Current Information:

Age-25

42, Walpole Road, Walthamstow

Battle of St Julien, 24 April – 4 May 1915

Spurred on by the success of their gas attack on 22nd April, the Germans struck again two days later on the northern sector of the Ypres salient at St. Julien.  Once more chlorine gas was used and despite a resolute defence the British and Canadians were pushed back and St Julien was lost. For nearly 2 weeks the fighting continued on this front. The Germans persisted with their attacks, the British fought desperate rear guard actions and launched many counter attacks but gradually they were pushed further and further back. Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

On 26 April, 1915 the Lahore Division of the Indian Corps were ordered to move from Ouderdom, behind Ypres to the Wieltje-St Jean area in the salient where the Germans had launched their gas attack and then, at 2pm, to attack northwards on a 1000 yard front against Langemarck, through the sector east of the Ypres-Langemarck road, held by 13 Brigade. The attack by the Jullunder Brigade advanced up the gentle rise to Hill Top Ridge but then came to grief in the face of strong enemy resistance and that evening the survivors were withdrawn and replaced by units from the Sirhind Brigade. At 1.15pm on 27th April, the Sirhind Brigade tried again with 1/1st Gurkhas and 1/4th Gurkhas attacking across the open valley, supported by the 1st Highland Light Infantry battalion on the left and the 4th Liverpool (Kings) battalion on the right. As they crossed the crest and continued down into the hollow the enemy guns thinned their ranks considerably and after an advance of only a few hundred yards they were forced to dig in. That evening they withdrew back to their original lines with nothing gained. One of those who did not survive this failed attack was Albert Rawlings of 4th Liverpool (Kings).