First Name: | Charles | Last Name: | ELWOOD | |
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Date of Death: | 24/08/1914 | Lived/Born In: | Bermondsey | |
Rank: | Private | Unit: | Middlesex4 | |
Memorial Site: | ||||
Current Information:Age-18 Born-Bermondsey Enlisted-Enfield Caudry British Cemetery, France
The Battle of Mons August 23, 1914 This was the first battle fought by the British Army (BEF) in the war. Since landing in France ten days earlier the four infantry divisions and five cavalry brigades of the BEF had advanced to a position on the left flank of the French Armies only to find themselves directly in the line of the advance of the German First Army as they swept through Belgium and headed for Paris. With orders to hold the German advance for 24 hours and outnumbered two to one, the BEF dug in along the Mons-Conde canal. The battle commenced at 9 am and lasted all day. By nightfall the BEF had withdrawn to a position along the Valenciennes-Maubeuge road, a position from which the Great Retreat began the next day. British casualties, killed, wounded or missing, amounted to 1600 for the battle. German casualties were higher. After their involvement in this battle the 4th Middlesex battalion of 8 Brigade, 3rd Division moved south and at 3am on 24th August they marched to Quevy. Here they dug themselves in for a while and came under artillery fire. This was followed by a move to Bavaie and then on to bivouacs at Amfroipret. Charles Elwood was killed in action on this day.
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