Military History

Alma is listed as being killed in action on 11th July 1917 when, according to reports, he was killed by shellfire whilst on Sentry Duty. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 7th to 12th July are transcribed below.

Le Preol - 7 Jul to 11 Jul 1917: Less one company the Regiment carried out such training as was possible. Several working and carrying parties were required by Brigade H.Q., but the calls were few and were met without difficulty. The Lewis Gun Classes which began work in May were completed, and after carrying out their range-practices were dismissed. A class to train Privates to become Lance-Corporals was held, with very good results, supervised by the Adju­tant and Sergeant-Major.

On the 10th and 11th Aquatic Sports were held in the Canal, and greatly enjoyed.

On 8.7.17 A Coy relieved D Coy, being relieved on the 10.7.17 by B Coy and on 11.7.17 by C Coy.

Le Preol - 12 Jul 1917: Relieved the 24th Bn R.Fusr. in the right subsection of the Brigade front, handed over on 6.7.17. Shortly after completion of relief about 11.30 pm the trenches were subjected to a very unpleasant bombardment by gas shells which was particularly heavy against the sup­port and reserve lines. A shell struck the parados of Kingsway (support) Trench, just opposite the entrance of a dugout occupied by the stretcher-bearers, etc., of B Company. The full blast went down the stairs, and three old soldiers, 6157 Lance-Corporal Williams (Sanitary Corporal), Privates 6474 Burrows and 7346 Tew (stretcher-bearers), died shortly afterwards from the effects.

Some 15 or 20 men were affected to a greater or less degree within the next 48 hours, it being particularly noticeable how, in the evenings about dusk on the two succeeding days, men seemed no longer able to hold out. The general gas discipline was good, but two cases came to light where had the men been better trained they would not have been affected—one of these was very bad, the other slight. Had the discipline not been good B Company would have had, according to my estimate, 85 per cent, casualties.