King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

		King's Own Royal Regiment Museum Lancaster
HOME Museum & Collections Sales Donations Events Contact Us REGIMENTAL HISTORY 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century First World War Second World War Actions & Movements Battle Honours FAMILY HISTORY Resources Further Reading PHOTO GALLERY ENQUIRIES FURTHER READING LINKS © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.		141 Days: The Battle of the Somme Bazentin Le Petit 30th July was a historic day of fighting for the 7th Battalion, having to capture a communication trench. The artillery bombardment started at 6.09 pm and the soldiers moved forward one minute later, to take their position. Success may have been due to the speedy follow up to the bombardment. The enemy had no time to get his machine guns on the parapets. The battalion continued to consolidate its position. The battalion war diary records “A feature of this operation was the telephone communications which were established and maintained with the front line. Battalion Headquarters was practically never out of touch with the front line.” Despite the great success of the telephone, there was a break in the wire just as an important message needed to be sent. Private James Miller was detailed with the task and, although fatally wounded, he returned with a reply. He died at the feet of the officer. Private Miller was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Next: Private James Miller VC Supported by the Sir John Fisher Foundation and the Army Museums Ogilby Trust © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images. Only a proportion of our collections are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of our collections which are held in store.