DYER Wilfred Harold Gnr 40254

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Surname: DYER;

Forename(s): Wilfred Harold;

Initials: WH;

Number: 40254;

Rank: Gnr;

MGC Branch: Heavy Branch (Tanks);

MGC Unit: Unknown;

Awarded: MID;

Gallantry Notes: MM: He went over the top with 2nd Lieut A H Baker and discovered a tank had fallen into a quarry in Hamel village. He searched around under heavy hostile machine-gun fire, and brought another tank, directed it into position, fixed the tow-rope and guided the tank on to level ground. The tank commander and crew then took over. Sgt Dyer then proceeded to Hamel village, rounded up 15 German prisoners and handed them over to another NCO of this Coy, who was in difficulties owing to a shortage of labour.;

Other Data: Sgt W H Dyer, MM
Tank Corps, 1916 - 1918
D Company and 1st Field Company

Typescript and news cutting from A H Bell, son-in-law of Sgt W H Dyer; King Charles Cottage, Monnington-on-Wye, Herefordshire. HR 4 T NL. Tel 01981 500 586.
THIRTY MONTHS ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE TANKS
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It was in April 1916 that I journeyed to Coventry to join the Motor Machine Guns, after waiting several hours I was ushered in to be examined on my knowledge of motors; I must have satisfied my examiner as he then asked me if I wished to join the “Heavy branch”. Not knowing what this meant and being anxious to keep clear of other line regiments, I said “Yes”. I was then duly sworn in and packed off to Bisley; from there I was sent to a camp named “Siberia” and then went through the recruit drills, forming fours and saluting an imaginary officer, etc. also I had my first insight into the intricacies of the Vickers machine gun.
I stayed here for several weeks and was posted to D Company which with C Company were the first to see action in the renowned tanks.
Our Company were then moved to a secret enclosure not far from the East Coast, it was about 20,000 acres in extent and boasted a miniature battlefield. In this enclosure we were bound down to secrecy, even our letters were censored, and we were in charge of an NCO when we went to a small village adjoining; also there was a guard of National Reserves doing guard all the way round so our training there was not over-enjoyable.
It was on a Sunday that we were destined to first see the wonderful tanks and then we did a stunt in front of several ruling heads. My Company acted as infantry for C Company who then had four tanks. We went over the top in great style and the tanks, or “Willies” as they were then called, were left well behind. The conditions then were, of course, different to what we had to face in a few months time.
After our return we were paraded and the Major informed us we had seen the new engines of war and that it was an honour to be the first to go into action with them, also that secrecy would be the chief thing towards success. I feel now if we had told the public what these monsters could do, such as go through houses and knock down trees, they would have thought we were suffering from shell-shock or prevaricators of the truth.
After about a week our Company was sent eight tanks and then our training commenced in earnest; every man had to pass a test in mechanism and driving, for driving there was a course laid out with some very high and difficult jumps in. the boys were very keen and in a short tie had mastered their strange monsters.
The crews were then picked out and every man had to pass out in driving, mechanism, machine gun, revolver, 6-pounder and revolver, so the training was not what you would term easy, considering from the time of seeing to the time of being in action was little over three months.
And then the Order for Overseas came: this was in August 1916. We loaded all our tanks at night and did not see them again until we landed in France.
Our Company sailed from Southampton and landed at Le Havre. Our equipment included a leather helmet, which caused quite a lot of argument among the other troops, they seemed to think it was steel-lined, but t was not, being only a protection from knocking one’s head on the steel sides of the tanks.
We had to stay two days at Le Havre. The first night a gale sprang up and our tents blew down; much to our discomfort we had to turn out in our shirts and put them up again. Erecting a tent in a gale of wind and rain in the dark s not a very nice occupation, especially with only a shirt on.
We entrained at Le Havre and after two days arrived at a village called Everauch [Yvrench] and were billeted in a barn; from this time we began to realise what active service is like.
We then had orders to take off the sponsons and fill up with ammunition and to entrain once more; this was in September. After two or three days journey we arrived at The Loop within the range of the guns. Our sponsons were unloaded by a Company of Argyle and Sutherlands and then we prepared for action.
Whilst lying at The Loop we had thousands of troops of all descriptions to look at the tanks but no-one was allowed inside them.
On September 13/14 the order came to move, and at 6 o’clock pm we moved up. My tank went via Carnoy and Monteban and arrived at Death Valley at midnight. We then covered them with tarpaulins. My corporal and I then lit our cigarettes and watched the 18-pdrs firing. We saw no danger as we were so green to the game of war.
