Mobilized 29 February 1916 – Medal Index Card British War Medal and Victory Medal with 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment – Wounded casualty list Hull Daily Mail 23 December 1916 – East Yorkshire Regiment Posted wounded Snapper January 1917 – Posted 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment – Effects to Mother and sole legatee Mary – Commemorated East Yorkshire Regiment War Memorial Beverley Minster East Yorkshire – Commemorated Hutton Cranswick War Memorial Intersection of Main Street and Hobman Lane Hutton Cranswick

7th Battalion History

10th October 1918

On 10th the Brigade led the Division in its advance, the battalion being in support. Very little opposition was met in passing through Inchy, Beaumont and Audencourt, but soon enemy shell fire began to be troublesome. At about 8 am- the battalion passed through the two leading battalions to attack the village of Neuvilly, but, on reaching the ridge overlooking Neuvilly and the valley of the Selle, came under heavy shell and machine gun fire from the high ground east of the village and were unable to advance further.
It was evident the enemy intended to make a stand along the river Selle, and battalions were therefore ordered to dig in and rest until a fresh attack behind an artillery barrage could be organised.
This attack commenced at 5 p.m. the battalion being allotted the north side of the village. Great difficulty was experienced in crossing the river which was considerably swollen. Captain O. Varley, M.C., commanding D company, together with Captain Craig, M.C., and the headquarters of C company succeeded in crossing the river about 600 yards north of Neuvilly partly by felled trees and partly by swimming and wading- After crossing the river the troops came under heavy machine gun fire from the top of a high bank. They rushed this bank at the point of the bayonet and reached the railway line where 30 Germans were killed. Leaving some supporting troops at this stage, Capt. Varley attacked a trench about 200 yards east of the railway. Here they killed 50 or 60 of the enemy, and then consolidated posts in the trench. They captured also one officer and 39 others with seven machine guns. For his gallantry and good leadership Captain Varley was awarded the D.S.O.
At nightfall it was considered this party was too exposed, as the rest of the Brigade and the adjoining Brigade had not advanced far, so they were withdrawn without loss about 9 p.m.