June 7th 1881, Illustrated London News.It is with a happy heart that I report to you dear reader of the recent success of Her Majesty The Queen's (Gaud Bless 'Er) combined forces in successfully repulsing an attack in overwhelming numbers made by the Prussian invasion force at Shere Bridge in Surrey on 5th June 1881.
Special mention goes to Major Farquar Farquarson in masterminding a splendid battle plan in defending this most picturesque of English country villages.
Also we are both pleased and saddened to report the postumous awarding of the Victoria Cross to the late Captain Edward Woodwoodwoodwoodson for his inspired leadership and valour in the face of the enemy for his defence of the nearbychurch ruins with a small detachment of the Royal Surrey Regiment. Sadly all those troops under his command were a killed.In making this sacrifice he managed to disrupt and delay the enemy advance long enough for the relief column to arrive.
We fear the Prussian invasion force whilst repulsed has retreated in good order and is now massing near Horsell common.Sir Sidney Rough-Diamond, Commander in Chief of her Majesty's(Gaud Bless 'Er) Defence force has appealed for more men to step forward and answer to call to defend our Sovereign land from this terrible foe .**************************************************
An overview of Shere Village showing the river, the bridge and the church ruins on th opposite bank where Captain Woodwoodwoodwoodson made his stand.The Prussian force advanced from the woods in the distance.
A view showing the meagre defences of the bridge including recently felled trees forming an abatis. The British camp can be seen on the right.
A peculiar incident occured when Dame Evadne Hinge of the Shere Village Ladies Temperence Society made a protest on the bridge about the impending attack by the Prussians and their fondness for drinking white wines such as Hock, Piesporter and Liebfraumilch.( It is widely known that Dame Hinge has an unrivalled knowledge of world wines. Fortunately she was not harmed in the action, but remained in the vicinity to continue the protest.
Major Farquar Farquarson(second from left in the uniform of the Royal Surrey Regiment) receives news of the arrival of the Prussians and therefore debriefs his command on their battle plan.(He was at the time enjoying a spot of Tiffin with the delightful Miss "Busty" Babs Crabtree at the Fox and Hounds.)
The Defence force occupies the redoubt.
The Nordenfeld machine gun manned by the naval brigade.
Captain Edward Woodwoodwoodwoodson VC takes his position in the church ruins. Unfortunately the captain was unable to finish his innings at the cricket green where he was on target to score a century against the Woking village first eleven. He was 79 not out when the alarm was raised.
B company,1st Battalion,The Royal Surrey Regiment who were all killed defending the church.
The Prussians advance through Shere woods. Note the automatons, which proved to be extremely unreliable and continually broke down during the attack. This was a contibutory factor in the Prussian defeat.
More Prussians with steam tanks arrive on the battlefield.
The Prussians continue to advance.
The Prussian Automatons together with Their Austrian naval crew attempt to take the church ruin.
The attack is met by devastating volley fire from the British line. The attack falters as the klanks continually malfunction and block the doorway.
Overview of the church. Prussian shock troops pour over the church walls, as the initial assault by the Automatons falters.
Part Two tomorrow.
11 August 2008, 04:48:56 PM