We then turned in for the night in our tanks and slept well, little thinking the Germans were so near us.
Next morning we were up at dawn and cooked our breakfast. Each tank then carried a Primus stove and several days’ rations. This day I saw my first German shell land - it killed six horses and three men - not a bad start when the next day we had to go into the thick of it.
When it was dark we moved further forward and awaited the dawn to go over. One can hardly describe the feeling one has in that waiting; the time drags very heavily and you long for the time to come to get it over; one knows they have to go and there is no getting out of it, but the longing is to get it over. And then the issue of rum comes which does wonders. I have heard people sitting in their armchairs at home say it is not necessary for the boys to have it, but from experience, I say that it is a wonderful tonic; the bravest men shake before going over but two or three mouthfuls of rum steadies them.
And then the barrage opened - can you realise it? Millions of shells whistling through the air (in several battles there were three million shells used) and as it lifted we went forward. The Germans could not make out what the tanks were; they fired their rifles and threw bombs at them but, finding this did not stop them, they ran; still we went forward and took the village of Flers. On getting to the far side of the village a shell burst right under our tank and blew the bottom up; we only had one casualty though, and then we had to get back. The battlefield was covered with dead, both German and our own boys, and the trenches were full. I think I saw more dead on the Somme than in any battle which I took part in.
One of the crews had left their tank and were taken prisoners by our own infantry - they were wearing blue overall and leather helmets and were not recognised; however, a tank officer came along and explained matters, much to the amusement of all concerned.
We had tanks go into action at High Wood. This wood, which is about 2 acres in extent, had been taken and re-taken 14 times with a loss of 20,000 casualties; but the tanks went right through it and the Germans never re-took it; also Delville Wood was a very warm show; the dead there were thick.
It was to the left of Delville that I lost my friend. We had a tank badly ditched and had been up four days in succession; on the fifth day I volunteered to make one of a crew to fetch a tank from The Loop; my friend went with the rest to try and get the tank back. They had stopped work to have dinner when a shell pitched just by the tank, killing my friend and badly wounding two other fellows. Possibly, had I been there, I should have shared the same fate, but by volunteering I missed it.
That day in the Flers district we had nine tanks knocked out and only two tanks returned to the Death Valley; but by Sir D Haig’s report they had done good work so there was some consolation for our heavy losses.
We went over with the New Zealanders and they were in great praise of the tanks; several f our tanks were set on fire by shell fire and several members of the crews were burnt to death - a truly awful catastrophe.
The means of looking through the tanks was supplied by prisms made of thick glass; when the machine guns played on these they .
[end of page 5. Pages 6 and 7 missing, start again top of page 8]
Corporal. It was very warm work in this Company and entailed being up the line all the time; they used to send fellows to the Company as punishment.
Our next move was to Arras, to take part in the big battle in April 1917. We went in at Fampo and there had a very warm reception. We were billeted in Arras and every night Fritz paid us a visit with his Gothas; also we were shelled there, especially round the station.
[This page is damaged and there are gaps in the photocopy] Our next destination was Dranoutre, to take part in the battle of Messines in June. I was detailed to proceed to Vermaseel with ???? follow the tanks over there. The barrage and mines ??????? . . . ful. I understand it was the finest barrage of ????? we went over at dawn; the tanks I was following had to take the Damstrasse. This was a natural fortification with a quagmire in front of it. Several of the tanks got badly ditched here and others got through all right. We found the other side of the Damstrasse was composed of concrete dugouts all lit with electric light; the Germans seems to have lived very comfortably there, but this morning they had a very rude awakening.
It was in this battle that I received a Diploma for good work and devotion to duty, signed by my General, vis, Gen ELLES.
On July 25th I found myself at D????? in readiness to go into the Third Battle of Ypres. This was, I think, the hottest show I ever had to go through. We followed A and B Battalions over in this do. It appears a sergeant had been captured about three days before the battle and he gave all the plans away, where the tanks were, big gun emplacements, etc, so that when we went over on July 31st, Fritz knew we were coming, and what a reception he gave us. As soon as our barrage started, he started, and it was hell. The tanks made a move and the “Bridget”, “Bulwar” and “Blue Bow” were knocked out before they got to our front line. Others managed to get to Clapham Junction, where about six were knocked out in a heap. Then on the Menin road, the “Black Cat” and “Blunderbus” were making their last kick; and on the left of the road were “Anne”, “Amphibia”, “Albatross”, “Aurora” and “Argyle” all knocked out. This was a sorry day for the tanks. I stuck it for 24 hours. When I got back I was reported missing. We lost just half our Company. I was given three days rest after this; and then sent up the line again to try and get some of the tanks back.
