Kemmel & La Clytte. 2 Bn East Yorkshire. Regiment. 14 July 1915.
Between 6 and 10 July 1915 the 2 Bn East Yorkshire Regiment were having a rest period in huts at Scherpenberg near to La Clytte. On 11 July they went back into the line relieving the 1 Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in ‘J’ Trenches at Kemmel. The next day a re-arrangement of the trenches took place and the battalion were moved to ‘G’ Trenches. Early the next morning, 14 July, sounds of enemy mining were heard under the lines. An expert was called for. At 8.40 in the evening the Germans exploded the mine– there were 3 explosions under ‘J’ Trenches. Debris from the mine fell onto the East Yorkshire men and the explosions did much damage to their trenches. The mine crater was about 30 meters in diameter and about 10 meters deep. A mine was usually the prelude to an attack. Enemy rifle fire opened up and the battalion was put on alert and ordered to ‘stand to. However, it would seem that the effect of the mine had also damaged the enemy parapet and no attack came. Both sides then set to repairing the damage and clearing the debris. By dawn they had completed about half the work but had to stop as the Germans began sniping and machine gunning the line from a strong point, Spanbrok Farm. Casualties for the day were 13 killed, including those buried by the mine explosion, and 26 wounded.
References and Sources WAR DIARY 2 Bn East Yorks
B&O 1915 Ypres. Kemmel (La Clytte). 2 Bn East Yorks. Rgt, Kemmel, 14 July 1915.
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