How the Worcesters Save the Day: Gheluvelt
Published by Worcestershire County Council
ISBN 1-902185-00-5
Published 1915
How the Worcesters Save the Day’. Produced by the Worcestershire County Council commemorating
the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment’s charge at Gheluvelt in the First Battle of Ypres,
31st October 1914 when, with the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers, they bridged the gap
and held the line against the German move towards Ypres. First published in 1915.
The crisis of the Battle of Ypres hinged around the village of Gheluvelt. Lying on a forward
spur of the low ridge that covers the town of Ypres, Gheluvelt was the last point retained in
British hands from which the enemy’s line could be dominated.
Over 100 of the Battalion were killed or wounded but the rest pushed on and, increasing their
speed as they came to the downward slope in sight of Gheluvelt, made the final charge through
hedges and on to the Chateau grounds.
Here they met the remnants of the South Wales Borderers who had made a heroic stand. The
meeting was unexpected, for the Worcestershires had believed no soldiers were left. The 2nd
Worcestershires had gone into this action with about 370 men of whom 187 were killed or
wounded. Gheluvelt had been saved and the line restored. It is rare that the action of one
unit can exert such a profound influence as did this now famous counter attack.
This booklet is available from:
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