Current Information:

Age-18

48, Enbrook Street, Queen's Park

Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, Belgium

Although the main thrust of the Allied offensive in September 1918 was on the Somme there was action all along the line from Ypres southwards as the British Army sought to capture territory and drive the enemy back. Disillusionment among the German forces meant that many were not prepared to fight and eager to surrender or retreat. But others were more than ready to engage in battle and there was, at times, some fierce fighting and a long casualty list for the attacking forces.

34th Division was in the line between south of Ypres and on 23rd September, the 4th Royal Sussex battalion of 101 Brigade, moved into the front line in front of the Spanbroekmolen mine crater near Wytschaete, with orders to attack and occupy the crater. The Spanbroekmolen crater had been formed on 7th June, 1917 on the opening day of the Battle of Messines when twenty mines had been blown at intervals along the Messines ridge. At 2pm on 25th September two sections of between ten to twelve men began to work forward to rush the crater but straight away came under machine-gun fire from their left flank. Attempting to work round the south of the crater they were again met by machine-gun and sniper fire. The attack had lost its surprise element which was only to be expected given that the battalion to the left of 4th Royal Sussex had launched an attack. They worked round to the north of the crater instead and made it to the lip of the crater after disposing of some snipers while crawling forward. The crater was then rushed but most of the Germans had retired by this time. The area was consolidated but during the late afternoon and evening they were hit by light mortar fire and shrapnel and because the dug-outs had largely been destroyed, finding shelter was not easy. When dark fell support platoons arrived and forward posts were established. Spanbroekmolen crater had been captured but there had been casualties for 4th Royal Sussex one of whom was Charles Proctor who was killed in action.