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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the 6th Battalion, The Durham
+Light Infantry, by Unknown
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of the 6th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
+       France, April 1915-November 1918
+
+Author: Unknown
+
+Editor: R.B. Ainsworth
+
+Release Date: September 5, 2005 [EBook #16660]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE 6TH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Irma Spehar, Christine D and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
+Produced from page images provided by Internet
+Archive/Canadian Libraries
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                      THE STORY
+
+                 OF THE 6TH BATTALION
+
+                   THE DURHAM LIGHT
+
+                       INFANTRY
+
+
+        France, _April_ 1915--_November_ 1918
+
+
+                       EDITED BY
+
+               CAPT. R.B. AINSWORTH, M.C.
+
+
+
+
+                        LONDON
+                THE ST. CATHERINE PRESS
+                 STAMFORD STREET, S.E.
+                         1919
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                                 PAGE
+
+FOREWORD                                                         7
+
+CHAPTER I.
+THE "SALIENT"                                                    9
+
+CHAPTER II.
+ARMENTIÈRES AND THE RETURN TO THE "SALIENT"                      20
+
+CHAPTER III.
+THE SOMME                                                        25
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+ARRAS                                                            35
+
+CHAPTER V.
+RETURN TO THE "SALIENT"                                          41
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+THE SOMME, THE LYS AND THE AISNE                                 45
+
+APPENDICES.
+
+OFFICERS KILLED OR DIED, COMMANDING OFFICERS, DECORATIONS, ETC.  57
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD.
+
+
+During one of the short periods of training in 1917, it was suggested
+that lectures should be delivered to the troops on the history of their
+battalions in France. Accordingly Capt. G. Kirkhouse, then Assistant
+Adjutant, set to work to collect material for this purpose. Owing to
+there being no officers, and very few men, who had served continuously
+with the Battalion since April, 1915, the task was not easy, and it was
+found impossible to complete the information in time for a lecture before
+the Battalion returned to the line. The material was carefully preserved,
+however, and was the only portion of the records which survived the
+disaster of the 27th May, 1918. As soon as time permitted, the task was
+continued, but owing to there being very few survivors of earlier days,
+many details have probably escaped notice. Imperfect and incomplete as
+the story is, however, it is hoped that the details related will serve to
+recall other incidents, both pleasant and unpleasant, to those members of
+the Battalion who have been fortunate enough to survive.
+
+It is regretted that it has not been found practicable to include a
+chapter on the inner life of the Battalion which centred round the
+characters of some of its members. So many names occur to one's mind that
+a chapter would be inadequate to mention all, and the exclusion of any
+would have involved an invidious and unjustifiable selection.
+
+                                                              R.B.A.
+
+_July, 1919._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE "SALIENT."
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+The end of March, 1915, found the 50th (Northumbrian) Division of the
+Territorial Force awaiting orders to proceed overseas. The infantry of
+the Division consisted of the 149th Infantry Brigade (4th, 5th, 6th and
+7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers), the 150th Infantry Brigade (4th
+Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, 4th and 5th Battalions Yorkshire
+Regiment, and 5th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry), and the 151st
+Infantry Brigade (6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions The Durham Light
+Infantry). Early in April, when the 6th Battalion The Durham Light
+Infantry were in billets at Gateshead, the orders arrived and on the 10th
+April Capt. F. Walton proceeded to Havre to make arrangements for the
+arrival of the transport section. The first detachment of men to leave
+Gateshead consisted of the transport and machine-gun sections which,
+under Major J.E. Hawdon, Second in Command, and Lieut. H.T. Bircham,
+Transport Officer, entrained at the Cattle Market, Newcastle, on the 17th
+April for Southampton, _en route_ for Havre.
+
+Two days later the remainder of the Battalion entrained at the Central
+Station, Newcastle, with the following officers: Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson
+in command, Capt. J.W. Jeffreys, Adjutant; Major W.M. Mackay, Medical
+Officer; Capt. A.P. Cummins, commanding A Company; Major S.E. Badcock,
+commanding B Company; Capt. W.H.D. Devey, commanding C Company; and Capt.
+J. Townend, commanding D Company. Arriving at Folkestone the same day,
+the Battalion embarked for Boulogne, where it arrived about midnight and
+marched up to Ostrohove Camp.
+
+The following day it entrained at Pont de Briques Station, on the train
+which brought the transport and machine-gun sections from Havre. The
+complete battalion detrained at Cassel, and after marching all night
+arrived in billets at Hardifort at 5 a.m. on the 21st April.
+
+On the 23rd April orders were received to march at very short notice to
+Steenvoorde, where the whole of the 151st Infantry Brigade, commanded at
+this time by Brig.-General Martin, was assembled in a field at the
+eastern end of the town. During the remainder of the day the men were
+allowed to rest. At dusk two battalions of the Brigade, the 7th and 9th
+Battalions, marched off in fighting order. The other two Battalions (the
+6th and 8th) proceeded by 'buses through Poperinghe to Vlamertinghe,
+where they took over a hut camp recently vacated by the 9th Royal Scots.
+
+It was now evident that the lessons which the Battalion had learnt during
+its long period of training were very soon to be put into practice. The
+24th April was spent in testing rifles and making final preparations for
+action, and in the evening an order arrived from the Brigade to get ready
+to move quickly. This order was given out and within half an hour the
+Battalion was on the pavé road, marching towards Ypres. It entered the
+town as night settled on it. At this date the town was not ruined and the
+results of the shelling were hardly noticeable. As the Battalion was
+passing the Cloth Hall a shell came screaming faintly towards it, and,
+passing over, burst with a dull roar in the city a quarter of a mile
+away. There had been no talking in the ranks nor any sound except the
+beat of ammunition boots on the pavé, but when this shell screamed
+overhead and burst, ejaculation in the good old Durham tongue could be
+heard passing cheerily up the length of the column. Two or three more
+shells passed over, but none burst near the Battalion.
+
+Reaching the top of the hill to the east of the city and leaving the
+white walls of Potijze Château on the left, the Battalion turned off the
+road and filed into the G.H.Q. line, a Battalion of the Shropshire Light
+Infantry climbing out to make room. This trench was of the breastwork
+type, and a novelty to the men whose idea of a trench was a ditch below
+the ground level. The dispositions of the Battalion were as follows: A
+Company were on the south side of the Potijze road and the remainder on
+the north side, with B Company on the right, D Company in the centre, and
+C Company on the left. The machine-gun section was with D Company.
+Transport lines were established just behind the Château near to a
+Canadian Battery. The position was unfortunate, for the section came
+under heavy shell fire and had several men and horses hit.
+
+Sunday, the 25th April, was the first day spent by the Battalion in the
+trenches. There was a considerable amount of shelling, but fortunately
+the Battalion in the trenches did not suffer. In the evening, as it got
+dark, the Battalion moved out of the trench and, forming up on the road
+which it had left the previous night, marched in fours for about a mile
+to Velorenhoek village, which was then almost intact. There the Battalion
+came under the orders of the 85th Infantry Brigade, and halted. All ranks
+slept for some hours on the roadside, or in the fields, gardens or
+cottages close to the road. Before dawn the Brigadier ordered the
+Battalion to vacate the village, and the column moved a few hundred yards
+up the road to the east. Here the Companies left the road and the men
+improved with their entrenching tools the little cover in the form of
+ditches and trenches which was to be found, and then lay down. Throughout
+this and the succeeding days the men were in marching order with full
+packs. The transport moved back to Potijze Wood, except the ration
+limbers, which went back to Poperinghe.
+
+About 10 a.m. on the 26th word was passed for the Commanding Officer and
+Adjutant, who accordingly reported to the Brigadier of the 85th Brigade.
+He was standing on the north side of the road on a little rising ground
+from which there was a view for a mile or two to the eastward. He gave
+the following order verbally: "The Germans have broken through our line
+and are advancing south-west. The Durham Light Infantry (6th Battalion)
+will advance and take up positions between Zonnebeke level crossing and
+Hill 37." He described the position of the crossing, later known as
+Devil's Crossing, by pointing out the direction and stated that the hill
+with a few trees on it to the E.N.E. was Hill 37. He further stated that
+the Shropshire Light Infantry would be on the right and that
+Lieut.-Colonel Bridgford, of that Regiment, would be in command of the
+6th Battalion.
+
+Orders were accordingly issued to Company Commanders verbally by the
+Adjutant as follows: The Battalion is to occupy the line between Hill 37,
+which can be seen on the left front, and Zonnebeke crossing, which lies
+on the road. Captain Cummins's Company (A) will march on the crossing
+and Captain Townend's Company (D) on Hill 37. Major Badcock's Company
+(B) and Captain Devey's Company (C) will divide the space between.
+Advance in artillery formation, take advantage of the cover afforded by
+the ground, and each Company Commander should accompany one of his rear
+Platoons. When Companies had gained suitable positions on this line they
+were to deploy and attack by fire any bodies of the enemy who might
+attempt to cross their front. The whole operation was under direct
+observation by enemy balloons, and as soon as the Companies moved an
+intense barrage was put down. B Company, on the right, however, had a
+comparatively good time and suffered very few casualties, whilst No. 5
+Platoon, under Lieut. A.B. Hare, had none at all, and reached Zonnebeke
+Crossing in safety. The remaining Companies got the full effect of the
+barrage, which included gas shells, and lost direction towards the left.
+Capt. W.H.D. Devey, commanding C Company, was wounded, Capt. J. Monkhouse
+killed, and 2nd Lieut. H.H. Nicholson wounded. As a result of the loss of
+direction a gap was formed, and A Company were pushed forward to fill it.
+In spite of heavy casualties the line was maintained, and continued to
+advance, firing all the time on the enemy, who could be seen from the new
+positions. It was not till they had advanced a considerable distance that
+the officers and men found that there was another line of British troops
+ahead of them, holding out in shell-holes, on hillsides, etc.
+
+When this was discovered, Lieut. T.B. Heslop, with No. 11 Platoon and
+part of No. 9 Platoon, joined the London Rifle Brigade; 2nd Lieut. R.V.
+Hare, with No. 10 Platoon, joined a Battalion of the Shropshire Light
+Infantry, and 2nd Lieut. G. Angus, with the remainder of No. 9 Platoon,
+took up a position in support on the hill. By this time A and D Companies
+were in the forward positions. As already described, A Company had moved
+up to fill the gap between B and C Companies, and D Company had also
+moved to the assistance of C Company. As a result, the men of all
+Companies were mixed together, and it is difficult to say how they were
+distributed, but A Company seem to have been in two parts, one with D
+Company and one next to B Company. The former passed over Hill 37 and
+eventually joined the London Rifle Brigade in some ditches which formed
+the front line. There they suffered many casualties. Amongst others,
+Major S.E. Badcock and 2nd Lieut. Kynoch were killed and Capt. F. Walton
+and 2nd Lieut. G. Kirkhouse were wounded. As soon as the advance had
+commenced, the Adjutant, Capt. J.W. Jeffreys, had galloped through the
+barrage to find Zonnebeke crossing. Having shown it to the Company on the
+right flank he proceeded along the line and found a Platoon of D Company
+under 2nd Lieut. Lyon digging themselves in. A little further along
+another Platoon was found, and whilst showing them the line he was
+heavily fired on. After returning to Brigade Headquarters for a fresh
+horse he went to Hill 37 and there heard of D Company from some men of
+the Rifle Brigade. Before dusk all formed parties had got into touch with
+Battalion Headquarters, which were at Zevencote barn, beside Zonnebeke
+level crossing.
+
+About 4 p.m. Lt.-Col. Bridgford, who was in command of all troops in this
+sector, issued orders for an attack to be made to clear the enemy from
+the Fortuin-Passchendaele Road. The attack was to be made by two
+Companies of the Shropshire Light Infantry, with the 7th Durham Light
+Infantry in support and the 6th in reserve. The attacking troops were to
+pass through the front line and establish a new line on the road when
+captured. A conference of officers was held, and it was ascertained that
+the men available for the attack were as follows:--No. 3 Platoon under
+2nd Lieut. Blenkinsop, Nos. 5, 7 and 8 Platoons, under Capt. T. Welch,
+with Lieuts. A.B. Hare and H.C.W. Haythornthwaite; No. 9 Platoon under
+2nd Lieut. G. Angus, and about forty men of D Company under Capt. J.
+Townend and 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon.
+
+The Battalion, which was lying in a trench near the road, began to
+advance about 7 or 8 p.m., moving in artillery formation and following
+the 7th Durham Light Infantry towards the ridge to the north of
+Zonnebeke.
+
+On reaching the ridge, which was found unoccupied, the 7th Battalion
+moved off to Zonnebeke and the 6th Battalion was ordered to send three
+Companies to the support of the Hampshire Regiment on Gravenstafel Ridge
+further to the north.
+
+In accordance with the orders issued by Lt.-Col. Hicks, commanding the
+Hampshires, B Company, who were about 90 strong, left the remainder of
+the Battalion, who were now at Hicks' Farm and moved to reinforce 2nd
+Lieut. Ball of the Royal Fusiliers (28th Div.), who, with 100 men, was
+holding a position on the Gravenstafel Ridge. This position consisted of
+a much battered breastwork, of which only isolated portions offered any
+cover. The remainder of the Battalion was then divided. C Company were
+sent to garrison a strong point near a neighbouring farm, leaving No. 9
+Platoon, under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus, to form a ration party. A Company was
+held in reserve in isolated trenches. Battalion Headquarters and D
+Company moved back to Zevencote barn, where the Company occupied some
+trenches.
+
+On the night of the 27th April, A Company with about twenty men of D
+Company were sent to fill a gap between the Hampshires and the
+Shropshires, where they dug themselves in. The following day Capt. A.P.
+Cummins and Capt. D. Park were seriously wounded by a sniper firing from
+behind their line, and 2nd Lieut. Blenkinsop took over command till the
+arrival at night of Lieut. R.V. Hare. C.S.M. Lancaster of A Company was
+also badly wounded.
+
+The men on the left of B Company, under Lieut. H.C.W. Haythornthwaite
+during these days, were in very close touch with the enemy, being
+separated from them in the same trench by a block about ten yards wide.
+They were the first of the Battalion to use rifle grenades, which were
+taken up to them by a party of the Buffs. On the night of the 28th April
+No. 6 Platoon was sent up to join the Company, but it was found that they
+could not be accommodated in the trench and they returned to Battalion
+Headquarters. All through this period the Company was existing under very
+difficult conditions. The evacuation of wounded was almost impossible,
+and Corpl. Hardy did excellent work in establishing an aid post and
+attending to wounded for four days and nights. He was subsequently
+mentioned in dispatches for this good work. Their only rations were taken
+up on the night of the 28th by a party of No. 9 Platoon under Corpl.
+Hall, and water was collected from shell holes in empty ammunition boxes.
+
+Whilst in the front line, both A and B Companies were constantly under
+fire from trench mortars ("sausages") and snipers, some of whom were
+firing from the rear. Several of the posts held by B Company were blown
+in, and in one, occupied by Sergt. Bennison and ten men, all were hit
+except Ptes. Walters and Fenwick. In another post the shelter was blown
+in and several men wounded and buried. Pte. Robinson, the only man not
+hit, crossed the open to the next post, but was unable to obtain
+assistance. He thereupon went back, and under constant fire, dug out
+several men. For this action he was awarded the D.C.M. and Croix de
+Guerre.
+
+The machine-gun section was in action on the 26th April, and for his good
+work in handling them Lieut. W.P. Gill was awarded the Military Cross.
+After being withdrawn on the night of the 26th the guns were kept in
+reserve at Battalion Headquarters.
+
+During the whole of the four days the Battalion was in the line, parties
+from D Company under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus did good work in distributing
+rations, which were brought up from Poperinghe to Zonnebeke Crossing by
+limber. The exact location of the different parties was doubtful, and the
+absence of roads, tracks or landmarks made the delivery of rations to the
+men a very unpleasant task.
