RAYBOULD, Thomas

Thomas Raybould was born in Quarry Bank and in 1915 was living at 19 New Street, Cradley, with his wife and one child. He enlisted in the Worcesters in this year and was sent to the 4th Battalion. They had fought in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 and the final stages of the Somme in October 1916. Thomas Raybould had joined them by the Spring of 1917 and they were in the front line for the battles of Arras. On the 14th April a strong attack was made on the fortified village of Monchy-le-Preux, just east of Arras and part of the Hindenburg Line. They suffered heavy losses. On the 23rd another attack was made but the German defences were impossible to overcome. Private Thomas Raybould was killed in action on this day. He was 24 years of age and is commemorated on the Arras, Cradley, Halesowen and Quarry Bank Memorials.