Thomas Joyce's inscription on the family gravestone at Hampden has, for some reason, a date which is three years earlier then the day he died. He enlisted in the Otago Infantry Regiment in November, 1916, and arrived in Britain the following January.
He was attached the the 2nd Entrenching Battalion, which was sent up to dig defensive trenches in preparation for the rapid German advance which was part of their Spring Offensive. The advance turned out to be too rapid, and the Battalion was overwhelmed.
"On April 11th, two days after the German attack in the northern zone was launched, the 2nd Entrenching Battalion received warning orders to hold itself in readiness to move. At 5 p.m. on April 12th the formation, commanded by Captain (Temp.-Major) J. F. Tonkin, moved out of camp prepared for action, and headed for Meteren, with orders to report to the 33rd Division.
The journey to Meteren encountered the extraordinary traffic which the tide of a rear-guard battle promotes and swells — the hurried forward march of supporting troops, the columns of motor-lorries and ambulances, the passage of artillery and transport, and, unforgettable above all else, the stream of civilian refugees fleeing from the threatened destruction.
Passing through and beyond all this extraordinary movement, the 2nd Entrenching Battalion arrived at the outskirts of Meteren. Orders were received to dig in behind the village, but it was not long before the several platoons of the Battalion were drawn upon to reinforce the defensive line taken up by English troops about Meteren.
On April 15th the enemy attacked and enveloped the town of Bailleul. At daybreak on the 16th the sweep was continued in strength against Meteren. The 2nd Entrenching Battalion at once became heavily involved. At this stage half the strength of the 1st Otago Company of the Entrenching Battalion was disposed along with Canterbury mainly to the right of Meteren; the 2nd Company of Otago and the remaining strength of the 1st Company were disposed with English troops to the left front.
There were wide intervals of distance between the several posts which constituted the general line. For that reason mutual support was somewhat difficult. But the whole situation on the left was soon to be seriously complicated and imperilled by a set of circumstances over which the Otago troops had no control. With the fall of Bailleul and the anticipated continuation of the enemy's advance towards Meteren, it was notified that the English troops still further to the left would probably retire down the valley. In that case the New Zealand troops on the left of Meteren were to conform by withdrawing to the newly constructed switch trench in rear of the village. The withdrawal by the English troops did eventuate during the night; but they failed to advise the adjoining posts of their action. Before daybreak on the 16th the garrisons of our advanced positions were notified by their own Headquarters that it was expected that the enemy would attack, in which case a withdrawal was to be effected, while at the same time endeavouring to check the hostile advance." -Official History of the Otago Regiment.
FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.
IN MEMORIAM.
JOYCE. — In loving memory of 32858 — Private Thomas Joyce, who was killed in action “Somewhere in France” on April 15, 1918.
In a hero’s grave he sleepeth, “Somewhere in France” he fell;
How little we thought when we parted, It was the last farewell.
— Inserted by his loving parents, sisters, and brothers. -Otago Witness, 16/4/1919.
FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE.
IN MEMORIAM.
JOYCE. — In memory of Private Thomas Joyce (No. 32858, 19th Reinforcements), who was killed while in action, "Somewhere in France," on April 15, 1918. "In memory dear."
— Inserted by his loving mother, sisters, and brothers. -Otago Daily Times, 30/4/1924.
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