Battle of Ypres

Ypres

On October 15th the 13th arrived at Proven and marched to Winnipeg Camp nr Ouderdom. With frosty wet weather the 13th relieved the 12th south of the Menin Road.

The next few months the 13th spend the time between the front line, Zillebeke Bund and Winnipeg Camp.

On January 14th, Harry and 2nd Lt Hall undertook a notable reconnaissance in thick fog.

At the end of February 1917 the 13th moved the training area at Bollezeele. Returning on March 17th as working parties till the end of the month.

Menin Road

The first two weeks of April we taken up in training at Millam. The 13th took over the trench south of Menin Road on April 17th.

Heavy shell fire was constant thoughout their time in the line until they left at the end of April.

A week was spent resting at Godewaersvelde. Before taking the line nr Hill 60. Where they successfully repulsed a strong German raid on their trenches. The 13th were relieved on May 14th.

During the next week the 13th supplied working parties until they concentrated at Halifax Camp on May 21st.

Battle of Messines

On June 1st the 13th took over the line at Mount Sorrel.

On June 2nd a major raid was undertaken by the 13th with many wounded. The 13th left the line on June 4th and was moved into reserve nr Zillebeke Lake prior to the attack on the night of June 6th - Battle of Messines.

The 69th Brigade was on the left of the attack at Hill 60. Following the 12th Btn attack on Impartial Trench, the 13th moved out of reserve. 'A' and 'B' coy relieved the 12th Btn with 'C' and 'D' Coy following.

The 13th consolidated and dug new trenches, heavy bombardment and enemy fire and counter attacks killed and wounded many of the Durhams before they left the front line on the 13th June for Godewaersvelde.

After the battle the 13th was located at Mont des Cats, where they lined the road as the King passed Div HQ on July 4th.

On July 6th they took over the trenches nr Klein Zillebeke. Where they were under heavy attack from German raids. The 13th left the line on July 10th and returned to Mont des Cats. On 30th July they were billetted at Wizernes nr St-Omer, prior to the Third Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Menin Road.

Battle of Menin Road

The night of the 19th September was wet, but in the morning the sky cleared and a light mist helped conceal the movement of the troops.

On September 20th, the 23rd Div attacked north of the 41st Div. The 13th was to come through the Fusiliers to capture the 'Green' Line.

Harry died of wounds on 20th September 1917 in the 69th Field Ambulance. He had been shot by a sniper.

Harry was the only solider on this day to die of wounds suggesting he was near help, perhaps just before the 13th 'went over the top' in the Battle for Menin Road (part of the 3rd Battle of Ypres).