Current Information:

Age-23

16, Loxley Road, Wandsworth Common

Ypres Reservoir Cemetery

On 15th December, 1915,  18 Brigade, 6th Division took over the line between Ypres-Roulers railway and Wieltje in the Ypres salient. 16th London moved into trenches A5 and A6 in the centre of the line and held these continuously until February, rotating their companies between front line, support and reserve. On December 18th, 1915, the Germans began a heavy bombardment all along the Ypres salient and on the following day, 19th December, 1915, they used phosgene gas for the first time. “A” Company were in the front line at the time and although there was no follow up infantry attack by the enemy they were extremely lucky to escape the fierce bombardment with only one man wounded. Not so “C” Company who were sent forward to trenches in the nearby Kaaie salient and who had 4 men killed and another 11 wounded in a very short space of time. They were withdrawn to the canal bank but continued to suffer casualties from the bombardment.