No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694].

For detailed record see main site here.

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On APRIL 18th I was taken ill whilst in the trenches and had to be brought out at night and taken to the Dressing Station where the Doctor examined me. I was covered all over my body with spots, a sort of nettle rash, besides suffering from neuralgia. I had to stay at the Dressing Station till our Battalion was relieved the next day by our 8th Battalion.

Our first casualty happened on the 18th, a man has been shot through the head by a sniper. (Company casualty).

The village where our dressing station is, is called Kemmel. Where the London Scottish made their famous charge.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

18th April 1915. Sunday once more. I was up by 6 a.m. and went to have my breakfast. Corporal Armitage cooked it for us and then at 8-30 word came Corporal Armitage hit, come at once. The bullet passed in at his neck and came out in the small of his back. We did what we could for him but he gradually sank. He died about 1-30 being conscious about three quarters of an hour. He knew from the first he was done. It made a gloom over all the Company for a time. The bearers came for him about 9-30 and he was buried in the English cemetery. I had just got in bed when word came down ‘Stretcher bearer wanted’. This time it was Private C Turner, he had been shot in the ankle. I bandaged him up and sent for bearers, getting him off about 1 a.m. I went to bed for a well earned rest.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 18th Still in trenches. Fairly quiet all day. 1 killed 1 wounded in “D” Co by snipers. Saw them brought out. Stand to all night. Sleep in morning, fatigues in afternoon.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]