Cuinchy 1st January 1915

[Paul Reed]

Remembering the 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment who ninety years ago were in the line at the infamous Cuinchy Brickstacks. During the night of 31st December/1st January the battalion's positions came under a heavy bombardment and one officer and four men were killed, 7 wounded and 10 missing.

Amongst the dead was Corporal George William Kinch who died on 1st January 1915. George was born in Fareham, Hampshire, and joined the Royal Sussex Regiment at Gosport in c.1900. He served in the Boer War with the 1st Bn earning the QSA with Orange Free State, Cape Colony and South Africa 1902. He was then posted to the 2nd Bn in England. By 1914 he was on the reserve and was recalled in August to the Depot. He was posted overseas to join the 2nd Bn on 23rd November 1914, being killed less than five weeks later.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

Remembering...