Thread by @jbanningww1

1/ Last week I completed a report on Sgt George Baxter Smallwood, 2nd King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt). In autumn 1915 he earned the MM on 30 September and a Bar to this just three weeks later, 105 years ago today when in the line at the Cuinchy Brickstacks #OTD #WW1

2/ On 19 October 1915 German artillery heavily damaged the battalion's left front trench, destroying about 50ft of parapet, killing 4 Other Ranks and wounding and burying 6 Other Ranks. George was one of the six men buried.

3/ In a letter written home afterwards he wrote 'I have had a rough time during the last tour in the trenches. I was buried by a shell, but, after two hours work, was got out with only a slight wound.'

George keeping his two hours of being buried alive pretty cheery...

4/ His MM was for this action. I can't comprehend being buried for two hours and surviving.  A brave man who'd earned his first MM for holding off a German bombing attack at the Quarries three weeks before.

5/ There were actually five 2/King's Own men killed 105 years ago today: Pte James King, Pte George Williamson, Pte James Mills, Pte Harry Aspinall and Pte John William Wheatcroft. All have no known place of burial and are commemorated on the Loos Memorial @CWGC

6/ This is where it happened - the red box marks the battalion positions and as the enemy barrage did such damage to the left front trench it is highly likely this was where George was buried. This places him and his comrades closer to the canal bank than Hanover Street

7/ Cuinchy and its brickstacks - such a fascinating area and one of intense fighting, above and below ground. Well worth a visit when in the area. Hardly a thing to see nowadays but the stories, my goodness, you've no shortage of them to read.