20th Overseas Infantry Battalion

Mr. Hatch describes a gruesome discovery while trying to locate a First Aid post in pitch darkness, witnessing terror, and sleeping with the enemy.

Mr. Hatch describes in detail the Stokes Gun and how it was used. He also describes the deadly result of premature detonation of the bomb in its barrel.

Mr. Hatch describes reaching their day’s objective, a bombed out sugar factory at Thiepville, and the devastation caused by a single shrapnel bomb.

Mr. Hatch describes getting lost after taking a wrong turn in the trenches at the Somme, his Officer being mortally wounded, and scrambling back to his trench minus his kit.

Mr. Hatch describes enlisting despite being under-aged, with the help of a creative recruiter’s wardrobe.