Operation Georgette.
Bethune. 7 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 29 April 1918
In the first week of April the 7 Bn KSLI was at Vaudricourt. On 11 April they were called forward to a line along the Canal La Bassee at Locon near to Bethune. For the next 4 days the were heavily engaged in holding the line against the Georgette Offensive. They were relieved on the 14-15 April and went into billets at Oblinghem in the Divisional Reserve and then to billets at Vendin lez Bethune, described as ‘a most unhealthy spot, full of gas’ – 7 ORs were evacuated. They went back into the line between 18-24 April into a section to the east of Canal De la Lawe near Locon. When they were relieved they went to billets at Sandpits and, on 26 April, back to billets at Vendin. They then spent 27-29 April on working parties digging a new reserve line running between Gonnehem and Hinges on the west bank of Canal de la Lawe, the trench was named the Shropshire Line. During this time 1 Officer and 31 ORs were evacuated with 1 OR KIA in the billets. They would go back into the line on 30 April.
GOOGLE MAPS Satellite view centres on Gonnehem
Shropshire line in front of Gonnehem, dug 27-29 April 1918. (National Archives)
References and Sources WAR DIARY 7Bn KSLI. Regimental History KSLI.
B&O 1918. KO. Georgette. Bethune & Hinges. 7 Bn KSLI. 29 April 1918.
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