DARBY, Isaac

Isaac Darby was the son of Mrs Sarah Darby of 14 Dunn Street and his wife was Harriet Darby of 21 George Street, Dudley. He was a pre-war regular soldier serving in the 2nd Battalion of the Worcesters. They were at Aldershot in the British Expeditionary force and mobilized quickly to cross the Channel and move to Mons. In the face of overwhelming German forces they retreated to the Marne but recovered to halt the invaders. They moved in October to defend Ypres and at Gheluvelt halted one of the crucial assaults on the city. In the Spring of 1915 they fought in the Artois battles of Festubert and Loos. In 1916 they came to the Somme for the struggle around High Wood in July. In August they moved to Delville Wood, taking the front line in the attack of the 24th August which led to a considerable advance towards Flers. Finally, they were involved in the attacks on the Transloy Ridges and beside the Ancre. On the 1st November heavy rain frustrated their attack; on the 4th they tried a different angle of attack and failed again. On the 5th at 11 a.m., led on by the super-human efforts of Lieutenantt E.P. Bennett, who was awarded the Victoria Cross, the target was won. The cost was high and included Sergeant Isaac Darby who was killed in action on the 5th November. He was 31 years of age and is commemorated on the Thiepval and Dudley Memorials.