Current Information:

Age-24

Born-Lewisham

Vimy Ridge

Starting on 9th April, 1917, the British launched a large scale offensive at Arras while at the same time the Canadian Corps, using all four divisions together for the first time, attacked the strongly held enemy positions on Vimy Ridge, just to the north of Arras. French attacks here had failed and cost over 100,000 casualties so the operation had to be very well planned and it was preceded by a week long artillery bombardment of the German trenches on the heavily-fortified seven-kilometre ridge that held a commanding view over the Allied lines.

24th Division were in the line just to the north of the Canadian Corps and at 5am on 12th April, in order to provide support for the Canadians, the 2nd Leinster battalion on the right and 9th Royal Sussex battalion on the left, both of 73 Brigade, attacked the enemy strongpoint of Bois-en-Hache, north of the Souchez river. It was a cold day and sleet turned into a blinding snowstorm as they advanced into the face of heavy rifle and machine gun fire that caused many casualties among both battalions. Nevertheless the German front line was captured after some fierce hand-to-hand fighting after which the attack was continued through to the enemy second line which was captured and with the help of the 129th Field Company of the Royal Engineers, was then wired. On the following day patrols from 9th Sussex were sent out and discovered that except for a machine-gun and two snipers, the enemy had withdrawn. The battalion HQ was moved forward and D Company moved up from reserve and established a series of outposts on the Souchez river. The next morning 9th Sussex were relieved after having suffered 116 casualties. One of these was Albert King.