Titus Neeson

The 112th Battery arrived in France in August 1914 and were part of the 24th Brigade, 6th Division. Titus was Killed in Action whilst working at his gun during the last big advance of the war by the Germans. This was at the Battle of St Quentin, 21st - 23rd March 1918. SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE 24th BRIGADE WAR DIARY FOR MARCH 1918 and PHOTOS x 4 FOR THE BRIGADE REPORT FOR 21st MARCH 1918. The Battle was part of the 1st 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, although the second phase, Operation Mars, at Arras on the 28th March, is soon held. In the crisis, the Allies decide at Doullens to appoint French General Foch as co-ordinator, and soon enough, as Generalissimo. Before enough French and British reserves are finally assembled to hold the German advance before it captures the critical railway junctions at Amiens. Titus was just 2 days short of his 25th birthday when he fell. Titus was a football enthusiast and played for Bargeddie United F.C. He is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour and in the St. Patrick's Roll of Honour book. See photos for Titus' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Arras Memorial Panel List, his name on the Arras Memorial, his CWGC Certificate, the Royal Field Artillery Cap Badge and the Family Plot in St. Patrick's Cemetery, New Stevenston.