Captain George Frederick Pragnell DSO Brigade Major 123rd infantry bri

[brianjohn]

Captain George Pragnell DSO was killed on 23 July 1917 with General Clive Gordon of the Black Watch by a "stray shell". According to CWGC George was Brigade Major of 123rd Infantry Brigade.

At the moment I cannot find which Division the 123rd were part of and in what actions, in the 3rd Battle of Ypres, they were to be in.

Is it known in what circumstances they were killed?

Regards

Brian

[Phil Evans]

123 Infantry Brigade was 41st Division.

Andy Pepper has done a page on him on the Lewisham War Memorial website, including the cause of his death by a stray shell, three days after returning from leave.

Phil

[Philip Wilson]

See page 65 'Bloody Red Tabs General Officer Casualties of the Great War, 1914-1918' by Frank DAVIES and Graham MADDOCKS.

War Diary of 123rd Brigade records the following 'Westsoutre 23 July 1917. On the overland track between ''Spoil Bank'' and Voormezelee, Brigadier-General GORDON and Captain PRAGNELL (Brigade Major) were killed by a direct hit by a shell. General GORDON was killed outright and Captain PRAGNELL died five minutes later.' They are buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Philip

[brianjohn]

Thanks for the information.

Regards

Brian