Current Information:

Age-22

Attached from 11th Hussars

56, Leyton Park Road, Leyton

White House Cemetery, St Jean-les-Ypres, Belgium

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 two 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 Eventually, during the night of 3rd & 4th May the British forces were withdrawn from their forward positions and took up a new defensive line closer to Ypres.

On 23rd April, 1915, the Royal Horse Guards of 8 Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division left their billets in Lynd and moved towards the threatened front, arriving at a camp in Vlamertinghe on 26th April. The camp was shelled on 28th April during which Gilbert Riley was killed.