Pte
Norman Walbank

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
16/08/1886
Geboorteplaats:
Keighley, Oakworth, Yorkshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
opzichter weverij

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Strijdmacht:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
S/40506
Dienstneming plaats:
Bradford, Yorkshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Eenheden:
 —  Seaforth Highlanders 1/4th Bn. (Ross Highland)  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
20/09/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Pheasant Trench, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
31

Gedenkplaats

Tyne Cot Memorial
Paneel: 135A

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 2

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats

Mijn verhaal

Private Norman Walbank, a former weaving onlooker, was part of the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, 154th Infantry Brigade, 51st Division which took part in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge on the 20th of September 1917.

The 51st division attacked with two brigades, namely the 154 Brigade and special parties of the 152 Brigade to form a flank. The 154 Brigade advanced with the 9th Royal Scots to the first objective. The 4th Seaforth Highlanders, together with the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were tasked with taking the second objective.

When advancing at 5:40 a.m., the Seaforths were able to take White House without opposition, but Pheasant Trench was very strongly held. Although the left side of Pheasant Trench could be captured with little opposition, there was very fierce fighting on the right side. The Seaforths were able to capture and consolidate the Blue Line around 6:28 a.m. The War Diary states that around 6:59 p.m. the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were holding a line in advance of White House, to Pheasant Farm and until Cemetery on the left. On the right two platoons counterattacked and reestablished a line that had previously been lost in a German counterattack.

Private Norman Walbank was most likely killed during the advance on Pheasant Trench. Although it’s possible that he died while holding the newly won line, it’s more likely that he was killed during the attack. His body was not recovered. Private Norman Walbank is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 6

Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/
Gebruikte bronnen
Chris McCarthy, 'Passchendaele : The Day-by-Day' London: Unicorn Publishing Group, 2018, p. 86-87.
Gebruikte bronnen
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/825603/walbank,-norman/
Gebruikte bronnen
M.M. Haldane, 'A history of the Fourth Battalion the Seaforth Highlanders,' London: H.F. & G. Witherby, 1927, p. 228-234.
Gebruikte bronnen
Naval & Military Archive
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Gebruikte bronnen
The Long, Long Trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/
Gebruikte bronnen