On 31st October 1914 exhausted and depleted battalions of the 1st and 7th Divisions were holding a fragile line north of the Ypres–Menin Road at Gheluvelt. Greatly outnumbered by German forces who assaulted their lines, they held them back along the edge of the grounds of Gheluvelt Chateau. The 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, which could only muster 357 men after ten days of battle, was the only available battalion in reserve that came to their support in a desperate charge, preventing a German breakthrough at Gheluvelt, which would have driven through Ypres to the Channel Ports dividing the BEF from the French Army and potentially winning the war in 1914.
The 2nd Worcestershire Regiment from the 2nd Division positioned in reserve at Polygon Wood woke up to German guns at 8.00 a.m. on 31st October. These barrages were targeting a thin line being held by depleted battalions from the 1st and 7th Divisions 1,000 yards east of the village of Gheluvelt, which was 5 miles south-east of the medieval town of Ypres, known as ‘Wipers’ to Tommies. German artillery directed a concentrated, heavy bombardment upon the British positions reducing Gheluvelt to rubble.
The 1st South Wales Borderers, 2nd Welsh Regiment, 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1st Scots Guards, 1st Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) and a company of the 2nd King’s Royal Rifle Corps from the 1st Division bore the brunt of this shelling and were quite helpless as the German guns dominated the ground making it impossible for them to move.
As the shells fell upon Gheluvelt, thirteen German battalions converged upon this thin British line. They offered stubborn resistance but the British, who had been fighting since August 1914, could not stop the German advance. Close quarter fighting broke out and the line was severely weakened. By 11.00 a.m. the 2nd Welsh Regiment and 1st Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) were annihilated as their line was broken. The 2nd Welsh was reduced to 2 officers and 25 men and the 1st Queen’s had a battalion strength amounting to 32 men. By midday the British defence of Gheluvelt had capitulated and the village was in German hands.
There was a significant gap in the British line. The situation was so serious that preparations were being made to evacuate British artillery in the event of a general retreat.
The 1st South Wales Borderers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel H.E. Burleigh Leach, was the only battalion able to offer any semblance of resistance. They were holding a line that runs along the eastern perimeter of Gheluvelt Chateau estate and they were in danger of being surrounded and isolated. This battalion alone stood in front of a German advance that intended to drive along the Menin Road through Ypres and then on to the Channel Ports. If it succeeded, then the British Expeditionary Force would be defeated and leave the French Army alone to face the German invaders.
The 1st South Wales Borderers were greatly reduced in numbers, but they managed to convince the German forces that they were confronting a battalion, when in fact they were fighting at platoon strength. German forces would report that strong fortified redoubts obstructed them; in reality, the British defence was no more than a line of shallow trenches that could hold a couple of soldiers dispersed along the line at intervals of fifteen yards.
The 2nd Worcestershires had been fighting continuously for ten days, which had left them feeling exhausted, but as they waited in reserve in Polygon Wood they could see the smoke billowing from Gheluvelt. They were the only available battalion in reserve that could be deployed to support the 1st South Wales Borderers. Brigadier-General FitzClarence VC was in overall control of the British forces holding the line across the Menin Road. After midday he decided to launch a counter attack and ordered that someone should be sent to him from the 2nd Worcesters to receive orders.
Major Hankey commanding the 2nd Worcestershires, sent his Adjutant, Captain Bowcher Senhouse Clarke, who returned twenty minutes later with a message that the battalion were to standby by to take part in the ensuing battle. Hankey was ordered to deploy one company west of Gheluvelt to prevent the enemy from advancing along the Menin Road. At 12.45 p.m., A Company led by Captain P.S.G. Wainman advanced towards Gheluvelt. On their approach they passed several soldiers from the South Wales Borderers who were withdrawing ‘in disorder and thoroughly demoralised owing to the heavy shell fire they had been subjected to.’ (1). A Company consolidated a position along a railway embankment that ran north west of Gheluvelt. They were exposed to British and German shell fire. Here they fired upon enemy soldiers who were proceeding beyond the perimeter of Gheluvelt village, obstructing their path to Ypres. They held this position for two hours successfully covering the right flank.
