Current Information:

Enlisted-Willesden

Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France

28th Division did not reach France until January 1915, having been in India at the start of the war. They were immediately thrown into front line action which depleted their ranks substantially but it was winter diseases, among men fresh from the heat of India, that seriously reduced their numbers. So badly did this affect them that in mid February, 85 Brigade was temporarily transferred to 3rd Division whilst 9 Brigade joined 28th Division.

However this did not mean that the 3rd Middlesex or the other battalions of 85 Brigade had an easy time of it. On 23rd March, 3rd Middlesex relieved the Canadians in the front line at Dickebusch, in the southern part of the Ypres salient and remained there until 28th March during which time the casualties from day to day life in the trenches mounted. Most of these would no doubt have come from shell fire and probably included Daniel Donovan who died from wounds on 1st April.