Pte Wilfrid West - Somerset LI d. 5/7/1918

[Will O'Brien]

As per the CWGC

Name: WEST, WILFRID

Initials: W

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment: Somerset Light Infantry

Unit Text: 12th Bn.

Age: 23

Date of Death: 05/07/1918

Service No: 295408

Additional information: Son of E. West, of Creech St. Michael, nr. Taunton, Somerset.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 4. Row F. Grave 12.

Cemetery: TANNAY BRITISH CEMETERY, THIENNES

[Will O'Brien]

& the cemetery details

Cemetery: TANNAY BRITISH CEMETERY, THIENNES

Country: France

Locality: Nord

Location Information: The village of Thiennes is about 8 kilometres east of Aire-sur-la-Lys, which is a town found on the N43 between Bethune and St. Omer. Leave Thiennes on the D122, heading east towards Haverskerque. Cross over the canal and continue towards Tannay, which is a hamlet on this road. The Cemetery can be found on the right hand side of this road and access to the Cemetery is gained by passing along a 300 metre track in front of a farm house. The Cemetery is on the left immediately after the farm.

Historical Information: The German offensive of April 1918 pushed the front line back almost as far as St Venant in this sector and this was one of the cemeteries made for Commonwealth burials arising from fighting in the area. Tannay British Cemetery was begun in April 1918 by the 13th Field Ambulance and used until August, most of the burials being carried out by the 5th Division and 61st (South Midland) Division. Thiennes saw fierce fighting once again in 1940 when it was at the southern end of the area occupied by the British Expeditionary Force during the withdrawal to Dunkirk. The cemetery now contains 363 First World War burials and 18 from the Second World War. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

No. of Identified Casualties: 378