58 Labour Co

[jainvince]

One of our local sordiers died from wounds on 28th June 1917 and is buried in Ferme Oliver Cemetery. Whilst I may assume that his death was related to the Messines Campaign I would prefer to have some more accurate information. Does any Labour Corp expert know where the 58 were around late June 1917? Any assistance will be appreciated.

Bernard

[Ivor Lee]

Bernard

The Company was in the Elverdinghe area

The following extracts are from Captain Thomas's "With A Labour Company in France" which is 58 Company's history.

Sunday, the 24th, we had a rest day; at least it was intended to be restful, but Fritz thought otherwise. Just after our midday meal he started shelling the woods heavily. One fell just short of our camp and another in a direct line just beyond us. Anticipating the rest to land right amongst us, we rushed all the men out of camp into the open field beyond, and there sat down and watched, and waited. Again we were lucky to escape with no casualties, but the camp on either side suffered; one of the Guards pioneer battalions just beyond us losing eleven men.

The following day, while forming the grade across the Woesten Road, four shells fell in quick succession on the Pave road. The men dived into the ditches until the salvo finished, and then bolted for shelter. As soon as all were clear they fell in, and one man was found to be missing. We went back to look for him and searched the ditch on one side all in vain. His N.C.O. had just come to the conclusion that he must have been blown to pieces, when, up from the other ditch appeared first a cap, then a pair of startled spectacled eyes, and a squeaky voice cried out, “Is it quite safe now, Sergeant?” He had been lying so close that we had failed to find him.

Our luck deserted us two days later. A party of fifteen had just passed the same spot, when the first shell of a series fell right amongst them, killing the N.C.O. and four others instantly, and wounding seven others - three so seriously that they died that night; three others were knocked down by the concussion, and one man only out of the party escaped untouched. Lieut. Worrall and the nearest section, despite the continued shelling, rushed up and succeeded in getting the wounded away. One of these, Pte. Murphy, although wounded seriously in four places, after being carried to a place of safety, stated he was all right and begged his rescuer to go back, “As there were others worse than himself.” This was our first bad smash, and all behaved magnificently, every man volunteering for rescue work.

Regards

Ivor

[jainvince]

Ivor

Great, many thanks

Bernard