Letters from the Trenches, Maurice Darby 1894-1915

On Sunday 22 May 1921, a large crowd gathered in Coalbrookdale near to the Literary and Scientific Institute to witness the unveiling of the new war memorial erected at the school’s entrance. A memorial service was conducted, accompanied by a brass band, hymns and prayers.

The War memorial had been paid for and erected by the Coalbrookdale Company, a leading manufacturer of cast-iron goods. Alfred Darby II, Chairman, handed over the deeds of the site as a gift to the Borough Council. It was perhaps a poignant moment for Alfred Darby as his son, Maurice, had been killed in action during the Great War. 

Maurice Darby was born in London on 6 May 1894, to Alfred Darby II and Frederica Arthur. The family settled in Little Ness, Shropshire. He received his education at Eton and Sandhurst, becoming a Grenadier Guard, obtaining a Lieutenancy within the 7th Division. Maurice served in the trenches of Neuve Chapelle during the winter of 1914-1915.

After his death his body was recovered from no man’s land by his uncle Sir George Arthur. This was a rare occurrence but as Kitchener’s personal secretary he had influence to bring his nephew home to be buried. Maurice was laid to rest in Little Ness churchyard.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Library and Archives are fortunate enough to have some documents relating to Maurice Darby, including letters and a diary entry sent to his family from the trenches. Read some of them below.

Studio portrait showing Maurice Darby in First World War army uniform

Maurice Darby joined the Grenadier Guards on 24 January 1914 and obtained his Lieutenancy on 15 November 1914.

He went to France in October 1914 with the 7th Division of the Expeditionary Force, serving in the trenches throughout the winter of 1914-1915.