Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the South Staffordshire area who died during the two World Wars.
Harold Grimley was born at Codsall Wood in late 1890 and was baptised at St Nicholas' Codsall on December 7th, 1890. He was the son of Thomas Grimley, a carrier, and his wife, Ann. The family lived in Husphins Lane in 1891 and 1901 and at Brook Lane Cottages in 1911.
Harold worked as a nursery gardener. He volunteered at the start of the war, enlisting in the Hertfordshire Regiment in October 1914. At some point he was transferred to the 11th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. At the time of his death he had been promoted to Acting Sergeant.
Harold was killed on the Somme on 21st October, 1916 when his Battalion was in trenches in the Redoubt Sector. On the 21st they carried out an assault - the Battalion War Diary reads: 'The Battn capture German First Line (STUFF TRENCH) . . . Heavy casualties were inflicted on the Enemy & many prisoners taken . . . 11 ORs killed'. Harold has no known grave and so he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Acting Sergeant Harold Grimley, G/15550 11th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment, was awarded the Victory and the British War Medals.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg.