Current Information:

Born-Brentford

Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, France

On 2nd April, 1917, 1st Royal Fusiliers of 17 Brigade, 24th Division were relieved from the front line and moved into Divisional reserve at Fosse10. Two days later they moved forward into support positions around Ablain-St Nazaire. The build up to the forthcoming Battle of Arras was in full swing and there was a good deal or artillery activity by both sides. D Company were in trenches close to an 18 pounder  gun battery which was one of the targets of the German guns and on the evening of 8th April, the day before the battle commenced, there was a direct hit on one of their dug-outs. The men inside were buried alive. Frantic digging rescued some of those trapped but four men were killed. William Noakes died from wounds on 11th April and although there is no information concerning the exact date on which he was wounded, it is possible that he was one of the victims of this incident.