Trench map of Boetleers Farm
Illustrates military positions on 25/26 April 1915
“Ypres to Potijze to Velorenback to Frezenberry and via the level crossing (Devil’s Crossing) on the Ypres to Roulers railway to Zonnebeke/St Julien road and Boetleer’s Farm.
The Second Battle of Ypres – Route taken by the 8th battalion during the night of April 24th to 25th 1915 and action of 25th/26th April 1915.
Note that the trench numbers do not relate to the numbers on the map; the trench numbers have yet to be identified.
A Company located in trench 1.
B Company located in trench 7 under Major J R. Ritson – Andrew Wilson’s Company; number 13 on the map.
C Company located in trench 7.
D Company located in trench 2.
Trench 7 was subjected to heavy artilliary fire and B Company moved to some buildings 9 on the St. Julien/Grafenstafel road.
Two Platoons of B Company sent to reinforce A and D Companies at 11 but had to retreat.
B and C Companies held line Boetleer’s Farm to Grafenstafel under gas attack.
Retreated to Velorenhoek.
Casualties were 19 Officers and 574 others, of which Andrew Wilson was one.”
Date: 1915
Creator: E. H. Veitch
Reference: E. H. Veitch "8th Battalion Light Infantry, 1793-1926", Durham
Where to find this: Durham County Record Office, C209
Contributed by Ian Wilson
