Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914 - 1919

 DAVID  CURRIE

 21 September 1899 - 23 April 1918

At School 1914 to 1917 

Pte 45886 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers 

Chemistry and Physics in the Joint Matriculation.  

David's service records do not survive but the Manchester Guardian reports in a brief obituary that he joined the Lancashire Fusiliers in September 1917 and went to France on April 2nd 1918. He was reported missing on 23 April 1918 after a mere three weeks at the front.

The Battalion War Diary for April 1918 reports that  on 8 April the Battalion was relieved in the front line trenches at Fampoux, east of Arras by the Canadians and proceeded by light railway to rest at Simencourt, west of Arras, where 113 other ranks joined. The following day the Battalion received further reinforcements of 67 other ranks. It is likely that David was part of one of these drafts. The Battalion was billeted in Simencourt until 12 April when it received orders to embuss to Busnes, north east of Lillers where it arrived at about 8 p.m. and bivouaced for the night in fields and barns on the side of the road. The following day the Battalion moved to L'Ecleme spending the next two days in billets and training. On the night of 16/17 April, the Battalion relieved the 1st Hampshire Regiment in the support line in front of the village of Riez du Vinage. The village had been subject to attack and counter attack and the

Battalion suffered enemy shelling over the next few days in the battles for possession. On 22 April orders were given for the Battalion to attack towards the village and at 4.30 a.m. the artillery barrage commenced and the advance began. At 7.30 a.m the objectives were reported reached but casualties were suffered from enemy sniping and bombardments on the new line. Enemy bombardment and sniping continued all day and the line was slightly withdrawn after dark . The Battalion suffered losses of 2 Officers killed, three wounded and one missing. 48 other ranks were killed, 120 wounded and 58 missing.