Hugh Wren

Killed in Action on the 15/09/1916 at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (part of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

ADDITIONAL FAMILY INFORMATION - Hugh's brother Drummond Wren of the 4th Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles aged only 16 was a Prisoner of War from June 1915. He was wounded in 15 places when captured. 2 other brothers, Colin and Robert were also serving. Colin in the 6th Howitzer Artillery, Robert in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. 2 other brothers, Dick and Jimmy were both rejected by the Army and were involved with munitions work. Hugh emigrated with his parents in 1910. The Battalion arrived in Boulogne on the 14/09/1915 and were part of the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. Hugh was Killed in Action at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on the day on which the British experimented with Tanks on the Somme. The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15th - 22nd September 1916 : This was a large-scale general renewal of the offensive after the weeks of attritional fighting for the third German system at Pozieres, High Wood, Delville Wood, Guillemont and Ginchy. It is historically noteworthy for being the first time that tanks were used in battle. Few in number, mechanically unreliable and as yet without proven tactics for their best use, the small numbers of tanks that actually went into action had an important positive effect. High Wood and Delville Wood were finally cleared and a deep advance was made to Flers and towards Combles. The Canadian Corps entered the Somme fighting for the first time. Hugh was initially reported as missing. He was buried by comrades in the 19th Battalion Canadian Infantry. Hugh is listed as BANDSMAN on the Coatbridge Memorial and BUGLER in the newspapers of the time. Also remembered on the Bonnybridge War Memorial, the Canadian WW1 Book of Remembrance, the St. John's Presbyterian Church, Toronto (photo of Hugh included) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour (see photos). Hugh was reburied in Serre Road Cemetery No.2 (see photos). See photos for Hugh's CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, another photo of Hugh's grave, Serre Road Cemetery No.2, Hugh's Service Records x 19 and the 20th Battalion (Central Ontario) Canadian Infantry Cap Badge.