Private H E Mansfield Essex Yeomanry

[Angus Mansfield]

Current Information: Horace Edward Mansfield  Born- 05/06/1889 West Ham Died 13/05/1915 Battle of Frezenberg Ridge (8 May-13 May)

I realise this is a long shot but I am researching my great uncle who was killed in WW1 and was part of the Essex Yeomanry who fought at Frezenberg Ridge in May 1915 - he like many others has no known grave but is recorded on the Menin Gate - I would love to find a photo of him if possible This is what I have on the action in the battle that day so far: 

THE ESSEX YEOMANRY AT FREZENBERG RIDGE

At dawn on 13th May, 1915 the dismounted Essex Yeomanry marched to re-join the remainder of the 8th Cavalry Brigade positioned to the west of Ypres just as the preliminary stages of the German attack began. Major Francis Whitmore had been wounded minutes before arriving at the GHQ line.

Very heavy shelling began at 4am. The bombardment was at first directed on the front line on a breadth of about one mile held by the 6th and 7th Cavalry Brigades and the 2nd Dragoon Guards. A dense cloud of smoke hung over the whole area, buildings and trenches alike were demolished beyond recognition.

At about 6am the enemy brought his barrage over the line held by the 8th Cavalry Brigade and by 7am the 1st and 2nd Life Guards commenced to retire through the lines held by the 8th Brigade. The Essex yeomanry were in the support trench just west of the Potizje- Verlorenhoek road on the NE edge of Potijze Chateau garden. At about 9am a message was received through the telephone from the front line saying "front line absolutely intact" but all the same it was evident that a retirement was in progress.

At midday Colonel Deacon was informed that the Royal Horse Guards, and 10th Royal Hussars had been moved forward: consequently the Essex Yeomanry were moved into the trenches on the East of the Potijze-Verlorenhoek road which had been occupied by the Blues and the 10th Hussars.

At about 1:30pm Brigadier General Bulkeley Johnson ADC who had established his Brigade Headquarters in the chateau gardens sent for Lieutenant Colonel Deacon and as a result of that interview, the Squadron Leaders were informed by Colonel Deacon that a counter-attack was to be undertaken at 2:15pm in order to regain the front line which had been occupied by the enemy. The Brigade for the purpose of the attack was disposed as follows:- Royal Horse Guards on the right, 10th Royal Hussars on the left and the Essex Yeomanry in support. Colonel Deacon ordered C Squadron under Major Roddick to act on the right. B Squadron under Captain Ruggles Brise on the left and A Squadron under Captain J O Parker in support. The Regiment was to move off in 10 minutes and take up a line on the right of the 10th Hussars. The 10th Hussars, it was thought, were in some trenches half way up the rising ground with their right near a White Farm and their left on the road.

Colonel Deacon gave orders to Major Buxton to take two scouts with him, and to report to Lieutenant Colonel Shearman to the effect that the Essex were coming up on his right. Major Buxton came under heavy rifle fire from the direction of the White Farm, but found Colonel Shearman near the road. Major Buxton delivered the message, and Colonel Shearman pointed out to Major Buxton the trenches which were to be his objective and said "That is the trench that I am going to take. I shall take it with the greatest ease, there is no doubt about it whatever."

The Essex Yeomanry were by this time running up towards the right of the 10th Hussars led by Major Roddick and Captain E A Ruggles Brise, the men had bayonets fixed and cheered as they ran for their objective. Major Roddick was killed almost instantly. Captain Ruggles Brise continued gallantly at the head of his Squadron.

Lieutenant Colonel Shearman realising that it was not yet the time to deliver the attack told Major Buxton to do his utmost to stop the advance of the Essex; this he was able to do and the Essex lay down on the right of the 10th Hussars. At this moment a group of Germans fled from the positions they were holding and someone holloaed "Tally Ho, Yonder They Go". As a response to the view holloa, the whole line, the Essex on the right and the 10th Hussars on the left, rose and rushed the enemy at bayonet point. The going was deep but no one halted until the trench was reached as were also a series of holes which the line degenerated into on the right. Very heavy casualties were suffered in both regiments. Lieutenant Colonel Shearman, 10th Hussars, was killed, also his adjutant, Captain Stewart. Lieutenant Colonel Deacon, Essex Yeomanry, was missing, and Captain Steele his Adjutant was wounded. The objective, however, was gained, and held under very trying conditions. A large amount of German equipment was found in the line as was also coffee and sausages. Some prisoners were taken.

The line now held was at once consolidated. Captain E A Ruggles Brise and Lieutenant R A Thomson with very few men put up a splendid resistance and held on to some ruins just on the right and in front of our line. Major Buxton, who was now in command of the Essex Yeomanry, despatched a man with a message to get into touch with the Royal Horse Guards on the right, but this messenger was instantly killed. Any movement on the part of anybody on the right of this line was impossible, and many were killed or wounded in attempting to take ground in any direction. A very heavy bombardment with great accuracy was by this time concentrated on to the line now held, and a large body of the enemy moved forward from the Verlorenhoek hill. A small dark red flag was placed in a trench by the enemy about 150 yards in advance of our line; this was doubtless a signal for the enemy's artillery to ascertain the position of their front line. The rain fell heavily, and the mud was indescribable, rendering rifles unserviceable in a very short time, in fact these had by now become almost completely ineffective. After about 2 hours a message came through from the 10th Hussars to the effect that they were retiring behind the crest and filing out of the left end of the trench, Captain E A Ruggles Brise and Lieutenant R A Thomson were still gallantly holding on with their small group of men at and about the ruined cottages and communication with them was impossible. Their only hope of falling back was to wait till after dark. Two of their Officers were killed, Lieutenant G P N Reid and Lieutenant A G Swire.

A general retirement behind the crest was then undertaken, to a position on the reverse slope of the hill about 600 yards in rear of the advanced position. This line was held until 6pm. The general line taken up by the 2nd Dragoon Guards on the left of the 10th Hussars had been maintained throughout, and their assistance by thus maintaining their position contributed much towards the result of the day's fighting.

At about 6pm orders were received for the Essex Yeomanry to concentrate at a house near the GHQ line on the main road. The 10th Hussars took up a support line and then the Essex Yeomanry moved into the GHQ line. It was here that the squadrons rallied under Major A Buxton now commanding the Regiment. Captain Ruggles Brise, Lieutenant R A Thomson and about 6 men returned, having remained the whole time holding on to the positions which they had captured.

Wounded men also kept coming in under cover of the darkness. Many officers and men were missing, many were known to be killed or wounded. No news whatever was forthcoming of Lieutenant Colonel E Deacon. Lieutenants G P N Reid, A G Swire and G S Johnston were killed. Captain A Steele, Lieutenants R Edwards and P Holt seriously wounded; Lieutenant V Hine slightly wounded.

4 officers and 47 other ranks were killed with 5 officers and 91 other ranks wounded. 19 were reported missing.

Although the death of Private H E Mansfield was recorded as 14th May, it was more likely that he was killed in this action on 13th May.

[ss002d6252]

8 minutes ago, Angus Mansfield said:

Although the death of Private H E Mansfield was recorded as 14th May, it was more likely that he was killed in this action on 13th May.

A day's difference is common because of the way that deaths were reported, so that's quite possible.

Craig

[ss002d6252]

Originally he was reported as missing, so the actual death was only confirmed retrospectively.
https://www.fold3.com/image/669204863?terms=mansfield,essex

Craig

[ss002d6252]

Oddly, the effects report state he died of wounds. The delay in paying monies out of 10 months would however also suggest the possibility that they were waiting for him to be declared dead (perhaps there was some evidence he had been seen wounded).

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/60506/images/42511_6129999_0029-00088?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=89f7918bdbf5b99295b42431a89b86e8&usePUB=true&_phsrc=NBE321&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=97940

Craig

[Angus Mansfield]

4 minutes ago, ss002d6252 said:

A day's difference is common because of the way that deaths were reported, so that's quite possible.

Craig - Thanks Craig  its not so much the date of death its a photograph or a link to somewhere that may have one I am looking for - I realise this is a long shot 

 

[Angus Mansfield]

4 minutes ago, ss002d6252 said:

Oddly, the effects report state he died of wounds. The delay in paying monies out 10 months would however also suggest the possibility that they were waiting for him to be declared dead (perhaps there was some evidence he had been seen wounded).

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/60506/images/42511_6129999_0029-00088?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=89f7918bdbf5b99295b42431a89b86e8&usePUB=true&_phsrc=NBE321&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=97940

Craig

 

Thanks Craig this is much appreciated 

[Swinesheadvillage]

Hi Angus

Welcome

A request was made about Horace after his disappearance to the ICRC. After a bit of confusion a 'negative envoye' was sent back.

https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/4706613/3/2/

I don't know the relationship Miss Harris had with the family, but suspect that she was  a representative of the British Red Cross.

Will continue looking for a photo

Kind Regards

Derek

Edited 4 January , 2022 by Swinesheadvillage
typo

[ss002d6252]

14 minutes ago, Swinesheadvillage said:

I don't know the relationship Miss Harris had withe the family, but suspect that she was  a representative of the British Red Cross.

I suspect it probably was a family representative or a representative of one of the other organisations who helped to trace people with the Red Cross.

I had a quick look around but no luck with a picture as yet.

Craig

[Swinesheadvillage]

Hi Angus

Horace is also commemorated on the Essex Yeomanry Tablet in Chelmsford Cathedral:-

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/22220

From Ancestry family trees, this tree is claiming a photo (which may be of anything)

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/pt/RequestTreeAccess.aspx?tid=65743440&pid=302228559410

You may wish to contact the owner.

Kind Regards

Derek

 

Edited 4 January , 2022 by Swinesheadvillage
Update

[Swinesheadvillage]

9 minutes ago, ss002d6252 said:

I suspect it probably was a family representative or a representative of one of the other organisations who helped to trace people with the Red Cross.

Craig

You have absolutely disproved my incorrect assumption. 157 Kensington Av was a  residential address in 1911 having a 17 year old Myrtle Harris there as a niece and embroideress. Perhaps some other interest than family?

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBC%2F1911%2FRG14%2F09578%2F0071&parentid=GBC%2F1911%2FRG14%2F09578%2F0071%2F7

Thanks for your help

Kind Regards

Derek

 

[Angus Mansfield]

Thank you all for your efforts so far - it is much appreciated and opens up more research for me ! 

[Expat yeoman]

Angus I'm afraid I can't help with a photo but can offer the following background info.

He Enlisted to D Sqn Essex Yeomanry at Stratford on 4th December 1913.  Details of his death you already have from the above posts.  As well as at the Menin Gate his sacrifice is recorded on the EY Memorial at Chelmsford Cathedral and in the East Ham Memorial Book.

Good luck with your research.

Michael

[Angus Mansfield]

Michael - thank you and everyone else for your responses - I have always wanted to go to France and tour the WW1 Battlefields - and maybe now I should - thanks again Angus