Current Information:

Enlisted-Mill Hill

At the outbreak of war in 1914, the 3rd Middlesex battalion were in India but they soon returned home where they joined 85 Brigade of 28th Division. In late January, 1915, 28th Division arrived in France and being a regular division they were quickly put into the trenches which in the case of 85 Brigade meant water-logged positions south of Ypres near St. Eloi and Oosthoek. It was a far cry from the warmth of India and there were many cases of sickness and frostbite. 

On the night of 6th/7th February, 1915, 3rd Middlesex, moved into the front line south-east of St Eloi and south-west of Oosthoek. Here they spent the next four days in hellish conditions. The trenches were knee deep in water, the German shelling was continuous and they suffered nearly ninety casualties as well as having 80% of the battalion afflicted by frostbite. One of those who did not survive this experience was Frank Spencer who was killed in action on 7th February.