Current Information:

Age-21

65, Giffin Street, High Street, Deptford

Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres

First Battle of Ypres

Between 21st October and 22nd November, 1914 a desperate fight took place around the Belgium city of Ypres, the first of three major battles that were to be fought there during the course of the war. British troops entered Ypres in October. The 1st and 2nd Divisions plus the 3rd Cavalry Division had made their way up from the Aisne as part of the “Race to the Sea”, whilst the 7th Division came west to Ypres after Antwerp had fallen. The Germans knew that Ypres was the gateway to the Channel ports and that these were vital to Britain’s war effort so they poured reinforcements into the area. The fighting fell into three distinct battles; the Battle of Langemarck, 21-24 October, the Battle of Gheluvelt, 29-31 October and the Battle of Nonne Bosschen, 11 November. Ypres did not fall to the Germans but its defence during these two months resulted in the destruction of much of the old regular British Army.

From 21st October to 24th October, 1914, 7th Division, in their position east of Ypres were repeatedly attacked by the numerically superior Germans, whilst 1st and 2nd Divisions were similarly assaulted to the north-east of Ypres around Langemarck. This was the old regular British army at its fighting best and the German offensive failed to break through, but the cost was high.

On 21st October, the 2nd Welsh battalion of 3 Brigade, 1st Division were in reserve when Langemarck was captured and when the 1st Queens, being hard pressed, called for assistance “D” and later “B” Companies of 2nd Welsh were sent up through heavy shelling. The following day 22nd October was a fairly quiet day except for the shelling of Langemarck which reduced the village to ashes in four hours. Richard Clements was one of the battalion’s casualties.