+
+On the 30th April came news of relief. A Company were relieved at night
+by the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and moved back to the
+Convent near Velorenhoek. B Company had further unpleasant experiences.
+Their relief by a Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers took place nearly at
+dawn, and it was impossible to get further than Hicks' Farm before it was
+too light to move. They were accordingly put into a barn and some
+trenches for the day, being still only about 300 yards from the enemy,
+whose aeroplanes were very active directing fire on to the position. This
+fire was fairly successful, and the barn was hit and set on fire and
+Lieut. A.B. Hare wounded. The men showed excellent discipline on this
+occasion and stood fast till led out to occupy a neighbouring trench. At
+night the Company rejoined the rest of the Battalion at the Convent,
+where the whole were accommodated in trenches near the road.
+
+In addition to the honours already mentioned the following were
+subsequently awarded for work during this period:--Capt. T. Welch
+received the Military Cross for his work with B Company on Gravenstafel
+Ridge, being the first officer in the Brigade to win the decoration;
+R.S.M. G. Perry, who had been doing excellent work for the Battalion
+since mobilization, was granted the D.C.M. for his work in organising
+ration parties; and C.S.M.s McNair and Bousfield (afterwards commanding
+15th D.L.I.) also received the D.C.M. for gallantry after casualties to
+officers. Others, who did excellent work, but received no decoration,
+were Lieut. W.F.E. Badcock, Signalling Officer, and his Sergeant, H.
+Elliott; Sergts. Linsley and Wallace, of B Company; Pte. Newton of A
+Company, and Pte. Hall of C Company.
+
+The casualties had been fairly heavy, and included fifteen officers,
+amongst whom was Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson, who left the Battalion sick on
+the 28th April. Capt. J.W. Jeffreys had assumed command with Lieut. R.V.
+Hare as Adjutant.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+On the 30th April the enemy delivered another attack, using gas. This
+fell mainly on the Irish Regiment, but the 6th Battalion in reserve
+occupied battle positions, and collected many men who were driven back by
+the gas. At night the Battalion marched back to huts in Brielen Wood,
+where it rested for 24 hours. Leaving there, it marched to St.
+Jansterbiezen, where it was inspected on the morning of the 2nd May by
+Sir John French, who thanked the men for their good work and praised
+especially A and B Companies. On the 8th May a draft of officers joined
+the Battalion, and the following day a move was made back to Brielen
+Woods. Here the Battalion, living in bivouacs, was in Divisional reserve
+for one day. The transport and Q.M. Stores moved into a field near
+Poperinghe.
+
+After this short rest the Battalion learnt that it was to return to the
+scene of its first experiences. On the 10th May it marched to Potijze and
+occupied the G.H.Q. line near the railway and some dug-outs in the
+cutting south-east of Ypres. Here the men were shelled at intervals,
+particularly on the 13th, and spent the nights on working parties. It was
+whilst in this area that the new gas respirators, consisting of a pad of
+cotton wool and a strip of muslin, were issued on a scale of one to every
+twelve men. On the 19th May Major W.E. Taylor, York and Lancaster
+Regiment, arrived and took over command from Capt. Jeffreys. Two days
+later the Battalion was relieved by the East Surrey Regiment, and
+returned to Brielen huts.
+
+During the next few days the artillery fire increased considerably on
+both sides, and just before dawn on Whit Monday, the 24th May, the
+Germans launched their gas attack. The gas cloud drifted towards Brielen
+and the men were roused and moved about half a mile from the camp to
+which they returned for breakfast and to prepare to move into action. The
+morning had turned out bright and fine when they paraded and marched off
+to Potijze. In those days the road leading out of Ypres eastwards was
+still marked by leafy trees, and as the Battalion marched along it,
+trees, branches and leaves were lying about, brought down by the heavy
+fire. Arriving at the wood, which was being heavily shelled, the men were
+put into ditches and half-dug trenches. Later in the day packs were
+collected, and in the lighter "Fighting Order" the men manned the G.H.Q.
+line in front of the wood, being in reserve to the 3rd Battalion
+Middlesex Regiment, who were under orders to deliver a counter-attack.
+Whilst taking up this position Major Taylor was wounded and 2nd Lieut.
+J.M. Hare killed, and Capt. Jeffreys again assumed command. The
+counter-attack was cancelled and the Battalion moved back to dug-outs on
+the Menin Road, where it stayed all the next day.
+
+On the night of the 25th May the whole Battalion paraded as a working
+party to dig a front line trench to fill a gap caused by the German
+attack. The right of this trench was on the railway cutting, the enemy
+being on the other side of the cutting. The men worked magnificently and
+finished the task in less than two hours. As soon as it was completed the
+new trench was occupied by a Battalion of the Buffs. After two more
+nights spent on working parties the men were relieved and marched back to
+bivouacs in Brielen Wood. On the 2nd June orders were received to move
+further back, and they marched through Poperinghe to a field on the south
+of the town, where they spent the night and the next day, moving again on
+the 4th to bivouacs at Ouderdom.
+
+The organisation of the Battalion was now to undergo a change which did
+not meet with universal approval amongst its members. On the 8th June it
+was amalgamated with the 8th Durham Light Infantry, the new Battalion
+being constituted as follows: Lieut.-Col. J. Turnbull, V.D. (8th D.L.I.)
+in command; Capt. G.A. Stevens (Royal Fusiliers), Adjutant; A Company
+(8th D.L.I.), Capt. T.A. Bradford; B Company (A and B Companies of 6th
+D.L.I.), Lieut. W.P. Gill; C Company (6th D.L.I.), Lieut. T.B. Heslop; D
+Company (6th D.L.I.), Capt. F.H. Livesay; Machine-gun section, 2nd Lieut.
+R.A. Howe (6th D.L.I.); transport section, Lieut. Ramsay (8th D.L.I.);
+Quartermaster, Lieut. W.M. Hope (6th D.L.I.). All supernumerary staff
+were sent to the base at Harfleur. At the same time the 7th Battalion
+became Divisional Pioneers and the 5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire
+Regiment joined the 151st Brigade.
+
+On the evening of the 11th June the new Battalion marched by Companies to
+dug-outs in the grounds of Kruisstraat Château, south of Ypres. The
+following day the march was resumed _via_ the Lille gate and Maple Copse
+to Sanctuary Wood, where the Battalion was lent to the 149th Infantry
+Brigade to provide working parties for the improvement of the Hooge
+defences. It was during this move that the transport, on the 14th June,
+had its worst experience of the famous Hell Fire Corner, where it was
+shelled and a water cart was completely destroyed.
+
+Wednesday, the 16th June, had been chosen for an attack on Hill 60 by the
+3rd Division, the 50th Division being ordered to co-operate by making a
+demonstration. At 2.30 a.m. the Battalion moved into the support
+trenches, twenty minutes before the bombardment commenced. At 4.15 a.m.
+the 3rd Division assaulted, and their apparent success which could be
+seen from the rear was greeted with much enthusiasm by the men. About two
+hours later a message was received from a commanding officer in Zouave
+Wood that he was about to attack north-east of Hooge. Accordingly, two
+Companies under Major Hawdon were sent in support, the others being
+assembled ready to follow. The attack was cancelled, however, and at 7.30
+a.m. the Battalion re-assembled in its original trenches. At night it
+moved up and relieved the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers in the Hooge
+defences. The disposition of Companies was as follows: B Company, under
+Lieut. Gill, were in "B9" trench. A Company, under Capt. Bradford, in
+"H13" and "H14" trenches; C Company, under Lieut. Heslop, in the Hooge
+Château stables; and D Company, under Capt. Livesay, in support in "H16"
+trench. The trenches, especially those occupied by B Company, had been
+much battered, and a considerable amount of work had to be done on them
+during the night. At this time the Château and stables were still
+standing, and though C Company were in occupation of the stables, the
+Germans held the Château, from the windows of which their snipers were
+able to give considerable trouble.
+
+The following day was marked by considerable shelling, and at night a
+successful bombing enterprise was led against a sap head. For two days
+the position remained unchanged, the Battalion being engaged in repairing
+the trenches and carrying up rations and ammunition, till on the night of
+the 18th it was relieved by a Company of the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers
+and a Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment, and went to F. hutments south
+of Vlamertinghe.
+
+This concluded the Battalion's first tour in the "Salient."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ARMENTIÈRES AND THE RETURN TO THE "SALIENT."
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+On Sunday, the 20th June, the Battalion marched off from Vlamertinghe at
+8.30 a.m. through Ouderdom and Locre to Dranoutre, where it went into
+bivouacs at Corunna Farm, being now in the II Corps commanded by Sir
+Charles Ferguson, who inspected and addressed the men the following day.
+In the evening, after their inspection, they moved up to the front line
+and took over the trenches from "E1" to the barricade on the
+Kemmel-Wytschaete Road--a quiet sector except for trouble from snipers.
+
+A few days after taking over, an interesting incident occurred. A notice
+board was put up in the German trenches bearing the words "Lemberg is
+taken." It was accompanied by cheering and the lighting of flares, to
+which the front line Companies replied by rapid fire in the direction of
+the board. The same day (23rd June) work was started on the mines, which
+were eventually blown up in the successful attack on the Wytschaete Ridge
+in June, 1917. Apart from this, nothing of interest occurred beyond the
+usual reliefs till the middle of July. An announcement which aroused
+considerable delight was made on the 15th July to the effect that leave
+to England was to be granted, two officers and three other ranks being
+allowed to be away at a time for periods of six and four days
+respectively.
+
+On the 16th July the Battalion was relieved and moved from Kemmel at 7.30
+p.m. proceeding via Dranoutre and Bailleul to Armentières, where it
+arrived at 1 a.m. the next morning and went into billets at the Blue
+factory. The following night it moved up to relieve Battalions of the
+Royal Scots and Monmouths. B Company under Lieut. R.V. Hare, took over
+"67" trench, C Company under Lieut. T.B. Heslop, "68" trench, A Company
+under Capt. Ritson (8th D.L.I.), "69" trench, and D Company under Capt.
+Livesay, Lille Post. The sector proved to be very quiet and the trenches
+exceptionally good. It is interesting to note that about this time the
+training of bombers was organised, and 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon of the
+Battalion was appointed first Brigade Bombing Officer.
+
+The men were now beginning to realize that their first taste of
+conditions in France was not typical of the whole front, and that war had
+its more pleasant side. After the "Salient," the Armentières trenches
+were a picnic, and though there is little of historic interest to record
+concerning the tour, it formed the subject of many conversations and
+jests when harder times followed. Many times, probably, in the
+water-logged shell holes of Passchendaele in 1918 was it recalled how
+once at Armentières even the duck boards were cleaned daily and men were
+crimed for throwing matches on them. It is not forgotten either how the
+Battalion Band first came into being at Houplines.
+
+On the 11th August, the 6th and 8th Battalions once more assumed a
+separate identity. Major Borrett, D.S.O., the King's Own, took over
+command of the 6th Battalion with Capt. Jeffreys once more as Adjutant.
+Four days later Major Borrett left and handed over the command to Capt.
+Jeffreys, 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon becoming Adjutant. On this
+re-organization the Companies of the Battalion became known as W, X, Y,
+and Z. About the same time the 5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire
+Regiment left the Brigade, and was replaced by the 5th Battalion Border
+Regiment.
+
+Early in September, some excitement was caused by the rumour that the
+"Mushroom," a circular trench in the Battalion sector, was mined and
+likely to be blown up. Bombers of W Company patrolled it and slept in it
+for six nights without result. On the 25th September the heavy firing at
+Loos caused a little anxiety. The day after this the Battalion sector was
+slightly altered by the taking over of the Houplines trenches from the
+12th Division. A little more excitement than usual occurred on 13th
+October, when a demonstration was made by the artillery and the throwing
+of smoke bombs.
+
+The tour ended on the 10th November, when the Battalion was relieved and
+marched to billets at La Creche, near Bailleul, where it stayed for a
+month enjoying its first rest since embarkation.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+Early in December it was known that the next tour was to be once more in
+the "Salient." On the 17th December the Battalion entrained at
+Steenwercke for Poperinghe, from where it marched to Dickebusch huts,
+which are always remembered as being built on islands in a sea of mud.
+The following night another march via Kruisstraat and Zillebeke brought
+the men to Maple Copse where they relieved the 11th Royal Scots (9th
+Division). The trenches were found to consist of holes and ditches which
+were worked on till they were quite good and dry. It was here that
+arrangements were first made for the prevention of trench feet.
+
+Sunday, the 19th December, was marked by a German gas attack north of
+Hooge, but the Battalion was not involved. The following day the
+artillery activity continued, and Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys was wounded whilst
+going round a new piece of the line which had been taken over from the
+Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Major G.A. Stevens (8th D.L.I.) took
+over command, and the following day Capt. R.B. Bradford (afterwards
+Brig.-Gen. Bradford, V.C.) joined as Adjutant. An unusual occurrence took
+place on the 22nd December, when two Russians, who had been prisoners in
+Germany and had been working behind the line, escaped and came into the
+trenches in the Battalion sector. On Christmas Day the Battalion was out
+of the line and in the huts at Dickebusch. Capt. Bradford left on the
+31st December to join the 7th Battalion, and was succeeded as Adjutant by
+2nd Lieut. C.E. Yaldwyn.
+
+On New Year's morning the Battalion had its first experience of a really
+heavy British bombardment of the enemy's trenches. The bombardment was so
+intense that it was possible to find one's way about Sanctuary Wood by
+the light of the gun flashes. The only other incident of importance in
+the first month of 1916 was the departure of the machine-gun section
+which, under 2nd Lieut. L. Brock, was sent to form part of the Brigade
+Machine Gun Company. To replace the guns, the first Lewis Guns were
+issued and put under the command of 2nd Lieut. J.P. Moffitt. It was also
+about this time that the Battalion journal, _The Whizz-Bang_, came into
+existence, edited and run by 2nd Lieut. Yaldwyn. Its illustrations by
+Lieut. Catford and articles were much appreciated, but, unfortunately,
+its publication ceased in November of the same year.
+
+Throughout January and February there were local artillery combats which
+terminated with the capture of Hill 60 and "The Bluff." On the 1st March
+there was a demonstration at 5 p.m., which consisted of artillery and
+infantry fire and cheering as if for an attack. The following morning at
+4.32 a.m. the 3rd Division attacked and captured International and New
+Year trenches and "The Bean" with over 200 prisoners. On the 18th March,
+the Battalion was relieved and moved to Poperinghe by train from Ypres.
+Four days later it returned again by train and took over the recently
+captured Bluff trenches from the 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers (3rd
+Division). These trenches were round the edge of the Bluff crater and
+were in a very bad condition due to the rain and heavy shelling, and were
+littered with remnants of German equipment and their dead. X Company were
+on the right in New Year trench supported by Y Company in Gordon Post. W
+Company were in the centre in "The Loop," and Z Company on the left in
+"The Bean."
+
+On the 27th March, at 4.15 a.m., the 3rd Division on the right attacked
+at St. Eloi, and during the attack the Medical Officer (Capt. White) and
+a party of stretcher bearers rendered valuable assistance. A few days
+later (2nd April) the Battalion was relieved by the Canadians, who had
+suffered heavily from shell fire in coming up, and moved again to
+Dickebusch, where there was a stay of two days before moving South to
+Scottish Lines at Westoutre and La Clyte.
+
+A week later, on the 8th April, the Battalion was again in the line, this
+time relieving the 7th Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry in trenches N
+and O, in front of Wytschaete, with back area at La Clyte. These trenches
+were of the breastwork type. About this time there was a good deal of
+fighting on the left, where the Germans were trying to retake the St.
+Eloi craters.
+
+On the 24th April the Battalion was relieved and marched to rest billets
+at Berthen. These billets were found to be farms scattered over a large
+area. A few days after arrival, Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys, D.S.O., returned
+and took over command from Lieut.-Col. Stevens, who went as Brigade Major
+to a Canadian Brigade. Early on the morning of the 30th the Battalion
+was roused by the news of a gas attack, but after standing to till
+daylight it was not required to move. A week later, 2nd Lieut. G.
