263365 Pte. Michael Wixted British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusilliers from:Dublin Michael Wixted was born in January 1889. He joined the British Army in mid 1915 and was allotted to the 7th Royal Irish Rifles. There is evidence of a Leinster Regiment being formed around this time and it is probable that along with thousands of other young Dubliner's, he enlisted.
From his Medal Roll Card, we know he arrived in France with a Draft in early 1916
He had been transferred to the 8th Royal Dublin Fusiliers by late 1917, having left his original Regiment for reasons and a date unknown but likely to be due to a wound or sickness
He was posted to the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers in February 1918 when the 8th Battalion was disbanded.
In total 400 men were absorbed into both the 1st and 2nd Royal Dublin Fusilier Battalions on the 10th of February 1918. 200 men being absorbed into each Battalion.
Michael was captured by German forces on the 21st of March 1918 in the town of St. Quentin in France. This was during a very heavy offensive of 500,000 German Troops against some 200,000 Allied Troops.
Sometime after his capture, Michael had been transferred to Soltau Prisoner of War Camp, Germany.
He was repatriated to England in January 1919.
|