Current Information:

Age-23

34, Fernholme Road, Nunhead

Agny Millitary Cemetery, France

The exact circumstances of the death of George Wheeler, who was killed on 5th April, 1917, are not known but artillery men faced many dangers and during the course of the war nearly 50,000 of them were killed. Their gun batteries were targeted by the enemy’s guns which accounted for many of their casualties. Others were sent forward to act as ‘spotters’ which meant going forward to the front line and signalling back to the guns necessary changes in target and other vital information. Keeping the batteries supplied with ammunition was a dangerous task as the enemy guns would target the known supply routes, especially at night. Brigade Diaries rarely shine any light on casualties sustained, unless of course they were officers and even then information is sparse.

280 Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery was part of 56th Division which, in April, 1917, saw action in the Battle of Arras. On 5th April they were operating from Beaurains and Mercatel engaged on wire cutting shoots.