Fred Clay was, 20 when he was hit along with 10 of his mates about 5.30am by an artillery shell just outside Boesinge near Ypres. They were waiting for the German gas to clear before going into the village.

9 of them were killed instantly but Fred and one other were still alive as they were taken to the field hospital at Bluet Farm. He lasted until about 4.00 pm before being the last to die. There were buried at 5.00pm side by side.

Stephen Clay