Service Number
42153
Rank
Private
Firstname
Benjamin Frank
Lastname
Freke
Battalion
1/4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment
Notes

Formerly 71591 Berkshire Yeomanry – Medal Index Card British War Medal and Victory Medal with 1/4 Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment – Missing weekly casualty list (War Office and Air Ministry) 16 July 1918 – Died as a Prisoner of War Lappion France – Effects to Father Benjamin – Commemorated East Yorkshire Regiment War Memorial Beverley Minster East Yorkshire
War Diary
26 May 1918
Quiet. Report received enemy would attack about 4.0am on 27th. B Coy moved up into close support from Electra to Tr. Falaise. C Coy moved from La Hutte to P.C. Verdun (in Craonne) and placed at disposal of 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.
27 May 1918
1.0am Intense enemy bombardment of all calibres including GAS on whole sector lasting 21/2 hours causing many casualties and practically destroying trenches.
4.0am Enemy attacked breaking through line on right of 5th battalion Yorkshire Regiment at eastern end of Craonne Plateau. Battalion completely disorganized but rear-guard action fought by isolated parties retiring to River Aisne and crossing at Maizy. Number which succeeded in crossing very small.
Quartermaster, stores and transport forced to evacuate Maizy owing to intense enemy Gas and High Explosive shelling, defence of River Aisne attempted by personnel of Quartermaster and transport but forced to withdraw and abandon all stores, regimental records and vehicles. Rear guard action to Fismes which was held for some little time by about 100 men of several units, afterwards withdrawing through a line held by the French. Casualties estimated at 30 Officers and 642 Other Ranks reported missing no definite information (including attached to Divisional Headquarters Brigade Headquarters and at schools)

Birthplace
Bristol
Enlisted
Bristol
How Died
Died of Wounds
Memorial
Commemorated on the Sissonne Memorial Aisne France.
Date Died
29 May 1918