Current Information:

Age-26

Born-Islington

Duhallow ADS Cemetery, Belgium

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 Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.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 24th April, 1915, the 6th Dragoon Guards of the 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division moved to Vlamertinghe, a few miles to the west of Ypres where they waited, prepared to assist in the fighting when called upon. On the following day, 25th April, they moved to Boesinghe to protect French guns there. They came under shell fire while digging trenches here and suffered some casualties including Newland Watkins who was killed.