Current Information:

Born-Deptford

Enlisted-New Cross

On 2nd December 1914, the 2nd West Yorkshire battalion of 23rd Brigade, 8th Division went into the front line from Pont Logy to Chapigny, a mile north of Neuve Chapelle and for the rest of the month spent three day spells in the trenches here followed by three days in billets in reserve. There is no information concerning the death of William Helm who was ,killed on 11th December but 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.