Informations sur naissance

Date de naissance:
23/02/1894
Lieu de naissance:
Old Ford, Middlesex, Angleterre, Royaume-Uni

Informations générales

Profession:
Comptable

Informations service militaire

Pays:
Angleterre, Royaume-Uni
Force armée:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Lieutenant
Numéro de service:
/
Unités:
 —  Lancashire Fusiliers, 1/7th Bn. attd. 2/5th Bn.  (Attaché)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
31/07/1917
Lieu de décès:
Spree Farm, Belgique
Cause du décès:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Âge:
23

Mémorial

Points d'intérêt 1

#1 Lieu de naissance

Mon histoire

On July 31st 1917, the Battle of Pilcken Ridge took place. The main objective was the capture of the enemy’s Gheluvelt-Langemarck system (the Wilhelm-Stellung), but they also hoped to obtain a footing upon the Gravenstafel spur. The 55th Division was to attack with the 165th Brigade on the right, the 166th Brigade on the left and the 164th Brigade in reserve. There were 3 objectives. The first objective was to be carried out by the leading battalions of the 165th and 166th Brigade, who had to capture the enemy’s front line system of trenches up to the blue line. The remaining two battalions of the 165th and 166th brigade had to carry out the second objective, which consisted of capturing and consolidating the enemy’s second line system, up to the black line. The third objective was to be carried out by the 164th brigade. They had to pass through the 165th and 166th brigade on the black line and proceed to capture the enemy’s third line system (the Gheluvelt-Langemarck line) up to the green line.
The blue line was succesfuly captured. Around 5 a.m. the advance was made to capture the black line. There was heavy enemy opposition, but eventually the black line was reached. However, Spree Farm and Pond Farm were still in the hands of the enemy.
Around 8 a.m. the 2nd/5th battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers left their assembly position at Congreve Walk-Liverpool trench and commenced their advance to the black line. When they crossed over the Hanebeek, they came under heavy rifle fire and machine gun fire. 200 to 300 yards short of the black line, they were again met by heavy machine gun and rifle fire. Here they suffered severe casualties. The 2nd/5th battalion took Wine Housen Spree Farm and Capricorn Support. Here as well severe losses were suffered. The black line was eventually reached, with casualties counting up to 25 to 50 per cent of the total 2nd/5th battalion. After they reached the black line, the advancement to the green line started. During the advance, Pond Farm, Hindu Cot and other points were taken. They were able to consolidate the green line, and Wurst Farm was reached by A Company, which lost 8 men. The 2nd/5th battalion was for 20 minutes in possession of the green line, when the enemy strike a counter-attack. This counter-attack advanced as far as the road running North West and South East form D7.a. to D7.d., nowadays known as the ‘Keerzelaarstraat’, where it halted. The battalion withdrew to Winnipeg, and later on further to Jew Hill, located east of St. Julien. When the enemy launched a new counter-attack, there was a general withdrawal, after which followed a consolidation at the black line.
The headquarter of the 2nd/5th battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers was located at Spree Farm. At the headquarter, they received late warning that the enemy was near, and they had to withdraw in grate haste. The Commanding Officer, lieutenant-colonel B. Best-Dunkley gathered all available men, placed himself at their head and beat off the counter attack. It was during this withdrawal that lieutenant Reginald Andrews was killed, around 7-8 p.m.
Around 9 a.m. on August 1st, the battalion was withdrawn to Rilge Trench to reorganise.

Sources 2

Coop J.0., The Story of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division, (Liverpool, "Daily Post" Printers, 1919), p. 46-54.
Sources utilisées
McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 26-27.
Sources utilisées

Complément d’informations 3