Matthew Baker Kings Liverpool regiment no. 241645

[jim1]

1/6th. position 30/7/1917

[jim1]

I'm going to show you 2 maps.
The 1st. is a German map showing the trenches the 1/6th. were tasked with taking.
The 2nd. is the British positions 30/7/1917 & the Oxford trench position based on a present day map.
30/7/1917 the !/6th. moved from Potyze into their trench positions. Oxford trench dugouts were made the Batt. HQ.Casualties 6OR's killed & 9 wouded including 1 gassed. This was due to heavy German shelling.
A & D Coys. to capture German support line & as moppers up of German front line.
B & C Coys. to capture German reserve line consolidate on the Bde's. final objective ( blue line ).
Transcript:
31/7/1917 3rd. battle of Ypres commenced. Zero hour 3.50 am, when the attack commenced. The Batt. attacked in 4 waves as above. The German front & support trenches were carried with little trouble. Some sniper opposition being encountered. This however caused no delay & platoons from B & C Coys. pushed on to the Blue line & immediately commenced to dig in with strong points being dug out on the left flank & one in front of Jasper farm between Jasper farm & the Blue line. The Blue line runs approximately from (map ref.) this being the Batt. frontage. At 5. 05 am. the 9th. KLR passed through the Blue line to attack the Stutzpunkt line & Pommeron Redoubt. This was successfully accomplished & at 10.10 am. the 164th. Bde. started from the Black line ( Stutzpunkt ) to attack the Green line ( Gheluvelt-Langemark line ). This was also reached but the attacking troops had to fall back to a position about 200yds. in front of the Black line. At about 10am. the Batt. HQ moved from Oxford trench & established HQ in German reserve line at a point ( map ref. ) & shortly after arrival b & C Coys. were moved up to reinforce the 9th. Batt. KLR at the Black line. These 2 companies digging in & consolidating on the left flank to join up with the 1/10th. Batt. KLR on their left. A & C Coys. were simultaneously moved up to garrison the Blue line & strong points. These dispositions remained the same until relief. Throughout the day shelling on both sided was intense. The estimate of prisoners captured by the Batt. is approximately 100 while 80 enemy dead were counted on the Blue line. Amongst trophies taken by the Batt. were 2 trench mortars & 2 machine guns.
Caualties:
Officers:
3 killed
2 missing
3 wounded
Other Ranks:
29 killed
145 wounded
40 missing

[Ley]

I can't thank you enough for all the information you've given me. This is fantastic. Can't wait to share this with the rest of my family. I hadn't realised that all this was available. I visited Ypres last year but wish I had know this then.

Thanks again
Lesley

[jim1]

I don't want to blind you with maps but I've managed to find the map ie. the one used by the Batt. CO.
Using the map refs. from the diary I have been able to pinpoint the Battalions progress.

[MaxD]

Jim1

I have no connection but have watched on with awe, my contribution a poor effort compared.  Brilliant.

maxD

[jim1]

Thank Max
All contributions are valuable you know that.

today.

[ALAMO2008]

The Deveraux Database for The Liverpool Kings Regt Display Section on the first floor on The Museum of Liverpool Life, may show a photo or more of his service life, but you have to personally enter a search on the touch screen computer there to see the information, no photos allowed per copyright.

This external link however, shows that he is listed on it under Mathew with one T - Baker
same Rgt No.

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/visit/galleries/soldiers/research/kingsreg/index.aspx

Liverpool Central Library on the Third floor Archive Dept has 3 volumes in Reference Section, on the History of the Liverpool Kings Regt actions

[ALAMO2008]

Liverpool John Moores University set up a site in 2014 for relatives to submit stories and photos of their relatives. :- www.merseyside-at-war.org   They are all worth a read and viewing of photos. (Have mine under Samuel Chapman and Abraham Kirkham )

The Diary of Fred Paterson covers 28th July 1917 at the front waiting for the German Shells to cease before their assault over the top on 1st August 1917 perhaps was killed by shell shrapnel on 31st July 1917 before the assault.


http://www.merseyside-at-war.org/memorabilia/diary-of-lance-corporal-fred-paterson/

[ALAMO2008]

Have found Mathew Baker entry in Vol 3 of Kings History re 31st July  action etc    send me your email via PM for me to forward info.

Alan