Passmore, Robert Henry: Service no. 654550

Source: Twitter – We Are the Dead

Family Search: When Private Robert Henry Passmore was born on 19 November 1893, in Usborne Township, Huron, Ontario, Canada, his father, Thomas Passmore, was 44 and his mother, Margaret McDonald, was 39. He lived in Huron, Ontario, Canada in 1911 and Exeter, Huron, Ontario, Canada in 1916. He registered for military service in 1916. In 1916, at the age of 23, his occupation is listed as farmer in Exeter, Huron, Ontario, Canada. He died on 8 August 1918, in Marcelcave, Somme, Picardie, France, at the age of 24, and was buried in Villers-Bretonneux, Somme, Picardie, France.

Huron Remembers: The S.S. Lapland embarked from Halifax with the 161st Battalion and arrived in Liverpool on November 11, 1916.
On February 28, 1918, he transfers to the 18th Battalion, then heads overseas into France and joins the 18th Battalion on March 15, 1918.
Private Passmore was killed during an advance from east of Cachy to Marcelcave.
The morning was heavy fog obstructing all observation of the enemy line and the intended objective.
At approximately 4 am the enemy commenced a bombardment of heavy calibre on the Battalion position which was light in nature, but they directed heavy fire on the wood to the south-west of Villers-Brettnenaux. The enemy artillery ended just prior to the Brigade artillery barrage opening up at 4:20 am.
The 18th Battalion was on the right of the advance.
“C” Company had 2 Platoons frontline and was responsible for the right flank and making contact with the 1st Canadian Division. “B” Company was centre on a two platoon frontage, “A” Company was responsible for the left flank and for making contact with the 19th Battalion. “D” Company was supporting and were 200 yards to the east of Marcelcave and the quarry beside.
By 7:45 am the Battalion had reached the extreme limits of its objective. Casualties were light because of the heavy fog.
The Battalion pushed past the quarry for 300 yards and set up their line of defence at that point.
Throughout the advance there was considerable enemy opposition and mainly it was well secreted enemy machine-guns.
There were 30 men killed and 120 wounded during the advance and fighting that followed.
The Brigade diaries stated that early on the morning of the August 8th the Brigade front was 2,400 yards. The original enemy barrage onto the position of the 18th Battalion caused casualties.
The mist was very heavy with observation of more than a few yards not possible and the use of a compass was required during the advance forward. At 4:27 am the 18th reported little or no opposition. At 4:53 am the 18th reported some resistance and very light casualties. At 5:06 am the 18th reported good progress with some wounded coming back.
The Brigade losses from August 8-12th were 84 men killed and 376 men wounded.
The 18th Battalion losses on August 8th were 30 men killed and 120 men wounded.