Patrick Joseph Duffy

Killed in Action 18/08/1917 near Broenbeek at the Battle of Langemarck (phase of the 3rd Battle of Ypres / Passchendaele)

In March 1915 the Battalion sailed, going via Egypt, and landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on the 25th of April 1915. In January 1916 they were evacuated from Gallipoli to Egypt. On the 18th of March 1916 they landed at Marseilles for service in France. They were part of the 87th Brigade, 29th Division. Patrick fell at the Battle of Langemarck, 16th – 18th August 1917 (a phase of the 3rd Battles of Ypres / Passchendaele). The Battles of Ypres (Third Ypres), 31st July - 10th November 1917 : The British finally got what they had wanted since 1914 : the opportunity to attack at Ypres and breakout of the confines of the salient of trenches around it. Often known as the Third Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele, the offensive began with encouraging gains but terrible summer weather soon bogged it down. By August the offensive was clearly failing in its objectives and had descended into attritional fighting. New techniques by both sides led to agonisingly slow forward movement for the British, at enormous cost in casualties to both sides. Bad weather in October led to the battlefield becoming an impossible quagmire. SEE PHOTOS x 5 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY AUGUST 1917. The War Diary for the day Patrick fell states - "No incidents of importance. Enemy artillery more active. Relieved by 16th Middlesex". SEE PHOTOS x 21 FOR THE 29th DIVISION BOOK 31st JULY - 19th AUGUST 1917. Patrick was very active within St. Augustine's Parish especially with the Boys Guild and the Sacred Heart Society. He is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Patrick's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Ireland Casualties of WW1, his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial Panel List, Patrick's Pension Records x 2, an aerial view of Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial and the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Cap Badge. Finally, see photos for the 29th Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died) and Newspaper clippings x 2 (Coatbridge Express x 1 and Coatbridge Leader x 1).