Nobe(s)court farm Roisel

[ann255]

I will be staying at this farm next month and I know it features as a place where fighting took place. Unfortunately I did not make a note of where I got this information and would be most grateful if anyone could give me a link to follow up, perhaps war diaries of units there.  Many thanks.

[MaxD]

Nobescourt Farm is smack in the centre of the area of the 21 March 1918 German offensive Operation Michael.  Clearly the ground was also fought over in the last days of 1918 during the allied final advance but the former period may well be the fighting referred to.
In March it was the ground over which the German Second Army advanced.  Facing there was the allied Fifth Army, so it is there to look for units that took part.  Roisel was defended in March 1918 by units of the 66th East Lancashire Division and many men of that division who died in March 1918 are buried at Roisel so it is there to look for diaries.
Need more time.

MaxD

[ann255]

Thank you for the information.  I now have somewhere to begin looking.

[MaxD]

As far as the March 1918 fighting is concerned, it is quite definitely units of the 66th Division that fought over that ground.  Headquarters 197 Brigade moved to Nobescourt Farm on the evening of 21 March and the 9th Manchester Regiment and HQ 198 Brigade were at Hervilly about 2000 yards away.
The units of the division are listed here http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lwm/. I haven't checked them all out!

For the later advance through the area in the later stages of the war, more time!

MaxD

[MaxD]

The ground in which the farm is situated was in the Australian Corps area of responsibility in the period known as the "Hundred Days".  At the end of August 1918 they fought the battle of Mont St Quentin and on to Peronne so in September they were beyond the Somme towards the area in which Roisel is situated.
Diaries for Australian units are available at the Australian War Memorial.  From a quick look I would suggest the 1st Australian Division who fought at Montbrehain which is on a direct line from Peronne.  Need a little time to check.

MaxD

[MaxD]

A quick glance at the diary for 1st Australian Division (their composition is here http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lwp/ - see order of battle WW1) would seem to confirm that in early September units of the division advanced following the Battle of Mont St Quentin east across the area in which the farm is situated.  Diaries for the Aus units are at https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338583

MaxD

[ann255]

Thank you MaxD