Middle East. The Turks occupied the Eastern Mediterranean lands – now Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and the Sinai, their morale was high after the Allied defeat at Gallipoli and the Germans were encouraging them to take action against the Allies so as their strategic position would be enhanced. In this scenario the Turks were massing in the Sinai desert and mounting continually bigger and more daring ‘probes’ against the Allied Forces guarding the Canal.

In July 1916 the Herefordshire Regiment had been deployed forward into the front line in the area of Romani. The Battalion occupied a series of sand bagged outposts. The Turkish attack was concentrated on Post 6 and started with about 60 bombs being dropped from German/Turkish aircraft and a keen artillery barrage was maintained throughout the day. The post was also subject to sniper fire and whilst Turkish troops could be seen massing in the desert no direct assault was made. British troops launched a counter attack on the 5 August and over 2,000 prisoners of war were captured. There were casualties at number 6 post with 16 men from The Herefords being killed and many more wounded. Casualties would have been higher, but well constructed trenches and artillery shells burying themselves in the sand before detonated limited the effect of the barrage.

Above photo: Battle of Romani, artist George Lambert (AWM)

This was the last Turkish assault against the Suez Canal. Allied troops were soon on the advance, the Herefords amongst them.

From here, the next step was a march across the Sinai desert into Palestine

(7)

The advance was to be a hard fought slog through many towns and areas whose names were familiar from the Bible, with General Allenby eventually entering Jerusalem at Christmas 1917.” (8)

By March 1917, the 1st Herefordshire Regiment would be in action in the first of the three Battles of Gaza. This battalion would be involved in all three battles.

“The coastal city of Gaza was the heart of the main Turkish defensive position in southern Palestine. Three major battles were launched in 1917 by British and dominion forces to capture Gaza - only the third succeeded in this object.

The first battle of Gaza took place on 26 March 1917. Two British infantry divisions were to attack it from the south while the mounted troops of the Desert Column would attack from the flanks and north. When the attack was launched the infantry made slow progress but the mounted troops succeeded in capturing high ground to the north of the city and advancing into it.

Above photo: Ottoman gun among the hedges near Gaza (Wikipedia)

Concerned by the lack of progress made by the infantry, and fearing the water supplies vital for the mounted troops would not be captured that night, Lieutenant General Dobell, the British officer commanding the operation, ordered a withdrawal at dusk. The next morning, after realising his mistake, Dobell attempted to resume the battle with the infantry, but with the troops exhausted and the Turks having received reinforcements, the attack floundered. George Lilwall was wounded in this battle.

The second battle of Gaza took place three weeks later, beginning on 17 April 1917. In the interim the Turks had extended and improved their defences. Dobell launched another frontal assault on the Turkish defences, which was supported by six tanks and gas shells. The tanks and the gas were both dismal failures and the attacking forces could make little headway against well-sited Turkish redoubts. After three days of fighting the attack was called off, having not gained any significant ground.

Above photo: Ottoman machine gun corps defending Tel esh Sheria, and the Gaza line in 1917 (Wikipedia)

The third battle of Gaza was begun as a feint to divert enemy forces to Gaza. The garrison was bombarded for six days, and three divisions deployed, to fool the Turks into believing that another frontal attack was imminent. The real effort, however was to be made at Beersheba, the eastern extremity of the Turkish defensive line. (9)

“In 1917, Beersheba (Be'er Sheva in current day Israel) was a heavily fortified town 43km from the Turkish strong-point of Gaza. It was on the right flank of an Ottoman defensive line that stretched back to the Mediterranean coast and became the scene of the historic charge by the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade on 31 October 1917.

Above photo: Turkish machine gunners at Beersheba, 31 October 1917 (NAM)

The Allies launched their attack at dawn on 31 October, but by late afternoon British forces had made little headway toward the town — and its much-needed wells.

General Harry Chauvel, commander of the Desert Mounted Corps, ordered the 4th Light Horse Brigade, under Brigadier William Grant, forward in an attempt to secure the position. Grant ordered the light horsemen of the 4th and 12th Regiments to charge the Turkish trenches. Using their long bayonets as 'swords', the momentum of the Light Horse charge carried them through the Turkish defences.

Beersheba fell on 31 October 1917, allowing the British and dominion forces to outflank and roll-up the Turkish defensive line. This undermined the security of Gaza, which fell to the British on 7 November 1917 after little resistance from Turkish forces. The water supplies were saved. Over 1000 Turks were taken as prisoners of war. (10)

Above photo: 12th Light Horse Regiment watering horses at Beersheba (WIkipedia)

George Lilwall was wounded again in this battle.

Above photo: Burying Turkish dead at Beersheba (NAM)

The capture of Beersheba allowed the British and dominion forces to outflank and roll-up the Turkish defensive line.”

The success in the third battle of Gaza allowed the EEF to advance further into Palestine for another month before the Ottomans could regroup. In that time, EEF units under the command of General Allenby captured the port of Jaffa, most of southern Judea and, on 9 December 1917, the city of Jerusalem.” (11)

Above photo: General Allenby's formal entry on foot to Jerusalem (IWM)

Sergeant Colley, 1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment described his regiment’s march into the captured city -

“For the first 2 days the march was excellent and then we had the first sample of the winter rain of Southern Palestine. It rained unceasingly for 4 days and nights, and each night we bivouaced in a ploughed field, the mud and water being very depressing. The road was one continual stream of mud. We were drenched but after passing through Bethlehem, we caught our fist glimpse of the Golden City, which had the effect of cheering us up a little. We marched through the outskirts of Jerusalem, watched and perhaps amused by the inhabitants of many nationalities. They all appeared half starved but obviously pleased that the Turkish occupation had come to an end. Contrary to expectations we were not billeted in buildings and everyone was fed up, especially seeing that we were drenched through and had been for days, and also seeing that there were many vacant buildings about.” (12)

By June 1918, the 1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment had departed Palestine for the Western Front “to counter the still extant threat from the German Spring Offensive”. (13)

It was to be part of 102 Brigade, 34 Division which had suffered heavy losses during the Battle Of The Lys and which had been withdrawn from fighting and moved on 21 April to the area west of Poperinge.

