Current Information:

Born-Limehouse

Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery, Belgium

On 20th March, 1915, the 2nd Essex battalion of 12 Brigade, 4th Division moved into trenches near Ploegsteert, in Belgium where they remained until relieved on 24th March. The battalion diary recorded that things were quiet on 20th March, not a view that would have been shared by Joseph Britton who was killed on that day. The attrition rate among British soldiers on the Western Front was on average 300 each day and 60% of these were as a result of shellfire. When not involved in an actual battle it was either shell fire or a sniper’s bullet that caused most deaths and injuries.