The general situation, as described by Wikipedia: In July 1917, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig began the Third Battle of Ypres campaign, in an attempt to inflict unsustainable losses on the German army and to advance out of the Ypres Salient to capture the Belgian coast. At the Battle of Messines Ridge, the ridge had been captured down to the Oosttaverne line and a substantial success had been gained in the subsequent Battle of Pilckem Ridge from 31 July – 2 August.  Ground conditions during the Battles of Ypres campaign were poor, as the surface had been bombarded, fought over and partially flooded, at times severely so. Shelling had destroyed drainage canals in the area and unseasonable heavy rain in August, turned some parts into morasses of mud and waterlogged shell-craters. Supply troops walked to the front on duck boards laid across the mud, often carrying loads of up to 45 kilograms (99 lb). It was possible for soldiers to slip off the path into the craters and drown. Trees were reduced to blunted trunks, the branches and leaves torn away. Bodies of men buried earlier were uncovered by the rain and shelling. The ground was powdery to a depth of 9 metres (30 ft) and when wet, had the consistency of porridge.  The ground dried quickly, except where water was held in shell-holes and after a few dry days became dusty.

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During the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, on 31 July, 1 Bn RIR had 44 other ranks killed.  They were relieved, and then back in the line on 16 August at Langemark, when they lost a further 2 officers and 70 other ranks, killed, including Edward James Brierley, who was 29 years old.  He left a wife and new born child, whom he had probably never seen.

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