Bellewaarde

First World War

Date

24-25 May 1915

Geographical parameters

The Comines – Ypres Canal as far as Voormezeele: then road to Vlamertinghe Château – Elverdinghe Château – Boesinghe – Langemarck

Context

A battle honour formally entitled the “Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge” and itself being part of “The Battles of Ypres, 1915”.^{Footnote 1}

Description

The Honour “Bellewaarde” was awarded to units who defended against a German flanking attack as a diversion of the German main effort in front of St Julien that fell upon the 1st Canadian Division (Lieutenant-General E.A.H. Alderson). The only Canadian unit to participate in this defence was the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry then serving as a part of the British 28th Division. In the early morning of 24 April 1915, the German army launched a large attack, which included the use of gas, on the British positions along Bellewaarde Ridge. As a component of the British 80th Brigade the battalion was ordered to reinforce the line along the Menin Road. Their first task was to act as the reserve battalion for a counter attack and to be ready to consolidate any gains. Assigned to help dig a defensive line for the consolidation phase the Patricia's carried this out under intense German fire. Due to the British resistance in the area, the German attack stalled without making any significant gains.

Awarded to:

Currently serving units

• Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
  GO 123/29