George P M Fleming

Killed in Action on the 29/05/1918 by enemy machine gun fire, right sub sector, Lens Sector

The 2nd Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 05/11/1914 and from February 1918 were part of the 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. George arrived in France on the 09/12/1916. The Division took part in the Battle of St. Quentin, 21st - 23th March 1918 and the actions at the Somme crossings, 24th - 25th March 1918 and the Battle of Rosières, 26th – 27th March 1918. These were phases of the First Battles of the Somme, 21st March - 5th April 1918 : After transferring very large forces from the now-collapsed Eastern Front, the German Army commits to a series of large-scale offensives. The first, Operation Michael, strikes the British Fifth and Third Armies. A deep advance is made and inflicts large losses. The Battalion casualties from 21st - 31st March were - 10 Officers Wounded, 9 Missing. 15 Other Ranks Killed, 92 Wounded, 512 Missing (see War Diary photos). The Division was withdrawn after the heavy fighting of the Somme battles, moving on the 20th April 1918 to an area south west of Amiens. George was Killed in Action when he led the "C" Company patrol at the Lens Sector on the 29/05/1918. The Battalion War Diary states - "LENS SECTOR 28th to 29th - Battalion moved to right sub sector on night of 27th / 28th. Patrol under 2/Lieutenant Fleming "C" Company ran into an enemy Machine Gun post and were fired on. Only one of the patrol got back to our lines. Battalion relieved by 12th Rifle Brigade on night of 29th / 30th and marched back into Corps Reserve in COLUMBIA CAMP". SEE PHOTOS x 18 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY MARCH - MAY 1918. George was previously buried in Noyelles-Godault Communal Cemetery German Extension before being reburied in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery (see photos x 2). George was Commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant on the 17/12/1917. He is also remembered on the Coats Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for George'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, Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge and a Memorial to the 20th (Light) Division near Guillemont on the Somme, France. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE 20th (DIVISION) BOOK APRIL - MAY 1918, PHOTOS x 12 FOR THE 20th (LIGHT) DIVISION ORDER OF BATTLE (the Division George was with when he fell), Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery taken by myself in July 2023, Poppy Crosses placed by myself in July 2023 at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery (George's middle right) and another photo of George's grave (main grave photo taken by myself in July 2023).