Current Information:

Age-18

15, Balham New Road, Balham

Throughout the winter of 1915-1916, a particularly cold and wet one, 7th East Surrey of 37 Brigade, 12th Division  had been in the line in northern France, mainly in the Loos sector where there was still much aggressive action by both sides following the Battle of Loos in September and October of 1915. One particularly hotly contested spot was the infamous Hohenzollern Redoubt which consisted of the Chord Trench and the nearby craters, just to the east of the village of Vermelles. On 21st April, 1916, 7th East Surrey moved into the front line here and remained in these positions for 4 days. On 22nd April they blew a mine beneath a German sap and the following day the Germans retaliated with a mine of their own. The battalion diary makes no mention of casualties so there is no further information concerning the death of Edward Scutchings who was killed in action on 23rd April.