Current Information:

Age-42

35, Waverley Road, Walthamstow

On 6th December, 1914, the 1st Lincolnshire battalion of 9 Brigade, 3rd Division moved into trenches at Kemmel in Belgium that were waist deep in mud. So bad were conditions that on the next day, after 24 hours of more rain and with the trenches like miniature canals, one company had to be relieved. Despite this, during the evening of 8th December, 1st Lincolnshire attacked the enemy line opposite. Wire cutters made gaps in the enemy defences and at 10pm they advanced in line and reached the German line with little opposition. This trench, running along the western edge of a wood, was full of water but empty of men and on  crossing it they met heavy fire and eventually were forced back to their own trenches, having suffered over 30 casualties.  John Greenwood was one of those who did not survive this operation.