The Lost Men of Bishopthorpe: First World War

As we proceed through the years 2014 to 2018, I intend to publish the names of the fallen from Bishopthorpe in both Link and Bishopthorpe dot net in the month which marked the centenary of their deaths.

On the last day of July, 1917, and the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, two Bishopthorpe men died on the same day. Not only did they die on the same day, they were both serving with the same Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment.

As well as spending a few moments thinking of these men and their families, I hope that you find the details of some interest.

OUTRAM, Frank

Private, No. 15029, 2 Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own).
Killed in action 31 July, 1917, aged 23, in the Westhoek/Bellewaarde area, during the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, commonly known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

SMITH, John Arthur

Private, Service No. 32278, D Company, 2 Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own).
Died 31 July, 1917, aged 28, at Ypres, in Belgium.

Their bodies were never found and they are both commemorated on Panel 21 of the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres.

They both had home addresses in Bishopthorpe, but neither is commemorated on Bishopthorpe’s War Memorial.

Remember them.

Ken Haywood

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