Second Lieutenant Patrick Everitt
The Fate of Second Lieutenant Patrick Anthony Clement Everitt
The 'Holy Boys' spell on the front line came to an end on 5th January. Under cover of darkness, they move back to the ligne de recueil (John Head's note - I believe this stands for Handover Line) where they spent the remainder of the night in billets at Monneren. The Battalion's Carrier Platoon, however, commanded by Lieutenant Everitt, remained at the front to form part of the Brigade's 'patrol team'.
During daylight on Sunday, 7th January, Everitt led a patrol over the crest of a hill which brought them within sight of a German position. Determined to get ever closer to this enemy defensive position, Everitt hurried on, opening a considerable gap between himself and his men. Suddenly, German machine-guns opened fire, sweeping across the whole area and pinning the patrol to the ground. Everitt was hit, but because he was so far ahead and the German fire so intense, nobody was able to reach him.
After dark, patrols (John Head's note: event recorded in O'Callaghan's diary note of January 6th 1940 ) were sent out to search for him but returned without success. Enemy wireless broadcasts subsequently revealed the young Lieutenant's fate. Gravely injured, he had been taken to a German hospital where he died from his wounds two days later. The Germans buried him with full military honours. Son of Sir Clement and Lady Elsie May Everitt (nee Coxeter), he was the first officer of the BEF to be killed in action.
Patrick was born on January 25th, 1916 in Singapore where his parents were working. Sir Clement Everitt was born in Wells, Norfolk, 22nd December 1873 and died in February 1934 in Sheringham. Elsie May Everitt was born in Berkshire in 1885 and died in 1942. They were married in July 1912. They were residents of Highmoor, Abbey Road, Sheringham, Norfolk.
Patrick was educated at Malvern College from 1930 to 1935 where he was an excellent athlete. He then entered Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Royal Norfolks
The 'Holy Boys' spell on the front line came to an end on 5th January. Under cover of darkness, they move back to the ligne de recueil (John Head's note - I believe this stands for Handover Line) where they spent the remainder of the night in billets at Monneren. The Battalion's Carrier Platoon, however, commanded by Lieutenant Everitt, remained at the front to form part of the Brigade's 'patrol team'.
During daylight on Sunday, 7th January, Everitt led a patrol over the crest of a hill which brought them within sight of a German position. Determined to get ever closer to this enemy defensive position, Everitt hurried on, opening a considerable gap between himself and his men. Suddenly, German machine-guns opened fire, sweeping across the whole area and pinning the patrol to the ground. Everitt was hit, but because he was so far ahead and the German fire so intense, nobody was able to reach him.
After dark, patrols (John Head's note: event recorded in O'Callaghan's diary note of January 6th 1940 ) were sent out to search for him but returned without success. Enemy wireless broadcasts subsequently revealed the young Lieutenant's fate. Gravely injured, he had been taken to a German hospital where he died from his wounds two days later. The Germans buried him with full military honours. Son of Sir Clement and Lady Elsie May Everitt (nee Coxeter), he was the first officer of the BEF to be killed in action.
Patrick was born on January 25th, 1916 in Singapore where his parents were working. Sir Clement Everitt was born in Wells, Norfolk, 22nd December 1873 and died in February 1934 in Sheringham. Elsie May Everitt was born in Berkshire in 1885 and died in 1942. They were married in July 1912. They were residents of Highmoor, Abbey Road, Sheringham, Norfolk.
Patrick was educated at Malvern College from 1930 to 1935 where he was an excellent athlete. He then entered Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Royal Norfolks
The following photographic gallery is of Rheinberg Cemetery, the last resting place of 2nd Lt. Patrick Everitt. The photographs were taken by Robert John Everett (no relation) on one of his pilgrimages to the area. We are very grateful for permission to reproduce them on this site. Click on the photographs to enlarge them.
