GRIFFITHS, William

William Griffiths was born in Dudley and was the son of Sarah Harrison (Griffiths) of 2 Court, 2 Himley Street, Dudley. He was an early volunteer and joined the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Worcesters. After training in England they were sent out to Gallipoli as reinforcements to break the stalemate against the Turkish forces on the peninsula. They experienced a few days in the front line at Cape Helles and were then landed at Suvla Bay behind the enemy lines on the 6th August. They landed safely enough but the attempt to break out and reach the vital Anafarta ridge failed badly. The attack of the 10th August met stubborn Turkish resistance and British losses were very heavy. Confused conflict in the gullies of the hill-sides continued for days and on the 20th Private William Griffiths died of wounds. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial and on the Dudley and St. James church Memorials.