STANDLEY, Christopher

Christopher Standley was born and enlisted in Birmingham but presumably had a link with Wordsley. He enlisted in the Warwicks and joined the 2nd Battalion in the 7th Division. In 1916 they were very active on the Somme, both at Mametz in the early days and at Ginchy and Beaumont Hamel in November. They then followed up the German retirement to the Hindenburg Line. By the 20th March they had advanced to the out-works of the Line near the fortified village of Croisilles. The enemy intended to make a stand on this position but the British commanders wanted to mount an attack before the Germans had settled in. Troops pushed forward to set up out-posts to aid the next attack. However, German counter-attacks were vigorous and Private Christopher Standley was killed on the 21st March. He is buried in the nearby Ervillers Cemetery (F 1) and commemorated on the Wordsley Memorial.