1st S. Staffs, 31st October 1914

[Martin B]

Can anyone let me know what 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment were doing on October 31st 1914 ?

[SOMMESOLDIER]

Hi Martin,

They were holding positions in the Gheluvelt area. Major J.F. Loder-Symonds was KIA.

Cheers

Tim.

[Doug Lewis]

Martin

No war diary for the 1st Btn exists for 27th October to 9th November.

On the 30th October the Germans reached the wire on the right of the South Staffords. They were beaten back with massive losses,mowed down by the rifle fire of the British. The Germans made ground, Gheluvelt on the Menin road was overun, a costly but heroic counter attack by the Worcesters retrieved the situation. On the 31st the 1st Coldstream Guards were wiped out,the pressure was then put onto the flank of the 7th Division who managed to hang onto their trenches until the evening. There was severe fighting at this time. By the 5th November the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment virtually ceased to exist they had lost 80% of it's fighting force,the 7th Division was reduced from 12.000 men to 3.000.

Hope this is of some use.

Regards Doug.

[brindlerp]

1st Bn South Staffordshire Regiment, 22nd Brigade, 7th Division.

A remarkable account of the First Battle Of Ypres covering three chapters, 89 pages including maps, is given in THE SEVENTH DIVISION, 1914 - 1918, by C.T. Atkinson published by http://www.naval-military-press.com/FMPro?...ameset.htm&-new

Attached:

from page 107 - Map 8 - Operations October 31st - November 6th

from page 108 - (7th Division) Ypres Casualties

Regards

Richard

[Martin B]

This is great. Many thanks to each of you for the info.

Cheers for now

Martin