DARNELL, Samuel

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        5th British Infantry Division
                                             15 Infantry Brigade 
                                             1st Battalion - Bedforshire Regiment
SERVICE NO:                   3/8638
RESIDENCE:                    Fulbourn – Cambridgeshire – England  
DATE OF BIRTH:            circa 1879
                                             Cockayne Hatley – Bedfordshire - England
DATE OF DEATH:           July 31, 1916                       approximately 37 years of age
MEMORIAL:                    Thiepval Memorial – Thiepval –
                                             Somme – France
                                             Pier + Face 2C
MEMORIAL:                    Fulbourn War Memorial – Fulbourn – 
                                             Bedfordhsire - England
WIFE:                                 Mrs. Lily Poulter (Darnell) – Goderich
PARENTS:                         Mr. Samuel and Tamar Darnell – upper Coldecote – Biggleswade – Bedfordshire
ENLISTED:                       Ely – Cambridgeshire - England

Operation Order 7 – July 31, 1916: The Battalion was to be re relieved at nightfall by the Norfolks.
Operations of July 30/31, 1916: Orders were received for the Battalion to move up and reinforce in the village of Longueval with the Kents in support and the leading platoon moved off at 6:53 pm and reached the village at 7:45 pm. At 10:12 pm the Commanading Officer of the 2nd King’s Own Scottish Borderers reported he was retiring his men from the line and immediately “A & C” Companies of the Bedfordshires were ordered forward to hold and then consolidate the line. “B & D” Companies were ordered to hold their lines. The King’s Own Scottish would be put into reserve at dawn on the 31st of July. Then just prior to midnight the King’s Own Scottish reported the 51st Highland Division were in the Sunken Road and the King’s Own establish themselves.
At 12:10 am the enemy began a very intense bombardment and at 12:45 am “A & C” Companies reported that the Scottish Own guides were not able to show them the way to the front line. They were then ordered to establish themselves and then send out patrols to ascertain if any King’s Own Scottish were holding the front line. By 2:30 am all Companies were reporting heavy and severe casualties. “B & D” Companies were holding their lines as previously ordered. 
“C” Company reported that owing to the mist and the darkness and the enemy shell fire he found it impossible to recognize the line but that he was in touch with the King’s Own Scottish and at dawn would establish himself in the forward positions. At 6:25 am on July 31st the order was received to relieve the King’s Own Scottish and at the same time “C” Company reported they could not get to the forward lines. Two enemy machine-guns had enfiladed North Street and there was heavy fire and sniping from that front. “D” Company was at Piccadilly to North Street; 
   “B” Company was from North Street to Delville Wood; “A” Company was at the crossroads of North Street / Flers Road to 
   Orchard and “C” Company was supporting “A” Company, with refused flanks and had 2 platoons North of Flers Road. 
   “C” Company was still trying to have contact with the 2nd Division.
The positions of the Bedfordshires was not good as the enemy on the opposite ridge could see all of their movements and any bit of movement attracted heavy enemy shellfire. At the same time there was considerable sniping from the area of Flers Road. By early evening the forward Companies were being relieved and brought back to reserve and then late in the evening as “C” Company was trying to contact the 2nd Division approached the enemy lines north of Delville Wood and attracted heavy enemy fire.
The Casualties for July 31st were 198 men either killed, wounded or missing. It was during this day of heavy battle where Private Darnell lost his life performing his duties.