The Roll Call after 2nd Ypres Gas Attack – Drawing

A 5 inch by 8 inch drawing framed in black wood with a white matte of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) roll call after the battle of Second Ypres in 1915. Second Ypres was the first chlorine gas attack by the Germans against the allies. The artist is Lt. Jack E. Banton of the 15th Battalion.

In front of Sgt. “Billy” Millar, 212 answer roll call. From the rifle companies fewer than 150 responded “present”. From No. 1 Company there were just six and from Nos. 2, 3 and 4 Companies only those who were on carrying parties or on sick leave. Casualties totalled 223 killed with the balance gassed, wounded or captured. Only three officers responded, the Colonel and the doctor, who had been in Battalion HQ, and the second-in-command, Major W.R. Marshall, who was awarded the DSO for stopping a mass attack after the forward companies had been overwhelmed. Note that the men are not carrying gas masks or steel helmets. Both were issued later in the war.

 

Associated place
NA
Associated event
Ypres
Associated name(s)
Sgt. “Billy” Millar; Lt. J.E. Banton
Era
1914 – 1919 (WW 1)
Location of artifact
Case 20 Grenades
Classification
Art

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