Current Information:

Age-23

60, Russell Road, Wimbledon

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 Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

The 2nd East Surrey battalion of 85 Brigade, 28th Division had moved to the Zonnebeke area on 10th April, 1915. After an initial tour they moved back into the front line on 18th April and at 6.30pm on 22nd April, following the first German gas attack, their trenches were heavily shelled, killing some men sheltering in them. The shelling continued the next day, 23rd April, and that evening the Germans launched an infantry attack which was repelled, but not without loss. On 24th April a number of trench mortars opened up on the trenches held by 2nd East Surrey and kept up a destructive fire all day, inflicting great damage and resulting in 50 casualties, including 11 killed, including Alfred Boosey.