MOTG_OP_Brochure_2018-01-19_V1_Proof

Battle of Loos, 25 September 1915
This would be the first time that Pals battalions would go into
action. They proved to be more reliable than the High Command
had estimated. The 6 Bn KSLI were part of a Diversionary action at
Laventie. After early successes the Offensive ultimately failed and
by mid October the front had returned to stalemate.
In billets at Poperinghe, 27 February 1916
When they were not on the front line the troops lived in ‘billets’.
In Poperinghe, billets took the form of a tented or a hutted camp,
or dug outs, located to the rear of the line. About one week in four
was in billets. Aside from working parties, parades, cleaning and
training, it was an opportunity to relax, although the men were still
in danger of long range shelling and air raids.
It was in billets at Poperinghe that Private 15749 William H Lewis
wrote a last letter home: ‘We have lost a lot of lads that came
out with me. I haven’t seen Gardener for 2 weeks. Tell George
Thompson I saw his son Jack. He is alright and looks well. I should
like to find Percy Phillips’ grave. He was buried where we now
are but there are so many all over the place and those that have
money and come out here after the war will see some sights’.....
they say the Germans are bringing up bigger guns on our front.
I wish it was all over. It is awful. We have had a lot of snow here,
it has been snowing all the week and it must be very bad in the
trenches’.
| The Oswestry Pals 15