At approximately 1.00 p.m. Brigadier-General Fitzclarence rode to Polygon Wood where he ordered the 2nd Worcestershires to prepare to launch a counter attack to regain Gheluvelt. He told Major Hankey, commander of 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, ‘to advance without delay and deliver a counter attack with the utmost vigour against the enemy who was in possession of Gheluvelt, and to re-establish our line there.’ FitzClarence instructed Hankey to use the church steeple at Gheluvelt as a point of reference to guide the advance. Staff Captain Andrew Thorne from 1st Guards Brigade accompanied Hankey part of the way to ensure that they were advancing in the correct direction.
On immediate receipt of this order to advance on Gheluvelt, Major Hankey ordered Lieutenant Haskett-Smith and a scouting party of 6 men to cut wire entanglements ahead of the battalion’s path. These scouts advanced at 1.45 p.m. and prepared the way for the main counter attack force. The majority of these men were killed before they could cut the wire.
At 2.00 p.m. the 2nd Worcestershires began their counter attack upon Gheluvelt from the south eastern perimeter of Polygon Wood known as Black Watch Corner. Abandoning their equipment and carrying only essential items, rifle with bayonet fixed, extra ammunition and water, three Companies comprising 7 officers and 350 men led by Major Hankey advanced 1,000 yards across open country exposed to enemy shellfire and shrapnel. They advanced in two lines. C and D Companies led the first wave, followed by B Company in support. Smoke was rising from the blazing village. The burning church at Gheluvelt acted as a beacon for the 2nd Worcesters. As they charged in that direction they passed the wounded remnants of the depleted, shattered units that had defended the line at Gheluvelt that morning, who were withdrawing. Captain E.L. Bowring, commanding C Company recalled.
‘I noticed quite a number of stragglers going towards the rear. Many were wounded, and many had discarded their arms and equipment. They had a very scared appearance, and were certainly very much shaken.’(2).
Despite signs of defeat and retreat, with formidable spirit they continued to advance. They could not see what was happening at Gheluvelt and they were charging into the unknown. Bowring commented:
‘The village of Gheluvelt was visible through the trees, or rather the tops of the houses were, and so was the Church. I don’t think the chateau was visible from here, as it lay rather lower. The village was largely obscured in smoke and bursting shells, and part of it at any rate was on fire.’ (3).
Shells and shrapnel continued to rain down upon the advancing 2nd Worcesters as they drew nearer to Gheluvelt. Bowring recalled:
‘Almost as soon as we commenced the original advance I remember hearing shells passing overhead, and as we advanced they came faster and faster. To start with I think they passed over every line, but soon they were falling in and bursting over the rear part of the battalion. I don’t think any of the shells burst actually in the spinney while we halted to re-form, and none burst just in front of us as we advanced, but during the last rush up to the Chateau grounds both heavies and shrapnel were bursting right among us. I think the tail part of the advance caught it most. The long rush over the ploughed field had naturally rather strung out the battalion, as the going was over heavy ploughed land.’(4).
For 600 yards, trees in Polderhoek Wood on their left flank provided cover but from then on they were vulnerable to enemy machine gun and rifle fire. Polderhoek Ridge was covered with dead and wounded and as the Worcesters ascended to this position enemy shells and bullets peppered the ridge. Here they sustained 100 casualties before they reached the outskirts of the village. On reaching the crest of Polderhoek Ridge the pace of the charge greatly accelerated during the descent towards Gheluvelt. They were advancing on 1,200 men. Aware of these overwhelming odds, their objective to support the Welsh battalions and remove the Germans from Gheluvelt may be regarded as a suicide mission. There was no option but for the Worcesters to proceed across the heavily ploughed land indented with shell holes. But it was imperative that the British line be restored to prevent a humiliating defeat for the British Army.
