Robert James Waddell

The Battalion arrived in Le Havre on the 29/01/1916 and were part of the 104th Brigade, 35th Division when Robert was Killed in Action by a bursting shell whilst trying to hold a position captured 2 days previously. This was 2 days before the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele, 26 October - 10 November 1917. This Battle was part of 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. Robert is listed as JAMES on the Coatbridge Memorial. He was formerly with the Royal Engineers (238507). He is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, Robert's Pension Records x 3, his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial, his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial Panel List, his previous Regiment the Royal Engineers Cap Badge, the Lancashire Fusiliers Cap Badge and an aerial view of the Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial.