Current Information:

Age-19

Born-King's Cross

Battle of St Julien, 24th April – 4th May 1915

Spurred on by the success of their gas attack on 22nd April, the Germans struck again two days later on the northern sector of the Ypres salient at St. Julien.  Once more chlorine gas was used and despite a resolute defence the British and Canadians were pushed back and St Julien was lost. For nearly 2 weeks the fighting continued on this front. The Germans persisted with their attacks, the British fought desperate rear guard actions and launched many counter attacks but gradually they were pushed further and further back. Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

In the evening of 27th April, 1915, the 6th Dragoon Guards of the 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division left their billets in Vlamertinghe and moved into some second line trenches near Wieltje. On 2nd May they received orders to return to their horses at Vlamertinghe that evening but before they could do this the enemy launched a heavy gas and artillery attack on their positions during which Alfred Williams was killed. They did not move back to Vlameringhe until the following day.