Military History

John is listed as being killed in action on 12 Oct 1917. The following is an extract from The History of the Lincolnshire Regiment 1914-18 - Edited by Major-General C.R. Simpson. Click here to download a PDF version of the book.

The 7th Lincolnshire arrived from the Arras front at Peselhoek near Poperinghe, on the 4th October. On the 9th the battalion entrained for Elverdinghe, and marched from that place to Roussel Farm, and on the night of the 9th/10th relieved a battalion of the Worcesters at Namour Crossing, after a very long and trying march.

The First Battle of Passchendaele: 12th October

Although the weather was unsettled and the ground was becoming more boggy and thick in mud, progress was not yet impossible, and a renewal of the attack was ordered to take place at 5.25 a.m., on the 12th of October. The front of attack selected lay between the Ypres-Roulers railway and Houthulst Forest.

The particular section of the line of interest to the Lincolnshire Regiment was that astride the Ypres-Staden railway (south of Houthulst Forest), where the 7th Battalion, in conjunction with the 10th Sherwood Foresters on their right and the 8^th South Staffords on the left, attacked along the southern embankment of the railway as far as Turenne Crossing.

On the night of the 10th/11th of October, the 7th Battalion took over the front line astride the railway and just south of the Poelcapelle road. Battalion Headquarters were in Pascal Farm. The line at this period chiefly consisted of improved shellholes. Throughout the 11th the enemy’s artillery was very active.

During the night of the 11th /12th the two companies of 7^th Lincolnshire north of the railway line were relieved by the 8^th South Staffords, and at zero hour on the 12th the 7^th Lincolnshire were assembled on a line from south of the railway to the road junction below Tranquille House. C Company (2nd Lieutenant Wotherspoon) was on the right, B (2nd Lieutenant Tilbury) on the left : A and B Companies (under Captains P.H. McCarroll and G.N. Tredinnick respectively) were in support, C and B Companies were to capture the first objective (a north and south line about Taube Farm), and A and D Companies the second objective-Turenne Crossing. Major Peddie and Captain J. King had taped the “jumping-off” lines during the night.

At 5.25 a.m., the barrage fell, and eight minutes later the attacking companies advanced. At 6.50 a.m. the first objective was reported taken, though casualties were fairly heavy. Captain Tredinnick was wounded and command of his company was taken over by 2nd Lieutenant Harrison. The records state that the men advanced behind the barrage with perfect confidence in the screen of fire in front of them. At 7 a.m., Major Peddie moved his headquarters up to Taube Farm, the attack having gone forward to the second objective, which was reported captured at 8 a.m. The Lincolnshire began to consolidate their position, being in touch on both flanks.

A curious incident happened at Taube Farm on the arrival of Major Peddie and Battalion Headquarters at 7.25 a.m. Although the attack had passed on, the farm was found to be still occupied by a large party of Germans, numbering about one hundred, with whom were nine officers. The whole lot surrendered to Major Peddie, Captain King and two orderlies. A heavy machine-gun and trench-mortar were also captured. From another “pill-box” sixty more prisoners were taken later in the morning.

The remainder of the day was spent in digging-in, though the Lincolnshire were much worried by shell-fire and the activities of snipers.

On the 13th several half-hearted counter-attacks were made, the special point being the Turenne Crossing, but they were all repulsed.

During the night of the 13th/14th the 7th Lincolnshire were relieved, and at 5 a.m. on the 14th concentrated on the canal bank near Boesinghe, they were taken back to Roussel Farm in lorries.

Their losses in the attack had been considerable: 2^nd Lieutenant J.B. Harper and twenty-eight other ranks were killed, 2nd Lieutenant L.E. Dennis-Marklew had died of wounds ; Captains G.H. Tredinnick and R.H. McCarroll, 2nd Lieutenants CR. Davey, AH. Scattergood, C.A. Warner, H-R Robin, W.H. Singleton, F.W. Nichols and one hundred and seventy other ranks were wounded and forty-three other ranks were missing.