Current Information:

Age-27

102, Watergate Street, Deptford

Battle of St Julien, 24th April – 4th 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 Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

On 19th April, 1915, the 1st Leinster battalion of 82 Brigade, 27th Division moved into front line trenches at Ypres and remained here throughout the fighting until 6th May. During their time here they had over 30 killed and 100 wounded but the battalion diary does not provide much detail. On 29th April, the day on which Henry Hardesty was killed, the trenches in the centre of their line were damaged by shell fire.