+Kirkhouse was appointed Adjutant in place of 2nd Lieut. Yaldwyn, and on
+the 8th May the Battalion returned to La Clyte for four days working
+parties. The only other incidents of importance during May were an
+inspection by Sir Douglas Haig and the farewell inspection and address on
+the 16th by Brig.-Gen. Shea prior to his departure to take over command
+of the 30th Division. He was succeeded by Brig.-Gen. Westmorland.
+
+On the 28th May the Battalion returned to the trenches it had left a
+month before, and on the 2nd June the men were able to watch the German
+attack between Hill 60 and Hooge and the Canadian counter-attacks on the
+following day. Lieut. Ebsworth, M.C., D.C.M., East Lancashire Regt.,
+joined as Adjutant on the 7th June. During this tour the first Battalion
+raid was made by men of Y Company under 2nd Lieut. H.C. Annett and 2nd
+Lieut. J.F.G. Aubin, who was Battalion Bombing Officer. The party
+consisted of 24 men, including two bombing squads, and had as its object
+identification of the enemy on the immediate front. The night of the 6th
+June was chosen and the party went out as arranged. In No Man's Land they
+met a large enemy wiring party and their object was not attained. Three
+nights later, however, a German was captured, and again on the 12th the
+raiding party went out, this time with the object of killing Boches. They
+entered the enemy trench, and after doing considerable damage with bombs
+and rifles, returned without casualty.
+
+Apart from these incidents the sector was on the whole quiet, except for
+a certain amount of sniping. The principal feature was the daily enemy
+bombardment with trench mortars, which lasted from one to three hours,
+and was on occasions very heavy. The front line, however, was thinly held
+and very few casualties resulted. After receiving two drafts of 190 and
+110 men respectively the Battalion was relieved on 7th August by the 7th
+Battalion King's Own and moved to its old billets at Berthen.
+
+This ended the second phase of its war history, and a few days later it
+moved South to the Somme area.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE SOMME.
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+On the 10th August, 1916, the Battalion entrained at Godewaersvelde, and
+detraining at Candas, marched to Heuzecourt and spent four days resting.
+The 15th, 16th and 17th were spent in marching through Vignacourt and
+Villers Bocage to Baizieux, where the men bivouaced in the wood. Here two
+accidents occurred. Major F. Walton, Second in Command, and Lieut.
+Ebsworth, M.C., Adjutant, were thrown from their horses and sustained
+broken limbs. 2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse resumed duties as Adjutant.
+
+Nearly a month was spent in the wood, the time being devoted to training
+in the new wave formation for the coming offensive. It was about this
+time that distinguishing marks were adopted in the Division and the
+Battalion began to wear the red diamonds which came to be regarded with
+almost as much pride as the cap badge, and continued to be worn as long
+as the Battalion existed as a unit in France. On the 6th September
+Brig.-Gen. N.J.G. Cameron took over command of the Brigade. Four days
+later the Battalion moved to bivouacs in Becourt Wood, and there the
+final preparations were made for action, and amid the growing violence of
+the artillery preparation it moved again on the 14th September to Shelter
+Wood.
+
+Zero for the second phase of the Somme battle was 6.20 a.m. on the 15th
+September. The 149th and 150th Infantry Brigades were then in the front
+line between High Wood and Martinpuich with the 151st Brigade in reserve.
+At zero the Battalion moved from Shelter Wood by way of Sausage Valley to
+an old German trench at the south-west corner of Mametz Wood. About noon
+a further forward move was made, Y and Z Companies to the northern edge
+of the wood, and W and X Companies to a position a little further forward
+between Mametz and Bazentin-le-Petit Woods. So far the Battalion had
+escaped shell fire, and the men were much interested in prisoners who
+were being escorted to the rear. About 11 a.m. a message was received
+that the 47th Division had failed to take High Wood, and that the two
+Brigades of the 50th Division had secured their objectives. Later came a
+message that the 47th Division had taken High Wood at the second attempt.
+
+Rations arrived about 5 p.m., and whilst they were being distributed
+Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys returned from Brigade Headquarters with orders to
+move up at once. Accordingly the Battalion paraded and marched up the
+road to the Quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit. By this time the area was full
+of movement. Guns, ammunition, ration wagons and troops were everywhere
+moving up after the advance.
+
+After a conference at Brigade Headquarters orders were again issued for a
+move, and at 9 p.m. the Battalion in fours, led by the Commanding Officer
+and a guide from the Northumberland Fusiliers moved from the Quarry with
+orders to attack from Eye and Clarke's trenches at 9.30 p.m. The attack
+was to be made in four waves, with the 9th Durham Light Infantry, who had
+been in position all the afternoon, on the right, the 6th in the centre,
+and the 5th Border Regiment on the left. Unfortunately the guide lost his
+way, and after unnecessary wandering the head of the Battalion arrived in
+Clarke's trench, at the junction with Bethel sap, at 9.15 p.m. After
+considerable difficulty, owing to ignorance of the ground, the Companies
+got into position. W Company, under Capt. J. Cook, was on the left of the
+first wave, and X Company, under Capt. W.F.E. Badcock, on the right, with
+Z (left) and Y (right) in support. Just as they got into Clarke's trench
+2nd Lieut. Annett, commanding Y Company, was killed, and 2nd Lieut. B.J.
+Harvey, though wounded, took command.
+
+At the time appointed for the attack the 5th Border Regiment could not be
+located, so the 6th and 9th Durham Light Infantry, after waiting about an
+hour, advanced. Crossing Hook trench, which had been the enemy front line
+in the morning and was now held by remnants of the 149th Brigade, they
+moved down the slope towards Starfish and Prue trenches, the first
+objective. They were met by a certain amount of machine-gun and rifle
+fire, and had a few casualties, including Capt. Badcock, who was wounded.
+The 6th Battalion continued to advance, however, until completely
+checked by machine-gun fire, and then took cover in ditches and shell
+holes. It was then discovered that there was a considerable gap on the
+right, but by moving men in that direction touch was regained with the
+9th Battalion.
+
+About 3.30 a.m. on the 16th the Commanding Officer took up Z Company to
+reinforce the front line, and the 5th Border Regiment also moved up at
+the same time. The whole line was then pushed forward and straightened.
+Battalion Headquarters remained in Clarke's trench.
+
+Further orders were received to attack again at 9.15 a.m., but they never
+readied the Companies, and nothing happened. Things were fairly quiet
+during the day, and at night a shallow communication trench was dug over
+the ridge and attempts made to improve the forward positions. Efforts
+were also made to collect the Battalion into Companies, but on the 17th
+the only parties under the control of Headquarters were half of W
+Company, under Capt. Cook, part of X Company, under Lieut. Harriss, a
+Platoon of Z Company, under Lieut. W.B. Hansell, and Y Company, in
+reserve in a sunken road, under 2nd Lieuts. McVicker and Richardson. It
+was known that other isolated groups were in positions in the front line.
+One of these was organised for defence under orders of Private B.
+McLinden of X Company, who subsequently received the Military Medal.
+
+The chief obstacle to a further advance was an enemy strong point called
+the Crescent. Accordingly a party was organised to attack it, consisting
+of two bombing squads, one each from the 6th and 8th Battalions under 2nd
+Lieut. J.F.G. Aubin, now Brigade Bombing Officer. Leaving by way of
+Crescent Alley at 6 p.m., they met with considerable shell fire and were
+disorganised. Re-forming, however, they went out again with the same
+result. The shelling proved to be the preliminary to an attack on the
+150th Brigade, which was beaten off, Y Company being used to assist their
+neighbours with Lewis guns.
+
+The following day (18th) was misty, and it was thought that the Germans
+were evacuating Starfish trench. An attack was therefore ordered to
+occupy it. This attack was made by the 6th Battalion on the left and the
+9th on the right, each providing 100 men. 2nd Lieut. W. Little, with 50
+men of W Company, composed the Battalion's front line, and 2nd Lieut.
+W.F. Charlton, with 50 of Z Company, the supporting line. A few men of
+other Companies were also mixed with these two lines. Shortly after
+starting they came under heavy machine-gun fire and had a number of
+casualties, including 2nd Lieut. Charlton, who was killed. Some of the
+party returned to their line during the day and others at night. All who
+had been near the enemy trench reported it to be strongly held.
+
+During the morning Y Company were sent up to relieve W, X and Z Companies
+in the front line. Owing to the trenches being very muddy after rain, and
+at all places very shallow, this was a difficult operation. To add to the
+difficulty the 8th Battalion began to arrive to relieve the Battalion
+before the Company relief was complete. However, they at last got out and
+moved back to 6th Avenue East and the intermediate line, where two days
+were spent in cleaning up. Here Lieut. Ebsworth rejoined as Adjutant, and
+the officers and men who had been left at the transport lines also came
+up.
+
+On the 20th September, the Battalion moved further back to shelter in
+Mametz Wood, where a draft of 50 men from the 2/6th Battalion, Essex
+Regiment, joined. After four days' rest it again went forward to the
+intermediate line. The same day Major Wilkinson, of the 149th Machine Gun
+Company, joined as second in command. The following night the whole
+Battalion turned out to dig a jumping-off trench. Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys
+took them as far as the Battalion Headquarters of the 5th Durham Light
+Infantry from where Lieut. Ebsworth and a guide led them to the position.
+The guide lost his way, and after wandering about nearly all night, the
+Battalion returned without doing any work.
+
+On the 26th September Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys left the Battalion to proceed
+to England for three months' rest, and Major Wilkinson took over command.
+The following day a move was made to Hook trench, where the men lived in
+small shelters and provided working parties at nights. This trench was on
+the sky line, and as a result received considerable attention from the
+enemy gunners. To prevent casualties, and also to provide more room, two
+Companies were pushed forward on the 28th to Starfish trench. From these
+positions, in the afternoon, the Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion in
+the front line. The relief was observed, and the communication trench
+shelled. The disposition of Companies was, from right to left: Y, Z, W,
+X, each Company having two Platoons in the front line (North Durham
+Street) and two Platoons in the support line (South Durham Street). At
+night they occupied battle positions, and extended the trench they
+occupied by 150 to 300 yards. The 9th Battalion was in support in
+Crescent Alley. On the left were the 5th Border Regiment, and on the
+right the 47th Division, but it was not possible to get into touch with
+the flanks during the night. The Company Commanders were now W Company,
+2nd Lieut. Barnett; X Company, 2nd Lieut. Lean; Y Company, Lieut.
+Catford; and Z Company, Capt. Peberdy. By dawn all preparations,
+including the alteration of watches to winter time, were completed for
+the attack, which had been ordered for the 1st October.
+
+The preliminary bombardment commenced at 7 a.m. and continued till zero
+(3.15 p.m.), when it changed to a barrage. Unfortunately there were some
+casualties from shells falling short, the total casualties for the day
+being about 40, including the Commanding Officer wounded. Lieut.-Col.
+R.B. Bradford, now commanding the 9th Battalion, asked for and was given
+permission to take command of the two Battalions, and for his subsequent
+work that day was awarded the V.C. He arrived at Battalion Headquarters
+at zero, and at once went up to the front line.
+
+The attack commenced at 3.15 p.m., but, partly on account of the failure
+of the 47th Division on the right, and partly owing to the wire not being
+properly cut, the attackers were held up by machine-gun fire and suffered
+heavy casualties. After considerable fighting with bombs and rifles three
+Lewis gun teams of X Company, under 2nd Lieut. T. Little and 2nd Lieut.
+C.L. Tyerman, and one team of W Company under 2nd Lieut. Barnett,
+succeeded in getting a footing in the first objective. These organised
+the position and carried on bombing attacks, 2nd Lieut. Little being
+killed. During these operations Lieut.-Col. Bradford arrived on the
+scene, and immediately took charge of the situation, and under his
+direction and leadership the whole of the first objective was gained. A
+Company of the 9th Battalion then came up, and using the new position as
+a starting point, advanced and took the final objective after dark.
+
+About dusk a counter-attack was attempted by the enemy on the right
+front. Advancing in extended order, about twenty of the enemy were
+challenged, and they all cheered, shouting "Hooray." As they showed no
+further friendly signs they were fired on and driven off. During the
+night a further counter-attack developed from the valley on the right,
+but this also was repulsed.
+
+The following day, by organised bombing, the whole of the final objective
+was captured and held, and communication trenches were dug back to North
+Durham Street.
+
+The casualties during the two days had been very heavy, and included
+amongst the officers, in addition to those already mentioned, 2nd Lieut.
+Peacock, killed, and 2nd Lieut. Lean, Capt. Peberdy, Lieut. Cotching, 2nd
+Lieut. Barnett and 2nd Lieut. Appleby wounded. Amongst the decorations
+gained were Military Medals awarded to Corporal Dixon and Privates
+Rushforth and Atkinson, all signallers, and Private Turnbull of Y
+Company. Good work was also done by Sergeants Gowland and Winslow.
+
+On the night of the 2nd October Lieut.-Col. Bradford handed over the
+command of the Battalion to Lieut. Ebsworth, and it was relieved by the
+7th Northumberland Fusiliers the night after. Owing to the mud the relief
+did not commence until 4 a.m., and it was almost dawn before the
+Battalion reached Headquarters, from where it was led by Lieut. Ebsworth
+to Starfish trench. Here it was joined by R.S.M. Perry and the C.S.M.'s
+and a draft which had been used as a carrying party. The officers left
+were Lieut. Ebsworth, 2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse, Adjutant; 2nd Lieut. K.B.
+Stuart, Signalling Officer, and 2nd Lieut. Tyerman; the Medical Officer,
+Capt. J.G. Hill, arrived later.
+
+After a short rest the Battalion marched back to bivouacs in Becourt Wood
+for one night.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+On the 4th October, the Battalion moved back to tents in Henencourt Wood,
+where drafts arrived, and remained for three weeks, reorganising and
+training. The Company Commanders were now:--W Company, 2nd Lieut. A.S.
+Tate; X Company, 2nd Lieut. J.H.F. Ludgate; Y Company, 2nd Lieut. R.H.
+Stewart; and Z Company, 2nd Lieut. C.L. Tyerman.
+
+At the end of this period, on the 23rd October, the Battalion left the
+Wood and marched back to Becourt, where two days were spent in tents. On
+the 25th October the men were on the move again over familiar ground and
+soon found themselves in tents just outside Mametz Wood. After a week
+spent on working parties they moved up to the front line, W Company, now
+under 2nd Lieut. R.H. Wharrier, being in front in Snag trench and the
+other three Companies in close support in the Flers line. On the night of
+Saturday, the 4th November, X, Y and Z Companies took over the front line
+in preparation for an attack on the Butte de Warlencourt on the Sunday
+morning. Zero had been fixed for 9.15 a.m. and the relief was not
+complete, owing to the extremely bad state of the trenches, till 9 a.m.
+The Battalion was disposed for the attack with X Company on the right, Y
+in the centre, Z on the left and W in support, with the 9th Battalion on
+the left flank and the 8th on the right. This fateful day, 5th November,
+proved to be the most disastrous the Battalion had yet passed through.
+The enemy position was exceptionally strong, the trenches from which the
+attack started were so muddy that several men were drowned in them, and
+the time for preparation was so short that the attack broke down almost
+as soon as it had started. The casualties were very heavy, and included
+amongst the officers 2nd Lieut. K.B. Stuart, 2nd Lieut. Fell, 2nd Lieut.
+A.S. Ritson, 2nd Lieut. S. Robson, 2nd Lieut. T.F. Applegarth, and 2nd
+Lieut. G.W. Robson, all killed, and all the remaining Company officers,
+except 2nd Lieut. Wharrier, wounded. Amongst the honours awarded were the
+M.C. to 2nd Lieut. Wharrier and the Military Medal to L.-Cpl. H.
+Cruddace, who was also promoted to be sergeant. A monument was afterwards
+erected on the Butte to the memory of those of the Battalion who fell on
+this day.
