4th Battalion KRRC

[rendellers]

what were these men doing- holding the line?

Two more men from Newton Abbot

MIC for both William Counter and Bert Burridge show them entering France 20 Dec 1914. From The LLT I think they were in the area between Aire and Arques

Burridge’s service papers show him suffering from frost bite, mention of 13 Gn H Boulange 20 Jan 1915 then “2 Eastern Gen Hospital, Brighton 26 Jan 1915 where he died of enteric fever on (His papers )7 Feb 1915 (GWGC) 8 Feb and he is buried in his local churchyard. Poor man had already had malaria in July 1914 having joined up in 1912.

Counter’s MIC states he died from wounds (SDGW says KIA ) on 9 Jan 1915. His grave is in Voormezeele Enclosure No 3.

Could anyone add more detail please?

Lindsey

[rendellers]

Found Battalion in Westlake. He states "Arrived Dickebusch 6th and began tours in the St Eloi sector trenches. Rested at Dickesbusch, Westoutre and Reninghelst when out of the line. Battalion records note trenches waist deep in liquid mud and the enemy between 30-80 yards away. After first relief 5 officers and 500 men were unable to walk due to frostbite."

Unimaginable.

Does anyone have access to a War Diary that might indicate what happened to Counter?

Thanks