Current Information:

Age-22

17, Lutheran Place, Upper Tulse Hill

Marcoing British Cemetery, France

Throughout October 1918, the last full month of the war, the Allies were advancing all along the Western Front against a demoralised and drastically shrinking German Army which could do little other than fight, often desperate, rear guard actions. These continued to take a heavy toll of both sides, but failed to halt the forward momentum. Towns, villages and whole areas, which had been under German occupation for four long years were now liberated in a series of operations.  

On 1st October the 24th Royal Fusiliers battalion of 5 Brigade, 2nd Division co-operated with the attack by another division on the village of Rumilly-en-Cambrésis, just to the south of Cambrai. Two companies were ordered to clear the ground north-east of the village and establish a line east of the railway. The attack on Rumilly began at 5.45 am and at 6.30 am B Company, with four platoons in line, moved close up to the artillery barrage and rushed the enemy positions. These were situated in two quarries, honeycombed with dug-outs which were captured along with two hundred prisoners. This allowed the supporting company to pass through to the railway. Despite the success of this operation there were casualties for 24th Royal Fusiliers, one of whom was Maurice Easterby.