207832 L/Cpl. Wilfred Arthur Hutchins British Army 8th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps from:Birmingham (d.5th Jul 1915) Given the day, 11th of November, my mind has been on the Great War rather than work. There is new access through the National Archives to some war diaries and I found this reference to Billy Hutchins - he died a day after that stated on the menin gate and it shows he was a machine gunner - killed by a shell. I just wanted to share this.
July 1915 Ypres.
July 1st Thursday. Battn remain in Ypres. Some shelling. Rfn Barnes killed & 1 man wounded both M/G section. More care about Aeroplane sentries.
2nd Friday. Battn remain in Ypres. Fatigue parties to clear up roads.
3rd Saturday. Battn remain in Ypres. Heavy shelling of Ecole. Then fire opened at Sally Port. One shell exploded in shelter in which A Coy were cooking Teas. 3 killed 15 wounded (2 subsequently died in hospital at Asylum).
4th Sunday. Battn remain in Ypres. Carrying parties each night. Btn also construct ? Dugouts. (7 wounded very slightly). Sgt Hughes poisoned from drinking from a bottle found in the Town.
5th Monday. Battn remain in Ypres. New method of spraying smoke helmets carried out. Bomb throwers under Danville go to trenches in morning. Rfn Hutchins & Rfn Freeman m/gunners killed by shell. Rfn Andrews & Rfn Fletcher wounded.
6th Tuesday. Battn remain in Ypres. Rfn Terry & Hawkin (?) C Coy killed on carrying party & six wounded (of whom Rfn Hodges & Harris subsequently died).
7th Wednesday. Battn remain in Ypres. Very quiet day as regards shells. The Prime Minister, Lord Kitchener & large party visit YPRES. Two sick men to Hospital. Several houses fell down owing to wind, & roads had to be cleared. Major Crum slightly wounded.
|