Sgt
William Waterstone Dick

Informations sur naissance

Date de naissance:
26/08/1887
Lieu de naissance:
Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Écosse, Royaume-Uni

Informations générales

Profession:
créateur de moules

Informations service militaire

Pays:
Écosse, Royaume-Uni
Force armée:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Sergeant
Numéro de service:
12568
Unités:
 —  Devonshire Regiment, 9th Bn.  (Dernière unité connue)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
26/10/1917
Lieu de décès:
Geluveld, Belgique
Cause du décès:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Âge:
30

Cimetière

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Parcelle: LII
Rangée: E
Tombe: 11

Distinctions et médailles 3

1914-15 Star
Médaille
British War Medal
Médaille
Victory Medal
Médaille

Points d'intérêt 2

#1 Lieu de naissance
#2 Lieu du décès (approximatif)

Mon histoire

Sergeant William Waterstone Dick served in the Devonshire Regiment, 9th Battalion, part of the 20th Brigade of the 7th Division.

On October 26, the 9th Battalion took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele. As part of the 7th Division, they were ordered to attack and conquer the village of Gheluvelt. The 9th Battalion took position on the far left side of the divisional front. They had to stay north of the Menin Road. Under heavy machine gun fire, they managed to reach a railroad cutting just northwest of the church of Gheluvelt. From this position, several attempts were made to conquer the village. All failed. After several hours the Germans started to counterattack. After suffering heavy losses and after using every single reinforcement they had, the 7th Division had to retreat almost to their original frontline. The losses were enormous. Only one officer of the 9th Battalion was unharmed. Among the other ranks 143 were killed or missing and 151 wounded. It still is the worst day in the history of the battalion.

The initial grave of sergeant William Dick was found just a few meters north of the railway cutting, the tramline between Ypres and Menin. He was probably killed in action while advancing to or retreating from the railway cutting. He was identified by his identification disc and his Army Book 64, his active service paybook. On his tombstone his rank is mentioned as Private. It’s unclear why his rank is stated as private. After further research, we came to the conclusion that he had the rank of Sergeant. He had been evacuated on medical reasons twice before. His mother Marion received a notice each time. On these forms, one from July 1916 and another from May 1917, his rank is both times stated as Sergeant. His remains were reburied on the Tyne Cot Cemetery after the war.

Fichiers 6

War Diary (Official) Consulter
War Diary (Official) Consulter
War Diary (Official) Consulter

Sources 2

Atkinson C.T. ,The Devonshire Regiment, 1914-1918, (London, Eland Brothers, Kent & Co. Ltd., 1926), pg. 288-95.
Sources utilisées
McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 125.
Sources utilisées

Complément d’informations 3