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Born-Peckham

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 20th October, 7th Division were ordered to hold its line at all costs but also to push a strong reconnaissance towards Menin via Gheluwe. In accordance with this, the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers and 2nd Wiltshire battalions of 21 Brigade moved towards Terhand. The following morning, 21st  October, there was a very determined attack against 21 and 20 Brigade, the brunt of which was directed against 2nd Yorkshire and 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers near Poezelhoek, between Gheluvelt & Becelaere.  Wave after wave of Germans attacked and despite enormous losses, they temporarily broke through between these two battalions. However they could not get past Polderhoek Chateau behind the junction which was held by the reserve company of 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers. The battalion maintained these positions for the next two days during which time they came under repeated attacks and sustained more casualties. One of these was Thomas Craggs who was killed on 23rd October.