Military History

Christopher is listed as being killed in action on 3rd May 1916. The 11th Battalion war diary for the period 2nd to 4th May is transcribed below.

Humbercamps – May 2 [1916]: Battalion marched to Hannescamps to relieve the 1^st Rifle Brigade in the trenches. Head of Battalion passed starting point at 7.30pm. The relief was completed by 10pm.

A hostile patrol threw 12 bombs towards Sap from T.65 on Essarts Road. All fell short. No damage. Hostile artillery activity active at same time and place, also at 11pm on T.76A. Battalion occupied trenches 64/77 with three Coys, having the 8^th East Lancashire Regt on our right and the 13^th Rifle Brigade on our left. Some bombs thrown at Sap in T.65 at about 10pm. Otherwise situation very quiet. Wind from South, weather hot and fine.

Hannescamps – May 3 [1916]: Some hostile shells on Collingbourne Av during forenoon. Retaliation by our Howt and Field Guns on Essarts. Weather fine, wind south. Situation normal.

Hannescamps – May 4 [1916]: An intense bombardment by enemy along the front immediately north of us from T.71 to about T.92. Last night we shortened our line handing over our left Coy from from T.74 to T.77 to the 6^th Bedfordshire Regiment and ourselves occupying a two company front (A&B) from T.60 to T.71. The bombardment continued until 3.25am.

During the bombardment a patrol was sent out from our right company to prevent a surprise on the front. For the remainder of the 24 hours situation was normal. Very hot weather, Wind SW.