Current Information:

Age-37

79, Hatcham Park Road, New Cross

Throughout April and May, 1915 a series of battles and actions took place in the Ypres Salient that became known collectively as Second Ypres. If the British line had been broken, the town of Ypres would have fallen to the Germans, there would have been very little between them and the channel ports and the British Army’s life line would have been broken. The line was not broken, Ypres remained in British hands, but when the fierce fighting finally died down the salient had been much reduced in size.

Between 4th May and 7th May, Mouse Trap Farm in the north-eastern sector of the salient, near Verlorenhoek on the Frezenberg Ridge was attacked four times and subjected to an almost constant bombardment, which included many gas shells. One of these attacks came on 5th May when the 2nd East Yorkshire battalion of 83 Brigade, 28th Division was one of the units holding the line there. The attack was eventually beaten off but so severe were their casualties that 2nd East Yorkshire had to be relieved that night. Among those who did not survive the fighting on this day was Arthur Arnold.