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Archiver > GREATWAR > 2004-05 > 1084987572


From: "Steve Morse" <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] Military Medal to Sherwood Forester.
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 18:26:12 +0100
References: <026801c43d89$f1735d60$0b00000a@charlie1>


Hello Helen
Whilst not having the book you mention, I have found out that on 9th July
1918 there was a raid near Dickebusch by members of the 2nd Bn S F, in which
all the occupants of the enemy trench were killed and a machine gun was
captured. The raid was led by Captain Ernest Henry Fortescue ABBOTT, M.C.
who was also killed whilst attempting to carry the enemy machine-gun back to
the British lines.
A Casualty clearing station was situated next to Lijssenhoek cemetery.
Lijssenhoek is the second largest War cemetery in Belgium.
It has 7,332 British, 1,131 Australian, 1,053 Canadian, 21 British West
Indies, 2 Indian, 5 Newfoundland, 291 New Zealand, 28 South African, 35
Chinese Labourers and 233 German graves. There are also three US soldiers
whose families wished them to remain, when the US War cemetery was created
( some say two but I have seen all three). A nurse is also buried here.
There are also French burials - 658.
In fact I shall be there on Sunday.
I would think that the Battalion War Diary at the National Archives (PRO)
would have a mention of this raid. If your man got his MM in this raid there
is a good chance he was mentioned.
As it was next to a hospital the majority of the dead are identified. He
was no doubt wounded and removed to Lijssenhoek CCS.
If you do not have a photo and can get back to me before tomorrow with his
details, I will try and take one for you.
Hope that helps
Regards
Steve
Born in Derbyshire and sent to Coventry

all things DRING -
www.dring.org.uk

People ask me what my religion is.
I tell them, 'My religion is kindness'

We must not only give what we have; we must also give what we are.



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