This Far and No Farther

The Second Battalion of the Worcesters did not know that the Welsh were still left, and were delighted and surprised to find them in the Chateau, before they advanced and retook the village under the leadership of John Dopping Boyd
The Second Battalion of the Worcesters did not know that the Welsh were still left, and were delighted and surprised to find them in the Chateau, before they advanced and retook the village, their attack and retreat covered by a motley crew under the leadership of John Dopping Boyd . The meeting in the Chateaux is imagined here in the painting by J P Beadle

World War One was a savage conflict, and long before the invention and application of Blitzkrieg the Germans were “masters of shell and attack” tactics, and were within four miles of Ypres when they faced two small but signifigant obstacles, a tiny remnand of the Welsh Borderers, who were relieved by the Second Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment.

You’d know a chap of Longford extraction was involved, a John Dopping Boyd, grandson of James Henry Boyd of Derrycassin via his daughter Charlotte Agnes Dopping.

While their politics were loyalist and they were landed gentry, they are the Orange on our flag, and deserve to be remembered as Irishmen in the First World War.

Verse has been edited, reflecting new information from Spenser Jones which indicates that the 2nd Battalion Worcsters took the village on advance from the Chateaux, and Dopping Boyd independently commanded a unit of 200 men from various shattered groups which held one side of the village, then crossed and held the village for 24 hours enabling the successful retreat of the Worcesters and other Allied forced in the area, and straigning out the line of defense which held back the Germans ehough to protect the remains of the British defense and stop the German attack…

It will be re-edited should clearer information come to hand.

Ray Douglas has the story ot was Boyds actions was instrumental to the retaking of the village., so the issue us rather up in the air!

Gheluvelt just after the War --- Photo - NELS
Gheluvelt just after the War — Photo – NELS

 

John Dopping Boyd - son of Charlotte Agnes Dopping who was daughter of James Henry Dopping of Derrycassin in Longford.
John Dopping Boyd – son of Charlotte Agnes Dopping who was daughter of James Henry Dopping of Derrycassin in Longford.

At Gheluvelt, on Flanders fields
With Ypres itself set to fall
The Second Battalion of Worcesters stationed
Massed to answer to advance the call.

The German shells fell like hail
Shrapnel mercilessly cut the skies
The roar of guns and of wounded mothers sons
Were to the enemy the reply.

Last out were not to see least of the action
As was seen in Biblical times past
As they followed orders to retake Gheluvelt
The best action was kept for last.

This far and no farther
The Germans could be allowed to advance
At all costs retake the village came the order
No matter how small the chance.

The Demon FitzClarence was on the line
The Welsh Borderes held the Chateau
The Church steeple was their only landmark clear
Arising over the burning village below.

That the Welsh held out it was unknown
As the Wocesters set out at the double pace
Below the crest Reutelbeek waters babbled
With blood was red from battle was a dreadful place.

In a wide khaki line in irregular wave
Be bayonets showed above the crest
German guns quickly affixed took their toll
The Battalion passed this savage test.

They crashed in on the Chateau
Caught the Welsh in a welcome surprise
Thinking all theirs lost that some were left
Was moral boosting to realise.

But this was but a stage post to be passed
From and for which too many had fallen
An advance troop to take the village itself
For heros the mission was calling.

 

Gheluvelt Church - its steeple was the only reliable landmark the soldiers had to guide them to retake the village
Gheluvelt Church – its steeple was the only reliable landmark the soldiers had to guide them to retake the village

The village they entered, and house by house
By bullet and bayonet each street they cleared
Death itself forgotten in the hear of war
As the enemy was shot and speared.

They were not alone though they knew it not
A motley crew led by one of lowly rank
Put life and limb beyond duties call
Protected the villages flank.

There was in the massed British ranks
Many smashed regiments remains
For great were the ranks losses
For each hundred yard gains.

Among those standing a lieutenant
On these Flanders fields so cruel
A Donegal man stood proud and tall
John Dopping Boyd of Ballymacool

Two hundred men, along with his own
Boyd commandeered and led
Held their positions protecting their comrades
In the name of the many hundreds before them dead.

 

Known as "The Demon" for his success against the Germans, FitzClarence gave the orders for taking and then retreat from Gheluvelt
Known as “The Demon” for his success against the Germans, FitzClarence gave the orders for taking and then retreat from Gheluvelt

To spite the German advance being halted
The Demon knew it could not be held
So gave the order, ruefully to be complied
To retreat to Veldhoek from retaken Geluvelt.

As the Worcesters led their commanded retreat
As if protected by supernatural powers
Though it was not that, but grace of God and bravery
Of Boyds men over the next few hours.

Ypres town, a mere four miles
Was saved byall  these mens actions brave
Boyd of Donegal was of Longford stock
That’s easy known, some would say.

His mother was Dopping from Derrycassin
Of a family of fighting form before
Who fought for flag, glory and honour
Who would fight in many battles more.

As the sun set on the first wartime Samhain
The spirits of the dead must have looked with pride
On the bravery of men led ably
Alongside whom they had fought and died.

John Boyd Doppings DSO citation for the Battle of Gheluvelt
John Boyd Doppings DSO citation for the Battle of Gheluvelt, according to Ray Douglas

Reference:

* Boyds account of Gheluvelt

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