Josh K Posted 22 September , 2019 Share Posted 22 September , 2019 Hi all I'm researching a family member who was part of the aforementioned unit and I am looking for some info on what happened and where etc when he died. Private Arthur Kitchen 31900 Killed 14.05.1917 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxD Posted 22 September , 2019 Share Posted 22 September , 2019 The war diary at the National Archives is WO 95/1909/1. If you have Ancestry it is at:https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/60779/43112_1909_0-00000?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh K Posted 22 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 22 September , 2019 Thanks. I keep getting an error on the national archive so I'm not sure what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxD Posted 22 September , 2019 Share Posted 22 September , 2019 (edited) Same error as me no doubt! The Commonwealth War Graves site has 13 May 1917. That said, the war diary only lists total casualties which included 8 men killed between 8 and 14 April. May. The battalion went into the line on 10th April and were relieved on 14th. It can I think be inferred that casualties were from artillery fire which the diary records. Referring to the map/image at the link below, the trench sector was in square O 20 to the west of Vis-en-Artois https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=14&lat=50.2521&lon=2.9151&layers=101465080&right=BingHyb Max Edited 23 September , 2019 by MaxD Date incorrect - amended thanks J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 23 September , 2019 Share Posted 23 September , 2019 Arthur’s War Gratuity payment suggests an enlistment on or around 14th May 1916 (calculation courtesy of forum member and mod Craig). I'm assuming you mean May and not April Max? J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxD Posted 23 September , 2019 Share Posted 23 September , 2019 Thank you J, slip of the typing finger, casualties 8-14 May. Post amended. I should also have added that the war diary has a close up of the trench map showing the trenches named in the narrative on the last page of the May diary. They are all about half a square north of O 20. Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 23 September , 2019 Share Posted 23 September , 2019 The 43rd Inf Bde WD has several aerial photos of the area dated late April 1917, more maps of the immediate area and the appendages are fairly detailed too. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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