Mons-23rd and 24th August

The strategy in 1914 was entirely subservient to the French. Marshal Joffre considered that no attacks in force would take place north of the River Oise. The British army was concentrated far forward on the left of the Fifth French Army, the I and II Corps being allotted about twenty-five miles to hold around Mons, their left flank in the air. It was on this flank that the German decisive attack had been planned to fall; luckily its strength was reduced by the withdrawal of two corps to East Prussia on the Russian threat developing. The 1st and 2nd Battalions mobilized on 4th August and left for France on 12th August, with the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Division and the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division respectively.

Retreat From Mons

The Fifth French Army retired on 23rd August and Sir Douglas Haig's I Corps, in which both our battalions served, was attacked on the same day and commenced its retreat on the 24th. This retreat continued without further serious fighting by either the 1st or 2nd Division until 5th September, during which period about 180 miles were covered and some rearguard actions fought. This immunity from resolute pursuit was due largely to the splendid stand of the II Corps at Le Cateau on 26th August.

The Marne-1st to 6th September

On the River Marne the retreat was stopped. The French counter-attacked and the German flank was threatened by the whole of the French Sixth Army, which had been hastily created and rushed round Paris. On 6th September both our battalions advanced with renewed vigour and hope. The advance continued until 14th September, when heavy fighting ensued for possession of the high ground along the Chemin des Dames, east of the River Aisne. During this period one action deserves recording.

Hautevesnes

On 10th September the 1st Battalion formed part of the advance guard to the 2nd Division. Suddenly in the morning mist a German force of about equal strength was seen advancing on another road. The Battalion had reached the southern end of the village of Hautevesnes. The 50th Battery opened fire at 1,500 yards and Lieutenant-Colonel Northey made immediate dispositions to attack, "C" Company advancing about 400 yards past the battery, and "B" Company advancing by a sunken lane to reinforce "C." "A" Company was deployed to the left of "C," and "D" Company was held in reserve. By admirable fire discipline and control the advance continued with mutual support until the Germans put up white flags and surrendered. German officers said that their men could not move or put up their heads to fire. One hundred and fifty Germans were killed or wounded and 450 captured by the 1st Battalion. A further 500 fugitives were captured by the 3rd Division advancing on a parallel route. This action gave a fine example of the principles of fire and movement, characteristic of Rifle training. In one and a half hours complete superiority of fire was obtained, though the Germans had good cover, the road which they lined forming a natural trench.

The Aisne-14th September to 14th October>

From 14th September to 14th October heavy and continuous fighting took place on the River Aisne, but the British could not pierce the German line. The I Corps, on the right, had pushed across the river, but were just frustrated by the enemy before they could seize the high ground near the Chemin des Dames, and their attacks were repulsed with heavy loss. On the left the II Corps failed to establish bridgeheads over the river and was also thrown on the defensive. The battle became stationary.
The Regiment's losses were: 1st Battalion, 4 officers wounded and 164 other ranks casualties; and 2nd Battalion, 8 officers killed and over 300 other ranks casualties.

The First Battle Of Ypres-31st October to 14th November

Trench warfare had started, and an attempt was then made to outflank the German Army on their northern flank. To accomplish this, the B.E.F., now of three corps, were entrained and brought to the Ypres area. It was hoped that in conjunction with the French Army Groupe du Nord, under General Foch, and the Belgian Army under their King Albert, a decisive action would take place. On arrival and deployment it was found that the Germans had concentrated superior force and much superior armament at this point also, in order to turn the left flank of the Allies.

Prince Maurice of Battenburg, K.C.V.O., Killed

The 1st Battalion arrived in the Ypres area with the 2nd Division on 20th October. From the 21st it was continuously in the battle. In an attack near Zonnebeke on 27th October, H.H. Prince Maurice of Battenburg was killed with "A" Company. He had joined the 1st Battalion in 1911.
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.