GRAZEBROOK, Charles A

Charles Grazebrook was the son of Francis and Mary Grazebrook of Stourton Castle, Kinver, Staffs. He was commissioned to the 6th (Reserve) Battalion and soon sent to the 1st Battalion which had been in action with the 2nd Division since August 1914. They had fought on the Aisne in September and in Flanders for the defence of Ypres in October. With no rest they transferred to Artois for a period of miserable trench warfare near Givenchy. When the dryer weather arrived in March 1915, Sir John French planned a major attack in Artois at Neuve Chapelle, The Rifles were ordered to conduct a holding attack at Givenchy, receiving the orders on the 9th March, one day before the attack. They formed the left column and Captain Grazebrook was to command one of the two assaulting parties from 'White House' trenches. There was a short artillery bombardment and the troops rushed forward at 8.10 to cover some 200 yards. Intense enemy machine gun fire met them and the few who reached the enemy wire found few gaps. Captain Charles Grazebrook was seriously wounded and died on the same day. He was 27 years of age and is commemorated on the Le Touret and Dudley Memorials.