Current Information:

Age-21

95, Norman Road, Greenwich

Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium

At the end of July, 1916,  4th Division moved to Ypres to relieve the Guards Division in the Swaanhof Farm sector near the International Trench. On 8th August, 1st Rifle Brigade of 11 Brigade were relieving 1st Somerset in the line here when the enemy made a gas attack and put down a heavy bombardment that cut all communications to the rear including to the artillery. The ensuing German infantry attack, made apparently by a fresh brigade according to prisoners, was repelled  but at high cost to 1st Rifle Brigade who sustained casualties of over 200, most of who were killed. ‘A’ Company were worst hit. They were only 40 yards from the German line and the gas cloud was not seen until it had passed over them. One of those killed was Henry Holmes.