The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916. The 16th Cheshires initially remained in reserve, but over the following two weeks the Battalion moved steadily towards the fighting.
For Charles, these would be his final days on active service.
The Somme begins
On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the Bantams were in reserve.
They remained there until 3 July, when they entrained at Chocques station for Bouquemaison before marching to Sus St. Ledger, where they remained until 7 July.
From there, the Battalion marched to Beauval, transferring from the First Army to the Fourth Army and being posted to VIII Corps.
Towards the front
On 10 July, the Battalion marched to Bus les Artois and camped for the night.
The following day they marched to Warloy Baillon and then on to Heilly, where they again camped overnight.
On 12 July, the men marched to Bois Celestines. After resting for just three hours, they continued by night to bivouac at Grovetown, north of Bray.
Another march on 13 July took them to Billon Wood, where they remained until 16 July.
Trônes Wood
Attached to 54th Brigade, the men set off at 8.40pm to take up the line at Trônes Wood.
The Battalion’s records describe a very trying march. The men made their way through heavy rain and extremely wet communication trenches while carrying heavy loads.
They finally reached the line at 5.20am.
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