“On the 18 Jul, 10 (French) Army had attacked north of Soissons, and driven the enemy back some five miles, taking many prisoners and guns. 34 Div was to take part in the exploitation of this victory.

The following details the actions of the 1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment from 21st July to 31st July, 1918 which was the day that George Lilwall was killed in action.

Above photo: Troops of the 16th Infantry rest near Berzy le Sec, 17 Jul 1918 the day before the attack at Soissons (Wikipedia)

On the 21st orders were received to relieve the 38 French Div in the line opposite Hartennes-et-Taux the next day, and before this was commenced came orders to take part in an attack early on the following day, 23 Jul.

Under the most favourable circumstances this would have been difficult for any troops, but for a newly constituted division, composed, as regards infantry, of troops which had not yet been in action in France, and which had just completed a trying move by rail, bus and route march, it was a very severe test. There was no time for reconnaissance. The country was entirely new; there were no organised trench systems on either side. The enemy's positions were never accurately known till they had been captured. To all these difficulties there were added those inseparable from acting for the first time with foreign troops.” (14)

Here is an account of the 1st Herefordshire Regiment’s movements by an NCO of this battalion leading up to the day that George Lilwall was killed.

“Sgt Colley “Eventually we arrived near the Ypres section, being met by the new BGC (Brigade Commander) who was wearing 2 wound stripes – which caused us to arrive at many conclusions as to what was in front of us. We commenced a musketry course and were inspected by Gen Plumer, who let us off very lightly, and did not frighten us too much, as to what was in front of us. Suddenly, one day however came the order to move; mysterious places were mentioned; even after we had entrained no one appeared to know quite where we were going.

Above photo: Sergeant Colley (15)

We travelled for more than 24 hours passing to the south of Paris, arriving at our destination at night and immediately set out on a 14 mile march. Great was our satisfaction when we eventually arrived at our final destination weary, tired but happy to discover that we were to go into good billets – but only for a day or so as a long line of motor lorries came to take us on the final stage of our journey. Gen Foch had now commenced his great counter strokes in the Soissons sector and on Jul 23 the Herefords went into action near Percy Tigny. Few who were there and live will ever forget that advance through the corn field. We experienced our first taste of gas shells and suffered heavily from this cause.” (16)

American heavy artillery at Soissons, July 1918 (Wikipedia)

Another account by Sergeant Pugh (Herefordshire Regiment)

“Sgt Pugh Inspected by General Plumer, commanding 2nd Army marched for 15 miles after several hours in a train, first British (or other) troops seen by the inhabitants. We left there on a Friday for a place near Crecy(?), the Battalion being taken by motors, all French with French drivers, and then we had a 17 kilometre march to Longport where we arrived at 7 o clock on a Sunday morning and were later relieved by the Americans. When we were there we heard the rumour several times that gas was coming, and we had to put on our masks.

Above photo: Hartennes-et-Taux, today (Wikipedia)

At this place we stayed in a wood and it was there we had to put on our masks and we were also bombarded. Our fellows bombardment putting up a barrage and one morning, a Monday, at 8 o clock we left for the attack. We kept going on a bit at a time and were attacking on the Tuesday and Wednesday and were still in the line on the Thursday and under heavy fire. It was the same on Friday, and it was then raining in torrents. We had been fighting in the woods, firing from trenches, but the artillery did most. This was part of the attack at Soissons.” (17)

It was on the above-mentioned Tuesday that George Lillwall was killed.

Above: George Lilwall’s obituary (19)

It was on the same day and in the same location that George Hicks and Herbert Davies, both of the 1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment and whom are also commemorated on the Pembridge War Memorial, were killed.

George Lilwall is buried at Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire near Soissons which is close to where he was killed in action.

Above photo: Raperie British Cemetery (CWGC)

“Villemontoire is connected entirely with the victorious advance of the 15th (Scottish) and 34th Divisions, under French leadership, in the period from the 23rd July to the 2nd August 1918.

The cemetery was made, after the Armistice, by the concentration of graves from the battlefield and from several smaller burial grounds which had been made by the Burial Officers and units of the two Divisions.

There are now over 600, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over 100 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to eleven men of the Herefordshire Regiment and one of the Royal Scots who are known or believed to be buried among them.” (CWGC)

George Lilwall’s headstone is engraved with “THIS IS THE LORD’S DOING” which was Alice Lilwall’s wish. At the time, she was still residing at Townsend Cottage, East Street, Pembridge.

His grand-daughter, Olga Duggan, lives at 1 Bridge Cottages, Bridge Street, Pembridge.

Rory MacColl

Sources

1/ Alyn Tanner The Herefordshire Regiment facebook.com

2/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derby_Scheme

3/ https://herefordshirelightinfantrymuseum.com/wars/wwi/

4/ https://herefordshirelightinfantrymuseum.com/wars/wwi/

5/ https://herefordshirelightinfantrymuseum.com/wars/wwi/

6/ https://herefordshirelightinfantrymuseum.com/uploads/1916-jul.pdf

7/ https://herefordshirelightinfantrymuseum.com/uploads/1917-mar.pdf

8/ https://herefordshirelightinfantrymuseum.com/uploads/1916-aug.pdf

9/ https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E84346