+
+On the following night the Battalion was relieved by the 5th Battalion
+and went back to Mametz Wood, where it stayed till the end of the month
+supplying working parties daily. Several new officers joined here,
+including Lieut.-Col. H.M. Allen, Black Watch, who took over command;
+Lieut. (now Major) Ebsworth becoming Second in Command.
+
+Towards the end of the month came rumours of a rest, and on the 30th the
+Battalion marched off once more to Becourt, where it was this time
+accommodated in huts. After a night there it marched back to billets at
+Warloy, where it stayed during the whole of December, training and
+resting. The rest was thoroughly enjoyed by all ranks. On Christmas Day
+sports were held which included a mounted officers' race won by Lieut.
+H.T. Bircham, M.C., transport officer.
+
+On New Year's Day the Battalion was on its way back to the line. The
+first day's march took it to billets in Albert, the billets being
+partially destroyed houses. The following day the march was resumed to a
+hut camp near the quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit, well known to the few
+remaining survivors of the 15th September. After a few days in this camp,
+troubled only by an occasional shell, a move was made into High Wood West
+camp, a cheerless place consisting of black tarpaulin huts. From this and
+a similar camp across the valley (High Wood East) the Battalion did two
+tours in the front line at Factory Corner, where the line consisted of
+more or less isolated posts. The support line, where a few days were
+spent, was just in front of Flers. During these tours the weather was
+exceedingly cold and the men suffered considerably, both in the line and
+in the camp. There was also a considerable amount of shell fire. Parties
+carrying up rations and pushing trolleys up the light railway from
+Clarke's Dump had several casualties, and on one occasion the camp was
+hit and all the signallers who had been left out of the line for training
+became casualties. In the line itself the only outstanding incident
+happened to a patrol which found itself surrounded one night, but
+succeeded in getting back safely. Towards the end of the month came
+rumours of relief, and on the 24th January the Division was relieved by
+the 1st Australian Division. The Battalion came out to a new hut camp on
+the Beaver Road, between the Bazentin and Mametz Woods. The next day it
+marched to Becourt Camp, the air being full of rumours as to the future.
+
+It soon became known, however, that the Division was moving south to take
+over a section of the line hitherto held by the French, still in the
+Somme area, just south of Peronne. From Becourt the Battalion continued
+its march to Ribemont. The march was uneventful except for the fact that
+the two rear Companies took a wrong turning, and after a roundabout
+journey arrived late at the halting place for dinner. At Ribemont it
+stayed for about three weeks, during which training was carried out, the
+men being accommodated in barns. Col. Allen was still in command with
+Lieut. T.J. Arnott (Gordon Highlanders) as Adjutant. There was little of
+interest during this period and, on the whole, everybody was pleased when
+the move was resumed to huts at Hamel. After a few days there the
+Battalion marched to billets at Proyart, where Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys,
+D.S.O., returned and took over command. Again, in three or four days it
+marched to Foucaucourt, where it was in Divisional Reserve. This village,
+which had at one time been in the front line system, was practically
+nothing but ruins and the Battalion was accommodated in a large camp of
+French huts, fitted with wire beds, each hut holding about 150 men. Here,
+final preparations were made for the line, which was visited by officers
+who reported that the trenches were dry and in good condition. It was
+very frosty weather at this time, but unfortunately before the Battalion
+moved up a thaw had set in. The relief of the 5th Yorkshire Regiment will
+never be forgotten by those of the Battalion who took part in it.
+Following on the methods adopted by the French the relief took place
+through very long communication trenches, running from Estrées through
+Berny to the line in front of Misery. These trenches, as a result of the
+thaw, were everywhere knee deep in mud and usually waist deep, and men
+arrived in the line without boots and in a few cases without trousers,
+having lost them in the mud. The experiences of X Company were perhaps
+the worst. Leaving camp at about 5 p.m., then 130 strong, they were met
+by guides, who lost their way, and eventually arrived in the front line
+at dawn, having lost over 100 men stuck in the mud. The relief was not
+reported complete till 4 p.m. the next day. The front line trenches were
+worse if possible than the communication trenches, and the days that
+followed were most unpleasant. There was very little cover from enemy
+snipers, who were pretty active, and there were several casualties from
+fishtail trench mortars. One night was marked by a very intense "strafe"
+for a short time with rifle grenades and trench mortars. It afterwards
+appeared that this was the enemy's parting shot, for soon after the
+Division was relieved the enemy's extensive retirement on this sector
+took place. After two tours in the front line, one in support in trenches
+round Berny, and one in reserve at Foucaucourt, the Battalion was
+relieved early in March by the 2/5th South Staffordshire Regiment (59th
+Division), who had just come from Ireland and had not previously seen any
+fighting in France. On relief the Battalion returned to Foucaucourt.
+
+Towards the end of the tour Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys left the Battalion for
+a few days in hospital, during which time Major Little, of the 5th Border
+Regiment, and Major Crouch of the 9th Durham Light Infantry, both held
+command. He returned, however, when the Battalion came out of the line.
+
+This ended the tour in the Somme region, but the Battalion did not leave
+the area till the end of the month, the period being spent in huts at
+Morcourt, where an energetic programme of training and sports was carried
+out. The principal feature of the sports was the success of members of
+the Battalion, including Sergt. Young and Ptes. Nimney and Moody in the
+Brigade and Divisional boxing contests. Although there were no
+outstanding incidents to record of this training, Morcourt seems to mark
+one of those turning points in the history of the Battalion from which
+all subsequent events date. So many small things occurred there that it
+was remarked by later comers that it appeared to them that the Morcourt
+training must have lasted for months. One event, however, can be pointed
+to as a turning point. On the 25th March, Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys, who had
+never fully recovered from the wounds received in Sanctuary Wood, was
+ordered to return to England on account of ill-health, and handed over
+command to Major W.D. Carswell Hunt, M.C., of the 7th Durham Light
+Infantry. Colonel Jeffreys' personal influence and fighting qualities,
+strongly reflected even in his absence in those officers who had received
+their early training under him, had been largely responsible for the
+reputation and the success of the Battalion during its first two years of
+fighting and his departure was greatly regretted by all ranks.
+
+A few days after he left, the Battalion was on the move to take part in
+the battle which was about to begin at Arras.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+ARRAS.
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+From Morcourt the Battalion moved by motor 'buses through Amiens to
+Talmas preparatory to a long trek on foot. The first two nights were
+spent at Wargnies and Havernas. Here a famous Church Parade was held, at
+which the Commanding Officer, in the absence of a Chaplain, preached his
+first and, as it proved, his last sermon. From there the Battalion
+marched to Longuevillette and then to Vacquerie-le-Bourcq, spending a
+night at each place. About this time Lieut. Arnott left the Battalion and
+Lieut. G.D.R. Dobson (7th Durham Light Infantry) became Adjutant. The
+next day Blangerval and Blangermont were reached and a short stay made,
+half the Battalion being accommodated in each village. From here Major
+Hunt went up by car to see the forward area and died of heart failure on
+the journey. He was brought back to St. Pol, where he was buried in the
+cemetery, representatives of several battalions forming the funeral
+procession. Major A. Ebsworth, M.C., took over command.
+
+When the march was resumed the direction was changed, and, moving
+eastwards, billets were reached at Neuville-au-Cornet. Rumours were now
+spreading of the forthcoming battle and a further march to
+Villers-sur-Simon left no doubt that the Battalion would be involved.
+These were the last billets occupied by the men, the next portion of the
+trek bringing them to huts at Montenescourt, about six miles due west of
+Arras. Here Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O. (5th Yorkshire Regiment)
+arrived to take over the command, which he held for nearly a year.
+
+On the evening of the 11th April, in a blinding snowstorm, the Battalion
+moved forward to the fight. Marching through Arras, they came to the
+caves at Ronville. These caves were like nothing seen before. Excavated
+by Spanish prisoners in the middle ages to provide stone for the building
+of the city, they extended over an enormous area, and were capable of
+holding thousands of men. The sensation of finding oneself in this huge
+underground town, complete with electric light and water supply, after
+stumbling down a long, uneven stairway, will not be forgotten by those
+who survive.
+
+After one night here, the caves had to be evacuated next morning to make
+room for more troops coming up. The Germans had now been driven back as
+far as Wancourt, which was captured the previous day. On leaving the
+caves, cellars in Ronville village were occupied. No sooner were the men
+in, however, than orders were received to move further forward. The
+Battalion paraded on the road leading to Beaurains, which was crowded
+with vehicles and men, and marched off in the afternoon. After their
+experiences of trench warfare the sight of open, rolling country, the
+scene of yesterday's fighting, was very strange and, to some,
+invigorating. Passing through the ruins of Beaurains and Neuville
+Vitasse, the route turned across country towards Wancourt, and about dusk
+the Battalion reached a sunken road, where it halted. Owing to a delay in
+the arrival of the Lewis gun limbers, the Lewis gunners were behind the
+rest of the Battalion, and some difficulty was experienced by them in
+locating the sunken road. Up to this point there had been no firing or
+signs of activity. After a conference of Commanding Officers a relief of
+the 14th Division was arranged. W, X and Y Companies moved a little
+further up and occupied Niger and Nepal trenches, which were some
+distance behind the front line, and Z Company were sent to dig a trench a
+little further forward near Wancourt cemetery. Here they remained for the
+day. At night detailed orders were received for an attack at dawn, the
+Battalion's frontage being near Wancourt Tower.
+
+At 1 a.m. on the 14th April the men moved to the assembly position in the
+dry bed of the Cojeul River, with the 8th Battalion in support and 5th
+Border Regiment in reserve, the 9th Battalion being already in a line
+just south of Guemappe. The original orders had now been considerably
+altered, and zero hour arrived before fresh orders had been circulated to
+the Companies. The result was that at 4.30 a.m., after moving in file
+from the assembly position to a bank, some 200 yards in front, the
+Battalion advanced under a barrage in four waves of Companies, W being
+front and Z in rear, with no orders except a rough indication of the
+direction.
+
+As they advanced they were met by very heavy machine-gun fire from the
+front and from Guemappe in their left rear. W and X Companies reached the
+ridge 500 yards from the starting point, and passing down the other side,
+were not seen again during the day. Y and Z Companies also reached the
+ridge, but could get no further. Later they were joined by the 8th
+Battalion, which was also held up.
+
+The fighting then died down, but apart from one brief message from X
+Company no trace could be found of the two front Companies, and the
+casualties in the remaining two were very heavy. To add to the confusion,
+the 56th Division on the right had lost direction, and men of the London
+Regiment were everywhere mixed with those of the 50th Division.
+
+At dusk orders were received that the line on the ridge would be taken
+over by the London Rifle Brigade. As soon as the light permitted search
+was made for W and X Companies. Eventually the remnants consisting of 4
+officers and about 20 men were discovered. Having reached a small system
+of trenches, they had organised their defence and successfully beaten off
+determined attempts to surround them. About 80 men were finally assembled
+after the relief, and more joined the Battalion during the next few days,
+but the casualties amounted to over 200, or more than 50 per cent, of the
+total fighting strength. The officers killed were Capt. Brock, Lieut.
+Richardson, and 2nd Lieuts. Greener, Payne and Newton, whilst many were
+wounded. Capts. R.S. Johnson and H. Walton, commanding W and X Companies,
+were subsequently awarded the Military Cross, and Corporal Betts the
+D.C.M. and Croix de Guerre.
+
+After burying as many bodies as could be recovered, the remnants of the
+Battalion moved back to dug-outs in the Hindenburg Line on Telegraph
+Hill, which were reached, after a roundabout march, at dawn.
+
+From these dug-outs the Battalion returned next day to the caves at
+Ronville, where it was re-organised and re-equipped ready for further
+action. After four days' rest it again moved up, on the 21st April, this
+time to dug-outs in the trench system known as "The Harp," the Q.M.
+Stores remaining in Arras, where on the 22nd April Lieut. Lewis, acting
+Q.M., was killed by a shell. In "The Harp" fighting stores were issued,
+as the Battalion was to be in reserve for the attack on the 23rd April.
+At zero hour, just at dawn on that date, St. George's Day, the
+bombardment commenced, and the sight of the gun flashes against the red
+sky as the Battalion moved forward will not readily be forgotten. After
+two halts in sunken roads orders were received to occupy Niger trench
+once more, but by this time the fighting had died down. Although
+constantly on the alert, no further orders were received, and after two
+nights there, the Battalion was relieved by the 14th Division and
+returned to Telegraph Hill. One night was spent there, and the following
+day, the 27th, it entrained at Arras for Mondicourt, from where it
+marched to billets at Humbercourt, arriving about 3 a.m.
+
+Here a few days were spent resting and training, and on the 1st May a
+march was ordered to Berles-au-Bois, which was found to be a village of
+ruins without inhabitants. After one night there the Battalion marched to
+Riviere-Grosville, where the billets were quite good. Here Lieut. G.D.R.
+Dobson went to hospital, and Lieut. R.B. Ainsworth became Adjutant. Two
+or three days were spent there, and on the 3rd May a return was made to
+Humbercourt. Here very pleasant days were spent in training, particularly
+those on the range at Lucheux Forest, where elaborate field firing
+schemes were carried out.
+
+After about a fortnight there the Battalion was ordered up in reserve for
+an attack by the 33rd Division and marched to Monchy-au-Bois, where the
+accommodation was found to consist of an open field in which was a trench
+line and much wire. Shelters were erected of ground sheets, and a few
+tents obtained, and in these the men lived for five days, training being
+continued. Their services were not required in the line, however, and
+they marched back to Laherliere. Here a long stay was expected, but the
+following day the journey was resumed to Souastre, where the Battalion
+spent perhaps the most enjoyable month in its history. The men were
+accommodated in a hut camp built round a large parade and sports ground.
+As a result of easy training, plenty of recreation and fine weather, the
+_moral_ of the men reached a very high level.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+On the 15th June the Battalion returned to hold the line which it had
+helped to gain in April. Leaving Souastre, it marched to support at a
+camp near Henin-sur-Cojeul. There was practically no accommodation here
+and ground sheets had to be used as shelters. The following day it
+relieved the 10th Battalion Essex Regiment in the front line, just south
+of the Cojeul River Valley, opposite Cherisy. After four days in this
+sector it went out to Divisional reserve near Boisleux-au-Mont, where, on
+the 27th June, it was visited by Col. the Hon. W.L. Vane, the Honorary
+Colonel of the Battalion. A regular system of reliefs, which lasted for
+three months, now commenced. Under this system the Battalion had two
+periods of four days in the front line and one in support at Henin or
+Neuville Vitasse, followed by eight days in reserve in camp near
+Mercatel. The weather was good on the whole, and the trenches in
+excellent condition. The enemy was only moderately active and there were
+very few casualties. One of the Battalion areas in this sector was the
+bank from which the attack started on the 14th April, and whilst there a
+cross was erected to the memory of those who fell on that day.
+
+As a result of their long stay here, the men became very familiar with
+the whole area, and their experiences in the communication trenches,
+Foster Avenue, Shikar Lane, Kestrel Avenue, Avenue Trench and others were
+talked of for long after. Neither did they forget Lone Sap, from which
+the enemy captured two of their comrades, Cable Trench, which was raided
+by a party under 2nd Lieut. B.R. Leatherbarrow, Concrete Trench, the
+Hindenburg Line, the caves in Marliere Village, which on one occasion
+produced some interesting souvenirs left by the Boches, and many other
+localities.
+
+Apart from minor raids and counter-raids, the only outstanding incident
+was the double raid of the 15th September. This operation was carried out
+by the 9th Durham Light Infantry in the afternoon and repeated by the 8th
+Durham Light Infantry in the evening. The Battalion was holding the
+sector immediately on the right of the raiders, and its function was to
+draw the enemy's attention and fire by the exhibition of dummy figures
+and a dummy tank, which were later on view at the United Services Museum
+in Whitehall. 2nd Lieut. Leatherbarrow was in charge of these dummies,
+assisted by Sergeant P. Finn, who was awarded the Military Medal for his
+work.
