Current Information:

Age-19

10, Dartington Terrace, Harrow Road

Aubers Ridge British Cemetery, France

Throughout October 1918, the last full month of the war, the Allies were advancing all along the Western Front against a demoralised and drastically shrinking German Army which could do little other than fight, often desperate, rear guard actions. These continued to take a heavy toll of both sides, but failed to halt the forward momentum. Towns, villages and whole areas, which had been under German occupation for four long years were now liberated in a series of operations.

For most of September, 1917, the 23rd London battalion of 142 Brigade, 47th Division had been out of the line in the St Pol area, undergoing training but at the beginning of October they began moving up to the front again. On 3rd October they moved forward in support of 141 Brigade when they advanced south of Fromelles and on 4th October 142 Brigade relieved 141 Brigade in front. 23rd London moved to Le Maisnil in Brigade reserve and on 6th October they sent forward daylight patrols to the nearby Railway embankment to ascertain if the enemy had retired from their positions there. They had not and in the action that followed this discovery the battalion suffered fifteen casualties. One of these was Stephen Pither who was killed.