Current Information:

106, Meath Road, Stratford

Born-Kilburn

Royal Irish Rifkles Graveyard, Laventie, France

On 9th January, 1915 the 2nd Northamptonshire battalion of  24th Brigade, 8th Division moved into the front line at Rouge Croix near La Bassée. The conditions here were terrible with the men often finding themselves waist deep in mud and in order that the line could be held it was decided to dig parapets behind the fire trench, which, with a shallow ditch, would give cover while avoiding the water. The Battalion Diary makes no mention of casualties but the men of 2nd Northamptonshire had to contend with shell fire and sniper activity and between 11th and 12th January they sustained over thirty casualties. One of these was William Peaty who was killed in action on 11th January.