Current Information:

Born-West Ham

On 20th April, 1915, the 3rd King’s Royal Rifle Corps battalion of 80 Brigade, 27th Division, moved to trenches in Polygon Wood in the Ypres salient where they remained for the rest of the month. During their time here the enemy launched a series of attacks, using gas for the first time, in the northern part of the salient. This became known as the Second  Battle of Ypres in which 27th Division were heavily involved. Ernest Towell was killed on 24th April but the battalion diary provides no further information concerning his death.