Rfn
John Da Costa
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 31/10/1891 |
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Place of birth: Stepney, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Manager |
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Religion: Judaism |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Rifleman |
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Service number: S/19776 |
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Enlistment date: 12/12/1915 |
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Enlistment place: London (City), Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — The Rifle Brigade, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 01/08/1917 |
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Place of death: No. 32 Casualty Claering Station, Brandhoek, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Died of wounds (D.O.W.) |
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Age: 25 |
Cemetery
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Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No.3 Plot: I Row: A Grave: 8 |
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
On 12 December 1915 the 23-year old manager John Da Costa enlisted in Londen and was enlisted with the 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade (part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division). Rifleman Da Costa saw action in France and Flanders and was wounded at the end of October 1916 in France and admitted to the hospital with a gun shot wound to his left hand. He rejoined his unit in May 1917.
In the opening battle of the Battle of Passchendaele on 31 July 1917 the 8th Division was responsible for taking the area around Bellewaarde and Westhoek. The 25th Brigade was responsible for taken the third objective, starting at the junction of the Ypres-Roulers railway and the Ypres-Zonnebeke road, running south to the Westhoek-Zonnebeke road. The 25th Brigade was to be formed up behind the Westhoek Ridge and start their advance at 10.18 AM under an artillery barrage. When the attack started the 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade advanced a little behind schedule with the 2nd Bn. Lincolshire Regiment who got held up on their right. The 1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles reported a little later that their advance was also held up by machinegun fire. And eventually the 2nd Rifle Brigade reported that they could not advance any further. Casualties had been heavy and their right flank was exposed. The right company of the Rifle Brigade pushed forward to about Haanebeek Wood. Eventually enfilade fire forced the company back to the mail line. A line running approximately from the railroad over Kitkat to Jabber Trench in front of Westhoek. Several counter attacks could be driven off. During the night the 25th Brigade was relieved.
Rifleman John Da Costa was wounded during this action and taken back to N° 32 Casualty Clearing Station at Brandhoek with a bullet wound to the abdomen. The next day he succumb to his wounds and was buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, where he is still remembered today.
In the opening battle of the Battle of Passchendaele on 31 July 1917 the 8th Division was responsible for taking the area around Bellewaarde and Westhoek. The 25th Brigade was responsible for taken the third objective, starting at the junction of the Ypres-Roulers railway and the Ypres-Zonnebeke road, running south to the Westhoek-Zonnebeke road. The 25th Brigade was to be formed up behind the Westhoek Ridge and start their advance at 10.18 AM under an artillery barrage. When the attack started the 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade advanced a little behind schedule with the 2nd Bn. Lincolshire Regiment who got held up on their right. The 1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles reported a little later that their advance was also held up by machinegun fire. And eventually the 2nd Rifle Brigade reported that they could not advance any further. Casualties had been heavy and their right flank was exposed. The right company of the Rifle Brigade pushed forward to about Haanebeek Wood. Eventually enfilade fire forced the company back to the mail line. A line running approximately from the railroad over Kitkat to Jabber Trench in front of Westhoek. Several counter attacks could be driven off. During the night the 25th Brigade was relieved.
Rifleman John Da Costa was wounded during this action and taken back to N° 32 Casualty Clearing Station at Brandhoek with a bullet wound to the abdomen. The next day he succumb to his wounds and was buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, where he is still remembered today.
Sources 6
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"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pp. 26-27 Sources used |
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"The history of the Rifle Brigade in the War of 1914-1918.", Seymour W., London, The Rifle Brigade Club, 1936 (reprint), dl 2, pp. 98-102 Sources used |
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/430291/john-da-costa/ Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |
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War Diary 2nd Rifle Brigade http://www.nmarchive.com/ Sources used |