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David Bell Green

Information about birth

Year of birth:
1892
Place of birth:
Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Army information

Country:
Verenigd Koninkrijk
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
204200
Enlistment place:
Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Seaforth Highlanders, 8th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
22/08/1917
Place of death:
Pommern Castle & Redoubt, Saint-Julien, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
25

Cemetery

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Plot: VII
Row: H
Grave: 6

Points of interest 3

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place
#3 Place of death (approximate)

My story

David Bell Green was the son of Annie and Willie Green. He was born around 1892 in Dundee, Forfarshire. David enlisted in the British Army and served in the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division).

David was killed in action on 22 August 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. On that day, the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were positioned between Beck House and Pommern Castle. Their objective was to advance toward Iberian and Hill 35. After the attack began at 4:45 am, the advance proved difficult. The objectives Iberian and Beck House remained in German hands, and the battalion was driven back. By 7:45 am, the battalion had returned to its original positions, and efforts were focused on consolidation. However, German sniper fire caused many casualties.

Around midday, the German barrage ceased, and at approximately 3:40 pm a counterattack followed. At 6:50 pm, German troops advanced from Zevekote, prompting the Scots to call for a barrage. At 7:30 am, a heavy German bombardment followed from Frezenberg and Pommern Castle. Nearly an hour and a half later, the barrage ended. No further attack followed. The 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders did not achieve their objectives on 22 August. Eventually, new orders were issued to launch a renewed raid the following day.

David was killed at the age of 25. After the war, his body was recovered near Pommern Castle. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.

Sources 2

44 Infantry Brigade: 8 Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1940/3).
https://nationalarchives.gov.uk
Sources used
McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p. 63.
Sources used

More information 3