| Regiment | 1st Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Belgium, Ypres |
| Entry | (10th - 14th) During this period the Battn remained in the ramparts in Bde Support. It was called upon each night to furnish working parties in the forward area and parties for burying dead animals. As a party of the strength of 240 other ranks was required for work under the CRE the strength of the Battn in YPRES was very small, the CRE's party living at PIONEER CAMP, half way between OUDERDOM & KRUISSTRAAT. The casualties during this period were very largely due to a form of gas which was entirely new and was named 'Mustard Gas'. This gas destroyed the sense of smell and its presence was very difficult to detect but for its first symptom, continuous sneezing. In many cases several hours later vomiting and affectation of the eye ensued. Casualties other than those noted as "gas" were caused by hostile shelling and the casualties were as follows:- 10th Killed, two other ranks, wounded, Lieut and a/QM H Webber, and 3 other ranks, wounded, still at duty, 1 other rank. 11th Killed, 1 other rank, wounded, 2 other ranks. 12th Wounded, (gas) 20 other ranks, wounded, 2 other ranks, wounded still at duty, (gas) 4 other ranks. 13th Wounded, (gas) 2 other ranks. 14th Wounded, (gas) 1 other rank. Reinforcements joined the Battn on the following dates:- 11th 131 other ranks, 12th 2 other ranks, 14th 6 other ranks. These reinforcements were retained at the Transport lines. On the night of the 14th after dark the Battn moved up to relieve the 10th Cheshire Regt in the line between a point opposite the N end of BELLEWARDE Lake and the YPRES - ROULERS railway, the 8thLN Lancs being on the right. The following casualties occurred during relief : Killed, 4 other ranks, wounded 2 other ranks. |
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