6th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
George Henry James Daubeney was born on 5 July 1887, the son of Henry Elias and Eliza Hudson Daubeney of Balcarras, Charlton Kings. He was at Cheltenham College between 1901 and 1903 but nothing further is known of his activities until he received a commission as a Lieutenant in the 6th (Reserve) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. In February 1915 he was posted to France, being attached to the 2nd Battalion and was killed on 26 September 1915, the second day of the Battle of Loos, age 28.
In the early hours of the 26 September the 2nd Worcesters were ordered to strengthen the 7th Division, as part of an improvised Brigade, for an attack on the fortified village of Cite St Elie. As the battalion made its way south, the enemy made a strong counter attack against the 7th Division positions and captured an area known as ‘The Quarries’. With the Worcesters and the other battalions of the improvised brigade in support, the troops of the 7th Division made several vain attempts to retake their lost positions. The 2nd Worcesters were ordered up to the front lines and at about 5pm, with bayonets fixed, attacked the enemy. Subjected to a hail of machine gun and rifle fire the battalion suffered many casualties.
The survivors of the 2nd Worcesters held their ground opposite the enemy’s line during the remaining hours of daylight, keeping up a steady fire and throwing up as much cover as possible with the small entrenching tools they carried in their packs. As a result of this engagement the battalion lost 13 officers and 300 other ranks.
Lieutenant Daubeney is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery and commemorated on the Charlton Kings War Memorial.
(Taken from Leaving All that was Dear – Cheltenham and the Great War by J Devereux and G Sacker)