5 replies to this topic

[Beselare]

I am faced with a fairly impossible task, and that is to trace the movements of a RASC driver.  A friend has visited Kew to take details from the war diary, but the information is fairly basic.  However, one important date is 22nd July 1917 when he was gassed at Nieuport.  This would have put him reasonably close to the front line.  The problem is I have no idea which battalion or brigade he might have been attached to.  Does a gas attack at Nieuport on 22.7.17 ring a bell with anyone.

Bob

[Cnock]

Hi,

In the night of 21 july to 22 july 1917 the 1/8 Bn West Yorkshire had a total casualties 18 officers and 662 ranks
due to shelling with mustard gas shells mixted with H.E.
The bombardment started on 21/7/1917 at 9 p.m.
49th Division, 146 Brigade,  St. George sector

Cnock

[GJH]

I don't know if this helps, but my Grandfather was gassed in July 1917 (dont know the exact date) with mustard gas he was with the 2/4 Bn south lancashire regiment attached to 2nd west lancs Division just to the north of le Tilleloy.

Wish you luck with your search

Graham

[Chris_Baker]

Most ASC men were not attached to battalions or brigades. Was he a horse driver or a motor transport driver?

Fourth Army war diary reports that Nieuport was systematically shelled with mustard during the night 21-22 July 1917, in three half hour bursts, the last of which ended at 3am. 57 officers and 2133 OR of 49th Division alone were admitted to the Corps Main Dressing Station.

[Beselare]

Chris_Baker, on 31 January 2012 - 06:07 PM, said:

Most ASC men were not attached to battalions or brigades. Was he a horse driver or a motor transport driver?

Fourth Army war diary reports that Nieuport was systematically shelled with mustard during the night 21-22 July 1917, in three half hour bursts, the last of which ended at 3am. 57 officers and 2133 OR of 49th Division alone were admitted to the Corps Main Dressing Station.

Hi Chris

Thank you for the information.  My man is listed as being with the RASC, 1st DMTCoy (District Mounted Troops).  However, the diary states that he served as a motor driver (he was a qualified driver and mechanic before the war and was employed as a car mechanic after the war).  His grandson has a note that he was "found in a shop doorway suffering from gas after wandering around the streets."  He attended No.15 Stationary Hospital at Zudcotte.

Bob

[Beselare]

Cnock, on 31 January 2012 - 05:36 PM, said:

Hi,

In the night of 21 july to 22 july 1917 the 1/8 Bn West Yorkshire had a total casualties 18 officers and 662 ranks
due to shelling with mustard gas shells mixted with H.E.
The bombardment started on 21/7/1917 at 9 p.m.
49th Division, 146 Brigade,  St. George sector

Cnock

Hi Cnock - thank you for that detailed information.  I can now at least find out the line held by the 146th Brigade, although we probably don't know how far this particular gas cloud drifted.

Bob