WHITFIELD, William

William Whitfield came from Cradley and enlisted in the Worcesters but was transferred to the 16th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment in the 38th Division. They suffered heavily in the clearing of Mametz wood at the start of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. After considerable re-training they returned to the front line for the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres on 31st July 1917. At Pilkem they suffered heavily again and among the losses on the 3rd August was Private William Whitfield. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Cradley and Halesowen Memorials.