Unknown to Major Hankey, owing to lack of liaison, guns from the 41st Brigade RFA were supporting their advance. They approached a wood occupied by German infantry. The trees in this wood marked the perimeter of the chateau grounds. The Worcesters opened fire, charging with fixed bayonets into this wood, dispersing the enemy, with some retreating. They found themselves on the right flank of the South Wales Borderers position. German snipers and infantry were concealed in the ruins of Gheluvelt firing on their right flank. The 2nd Worcesters charged at them with fixed bayonets.
The Worcesters had to break down fences and cut their way through hedges to enter the grounds of the chateau. Captain Bowring had to use his sword to hack through hedges while other men used entrenching tools to make a breach.
Captain Senhouse Clarke, Adjutant 2nd Worcesters later wrote:
‘There was the Hun alright, but we had surprised him… There was a cheer and we charged as best we could over the last open ground. He began to withdraw, but his fight at such close quarters was feeble. A few Germans were bayonetted, though most were shot at point-blank range, but we hastened his retirement, cleared the chateau grounds and pushed on to the sunken road with our right on Gheluvelt church.’ (5).
The Germans were not aware that the 2nd Worcesters were the only reinforcements. Had they had known this they may not have responded so hesitantly as the Worcesters broke through fences and hedges, then charged into the grounds of Gheluvelt Chateau. Bavarians from the 16th Reserve Infantry Regiment were in the grounds towards the rear of the South Wales Borderers’ position. They were looting the estate, with no expectation of counter attack. Bowring recalled:
‘I could see one or two officers at the entrance of what looked at that distance like a small dug-out, or it may have been a trench. There were a number of dead lying about on the left of this near the chateau. Our men were now pouring into the garden, and starting to advance across the lawn, when a fusilade started on our right and right rear from the direction of the plantation we had just come out of. There were shouts of “Here they are” and “send men here quickly”.(6).
The 2nd Worcesters counter attack together with the resistance offered by the 1st South Wales Borderers had broken the German resolve to proceed beyond Gheluvelt. The Worcesters had transformed this defensive action into an offensive, causing the German impetus to be lost. The Germans were unaware that this sole battalion was the only reserve and that if they had defeated them that day nothing could have prevented them from entering Ypres and capturing the channel ports. The German soldiers were ambling in the grounds of the chateau, searching and looting the outer buildings and main house on the estate. Although they numbered 1,200, they were young, inexperienced soldiers from newly established units. Totally unprepared to react to the counter attack, and with many of their officers lost, they made little effort to resist the Worcesters. Captain Bowring:
‘There was a short length of shallow trench a little way ahead held by Germans, who were just bolting as our men came on. Lieutenant Biscoe told me afterwards that all the Germans had fled except one little man, who by the time they had got to the trench, had evidently jumped up and was taking point blank aim at Biscoe, when someone (Corpl. Slater?) shot him dead. He was so close that the point of his bayonet scratched Biscoe’s thumb.’ (7).
Many Germans retreated at the sight of the charging Worcesters on the lawn in front of the chateau. Other German soldiers were killed by arme blanche ‒ the bayonet. The 2nd Worcesters killed 100 German soldiers on this lawn (8). There were many British and German dead and wounded lying in front of the restored line. Captain Bowring was surprised that the Germans did not open fire upon them as they crossed the lawn but later concluded in a report that the Germans were in retreat.
Major Hankey had linked up with the South Wales Borderers who were defending the chateau grounds. The South Wales Borderers were surrounded but they had effectively obstructed the German advance, despite the capture of Gheluvelt. The 2nd Worcesters were unaware that the 1st South Wales Borderers were still holding on. The battalions were shocked to meet up. The 1st South Wales Borderers had been relieved by the 2nd Worcesters. Major Hankey approached Colonel H.E. Burleigh Leach commanding the South Wales Borderers, who was also a personal friend. “My God, fancy meeting you here!” said Major Hankey. Colonel Burleigh Leach with gratitude and a firm hand shake replied, “Thank God you have come.” (9). Those German soldiers who had not retreated were routed from the Gheluvelt estate.
As the Germans withdrew across a cabbage field to the east of the chateau, the Worcesters consolidated the ground. C and D Companies formed a line along the sunken road outside the grounds, B Company extending the line on the right flank. Gheluvelt village was still in German hands. German snipers from the 242nd Regiment hidden in nearby houses were able to fire upon the Worcesters in the sunken road; they had to be removed as soon as possible.
