Richard Darby
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of James and Mary Darby and the brother of Thomas, Mary, Ada, James and John Darby. In 1911 they lived at 12 Lees Yard Nottingham. James and Mary later moved to 1 Suez Street New Basford Nottingham.
Richard Darby enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) in October 1915 and after training he was sent to the Western front. He was in 'D' Company, 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and during July 1917, the battalion had been holding the line in front of La Belle Alliance, Ypres. The enemy knew that an offensive was coming from the Allies and kept up a constant rain of shells on the front and reserve lines. On 15th, the battalion went into the front line and had to cover a far larger area of line than usual, as troops prepared for the attack on 31 July. 33rd Brigade taking over the line usually assigned to a whole Corps. Despite this they had to continue with trench raids, patrols and trench repairs. The trenches were in a poor state of repair and the enemy used a new form of gas against the battalion. In the fourteen day period up to 31st July, the battalion had 100 deaths which even in WW1 was high. Richard was initially wounded, taken back to Essex Farm Dressing Station, where he died. John Morse
Essex Farm Cemetery I.P.1.
