R/8344 HARRY SHAW 18TH KRRC

[DAVE PLATT]

Morning All,

Help please with some detective work

Harry advanced with his battalion in an attack in 1918 along the Menin road:

On 1st October 1918, 122nd Infantry Brigade and 123rd Infantry Brigade attacked towards Gheluwe (Geluwe), where they were held up by resistance from the Gheluwe Switch. 122nd Infantry Brigade renewing the attack, 15th Hampshire Regiment and 18th King's Royal Rifle Corps, finally clearing the position on 2nd October. 34th Division relieving 41st Division on 3rd October to continue the advance towards Menin.

Harry was killed 3 Oct 1918 and has no known grave, I'm trying to find his last known position as accurately as possible and find a trench map which show's his closest attack position.

Any help would be most appreciated

Thanks
Dave

[Alan24]

Dave,

I don't know what sources you you have looked up to date but best to start with the unit war diaries of 122 Inf Bde and 18 KRRC.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7354382 

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4555784

The 122 brigade diary is likely to give you operational orders and perhaps maps. 

You have to be cautious about the date as sometimes missing men are tallied up at the next roll call - he may well have been KIA on or before 3rd Oct. i.e. anytime between the 1st and 3rd.  

For trench maps you can use the NLS site https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=10&lat=51.02287&lon=2.90105&layers=101464609&b=1