BADSEY MAN KILLED
Last week we published a letter sent to us by Col.-Sergt. C. H. Robbins of the 3rd Worcester’s thanking us for “Journals” sent to him each week for the men from this district who were serving with him. We are sorry to say that Col.-Sergt. Robbins was killed in action on November 7th (1914) a few days after he wrote us. On Monday last there was a funeral service for him at Bretforton Church followed by a muffled peal. If one of Col.-Sergt. Robbins’s chums from this district will forward his name and address we will send to him the “Journals” we have hitherto been sending to Col.-Sergt. Robbins. The Vicar of Bretforton (the Rev. W. H. Shawcross) has received the following letter from Col.-Sergt. Robbins; it is dated nearly three weeks earlier than the one we published last week, but it will no doubt be read with interest:-
“I feel proud to be one of Bretforton’s Representatives (I was really born in Badsey) in this campaign. Being at the front I am forbidden to send much news home, but it may interest you to know that the battalion to which I have the honour to belong (the Worcestershire Regiment has ever, as you have pointed out, upheld its proud traditions) forms part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division, under the command of Major-General H.S.W. Hamilton. The 3rd and 5th Divisions together form part of the 2nd Army, under the command of General Sir H. Smith-Dorien. This news in itself will shew you that we have been “doing our bit” in what we all consider a just war. We have been fighting since Mons on 23rd August last. I am writing from a deserted French village whose name I cannot mention. Our losses have not been so great as some battalions, but that I put down to extraordinary good luck, and able leading on the part of our Commander, and clear heads of our officers. Young George Herbert belongs to my company, but is at present sick with stomach troubles. Lewis Jelfs is in “D” Company and as far as I know is still all right. There are plenty of men from Evesham and surrounding villages in the battalion. Our 2nd Division, to which Tomkins belongs, is serving with the 1st Army (Gen. Sir D. Haig), and is acquitting itself well. I am glad to think so many men are coming forward to join the new Army. Letters to hand from men left behind and other who have returned home wounded, tend to show that an excellent spirit pervades all ranks of our new Battalion. Our own chaplains are with us from Sidmouth. We lost one captain by the enemy whilst remaining with the wounded.”