Bernard Strain

Died of Wounds on the 29/09/1918 at the 87th Field Ambulance. Wounds received the previous day at the Battle of Ypres (part of the Final Advance in Flanders)

In August 1914 the Battalion were part of the 86th Brigade, 29th Division. On the 16/03/1915 they sailed from Avonmouth for Gallipoli, going via Alexandria and Mudros, where it halted on the 9th April. They landed at Cape Helles on the 25/04/1915. Between the 30th April and 19th May 1915, following heavy casualties, the Battalion and 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers formed one composite unit, called the "Dubsters". On the 01/01/1916 they were evacuated from Gallipoli to Egypt, arriving on the 8th January. On the 13/03/1916 they sailed from Port Said to Marseilles for service in France. On the 19/10/1917 they transferred to the 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. On the 26/04/1918 they transferred to the 86th Brigade, 29th Division. Bernard arrived in France on the 04/05/1915. Bernard Died of Wounds at the 87th Field Ambulance. The Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps. These wounds were received at the Battle of Ypres, 28th September - 2nd October 1918 : The attack of the 28th September achieved in 24 hours a deeper advance from Ypres than the entire Third Battle (Passchendaele) had achieved in 1917. This was part of the Final Advance in Flanders, 28th September - 11th November 1918 : The British Second Army and Belgian Army combine and finally break out of the Ypres salient. More ground is gained in a day that in the entire Passchendaele offensive of a year before. The offensive continues through fighting in the Courtrai area and eventually well across the Scheldt. Bernard is buried alongside 3 of his comrades in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died the same day. He had previously been twice wounded and had only just returned to the trenches after being home for 14 days when he fell. By this time the Germans were retreating and the last full month of the war was only hours away. I personally laid a Poppy Cross at Bernard's grave on the 90th Anniversary of his death in 2008 (see main grave photo and photos). He is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Bernard's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 3, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects x 2, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1, another photo of Bernard's grave, Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Bernard's Pension Records x 2 and the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Cap Badge. Bernard's grave inscription was forwarded by his sister Annie. It reads "ON HIS SOUL SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY R.I.P".