10th Durham Light Infantry

[Spree Farm]

Through research into my late Great Grandfather, 53008 PTE Wilfred Lomas who was killed with 'A' Coy near Virile Farm, Poelcappelle Ypres on 16/12/1917, aged 40. I wondered how many of the Battalion had been killed during the war, so I wrote to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and I asked if they had a list of all the soldiers killed in action serving in the 10^th Battalion 1915 - 1918 and they supplied me a spreadsheet which contained details of the 742 killed, I found a further 70 who died with other units after the Battalion disbanded in February 1918 to war's end.  I now have a list of nearly 1600 names and wish to further increase the details collated so far, so if you can assist in providing any additional information. I am happy to share this information if anyone wishes a copy of the Excel spreadsheet let me know. 

 

 

I am particular interested in the men who died from the Battalion during December 1917 which can be placed with a degree of certainty at the following locations, the dates are when they were reported wounded and where they are either buried or remembered. 

 

'202497'   JENKINSON          TYNE COT MEMORIAL                                   9/12/17

'245378'   BELL                     TYNE COT MEMORIAL                                    10/12/17

'245407'   MALONEY            TYNE COT MEMORIAL                                    10/12/17

'376548'   SHAW                  POELCAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY              Virile Farm 10/12/17

'32088'     COATES               OXFORD ROAD CEMETERY                           Spree Farm 15/12/17 ( B Coy OC's servant or D Coy's Officers Cook - shellfire ) 

'37271'     WARWICK           OXFORD ROAD CEMETERY                            Spree Farm 15/12/17 ( B Coy OC's servant or D Coy's Officers Cook - shellfire ) 

'49842'     DUNN                  POELCAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY              Virile Farm 16/12/17

'53008'     LOMAS                 TYNE COT MEMORIAL                                    16/12/17 (A Coy)

'44228'     WESTGARTH       TYNE COT MEMORIAL                                    Spree Farm 16/12/17 (Died whilst having a beer with his brother in billets at Spree Farm)

12583'      HOLLAND             NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY                   Spree Farm 17/12/17 (CSM A Coy - Died of shellfire wounds received 16/12/17)

   Lt           LEVESON              TYNE COT MEMORIAL                                   18/12/17 (Sniper - Fire)

   Lt           HERRIES               NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY                  19/12/17 (Died of shellfire wounds received 18/12/17)

'28356'     HODGSON           POELCAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY              20/12/17 (Co's Orderly - shellfire - diaries 18/12/17 whilst visiting front with CO who was also wounded by shrapnel)

 

The following had wounds sustained earlier and cannot be certain they were at the front during this period.

'12545'     BRADLEY            NEW SILKSWORTH (ST. LEONARD)                10/12/17 Wounded 14/08/1915 Died of wounds

'43329'     MORRIS               LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY           10/12/17 Wounded 01/11/1917 Died of wounds

'33307'     MILLING               TYNE COT CEMETERY                                     18/12/17 Wounded 27/09/1917 Died of wounds

376250'    STAFFORD           TYNE COT MEMORIAL                                     10/12/17 Wounded 01/11/1917 Died of wounds

'11738'     CHEESMAN         LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY            11/12/17 Wounded 27/09/1917 Died of wounds

 

Kenf48 kindly provided the following information

 

 

I don't know but a pointer for your research the 43rd Brigade Diary shows Brigade Order 47 for relief on the night of the 15th/16th December used maps 28 NE & 28 NW & 20 SE

 

They were taking over a section of the line"W.25.c.2.1. on the Right to about V.29.a 5.6."

The rendezvous point for the 10th D.L.I. was 'Junction of track just South of Kronprintz D.3.c.5.2.' Route No 6 Track

If you subscribe to Ancestry the Op Order is here

 

The Map can be found on the NLS site https://maps.nls.uk/view/101464639

Spree Farm is in Square C18 

 

Virile Trench is on map 20 SE (apparently) V 29 I can't see it, but it is the end of the line mentioned in the OP order.  I can't reference Virile Farm.

https://maps.nls.uk/view/101464627

 

You can overlay the maps on the NLS site from the home page with present day Google maps.

 

I assume you know how to read a trench map, if not there is guidance on the LLT 

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battlefields/how-to-read-a-british-trench-map/

 

btw you may attract more interest from D.L.I. researchers if you start a separate thread with the regiment in the title. 

 

and WhiteStarLine the following information

 

'I've highlighted Ken's points (W.25.c.2.1. on the Right to about V.29.a 5.6) and there is a map pin on Virile Farm just NW of Virtue Farm - click on the image to enlarge.

 

This is great a great start,

 

I have the Bn war diaries but not the Brigade, I will order the volumes today. I have a copy of the map mounted on the study wall but didn't have the trench coordinates

 

Many thanks david