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All the major battlefields of the Western Front were the sites of multiple actions during the war, and of battles-within-battles. Nowhere is this more true than in the Ypres Salient.
About 2.5 miles northeast of the Menin Gate lies what in 1915 was a moated farm with some outbuildings. Its ruins at the time can be seen in the insert on the photo above. It was first given the name "Shell Trap Farm" by the British. The unhappy associations of this designation were held to be detrimental to the garrison's morale, and the position was subsequently renamed by the staff as "Mouse Trap Farm." On the morning of 24 May 1915 what was left of the farm after earlier bombardments ("a mere heap of mud and rubbish") was defended by the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. (In the previous month's fighting Mouse Trap Farm had provided a location for the 3rd Canadian Brigade's headquarters, which was shelled and burned down on the afternoon of 25 April 1915.)
At 2:45 a.m. on 24 May, the Germans launched an attack on the Allied lines that involved the greatest use of chlorine gas to date, this time delivered with shells. The German gas came "drifting down wind in a solid bank some three miles in length and forty feet in depth, bleaching the grass, blighting the trees and leaving a broad scar of destruction behind it." Being a mere 30 yards from the enemy trenches the rapid occupation of the farm by the quick-moving German infantry was little short of inevitable. By 9:30 p.m., out of a battalion strength of 666 men, all that remained when the battalion "retired" was one officer and twenty other ranks.
In just eighteen and three quarter hours, the Dublin Fusiliers had suffered a loss of 645 men who were blown to bits, gassed, or driven insane by the effects of poisonous gas. The 2nd Dublin's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Loveband, died the following day. The battalion did not take part in any more major battles for the rest of the year. Engraved on the Menin Gate Memorial are the names of 461 Royal Dublin Fusiliers killed during the Battles of Ypres. Of those names 143 belong to Dublin Fusiliers belonging to the 2nd Battalion who died on the 24th of May 1915.
Sources: CWGC and Royal Dublin Fusilier WebsitesAbout 2.5 miles northeast of the Menin Gate lies what in 1915 was a moated farm with some outbuildings. Its ruins at the time can be seen in the insert on the photo above. It was first given the name "Shell Trap Farm" by the British. The unhappy associations of this designation were held to be detrimental to the garrison's morale, and the position was subsequently renamed by the staff as "Mouse Trap Farm." On the morning of 24 May 1915 what was left of the farm after earlier bombardments ("a mere heap of mud and rubbish") was defended by the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. (In the previous month's fighting Mouse Trap Farm had provided a location for the 3rd Canadian Brigade's headquarters, which was shelled and burned down on the afternoon of 25 April 1915.)
At 2:45 a.m. on 24 May, the Germans launched an attack on the Allied lines that involved the greatest use of chlorine gas to date, this time delivered with shells. The German gas came "drifting down wind in a solid bank some three miles in length and forty feet in depth, bleaching the grass, blighting the trees and leaving a broad scar of destruction behind it." Being a mere 30 yards from the enemy trenches the rapid occupation of the farm by the quick-moving German infantry was little short of inevitable. By 9:30 p.m., out of a battalion strength of 666 men, all that remained when the battalion "retired" was one officer and twenty other ranks.
In just eighteen and three quarter hours, the Dublin Fusiliers had suffered a loss of 645 men who were blown to bits, gassed, or driven insane by the effects of poisonous gas. The 2nd Dublin's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Loveband, died the following day. The battalion did not take part in any more major battles for the rest of the year. Engraved on the Menin Gate Memorial are the names of 461 Royal Dublin Fusiliers killed during the Battles of Ypres. Of those names 143 belong to Dublin Fusiliers belonging to the 2nd Battalion who died on the 24th of May 1915.
Our family member Private George Amos aged 21yrs who served in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers was one of those killed at Mouse Trap Farm on 24th May 1915. His name is recorded on the Menin Gate, thankyou to those who posted these photographs and recorded the events on this site..
ReplyDeleteThis is an account from my Grandfathers brother. http://www.freewebs.com/josephburke/eyewitnesreport.htm
ReplyDeletePrivate William Fitzgerald, 2nd Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers died on 24th May 1915 at Mouse Trap Farm, age 27. My great uncle. Lest we forget.
ReplyDeleteMy great uncle, CSM Martin Coombes aged 34 who served in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers was one of those reported missing at Mouse Trap Farm on 24th May 1915. His name is immortalised on the Menin Gate. We will remember them.
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered Martin Coombes was my great grandfather, I'd love to get in contact, message me if you would too. Thanks
DeleteThe Grandfather I never knew Patrick Dolan, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment died at 8 May 1915 Shell Trap Farm His name is on the Menin Gate where he will be remembered forever RIP
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DeleteHe must have known Michael Collins, one of the 4 Waterford brothers that died in WW 1. Michael was in the same battalion and died on the same day at Mouse Trap Farm, Wieltje, Ieper. An article in the Irish Times by Rachel Collins incorrectly says that Michael died at Aubers Ridge in Flanders.
