The 21st Division on the Somme, 1916 by Dr. Derek Clayton
Derek is a retired teacher of Modern Languages who gained his PhD in First World War Studies from the University of Birmingham and is a well-respected speaker on the WFA circuit. He has published two books for Helion on the Battle of the Sambre and more recently, the 21st Division.
The 21st Division took part in three phases of the Battle of the Somme. They attacked just north of the village of Fricourt on 1 July, capturing and holding the day's objectives. They then assaulted the Bazentin Ridge on 14 July before assisting in the capture of Gueudecourt in September. These three ultimately successful engagements did much to restore their reputation after the debacle at Loos the previous autumn.
Image: IWM (Q 1300)