Sjt
Ralph Prestage
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1888 |
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Place of birth: Dublin, Ireland, United Kingdom |
Army information
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Country: Ireland, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Serjeant |
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Service number: 10347 |
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Enlistment date: 31/12/1907 |
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Enlistment place: Dublin, Ireland, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: 't Goed Ter Vesten Farm, Langemark, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 29 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 144 |
Distinctions and medals 4
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Military Medal and Bar Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Serjeant Ralph Prestage served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion, part of the 86th Brigade, of the 29th Division.
On the 4th of October 1917, the Brigade participated in the so-called Battle of Broodseinde, a phase in the Third Battle of Ypres. Its task was to form a defensive flank overlooking the Broembeek valley. The brigade was divided into three companies, each with its own objective. Z and Y companies were the leading companies, meaning they were to advance first. The objective of the former was a line near Staden Railway and ‘t Goed ter Vesten Farm. That of the latter was near Chinese House. W company was to act as a support and had to consolidate a line behind the two leading companies.
The preparations for the battle already began during the night of the 3rd-4th October. The 1st Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers relieved the 16th Middlesex in Ragle trench. There they provisioned themselves and by 5 am everything was ready for the oncoming battle.
At 6am, the attack began. Z and Y companies advanced first, close behind their barrage. W company left not long after. By means of reports it was established that Z and W companies had consolidated their objectives. However, nothing was heard from Y company. All its the officers had been killed which meant no report could be sent. Nevertheless, it eventually became clear that they too had been able to consolidate their objective.
At 1.30 pm, the Germans made a small counter-attack that came from the direction of Kortebeek Farm. Due to the gunfire of the 29th Division, they were eventually forced to retreat. In the afternoon, there was fairly heavy shelling, but the Royal Dublin Fusiliers had dug themselves in very well which limited the number of casualties.
Serjeant Ralph Prestage was killed in action on the 4th of October 1917. Not much is known about the circumstances of his death. It is also unclear where exactly he fell, although it must have been in the vicinity of Langemarck. His remains were never identified. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
On the 4th of October 1917, the Brigade participated in the so-called Battle of Broodseinde, a phase in the Third Battle of Ypres. Its task was to form a defensive flank overlooking the Broembeek valley. The brigade was divided into three companies, each with its own objective. Z and Y companies were the leading companies, meaning they were to advance first. The objective of the former was a line near Staden Railway and ‘t Goed ter Vesten Farm. That of the latter was near Chinese House. W company was to act as a support and had to consolidate a line behind the two leading companies.
The preparations for the battle already began during the night of the 3rd-4th October. The 1st Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers relieved the 16th Middlesex in Ragle trench. There they provisioned themselves and by 5 am everything was ready for the oncoming battle.
At 6am, the attack began. Z and Y companies advanced first, close behind their barrage. W company left not long after. By means of reports it was established that Z and W companies had consolidated their objectives. However, nothing was heard from Y company. All its the officers had been killed which meant no report could be sent. Nevertheless, it eventually became clear that they too had been able to consolidate their objective.
At 1.30 pm, the Germans made a small counter-attack that came from the direction of Kortebeek Farm. Due to the gunfire of the 29th Division, they were eventually forced to retreat. In the afternoon, there was fairly heavy shelling, but the Royal Dublin Fusiliers had dug themselves in very well which limited the number of casualties.
Serjeant Ralph Prestage was killed in action on the 4th of October 1917. Not much is known about the circumstances of his death. It is also unclear where exactly he fell, although it must have been in the vicinity of Langemarck. His remains were never identified. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Sources 3
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1 Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers , (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1974/1). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303 Further reference |
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McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 97-103. Sources used |
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Wylly H.C., Neill's "Blue Caps" : Vol. 3: 1914-1922, (Uckfield, The Naval & Military Press Ltd., 1923), pg. 88-91. Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/829770 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=b944e201-3480-4f75-b204-ec9b999b643b |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3587224 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5082770 |