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Born-Paddington

First Battle of Ypres

Between 21st October and 22nd November, 1914 a desperate fight took place around the Belgium city of Ypres, the first of three major battles that were to be fought there during the course of the war. British troops entered Ypres in October. The 1st and 2nd Divisions plus the 3rd Cavalry Division had made their way up from the Aisne as part of the “Race to the Sea”, whilst the 7th Division came west to Ypres after Antwerp had fallen. The Germans knew that Ypres was the gateway to the Channel ports and that these were vital to Britain’s war effort so they poured reinforcements into the area. The fighting fell into three distinct battles; the Battle of Langemarck, 21-24 October, the Battle of Gheluvelt, 29-31 October and the Battle of Nonne Bosschen, 11 November. Ypres did not fall to the Germans but its defence during these two months resulted in the destruction of much of the old regular British Army.

On 9th November, 1914 the 1st Royal Berkshire battalion of 6 Brigade, 2nd Division took over front line trenches in a wood east of the Zonnebeke-Becelare road where they remained until relieved on 15th November. From 10th November onwards these trenches were heavily shelled on a daily basis. At 1pm on 13th November in incessant rain and shell fire  D Company were driven from their forward positions and the enemy were seen massing in preparation for a further attack. This however was deterred by the British artillery and things settled down. James Casseltine was one of the battalion’s casualties on this day.