Pte
Emile Liendet August Damster
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 29/03/1887 |
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Place of birth: Cape Town, Cape, 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: 12323 |
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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: 21/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Bremen, Redoubt, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 30 |
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 1
| #1 | Place of birth |
My story
Private Emile Liendet August was born in Cape Town South Africa, where he enlisted in the 3rd Battalion of the South Africa Infantry Regiment, part of the 9th (Scottish) Division. He was married to Margaret Sheldon. They two sons, Emile and Leonard, and two daughters, Elva Irene and Mabel Elisabeth.
On the 20th September 1917, the assembly line of the 9th Division lay along the crest of the Frezenberg Ridge. There were a number of “Pillboxes” of the Germans, the most important being Beck House, Borry Farm and a strongpoint called Potsdam.
The Leading battalions were the 3rd and the 4th supported by the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the South African Brigade. The 4th on the left 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. 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 encountered heavy resistance. They reached their objectives but the 3rd sustained several casualties, due to machine-gun fire coming from Potsdam. The men then 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 and the 3rd South African Regiment continued their attack. They assisted in capturing Mitchell’s Farm and went on to their objective between Bremen Redoubt and Bostin Farm.
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 Emile Liendet August Damster was killed in action on 21 September 1917. The 30-year-old possibly fell while consolidating the line near Bremen Redoubt. His remains were never identified and his name is marked on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 16B.
On the 20th September 1917, the assembly line of the 9th Division lay along the crest of the Frezenberg Ridge. There were a number of “Pillboxes” of the Germans, the most important being Beck House, Borry Farm and a strongpoint called Potsdam.
The Leading battalions were the 3rd and the 4th supported by the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the South African Brigade. The 4th on the left 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. 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 encountered heavy resistance. They reached their objectives but the 3rd sustained several casualties, due to machine-gun fire coming from Potsdam. The men then 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 and the 3rd South African Regiment continued their attack. They assisted in capturing Mitchell’s Farm and went on to their objective between Bremen Redoubt and Bostin Farm.
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 Emile Liendet August Damster was killed in action on 21 September 1917. The 30-year-old possibly fell while consolidating the line near Bremen Redoubt. His remains were never identified and his name is marked on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 16B.
Sources 7
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"Passchendaele The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., Uniform 2018, page 82 - 85 Sources used |
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"The History of the Ninth (Scottish) Division, 1914-1919", Ewing J., London, John Murray, Albemarle street, W., 1921, page 226 - 237 Sources used |
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Ancestry https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=61588&h=21692154&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=tpN4&_phstart=successSource Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1602399/damster,-emile-liendet-august/ Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |
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War Diary http://www.nmarchive.com/view-diary/frezenberg-ridge/1784-1402/37291 Further reference |
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War Diary2 http://www.nmarchive.com/view-diary/reference-l3-ed1-part-of-28-ne/1784-1402/37329/page/354 Further reference |