Current Information:

Age-21

54, Devonport Street, Ratcliffe

Born-Wapping

Battle of St Julien, 24th April – 4th 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 2 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 Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

28th Division were one of the units drawn into this battle and on 22nd April, the 2nd Cheshire battalion of 84 Brigade, moved forward from St Jean to support positions behind Frezenberg and on the next day moved into trenches at Zonnebeke where they remained until the following month as the battle raged around them. It was here on 25th April that Thomas Thomson was killed.