On October 8th at 11 p.m. the "Duke’s" moved up to the line near Louis farm (Langemarck), their jumping-off Point, where they were ready by 4. a.m. on the 9th." The last stages of the so-called "the Third Battle of Ypres" were probabIy the muddiest combats ever known in the history of war. It rained incessantly sometimes clearing to : a drizzle or a Scots mist .... Tuesday, the 9th, was the day fixed for an advance on a broad front by both French and British, but all day on the 7th and 8th it rained and the night of the 8th was black darkness above and a melting earth beneath".
The chief sector of attack so far as concerned the 4th Division was from a point east of Zonnebeke to just north-west of Langemarck. The actual objective, Poelcappelle, or what was left of it.
Zero time for the 12th Brigade was 5.20 a.m., the Duke of Wellington’s being in close support when the Brigade advanced. The first objective was captured almost at once, but the front line was held up at Landing Farm. Owing to this the "Duke's" moved up into the frontline to fill a gap. Realizing the importance of the proper handling of the companies Lieut.-Colonel Horsfall was leading them up himself .Touch had been already established and the Company was moving from one shel-hole to another. Whilst giving orders to a runner Lieut.-Colonel Horsfall was picked off from the Hank, a bullet passing through his heart. He only breathed a few moments. Capt. Coke and Lieut.-Colonel Horsfall orderly, Pte. Ramsden, stayed by him all day, and this very gallant officer now lies buried in Bard Farm Cemetery, on the Yser Canal. After the death of the Commanding Officer, being the senior resent, Ca t. Browning assumed command of the battalion, which moved to the support line the same evening, when Major Officer took over command. The following day Major Officer and the Adjutant, Capt. E. C. Coke, were both wounded, so Capt.S.Browning again took over with an 2nd Lieut. Moody as acting Adjutant. On the 11th at 1a.m. the Battalion were withdrawn from the line and Major Henniker returned from the 1st King’s Own to take over command of it.
Battalion casualties during the operations :
Officers killed: Lieut.-Colonel A. G. Horsfall, D.S.O.
Wounded : Major W. G. Officer.Capt. E. C. Coke.Lieuts. H. N. Turner, F. S. White, P.
Harrison,W. E. Horsley.
Missing : Lieut. johnson.
All Ranks: Killed . . . 22 Wounded . . 99 Missing . . . 49 Total . . 170
Bron: History of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (1st and 2nd Bat.) door Bruce C.