Menin road will always be a nightmare to many; it was never quiet. The tale went that the Germans used to train their artillery sub by using it as an aiming mark, and I quite think this is correct.
One night a party of us went up to try to get “Anne” back. When the Germans opened out a barrage around us we stood by the tank for three hours and when we came to try and move, we were stuck in the mud and had to pull each other out. Eventually we got to the road and then ran.
I had to stick this for nearly four months, up the line every day and bombed every night; it was a marvel how we stuck it but we lost very heavily and each week were reinforced.
A rather funny incident happened here - we were in a farm billeted, or rather all that was left of it, one Sunday a Padre acme round and asked if he could hold a service in the barn - of course, the OC said Yes. The service went very well until the last hymn which was “Singing to Welcome the Pilgrims of the Night”, when “bang - bang” the Gothas came over. They laid their eggs all around but still we kept singing and no-one was hurt. It only wanted one man to move and I am afraid the padre would have finished his service with a very poor congregation. The funny part, though, was he did not know they were bombs, not having heard any before. We often laughed over the padre recruit who paid us a visit.
With one of the drafts of reinforcements came a tailor. We were glad to get one in the Company to alter our tunics, etc, but that night the Gothas laid an egg right in the camp and killed five including the tailor. I shall always think of Ypres as hell on earth; the shelling was always so heavy. It seems a pity tanks were ever put in there as the mud never gave them a chance. The rumour goes that one tank was lost in the mud, but I will not vouch for the truth of it.
In the battle of Ypres, July 31st, our Captain had his arm blown off and got to England, but he was back again with us for the battle of Cambrai. The Major also was hit, but he only went to the dressing station and would not leave the Company.
In September I got my ten days leave and on returning I found that the Major had been wounded again and this time sent to England; also a sergeant had been badly wounded. Every day we had casualties and I think, had we stayed there much longer none of us would have been left. I received my third stripe at the battle of Messines.
In early November we had orders to move; the rumour was we were going to Italy, but there was no such luck; we were rushed to Triscault to take part in the battle of Cambrai.
The battle of Cambrai came as a great surprise to the Germans, and we were able to push to within two miles of the town; then something went wrong, some say the cavalry were late, others that a tank had broken down a bridge (which was true); anyhow the Germans soon recovered and they gassed Bourlon Wood which we were holding, to such an extent that for 25 hours the troops dare not take off their helmets, even to eat or drink; so one can tell what a state they were in. it was a pitiable sight to see them coming down the lines, each catching hold of the other’s shoulder, blinded with the gas.
And the Germans made a big stroke on the left of Gonzecourt [Gouzeaucourt ?], they broke right through to Metz and had they come another three miles, they would have had a big haul of prisoners. The Scots Guards were then rushed up; they went over and pushed them right back but at a great price, coming out only 50 strong.
We drew a line Of tanks across the crest of the hill and awaited the Germans, and our Company stood to, but they never got so far.
We were shelled out of our camp at Trescault and moved to Havrincourt Wood, and lay by some artillery horse lines; the same evening we were shelled very heavily and next day the artillery moved back. Our Major would not move so we hung on, after digging in, until Dec 23rd when we moved back for a rest at Merlimont.
Early in January 1918, I was detailed with two officers and 40 men to proceed to Flamertinghe, to send some tanks and stores back to HQ. It was here that I saw two spies caught. The Germans used to shell the station and these spies were living in a cottage close by; every shell that dropped one of them would come and look out and then go back and wire tot he Germans. They got the range to such a nicety that there was nothing left of the station. An RE sergeant spotted this man who kept coming to the door and a raid was made and a telephone in communication with the Germans, also papers relating to the movement of troops since 1914, found. Both men were taken to Poperinghe and there shot.
There was a tank lying at Glencorse Wood which we had to try to get back; so I proceeded with a party of men to try my luck. We got to it al right when the Germans started to gas us with mustard gas. I did not take much notice of it until next day when my arms and legs commenced to blister. I went into hospital and stayed for two weeks, being then moved to our Corps rest camp where I stayed fro eight weeks.
