Louis Maynard

A Private with 164th Company, Louis died on 1st of August 1917 at the age of 38. 

Louis was born at Lowestoft in 1879, a son of Thomas and Mary Maynard. In 1881 his family lived at 4 Nelson Street and by 1891 at West Bevan Street. In the family lived at 67 Norwich Road and Louis was a footman. Later his family lived at 57 Lorne Park Road. 

In 1911 Louis was working as a domestic coachman for Annie Hammond and lived at 17 Westgate, Bury St. Edmunds. 

Louis was working as a footman when he enlisted in the Army at Horsham on 8 January 1916. He joined the Royal Sussex Regiment, service number 3928, and was posted to the 4th Battalion. He arrived at Boulogne on 12 July 1916 and on 13 July joined 40 Infantry Base Depot. On 1 September 1916 Louis was posted to the 12th Battalion, with service number G/17878.

On 3 September, at Mesnil, Louis received a shrapnel wound to his right arm and was admitted to 1/3 (Midland) Field Ambulance. He returned to duty with the 12th Battalion on 8 September. On 1 November Louis was admitted to 134 Field Ambulance, and then 90 Field Ambulance, with myalgia. He was posted to 116 Machine Gun Company on 10 December 1916. Louis was admitted to 46 Casualty Clearing Station 30 December 1916 with inflammation of connective tissue in his right foot. 

On 30 January 1917 Louis was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, service number 73157, and joined 116 Company. Louis was admitted to 133 Field Ambulance, and then 17 Casualty Clearing Station, on 6 March 1917 to be treated for an ingrowing toenail. On 9 March he joined the Convalescence Camp at Boulogne and, on 26 March, joined the Base at Camiers. Louis rejoined 116 Company on 18 April and on 31 May joined 164 Company. 

On 31 July 1917 164 Company were to give support to the various units of 55 Division in their attack as part of the Third Battle of Ypres. The company headquarters were to be based at Wieljte and the company’s objectives included harassing ‘the enemy by direct fire whenever possible, with particular reference to the Hanebeeke, Abraham Heights and Passchendaele Ridge.’ During the day the various sections of the company pushed forward to the Green Line, but counter-attacks compelled them to withdraw to the Black Line, which they held until relieved in the early hours of 1 August. 

Louis was reported missing on 1 August. Later it was concluded that he died ‘on or after 1 August 1916, in action or of wounds.’