Current Information:

Age-22

Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium

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 10th and 15th March they were in the line at Rosignol, south of Ypres and the casualties from day to day life in the trenches mounted. One of these was Walter Parriss who was killed on 15th March. The attrition rate among British soldiers on the Western Front was on average 300 each day and 60% of these were as a result of shellfire. When not involved in an actual battle it was either shell fire or a sniper’s bullet that caused most deaths and injuries.