Current Information:

Born-Lewisham

The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915)

This followed quickly on the heels of the Battle of Aubers Ridge and was an offensive operation by the British Army in the Artois region of France in conjunction with a French attack further south. Initial success soon ground to a halt and although there had been an advance of three kilometres in some places the end result was not the hoped for breakout but merely more muddy trenches which became the front line. British casualties over the ten days amounted to nearly 17,000, three times as many as inflicted on the Germans.

On 19th May, 1915, the 20th London battalion of 141 Brigade, 47th Division moved into trenches at Givenchy where they came under considerable shell fire as the Battle of Festubert continued to take its toll. Walter Mitchell was killed on 21st May most likely as a result of this shelling.