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In memoriam

Lance Corporal Hugh Flanagan

Lance Corporal Hugh Flanagan, killed in action 22 November 1917 during the attempt to capture the village of Moeuvres, Battle of Cambrai, age 21. Service Nos 41229 (RIF), 1508 (NIH) Born Ballymena, County Antrim, enlisted Antrim. Son of R.H. and Martha Flanagan of 129 Dunluce Avenue Belfast. No known grave. Commemorated on Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France, Panel 10.

The Battalion diary at this time reads as follows:

[22 November] Moeuvres. The Battalion moved up at 6.30am to a position north of Bapaume and Cambrai Road arriving at 8.30am. Here the Battalion waited for an order to attack Inchi when Moeuvres was taken by the 12th Royal Irish Rifles. At 11.45am the 12th Royal Irish Rifles captured village of Moeuvres. It was unable to clear trenches east of village. At 5.30pm Battalion moved up to support 12th Royal Irish Rifles in the village of Moeuvres. At 5.45pm 12th Royal Irish Rifles reported driven out of village. At 8.30pm Battalion less D Company counter attacked village of Moeuvres but was driven back to trenches immediately south of the village, where it took up a defensive position for the night.

[23 November] Moeuvres. Battalion attacked Moeuvres at 10.30am. At 11am Battalion reported in village. At 11.45am enemy counter attacked from trenches west of village. 12.15pm counter attack driven off. At 4.30pm village evacuated by Battalion on account of supports not coming up. 5pm C and D Companies took up position on Sunken Road south of village and A and B companies went back to trenches north of Bapaume and Cambrai Road. Casualties for 22nd and 23rd: Officers killed one; Officers wounded six; Other Ranks 82 casualties.

Flanagan 1