ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
On the 107th Anniversary of
The Battle of Gheluvelt
Commemorating the Achievements of
The Men of The 2nd Battalion
The Worcestershire Regiment
on 31st October 1914
Their counter attack saved Ypres from capture and the British Army
from defeat. At the end of the day 187 all ranks had been killed or wounded
COMMEMORATION SERVICE
Held at Gheluvelt Park, Worcester
Sunday 31st October 2021 at 11.30 am
Service conducted by: Reverend Colin Butler CBE
Organised by The Worcester Branch of
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association
in partnership with Worcester City Council
On October 31st in 1914, after 10 days of battle, nearly every unit had been drawn into the battle line and had been broken beyond recovery. The 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment was the last available reserve of the British defence. At 12.45pm A Company advanced to a railway embankment to prevent the enemy advancing up the Menin Road. At 1pm, Major Hankey was given orders to counter attack. At 2pm with bayonets fixed, the Battalion moved off in file. Everywhere there were signs of retreat. The Worcesters alone were moving towards the enemy.
Three Companies B, C and D tramped grimly forward down into a valley, (the three Companies number 370 soldiers in total). The two leading Companies broke into a steady double and swept forward – the officers leading and, behind them, their men with fixed bayonets in one long irregular line. They scrambled across the light railway, through hedges and wire fences and then, in the grounds of Gheluvelt Chateau, they closed with the enemy.
The South Wales Borderers had made a wonderful stand: all day, they held their ground at the Chateau. Their resistance had delayed and diverted the German advance and the success of the counter attack was largely due to their brave defence. Major Hankey sent fighting patrols into the village to drive back snipers and to take some prisoners.
The village was secured but it was not possible to hold it permanently. Nevertheless, the main force of the enemy had been driven out and the peril of a collapse of the British defence about the Menin Road had been averted. The 2nd Battalion held firm on the ground which they had won. Behind them, General FitzClarence reorganized his troops and made preparation for further resistance.
It stands to the perpetual credit of the Regiment that, at the darkest hour of that great battle when others around them were in retreat, our war-worn officers and men went forward unflinching to meet unknown odds and, by their devotion, saved the day. The day’s fighting had cost the 2nd Battalion dearly. A third of the Battalion’s remaining strength, 187 all ranks, had been killed or wounded.
Gheluvelt Park, Worcester came about in recognition of the importance and significance of this battle. The Memorial Arch gateway entrance to Gheluvelt Park has plaques attesting to this.
The Commemoration Service will be held at the Interpretative Feature above. Members of the public welcome to attend.
Visit the Worcestershire Soldier Gallery of the Regimental Museum
Located in The Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum,
Foregate Street, Worcester WR1 1DT
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