A striking story of bravery is told of the late Lieutenant C.M.C Sorby of the 3rd Monmouthshires, and son of the Rev A.E Sorby Rector or Darfield. Lieut Sorby was killed in action after being 22 days in the trenches.

 

Major WS Bridge, commanding officer of 3rd battalion Monmouthshire Regiment pays a warm tribute in teh following letter:-

 

I am taking the earliest opportunity I have of writing to give the few particulars of your sons death that I can glean from the few men of his company left with me.

 

He received wounds in the abdomen on the 7th whilst holding a trench in the first line under most terrific shell fire.
I saw him the night before, he having been sent to the headquarters dug-out, and although - poor boy - a bit shaken with the heavy concussion of shell fire - as indeed all up there must have been - he returned gallantly to his company. Although I had not known your son long I knew enough to realise we have lost a most promising officer and brave comrade.

 

Allow me to offer my deep sympathy in your sad loss.

 

 

 

Sergeant W Davies wrote to Lieut Sorby's parents from hospital in Liverpool on 25th May.

 

Dear Madam
As one of Lieutenant Sorby's platoon please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your son. I am only a Sergeant, but can only say that I lost the best friend in the regiment when I lost my officer. I know that you would like to know that he was the friend off all men of all the men in his platoon who simply worshipped him.

 

He was always looking for ways to help them in the hard work they had to do, and not above doing anyone's share who was at all done up.

 

But there is one thing you ought to know which happened the day before he was wounded. I was wounded through the thigh about 6 o'clock in the morning, 6th May, and lay in two feet of mud and water in the trench all day, it was too light for the stretcher bearers to when I got hit so had to wait for darkness.

 

During every hour of this day Lieutenant Sorby performed deeds of valour for which many would have got the V.C but he would never have thought of that, but kept on doing his duty.

 

He came to me many times and asked if he could do anything for me at all, and just as it was getting dark (he had been sent for to go to Headquarters Dug-out) he came to say good-bye and made me promise if I got anywhere near Sheffield that I would write to you as you would be so glad to hear of him.

 

No stretchers came that night for me as they were so busy, so he came back about 5.30 am and was in a fine rage to think one of his platoon had been left over, and asked for four volunteers to carry me out.

 

He could have had a dozen if he wanted, so he picked out four of the strongest and got us started off. I was on a sheet of roofing with two long poles. We had not got above 30 yards when the Germans opened fire on us, two of the men got shattered arms so had to drop me.

 

I had just about given up hope, as what with the wound and the shock when dropped, I was too weak to get back to the trench, and lay in the open with bullets dropping all around me, when Lieutenant Sorby dashed out of the trench and not only dragged me back but placed himself between me and the Germans so as to screen me from the fire, and so got me back safe.

 

I can assure you it was one of the bravest deeds of the war, but he never thought of anything at all but getting me back.

 

You can guess how near death I was when I tell you whilst I was lying therea bullet ripped my tunic up and lodged in my breast pocket in some papers and books there. One was Lieutenant Sorby's envelope with your name and address, you can see where it stopped in the corner. I can assure you that though he was wounded he kept asking if I was all right and never a thought for himself.

 

It was a great shock to hear he had died of his wounds, but I know you will be proud to know this and I hope it will help you to bear your loss to know that he died like a galliant soldier and gentleman.

 

I hope you will accept this letter as a slight token of respect from one of his men with deep sympathy.

My thanks to Jim Tripp for the above information on 2nd Lt Charles Malin Clifton Sorby