+
+Other decorations earned during this period were Military Medals awarded
+to Corporal Nesbitt and Private Allison of X Company for digging out a
+man buried by shell fire, under very dangerous conditions.
+
+Apart from good work in the line not only in patrolling, etc., but also
+in improving the trenches till they were probably as good as any on the
+whole front, considerable work was done on the erection of reserve camps
+and horse standings. It was with some regret therefore that when at
+Northumberland Lines, a very comfortable hut camp near Mercatel, the men
+heard that they were to leave the area before the winter.
+
+Early in October they marched to a canvas camp at Gomiecourt, just off
+the main Bapaume road, and stayed there a short time training. The
+arrival of representatives from Divisions in the "Salient," to instruct
+in the methods adopted in the recent successful fighting there, left no
+doubts as to the next move.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+RETURN TO THE "SALIENT."
+
+
+About the end of October the Battalion marched one night to Bapaume,
+where it entrained for Esquelbecq, north-west of Cassel. On detraining it
+marched to billets at Eringhem for two nights. From there the march was
+continued to Arneke, and there the men were told that a short stay would
+be made, but early the next day orders were received to march to Proven,
+just inside the Belgian frontier. On the road, however, fresh orders were
+received, and the latter part of the journey, from Wormhoudt, was done by
+train.
+
+On arrival at Proven the Battalion occupied Piddington Camp on the
+Poperinghe road, and incidentally, renewed the acquaintance of Belgian
+mud. After one night there it moved for the next night to bivouacs known
+as Sarawak Camp, in the woods north of Poperinghe. This will probably be
+remembered as one of the dirtiest camps ever occupied. The last stage of
+the journey eastwards was done by train from Proven to Boesinghe.
+Arriving at the latter place in the morning, the men proceeded to Hulls
+Farm Camp close by, on the Ypres road. This camp was occupied, however,
+by the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, which was moving up in the
+afternoon to take part in an attack along the Ypres-Staden railway north
+of Poelcapelle. Whilst lying in an open field waiting to occupy the camp
+a visit was received from a squadron of Gotha bombing planes, and about
+20 casualties were suffered. About 5 p.m. the camp was taken over. Here
+the Battalion remained for three days, and had considerable experience of
+Hun aeroplane bombs, fortunately without further casualties.
+Exceptionally large working parties were demanded on each of the three
+nights, and their experiences were perhaps worse than those of the tour
+in the line which was to follow.
+
+The third battle of Ypres was still in progress at this time, and
+Passchendaele had not yet been taken. On the front between the railway
+and Houthulst Forest, due north of Poelcapelle, the 149th Infantry
+Brigade had attacked and advanced the line slightly. A further attack by
+battalions of the 150th Brigade had partially failed, and about the
+beginning of November the battalion moved up to occupy the left sector
+of the line which was just inside the forest.
+
+The journey up to the front line was far from pleasant. After crossing
+the canal it consisted of a six-mile walk along a duck-board track across
+one of the most devastated areas on the whole front, and to add to the
+difficulties, the enemy's artillery was very active. Owing to lack of
+roads for the transport, each man carried four days' rations. The
+position consisted of a series of water-logged shell holes, which were
+troubled considerably by low-flying aeroplanes. Battalion headquarters
+were in a pill-box known as Egypt House, which received very assiduous
+attention from the Boche gunners.
+
+As it had been decided to make no further attack on this sector, though
+an improved position was desired, the nights were spent in pushing
+forward the posts as far as possible under cover of darkness. This was
+done very successfully, and the battalion line was advanced during the
+tour by 200 yards with very few casualties. Several decorations were
+obtained for this work including the Bar to the Military Cross to Capt.
+J.F.G. Aubin, M.C., commanding Y Company; and the Military Cross to Capt.
+P.H.B. Lyon, commanding X Company. Sergts. Britton and Cruddace were
+awarded Bars to the Military Medal.
+
+After four days in the line, orders were received to move back to the
+neighbourhood of the canal for two days and then return. In view of the
+dangerous nature of reliefs, however, an alteration was asked for and
+obtained, and the Battalion completed its tour of six days. On relief by
+the 9th Battalion, it moved to Marsouin Farm Camp, near Pilkem, and spent
+a very unpleasant morning under fire from high velocity shells.
+Fortunately there were no casualties, and in the afternoon after the
+relief it again moved to a camp at Elverdinghe for a few nights.
+
+From there it entrained to Watten, and marched to billets at Houlle. Here
+a very enjoyable month was spent. The maltery, where W and X Companies
+were billeted, was one of the best billets they had been in for some
+time. The great feature of this month's training was the sports. After
+winning the Brigade Football and Cross Country Cups, the battalion won a
+great triumph by obtaining the Divisional Cross Country Shield. This was
+given to the unit which had the largest proportion of its ration strength
+over the course in a certain time. The percentage obtained, 64 per cent.,
+reflected the high state of efficiency to which the Battalion had now
+attained. For this high standard, a large amount of credit was due to
+R.S.M. G. Perry, D.C.M., who was unfortunately compelled by ill-health to
+leave the Battalion at Houlle, and subsequently went home, after nearly
+three years' active service. At his best on the parade ground and in his
+lectures on the history of his Regiment, his influence continued to be
+felt long after his departure, especially as he was succeeded by one whom
+he had trained in soldiering, C.S.M. J. Taylor, of X Company.
+
+During the first week in December the visit of officers to the line
+disclosed the new sector to be taken over, which included Passchendaele
+village, recently captured by the Canadians. A few days later the
+Battalion entrained at Watten for Brandhoek, where it spent a short time
+in a hut camp in Divisional reserve. From there it marched up through
+Ypres to a camp just west of Potijze Wood, the scene of its first action
+in April, 1915. After two days there a further move was made to the
+forward area, into a number of shelters known as the Seine area. The next
+step was to the front line, which consisted of a series of shell hole
+positions on the Passchendaele Ridge. Not only were these uncomfortably
+wet, but they were very difficult to locate in the dark, and many will
+remember the trouble experienced in selecting the routes from the heap of
+debris of what had once been the village church. Battalion Headquarters
+were in a German pill-box known as Hamburg. Four days were spent in the
+front line, and the Battalion then went to Divisional reserve again at
+Brandhoek. After another tour in the line, it again moved to Brandhoek on
+Christmas Day, and there completed the 24 days which entitled it to a
+similar period of rest and training. The whole tour had been without any
+exciting incidents, and casualties were small, in spite of persistent
+shelling which made the duck-board tracks (H, K, R.A.M.C., tracks, etc.)
+very unpleasant. The Christmas at Brandhoek was thoroughly enjoyed by the
+men. On Boxing Day a Christmas dinner was provided, consisting of
+turkeys, puddings, port wine, beer, etc., the orderly work being done by
+the N.C.O.'s, and the carving by the officers. A visit was paid to the
+Battalion here by the Corps Commander (Lieut-Gen. Sir Aylmer
+Hunter-Weston), who congratulated the men on their appearance and bearing
+immediately after an uncomfortable trench tour.
+
+From Brandhoek the Battalion moved by 'bus to the Steenvoorde area,
+where it was accommodated in very scattered billets for about ten days,
+during which it was training and resting. It then entrained at Eecke for
+Wizernes, near St. Omer, and marched to billets at Acquin. A stay of
+about a fortnight there was occupied in the use of an exceptionally good
+training area. A return was then made to the former front line, and
+detraining again at Brandhoek, the Battalion went this time to another
+hut camp known as Toronto. A similar system of reliefs as before was
+carried out and the tour was divided up into short periods at Brandhoek,
+St. Jean, and the Passchendaele sector. The line was somewhat quieter
+than on the previous occasion. The route to and from the trenches was now
+a new track called Judah track, a stretch of about three miles, which
+reflected great credit on the Pioneer Battalions. From Brandhoek to St.
+Jean and the return journeys were usually done by 'bus or light railway.
+The tour ended with a night in the cellars in the town of Ypres, and from
+there the Battalion marched to Ypres station and entrained to Wizernes
+again, and so to billets in St. Martin-au-Laert, a suburb of St. Omer.
+These billets were very good, and the advantage of being near a town was
+fully appreciated. The story of the Battalion would not be complete
+without a reference to the band, which, under the direction of Sergt.
+T.O. Hann, M.M., had reached a very high standard, and was second to none
+in the Division. With the buglers, whose smart appearance attracted much
+attention, a selection of music was played in the town daily at
+"Retreat." At this time, also, the Battalion concert party, the "Red
+Diamonds," trained by Capt. Cardew and Capt. Lyon, provided several very
+good entertainments.
+
+It was now March, and the great enemy offensive on the Somme was
+expected. After three weeks, the rest was abruptly terminated by orders
+to entrain for Amiens, and about the second week in March the Battalion
+marched off from St. Martin, and entrained at Arques. At this time it was
+perhaps as efficient as any on the Western front, having had few
+casualties during the past year, and also having had a large proportion
+of rest and training. The officers knew their men both in and out of the
+line, and it was confidently expected that in the coming active
+operations great credit would be earned--but the overwhelming disasters
+of the next three months were never anticipated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE SOMME, THE LYS AND THE AISNE.
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+On detraining at Longeau, the Battalion marched to billets in Corbie,
+where it stayed for one night. The following day it moved to the south of
+the main Amiens-Peronne road to Marcelcave, and was then in Fifth Army
+Reserve. Here, for about a fortnight the finishing touches were put to
+the training. Included in the programme were the final stages of the Army
+Rifle Association competition, in which No. 6 Platoon were defeated by a
+Platoon of the 8th Durham Light Infantry in the final of the Brigade
+contest. The officers were taken up to certain areas near Peronne, where
+the Battalion might have to deliver counter-attacks in the event of a
+German success. About the middle of March rumours of the impending attack
+became more numerous, and the intelligence reports containing prisoners'
+statements, etc., were not reassuring. At last, the date of the attack,
+the 21st March, became fairly certain, and the drum fire heard in the
+distance on that day was not unexpected.
+
+Orders were issued during the morning for a "stand-to" in readiness to
+move at very short notice, and about 3.45 p.m. instructions were received
+to entrain at Gouzeaucourt. In less than an hour the Battalion was on the
+march, the transport moving at the same time by road. After a short
+journey it detrained in the pitch dark at Brie, where Lewis guns, etc.,
+were placed on lorries, the orders being to move into billets near
+Peronne. Whilst waiting for guides, however, a staff officer of the
+Division arrived with fresh orders. Instead of proceeding to billets the
+Battalion was to move straight into the fight. The Lewis guns were
+removed from the lorries and replaced by blankets, and the Battalion
+marched off in the direction of Tincourt. Just to the south of that
+village and in front of Beuzy a reserve system of partially dug trenches,
+known as the Green Line, was at once occupied. This line was the next
+defence system behind the Brown Line, where the 66th and other Divisions
+had been overwhelmed in the morning. On the morning of the 22nd March the
+men watched with interest tanks moving up to counter-attack, but on the
+whole things were quiet. In the afternoon the shelling became heavier,
+and in the distance large massed bodies of the enemy could be seen. The
+first contact occurred when a German scout was wounded and captured by a
+patrol. Orders were then received that the line was to be held at all
+costs. The apparent strength of the position, however, inspired
+confidence, and it was not till towards dusk that the first serious
+casualties occurred.
+
+About 9 p.m. further orders were received to withdraw to a ridge in the
+rear, in front of Cardigny. The movement was successfully carried out in
+the dark, and at dawn the new position was reconnoitred and the
+dispositions completed. At 7 a.m. the startling orders were received that
+the Fifth Army was about to withdraw to the west of the Somme, and
+detailed instructions as to the rearguard action were issued. The
+Battalion was to cover the retirement of the 5th Durham Light Infantry,
+which would in turn cover a further withdrawal. Accordingly the village
+of Cardigny was occupied with a view to a temporary stand. No sooner was
+this done than the enemy were on the outskirts and their snipers and
+machine guns were giving considerable trouble. The position soon became
+untenable, and permission was obtained to withdraw. This was done without
+loss, largely owing to the courage of Y Company, who, under Capt. J.F.G.
+Aubin, M.C., formed the rearguard to the Battalion.
+
+The next line of defence was a trench system on a ridge near Le Mesnil,
+which overlooked the Somme to the rear. Here things were quiet, though it
+was known that the enemy was working round the flanks, through Peronne on
+the left and Le Mesnil on the right. There was still a considerable
+amount of transport on the east of the river, and it was expected that a
+fight would follow to allow this to get away. After about two hours,
+however, orders came to cross the river by the Eterpigny footbridge. A
+route was taken across country towards this bridge, but there being no
+gap through the marshes and undergrowth, the Battalion was forced to turn
+aside through Le Mesnil village and, incidentally, to pass under a light
+shrapnel barrage. It was not known that the village was in the enemy's
+hands, but as soon as Z Company, who were leading, had reached the far
+side, the remaining Companies were attacked. Again Y Company
+distinguished itself, as did W and X Companies. They at once deployed,
+and though driven towards the marshes, successfully checked the enemy and
+eventually followed Z Company over the partially destroyed footbridge,
+about 300 yards long, with the loss of only two officers, Lieut. D.F.
+Charlton (killed) and 2nd Lieut. A. Dobson (prisoner), and about 20 men.
+For his action Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, M.C., was awarded the D.S.O.
+
+When all the Companies had been assembled on the west of the river a line
+was formed, along with the remnants of another Division, overlooking the
+marshes. By this time the day's fighting had died down, and things
+remained fairly quiet throughout the night.
+
+Early on the following morning, the 24th March, orders were received to
+withdraw the Battalion to Foucaucourt. The Companies were therefore
+assembled on the road and marched back by the main Amiens-Peronne road to
+an old prisoners of war camp near Foucaucourt village. Further orders
+awaited them there to be ready to move up again, and in about two hours
+they were again marching eastwards. About 8 p.m. they were again in
+position, in reserve, in a line north-east of Estrées.
+
+The next morning the Battalion was hurriedly assembled and moved to
+Genermont, south of the main road, coming under the orders of the General
+Commanding the 8th Division. The situation here appeared to be very
+serious, as the enemy was advancing rapidly. Without any very definite
+orders the Battalion moved in artillery formation towards Marchelepot,
+but before reaching it the 8th Division, who were holding the line, had
+retired to the railway behind the village. Gaps along the line of the
+railway were accordingly filled by W and Z Companies, but it soon became
+necessary to put in Y Company also. No further developments occurred till
+about 5 p.m., when Y Company on the right found that the 24th Division on
+their right was withdrawing to Chaulnes ridge. A defensive flank was
+formed, and X Company moved to the north-east of Hyencourt to deliver a
+counter-attack if necessary. For a couple of hours the prospect looked
+very black, but the enemy did not press his advantage, and about 7 p.m.
+orders were received to withdraw the Battalion to a line of old trenches
+south-east of Pressoire. Here a quiet night was spent, with only a few
+casualties from shell fire.
+
+About 9 a.m. the next day the enemy renewed his attacks and a hurried
+withdrawal of the whole of the 8th Division was ordered. The instructions
+which reached the Battalion were somewhat confused, but along with the
+Battalions of the 24th Infantry Brigade they moved from the trenches in
+artillery formation, and passing through the ruins of Lihons--which was
+under observation, and consequently was heavily shelled as the men passed
+through it--continued the withdrawal almost to Rosières. About a mile
+south-east of that village a line was formed, but no further attack took
+place. In this position the Battalion had the 2nd Northants on its left
+and a Labour Battalion on its right.
+
+At 9.30 a.m. the next day (the 27th) the Labour Battalion withdrew and
+forced the two forward Companies of the Battalion to do the same. A
+counter-attack was delivered, however, and the line restored by the end
+of the day. The enemy renewed his attacks on the following morning, and
+the 24th Division on the right retired to Warvillers. Y Company then
+moved to Vrely to cover the withdrawal of the remainder of the Battalion
+to a line near Caix. It was during these operations that Lieut.-Col. F.W.
