Pte James Richard Ormerod - 17th Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers

[Paul Ormerod]

Remembering today, James Richard Ormerod - Private 35986 - 17th Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 14 October 1918, aged 33.

 

James was the husband of Margaret Ann Ormerod, of 23 Old Row, Rawtenstall, Manchester.

 

The Battalion War Diary of 17th Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers, for 14 October 1918, and the days immediately before this, reads:

" FRONT LINE 12 OCTOBER Assemble positions again reconnoitred. During night patrol of W Coy went out under 2LT. H. COOK towards GOLDFLAKE FARM. An enemy post was encountered and attacked. 2LT COOK shot two of the enemy. Our casualties were 1 O/R - K/A. Reconnoitring patrol went out from Y Coy front under 2LT. G.G. PEET

 

FRONT LINE 13 OCTOBER Enemy put down heavy counter preparation from 0430 h to 0500 h. At 2300 h. Battn moved into assembly position for attack. 1 OR W/A

 

14 OCTOBER 0430h Enemy put down heavy counter preparation until 0500h. Casualties slight

FRONT LINE 14 OCTOBER 0535h. Battn attacked under cover of barrage. Y Coy on right, W on left, Z right support, X left support. Battn HQ moved in front of rear waves. 105 Infy Bde attacked on right, 26th Ulster Div. on left. Starting line - K24 a + b.

Considerable shirt shooting from our guns was experienced.

Enemy oppoistion was the more easily overcome because of the dense mist that prevailed. Numerous machine gun nests and infantry posts were encountered and put out of action. 2LT. F. ASPDEN, 2LT. A.C. STEPHENSON, 2LT. H. DRUMMOND and CAPT. C.S. ATKINSON M.C. distinguished themselves in overcoming hostile resistance.

 

FRONT LINE 14 OCTOBER The line of the ROULERS - MENIN railway - 1st pause - was reached to time.

Final object - L27 b2.8. was captured at 0705 hours - and position was consolidated. 18 LAN. FUS and 19 D.L.I. attacked through the Battn at 0710h.

Captures - 100 prisoners, 6 Field Guns, 2 Trench Mortars, and 16 M.G.s.

Casualties 2LT. F. ASPDEN 2 LT. H.T. LEIGH K/A

LT. COL. J. JONES M.C. - Died of Wounds

2LT. S.R. WILLIAMS 2LT. J. COOKE 2LT. J.P. PENDER W/A

O.R. 18 - H/A; 102 - W/A; 7 - M/A"

 

James is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Moorslede, Belgium (Grave Ref. I. E. 28), and is also commemorated on the war memorial in Rawtenstall Cemetery.

 

Edited 20 October , 2018 by Paul Ormerod