Pte
Norman Walbank

Information about birth

Date of birth:
16/08/1886
Place of birth:
Keighley, Oakworth, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

General information

Profession:
weaving onlooker

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
S/40506
Enlistment place:
Bradford, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Seaforth Highlanders 1/4th Bn. (Ross Highland)  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
20/09/1917
Place of death:
Pheasant Trench, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
31

Memorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel: 135A

Distinctions and medals 2

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.

Files 1

Sources 6

Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/
Sources used
Chris McCarthy, 'Passchendaele : The Day-by-Day,' London: Unicorn Publishing Group, 2018, p. 86-87.
Sources used
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/825603/walbank,-norman/
Sources used
M.M. Haldane, 'A history of the Fourth Battalion the Seaforth Highlanders,' London: H.F. & G. Witherby, 1927, p. 228-234.
Sources used
Naval & Military Archive
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Sources used
The Long, Long Trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/
Sources used