Current Information:

Born-Newington

Battle of St Julien, 24 April – 4 May 1915

Spurred on by the success of their gas attack on 22nd April, the Germans struck again two days later on the northern sector of the Ypres salient at St. Julien.  Once more chlorine gas was used and despite a resolute defence the British and Canadians were pushed back and St Julien was lost. For nearly two weeks the fighting continued on this front. The Germans persisted with their attacks, the British fought desperate rear guard actions and launched many counter attacks but gradually they were pushed further and further back. Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

When the Germans launched their first gas attack on 22nd April, 1915, 27th Division were holding the line running from Hill 60 to Polygon Wood. The 4th Rifle Brigade battalion of 80 Brigade, 27th Division were in reserve behind Ypres and that evening, along with the reserves of 27th and 28th Divisions they marched out of Ypres towards the breach made in the British line. 4th Rifle Brigade bivouacked that night in Potijze Wood and the next day they came under the orders of the hard pressed 13 Brigade, 5th Division and took over the whole of their line. These new positions ran east of the canal, in front of Lancashire and Fusilier Farms, across the Pilckem road to the outskirts of Turco Farm. Here they dug in as best they could and, working like Trojans, buried over 1000 dead. For the next two days they remained in these positions pounded by German artillery. This was a period of great confusion with different units becoming intermingled in the desperate attempts to stop the German advance.

During the night of 25th -26th April, 13 Brigade, still including 4th Rifle Brigade, were ordered to relieve 2nd Buffs near St Julien but in the absence of any guides to direct them to their new positions, 4th Rifle Brigade stayed where they were and only managed to reach their new positions, trenches in front of Canadian Farm to the north of Wieltje, on the evening of 26th April and there they stayed until relieved on 1st May. One of their casualties during this period was Richard Dowdswell who was killed on 29th April.