6th KOYLI

[eviltaxman]

Morning Peeps.

I was researching my Gt Gt Grandfather, Henry George Blatchford - see sig, some time ago but hit a few walls so allow myself time to look at it afresh at later date I put it down for a while. Now I've picked it up and gone back through a copy of the batallion diary that someone kindly sent me for the relevant period he died, I've read and re-read the pages and believe that although his name is not mentioned, Henry is the one soldier that was reported missing. He's mentioned on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

The page in the diary states that during the 22nd Aug the KOYLI didn't receive any fatalities, just a few wounded. But early on the 23rd at 4am (the day after Henry is reported to have been killed in action it states that the recorded the total losses for the day was - "2Lt W F Pogson wounded, three men killed, 72 wounded and one man missing". After the "one man missing" is 13, which refers to footnotes, but unfortunately they aren't attached.

I know I shouldn't assume anything without more evidence, but given that he's on the TC Memorial and the batallion only "lost" one man the day he alledgely died, do you think he is the one and the same?

Therefore if anyone has a copy of the diary for the 6th Btn KOYLI for the 3rd Ypres period (or who ever it was that sent me a copy of the diary initialy), could you please check footnote "13" and if send me a copy?

The Btn were working along side the DCLI & Somersets to take Inverness Copse (just a few hundred yards to the right of Sanctuary Wood) at this time, so I'm now looking out for a decent map of the area. The diary does supply one, but it's not brilliant.

Thanks in advance,

Les

[birchp]

Morning Peeps.

I was researching my Gt Gt Grandfather, Henry George Blatchford - see sig, some time ago but hit a few walls so allow myself time to look at it afresh at later date I put it down for a while. Now I've picked it up and gone back through a copy of the batallion diary that someone kindly sent me for the relevant period he died, I've read and re-read the pages and believe that although his name is not mentioned, Henry is the one soldier that was reported missing. He's mentioned on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

The page in the diary states that during the 22nd Aug the KOYLI didn't receive any fatalities, just a few wounded. But early on the 23rd at 4am (the day after Henry is reported to have been killed in action it states that the recorded the total losses for the day was - "2Lt W F Pogson wounded, three men killed, 72 wounded and one man missing". After the "one man missing" is 13, which refers to footnotes, but unfortunately they aren't attached.

I know I shouldn't assume anything without more evidence, but given that he's on the TC Memorial and the batallion only "lost" one man the day he alledgely died, do you think he is the one and the same?

Therefore if anyone has a copy of the diary for the 6th Btn KOYLI for the 3rd Ypres period (or who ever it was that sent me a copy of the diary initialy), could you please check footnote "13" and if send me a copy?

The Btn were working along side the DCLI & Somersets to take Inverness Copse (just a few hundred yards to the right of Sanctuary Wood) at this time, so I'm now looking out for a decent map of the area. The diary does supply one, but it's not brilliant.

Thanks in advance,

Les

Les

taken from a previous PAL click on map to magnify in box 14

log onto:-

http://pathsofglory.co.uk/Geluvelt%20dec%201917.jpg

Paul

[eviltaxman]

Thanks Paul. It's only just on the map but it certainly helps.

Les

[eviltaxman]

Therefore if anyone has a copy of the diary for the 6th Btn KOYLI for the 3rd Ypres period (or who ever it was that sent me a copy of the diary initialy), could you please check footnote "13" and if send me a copy?

Panic over... I've found my hardcopy! Unfortunately "13" does not give details pertaning the losses/wounded, but to the position of the Btn on their withdrawal of Inverness Copse.

Thanks to everyone that has been in touch.

Les.

[eviltaxman]

I think I've answered my own question regarding the assumption that the one missing man is my Gt Gt Grandfather. Having checked SDGW and compared that to CWGC, I'm no further along!

SDGW shows -

6 men in the 6th Btn died on the 22nd

4 were KIA & 2 DOW

Per CWGC the 4 are;

Pte O Benson - Buried Zantvoorde British Cemetery

Pte H Blatchford - Tyne Cot Memorial

Pte J Matthews - Tyne Cot Memorial

Pte G Widdowson - Tyne Cot Memorial

So, assumption being the mother of all boo-boo's (putting it politely!!), I cannot claim that my Gt Gt Grandfather is the missing man.

Back to the drawing board!

Les