Current Information:

Age-29

78, Kelmscott Road, Wandsworth Common

Born-Pimlico

Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France

Battle of St Julien, 24th April – 4th 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 two 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 Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

50th Division arrived in France in April, 1915 and were almost immediately rushed into the fighting in the northern part of the Ypres salient. On 24th April 151 Brigade arrived in Potijze and that evening the 8th Durham Light Infantry battalion was sent to 85 Brigade on the left of 28th Division. On 25th April were sent to Boetleer’s Farm where they were detailed to relieve the 8th Canadian battalion but only three companies had been relieved by daylight so the one on the right stayed put.  The remaining two companies of 8th Durham Light Infantry found what cover they could around the farm where they were subjected to rifle fire and shelling from the early morning.  The shelling increased and between 9am and noon 45 to 68 shells per minute were landing on the front line.  At 2pm, with the shelling again increasing the enemy began pressing but the expected reinforcements did not arrive and ammunition was running short.  At 3.30pm the enemy attacked to the left of Boetleer’s Farm and when the machine gun covering this front was knocked out the German troops were able to penetrate behind two companies of 8th Durham Light Infantry. At  6pm those left withdrew to Boetleer’s Farm and into some shallow trenches to the right of it.  Overnight 8th Durham Light Infantry, along with troops from the 8th Middlesex and 1st Monmouthshire battalions came under further heavy attack and fell back to the Haanebeek stream. Later they withdrew to Zonnebeke ridge. Their losses were nearly 600 and they were reorganised into one company. One of their casualties was Arthur Eves who died from wounds on 29th April.