Pte
George Braithwaite
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1890 |
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Place of birth: Harrogate, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Clothier Cutter |
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: 24928 |
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Enlistment place: Leeds, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 9th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 27/08/1917 |
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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: 27 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 44 |
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 George Braithwaite, a 27-year-old tailor from Leeds, was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele. He served with the 9th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division).
The 9th West Yorkshire Regiment attacked from Maison Bulgare on 27 August 1917. Their objective was Pheasant Trench. George Braithwaite was a part of “A” Company, which was positioned on the right flank. George’s Battalion advanced towards the second objective at 1:55pm. A shrapnel barrage was sent into the German trenches. At 01:58 pm the Germans launched a counter-attack, fixing their barrage on Langemark-Winnipeg Road. The right of the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment came under fire from Vieilles Maisons.
Before the men even reached Pheasant Trench, many had already fallen. Even though some made it into Pheasant Trench, they had to retreat and create a line of posts east of Bulow Farm, parallel to Pheasant Trench. A day later, these posts were consolidated. On 29 August the Battalion was relieved. Casualties had been high. 65 killed, 152 wounded and 17 missing.
Private George Braithwaite was reported missing. Red Cross eye-witnesses later declared to have seen him fall during the attack. His girlfriend Evelyn Townsend wrote to Pte Horseman, one of Braithwaite’s close friends, for further information. He stated that George died during the attack on Pheasant Trench.
The 9th West Yorkshire Regiment attacked from Maison Bulgare on 27 August 1917. Their objective was Pheasant Trench. George Braithwaite was a part of “A” Company, which was positioned on the right flank. George’s Battalion advanced towards the second objective at 1:55pm. A shrapnel barrage was sent into the German trenches. At 01:58 pm the Germans launched a counter-attack, fixing their barrage on Langemark-Winnipeg Road. The right of the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment came under fire from Vieilles Maisons.
Before the men even reached Pheasant Trench, many had already fallen. Even though some made it into Pheasant Trench, they had to retreat and create a line of posts east of Bulow Farm, parallel to Pheasant Trench. A day later, these posts were consolidated. On 29 August the Battalion was relieved. Casualties had been high. 65 killed, 152 wounded and 17 missing.
Private George Braithwaite was reported missing. Red Cross eye-witnesses later declared to have seen him fall during the attack. His girlfriend Evelyn Townsend wrote to Pte Horseman, one of Braithwaite’s close friends, for further information. He stated that George died during the attack on Pheasant Trench.
Sources 5
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.co.uk/ Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/842742/braithwaite,-george/ Sources used |
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Naval Military Archive http://www.nmarchive.com/search-for-a-soldier Sources used |
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Passchendaele The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., Uniform 2018, p. 67. Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |