SAVAGE, Thomas Davidson

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         2nd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             4th Infantry Brigade
                                             18th Battalion - Western Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654167
RESIDENCE:                    Wroxeter – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            November 7, 1896
                                             Grey Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           August 26, 1918                   21 years     9 months
CEMETERY:                    Windmill British Cemetery – Monchy-les-Preux –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             II     C     1
PARENTS:                         Mr. Thomas and Jane Savage – Canfield - Ontario
Occupational:                     Plumber                                Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         Brussels – December 31, 1915 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     1 month

The 161st Battalion arrived in Liverpool on November 11, 1916 after departing Halifax at the beginning of the month. On February 28, 1918 he joins the 18th Battalion at Witley Camp – Surrey and immediately goes overseas into France and then joins his unit in the field on March 15, 1918.
Private Savage was acting Lance Corporal during an attack on Guimappe when he was killed in action from shrapnel. The wounds he received were to the head.
The Battalion was located at Telegraph Hill and the advance came from Tiloy Trench at 03:00 hours following an artillery barrage. The 18th Battalion was in support of the 21st Battalion. The first objective was a difficult one called Minorca Trench with the second objective named Southern Avrnur Trench.
Both these objectives were in the hands of the Brigade by 8 am with “D” Company the last named defence line along with the 21st Battalion. “A” Company remained in Gordon Trench and “B” Company being at Minorca Trench.
As the advance began enemy resistance had been light but as time passed the resistance increased and at 1 pm the order was given to take the town of Guimappe. At 4 pm “C” & “D” Companies advanced but were driven back by hostile enemy machine-gun fire. They then waited for artillery support and when it came it was inadequate, but they advanced and took the ruined town. Casualties were heavy from enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. Both companies then occupied and consolidated Stag Trench with “A” & “B” Companies advancing to Rake and Gordon Trenches.
At 11 pm “A” Company went forward in the face of heavy opposition and captured Cavalry Trench but could not hold because the unit on their left was held up by enemy resistance and “A” Company had to move back to Rake Trench.
During this day 10 were killed and 15 men were wounded.