Lt
Victor Wolrad Friedrich Adolf Wilhelm Albert zu Waldeck und Pyrmont
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 26/06/1892 |
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Place of birth: Arolsen, Kreis der Twiste, German Empire |
Army information
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Country: German Empire |
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Force: Imperial German Army |
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Rank: Lieutenant |
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Units: — 4. Eskadron, Garde-Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 23 (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 17/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Moorslede, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Cemetery
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Erbbegräbnis, Schloss Rhoden Plot: Unknown Row: Unknown Grave: Unknown |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Victor Wolrad Friedrich Adolf Wilhelm Albert Prinz zu Waldeck und Pyrmont was the eighth child of George Victor zu Waldeck und Pyrmont and the first child with his second wife Louise zu Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. He was born on 26 June 1892 in Arolsen, Waldeck und Pyrmont. After an unsuccessful university career, Wolrad enlisted in the German army. He rose in rank to lieutenant of the 23. Garde-Dragonder-Regiment. During the First World War, he took an active part in several patrols himself.
Wolrad died on 17 October 1914 in Moorslede. On that day, his regiment was part of an extended patrol, together with the 8. Jäger Regiment zu Pferde and some 40 cyclists. They were ordered to reconnoitre the area beyond Menin towards Dadizele, Moorslede and Westrozebeke. Wolrad was sent forward with 14 dragoons, together with Lieutenant von Neuville with 14 cavalrymen. In Dadizele they met some resistance from a British cavalry patrol and an armoured car, but managed to drive these troops out with only 1 horse casualty. In Moorslede, the 23. Guard-Dragon Regiment suffered heavier losses. They were shelled from the front and along the flanks, leaving the horses wounded and panicking. The horsemen took cover in the moats, trying to retreat, which succeeded in the darkness.
It was during that operation in Moorslede that 22-year-old Wolrad was killed. While trying to help a wounded dragoon, he was fatally hit and died on the spot. However, a patrol returned and managed to find Wolrad's body. On 26 October, Wolrad's body was repatriated to Arolsen, where he was buried in the family tomb in the castle park.
Wolrad died on 17 October 1914 in Moorslede. On that day, his regiment was part of an extended patrol, together with the 8. Jäger Regiment zu Pferde and some 40 cyclists. They were ordered to reconnoitre the area beyond Menin towards Dadizele, Moorslede and Westrozebeke. Wolrad was sent forward with 14 dragoons, together with Lieutenant von Neuville with 14 cavalrymen. In Dadizele they met some resistance from a British cavalry patrol and an armoured car, but managed to drive these troops out with only 1 horse casualty. In Moorslede, the 23. Guard-Dragon Regiment suffered heavier losses. They were shelled from the front and along the flanks, leaving the horses wounded and panicking. The horsemen took cover in the moats, trying to retreat, which succeeded in the darkness.
It was during that operation in Moorslede that 22-year-old Wolrad was killed. While trying to help a wounded dragoon, he was fatally hit and died on the spot. However, a patrol returned and managed to find Wolrad's body. On 26 October, Wolrad's body was repatriated to Arolsen, where he was buried in the family tomb in the castle park.
Sources 2
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Vancoillie, Jan. De Duitse militaire begraafplaatsen van de Eerste Wereldoorlog in Moorslede (Jan Vancoillie, 2015) 195-197. Sources used |
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von Brandenstein, Otto. Des Garde-Dragoner-Regiment (1. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 23. 1914/1919 (Darmstadt: Verlag Wittich, 1931), 23. Sources used |