War Diary Entries
Delville Wood - 28.8.1916 - 7am: C Coy relieved by 20th Manchesters in Z.Z. and moved to Folly – junction not yet established between D and Manchesters.
Recent air photos show new trench joining Ale just by Beer. O.C. “D” positive he is in New Trench – ordered to investigate personally. Later he reported he was not in New but he thought in a piece of old trench running S.E. held 40 yards not 250 as previously stated. Was sapping along Vat and had made 130 yards.
12 noon: Report from D.L.I. as to their position in ALE. We to join up and they to push along Ale. Finally junction established with Ale at 7 p.m.
Capt. Stevens organize a combined bombing attack along Ale – 100 yards of trench being gained and a block being established and held for the night.
In the meantime B.Coy were relieved in Hop by A Coy. B Coy went back to Diagonal. Heavy shelling.
Casualties: – Killed 18, Wounded 39, Missing 5, Sick 5.
Reinforcements: – 1 from hospital. 2/Lts W.J. Ramsey, W.E.John, W.E.Evans, reported arrival from Base.
Delville Wood - 29.8.1916 - 5am: Postponed till 2 P.M. on account of relief on our left.
Capt. Stevens organized further attack on Ale but could make no progress owing to enemy M.G. in a straight piece of trench. 3 attempts made to rush it without success. New Trench definitely located within 40 yards of Beer Sap.
Shelling all day. Ale position consolidated.
1.50om: Orders received for operations against Ginchy were postponed for 48 hours. Battalion relieved on the night 29th/30th by the S. Staffords and moved to Camp near Bonte Redoubt.
Casualties:– Officers. Wounded: Capt. W. Kelsey-Fry, R.A.M.C.
O Ranks: Killed 14, wounded 48, missing 7, sick 5
Reinforcements: – 1 from hospital. 2/Lts F. Fisher, I.R. Cartwright, G.W. Lightfoot, reported arrival from Base.
Delville Wood - 30.8.1916: Battalion in camp near Bonte Redoubt.
Casualties: Wounded 2, Missing 1, sick 3
Reinforcements: 2 from Hospital.
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Newspaper Articles & Obiturary
Stratford Herald - Friday 12th November 1915
A HEROIC STRATFORD SOLDIER - PRIVATE G. R. SHEASBY
Mr. and Mrs. Sheasby of Maidenhead Road have received news of their son, Private G. R. Sheasby 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers referring to his gallantry in recent fighting. Private Sheasby has received a card from his commanding officer informing him that he has distinguished himself in the field and his gallant act has been greatly appreciated. On this occasion Private Sheasby rescued wounded men under heavy shellfire at Festubert on May 16th. Private Sheasby has had several narrow escapes and in one case a bullet passing through his knapsack. Private Sheasby enlisted on the outbreak of war and saw foreign service after three months training. Since then he has been through some of the fiercest fighting in France and Flanders.
Stratford Herald - Friday 28th January 1916
HONOURS FOR STRATFORD ON AVON
Stratford on Avon has come out particularly in the list of honours and the glory of winning the first DCM in the town has fallen to Private George Randolph Sheasby, of the 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers who enlisted on 12th August 1914. He went to Wrexham for his training and was out in the trenches by November 5th. Since then Sheasby has been in the thick of the fighting being in the important engagements at Festubert Neuve Chapelle and Loos and his conduct has been such as to win three recommendations, a high distinction for a lad of 20.
On one occasion he saved the life of a captain in the Bedfordshire Regiment but it is for his fine work at the battle of Loos that he has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was one of 16 stretcher bearers and all but two were picked off but Sheasby, who was a former member of Mr. R. M. Smith’s company of Boy Scouts, and a well known footballer, has sent home a German helmet and several war trophies such as gas caps.
Stratford Herald - Friday 15th September 1916
KILLED IN ACTION - LANCE CORPORAL G. R. SHEASBY
Lance Corporal George Randolph Sheasby of the Royal Welch Fusiliers was, we believe the first Stratfordian, to gain a military distinction in the war and has some time since received the DCM for his gallantry in bringing in a wounded officer. Now alas, news has been received that this young man has been killed in the action in August 29th. Sheasby was well known in the town first as a Scout and then as a footballer and many will regret his untimely though glorious end. The sympathy of all will go out to the parents in this severe blow.
Stratford Herald - Friday 25th May 1917
MILITARY DECORATION - SERGEANT G. R. SHEASBY
Mr. and Mrs. Sheasby of Maidenhead Road, Stratford upon Avon received an invitation from Colonel Hart commanding the troops at Birmingham to attend the presentation of medals for bravery on the field to soldiers now in that city and to the relatives of deceased soldiers. Mr. and Mrs. Sheasby attended the ceremony and received from Lieutenant General Sir Henry Sclater GCB the medal awarded to their brave son, the late Sergeant Sheasby. The presentation made in Victoria Square was a very imposing one and the address referred in high terms to the services of the gallant recipients.
