Near Hooge on 2nd November three companies of the Battalion, Prince Mauiice's brother, Prince Leopold, G.C.V.O., was also in the Regiment from 1914 to 1921. He was with the 1st Battalion in France. but was invalided home as the result of a fall and was afterwards unfit for active service. He served on the Staff in India and retired as a Major. He died in April, 1922. "B," "C" and "D," were surrounded and overwhelmed. The remnants of the Battalion were withdrawn from the battle on 18th November, having lost in six weeks, officers, 5 killed, 24 wounded and 9 missing; other ranks, 60 killed, 419 wounded and 490 missing, a total of 1,027.

Gheluvelt,31st October

Very severe fighting took place between 31st October and the last attack of the Prussian Guard on l0th November. Optimistic ideas of considerable advances soon changed to serious fears as to whether it was possible to hold the salient which included the last portion of Belgium free from enemy occupation. The Germans on 31st October came very near to success. Gheluvelt village had been lost and a definite gap existed; there were no reserves. The I Corps Commander was prepared to fight it out with his staff. A magnificent counter-attack by the 2nd Worcesters saved the situation. In this action the 2nd Battalion lost 408 of all ranks.

In the fighting of 12th November Lieutenant J. H. S. Dimmer, 2nd Battalion, won the Victoria Cross.

The battle honours gained for the Regiment by the 1st and 2nd Battalions in the First Battle of Ypres were YPRES, 1914; LANGEMARCK, 1914; GHELUVELT; and NONNE BOSSCHEN.

The 3rd Battalion and 4th Battalion, now commanded by Major B. F. Widdrington (Lieutenant-Colonel Sackville-West having been posted to the staff of the Indian Corps) entrained for France on 20th December and arrived at Blaringhem on the 23rd. At the end of 1914 trench warfare became general between the North Sea and the Alps.

The Rhodesians

On 26th December a party of Rhodesians joined the 2nd Battalion. They were formed into a section of snipers. No. 8 (Rhodesian) Platoon afterwards much distinguished itself.

Captain Butler's V.C.

In the campaign in the Cameroons, West Africa, at the end of 1914 Captain J. F. P. Butler gained the Victoria Cross.

Casualties on this and subsequent pages do not include attached officers of other regiments. "Killed" includes died of wounds.

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