Current Information:

Born-Walthamstow

From 23rd to 25th March, 1915, 1st Bedfordshire battalion of 15 Brigade, 5th Division were in the front line north of the canal at Ypres. John Maxfield was killed on 25th March 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.