The 1st Buckinghamshire Regiment at Pozières, July 23 1916

Charcoal drawing by William Barns Wollen (1857-1936), 1916 (c).

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.

This drawing has a very similar composition to Wollen's oil painting, 'The London Territorials at Pozières', also in the National Army Museum Collection (NAM. 1959-11-303-1). The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1917.