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Lonsdale Battalion events that took place on 1 July.
For events that took place elsewhere, see 1 July on The Great War wiki.

1916

• At 8am the Lonsdales are in relatively good spirits and begin to advance (30 minutes after Zero Hour) from their assembly trenches in Authuille Wood.
• At 8:30am (60 minutes after Zero Hour) Lt-Col. Machell gives the final order to advance towards the British front line.
• The adjoining 8th Division to the south opposite Ovillers fails to take the German strong-point known as the 'Nord-Werk'. This proves fatal to the Battalion.
• Moving out in formation, German enfilading fire from the Nord-Werk hits the Battalion with a devastating force, killing and wounding hundreds of men before they reach their own front line.
• Lt-Col. Machell survives the first lethal machine gun fire, then is killed as he climbs the parapet to advance his remaining men.

"Col. Machell, gallantly leading his men, was shot dead almost immediately after leaving the forward trench.; his adjutant, Lieutenant Gordon, was severely wounded, as he stooped over his body; Major Diggle, the second in command, was already wounded."

• The Lonsdales advance across No Man’s Land without a higher ranking officer to lead them.

"On leaving their trenches in the wood, even before arriving at the front British trench, the battalion came under terrific machine-gun fire—the shell fire was practically negligible while such musketry as came in it’s direction was too high. There was no question of flinching; the companies, men dropping every moment, moved steadily on, and, on leaving the advanced British trench, pushed on straight to their front for a time and then, as had been ordered, wheeled eastward. The attacking line, supported by the Lonsdales, was having a hard fight to try and reach the German trenches, but few were able to go so far since the enemy machine guns were taking a terrible toll, moving down the men in scores and causing very heavy losses."

• The Battalion suffers 24 officers and 490 other ranks either killed, missing or wounded.

1917

• Battalion in occupation of the 'C' Sub-sector of Nieuport-Lombardzyde Sector. Two companies hold the 1st, 2nd and 3rd lines. 2 Companies in support.
• Day is moderately quiet. Pont Pastre and Nose Lane are shelled and damaged during morning. Enemy is inactive except for shelling.

1918

• Battalion training continues with 1st Battalion 130th Infantry Regiment (USA) at Ailly-le-Haut-Clocher.