Current Information:

Born-Pimlico

Enlisted-London

On 20th April, 1915, the 2nd Royal Lancaster battalion of 83 Brigade, 28th Division, moved into trenches at Zonnebeke in the Ypres salient where they remained until relieved on 3rd May. This period in the front line coincided with the German gas attacks and the heavy fighting during the Battles of Gravensafel Ridge and St Julien both of which involved 2nd Royal Lancaster to some extent. However, the battalion diary provides very little information other than to record that the battalion was heavily attacked on a number of occasions resulting in heavy casualties. One of these was William Ayers who was killed on 25th April.