+Robson, D.S.O., was killed. He had commanded the Battalion for nearly a
+year, and could truly claim that he had realised his ambition of making
+it one of the finest in France. The best type of the Territorial officer,
+his death was a personal loss to every officer and man who served under
+him. The same day Capt. H. Walton, M.C., commanding Z Company, was also
+killed.
+
+The three Companies in the Caix valley occupied a wired trench facing
+Rosières, and were told that the troops in front would retire and occupy
+the line with them. Instead, however, these troops passed through them,
+and the whole line fell back to the wood south-east of Caix. Here the
+remains of the Battalion were re-organised, and going forward again,
+re-occupied the Caix line. For this action Capt. G.E. Cardew and 2nd
+Lieut. R. Wilson received the Military Cross.
+
+It was found impossible to hold the line much longer, and about 4 p.m.
+the Battalion withdrew along the Beaucourt road and received verbal
+instructions to move to Moreuil. The cooks, storemen, buglers, etc., who
+had been left behind when the Battalion had moved up on the 21st March,
+and had since been in action as part of a composite battalion, had been
+collected by Major T.B. Heslop, and with some stragglers were now at
+Ailly-sur-Noye. These were ordered up to the line on the 29th and moved
+to Demuin Wood, where they arrived after having marched 30 kilometres
+over congested roads during the previous 20 hours. They remained in the
+area for several days, and had a very strenuous time with several
+casualties. After this party had moved up, stragglers were collected by
+Capt. Aubin at Boves, and these, with the transport, moved by stages to
+Saleux, passing large numbers of French troops moving up to check the
+advance. At Saleux the remnants of the Division, except the details who
+were still in the line, were re-organised in case of emergency, and
+eventually entrained to Rue and marched to billets at Vron. Here Major
+Heslop and his party rejoined. These billets were not far from the coast,
+and it was expected that after the strenuous fortnight there would be a
+short rest. This was not to be, however, but, as an alternative, rumour
+suggested a tour of duty in an easy part of the line. This appeared to be
+confirmed when after two days the Battalion moved by 'bus to the Bethune
+area.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+On debussing just west of Bethune, the Battalion marched through the town
+to billets at Beuvry, which was about four miles behind one of the
+quietest sectors on the British front. Here a draft of about 400 men
+arrived, and preparations were being made for a relief of the 55th
+Division near La Bassée. These arrangements, however, were not carried
+out, and after a few days the Battalion moved by a short railway journey
+to Estaires, where it occupied billets in the town, all the
+officers--except the Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Transport Officer and
+Capt. Cardew--being in one billet, the Convent. At this time Estaires,
+though a very short distance behind the line, was a flourishing town.
+
+After a quiet day and night, alarming rumours of the second German
+offensive spread, and the next night there was a "stand-to." The day
+following, the officers and a few N.C.O.'s reconnoitred a line of posts
+in support which were to be occupied in the event of an attack, and in
+the evening instructions were received for a relief of the Portuguese
+Division, which was holding the line, the relief to take place the night
+after (9th April).
+
+On the night of the 8th April, there was another "stand-to," and at 4
+a.m. the threatened attack commenced with a heavy bombardment of the
+town. One of the first shells burst in the Convent, and all the occupants
+with two exceptions became casualties. The men, however, got out of their
+billets in safety, and the highest praise is due to the N.C.O.'s, who
+gave valuable assistance to the three surviving Company Officers in
+getting the Battalion into its battle positions in the Cockshy, Marais
+East and West, and Drumiez posts. Amongst the officers killed in the
+Convent were Capt. G. Kirkhouse, Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, D.S.O., M.C., and
+Lieut. C.L. Tyerman, all of whom had seen much service with the
+Battalion.
+
+The morning was misty, and beyond the fact that the Portuguese were being
+driven back in confusion, nothing definite could be ascertained as to the
+situation. The first reports which reached the Commanding Officer (Major
+T.B. Heslop) were to the effect that three Companies (W, X and Z) had
+been completely overwhelmed, and that two of his three Company Officers,
+Capt. Cardew (killed) and 2nd Lieut. Railton (prisoner) were casualties.
+The remainder of the Battalion, however, under Lieut. A.N. Brown, held
+its ground till the afternoon, when it was forced to withdraw to the
+railway near La Gorgue.
+
+At dusk, orders were received to cross the river Lawe and to hold the
+Western bank. This withdrawal was successful, and the opportunity was
+taken to reorganise the Battalion, which was divided into two companies,
+one under Lieut. Brown, with Sergt. P. Finn, M.M., and Sergt. Field; and
+the other under C.S.M. T. Sordy, M.C., with Sergts. Bell and Cooper. The
+strength of the Battalion was now barely 100, and when touch had been
+established on the flanks it was found that it was holding a frontage of
+about 2,000 yards.
+
+Assistance was therefore asked for, and a company of the Corps Cyclists
+and a company of the 7th Durham Light Infantry were attached. The latter
+were sent to fill a gap on the right flank between the Battalion and a
+Battalion of the Black Watch (51st Division). It was now about 10 a.m. on
+the 10th April, and the enemy had renewed his attack and gained a footing
+in Lestrem. From this, however, he was driven by the 7th Durham Light
+Infantry company, but further to the south he had pressed back the
+Highlanders.
+
+Orders were then received to withdraw in a N.W. direction to the line of
+the Lys canal, the company of 7th Durham Light Infantry being moved over
+to the left flank to fill a gap which had been caused by the readjustment
+of their line by the 5th Durham Light Infantry. Meanwhile, the 8th Durham
+Light Infantry, which was in rear, was ordered up to occupy the line
+between the right flank of the Battalion and the 51st Division.
+
+The new position was being fairly well held when it was reported that the
+5th Durham Light Infantry on the left had been forced to retire. Both
+flanks being now uncertain, the Battalion was withdrawn towards Merville,
+under very heavy machine-gun fire. A stand was made on the outskirts of
+the town, but before night the fighting was taking place in the streets
+of the town.
+
+The next day the retirement continued towards the Forêt de Nieppe, and a
+line was taken up near Le Sart. By this time the strength of the
+Battalion was very small, and with the remnants of the 8th Durham Light
+Infantry, a composite battalion was formed under Lieut.-Col. P. Kirkup,
+M.C. Eventually, all were withdrawn from the fighting, and moved to the
+grounds of La Motte Château, where they came under very heavy shell fire
+for a short time. For a few days longer they remained on the western edge
+of the Forest and provided working parties on new trenches in the forest
+itself on a line in front of the Rue des Morts. At the end of this time
+they were taken out to billets at Cohem, near Wittes, where they remained
+for about a week reorganising and cleaning. Here Lieut.-Col. F. Walton,
+M.C., returned and took over command of the Battalion from Major T.B.
+Heslop, who was subsequently awarded the D.S.O. for his services whilst
+in command. Other honours gained in the Lys battle were the Military
+Cross by Lieut. A.N. Brown, the bar to the Military Cross by C.S.M. T.
+Sordy, M.C., the D.C.M. by Sergt. P. Finn, and Military Medals by Sergts.
+Bell and Cooper.
+
+Having now shared in two great battles within a month, a rest was
+confidently expected, and very soon orders were received to move by 'bus
+to Lapugnoy, near Bethune, to entrain for an unknown destination, though
+rumour suggested somewhere near Paris.
+
+
+_Third Phase._
+
+After a twenty-four hours' journey, the Battalion detrained at Serzy, and
+marched to a hut camp at Arcis-le-Ponsart. Maps were scarce, but it was
+found that this village was somewhere east of Soissons, and that the
+nearest part of the line was the famous Chemin des Dames. The men of the
+Division were the first British troops to visit these parts, and the
+limited knowledge of the French language which they had found sufficient
+in Belgium and the North was found to be useless. Other Divisions were
+expected to come South, but for a short time the 50th occupied the unique
+position of being the only British troops in the Sixth French Army.
+
+In the camp at Arcis-le-Ponsart were all the battalions of the 151st
+Brigade, and the ceremony of Brigade guard mounting was revived. This
+took place daily in the centre of the village with the massed buglers and
+bands. On the occasion of a visit of the French Army Commander to
+Divisional Headquarters, a guard was provided at very short notice by the
+Battalion, and was complimented on its smart appearance and bearing. It
+may be mentioned that the bugler of this guard carried the silver bugle
+presented to the Battalion in 1861 by the ladies of Coundon.
+
+It was generally understood that the tour on this sector, which was one
+of the quietest in the line, was to be a period of rest and training
+prior to a return to the fighting further north. Accordingly, the days at
+Arcis were devoted to training, mostly in field work. The men whose
+training was not up to standard, including a certain number who had
+recently been transferred from the Inland Water Transport section of the
+Royal Engineers, were detached for separate instruction, and eventually
+went to form a Divisional School.
+
+After about three weeks' training, during which an epidemic of influenza
+visited the camp, the Battalion marched to billets in Glennes, a small
+village near the Aisne. Here final preparations were made for the line,
+and after a few days it moved up to relieve a battalion of the 73rd
+French Infantry Regiment in the woods immediately east of the Craonne
+Plateau.
+
+The relief was very interesting. Arriving in the woods in the dark, the
+men were led by French guides by bewildering tracks and trenches to the
+front line. When daylight came, the support companies found themselves
+amidst green trees, very different surroundings from those they had
+previously known as the forward area. To add to the general comfort there
+were practically no indications that the war was still on. The shelling
+consisted at the most of half-a-dozen explosions daily, and generally
+there was "nothing doing." The rations came up to Battalion Headquarters
+by train, and the carrying parties lost their terrors.
+
+After four days the Battalion moved out to the support area, which
+consisted of billets in the deserted village of Chaudardes. Here concerts
+were organised, there was bathing in the Aisne Canal, the band played
+selections in the centre of the village, and it was even possible to do a
+certain amount of training when the enemy's observation balloons were not
+up.
+
+The four days in support being finished, a return was made to the line,
+this time on the right sub-sector, with the 8th Durham Light Infantry on
+the left. The conditions were still good, and everything pointed to this
+being a rest sector for the enemy also.
+
+Nothing unusual occurred till the evening of the 26th May, when a message
+was received to the effect that a prisoner had stated that after a
+three-hours' bombardment the enemy was going to attack at 4 a.m. on the
+27th. Observers also reported that towards dusk the roads behind the
+enemy's line were black with troops. The situation appeared to be so
+improbable that it was difficult to regard it as serious. The necessary
+precautions were taken, however; reserves of ammunition were sent
+forward, surplus personnel were sent down to the transport lines, and
+everybody warned to be on the alert.
+
+Promptly at 1 a.m. on the 27th the barrage came down, and it was such as
+had never been experienced by the Battalion before. The enemy flooded the
+whole area to a depth of about 3,000 yards with high explosive, shrapnel,
+and gas shells. Even the stores and transport, as was afterwards
+disclosed, were shelled out of Muscourt, which was many miles back, south
+of the Aisne.
+
+Communication with the forward companies was maintained by telephone, and
+an occasional runner, and at 4.50 a.m. a message was received at
+Headquarters from the front line stating that the enemy had attacked in
+force and had overwhelmed the forward posts. An enemy tank was also
+reported to be tearing up the wire. The next information came from Capt.
+Lyon who, finding his Company (X) had been wiped out, reported at
+Battalion Headquarters that the enemy was advancing rapidly. The reserve
+company (Z), under Capt. R. Green, M.C., were in position close to
+Headquarters, and they reported the enemy on top of them, with machine
+guns behind their right flank and bombers behind their left.
+
+It was then decided to move Headquarters further to the rear, and it was
+afterwards discovered that at this time parties of the enemy were
+actually well in rear of the position.
+
+After moving down the communication trench for about 500 yards,
+Lieut.-Col. Walton, with the Adjutant and Signalling Officer, and Capt.
+Lyon, collected all the available men, about forty of the Battalion, and
+searched for the best place to make a stand. They were still under the
+barrage, and the smoke made matters very difficult. Presently the 5th
+Durham Light Infantry came up the trench to take up an allotted position,
+which they found to be already taken by the enemy. They moved off to the
+right of the main trench, however, and the forty men under Capt. Lyon
+joined them.
+
+A message was then received by the Commanding Officer telling him to
+report at Brigade Headquarters. On arrival, however, the dug-outs were
+found to be unoccupied. Enemy machine guns were now firing from the rear,
+and it was realised that apart from about half-a-dozen orderlies who
+formed the remains of the Headquarters personnel, the Battalion had been
+practically annihilated.
+
+In his search for the Brigadier, who, it afterwards transpired, had been
+killed, Lieut.-Col. Walton arrived at the bridge at Concevreux. Here he
+found a few men of the 8th Durham Light Infantry and the 5th
+Northumberland Fusiliers, with whom the bridge was held till the
+afternoon. Unfortunately, none of the Battalion joined this party from
+the front, and for the next two or three days the two Commanding Officers
+of the 6th and 8th Durham Light Infantry found themselves in command of
+various bodies of men of other battalions.
+
+Meanwhile those of the Battalion who were at the transport lines when the
+battle started had been collected on the road from Muscourt to Romain
+under Major T.B. Heslop, D.S.O., and placed under the orders of the
+G.O.C. 74th Brigade. Whilst on the road they could see enemy troops and
+guns on the far side of the Aisne valley and later saw these guns being
+fired point blank at them. Various positions were taken up during the
+day, the party being in close contact with the enemy and suffering many
+casualties. On the 29th these details, which had rejoined the transport,
+were ordered to move from Villers Argon to Baslieux-sous-Chatillon, but
+before reaching the latter place, every available man was again collected
+to form part of a Company under Major Heslop, representing the remnants
+of the 151st Brigade in a Battalion to which each Brigade of the Division
+contributed one Company. After a night in Quisles Château this Battalion
+moved towards Ville-en-Tardenois to support the 74th Brigade. The enemy's
+position was uncertain and the 151st Brigade Company were ordered to act
+as advance guard and to seize the high ground north and east of Romigny.
+This was done, but the enemy attacked in force, with the result that the
+Company were driven to a position south of the village which they held
+till reinforcements arrived.
+
+Eventually, the remnants of the Division, except the Composite Battalion,
+were assembled at Vert-la-Gravelle, south of the Marne, when a Composite
+Brigade was formed, consisting of a weak Battalion from each of the
+original Brigades. This Brigade, after about a week spent in
+reorganisation, moved up to Chaumuzy and the Bois de Courton, where it
+did good work in a counter-attack on the Bligny ridge. Meanwhile, the
+transport and stores moved back to Broyes, near Sezanne, where they were
+eventually joined by the members of the Composite Battalion. For actions
+during the whole of the operations, the Military Cross was awarded to
+Capt. A.B. Hare, Lieut. T. Rushworth, 2nd Lieut. J. Woodhead, and R.S.M.
+J. Taylor. The last named was wounded and was succeeded by C.S.M. T.
+Sordy, M.C. The Military Medal was awarded to Sergt. Malone, L.-Cpl.
+Ripley and Pte. Dinsley, and the French Croix de Guerre to Corpl. Nield.
+
+At Broyes still another Composite Battalion was formed from the Brigade
+in case of emergency, and though orders were received to proceed into the
+line, they were cancelled.
+
+Then came the news that owing to the military demands, the 50th Division
+was to be broken up. Nothing definite, however, could be ascertained, and
+early in June the remnants entrained at Sezanne for the Abbeville area.
+On detraining at Longpre they marched to billets at Caumont, where orders
+were received that the battalions were to be reduced to the strength of
+Training Cadres (10 officers and 50 other ranks). After a few days they
+marched to Warcheville, from where the surplus men (about 120) were sent
+to the Base. It may be mentioned that the total casualties in the
+Battalion during the months of March, April and May had been 60 officers
+and over 1,200 other ranks.
+
+In a few more days the Battalion, now a Training Cadre, moved by 'bus to
+a camp just outside Dieppe, and there a month was spent awaiting further
+orders. The time was spent in the training of the N.C.O.'s who were to be
+instructors on special subjects, and in visits to the town. The band had
+been lent to the 50th Division, which had been filled up by new
+battalions from Salonica and was able to play selections in the camp, and
+on one occasion in the town.
