Lives of the First World War

22nd October 1917

Arthur James Macpherson was transferred to Lancashire Fusiliers from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. On 22nd October 1917, he was one of a work party building a plank road (known as Spree Farm Road) NE of Ypres. This road was built to enable troops to move forward to take part in the battle for Passchendaele. Work had to be carried out in daylight to enable the men to see what they were doing in an area of deep craters filled with mud and water. The area was under the direct observation of the Germans and was subject to frequent artillery fire. A shell exploded near the work party, killing three men, including Arthur, outright. The others killed were Privates Percy F Anderson (46233) and Albert Hill (45994). Ten others were injured at the same time, six of whom (including my Great Grandfather Willie Blundell Bonfield 45996)subsequently died of their wounds. The three who died immediately were buried at Spree Farm Cemetery, close to where they were killed. After the war, they were reburied at New Irish Farm Cemetery.

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