Military History

Richard is listed as being killed in action on 13th March 1915 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. The 2nd war diary entries for the period 12th to 15th March are transcribed below.

Neuve Chapelle - 12 Mar 1915: The enemy artillery shelled Port Arthur. On the 12^th at 5.15am the Germans counter-attacked and A Coy at D was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100 yards from our trenches.

On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2^nd/2^nd Gurkhas and advanced from there direct on the 2^nd/3^rd Gurkhas. They were received with a frontal fire from the Gurkhas and enfiladed by B Coy and one Machine Gun under Capt McIntyre and few returned to their trench.

At 9am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30am a Coy of the 1/4^th Gurkhas advanced and as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2 Lt McIntyre under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the Gurkhas in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1/H.L.I further north.

Information received at 11am [that] the Sirhind Brigade supported by Jullunder Bde was going to attack in easterly direction but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and a lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily.

At 3.37pm received information that Garhwal Bde would remain in possession of line.

At 6pm Ferozepore Bde came up but by 11pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled Port Arthur from 1pm to 2.15pm. Bn HQ & ½ D Coy moved to D at 3pm.

Jullunder and Ferozepore Brigades withdrawn about 11.30pm.

Neuve Chapelle - 13 Mar 1915: Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D & Neuve Chapelle during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30pm it was reported by a Gunner observing Officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of Layes River S.5.b to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Brigade at 5.15pm for relief of line by Sirhind Brigade. Operation Orders issued at 6.30pm.

At 5.30pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. The relief was completed at midnight 13/14^th. All quiet and Battalion marched to L’Epinette via F Bde HQ, Rue de Berceaux-Queen Mary Road – La Coutre – Zelobesm & Locon Road arriving at billets at 6am 14 March

Stretcher bearers worked continuously from 8am 10^th to midnight 11/12^th

Scouts and Pioneers carried rations, ammunition & stores to Coy trenches nightly

Neuve Chapelle - 14 Mar 1915: No diary entry made

Neuve Chapelle - 15 Mar 1915: In billets