Current Information:

Born-Walthamstow

Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France

On 21st April, 1915, the 1st East Yorkshire battalion of 18 Brigade, 6th Division moved into ttrenches at Houplines near Armentières on the French-Belgian border where they remained until relieved on 25th April. Albert Backhouse died from wounds on 28th April and it is likely that he was wounded during this time in the front line but the battalion diary provides no information concerning his death. 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.