Current Information:

Born-Willesden

At the outbreak of war in 1914, the 3rd Middlesex battalion were in India but they soon returned home where they joined 85 Brigade of 28th Division. In late January, 1915, 28th Division arrived in France and being a regular division they were quickly put into the trenches which in the case of 85 Brigade meant water-logged positions south of Ypres near St. Eloi and Oosthoek. It was a far cry from the warmth of India and there were many cases of sickness and frostbite. 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 3rd Middlesex had an easy time of it. Between 23rd and 28th March, 1915 they were in the line at Dickebusch, near Ypres, where the casualties from day to day life in the trenches mounted and on 30th March, after two days in billets, they moved back there. Harry Tarleton was killed on this first day back in the line.