Guest Bill183 Posted 26 September , 2012 Share Posted 26 September , 2012 Looking for some information on this units action in April 1915. Their very first action after arrival in France. Trying to get an idea of the rough area in which one of my relatives fell. Having a bit of trouble locating Veitch's History as it is rare. My relative is: 1224 L/Cpl Frederick W Sherriff 1/8th Bn DLI KIA 26/4/1915 age 26 Son of Joseph & Emma husband of Edith, 19 Union Street Houghton-le-Spring Panel 36 & 38 Menin Gate Memorial Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 27 September , 2012 Share Posted 27 September , 2012 They were in an area just east of Ypres , near Potijze. This area had a trench system called the GHQ line (or it was by the 6th DLI diary) in which they probably were situated. However i certain that part of the battalion was also in action further to the north east of this as they took over 200 casualties. Here's part of the battalion report for the period: http://data2.collect.../e001583757.jpg http://data2.collect.../e001583762.jpg http://data2.collect.../e001583758.jpg http://data2.collect.../e001583760.jpg (Unfortunately the record collection is incomplete but this should help) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 27 September , 2012 Share Posted 27 September , 2012 There may be something else amongst the 85th Brigades files (The DLI were temporarily under their command). http://data4.collect..._e.html&r=1&f=G The casualties were so bad that the 6th and 8th DLI were amalgamated for a period as the 6th/8th DLI until about August 1915 - I don't have the 8th DLI diary but if you look at the blog link in my signature I do have the diary of the 6th DLI for the period which may give you an idea of the situation at the time (there are also some casualty figures for the 151st bde listed (look in the categories on the right hand side of the blog). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianjonesncl Posted 27 September , 2012 Share Posted 27 September , 2012 An account of their actions can be found in The Fiftieth Division 1914-19 by Everard Wyrall. This from my notes . One Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry Brigade, 8 DLI were placed under the orders of 85th Brigade, this being subsequently cancelled and they were ordered to relieve the 8th Canadians around BOETLEETS FARM, 1 mile east of St Julien. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connaughtranger Posted 27 September , 2012 Share Posted 27 September , 2012 From Veitch's history: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill183 Posted 3 November , 2012 Share Posted 3 November , 2012 Many thanks gentlemen, I will try and locate a copy of Veitch from a reference library. Unless I've developed Officer map reading skills, it looks like the buildings straddling the modern Keerzelaarstraat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wozzy138 Posted 6 February , 2014 Share Posted 6 February , 2014 I need to look into this further. My great grandfather was also from Houghton-le-Spring and with the 1/8 and died the same day as your ancestor Bill183 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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