Current Information:

Age-23

Born-Walthamstow

Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France

At the outbreak of war in 1914, the 3rd Royal Fusiliers battalion were in India but they soon returned home where they joined 85 Brigade of 28th Division. In late January, 1915, 28th Division arrived in France and being a regular division they were quickly put into the trenches which in the case of 85 Brigade meant water-logged positions south of Ypres near St. Eloi and Oosthoek. It was a far cry from the warmth of India and there were many cases of sickness and frostbite.

2nd East  Kent (Buffs)  and 3rd Royal Fusiliers were in the northern part of the Brigade line which was bisected by the Ypres-Comines canal and on the night of 14th-15th February 1915, 3rd Royal Fusiliers relieved 2nd East  Kent (Buffs)  in the line.  During the same night 3rd Middlesex, including five platoons of 2nd East Surrey, had their trenches, “O” and “P” thinly manned whilst they dug a new line to the rear. The Germans took advantage and captured “O” Trench in a raid. The other battalions of 85 Brigade were sent to reinforce but despite the efforts of 2nd East Kent (Buffs), the rest of 2nd East Surrey and some of 3rd Royal Fusiliers, the captured trench remained in German hands. Frederick Rance of 3rd Royal Fusiliers died from wounds on 16th February after having been sent to a base hospital on the coast and it is likely that he was wounded during this operation.