Old Ledbury - World War One in Ledbury - Harry SPARKES

World War One in Ledbury - Harry SPARKES

World War One in Ledbury - Private Harry SPARKES

Ledbury Guardian Newspaper 28 11 1914
LEDBURY MAN INTERVIEWED - Private Harry SPARKES
The following is taken from an interview with Private Harry SPARKES [elsewhere in article spelled 'SPARKS'] (Homend Street, Ledbury) which appeared in Thursday's "Hereford Times." Private SPARKS is now in the Herefordshire General Hospital. He served with the East Yorkshire Regiment and was wounded in the leg:-
When interviewed by a representative of the "Hereford Times" Private SPARKS had just come from a game of football with a number of Belgian wounded who are now practically recovered from their injuries. He said he was hit in the leg at Lille by a bullet from a machine gun, but his wound was fast getting well, and he hoped to be able to pay a visit to Ledbury shortly.

AT THE AISNE
"I was at the battle of the Aisne," said Private SPARKS " which has sometimes been called the death trap, and our regiment lost a good number of men there. We were in the trenches for 11 days and 11 nights without a break, and were very hotly attacked on many occasions. We were not always in the same trenches but we were at it all the while. The Germans were entrenched about 400 yards from us, and we made several attempts to get them out. But it was no use - they stuck there, and we had to fall back to our trenches again. They won't face us with the bayonet if they can help it. I don't think much of their riflemen, but the German artillery has done a lot of damage. They would never get the range if it was not for the airmen, but when they have once got it they are away like mad for hour after hour. We should have done much better at the Aisne if we had had more big guns. We should have had a chance to stop them from getting over the river, but they were in such great numbers that it was impossible to keep them back with the rifle. They were swarming on in huge numbers with the officers behind, driving them on."

SHELLED DAY AND NIGHT
We were shelled day and night whilst we were at the Aisne and then when the firing ceased the infantry started. But the Germans found that they had a bigger job than they anticipated to break through, and the fighting was very keen. From the Aisne we went down to Lille, after we had been relieved by the French, and we had to do the journey, by motor, train and marches. When we got to our destination we were soon at it again and the slaughter was terrible. First we were on one flank and then on the other, and often we were within 100 yards of the enemy's trenches. They made attacks nearly every night, but never caught us napping. It was during the fighting at Lille that I was wounded by a shot from a maxim gun, with which the German did a lot of damage. It was in a good position, only about 100 yards away, and do what we would we could not move it. There was a regular clearance sale, I can tell you. The bullet that hit me struck the ground first, and then entered my leg above the knee. It went through to the other side and tore the flesh badly. It was not until some eight days afterwards that a doctor got the bullet out. Lille was in the occupation of the Germans when I was there last, but I understand that it was afterwards recaptured by the Allies. Anyway the district was the scene of some very desperate fighting.

GERMAN INFANTRY
Private SPARKS did not have a very high opinion of the German infantry; and seemed to bewail the fact that they would not stand to a charge. "They don't like the British bayonet." he said with a smile, "and no doubt they have good reason to be afraid of it. When once the British get amongst them in hand-to-hand fighting, there is never much doubt as to which way the affair will end. The Germans who are 'old hands' will stick to it to the last and they are remarkable good snipers. They will conceal themselves and pop away at anybody who comes in sight. The younger men however, give up as soon as they have a chance. I was on outpost work once and found two youths in German uniform who could not have been more than 17 years of age, if they were that. One of them was in a ditch badly wounded, and he seemed pleased when we found him. There are a lot of boys in the German lines, and you cannot blame them for giving up the struggle if they can. No doubt they have been brought out and made to fight. The German artillery is very good, but if it was not for the aeroplanes they would not do what they have been able to. The range is found for them, and they quickly take advantage of it. Their big guns are terrors and it was due to them that they did so well at the Aisne. Still, they lost enormous numbers of men and had to pay dearly for any advance that they made. We have got lot of good guns up now, and the difference will soon be felt. I think that before long there will be another big battle along the Aisne and with all the bridges blown up the Germans will find themselves in an awkward position. I do not see how they are going to get their big guns back to the other side and there is a good chance of capturing them."

Sources
1914 - 1919 Ledbury Guardian Newspaper - Herefordshire History

Ledbury Reporter

The Reporter now has Archive photographs for the years 2005 - 2009 which you can view and order. Select a year then make sure Ledbury is the keyword entered before pressing GO. I have spent many an hour in the Ledbury Library looking through the old Reporters which are on microfiche. Support this great local paper.