CHECKETTS, Harry

Harry Checketts was the son of James and Ellen Checketts of 132 Stourbridge Road, Lye. He volunteered for the Worcesters and was sent to the 4th Battalion. They had fought at Gallipoli during 1915 and in early 1916 were sent to the Western Front. They were stationed on the Somme and on the first day of the Battle they waited in the front line at Beaumont Hamel while the attackers in front were unable to advance. The Worcesters put in several attacks but no attack in this section of the line had any success in the next two months. After reorganisation they returned to the front line for the attack on Gueudecourt on the 16th October and helped to take this important fortified village on the German third line. However, Sergeant Harry Checketts was killed on the 18th October and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 20 years of age and is also commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.