FAY, Richard

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             10th Infantry Brigade
                                             47th Battalion - Western Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654329
RESIDENCE:                    Belgrave – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            May 12, 1887
                                             Netheravon – Wiltshire - England
DATE OF DEATH:           September 2, 1918               31 years     3 months     
CEMETERY:                     Vis-en-Artois – Harcourt –
                                             Pas de /Calais – France
                                             II     B     18
WIFE:                                 Mrs. Annie Fay – Milton - Ontario
PARENT:                           Mr. Henry Fay – Hornby – Ontario
Occupation:                        Labourer.                              Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         Belgrave – January 24, 1916 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 28 years     8 months

Private Fay had arrived in England on November 11, 1916. On March 8, 1918, he transfers to the 47th Battalion and joins them in the field on March 14, 1918.
Private Fay was killed instantly from the explosion of an enemy shell while he was advancing with his Company during an attack on the Drocourt-Queant line near Dury.
The winds were from the south-west with good weather and good observation.
“B” Company was right assault with “A” in support. “D” Company was left assault with “C” Company in support.
The 47th Battalion was centre – 85th Battalion was left & the 50th Battalion was right when they went over the top following a creeping barrage. Enemy wire was heavy and much of it was not cut and this had to be cut by hand and it was here there was heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire. The support companies leap-frogged the assaulting companies upon their reaching the 2nd objective line, and the assault companies moved ahead to the 4th line objectives.
The enemy brought down a heavy and protective barrage and here there were casualties.
There was a heavy enemy garrison in the trenches and they fought hard until the fight came to be hand to hand. They and a large number of their machine guns were overrun.
Upon reaching the final objective, the 46th leap-frogged the Battalion who then reorganized on the western slopes of Mont Dury and ready to continue with their advance.
As all four objectives were reached and consolidated the Battalion found the enemy resistance to be stiff.
Casualties were 12 killed, 122 wounded and 34 missing.