Frank LAW

  General Notes:

Died in World War 1 on the Somme battlefield. Grave unknown. His name is on the war cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux. He was in the 24th Battalion 1st AIF. Died on 25th August 1916 (26th in Australia). Service No. 1723 Was in a trench with two mates and a bomb laned nearby and collapsed the trench, burying all three of them alive. All of them died.

Response from sadliervc@hotmail.com

You were right in thinking that it was Mouquet Farm. The 6th Brigade of which the 24th Battalion was part of seemed to be in attack around this area from the 24th to 26th of August 1916. It seemed the 24th reached their objective on this day but were pushed back by the superior firepower of the Germans. Mouquet Farm was not captured till the end of September by British and Canadian troops. If you are interested I can let you know where a history of the 24th Battalion should still be available, at least it was a few weeks ago.

Cheers

Andrew.P

Response from rwhiteh1@twcny.rr.com

Terry, The 24th Battalion was apparently relieved by the 21st Australian Battalion just before the 26th of August. This was being done because the attack being planned to bomb up the Fabeck Graben (Fabeck trench) required a stronger battalion. The 24th had suffered a large number of casualties and had received a large number of replacements just before this time. The 24th was placed in line just to the right of Mouquet Farm and on the 26th it would attack towards its left, towards Mouquet Farm itself. The day preceeding this was involved in heavy fighting, shelling, bombing etc. I believe that the men holding the German trenches belonged to the 2nd Guard Reserve Division, possibly the 15th Reserve Infantry Regiment. I will have to check further on this last point. Needless to say the area was under constant fire and losses were high on both sides. If I come across anything further I will let you know.

Ralph

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Orcharist.

• Education: 2219 Black Flat, now Glen Waverley.