Pte
Thomas Craddock Denison
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1885 |
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Place of birth: Queenstown, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa |
Army information
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Country: South Africa |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 10145 |
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Units: — South African Infantry Regiment, 3rd Bn. (Transvaal and Rhodesia) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 20/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Potsdam, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 32 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 16B |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Thomas Craddock Denison served in the South African Infantry, 3rd Regiment, part of the South African Brigade, of the 9th (Scottish) Division.
On the 20th Of September 1917, the Division participated in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, a phase in the Third Battle of Ypres. Two of its Brigades were to take part: the 27th and the South African Brigade.
The 27th Brigade attacked with the 6th King’s Own Scottish Borderers and the 9th Scottish Rifles; the 12th Royal Scots were in support. The leading battalions of the South African Brigade were the 3rd and 4th Regiment, with the 1st and 2nd Regiment in support.
The objective of the South African leading battalions was the Red Line. The 4th would attack from the left, while the 3rd would attack from the right. Both Regiments were divided into companies. The 3rd Regiment consisted of 4 companies: “A” company (under Captain Vivian) on the right, “B” company (under Captain Sprenger) in the centre, “C” company (under Captain Ellis) on the left and “D” company (under Captain Tomlinson) in support.
The objective of supporting battalions was the Blue and Green Line. During the night of 19th on 20th September, the battalions got into position. This was not an easy task due to the lack of communication trenches and the many shell holes. Nevertheless, they managed to get into position on time.
At 5.40 am, zero hour, the attacking Battalions advanced behind a barrage. Not long after, a German barrage fell on the old front line, forcing the supporting battalions to move forward.
The 3rd Regiment and more specifically its left wing advanced very easily. They went through their own barrage, took Vampir Farm, and reached their objective without much trouble.
The right wing had some more problems. Company “A” and a part of Company “B” and “D” reached their objectives but they couldn’t advance any further, as the 12th Royal Scots were held up by opposition from Potsdam. So the companies, led by Captain Sprenger, diverted their course and attacked Potsdam. Many Germans fled up Zonnebeke Railway and Potsdam was taken. However, this was not without much difficulty and there were many casualties. Potsdam was left in charge of the 12th Royal Scots so the companies could again move towards their objective.
In the meantime, the 4th Regiment managed to take Beck House and Borry Farm. The 1st Regiment also reached its objective without opposition, but the 2nd Regiment had to deal with some resistance. They came under fire from Waterend House, Tulip Cottages and Hill 37. Eventually, the 2nd managed to take Zevenkote and Bremen Redoubt and they threw out a defensive flank to the south bank of the Zonnebeke stream until the 55th Division caught up.
By nightfall, the 9th Division managed to consolidate all objectives. At 5 pm there was a German counter-attack, but it was soon stopped by artillery. The Division was then relieved during the night by the 5th Cameron Highlanders, and it re-assembled at the old support line south of Bavaria House.
Private Thomas Craddock Denison was killed in action on 20 September 1917. Although there are no records that mention the exact circumstances of his death, it is highly likely that he fell during the taking of Potsdam. His regiment encountered most opposition at Potsdam and it is there that most of the casualties were made. His remains have never been identified after the war. He is now remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
On the 20th Of September 1917, the Division participated in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, a phase in the Third Battle of Ypres. Two of its Brigades were to take part: the 27th and the South African Brigade.
The 27th Brigade attacked with the 6th King’s Own Scottish Borderers and the 9th Scottish Rifles; the 12th Royal Scots were in support. The leading battalions of the South African Brigade were the 3rd and 4th Regiment, with the 1st and 2nd Regiment in support.
The objective of the South African leading battalions was the Red Line. The 4th would attack from the left, while the 3rd would attack from the right. Both Regiments were divided into companies. The 3rd Regiment consisted of 4 companies: “A” company (under Captain Vivian) on the right, “B” company (under Captain Sprenger) in the centre, “C” company (under Captain Ellis) on the left and “D” company (under Captain Tomlinson) in support.
The objective of supporting battalions was the Blue and Green Line. During the night of 19th on 20th September, the battalions got into position. This was not an easy task due to the lack of communication trenches and the many shell holes. Nevertheless, they managed to get into position on time.
At 5.40 am, zero hour, the attacking Battalions advanced behind a barrage. Not long after, a German barrage fell on the old front line, forcing the supporting battalions to move forward.
The 3rd Regiment and more specifically its left wing advanced very easily. They went through their own barrage, took Vampir Farm, and reached their objective without much trouble.
The right wing had some more problems. Company “A” and a part of Company “B” and “D” reached their objectives but they couldn’t advance any further, as the 12th Royal Scots were held up by opposition from Potsdam. So the companies, led by Captain Sprenger, diverted their course and attacked Potsdam. Many Germans fled up Zonnebeke Railway and Potsdam was taken. However, this was not without much difficulty and there were many casualties. Potsdam was left in charge of the 12th Royal Scots so the companies could again move towards their objective.
In the meantime, the 4th Regiment managed to take Beck House and Borry Farm. The 1st Regiment also reached its objective without opposition, but the 2nd Regiment had to deal with some resistance. They came under fire from Waterend House, Tulip Cottages and Hill 37. Eventually, the 2nd managed to take Zevenkote and Bremen Redoubt and they threw out a defensive flank to the south bank of the Zonnebeke stream until the 55th Division caught up.
By nightfall, the 9th Division managed to consolidate all objectives. At 5 pm there was a German counter-attack, but it was soon stopped by artillery. The Division was then relieved during the night by the 5th Cameron Highlanders, and it re-assembled at the old support line south of Bavaria House.
Private Thomas Craddock Denison was killed in action on 20 September 1917. Although there are no records that mention the exact circumstances of his death, it is highly likely that he fell during the taking of Potsdam. His regiment encountered most opposition at Potsdam and it is there that most of the casualties were made. His remains have never been identified after the war. He is now remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
Sources 6
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"The history of the South African Forces in France", Buchan John, Londen, The Imperial War Museum, 1992, pg. 136-144. Sources used |
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"The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995, pg. 74-77. Sources used |
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Ancestry http://home.ancestry.co.uk/ Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1602406/denison,-thomas-craddock/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary South African Infantry, 3rd Regt. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Further reference |