Pte
Norman Walbank
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 16/08/1886 |
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Place of birth: Keighley, Oakworth, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: weaving onlooker |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: S/40506 |
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Enlistment place: Bradford, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Seaforth Highlanders 1/4th Bn. (Ross Highland) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 20/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Pheasant Trench, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 31 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 135A |
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 | Enlistment place |
My story
Private Norman Walbank, a former weaving onlooker, was part of the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, 154th Infantry Brigade, 51st Division which took part in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge on the 20th of September 1917.
The 51st division attacked with two brigades, namely the 154 Brigade and special parties of the 152 Brigade to form a flank. The 154 Brigade advanced with the 9th Royal Scots to the first objective. The 4th Seaforth Highlanders, together with the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were tasked with taking the second objective.
When advancing at 5:40 a.m., the Seaforths were able to take White House without opposition, but Pheasant Trench was very strongly held. Although the left side of Pheasant Trench could be captured with little opposition, there was very fierce fighting on the right side. The Seaforths were able to capture and consolidate the Blue Line around 6:28 a.m. The War Diary states that around 6:59 p.m. the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were holding a line in advance of White House, to Pheasant Farm and until Cemetery on the left. On the right two platoons counterattacked and reestablished a line that had previously been lost in a German counterattack.
Private Norman Walbank was most likely killed during the advance on Pheasant Trench. Although it’s possible that he died while holding the newly won line, it’s more likely that he was killed during the attack. His body was not recovered. Private Norman Walbank is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.
The 51st division attacked with two brigades, namely the 154 Brigade and special parties of the 152 Brigade to form a flank. The 154 Brigade advanced with the 9th Royal Scots to the first objective. The 4th Seaforth Highlanders, together with the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were tasked with taking the second objective.
When advancing at 5:40 a.m., the Seaforths were able to take White House without opposition, but Pheasant Trench was very strongly held. Although the left side of Pheasant Trench could be captured with little opposition, there was very fierce fighting on the right side. The Seaforths were able to capture and consolidate the Blue Line around 6:28 a.m. The War Diary states that around 6:59 p.m. the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were holding a line in advance of White House, to Pheasant Farm and until Cemetery on the left. On the right two platoons counterattacked and reestablished a line that had previously been lost in a German counterattack.
Private Norman Walbank was most likely killed during the advance on Pheasant Trench. Although it’s possible that he died while holding the newly won line, it’s more likely that he was killed during the attack. His body was not recovered. Private Norman Walbank is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Sources 6
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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Chris McCarthy, 'Passchendaele : The Day-by-Day,' London: Unicorn Publishing Group, 2018, p. 86-87. Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/825603/walbank,-norman/ Sources used |
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M.M. Haldane, 'A history of the Fourth Battalion the Seaforth Highlanders,' London: H.F. & G. Witherby, 1927, p. 228-234. Sources used |
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Naval & Military Archive http://www.nmarchive.com/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |