Joseph Pilkington

The Machine Gun Corps 17th Company formed in the 24th Division on the 17/01/1916 at Poperinge and were part of the 17th Brigade when Joseph fell. On March the 8th the 24th Division moved back into the front line, relieving the 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment in the trenches at Hooge. Snow had been falling for several days and the trenches were in an appalling state. Movement by day was impossible, but now with the condition of the trenches which had made the trenches a quagmire of deep mud and slush, movement by night was also nearly impossible and the harsh winter of 1916 made the conditions in the Ypres Salient, one of the enduring images of the Great War. On the 9th of March 1916 a bombing attack, by the Germans on the trench near to the ruined Hooge Stables, inflicted casualties to both sides. SEE PHOTOS x 16 FOR THE 17th COMPANY WAR DIARY FROM THEIR FORMATION ON THE 17th JANUARY - 16th MARCH 1916. War Diary states : YPRES 16th March - "Enemy's artillery very active. WARRINGTON AVENUE was shelled from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm with concentration between B4 and CONSETT DUGOUTS. Cpl. Glancy's team in WARRINGTON AVENUE suffered severely through shelling. The Corporal and 2 men were killed, 2 men wounded and the remainder suffering from shock". A total of 170,500 Officers and men served in the Machine Gun Corps, of which 62,049 were killed, wounded or missing. Joseph arrived in France with the Leinster Regiment on the 13/04/1915. Joseph is listed as PINKINGTON on the Coatbridge Memorial. He was formerly with the Leinster Regiment (3995). Joseph is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour and on his hometown of Kilbeggan Roll of Honour and on the Glenboig War Memorial (see photos). See photos for Joseph's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1, Menin Gate at Midnight (painting from 1927), Joseph's name on the Menin Gate Memorial x 2, his Pension Records x 3, a photo of James Cochrane, James' name on the Memorial (WW2 section), the Leinster Regiments Cap Badge (his previous Regiment) and the Machine Gun Corps Cap Badge.