Cecil Percy Plumb
Cecil Percy Plumb was private 31020 in the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Born in 1898, he died on the 22nd October 1917 aged 19. He was the son of Arthur and Annie Plumb of 6, Gordon Cottages, St John’s Road, Epping. He is remembered on Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 98 to 99.
The 10th Essex Regiment, with its parent outfit the 53rd Brigade of the 18th Division, were engaged in the Battle of Passchendaele Ridge (also known as the third Battle of Ypres, July – November 1917, German: Dritte Flandernschlacht; French: Troisième Bataille des Flandres), but nothing is shown for any earlier battles they may have been involved in, however, it’s possible they been in the line and not put out on an attack. In these times there were huge amounts of fire, counter-fire and counter-attacks, and there are reports of units being isolated and many soldiers captured on both sides.
The Third Battle Of Ypres takes place north of Poelcappelle as the British approach Houthulst Forest. The attack began at 5.35am. It is Monday 22nd October. The Essex took Nobles Farm. The Broembeck was flooded and something of a barrier. After various advances were made there was a strong counter-attack that forced a retirement to east of Egypt House
The 18th Division was to attack the village of Poelkapelle and the German strongpoint at Meunier House, east of the village. The attack on the 12th of October 1917 was part of the First Battle of Passchendaele, in which allied forces launched an attack between the Ypres-Roulers railway.
The battle took place on the Western Front, from July to November 1917, for control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres in West Flanders, as part of a strategy decided by the Entente at conferences in November 1916 and May 1917.
Passchendaele lies on the last ridge east of Ypres, 5 mi (8 km) from Roulers (now Roeselare), a junction of the Bruges-(Brugge)-to-Kortrijk railway. The station at Roulers was on the main supply route of the German 4th Army. Once Passchendaele Ridge had been captured, the Allied advance was to continue to a line from Thourout (now Torhout) to Couckelaere (Koekelare).
Further operations and a British supporting attack along the Belgian coast from Nieuport (Nieuwpoort), combined with an amphibious landing (Operation Hush), were to have reached Bruges and then the Dutch frontier. Although a general withdrawal had seemed inevitable in early October, the Germans were able to avoid one due to the resistance of the 4th Army, unusually wet weather in August, the beginning of the autumn rains in October and the diversion of British and French resources to Italy.
The campaign ended in November, when the Canadian Corps captured Passchendaele, apart from local attacks in December and early in the New Year. The Battle of the Lys (Fourth Battle of Ypres) and the Fifth Battle of Ypres of 1918, were fought before the Allies occupied the Belgian coast and reached the Dutch Frontier.
The campaign in Flanders was controversial in 1917 and has remained so. The British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, opposed the offensive, as did General Ferdinand Foch, the Chief of Staff of the French Army. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), did not receive approval for the Flanders operation from the War Cabinet until 25th July. Matters of dispute by the participants, writers and historians since 1917 include the wisdom of pursuing an offensive strategy in the wake of the Nivelle Offensive, rather than waiting for the arrival of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France.
The 1901 census has them living at St Johns Road, Epping. Arthur Plumb is head of household 32, he is a lawn mower fitter, his wife Annie Plumb is 33. They have two sons Frederick Arthur 8, and Cecil Percy Plumb 2. Additionally, they have a boarder Fred Harrison 35 a butcher / slaughterman.
The 1911 census puts the Plumb family still living at Epping Essex, still head of household is Arthur Plumb 42, they have been married for 19 years. His occupation is given as a lawn mower fitter at an iron foundry, his wife Annie Plumb is 45, they had two children Frederick Arthur Plumb 18 listed as a solicitors clerk, Cecil Percy Plumb 12 listed as at school. They also now have an adopted daughter Margery Edith Fielders 4.
The following are documents displayed at The Bay Museum, The Old Degaussing Station, Western Esplanade, Canvey Island.
53 Infantry Brigade Order 107 22 October 1917
53 Infantry Brigade Order 107 22 October 1917
SECRET. Copy No:-
22nd October, 1917.
53rd Inf. Brigade Order No. 107.
1. 11th R. Fus. will carry out the attack on TRACAS FARM with 1 Coy in accordance with instructions issued in my B.O 51 of to-day’s date.
2. O.C. 11th R. Fus will inform Brigade H.Q. of the Zero hour he wishes, at once. This is not to be later than 4 p.m.
ACKNOWLEDGE BY WIRE.
John D. Crosthwaite,
Captain,
Brigade Major 53rd Infantry Brigade.
Issued at 1 p.m.
Copy No. 1. G.O.C.
2. O.C. 11th R. Fus.
3. Norf. R.
4. Essex R.
5. 18th Div. “G”
53 Infantry Brigade B.O. 22 October 1917
53 Infantry Brigade B.O. 22 October 1917
SECRET. 53rd Inf. Bde No. B. O. 51.
11R. Fus. R.
10th Essex R. )
8th Norf. R. ) For information.
18th Div “G” )
In the event of all objectives of Brigade being gained, 11th R. Fus. will be prepared to exploit success by the capture and consolidation of TRACAS FARM.
The attack will be carried out by one of the two Coys. which have been detailed as counter-attacking troops.
This Coy. will form up in the Valley North of BEEK HOUSES and will attack and capture the line: – V.20.d.6.0. – TRACAS FARM – V.20.d.6.8. including the MEBUS at V.20.d.40.75.
10th Essex R. will cooperate by bringing fire to bear on the enemy from MEUNIER HILL, and will push forward and get in touch with 11th R. Fus. about V.20.d.6.8.
Immediately TRACAS FARM has been taken, 11th R. Fus. will push forward one platoon to capture, consolidate, and hold the enemy Strong Point at V.21.c.0.6.
11th R. Fus. will establish a Strong Point about V.20.d.6.0. and get in touch with 27th (Lowland) Brigade on the Right.
Please acknowledge by wire.
John D. Crosthwaite,
Captain,
Brigade Major, 53rd Infantry Brigade.
22nd Oct. 1917.
Issued at 12/20 p.m.
