The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 05/11/1914 and were part of the 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. Bernard arrived in France on the 25/01/1915. Bernard enlisted in the Army in 1903 and had passed through the South African campaign without injury. He was fatally wounded at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, 10th - 13th March 1915. He died in No 2 Stationary Hospital at Outreau, Boulogne. The Battle : Neuve Chapelle was the first large scale organised attack undertaken by the British Army during the war. It followed the miserable winter operations of 1914-15. More Divisions had now arrived in France and the British Expeditionary Force was now split into two Armies. Neuve Chapelle was undertaken by Sir Douglas Haig's First Army, while subsequent actions were fought by Sir Herbert Smith-Dorrien's Second Army. The 25th and 23rd Brigades of the 8th Division made good progress against the village. There were delays in sending further orders and reinforcements forward, but by nightfall the village had been captured, and the advanced units were in places as far forward as the Layes brook. See Directory for Bernard's younger brother Richard's page. Bernard is listed as aged 31 by the CWGC (correct date of birth listed here). Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. Bernard is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Bernard's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery and the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge. Bernard's grave inscription reads "TO MEMORY EVER DEAR WE FONDLY THINK OF THEE".
