1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 12-19th April 1918

[Daonnachd]

Hello,

I have been researching Joseph John Freeman who died in action 16th April 1918. I have accessed the War Diary for this period which says that on 12th April the Battalion relieved the front line at Regent Dugouts, South of the Kemmel - Whytshaete Rd. However, there are no further details for the period up to 19th April 1918, it just refers to the 'Official Account of Operations'.
Does anyone know why this might be? What happened to the Battalion, and Joseph in particular, and how I might find out myself?

I can attach a copy of the diary record if it helps.

Thank you

Lindsey

[jim1]

I'll take a look.
Back soon.

[jim1]

go to images 492-3 in the diary.

[MaxD]

You will by now have read the account and noted that the battalion lost many men when they had to withdraw "fought it out to the last".  You will have seen that after the encounter, the battalion numbered only 5 officers and 82 (later 103) men strong, page 488 makes particularly sobering reading/

The Register of Soldiers' Effects has "death assumed 16 Sep 1918" which is the type of entry in a case when the man's body has not been recovered and only an approximate date can be determined.

He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

MaxD

[jim1]

This is where they stood to face the German onslaught.
Red dots are observation posts with the rest of the Batt. along the red line.
Larger map;
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101464927
These blue trenches were previously British but you can see the new/old front line 13/5/18 further West.
Whitesheet is in square O.19.

[Daonnachd]

Thank you Jim & Max.

This is the first time I've looked at such documents, and as you say, very sobering. I've long been interested in WW1 poetry and this just makes it seem all the more poignant.

Lindsey