+
+At the end of the month's stay, about the middle of August, it was
+announced that the battalions were not to be disbanded, but retained for
+training purposes. A few days later the Cadres of the 5th, 6th and 8th
+Durham Light Infantry moved by train to Rouen, where they were to build a
+camp and start a new institution, that of instructing reinforcement
+officers at the Base in tactical schemes. The officers of the Cadres
+therefore began the latter work, whilst the N.C.O.'s and men worked, or
+superintended the work on the new camp. In this somewhat monotonous way
+two months dragged on, during which, in the temporary absence on sick
+leave of Lieut.-Col. Walton, Lieut.-Col. Montgomerie, M.C., of the
+Norfolk Regiment, was in command. The band still remained with the
+Battalion and after the Armistice was granted permission to play on the
+Joan of Arc statue, being the first British band to do so. They also had
+the unique experience of playing "Blaydon Races" in Rouen Cathedral.
+
+About the middle of October came rumours of the splitting up of the
+Cadres, and on the 18th October Lieut.-Col. Walton was ordered to proceed
+to take command of the 18th Durham Light Infantry. He was succeeded by
+Lieut.-Col. A.L. MacMillan of the Seaforth Highlanders, who commanded,
+however, for only a few days, for on the 6th November the Battalion was
+demobilised, and within a few days the personnel had been scattered to
+various battalions all over France.
+
+So within a few days of the Armistice, ended the career of the 6th Durham
+Light Infantry in France, after three and a half years of good work which
+had made for it, right up to the end, a reputation which bore not a
+single stain, and which on more than one occasion had caused it to be
+held up as an example of the efficiency of the Territorial Force to which
+it had the great honour to belong.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDICES.
+
+
+APPENDIX I.
+
+OFFICERS KILLED OR DIED.
+
+Major S.E. Badcock                   }
+Capt. T.J. Monkhouse                 }26th April, 1915.
+2nd Lieut. C.S. Kynoch               }
+2nd Lieut. J.M. Hare                  24th May, 1915.
+2nd Lieut. G.C. Robertson             21st July, 1915.
+2nd Lieut. L.M. Peberdy               22nd Dec., 1915.
+2nd Lieut. L. Meyer                   11th June, 1916.
+2nd Lieut. R.J. Harris                16th June, 1916.
+2nd Lieut. J.C. Miller                27th July, 1916.
+2nd Lieut. H.C. Annett                15th Sept., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. N.F. Charlton              18th Sept., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. W. Little                  1st Oct., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. D.R. Peacock               2nd Oct., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. C.H.B. Catford[A]          5th Oct., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. G.W. Robson               }
+2nd Lieut. A.S. Ritson               }
+2nd Lieut. S. Robson                 }5th Nov., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. T.F. Applegarth           }
+2nd Lieut. K.B. Stuart               }
+2nd Lieut. H. Fell                   }
+Major W.D. Carswell Hunt, M.C.[B]     5th April, 1917.
+Capt. A.L. Brock                     }
+Lieut. W.H. Richardson               }
+2nd Lieut. J.W. Payne                }14th April, 1917.
+2nd Lieut. H. Greener                }
+2nd Lieut. W.L. Newton               }
+2nd Lieut. D.D.R. Lewis[A]            22nd April, 1917.
+Lieut. D.F. Charlton                  24th March, 1918.
+2nd Lieut. T. Sharkey                }
+2nd Lieut. A.R. Burn                 }26th March, 1918.
+Capt. H. Walton, M.C.                }
+Lieut. T.J. Burton[A]                }27th March, 1918.
+Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O.      }
+2nd Lieut. A.A. Horwood               28th March, 1918.
+Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, D.S.O., M.C.     }
+Capt. G.E. Cardew, M.C.              }
+Capt. G. Kirkhouse                   }
+Capt. Mackenzie (R.A.M.C.)[A]        }9th April, 1918.
+Lieut. C.L. Tyerman                  }
+Lieut. D.B. Scott                    }
+2nd Lieut. R.A. Wilson, M.C.         }
+2nd Lieut. F. Shirtliffe             }
+Capt. W.B. Hansell                   }27th May, 1918.
+Capt. A.N. Brown, M.C.               }
+2nd Lieut. J.C. Garritt.              30th May, 1918.
+
+[Footnote A: Died of wounds.]
+
+[Footnote B: Died.]
+
+
+APPENDIX II.
+
+(_The ranks shown are the highest held by the respective officers during
+their service in France_.)
+
+COMMANDING OFFICERS.
+
+Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson               19th April-28th April, 1915.
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     28th April-19th May, 1915.
+Major W.E. Taylor (York and           19th May-24th May, 1915.
+  Lancaster Regt.).
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     24th May-11th Aug., 1915.[C]
+Brig.-Gen. O.C. Borrett, C.M.G.,      11th Aug.-15th Aug., 1915.
+  D.S.O. (King's Own Regt.).
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     15th Aug.-19th Dec., 1915.
+Brig.-Gen. G.A. Stevens, C.M.G.,      19th Dec., 1915-27th April, 1916.
+  D.S.O. (Royal Fusiliers).
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     27th April,-23rd Sept., 1916.
+Major G.E. Wilkinson, M.C.            23rd Sept.-1st Oct., 1916.
+  (Northumberland Fusiliers).
+Brig.-Gen. R.B. Bradford, V.C.,       1st Oct.-2nd Oct., 1916.
+  M.C.
+Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C.,        2nd Oct.-6th Nov., 1916.
+  D.C.M. (East Lancashire Regt.).
+Lieut.-Col. H.M. Allen, C.M.G.,       6th Nov., 1916-Feb., 1917.
+  D.S.O. (Black Watch).
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     Feb.-25th March, 1917.
+(During this period the command was held for short intervals by
+Lieut.-Col. W.B. Little, D.S.O., M.C. (East Lancashire Regt.), and
+Lieut.-Col. E. Crouch, D.S.O., D.C.M. during the temporary absence in
+hospital of Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys.)
+Major W.D. Carswell Hunt. M.C.        25th March-5th April, 1917.
+Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C.,        5th April-11th April, 1917.
+  D.C.M.
+Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O.,      11th April, 1917-27th Mar., 1918.
+  (Yorkshire Regt.).
+Lieut.-Col. T.B. Heslop, D.S.O.       27th March-April, 1918.
+Lieut.-Col. F. Walton, M.C.           April-18th Oct., 1918.
+(During this period the command was held for a few days by Lieut.-Col.
+E.W. Montgomerie, M.C. (Norfolk Regt.), during the temporary absence of
+Lieut.-Col. Walton.)
+Lieut.-Col. A.L. MacMillan (Seaforth  18th Oct.-6th Nov., 1918.
+  Highlanders).
+
+
+ADJUTANTS.
+
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     19th April-28th April, 1915.
+Lieut. R.V. Hare                      28th April-19th May, 1915.
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     19th May-24th May, 1915.
+Capt. P.H.B. Lyon, M.C.               24th May-20th Dec., 1915.[C]
+Brig.-Gen. R.B. Bradford, V.C.,       20th Dec.-31st Dec., 1915.
+  M.C.
+Lieut. C.E.G. Yaldwyn                 31st Dec., 1915-May, 1916.
+Capt. G. Kirkhouse                    May-20th Sept., 1916.
+Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C.,        20th Sept.-2nd Oct., 1916
+  D.C.M.
+Capt. G. Kirkhouse                    2nd Oct.-10th Nov., 1916.
+Lieut. T.J. Arnott (Gordon            10th Nov., 1916-5th April, 1917.
+  Highlanders)
+Major G.D.R. Dobson, M.C.             5th April-3rd May, 1917.
+Capt. R.B. Ainsworth, M.C.            3rd May, 1917-6th Nov., 1918.
+
+
+QUARTERMASTER.
+
+Capt. W.M. Hope, M.C.                 19th April, 1915-6th Nov., 1918.
+(With short interval when wounded in 1918.)
+
+
+TRANSPORT OFFICER.
+
+Lieut. H.T. Bircham, M.C.             19th April, 1915-June, 1918.[C]
+
+[Footnote C: With interval from 8th June-11th Aug., 1915 during the
+amalgamation of the 6th and 8th Battalions.]
+
+
+APPENDIX III
+
+(_The ranks shown are the highest held by the respective officers during
+their service in France_.)
+
+DECORATIONS WON BY OFFICERS SERVING WITH THE BATTALION.
+
+D.S.O.
+
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys.
+Lieut.-Col. T.B. Heslop.
+Capt. J.F.G. Aubin.
+
+M.C. & BAR.
+Capt. J.F.G. Aubin.
+
+M.C.
+
+Lieut.-Col. F. Walton.
+Capt. T. Welch.
+Capt. R.H. Wharrier.
+Capt. H. Walton
+Capt. R.S. Johnson.
+Capt. R.B. Ainsworth.
+Capt. P.H.B. Lyon
+Capt. W.M. Hope
+Capt. G.E. Cardew.
+Capt. A.N. Brown.
+Capt. T. Rushworth.
+Capt. A.B. Hare.
+Lieut. W.P. Gill.
+Lieut. G.R. Angus.
+Lieut. B.J. Harvey.
+Lieut. H.T. Bircham.
+2nd Lieut. R.A. Wilson.
+2nd Lieut. J. Woodhead.
+
+The V.C. was won by Brig.-Genl. R.B. Bradford whilst in command of the
+6th and 9th Battalions.
+
+
+
+
+THE ARDEN PRESS
+
+[Illustration]
+
+W.H. SMITH & SON
+STAMFORD STREET
+LONDON: S.E.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the 6th Battalion, The
+Durham Light Infantry, by Unknown
+
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the 6th Battalion, The Durham
+Light Infantry, by Unknown
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of the 6th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
+       France, April 1915-November 1918
+
+Author: Unknown
+
+Editor: R.B. Ainsworth
+
+Release Date: September 5, 2005 [EBook #16660]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE 6TH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Irma Spehar, Christine D and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
+Produced from page images provided by Internet
+Archive/Canadian Libraries
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>THE STORY OF THE</h1>
+<h1>6th BATTALION</h1>
+<h1>THE DURHAM LIGHT</h1>
+<h1>INFANTRY</h1>
+
+<p class="center">France, <i>April</i> 1915&mdash;<i>November</i> 1918</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 237px;"><a href="images/front.jpg">
+<img src="images/front_th.jpg" width="237" height="399" alt="Cover" title="" /></a>
+</div>
+
+<h5>EDITED BY</h5>
+
+<h2>CAPT. R.B. AINSWORTH, M.C.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 35%;" />
+
+<h5>LONDON</h5>
+<h5>THE ST. CATHERINE PRESS</h5>
+<h5>STAMFORD STREET, S.E.</h5>
+<h5>1919</h5>
+
+<hr style="width: 35%;" />
+
+<h3>CONTENTS.</h3>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='right'><span class="smcap">Page</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Foreword</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#FOREWORD">7</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER I.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The "Salient"</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_I">9</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER II.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Armenti&egrave;res and the Return to the "Salient"</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_II">20</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER III.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Somme</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_III">25</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER IV.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Arras</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">35</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER V.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Return to the "Salient"</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_V">41</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER VI.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Somme, the Lys and the Aisne</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">45</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>APPENDICES.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Officers Killed Or Died, Commanding Officers, Decorations, Etc.</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#APPENDICES">57</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="FOREWORD" id="FOREWORD"></a>FOREWORD.</h2>
+
+
+<p>During one of the short periods of training in 1917,
+it was suggested that lectures should be delivered to
+the troops on the history of their battalions in France.
+Accordingly Capt. G. Kirkhouse, then Assistant Adjutant,
+set to work to collect material for this purpose. Owing to
+there being no officers, and very few men, who had served
+continuously with the Battalion since April, 1915, the task
+was not easy, and it was found impossible to complete the
+information in time for a lecture before the Battalion returned
+to the line. The material was carefully preserved,
+however, and was the only portion of the records which
+survived the disaster of the 27th May, 1918. As soon as
+time permitted, the task was continued, but owing to there
+being very few survivors of earlier days, many details have
+probably escaped notice. Imperfect and incomplete as the
+story is, however, it is hoped that the details related will
+serve to recall other incidents, both pleasant and unpleasant,
+to those members of the Battalion who have been fortunate
+enough to survive.</p>
+
+<p>It is regretted that it has not been found practicable to
+include a chapter on the inner life of the Battalion which
+centred round the characters of some of its members. So
+many names occur to one's mind that a chapter would be
+inadequate to mention all, and the exclusion of any would
+have involved an invidious and unjustifiable selection.</p>
+
+<p class="right">R.B.A.</p>
+<p><i>July, 1919.</i></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The "Salient."</span></h3>
+
+<h4><i>First Phase.</i></h4>
+
+
+<p>The end of March, 1915, found the 50th (Northumbrian)
+Division of the Territorial Force awaiting orders to proceed
+overseas. The infantry of the Division consisted of the
+149th Infantry Brigade (4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions
+Northumberland Fusiliers), the 150th Infantry Brigade
+(4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, 4th and 5th Battalions
+Yorkshire Regiment, and 5th Battalion The Durham
+Light Infantry), and the 151st Infantry Brigade (6th, 7th,
+8th and 9th Battalions The Durham Light Infantry).
+Early in April, when the 6th Battalion The Durham Light
+Infantry were in billets at Gateshead, the orders arrived and
+on the 10th April Capt. F. Walton proceeded to Havre to
+make arrangements for the arrival of the transport section.
+The first detachment of men to leave Gateshead consisted
+of the transport and machine-gun sections which, under
+Major J.E. Hawdon, Second in Command, and Lieut. H.T.
+Bircham, Transport Officer, entrained at the Cattle Market,
+Newcastle, on the 17th April for Southampton, <i>en route</i> for
+Havre.</p>
+
+<p>Two days later the remainder of the Battalion entrained
+at the Central Station, Newcastle, with the following officers:
+Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson in command, Capt. J.W. Jeffreys,
+Adjutant; Major W.M. Mackay, Medical Officer; Capt.
+A.P. Cummins, commanding A Company; Major S.E.
+Badcock, commanding B Company; Capt. W.H.D. Devey,
+commanding C Company; and Capt. J. Townend, commanding
+D Company. Arriving at Folkestone the same
+day, the Battalion embarked for Boulogne, where it arrived
+about midnight and marched up to Ostrohove Camp.</p>
+
+<p>The following day it entrained at Pont de Briques Station,
+on the train which brought the transport and machine-gun
+sections from Havre. The complete battalion detrained at
+Cassel, and after marching all night arrived in billets at
+Hardifort at 5 a.m. on the 21st April.</p>
+
+<p>On the 23rd April orders were received to march at very
+short notice to Steenvoorde, where the whole of the 151st
+Infantry Brigade, commanded at this time by Brig.-General
+Martin, was assembled in a field at the eastern end of the
+town. During the remainder of the day the men were
+allowed to rest. At dusk two battalions of the Brigade,
+the 7th and 9th Battalions, marched off in fighting order.