DeleteMy paternal grandfather, William Henry Speake, was wounded on 8th May 1915 at Shell Trap Farm. He was a Private in the 5th South Lancashire Regiment. He suffered a gun shot wound to the back, and was sent to Rouen to recover. He rejoined his battalion on 6th June 1915. On 21st August of the same year, he suffered a shrapnel wound to the neck, but was treated in the field. He returned home after the war, married my grandmother and had four children (the youngest being my father), and he eventually moved to America. He lived to the age of 85.
ReplyDeleteMy Great uncle Richard Greenhall was also 5th Batt south Lancs. He was killed near here on the 5th of May 1915. Never found. His name is on the Menin Gate. His brother Edwin was with him and received a bullet wound in the neck but survived.
DeleteMy wife's great-grandfather was Captain in the 1st/5th Bn. of the South Lancashire Regiment and he died here on 4th May 2015, and is buried at Tyne Cot with two other unknown soldiers found with him. Lest we forget.
DeleteMy uncle, Private Patrick O'Reilly, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers was killed in action in the battle of Mousetrap farm in May 1915 aged 21 years. It has taken a long time to compile the information, my thanks to the RDFA Dublin and CWGC for their assistance. Isabella
ReplyDeleteMy Grandfather Thomas Dillon enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1900 and served for 8 years in South Africa and India. At the outbreak of war he was he a reservist and he joined the 2rd battalion in September 1914. A year later he was deeemed unfit for further active duty after the attack at Mouse Trap Farm.
ReplyDeleteMy Great Uncle L/col Patrick Bolger Kia During the 2nd Battle of Ypres at Mouse trap farm May 1915,what little information I have is from the British war office,however I'd love to obtain some photographs of the battalion which was the 2nd REF,would anyone know where these Jay be obtained if at all?
ReplyDeleteMy Great Grandad Private Ralph Ryan was killed here on 14/05/1915 KORLR
ReplyDeleteMy great uncle William rooney killed May24 1915 name on menin gate he was only 20 My great grandmother never got over his death
ReplyDeleteMy wife's great uncle Lance Corporal James Gill of the Dublin Fusiliers ,died from the gas attack at Mousetrap Farm on the 24th May 1915, aged 18yrs, his body was never found and he is also on the Menin Gate, we believe he's buried in the Cemetary of St Julien along with his fellow comrades, lest we forget.
ReplyDeletemy uncle James Rogers from Naas fought at mouse trap farm he wrote his account of the battle for the Kildare Observer published on the 10th july 1915
ReplyDeleteprivate william griffin 8832 2nd battalion royal Dublin fusilier born 11 oct 1895 Died 24 5 1915, one of ten my family gave to both wars irish and english died side by side
ReplyDeleteMy Great Grand father Michael O'connor was one of the 21 survivors of shell trap farm and was eventually killed in action at Frezenberg Ridge in August 1917,,,,i have sent a summary of his war service records that was compiled for me by military historian Jeremy Banning to the RDFA and the Dublin City archives if anyone would like to view it,,it comprises of extensive information,maps,Battalion war diary entries and and also a CD with other material
ReplyDeleteThe above entry is from peter.lawless1968@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy great great uncle Lance Corporal Terence Redmond 2nd Regiment Royal Irish Regiment died in the gas attack at Mouse Trap Farm 24 May 1915. He is listed as "M.A." so I assume his body was never recovered and he was buried in a mass grave. He was 43 years old and was a father of six children.
ReplyDeleteTerence Redmond's 15 year old niece Mary Redmond was shot dead during the Easter Rising on 27 April 1916 when she went out of her house into the street to help an old man who had fallen down. It is said she was shot in the head by a British soldier.
ReplyDeleteMy great great grand uncle john sheridan was killed in mouse trap farm he served in the 2nd battalion with the royal dublin fusiliers
ReplyDeleteCam Fredrick Lelliott of 1st kings own was my great uncle that died 24th may on mousetrap farm! On the menin gate and always remembered, his brother basil lelliott died 8th may on the ridge also on menin gate. Lest we forget
ReplyDeleteMy uncle Lance Corporal George Kearney was at mousetrap farm on 24th May 1915 he was gassed and moved to a hospital in Wimerux France where he passed away on 25th May 1915.
ReplyDeleteNearly 10 yrs ago when i made my 1st comment, super happy to see others, keep it going !
ReplyDeleteMy grand father was at mouse trap farm, gassed but survived. Went on to Belgium France, Egypt,bosina dis charged 1919, maleria. But survived to return home.
ReplyDeleteMy great uncle died here Arthur Aspey ( served as Longshaw ) died here 13th May.. East Lancs reg. Does anyone know of Longshaw?
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