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Age-34

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First Battle of Ypres

Between 21st October and 22nd November, 1914 a desperate fight took place around the Belgium city of Ypres, the first of three major battles that were to be fought there during the course of the war. British troops entered Ypres in October. The 1st and 2nd Divisions plus the 3rd Cavalry Division had made their way up from the Aisne as part of the “Race to the Sea”, whilst the 7th Division came west to Ypres after Antwerp had fallen. The Germans knew that Ypres was the gateway to the Channel ports and that these were vital to Britain’s war effort so they poured reinforcements into the area. The fighting fell into three distinct battles; the Battle of Langemarck, 21-24 October, the Battle of Gheluvelt, 29-31 October and the Battle of Nonne Bosschen, 11 November. Ypres did not fall to the Germans but its defence during these two months resulted in the destruction of much of the old regular British Army.

According to records, including those of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, John Saville was killed on 27th October, 1914, while serving with the 17th Lancers at Ypres. However, 17th Lancers, who at that time were part of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division did not arrive in France until 7th November, 1914, when they landed at Marseilles. He must therefore have been serving with another unit but there is no indication of which one.