KILLED IN ACTIONExtract from Battalion War Diary
The Battalion moved up into Delville Wood on 27 July 1916 with the 17th Middlesex Regiment in support of the 99th Infantry Brigade, relieving the 23rd Royal Fusiliers
who were holding the western half of the wood.
"28 July 1916: The 99th Brigade was withdrawn and the 2nd South Staffs was disposed as follows: 'A' Company was in the front line near the Northern edge of the wood, 'B' Company was in support, 'C' Company forming a defensive flank facing West and 'D' Company was in Battalion Reserve. The whole wood was kept under incessant hostile shell fire and our losses were somewhat heavy.
About 9pm, the Germans attempted a counterattack accompanied by very heavy shelling of our support line and the Southern edge of the wood. Bombing patrols approached our lines but were easily beaten back and the whole of our original positions held. Arrangements were made to counter-attack in case the enemy penetrated the wood.
During the bombardment, part of the line held by 'B' Company was practically obliterted by heavy shells. All the officers were killed and most of the men buried. In spite of this they stuck to their position...The Battalion held on under greatdifficulties in the matter of supplies and water which had to be taken up to the Companies through a very heavy barrage...
29 July 1916: The Commanding Officer drew up a scheme for holding Delville Wood with 1 Battalion and machine guns supported by another Battalion some little distance in the rear.
In the evening, the Battalion and the 17th Middlesex Regiment were relieved by the 13th Essex Regiment who took over the line with the 1st King's Regiment in support. The relief was completed by about 10.30 pm and the Battalion went back to the position previously occupied in the old German Support Line, just North of Carnoy. The South edge of the wood was again heavily barraged just as 'A' Company withdrew and the route back was also shelled.
During our 2 days in Delville Wood the Battalion suffered the following casualities:-
killed: Capt W E Wansbrough, Capt W Lake, Lieut J L Malpass, 2/Lieut S B Thornton, 2/Lieut E L Holdcroft and 42 other ranks.
died of wounds: Capt C Dutton
wounded: 196 other ranks
suffering from shell shock: 21 other ranks
missing: 46 other ranks
The Delville Wood position formed a very advanced salient in the British front and was then exposed to hostile shell fire from 3 directions. It may safely [be] said that holding such a position is the most supreme test to which any troops can be put. The Battalion held this position for 2 days whilst an attack on a very large scale was being prepared as the Commander-in-Chief considered it essential before any further operations could be undertaken."
- R W Morgan, Lieut-Col. commanding 2/South Staffordshire Regiment
