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Gerald Lansom
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 26/09/1895 |
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Place of birth: Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Student, Teacher |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Lance Serjeant |
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Service number: 202972 |
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Units: — Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 5th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 23/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Tower Hamlets, Geluveld, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 96 |
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 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Gerald Lansom was born on 26 September 1895. He was the son of Thomas and Lizzie Lansom of Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. Gerald was studying to become an elementary school teacher. In July 1915 he enlisted the 5th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, part of the 42nd Brigade of the 14th (Light) Division.
In October 1917 the 14th Division was engaged in the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. The 5th Ox & Bucks moved into the frontlines in mid-October. They were holding dirty and muddy trenches between the Menin Road, near Geluveld Wood, and the Scheriabeek stream. The Germans opposite them in the ruins of Geluveld held the high ground and had an excellent view on the Ox & Bucks’ positions. The men were therefore frequently subjected to heavy shelling and sniper fire. Casualties kept stacking up.
After five arduous days at the front Gerald’ Battalion was relieved from the first line. The 5th Ox & Bucks moved into support in the Tower Hamlets area, south of the Menin Road. The men were cramped together in a series of pillboxes and open trenches. At 5.30 a.m. on 22 October 1917 an allied barrage came down on the German lines, as the British launched another attack near Poelkapelle and the Houthulst forest. The German artillery immediately retaliated and the 5th Ox & Bucks’ front were heavily shelled. On 23 October 1917 the trench was shelled again, killing 23 year old Lance Serjeant Gerald Lansom. He's said to have been buried at the Menin Road Cemetery, but his remains were not recovered after the war. He's was remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial, panel 96.
In October 1917 the 14th Division was engaged in the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. The 5th Ox & Bucks moved into the frontlines in mid-October. They were holding dirty and muddy trenches between the Menin Road, near Geluveld Wood, and the Scheriabeek stream. The Germans opposite them in the ruins of Geluveld held the high ground and had an excellent view on the Ox & Bucks’ positions. The men were therefore frequently subjected to heavy shelling and sniper fire. Casualties kept stacking up.
After five arduous days at the front Gerald’ Battalion was relieved from the first line. The 5th Ox & Bucks moved into support in the Tower Hamlets area, south of the Menin Road. The men were cramped together in a series of pillboxes and open trenches. At 5.30 a.m. on 22 October 1917 an allied barrage came down on the German lines, as the British launched another attack near Poelkapelle and the Houthulst forest. The German artillery immediately retaliated and the 5th Ox & Bucks’ front were heavily shelled. On 23 October 1917 the trench was shelled again, killing 23 year old Lance Serjeant Gerald Lansom. He's said to have been buried at the Menin Road Cemetery, but his remains were not recovered after the war. He's was remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial, panel 96.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Leonard Lansom
Brother |
Sources 4
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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/835358/gerald-lansom/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 5th Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Sources used |