Military History

Theatre

Action/Battle/Other

Second Battle of Doiran (Dojran)

Place of Death

Grand Couronne, Doiran

 

Medals

Medal Citation (if app)

~

Enlisted Date/Place

August 1914 at Oxford

 

Commonwealth War Graves Page

Doiran Memorial, Greece

SWFHS War Memorial(s)

Brailes & Winderton

Other War Memorial(s)

Other Information/Previous Regiments/Units

• Pvt 14176 Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
• Entered France on 21 Sep 1915

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

Joseph's 7th Battalion were in the trenches near Doiran when on the night of 24th April 1917 the were ordered to attack enemy lines at Grand Couronne. After a bombardment of some 100,000 shells on the enemy lines they launched their attack on the Bulgarian forces but came up against devastating fire and wire defenses that had been untouched during the bombardment. 14 out of the 15 officers became casualties, together with about 300 other ranks, a third of the battalions total strength. The companies then came under the command of Warrant Officers and Sergeants. The regiment was forced to retreat to their original lines with the total allied casualties being over 12,000. Both sides staying in position for the next 16 months until the 3rd Battle of Doiran.