I'm hoping someone can help. I'm researching family history, and I've found out that my great grandfather died in the 1st World War, but I can't seem to find specific information as to what battle he was in when he died, or any details about regimental activities that day.
My great grandfather was in the 177th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, and died along with over 50 others on the 11th October 1917. I've tried emailing the Royal Artillery information email address but it keeps coming back as undelivered.
If anyone has any details about what the battle was and the location, I'd really appreciate it. Extra info about specific incidents on that day would be even better!
Please provide links if you have, or can find them.
Most likely the Third Battles of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. To that end specifically the First Battle of Passchendaele within the wider scope of Ypres III. From what I understand nothing specific happened on the 11th of October but on the 12 was the key date of the actual aforementioned battle. It is possible that either there were some inaccuracies with the date listed for your great-grandfather's death and/or he was killed in some form of skirmish between the Germans and the British before, on or after October 11th, 1917. The wider campaign was a resounding Allied victory but the actions of October 12 saw a German victory, albeit at a cost so high, two divisions were rerouted to Flanders to rebuild the German line.
From what I understand and have read so far, there are no exact sources relating to 177th Brigade from either the 11th or 12th, so as noted earlier the best bet is assuming (albeit not 100% sure once more) that your great-grandfather served at the Third Battle of Ypres.