Loyal North Lancashire (7th Bat) (31/07/1917)

[antsals]

I'm after some help.

My great grandad died on the 31/07/1917 part of the 7th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire. We know he was posted to Ypres as his name is on the Menin Gate (lost in action)

Is there anyway we can find out where they where exactly posted too; trench number location etc. We would like to go to the location or as close as possible on the 31st July this year.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,
Anthony

[geneius]

Hello Anthony

To search for your gt grandfathers army record, we will need a name / year and place of birth

[SueNSW]

Even if it has survived, his service record is unlikely to provide the information Anthony is looking for. Better looking at the War Diary covering the period - can be downloaded from the National Archives for £3.50 here:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ls/r/C14053991

CWGC have over 40 men from the Battalion listed as dying on 31st July 1917, so it was likely to have been a significant event/action that should have some details in the Diary. Anthony will also be able to see where they were in the build up to the action.

Anthony - if you have Ancestry membership, War Diaries are also on there - but not always as easy to find as at the NA - I'll see if I can locate it.

[SueNSW]

This should be the Ancestry link to the first page of the Diary covering 31st July 1917

https://www.ancestry.com.au/interact...2_2080_0-00594

It will only work - if it does - if you have membership. You can continue on to the next page/s and go backwards

[SueNSW]

There is also a History of the 19th Division available on Google Books - it gives an overview of the operation - starting from page 100

https://books.google.com.au/books?id...lancs"&f=false

Good luck - and hope your trip goes well

[SueNSW]

Finally - it looks as though the action the 7th battalion Loyal North Lancs took part in was part of the larger Battle of Pilckem Ridge - the start of the Third Battle of Ypres - there's an overview on Wikipedia here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pilckem_Ridge

[StintonLomas]

Hi
Also contact https://www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk/ the people there are very helpful.

If you are local the museum is open Tues,Wed, Thurs and Sat; but it is worth while contacting them beforehand if you are looking for specific info so that they can do the relevant research.