90176 Private
143rd Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 48th Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 20.8.17
Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 154 to 159
Family history: Son of Henry and Barbara Bayne, 3 Anderson Street, Denny. He had six brothers and two sisters. He was employed as a baker prior to enlisting on 10 June 1915. Originally joining the Royal Army Service Corps and served with the 59th Field Bakery he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 1 April 1917 and joined the 143rd Company in the field on 16 August 1917.
The action leading to his death
The Battle of Pilkem Ridge had been launched on 16 August. The 48th Division was to push forward to the Zonnebeke - Langemark Road using their 143rd and 144th Brigades with the infantry following the tanks, which had successfully spearheaded the attack on the 19 August. At 4.45am and behind a protective barrage, ten tanks that were to operate with the 48th Division, went forward out of St Julien with six tanks advancing along the road to Winnipeg. These tanks, operating with the 143rd Brigade, became ditched near Janet Farm or were knocked out by enemy fire. The remaining four tanks, moving out of St Julien along the Poelcappelle Road, had more success and assisted the Warwicks of 143rd Brigade in taking the Springfield Blockhouse however, this was subsequently retaken by the Germans. The Warwicks also attacked the gun pits between Winnipeg and Springfield securing them but then losing them to counter attack, but retaking them later in the day. German shelling and machine gun fire was making it difficult for the support units, including the machine guns, to get forward with casualties being sustained. On the night of the 20 August the Divisional line had pushed forward half way to the Zonnebeke Road with outposts being established.
(Linesman Map)
Medals Awarded:
The British War Medal, Victory Medal
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