Military History

Ibhar is listed as being killed in action on 12th October 1915. The 8th Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below and shows that Ibhar was one of two men killed by a heavy artillery bombardment.

Railway Wood – 12 Oct 1915: Enemy snipers and trench mortars active. Difficulty in locating enemy mortars our guns do not fire on them. Considerable damage to trenches and annoyance.

Same evening at 7.15pm from this German started a very heavy bombardment of Railway Wood, starting with three trench mortars. It was at first thought that they intended to attack. After 5 minutes all communication with front line companies was cut.

The bombardment continued with a lull till 8.15pm when it ceased. At first crumps were employed, but towards the end mostly whizz-bangs and woolly bear shrapnel. Considering the heaviness of the fire little damage was done. The front line was hardly touched but the communication trenches were fairly well crumpled in up to H.22. A.1 did not suffer at all. One of our machine guns was buried.

Casualties very slight, 2 killed and 10 wounded.

After the bombardment the night was quiet and much good work was put in, that everything was cleared up again by the next morning.