I visitd Ramparts Cemetery to pay respects to four Privates of 17th Battalion, who were killed on 30th June 1917, attached to 2nd Canadian Tunnelling Company, RE
BALDING ALFRED ‘13055’
BATE WILLIAM 19 ‘4219’ Son of Elizabeth Bate, of Hankelow, Nantwich, Cheshire.
BOSTWICK GEORGE 27 ‘26465’ Son of the late Walter and Emily Bostwick, of Manchester.
KIRKPATRICK RICHARD 20 ‘38755’ Son of Richard and Jane Kirkpatrick, of 27, St. James St., Shaw, Oldham.
Pte Herbert Bray of 47th Canadian Infantry was killed on the same day attached to the 2nd Tunnelling Coy. “while on a carrying party at 6.30 p.m. on June 30th, between Railway Dugouts and Lille Gate, this soldier was instantly killed by enemy shell fire.” It is likely the 17th Bttn men were killed in the same bombardment. Two other Canadians were wounded from 2nd Tunnelling Company on the same day.
The War Diary records that Captain William Boyd Orr was attached to 2nd Canadian Tunnelling Company at Lille Gate on 28th June. He was presumably in command of the detachment, including the four men who wer killed. 2nd Canadian Tunnelling Company War Diary noted 5 officers and 159 being attached from 30th Division at Rheninghelst on 28th June and returning to their units on the next day – possibly after midnight. Captain Orr was able to return to command D Company in the assault on Polygon Wood on 31st July 1917. He was awarded the Military Cross in the action.
A visit to Ypres Ramparts is integral to a visit to this beautiful City and the cemetery must be the prettiest corner of the salient. A great testament to CWGC and their local gardeners.
Published 30th June 2020, 103 years after these 17th Bttn men were killed.
Time heals.
CWGC Archive. Goodland Collection – Album One Pg 55 Ramparts Cemetery
17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme 