Current Information:

Age-28

172, Edward Street, New Cross

Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France

On 15th February 1915, the 1st Cornwall Light Infantry battalion of 14th Brigade, 5th Division moved into trenches south-west of Messines where they remained until relieved on 19th February then returning to these trenches on 23rd February for a further four days. John Strand died from wounds on 24th February but the exact date on which he was wounded is not known. 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.