11th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
25/12/1896
Died:
24/11/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
19
Summary
Andrew Thomas Booth was the eldest son of Thomas and Margaret Booth. He was born on Christmas Day in 1896 in the Loop, Magherafelt. His father was a farmer. His mother was a house keeper. The family lived in Ballyriff, Loop, County Londonderry.
On Friday night the 24th November 1916, the front line was heavily bombarded by the Germans. Pte Booth was asleep at the time in the dugout attached to his Lewis Gun post. The first or second shell landed right on top of the shelter and all the men in the dugout were killed instantaneously.
Pond Farm Cemetery is located south-west of Ieper near the village of Wulvergem. From Ieper town centre follow the Rijselstraat to the roundabout at the ring road; go straight over the roundabout and follow direction for Armentieres. In the next village at the roundabout bear right in the direction of Mesen. Follow the main road straight through Wijtschate and onto Mesen. On reaching the village of Mesen, turn right at the crossroads in the direction of Wulvergem. At the crossroads in Wulvergem by the church turn right in the direction of Wijtschate. Follow this road for a short distance then take the first turning left into Vrooilandstraat. The cemetery is along here on the left.
