Medaler Posted 13 May , 2015 Share Posted 13 May , 2015 Hi, I have just got hold of this chap's BWM and have undertaken some research, He was killed on 15th June 1915. I am however struggling to determine exactly where he was killed. The War Diary states they were at Kemmel at the time, and reports him being lost when a German mine exploded under him. The damaged section of trench is described as located at J 3 Right. I have searched the internet, but so far failed to locate a map which shows this trench. Are any members familiar with it, and could point me in the right direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Posted 13 May , 2015 Share Posted 13 May , 2015 (edited) I was trying to locate Siege Farm (as in the Diary) and came across this. I think J3R is what appears as J3P. And this is a trench map from June 1916 (much more difficult to find 1915) which shows you where Peckham Corner is and Petit Bois as in the above diagram. You can move the Change transparency of overlay button to move to present day satellite. Finally this is where Siege Farm is - co-ordinates 28.N.16.c.2.8 = 50.7928, 2.8355. It's unnamed on the above trench map - blue marks near Laiterie in Square 16. Mike Edited 13 May , 2015 by Langdon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medaler Posted 13 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 13 May , 2015 Hi Mike, Many thanks for all that information. I think you are right, that J3P is indeed J3R. It makes sense within the context of all the other "J" prefixed trenches in that sector. I have just had a squint at Google Maps and believe the co-ordinates of the trench are (roughly) 50.786760, 2.864063 So we are absolutely in the same ball park. My sincere thanks for that. I spent ages pouring over various maps last night until I went cross-eyed. I am only slowly getting to grips with trench maps, and you have helped me enormously. This man's Service Record still survives and makes quite interesting reading. He and another chap vanished during the mine explosion. His missing colleague had 2 brothers serving in the same btn and my man also had a brother serving with him. Apparently they secured permission to go and look for them, but could not find a trace. My man's brother was also killed later in the war. The medal only arrived today, but the research has already gone quite a long way. Cook was from Sutton-In-Ashfield and a 1910 enlistment, so I think he was "C" Company re-organised into "B" Company when they went to the 4 Company system. It is the only medal I own to 1st/8th and therefore a welcome addition to the collection. Again, my sincere thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebriggs Posted 16 May , 2015 Share Posted 16 May , 2015 Mike J3 right at Kemmel And Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medaler Posted 16 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 16 May , 2015 That Mr Briggs is absolutely stunning. 170 yards from the road then! - and "before" and "after" pictures too! - simply amazing. I have now come across several accounts of the event, and am coming to believe that the level of detail possible on researching this chap will exceed anything I have undertaken so far. Next time I visit Belgium, this is becoming a "must-see" patch of ground. Wonderful Mike, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebriggs Posted 16 May , 2015 Share Posted 16 May , 2015 Glad they are of use This is from 2005 - and well worth a visit! wood and trenches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Posted 16 May , 2015 Share Posted 16 May , 2015 Mike, Stunning map and shots! May I ask where the map is from? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebriggs Posted 17 May , 2015 Share Posted 17 May , 2015 Mike The map (and picture) is from the 7th Battn war history. As it happens each of the 5th, 7th and 8th Histories have similar but different maps of the region - some have more detail - the 5th has more extensive trenches drawn on from F4 to L5 Can scan an email if they are of interest cheersMike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medaler Posted 17 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 17 May , 2015 Hi, Thought I would add this picture that I managed to take this afternoon of both Alfred and his brother Harold's names on one of the Sutton-in-Ashfield memorials. His brother also served with 8th Btn and fell in October 1915. It seems that Harold was time expired from the Btn at the outbreak of war, but re-enlisted with them on 9th August, perhaps to try and take care of his younger brother. Alfred himself would have been time expired at the end of August 1914 had the battalion not been mobilised for war. Something of a very selfless act on the part of Harold who, by then, had a wife and 3 children, one of whom was named Alfred. Regards, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loader Posted 17 May , 2015 Share Posted 17 May , 2015 A mine explosion incident was a nasty business indeed. Those right over the charge usually did just disapear & never found. Bad enough but if the enemy deicded to raid the crater it was even worse. A bantam Bn of the HLI had this happen in early 1916 shortly after landing in France. Lot of casualties but they proved they were fighters as the men on either side of the blast area defended against the enemy raiding party with heavy rifle & mg fire & repelled them. A good fight put up by new & inexperienced troops after such a shock as a mine blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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