Current Information:

Age-28

79, Havil Street, Camberwell

Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France

On 29th March, 1915 the 2nd East Yorkshire battalion of 83 Brigade, 28th Division moved into trenches at Wulverghem in Belgium where they remained until relieved on 2nd April. During their time in the line here, it was cold but generally quiet by Western Front standards. Nevertheless the battalion did have some casualties including Thomas Swannell who died from wounds on 4th April. 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.