[By this time, Sgt Dyer was in No 1 Field Company, who aided damaged tanks in the field during actions.]
On July 1st we were ordered to proceed to Querrien [Querrieu] Wood to go in with the Americans and Australians. The tanks were concealed in a ravine, and in the night we escorted them tot he village of Hamelet. The next night we got as far as the support trenches and there awaited the dawn. After the barrage had lifted I went over accompanied by my officer, corporal and two privates. We had not gone far when we came across a tank with its track broken. I detailed my corporal and the two men to start working on it, whilst my officer and I went on with the infantry. We got into the village of Hamel and there found another tank knocked out. We then went to the right of the village and found a tank in a quarry, turned over on her side. We waited for a tank to come down from the line and got the officer to give us a pull, which he did. We then handed the tank over and proceeded into the village again, where we got about 20 prisoners from the cellars and houses and marched them back to the tank which the corporal was working on and made them lift the track bodily on. We then joined it up and started the engine and made the prisoners march in front and handed them over at the first cage we came to.
The next day we went to the village to try to get the tank which was there; we repaired two others and took them in to tow her out. Here one of the German planes spotted us and they shelled us unmercifully; but we carried on and eventually got back safely. It was in this battle that I was awarded the Military Medal and also a diploma.
Sgt Dyer’s citation, from the Tank Corps Book of Honour, page 306:-
40284 Sgt Dyer, W H. No 1 Field coy. Awarded MM.
He went over the top with 2nd Lieut A H Baker and discovered a tank had fallen into a quarry in Hamel village. He searched around under heavy hostile machine-gun fire, and brought another tank, directed it into position, fixed the tow-rope and guided the tank on to level ground. The tank commander and crew then took over. Sgt Dyer then proceeded to Hamel village, rounded up 15 German prisoners and handed them over to another NCO of this Coy, who was in difficulties owing to a shortage of labour.
[another four NCOs of No 1 Field Coy were awarded medals on this day, and 2/Lt A H Baker was awarded an MC.]
There were 64 tanks put into action and within three days they were al back. This was the first time the new tanks [Mark V] were used and they proved a great success. Each tank carried 25 lbs of gun-cotton to blow them up, rather than let the Germans capture them and so get the secret of the gears. We were inspected by the General and congratulated on our good work.
The French then asked for tanks to assist them in taking a wood which the infantry could not take, viz. Sauvillier Wood. So with “I” Battn [9th Battalion] we were packed off to lend them a hand.
The tanks went over in waves; the first wave went off well, only one tank being knocked out, but the second was two hours after when the Germans knew we were coming. They could not take the wood so a third wave went over to assist. The tanks got round the wood into a valley; the Germans were in the wood and our Company were on the other side, between the infantry and the Germans. It was a bad position to be in, but the French got o the edge of the wood, tough they did not drive the Germans out until the next day. We lost thirteen tanks here. After the French had taken the wood, the Germans dug in on the other side of the valley, leaving all the tanks in no-man’s-land.
My major went up four nights in succession and with a French patrol endeavoured to inspect these tanks, but without success. In the end the Company had orders to move but the Major decided to leave my officer and a section behind to see what we could do. As soon as the Company moved off, my officer and myself, accompanied by an interpreter, set off and eventually got to the front line trench. Here we went into a dugout and asked the officer there if we could get out to the tanks. The French front line was on the edge of the wood and the tanks lying in the valley, which of course was no-man’s-land. The officer informed us that one could try to get out, but it being a rule in the British Army that two always had to be together when up the line we decided it would have to be two this time. In the end the officer said two might try, so over my officer and I went. E got to the first tank, lying about 20 yds to the front of the wood. The interpreter, seeing nothing happened, then plucked up courage enough to come out to us. Tank burnt out and in an unsalvable condition. About 300 yds to our left we spotted four more tanks and decided to go down to them. We set off, walking at a distance of 20 yds apart, and arrived at the tanks. Here we found several members of the crews dead inside tanks and in one of the tanks we found a tin of biscuits, some chocolate and a bottle of whiskey. We got under the tank and had a good feed and drank the whiskey. We visited all these tanks and took the identity discs off the dead and returned, not having a rifle fired at us and very few shells.
