ROUGHTON, Bert

Bert Roughton was the son of Mr William Roughton of Commonside, Pensnett. He volunteered for the Worcester Territorials and served in the 1/7th Battalion. They went to the Western Front in March 1915 and were stationed at Hébuterne on a quiet sector of the Somme line. Skills for trench fighting were acquired and in the Summer of 1916 they were anticipating the great Battle of the Somme. They were not involved on the first day of the 1st July but entered the front line for the second phase of the great Battle on the 13th August. Their task was to capture the remains of Ovillers, including the much fought over Skyline trench. Their main attack came on the 21st when the fighting continued into the night without gaining new ground. Casualties were heavy and included Private Bert Roughton who was severely wounded and died the next day. He is buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension (VII D 19) and commemorated on the Brierley Hill, Brierley Hill church and Pensnett Memorials.