War diary shows that Fred was killed in action during the advance on West Hoek Ridge during the Battle of Pilkham. He was originally reported as missing in action. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 30th July to 1st August are transcribed below.
War Diary Entries
Pioneer Camp – 30th July 1917: Battalion proceed by overland track to positions of assembly at Halfway House and China Wall. 4 O.R. wounded.
Battalion move from Pioneer Camp to assembly positions at Halfway House arriving there at 3.15am on the 31st.
West Hoek Ridge – 31st July 1917: The Battalion moved from Halfway Hood in artillery formation to the West Hoek Ridge passing over the original front lines which had been taken by the 23rd & 24th Brigades at Zero (3.50am). Little shell fire was met with until the Battalion arrived actually at HQ. On arrival at the West Hoek Ridge at 9:35 (which reached at about 8.30am). The situation was not quite what was expected owing to the Division on the right being unable to take the Black line [the high ground near Polygon Wood]
At zero plus 6 hours 20 minutes the Battalion advanced in perfect order to close up with the barrage. On leaving the Black Line, the left Coy was met with heavy fire from the front and right flank the Company Commander therefore ordered platoon rushes, this however cost many casualties, he therefore decided to withdraw to the original line and consolidate it. This he did and got in touch with the 2nd Rifle Brigade on the left.
The right Coy made an attempt to advance but owing to the Division on the right being held up, this was found impossible. The line was therefore consolidated and several counterattacks were driven off.
The centre Coy pushed forward to the Hannebeke Stream line fearing that the enemy were working around the right flank of the Coy. The O.C. the Coy ordered the company to withdraw until each flank was safe and in touch with Coy’s on the right and left.
At about 3.30pm the enemy counter-attacked the centre Coy and reached the back held by our men. A counter- attack was immediately launched and the enemy was driven out leaving many dead. A machine gun was captured in this ?.
No ground was lost during the operation and the Battalion was relieved at 11pm by 2nd West Yorks Regt and moved to the old German front line.
Casualties: Killed 6 officers and 30 Other Ranks; Wounded 7 officers and 145 Other Ranks; Missing 18 other ranks.
West Hoek Ridge – 1st August 1917: 9am Battalion moved from the old German front line to Pioneer Camp (W of Ypres).
Newspaper Obituaries
PRIVATE F. AMPHLET
Stratford on Avon Herald - 14th September 1917
Miss. Amphlett of Henley Street, Stratford-on-Avon has just received notification from the War Office that her brother Rifleman F. Amphlett of the Royal Irish Rifles has been missing since an engagement at the Front in France on 31st July. Amphlett who was for upwards of twenty years a postman in the local office 2 and was well known, entered the Post Office Rifles last May and was afterwards transferred to the Royal Irish. Many friends who knew him there will deeply regret this news.
MISSING PRESUMED KILLED RIFLEMAN FRED AMPHLET
Stratford on Avon Herald - 28th June 1918
Rifleman Fred Amphlett of the 1st Battalion Irish Rifles has been missing since 31st July of last year. The Army Council have now come to the conclusion that he must be regarded as having made the supreme sacrifice. Fred Amphlett entered the service of the Post Office on leaving school and for many years did what was known as the Snitterfield round, being popular with his colleagues in the service and well esteemed by the citizens in the district. In May 1916 he joined up and five months later crossed the English channel since which date he has borne a good share of the fighting. His death at the age of 39 will be deplored by many and by none more than the Post Office with whom he had served nearly a quarter of a century.