The next day we visited the line again. But the officer would not hear of us going out; he also informed us that as soon as we had left the tanks the Germans had shelled them heavily.
My officer then had to report to HQ and before he went he asked me to have another try to locate the other tanks. We had an aeroplane photo of them and knew they were lying to the left of the wood so, with my corporal and the interpreter, we set off and worked around to the left of the wood; here we spotted seven more tanks. My corporal and I then went out tot hem and again we found a lot more of the crews killed. We reported the damage done to the tanks and took the discs off the dead. Whilst at one of them, the Germans spotted us and gave us a very warm five minutes.
The last tank we visited we found two German helmets and a sign post. When we got back to the wood the French soldiers informed us the Germans had held this tank the previous night as an outpost. My officer was very pleased with my report and when the Major received it he had me in and thanked me for the good work.
The next day I went to the French HQ and there saw the General. I asked permission to take a tank up to try and get the derelicts back. I think he thought I was mad and said he thought it was ridiculous to make any attempt to do so. I found the French front very quiet compared to ours; by day you would very seldom see a soldier; their artillery was wonderfully camouflaged and one would nearly walk onto it before seeing it was there.
Then our section moved to join the Company and take part in the Battle of Amiens. We journeyed to Corby and then went out on detachment to follow over “J” Battn [10th Battalion] at Mallard Wood. The ground was very good here for tank work and they did splendid work. We lost a good number of tanks and there were many casualties; but once the Germans were moved, they were kept on the run until they got back once more tot he Hindenburg line.
From here we went to Villers-Bretonneux; here there were fourteen store tanks all loaded with petrol and grease packed up. A shell came over and set them alight and they were all absolutely gutted out.
From here we went to Achiet-le-Grand and took part in the 2nd Battle of Bapaume and Queant. It was at Bapaume that we captured the largest ammunition dump I think I have ever seen. It lay near Monument Wood. The tanks got hit badly here, five of them being knocked out within a hundred yards of each other. Queant Switch was also taken and the villages of Lagnicourt and Queant.
The Germans were kept on the move now, and we too. Fremicourt, Bengny, Boisies, Hermies, etc, and then they were back on their Hindenburg Line.
It was to the right of Bengny that the New Zealanders captured two German tanks. I was detailed with a party to bring them back. We got them back to Bapaume and from here they were sent to England.
In August the big battle for the Hindenburg Line and Cambrai commenced. The difficulty for the tanks was getting over the canal. Four tanks were told off to creep up and form a bridge over the canal; they were two hours late so were of no use. However, the tanks had got over and had gone through Flesquieres and were held up with the infantry outside Cambrai. It was impossible to take the town from the front, so it was surrounded and taken in October.
The Germans used the tanks they had taken from us in the March retreat, having camouflaged them and painted large black crosses on them. It was at Niergnies to the right of Cambrai that they came out to give battle. They met on a large field and a pitched battle commenced - we lost three and they lost five tanks.
Things were going well for us now. We went forward through Caudry and came to Le Cateau where the enemy made another stand. After this it was al open fighting; there was no doubt the heart of the German troops was broken.
We went to Neuvilly, Forest, Angefontaine, Hecqs (?) and Mormont Forest the tanks saw their last action.
And then the day of all days came, when the Armistice was signed. It was a great relief to think the fighting was all over. [the last page is damaged]
. . German report they put their defeat down to the tanks. No doubt they played a great part in finishing the war, as ?????stand against them.
The Germans used all manner of devices to stop them - ?????, small incendiary AP shells, rifles firing three-inch bullets and AP bullets for their machine-guns. We left 600 derelict tanks on the battlefields which are now being speedily got back.
I was awarded the special Tank Corps whistle cord, the colours are brown, red and green which means “mud, blood and the green beyond”, and in my case I feel it is true, having passed through fourteen decisive battles without a scratch and my ticket at the end. Deo Gratias.
So ended the Great War for me, as for us all, though it was such a risk and the hardships great, I would not have missed it.

(signed) Sergt Wilfred H Dyer, MM.
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Photocopy of page from The Clevedon Mercury and Courier, April 12, 1919, with a long report of the East Clevedon Debating Society, with a precis of Sgt Dyer’s account.
Ex Disk from Tank Museum;

Other Notes: MID: LG 22/5/1917 (dated 9/4/1917) France
MM TC;

END OF RECORD.

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