Current Information:

Age-23

Northampton Wharf, Regents Park Basin

Jerusalem War Cemetery

The fall of Jerusalem

After the British success at the Third Battle of Gaza at the beginning of November, 1917, the Turkish forces fell back in some array with the British in close pursuit and by early December they were in position to make a move on Jerusalem. This began on 8th December and within two days the Turks had been forced out of their defensive positions and Jerusalem was now in allied hands.

On 8th December, 1917, 60th and 74th Division attacked the Turkish defences on a 4 ½ mile front west of the city of Jerusalem, from Ain Karim to Nabi Samweil. The first objectives for 60th (London) Division were the defences east of Ain Karim and the village of Deir Yasin and its redoubts, oddly named,  ‘Heart’ and ‘Liver’, which covered the Jaffa-Jerusalem road. 179 Brigade moved forward on the right with a particularly difficult assignment namely the capture of Ain Karim and the high ground south of it, known to be held by the enemy. It had rained all night and the terrain was difficult but this did not prove to be too much of an obstacle as they advanced in two columns flanking the main body. 2/13th London led the way on the right, starting from a few miles back in the pitch black of night and along some precipitous routes. They met some stubborn resistance but the heights were secured by 3.30am and the village of Ain Karim soon after. An hour later, the main body of the Brigade, 2/14th London and 2/15th London, had reached a white tower above Ain Karim and a company of 2/15th London was sent in support of 2/13th London who were having to deal with a number of counter attacks. At 5.15am 2/14th London began their attack on the Turkish trench east and south-east of Ain Karim. At first, two machine-guns held up their advance but these were soon dealt with and then Lewis guns were pushed forward to enfilade the Turkish trenches which were soon evacuated. 2/14th London then pushed on 1000 yards to make contact with 2/16th London, a company of which had already cleared Ain Karim. At 4.15am the remainder of the battalion attacked the redoubt north of the Ain Karim-Jerusalem road. They caught the garrison there by surprise and the whole strongpoint was quickly captured. Also captured by 2/16th London was an artillery battery behind the ridge which was caught by Lewis gun fire as it was limbering up trying to make its escape. But by now 2/16th London were isolated and having to deal with a strong counter-attack. They managed to hold their ground and at 7.25am, 2/14th London came up to join them. By the afternoon, 2/23rd London, attached from 181 Brigade in reserve, had moved up to relieve 2/13th London, but with no support arriving on the right, any further advance was postponed for fear of it being enfiladed. 179 Brigade had made significant progress during the course of the day and in so doing had sustained 227 casualties, one of whom was George Atkins of 2/16th London.