Current Information:

Age-36

77, Gascoigne Road, Barking

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 Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

4th Division had spent the winter holding the line at Ploegsteert, but on 24th April 1915, they were rushed north to Ypres at short notice, to reinforce the hard pressed defenders facing the German gas attacks there. The 2nd Essex battalion were part of 12 Brigade, 4th Division and on 1st  May, 1915 all three  brigades of the division were  holding the northern and critical face of the Ypres salient from Berlin Wood to Turco Farm. That afternoon the Sirhind Brigade of the Indian Corps attacked and 2nd Essex took up positions behind them ready to move forward and occupy any trenches they might capture. The Indian attack did not succeed but there was very heavy shelling by both sides during which 2nd Essex suffered thirty casualties including Arthur Bones who was killed.