Langemark. 14 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 2 Sept. 1917
During August and September 1917 the 14 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers were operating in the area forward of Langemark. They had spent the time on working parties wiring the front and going out on reconnaissance patrols. There was continual shelling and sniper fire. On 1 September at 5.00am the battalion’s forward command post had a direct hit by an enemy shell and set on fire. The post was evacuated and every body got away unscathed. However, an hour later 23 officers and men returned to douse the fire and to clear away the debris and salvage equipment ready to reoccupy. As they began the work a store of grenades started to explode. The ruined dugout collapsed still further burying those inside. It now became a rescue operation. Three officers were brought out – one of whom was dead, (2nd Lieutenant R T Evans CWGC) and then seven men were pulled out, all were wounded, one of whom died immediately. Of the 13 other men, including a group of 9 signallers, they couldn’t be rescued. Isaac Roberts was probably one of these unfortunates. That evening the battalion was relieved by 15 Bn RWF and moved into reserve at buildings about 300yards south of Iron Cross, a cross roads near Pilckem and on the road to Langemark.
Private 60745 Isaac Roberts, 14 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. KIA 2 September 1917, Tyne Cot (unknown)
GOOGLE MAPS centres on Langemark
References and Sources WAR DIARY 14 Bn RWF page 73
B&O 1917. Third Ypres. Langemark. 14 Bn RWF. 2 Sept. 1917.
END