Current Information:

Age-34

4, Basset Street, Kentish Town

97, Plimsoll Road, Finsbury Park

Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St Eloi, France

For the first two weeks of May 1916, 105th Field Company, Royal Engineers, 25th Division, were working in Berthonval sector at Vimy Ridge. A constant German artillery bombardment meant that all work was done at night, work such as opening up old trenches and keeping open the communication trenches to the forward posts.

On 15th May they took part in a minor operation when five large mines were exploded under the enemy’s advanced line between White Hart Lane and Angel Avenue, The craters formed, the  ‘Crosbie Craters’, were occupied by six detachments of 11th Lancashire Fusiliers and one of 9th Loyal North Lancashire, both 74 Brigade, who rushed forward behind a barrage.  The forward lips were consolidated by these detachments and a party from 105th Field Company. There was no German counter attack or retaliation but there were some casualties, including Henry Chapman who was killed during the operation.