WOOLDRIDGE, David Thomas

David Wooldridge was one of three brothers who died in the Great War, the others being Bert and Leonard. They were sons of Mrs A. Chamberlain of 163 High Street, Lye. David served in the 3rd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards in the 2nd Guards Brigade. The Guards had been very active on the Somme in 1916 and at Messines in the Spring of 1917. In June they were brought up to Flanders for the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres. Their sector was at Boesinge north east of Ypres beside the Yser Canal. It was a depressing and low-lying area, in full view of the enemy who relied on defended farm-houses and concrete block-houses. The Grenadiers attacked at 5.50 a.m. on the 31st July and after five hours of vigorous fighting had crossed the Steenbeek, one of their main objectives. The casualties of the Brigade on the first day, together with the five preparation days, amounted to 826 men and among them was Private David Wooldridge who is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.