Military History

William is listed as dying of wounds at the 16th (USA) General Hospital in Le Treport. He had been wounded by a gas shell attack that affected 289 men of his company at Fonquevillers and over 1400 men in total. The following description of events is taken from the book "No Labour No Battle" by John Starling and Ivor Lee which can be read on the Internet Archive (click here) or purchased from numerous book sellers.

Gas Attack

"One of the most devastating attacks on a Labour Corps company on the night of 11/12 May 1918. On that night 101 Company was burying cables at Fonquevillers when the area was attacked with both high explosive and gas shells from 7.30pm until 2.30am.

Initial reports suggested that no men were killed during the attack, although IV Corps [war] diary refers to 40 officers and possibly 1400 men being gassed. Among those gassed were three officers and 286 other ranks of 101 Company.

On 12 May 60309 Private H Chitty was the first of 101 Company to die as a result of the gas. Sixteen more men including 2/Lt Bates were to die on 13 May and a further 37 including Major Christie [and William] on the 14 May. Further members of 101 Company, including 2/Lt Hazel died of the effects of gas over the next fifteen days so that by 29 May 1918 all three officers and 134 ranks had died.

Within five days of the gas attack the remnants of 101 Company were employed on roadwork at Orville and 18 May received 200 replacements.

Most of the men killed in the attack are buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. It is not known how many of the remaining 150 other ranks may have later died as a result of the gassing".