Military History

Albert is listed as being killed in action on 29 Oct 1914 at Gheluvert. The war diary for the period 27th to 29th Oct 1914 is transcribed below.

Oct 27^th 1914 – Gheluvelt: The advance Bing night during early hours of the day. Orders were received to advance on trenches held by our troops just West off the Becelaere-Wervicq Road with a view to an attack on the German trenches opposed to them. However at night at Italian occupied a continuation of our trenches somewhat further north.

Oct 28^th 1914 – Gheluvelt: Held the above line of trenches

Oct 29^th 1914 – Gheluvelt: an attack by the Germans, of which notice was received, was beaten off at 5.30am in dense mist but was successful further South at crossroads E.S.E of Gheluvelt, the result being that the Battalions trenches were almost immediately afterward attacked from the right rear.

A retirement appears to have been ordered and a small portion of the Battalion reformed covering the east side of Gheluvelt village on the south side of the Ypres-Menin Road covering A Battery R.F.A. At night the Battalion was withdrawn a bivouacked in woods W of Gheluvent in Brigade Reserve. END

The 1st Battalion suffered considerable casualties at Gheluvelt on 29th October. The Regimental history records it lost all the 11 officers present and could only muster some 60 men at the end of the action. More than 180 other ranks were killed, wounded or captured. Four days later, after reinforcement, the Battalion almost ceased to exist, having again been reduced to no officers, and only 120 men.

Military History

Military History

Walter is listed as being killed in action on 27th November 1917. The 8th Siege Park war diary entries for the period 26th to 28th November are transcribed below. It is clear that Walters unit was engaged in the salvage of heavy guns, transport and other equipment.

Vlamertinghe - 26.11.1917: Salved [salvaged] 4^th Howitzer of 15 S Battery from Gaseine Road, Bavaria House, also a water cart undamaged (infantry). Caterpillar no WD 34560 salved from near Bridge House.

3 Lorries salved from Kansas Cross Roads by 2^nd Lt Gresham with a Caterpillar and under shellfire. An entry to this effect appears in our Routine Orders. Several lorries and men knocked out by shell fire.

White House, Vlamertinghe 27.11.1917: Early in the morning fire started in out billets but we managed to get this out without any damage. Out salving near Spree Farm. Enemy shelling fairly severe.

White House, Vlamertinghe 28.11.1917: Out at 7am, salving ditched 8” Howitzer at C.24.b.90.80. This was very badly ditched indeed & the road leading to it was in fearful condition, by the aid of two Caterpillars and wire 20 per ? we got is out in 3 ½ hours. On the way back we salved an 18 pdr lying in the ditch at C.18.c.90.15.

Military History

Harold is listed as being killed in action on 24th June 1916. The 1st/7th Battalion war diary entries for the period 23rd to 25th June are transcribed below.

Trenches, Hebuterne – 23 Jun 1916: This morning heavy thunderstorms in afternoon flooding trenches in many parts. No casualties.

Trenches, Hebuterne – 24 Jun 1916: Friday, a few showers. General bombardment by our artillery commenced and maintained? throughout day. Enemy retaliated mainly on the Batteries. Not a great deal of damage to the trenches. Retaliation was not serious till11.30pm.

Casualties 2 killed, 8 wounded (of whom three returned to duty).

Trenches, Hebuterne – 25 Jun 1916: Fine day. Enemy continue to reply mainly on the Batteries & our trenches were not seriously shelled. Enemy reported at 11.55pm to be setting off flares from front line, so apparently were still holding it. 2 wounded.