More about Edward Gaffney

Edward Gaffney   CZ/4330   Hawke Bn   R.N.D.

Killed in action 13th November 1916

Enlisted 4th May 1915; Draft for MEF 9th September 1915, joined Hawke Bn. 21st September 1915-10th October 1915, 90 days detention at Alexandria for Sleeping whilst Sentinel.  A Linoleum Worker ; born 12th February 1897 ; Next-of-Kin & home address: Mother, Ann, 99 High St., Lochee, Forfarshire, later: 229 Hilltown, Dundee. ; ADM/171 = St.V.B. issued to Mother.

R.N.D. Data Base

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Edward Gaffney was the son of Mrs Ann Gaffney of 229 Hilltown, Dundee and formerly of 99 High Street, Lochee. He was a Linoleum Worker when, in May 1915, he volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training. On completion on his training in September he joined the Hawke Battalion in Gallipoli. In November he was found guilty of sleeping whilst acting as a Sentry on Active Service and sentenced to 90 days detention which he served in Alexandria. In May 1916 he sailed with his Battalion to France. After training in Army tactics the RND began to experience the war on the Western Front and was being prepared to join in the Somme battle. One of the first day’s objectives of the British attack on 1 July 1916 was the capture of the village of Beaucourt just to the west of the River Ancre. It was finally taken on 14 November by the men of the RND. This was the first major operation by the RND in France and established a reputation for being a “Can Do” Division. However, the casualty list was very long and over 30 local men were killed and countless more wounded. This was the worst ever day for Dundee’s Naval forces in the First World War and Edward Gaffney was first listed as Wounded and then Killed in Action. He was buried in No1 Trench Cemetery and later re-interred in the Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel Grave Reference number 1 F 49.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie