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28 November 1917 : James Metcalfe

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Age 17 James emigrated to Masterston, New Zealand. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he was employed as a labourer in Whakatane. He enlisted into the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 12 October 1915 and embarked for Egypt on 5 February 1916. After several weeks in Egypt, he was transferred to the Western Front and was a participant in the Battle …

24 August 1918 : Pte Willie Allott

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His parents were James (a blacksmith at the colliery) and Emma Allott who lived at 4 Church Street, Ravensthorpe. He was baptised 17 Aug 1894. He was the oldest of the six children. Age 16 at the 1911 Census Willie was working at the woollen mill in Thornhill Lees. After originally being drafted into the KOYLI, it was with the King's Royal …

The New Zealanders at Polderhoek Chateau : November 1917

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The Third Battle of Ypres officially ended on 10 November 1917, but this did not mean fighting in Flanders stopped. Although at the end of the battle the high ground of the Passchendaele ridge was taken by Canadian troops, the front was still active. Only three weeks after the capture of the ridge, the highly regarded New Zealand Division was to be…

11 March 1917: 2nd Lieut. Horace George Cecil Bowden

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Parents George (Dental Surgeon) and Ada (née Wraight) Age 4 at the 1901 Census, Horace lived at 63 London Road (Rosenruth), Reigate. The family home included his parents, his 1 year old sister Irene, their cook and a housemaid. Horace went to Oakshade Prep School and then Cranleigh. He was a good shot. He represented his school at Bisley, …

The First Phosgene Attack on British Troops : 19 December 1915

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The first use of phosgene gas against British troops by the German army took place on 19 December 1915. The gas attack took place north of Ypres where the 49th (West Riding) Division was in the line. This attack had been ‘given away’ when a German prisoner had been interrogated. As a result an artillery barrage on the German trenches was ordered o…