Current Information:

Age-41

Born & Enlisted-Hampshire

Battle of Frezenberg Ridge (8 May-13 May)

In April 1915 the Germans, using gas for the first time, launched an all out attack on the salient around the Belgian town of Ypres. It became a gargantuan struggle that lasted well into the next month and at the end of it, the salient, though drastically reduced, still stood.

The Battle of Frezenberg Ridge which began on 8th May, 1915 was a further attempt to destroy the Ypres salient. The name is deceptive because the Frezenberg ridge, which lay to the north-east of the town rose to only 50 metres above sea level and was one of a series of low ridges that ran in a generally westerly direction and branched off the main ridge that ran north-easterly from Kemmel to Passchendaele. Nevertheless, it gave a commanding view down on to the town of Ypres and for that reason it was strategically important.

When the enemy began their attack on 8th May, 10 and 11 Brigades of 4th Division were called upon to support the hard pressed 28th Division at Frezenberg and the 1st Hampshire battalion, of 11 Brigade, moved into second line trenches there with their right at Wieltje Farm. Here they came under increasing shell fire over the next five days resulting in a number of casualties including Edward Wood on 11th May.