Pte
George Thomas Bickell
Information about birth
|
Date of birth: 12/05/1897 |
|
Place of birth: St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada |
General information
|
Last known residence: Manning Avenue, Toronto, Canada |
|
Profession: Baker |
|
Religion: Methodist |
Army information
|
Country: Canada |
|
Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
|
Rank: Private |
|
Service number: 157538 |
|
Enlistment date: 13/09/1915 |
|
Enlistment place: Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|
Units: — Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Attached) |
Information about death
|
Date of death: 30/10/1917 |
|
Place of death: Meetcheele, Passchendaele, Belgium |
|
Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
|
Age: 20 |
Cemetery
|
Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XXXVII Row: H Grave: 19 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Last known residence | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) | ||
| #4 | Sterfteplaats |
My story
George Thomas Bickell, a former baker, was born on the 12th of May 1897 in the city of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Mary Jane Bickell and a brother to 3 siblings.
George Thomas enlisted on the 13th of September 1915 in the city of Toronto, Ontario in Canada. He served as a private in The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment), part of the 7th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division.
In the last days of October 1917, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment), part of the 7th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division, was entrenched in the thick of the Passchendaele offensive. The battalion had been stationed in the Ypres area, with heavy rains and relentless enemy aerial bombings shaping their daily routine. Despite the challenging weather and the ongoing bombardment, training and working parties remained a constant, as soldiers labored to carry ammunition to the front lines and prepare for the impending attack.
On October 28th, the battalion was ordered to move from Ypres to Graventafel, where they relieved the 9th Brigade. Their mission was to advance through the enemy’s defenses and capture the second objective in the Passchendaele offensive. No. 4 Company was temporarily attached to the 49th Battalion, positioned for the attack. After some initial confusion about accommodation, the battalion remained in the ruins of Ypres before pushing forward to their designated front.
The attack began on the morning of October 30th. The battalion, 600 strong including 28 officers, advanced into the line with a fierce barrage. Reports flowed back from the front: by 7:05 AM, all companies were advancing in good order; by 9:25 AM, the crest of the hill had been taken and a large pillbox captured. Despite the heavy fighting, prisoners were taken, and the battalion pressed on with its objective. However, the fighting was brutal, and by 8:00 PM, the battalion's strength had been reduced to around 180 men, with many casualties. They eventually consolidated their position, marking a hard-earned victory in the offensive.
The battalion was relieved at midnight on October 31st, having sustained 355 casualties, and moved to Pommern Castle. Despite the hardships, the Princess Patricia’s had played a key role in the pivotal Battle of Passchendaele, advancing the line and cementing their legacy in the annals of Canadian military history.
Private Bickell, aged 20, was Killed in Action on the 30th of October 1917. It was believed and noted that during the attack on Passchendaele, about 100 yards from Bellevue Pillbox, the private was hit in the back by enemy shell fire whilst dressing the wounds of a comrade. Shortly after, he passed. The body was found near Meetcheele, Passchendaele at 28.D.5.c.70.85. His remains were exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XXXVII, Row H, Grave 19.
George Thomas enlisted on the 13th of September 1915 in the city of Toronto, Ontario in Canada. He served as a private in The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment), part of the 7th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division.
In the last days of October 1917, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment), part of the 7th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division, was entrenched in the thick of the Passchendaele offensive. The battalion had been stationed in the Ypres area, with heavy rains and relentless enemy aerial bombings shaping their daily routine. Despite the challenging weather and the ongoing bombardment, training and working parties remained a constant, as soldiers labored to carry ammunition to the front lines and prepare for the impending attack.
On October 28th, the battalion was ordered to move from Ypres to Graventafel, where they relieved the 9th Brigade. Their mission was to advance through the enemy’s defenses and capture the second objective in the Passchendaele offensive. No. 4 Company was temporarily attached to the 49th Battalion, positioned for the attack. After some initial confusion about accommodation, the battalion remained in the ruins of Ypres before pushing forward to their designated front.
The attack began on the morning of October 30th. The battalion, 600 strong including 28 officers, advanced into the line with a fierce barrage. Reports flowed back from the front: by 7:05 AM, all companies were advancing in good order; by 9:25 AM, the crest of the hill had been taken and a large pillbox captured. Despite the heavy fighting, prisoners were taken, and the battalion pressed on with its objective. However, the fighting was brutal, and by 8:00 PM, the battalion's strength had been reduced to around 180 men, with many casualties. They eventually consolidated their position, marking a hard-earned victory in the offensive.
The battalion was relieved at midnight on October 31st, having sustained 355 casualties, and moved to Pommern Castle. Despite the hardships, the Princess Patricia’s had played a key role in the pivotal Battle of Passchendaele, advancing the line and cementing their legacy in the annals of Canadian military history.
Private Bickell, aged 20, was Killed in Action on the 30th of October 1917. It was believed and noted that during the attack on Passchendaele, about 100 yards from Bellevue Pillbox, the private was hit in the back by enemy shell fire whilst dressing the wounds of a comrade. Shortly after, he passed. The body was found near Meetcheele, Passchendaele at 28.D.5.c.70.85. His remains were exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XXXVII, Row H, Grave 19.