In late June 1916 the 15th Battalion was in the line at Hill 60. There were no large scale actions but the trench tours in this location proved to be very dangerous as the threat of snipers was constant and the reciprocal exchange of artillery and trench mortar fire frequent resulted in numerous casualties. On June 28th the battalion suffered six fatal casualties: one man was KIA by sniper fire and five men were KIA when their dugout was hit by a trench mortar round. All six men are buried in Railway Dugouts Cemetery.
63447 Private Thomas Harvey was 26 year old fireman originally from Liverpool with pre-war service in the 2nd Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment when he attested into the 23rd Battalion in January 1915 at Montreal, QC. He was taken on strength of the 15th Battalion in May as a reinforcement following 2nd Ypres and posted to No. 4 Company. Despite having several serious FP #1 charges and spending time in confinement, following release he was cited for bravery at Observatory Ridge on June 3, 1916 during the battle of Mount Sorrel.
He was KIA on June 28th, 1916 by a gun shot wound to the head.
NOK: J. Harvey 9 Teressa Place, Liverpool, England
