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Pte. Ralph Ronald Shackell
British Army 21st Battalion Middlesex Regiment
from:Ealing, London
Ralph Shackell signed up for the Army on 27 February 1915, he was 15 years old. His records show that he was 5ft 4 in tall, with a 34 inch chest. His unit seems to have remained in England until 1918.
He then took part in the Battle of Lys, where the German forces broke through the front lines and punched a 30 mile hole. The following is a summary taken from the unit diary.
German Offensive on 9th April smashes the Portuguese held line. The offensive over runs British lines. Ralph's unit was sitting just behind the 2nd Portuguese Division, south-east of Estaires. They were quickly moved up to help stop the offensive.
9 April
- 09:30 am. Message received that enemy had penetrated our front system of trenches.
- 10:30 am. Two companies reinforced the machine gun line. Enemy has broken through the Portuguese front and were advancing on Battalion HQ.
- 11:00. 2nd in Command killed; Adjutant wounded. HQ moved back.
- 16:00. Enemy takes Sailly. Remnants of Battalion withdraw across the River Lys and occupy Steenwerck Switch. Remaining stores blown up. Enemy encountered on left flank.
10-11 April
- Steenwerck Switch heavily shelled during the morning, then enfiladed with machine gun fire.
- Later that day the Battalion withdraws again to Le Petit Mortier, so that it can be more easily defended.
- 11 April - 08:00 am. Enemy pressure very great. Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Metcalfe wounded. Battalion withdrew in stages throughout the day. Position taken up with the rest of the front line in front of Le Verrier.
- 12 April orders received to withdraw. New defensive positions dug.
- 13 April new defences heavily shelled in the morning. Orders given to withdraw to North of Pradelles and from there march to Hondegen. Hot meal given and at 18:00 marched to East of Staple.
- 14 April marched to Tilques. Stopped for lunch at Arques.
- 15 April rest.
- 16 April Ralph's 19th birthday and the legal age for going overseas. Unit had physical drill, inspection in the morning and rest in the afternoon.
Ralph Shackell contracted a viral infection of his kidneys and was invalided out following this action (date unsure). He survived the war and lived until 1976, marrying and fathering two children.
