Information about birth

Year of birth:
1883
Place of birth:
Shoreditch, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

General information

Last known residence:
Bow, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
Profession:
General Labourer

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
7845
Enlistment place:
Finsbury, London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 3rd Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
14/04/1915
Place of death:
Broodseinde, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
32

Cemetery

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Plot: Unknown
Row: Unknown
Grave: Mem. 11

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Edward Dalby was the son of Edward and Annie Dalby. He was born in Shoreditch, London, Middlesex. Before the war, he lived in Bow, Middlesex. Edward enlisted in the British Army and was part of the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (85th Brigade, 28th Division).

Edward was killed on 14 April 1915, in the lead-up to the Second Battle of Ypres. On 13 April, the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers moved into trenches near Broodseinde, where they were only four yards away from the German troops. Two days later, on 15 April, the battalion was relieved and moved to the area around Sint-Jan. During those 48 hours, the German troops used a large trench mortar. This caused severe damage and many casualties. However, the artillery failed to disable the weapon. In those 48 hours, 33 men were killed and 39 wounded.

Edward was originally buried at Zonnebeke British Cemetery No.2, along the road between Zonnebeke and Broodseinde. At that site, German troops had buried 38 Britons, including 20 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers. The cemetery was dismantled after the war, and the graves were moved to Tyne Cot Cemetery. Today, Edward still rests there under a special memorial.

Sources 2

3 Battalion Royal Fusiliers. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2279/3).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used

More information 3