Michael McNally 2nd South Staffords Service No. 8773 killed 12/11/14 Ypres

[howe2010]

I am trying to find out what happened to Michael McNally for his niece. I believe 3 soldiers died on this day and all had Irish sounding names. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[GraemeClarke]

Hi

 

He was drafted to France on 12 August 1914

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1262/images/30850_A001024-00197?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=50d0cc32f503597bff3984c74a84b6b8&usePUB=true&_phsrc=NuN160&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=570530

 

Born Newcastle, enlisted Stoke-on-Trent, resided Hanley.

 

     For two weeks before his death, his battalion had been dug in on high ground west of Keiberg, the most advanced lines of the British Army. Throughout this period the enemy had attacked and shelled the positions constantly. At 6am on the day of his death the Prussian Guards attacked in the immediate area, forcing the French 18^th Division back and managing to sweep in behind the battalion.

     After severe fighting the battalion was forced to withdraw with casualties of 17 other ranks killed.

     The War Diary records,

    “12 November 1914 - 5am. The Germans attacked the French on our left and broke through them in some force. We were then in a rather critical position all day with the Germans making small attacks on our left, we held our own.

     13 November 1914 - 3am. In consequence of the operations yesterday the battalion was ordered to retire and went into Brigade Reserve at 1.30am. “A” and “D” Companies were called upon to support the H.L.I. who were holding the main Paschendaele- Becelaere road.”

 

Hope this helps,

 

Regards,

 

Graeme

Edited 5 December , 2020 by GraemeClarke

[George Rayner]

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your research.

 

From a search on CWGC site (Commonwealth War Graves...) there are 19 dead from South Staffs on 12/11/1914 of which Pearce, Tonks, Hart, Hill, Cater, Davies, Summers, Jones, Kelly, Guest, Hall and Moore are also at Ypres. We need a few more clues to help us please!

 

George

...unless Graeme has given you the information you need already. Posts crossed in ether

Edited 5 December , 2020 by George Rayner

[howe2010]

Thank you so much Graeme and George for your fast replies. She will be thrilled.