‘The London Territorials at Pozières’, 23 July 1916

The London Territorials at Pozières, 23 July 1916
Oil on canvas, signed and dated lower left 'W B Wollen 1917', exhibited at the Royal Academy 1917 No. 198, by William Barns Wollen (1857-1936), 1917

From 17 July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme (1 July to 18 November 1916), the village of Pozières on the main road running north from Albert to Bapaume, was on the front line. It was attacked on 23 July by 1st Australian Division, supported by the British Territorial battalions of the 145th Infantry Brigade. The position was taken, but with heavy losses.