CASE, Horace

Horace Case was the son of Philip and Lily Case of 5 Talbot Street, Cradley. He worked as a clerk at the chain and anchor works of Noah Hingley and Sons. He was posted to the Hampshire Regiment and then transferred to the 2/4th Battalion of the Berkshire Regiment in the 61st South Midland Division. He joined them in France at the time of the 1918 German Spring offensives which proved to be particularly severe for these units. On the 21st March at St. Quentin they faced the first German assault and were driven back nearly to Amiens. For recuperation they were sent to a quiet part of the front near Bethune. Unfortunately the second German assault commenced on the Lys on the 9th April and surged over their positions. Private Horace Case was killed in action on the 29th April and is buried in the Guards Cemetery, Cuinchy (VII G 1). He was 18 years of age and is commemorated on the Cradley and Halesowen Memorials.