2nd Bn Suffolks

[shaymen]

Can anyone tell me what the Suffolks 2nd Bn were doing and where they were on or around the 22nd Jan 1916. Looking for a bit of info re one of the men on my local Mem.

Thanks

Glyn

[Steven Broomfield]

Can anyone tell me what the Suffolks 2nd Bn were doing and where they were on or around the 22nd Jan 1916. Looking for a bit of info re one of the men on my local Mem.

Thanks

Glyn

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Regimental History (Lt Col C C R Murphy) states:

The Bn was in trenches on the Bluff, on the Ypres-Comines canal. "On the night of 21st-22nd, just after the Bn had returned to the line, a terrific explosion occured. The ground shook violently, and an immense column of earth shot up in front of the Bluff, carrying away the south-eastern face of it."

Interestingly, the explosion (a mine of 6-7 tons of explosive, causing a crater of 60x40 yards and 40 feet in depth) was not followed by any attack or bombardment. The Bluff trenches all collapsed, as did various tunnels round about.

Around 100 men were killed, and one man - Sgt H Bragg - was awarded a DCM.

The explosion took place at about 2 a.m.

Cheers

Steve

[shaymen]

Steven

Fantastic - just what I needed

Many Thanks

Glyn