Detail taken from © IWM 'Chateau Wood, Ypres', October 1917; ref E(Aus) 1220 , the Imperial War Museum Photo Archive
                     
Focus On... Isaac Rosenberg
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Tragically Isaac was killed at the age of 27. During a German offensive, the English made an attempt to capture Arras in France on the 28th of March 1918. Isaac's brigade was holding the line south of Gavrelle. The front line was overwhelmed and pushed back to Fampoux. Isaac was at rest behind the line on the 28th but his company was brought up to north of Fampoux to help re-enforce the new front line.

On the right is a detail of a German trench map from March 1918, which is held at The National Archives. It shows the towns of Gavrelle and Fampoux before the English advance.

Download a PDF trench map showing Arras, Gavrelles and Fampoux.

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The layout of the trenches is shown in meticulous detail. The red lines indicate Allied trenches and the blue lines German, giving an idea of how small no man's land was and the close proximity at which fighting took place.
Detail from a German trench map, March 1918. Ref: WO 153 / 976, the PRO 		*

On the night of 1st April 1918, Isaac was killed somewhere close to the village of Fampoux, he died in close combat in a German counter attack.

Below is a detail taken from Isaac's death certificate. For information on how to search for the death certificate of one of your ancestors, see the Births, Marriages and Deaths topic.

Detail of Isaac Rosenberg's death certificate, The General Register Office

Note that Isaac's Regimental number is in the left hand column. Along with a soldier's rank and regiment, this is very helpful when tracing someone. If you are tracing an ancestor who died in either of the two World Wars, you can search the 'Debt of Honour Register' on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

Isaac's body was initially placed in a mass grave, until 1926 when his body was identified and reburied at Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, Pas de Calais, France.

On the right is Isaac's tombstone, on which are engraved the badge of the King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment; and the star of David in accordance with the Hebrew faith.

Beneath are engraved the words 'Artist and Poet'.
Isaac Rosenberg's grave, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission 		*
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