The Ruined town of St Quentin
Royal Engineers on the march
The Western Front 1918.
In the spring of 1918 the Germans signed a peace treaty with the Soviets on their Eastern Front. This enabled them to transport troops from the east over to the Western Front and, in March, April and then May, they launched three very successful, unexpected and massive attacks. In a few weeks they had overturned all the gains the Allies had made during the preceding years. However, the Allies regrouped and success
A series of Allied victories followed as they attacked the Germans and forced them back, by mid September, to the defensive positions they had occupied in March. By the end of the month the formidable Hindenburg Line was assaulted.
In early October the Hindenburg Line was breached and few fixed defences lay ahead: the Armistice was signed on November 11th.
Name and Date of Death
Events that happened on that day

Private Percy Earthey

PTE 662 -became private in the labour core 580635.
Was 31 years old when he died on the 24th September. He is buried at Pontru, France. He fought with the 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment, part of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division.
His parents were: Samuel and Rose Kate Earthey
24th September 1918 The village of Pontruet.
Through September the Allies fought their way towards the heavily fortified town of St Quentin. North of the St Quentin-Amiens road the attack was pushed forward village by village. With zero hour at 05.00hrs the 2nd battalion the Royal Sussex attacked from close to the village of Pontru toward Ponruet with their objective being the road lying just beyond that village to the east.
As usual at this stage of the war a creeping barrage preceded them. Heavy machine gun fire from defences in Pontruet caused many casualties; towards noon an enemy counter attack was repulsed and although more casualties were received, many prisoners were also taken. The next day another enemy counter attack was repulsed and the Germans then withdrew to the nearby Hindenburg Line itself.
By the 28th the Royal Sussex had reached their objective east of the village. On the 29th of September the Allies launched a successful attack on the Hindenburg Line penetrating beyond it by 5 miles. It was clear that the end of the war was close.

Private Arthur William Earthy
Was a 18 years old when he died. He fought with the 3rd battalion, City of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) they were part of the 173rd Brigade of the 58th Division in VIII Corps of the 1st Army.
His parents were: Arthur William and F.E. Earthy
6th October 1918 The advance to Artois.
The 3rd Battalion began their final advance to Artois on the 2nd of October. Private Arthur William Earthy is buried in Maroc British Cemetery on the outskirts of Lens.
Sapper L C Earthy (Charles Leonard)
Is buried at the St. Sever cemetery in Rouen, he died due to exposure on Military Service, 'Influenza Bronchopneumonia' in No. 6 General Hospital on the 5th of November 1918. He served with the 54th Railway Company, Royal Engineers.
His parents were: Alfred and Eleanor Earthy.

Private Owen Edwin Earthy
M/352457 - Was 43 years old when he died on the1st March 1919.
He is buried in the Brookwood Military cemetery in Surrey. He served with the Mechanical Transport Clearing Office, Royal Army Service Corps.
His parents were: Owen Charles and Lucy Earthy.

Source for the photographs Battle of the Somme. Photos of The Great War
Research Rikk Earthy January 2002 updated by Russell Parkes July 2007.