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Express and Advertiser, May 15, 1915. pg. 4
NELSON SOLDIER GASSED.
In a letter to his parents, who reside at 11 Wilkinson-street, Nelson, Pte. J. T. Renshaw, of the 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, says he has been gassed by the German poisoners and is at present in hospital at Rouen. “I have a lot of pain with my teeth,” he adds, “and there are lumps in my mouth and throat.” Pte. Renshaw had previously been wounded in the leg, and spent a fortnight in the base hospital.

I wonder if he was actually in the 1st battalion as opposed to the 2nd? Without looking it up, I can't recall that the 2nd battalion had been exposed to gas in the sector that they were occupying around this time (Fromelles/Aubers) whereas the 1st Battalion, up in the Ypres Salient, had been repeatedly (especially on 3rd and 4th May).

Dave.

Welcome to the forum Dave.

There is a medal card for a John T Renshaw...not sure if it is the same one, says E. Lan R. x2 is written in front of the 'E' with a different pen. Regt. No. 2/11022. If this is the same person, he was also in the Tank Corps, Regt No. 308541

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Mel

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Welcome to the site croonaert.

this appears to be the same man’s medal card.

RENSHAW, John T.
2nd East Lancashire (Cpl has been added later) Pte. 2/11022
Tank Corp. Cpl. 308541
Medal: Victory, British and 1915 Star
Theatre of War: France
Date of Entry therein: 28 December 1914

Ah, mel, you got there first.

He also has another MIC, by the way.... he was awarded the Military Medal (with the 2/ELR) - London gazette date 29/9/17. It most likely is the correct man as I can't immediately see another J.T. (or even just "J") Renshaw who fits the bill. Looks like 2nd Bn was correct, though the gassing reference still remains a mystery to me.

Dave (PS. Thanks for the welcomes)

No it doesn't! Just found reference to British "Infantry Chemical bombs" being issued as an experiment for the Battle of Aubers in May 1915. These were grenades containing substances such as sulphur chloride, bromine, calcium arsenide or capsicine and were a resounding flop!

look like the reference to "German poisoners" might have been a little harsh then!

Dave

Interesting, that must have been called Friendly gassing!

Have you seen our Briercliffe soldier page here http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk/Soldiers.htm