Deaville Woods? Devil Woods ww1?

[djdee107]

Did the Worcester regiment fight there? All I can find on the internet is about the South Africans, as the photo I have of my grandad with a bunch of other Worc's says 1914-1918 Deaville Woods (spelling might be wrong?)?????
Any information please?

[scully]

Hi,

You are referring to Delville WoodThe 2nd Battalion were involved at Delville Wood in August 1916.

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)

[djdee107]

scully wrote:
> Hi,
>
> You are referring to Delville WoodThe 2nd Battalion were involved at
> Delville Wood in August 1916.
>
> Regards,
>
> Louis (webmaster)

Many thanks for this as I've had an e mail from the webmaster at the Worcester Regiment internet web page asking if I knew which Battalion my grandad was in as I have sent them a photo to add to their photo section.

[scully]

THE BATTLE OF DELVILLE WOOD.
Then the 100th Brigade were ordered to take over a new section of the line and on the evening of August 19th the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire relieved a Rifle battalion of the 14th Division in trenches on the edge of Delville Wood.

Ever since 14th July 1916, Delville Wood had been the scene of heavy and continuous fighting, and by the middle of August, the Wood was a forest of splintered tree stumps, littered with the bodies of the dead. From the position of the Battalion patrols were sent into the wood to gain touch with the 14th Division. But in that grim labyrinth the patrols failed to find the position of the flanking battalion holding "Devils Trench."

In front, the enemy were maintaining a stubborn defence, and were constantly improving their positions. Just then they were working busily on a new forward trench connecting their strongholds in Delville Wood with "Tea Trench" further to the north. That work could not be allowed to proceed unmolested, and in August 20th orders were issued for an attack that night.

It was intended that the attack should be made by the 2nd Worcestershire and the Glasgow Highlanders: but mistakes and delays occurred, and unfortunately the Worcestershire companies did not reach the assembly positions in time for the attack. The Highlanders attacked alone, very gallantly but without success and with heavy loss. The affair caused considerable feeling. On the evening of August 22nd the 2nd Worcestershire were relieved and were drawn back into the reserve trenches (Casualties 2nd Worcestershire. August 20th-23rd—2Lt. W. G. Pandfield and 17 men killed, 35 wounded).

That rest was preparatory to a big attack. It had been decided, to; make a great effort to clear Delville Wood; and the Wood could not be secured unless the flanking trenches were also taken. The 100th Brigade would attack from "Orchard Trench" and take both the new German forward position and also "Tea Trench." The attack was to be made by the 2nd Worcestershire on the right, the 16th K.R.R.C. and the 1st Queens on the centre and left of the Brigade's front.

Throughout August 23rd the 2nd Worcestershire rested in the reserve trenches: then before dawn next day the Battalion (during August 23rd-25th the 2nd Worcestershire were commanded by Major J. F. Leman, Lieut.-Colonel Pardoe being back in the transport lines. Captains E. Lattey and E. S. Aplin rejoined the Battalion as it moved up for the attack. Both were much distinguished in the battle) moved up into the front-line trenches from which the assault was to be delivered.

The morning of 24th August 1916, passed calmly, with some intermittent shelling, but with no notable incident to disturb the troops; who dozed as best they could, packed close in the narrow trenches. Slowly the hot day wore on towards a beautiful summer's evening.

Shortly before 4 p.m. the casual shell-fire of the British artillery increased to a definite bombardment, which became more intense as it went on. Delville Wood became a volcano with black and yellow smoke spouting up among the stripped stems of the trees. At 5-45 p.m. the guns further to the right lifted their fire, and the troops of the 14th Division in Delville Wood advanced to the attack. The German guns opened in reply and a storm of shells pounded the British trenches. For yet another hour the officers and men of the 2nd Worcestershire crouched under cover; their time was not yet come. At last (6.45 p.m.) the moment fixed for the assault arrived. The company officers blew their whistles and scrambled up "over the top." Like a pack of hounds their men streamed out after them, shook out into line and advanced up the slope into the smoke and flame in front.

The Worcestershire platoons poured forward unchecked over the first German line—the enemy's new trench—capturing or killing such as survived of its defenders. Close to the curtain of bursting shells (At least one company passed through our barrage, and had to move in front of it) the troops plunged on over heavy ground, officers and men holding themselves in hand for the assault on "Tea Trench," the main enemy position. But that trench had been so shattered

by the bombardment that its site was not recognised. The platoons passed right over the trench unawares, and sent back a message (received by Brigade at 7.42 p.m.) when the barrage checked that the shells were holding them up short of their objective. Presently the mistake was realised and the consolidation of the captured position was begun.

The right company of the Battalion had reached the road junction north of Delville Wood. They were on the down slope of the ridge and they could see in front of them the villages of Flers and Gueudecourt with open country beyond. The thrill of victory ran through all—it seemed so easy to break right through.

As darkness fell the enemy counter-attacked in Delville Wood. Presently it became clear that the troops of the 14th Division in the Wood on the right were being driven back. The situation was reported (received by Brigade at 9.31 p.m.), and an urgent message came that on no account was the Battalion to fall back and that a strong defensive flank was to be formed along the Flers—Longueval road. Captain W. Ferguson, the commander of the right flank company, organised his position as a sharp salient with its point at the road junction, and sent detachments into the Wood to assist the 14th Division (Captain Ferguson was wounded, but remained in command. He was awarded the M.C. Private H. C. Spencer of the Battalion, attached to the Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, was awarded the D.C.M. for bravery during this battle. During the bombardment he heard the striker of one of his bombs accidently fly off. He instantly seized the bomb and threw it out of the emplacement just before it burst); but no touch with the latter could, be gained.

All night, amid continuous shell-fire, the Worcestershire companies worked hard to strengthen the position gained. Before dawn the 1st Middlesex came up to take over the line, and company by company the 2nd Worcestershire withdrew (The last platoon left the front line about 7 a.m.). In the reserve trenches the companies found food and rested till 5 p.m. Then, their places taken by fresh troops, the companies proceeded independently to Fricourt. There the Battalion assembled and, with drums beating, marched back triumphantly to bivouac west of Becourt (Casualties - see Note 1 below). All ranks were in high spirits. They had "done their work" thoroughly, and had wiped out any possible slur from the previous episode. The Glasgow Highlanders were the first to congratulate them after the fight. The Battalion lay in bivouac till August 29th resting, cleaning up, and receiving congratulatory messages. Then the 33rd Division moved back out of the line and the 2nd Worcestershire marched westwards to billets in Ribemont.

NOTE 1
Casualties 2nd Worcestershire, 24th August ; 8 officers (Lt. F. W. Couran-Smith and 2Lt. T. N. Wilmot died of wounds. Wounded were Capt. W. Ferguson, Capt. E. Lattey, 2Lt, L. R. Tilling, Lieut. H. G. L. Ward, Lieut. R. F. Dunnett, 2Lt. B. G. T. Hawkes) and 141 N.C.O's. and men.
Total casualties 2nd Battalion Worcestershire, from 6th to 26th August 1916 —11 officers, 46 N.C.O's., 302 privates.

Hope the above helps a little.

If you have any more photos you can send them.

Regards,
Louis (owner & webmaster)