Major Hankey sent patrols into the village and was able to force the snipers from their positions and capture some prisoners. He then ordered Captain Wainman to lead A Company from the defensive position held west of the village to finish the job and occupy Gheluvelt. Avoiding German and British shells that pounded the burning village they managed to clear the Germans after some hand to hand fighting and secure the line near to the church.
By 3.30 p.m. Gheluvelt was in British hands and the line was restored. Major Hankey later wrote of Brigadier-General FitzClarence’s order, ‘I feel perfectly certain that by shoving us in at the time and place he did, the General saved the day. If he had waited any longer, I don’t think I could have got the battalion up in time to save the South Wales Borderers, and fill up the gap.’ (10).
At 6.00 p.m. with no further reserves to consolidate the line at Gheluvelt General FitzClarence issued new orders that the line was to withdraw to defensive positions at Veldhoek, where they would be safe from German artillery. Under the cover of darkness and at ten-minute intervals the remnants of the BEF withdrew Company by Company along the Menin Road west towards the defensive line.
During that evening it was decided that it was futile to maintain the thinly held line at Gheluvelt and the 2nd Worcesters together with surviving elements from the 1st and 2nd Divisions were ordered to withdraw to defensive lines near to Veldhoek. The Germans were cautious as they reentered Gheluvelt the following day.
It was a dismal day for the British Army for many units were either completely annihilated or vastly reduced in numbers. Only 150 men from the 2nd King’s Royal Rifle Corps remained, the battalion had lost 408 men. The Royal Scots Fusiliers numbered 151 men, with its CO, Lieutenant Colonel A Baird Smith, his second in command and adjutant, captured. The 2nd Worcesters originally numbered 7 officers and 350 men, their decisive counter attack cost them 3 officers and 184 men. Their gallant charge had cost them half of their fighting strength.
The battle at Gheluvelt, the defence by the battalions of the 1st Division and the charge by the 2nd Worcesters are significant in the history of the First World War for a number of reasons. Firstly, with superior numbers and overwhelming artillery fire, had the Germans known that they had broken the BEF line creating a substantial gap, they could have taken Ypres unopposed. With Ypres captured, the Germans were strategically placed to advance upon the Channel Ports, split the Allied forces and annihilate the BEF. The British were running out of men. Had no substantial reinforcements and the artillery was suffering a shortage of ammunition; the Germans had every advantage and the odds of success were strongly in their favour. The British defence at Gheluvelt was critical to the outcome of the First Battle of Ypres, of which it forms a part.
Secondly, in the face overwhelming odds it was the stubborn determination of Divisions of the BEF and the desperate courage of one battalion, the 2nd Worcesters, that overcame this crisis. 31st October 1914 was indeed a black day for the British Army for the line had been broken, the BEF was close to total destruction and the command structure was paralysed when an enemy shell wiped out high level commanders. The British response at Gheluvelt is a testament to its command’s ability to successfully react in a crisis. The men were ordered to fight to the last and did so. The command structure was re-organised and reaffirmed control and the BEF restored their line on this decisive day.
Notes
- National Archives: WO 95 1351: 2nd Worcestershires’ War Diary.
- Captain E.L. Bowring DSO Officer Commanding C Company 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, Worcestershire Regiment Museum.
- Captain E.L. Bowring DSO Officer Commanding C Company 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, Worcestershire Regiment Museum.
- Captain E.L. Bowring DSO Officer Commanding C Company 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, Worcestershire Regiment Museum.
- The Mons Star’ by David Ascoli P233.
- Captain E.L. Bowring DSO Officer Commanding C Company 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, Worcestershire Regiment Museum.
- Captain E.L. Bowring DSO Officer Commanding C Company 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, Worcestershire Regiment Museum.
- National Archives: WO 95/1345: 5 Infantry Brigade War Diary.
- ‘The Great War I Was There’ by Sir J A Hammerton P223.
- National Archives: WO 95/588, statement dated 15th August 1915.