+The other two Battalions (the 6th and 8th) proceeded by
+'buses through Poperinghe to Vlamertinghe, where they
+took over a hut camp recently vacated by the 9th Royal
+Scots.</p>
+
+<p>It was now evident that the lessons which the Battalion had
+learnt during its long period of training were very soon to
+be put into practice. The 24th April was spent in testing
+rifles and making final preparations for action, and in the
+evening an order arrived from the Brigade to get ready to
+move quickly. This order was given out and within half an
+hour the Battalion was on the pav&eacute; road, marching towards
+Ypres. It entered the town as night settled on it. At this
+date the town was not ruined and the results of the shelling
+were hardly noticeable. As the Battalion was passing the
+Cloth Hall a shell came screaming faintly towards it, and,
+passing over, burst with a dull roar in the city a quarter of
+a mile away. There had been no talking in the ranks nor
+any sound except the beat of ammunition boots on the pav&eacute;,
+but when this shell screamed overhead and burst, ejaculation
+in the good old Durham tongue could be heard passing
+cheerily up the length of the column. Two or three more
+shells passed over, but none burst near the Battalion.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching the top of the hill to the east of the city and
+leaving the white walls of Potijze Ch&acirc;teau on the left, the
+Battalion turned off the road and filed into the G.H.Q. line,
+a Battalion of the Shropshire Light Infantry climbing out
+to make room. This trench was of the breastwork type,
+and a novelty to the men whose idea of a trench was a ditch
+below the ground level. The dispositions of the Battalion
+were as follows: A Company were on the south side of the
+Potijze road and the remainder on the north side, with
+B Company on the right, D Company in the centre, and
+C Company on the left. The machine-gun section was with
+D Company. Transport lines were established just behind
+the Ch&acirc;teau near to a Canadian Battery. The position was
+unfortunate, for the section came under heavy shell fire and
+had several men and horses hit.</p>
+
+<p>Sunday, the 25th April, was the first day spent by the
+Battalion in the trenches. There was a considerable amount
+of shelling, but fortunately the Battalion in the trenches did
+not suffer. In the evening, as it got dark, the Battalion
+moved out of the trench and, forming up on the road which
+it had left the previous night, marched in fours for about a
+mile to Velorenhoek village, which was then almost intact.
+There the Battalion came under the orders of the 85th
+Infantry Brigade, and halted. All ranks slept for some hours
+on the roadside, or in the fields, gardens or cottages close to
+the road. Before dawn the Brigadier ordered the Battalion
+to vacate the village, and the column moved a few hundred
+yards up the road to the east. Here the Companies left
+the road and the men improved with their entrenching tools
+the little cover in the form of ditches and trenches which was
+to be found, and then lay down. Throughout this and the
+succeeding days the men were in marching order with full
+packs. The transport moved back to Potijze Wood, except
+the ration limbers, which went back to Poperinghe.</p>
+
+<p>About 10 a.m. on the 26th word was passed for the Commanding
+Officer and Adjutant, who accordingly reported to
+the Brigadier of the 85th Brigade. He was standing on the
+north side of the road on a little rising ground from which
+there was a view for a mile or two to the eastward. He
+gave the following order verbally: "The Germans have
+broken through our line and are advancing south-west.
+The Durham Light Infantry (6th Battalion) will advance
+and take up positions between Zonnebeke level crossing and
+Hill 37." He described the position of the crossing, later
+known as Devil's Crossing, by pointing out the direction
+and stated that the hill with a few trees on it to the E.N.E.
+was Hill 37. He further stated that the Shropshire Light
+Infantry would be on the right and that Lieut.-Colonel
+Bridgford, of that Regiment, would be in command of the
+6th Battalion.</p>
+
+<p>Orders were accordingly issued to Company Commanders
+verbally by the Adjutant as follows: The Battalion is to
+occupy the line between Hill 37, which can be seen on the
+left front, and Zonnebeke crossing, which lies on the road.
+Captain Cummins's Company (A) will march on the crossing
+and Captain Townend's Company (D) on Hill 37. Major
+Badcock's Company (B) and Captain Devey's Company (C)
+will divide the space between. Advance in artillery formation,
+take advantage of the cover afforded by the ground, and
+each Company Commander should accompany one of his
+rear Platoons. When Companies had gained suitable positions
+on this line they were to deploy and attack by fire any
+bodies of the enemy who might attempt to cross their front.
+The whole operation was under direct observation by enemy
+balloons, and as soon as the Companies moved an intense
+barrage was put down. B Company, on the right, however,
+had a comparatively good time and suffered very few casualties,
+whilst No. 5 Platoon, under Lieut. A.B. Hare, had none
+at all, and reached Zonnebeke Crossing in safety. The
+remaining Companies got the full effect of the barrage,
+which included gas shells, and lost direction towards the left.
+Capt. W.H.D. Devey, commanding C Company, was
+wounded, Capt. J. Monkhouse killed, and 2nd Lieut. H.H.
+Nicholson wounded. As a result of the loss of direction a
+gap was formed, and A Company were pushed forward to
+fill it. In spite of heavy casualties the line was maintained,
+and continued to advance, firing all the time on the enemy,
+who could be seen from the new positions. It was not till
+they had advanced a considerable distance that the officers
+and men found that there was another line of British troops
+ahead of them, holding out in shell-holes, on hillsides, etc.</p>
+
+<p>When this was discovered, Lieut. T.B. Heslop, with No. 11
+Platoon and part of No. 9 Platoon, joined the London Rifle
+Brigade; 2nd Lieut. R.V. Hare, with No. 10 Platoon, joined
+a Battalion of the Shropshire Light Infantry, and 2nd Lieut.
+G. Angus, with the remainder of No. 9 Platoon, took up a
+position in support on the hill. By this time A and D
+Companies were in the forward positions. As already
+described, A Company had moved up to fill the gap between
+B and C Companies, and D Company had also moved to the
+assistance of C Company. As a result, the men of all Companies
+were mixed together, and it is difficult to say how
+they were distributed, but A Company seem to have been
+in two parts, one with D Company and one next to B
+Company. The former passed over Hill 37 and eventually
+joined the London Rifle Brigade in some ditches which
+formed the front line. There they suffered many casualties.
+Amongst others, Major S.E. Badcock and 2nd Lieut. Kynoch
+were killed and Capt. F. Walton and 2nd Lieut. G. Kirkhouse
+were wounded. As soon as the advance had commenced,
+the Adjutant, Capt. J.W. Jeffreys, had galloped through
+the barrage to find Zonnebeke crossing. Having shown it
+to the Company on the right flank he proceeded along the
+line and found a Platoon of D Company under 2nd Lieut.
+Lyon digging themselves in. A little further along another
+Platoon was found, and whilst showing them the line he was
+heavily fired on. After returning to Brigade Headquarters
+for a fresh horse he went to Hill 37 and there heard of D
+Company from some men of the Rifle Brigade. Before
+dusk all formed parties had got into touch with Battalion
+Headquarters, which were at Zevencote barn, beside Zonnebeke
+level crossing.</p>
+
+<p>About 4 p.m. Lt.-Col. Bridgford, who was in command of
+all troops in this sector, issued orders for an attack to be made
+to clear the enemy from the Fortuin-Passchendaele Road.
+The attack was to be made by two Companies of the Shropshire
+Light Infantry, with the 7th Durham Light Infantry in
+support and the 6th in reserve. The attacking troops were
+to pass through the front line and establish a new line on
+the road when captured. A conference of officers was held,
+and it was ascertained that the men available for the attack
+were as follows:&mdash;No. 3 Platoon under 2nd Lieut. Blenkinsop,
+Nos. 5, 7 and 8 Platoons, under Capt. T. Welch, with Lieuts.
+A.B. Hare and H.C.W. Haythornthwaite; No. 9 Platoon
+under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus, and about forty men of D Company
+under Capt. J. Townend and 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon.</p>
+
+<p>The Battalion, which was lying in a trench near the road,
+began to advance about 7 or 8 p.m., moving in artillery
+formation and following the 7th Durham Light Infantry
+towards the ridge to the north of Zonnebeke.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the ridge, which was found unoccupied, the
+7th Battalion moved off to Zonnebeke and the 6th Battalion
+was ordered to send three Companies to the support of the
+Hampshire Regiment on Gravenstafel Ridge further to the
+north.</p>
+
+<p>In accordance with the orders issued by Lt.-Col. Hicks,
+commanding the Hampshires, B Company, who were about
+90 strong, left the remainder of the Battalion, who were
+now at Hicks' Farm and moved to reinforce 2nd Lieut. Ball
+of the Royal Fusiliers (28th Div.), who, with 100 men,
+was holding a position on the Gravenstafel Ridge. This
+position consisted of a much battered breastwork, of which
+only isolated portions offered any cover. The remainder of
+the Battalion was then divided. C Company were sent to
+garrison a strong point near a neighbouring farm, leaving
+No. 9 Platoon, under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus, to form a ration
+party. A Company was held in reserve in isolated trenches.
+Battalion Headquarters and D Company moved back to
+Zevencote barn, where the Company occupied some trenches.</p>
+
+<p>On the night of the 27th April, A Company with about
+twenty men of D Company were sent to fill a gap between the
+Hampshires and the Shropshires, where they dug themselves
+in. The following day Capt. A.P. Cummins and Capt. D.
+Park were seriously wounded by a sniper firing from behind
+their line, and 2nd Lieut. Blenkinsop took over command
+till the arrival at night of Lieut. R.V. Hare. C.S.M.
+Lancaster of A Company was also badly wounded.</p>
+
+<p>The men on the left of B Company, under Lieut. H.C.W.
+Haythornthwaite during these days, were in very close
+touch with the enemy, being separated from them in the
+same trench by a block about ten yards wide. They were
+the first of the Battalion to use rifle grenades, which were
+taken up to them by a party of the Buffs. On the night of
+the 28th April No. 6 Platoon was sent up to join the
+Company, but it was found that they could not be accommodated
+in the trench and they returned to Battalion
+Headquarters. All through this period the Company was
+existing under very difficult conditions. The evacuation of
+wounded was almost impossible, and Corpl. Hardy did
+excellent work in establishing an aid post and attending to
+wounded for four days and nights. He was subsequently
+mentioned in dispatches for this good work. Their only
+rations were taken up on the night of the 28th by a party of
+No. 9 Platoon under Corpl. Hall, and water was collected
+from shell holes in empty ammunition boxes.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst in the front line, both A and B Companies were
+constantly under fire from trench mortars ("sausages")
+and snipers, some of whom were firing from the rear. Several
+of the posts held by B Company were blown in, and in one,
+occupied by Sergt. Bennison and ten men, all were hit
+except Ptes. Walters and Fenwick. In another post the
+shelter was blown in and several men wounded and buried.
+Pte. Robinson, the only man not hit, crossed the open to
+the next post, but was unable to obtain assistance. He
+thereupon went back, and under constant fire, dug out
+several men. For this action he was awarded the D.C.M.
+and Croix de Guerre.</p>
+
+<p>The machine-gun section was in action on the 26th April,
+and for his good work in handling them Lieut. W.P. Gill
+was awarded the Military Cross. After being withdrawn
+on the night of the 26th the guns were kept in reserve at
+Battalion Headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>During the whole of the four days the Battalion was in
+the line, parties from D Company under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus
+did good work in distributing rations, which were brought up
+from Poperinghe to Zonnebeke Crossing by limber. The
+exact location of the different parties was doubtful, and the
+absence of roads, tracks or landmarks made the delivery of
+rations to the men a very unpleasant task.</p>
+
+<p>On the 30th April came news of relief. A Company were
+relieved at night by the 1st Battalion Northumberland
+Fusiliers and moved back to the Convent near Velorenhoek.
+B Company had further unpleasant experiences. Their
+relief by a Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers took place nearly
+at dawn, and it was impossible to get further than Hicks'
+Farm before it was too light to move. They were accordingly
+put into a barn and some trenches for the day, being
+still only about 300 yards from the enemy, whose aeroplanes
+were very active directing fire on to the position. This fire
+was fairly successful, and the barn was hit and set on fire
+and Lieut. A.B. Hare wounded. The men showed excellent
+discipline on this occasion and stood fast till led out to occupy
+a neighbouring trench. At night the Company rejoined the
+rest of the Battalion at the Convent, where the whole were
+accommodated in trenches near the road.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to the honours already mentioned the following
+were subsequently awarded for work during this period:&mdash;Capt.
+T. Welch received the Military Cross for his work with
+B Company on Gravenstafel Ridge, being the first officer
+in the Brigade to win the decoration; R.S.M. G. Perry, who
+had been doing excellent work for the Battalion since
+mobilization, was granted the D.C.M. for his work in organising
+ration parties; and C.S.M.s McNair and Bousfield (afterwards
+commanding 15th D.L.I.) also received the D.C.M.
+for gallantry after casualties to officers. Others, who did
+excellent work, but received no decoration, were Lieut.
+W.F.E. Badcock, Signalling Officer, and his Sergeant, H.
+Elliott; Sergts. Linsley and Wallace, of B Company; Pte.
+Newton of A Company, and Pte. Hall of C Company.</p>
+
+<p>The casualties had been fairly heavy, and included fifteen
+officers, amongst whom was Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson, who
+left the Battalion sick on the 28th April. Capt. J.W. Jeffreys
+had assumed command with Lieut. R.V. Hare as Adjutant.</p>
+
+
+<h4><i>Second Phase.</i></h4>
+
+<p>On the 30th April the enemy delivered another attack,
+using gas. This fell mainly on the Irish Regiment, but the
+6th Battalion in reserve occupied battle positions, and
+collected many men who were driven back by the gas. At
+night the Battalion marched back to huts in Brielen Wood,
+where it rested for 24 hours. Leaving there, it marched to
+St. Jansterbiezen, where it was inspected on the morning of
+the 2nd May by Sir John French, who thanked the men for
+their good work and praised especially A and B Companies.
+On the 8th May a draft of officers joined the Battalion, and
+the following day a move was made back to Brielen Woods.
+Here the Battalion, living in bivouacs, was in Divisional
+reserve for one day. The transport and Q.M. Stores moved
+into a field near Poperinghe.</p>
+
+<p>After this short rest the Battalion learnt that it was to
+return to the scene of its first experiences. On the 10th May
+it marched to Potijze and occupied the G.H.Q. line near the
+railway and some dug-outs in the cutting south-east of
+Ypres. Here the men were shelled at intervals, particularly
+on the 13th, and spent the nights on working parties. It
+was whilst in this area that the new gas respirators, consisting
+of a pad of cotton wool and a strip of muslin, were issued on
+a scale of one to every twelve men. On the 19th May
+Major W.E. Taylor, York and Lancaster Regiment, arrived
+and took over command from Capt. Jeffreys. Two days
+later the Battalion was relieved by the East Surrey Regiment,
+and returned to Brielen huts.</p>
+
+<p>During the next few days the artillery fire increased
+considerably on both sides, and just before dawn on Whit
+Monday, the 24th May, the Germans launched their gas
+attack. The gas cloud drifted towards Brielen and the men
+were roused and moved about half a mile from the camp to
+which they returned for breakfast and to prepare to move
+into action. The morning had turned out bright and fine
+when they paraded and marched off to Potijze. In those
+days the road leading out of Ypres eastwards was still
+marked by leafy trees, and as the Battalion marched along
+it, trees, branches and leaves were lying about, brought
+down by the heavy fire. Arriving at the wood, which was
+being heavily shelled, the men were put into ditches and
+half-dug trenches. Later in the day packs were collected,
+and in the lighter "Fighting Order" the men manned the
+G.H.Q. line in front of the wood, being in reserve to the
+3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, who were under orders to
+deliver a counter-attack. Whilst taking up this position
+Major Taylor was wounded and 2nd Lieut. J.M. Hare killed,
+and Capt. Jeffreys again assumed command. The counter-attack
+was cancelled and the Battalion moved back to dug-outs
+on the Menin Road, where it stayed all the next day.</p>
+
+<p>On the night of the 25th May the whole Battalion paraded
+as a working party to dig a front line trench to fill a gap
+caused by the German attack. The right of this trench was
+on the railway cutting, the enemy being on the other side
+of the cutting. The men worked magnificently and finished
+the task in less than two hours. As soon as it was completed
+the new trench was occupied by a Battalion of the Buffs.
+After two more nights spent on working parties the men
+were relieved and marched back to bivouacs in Brielen
+Wood. On the 2nd June orders were received to move
+further back, and they marched through Poperinghe to a
+field on the south of the town, where they spent the night
+and the next day, moving again on the 4th to bivouacs at
+Ouderdom.</p>
+
+<p>The organisation of the Battalion was now to undergo a
+change which did not meet with universal approval amongst
+its members. On the 8th June it was amalgamated with
+the 8th Durham Light Infantry, the new Battalion being
+constituted as follows: Lieut.-Col. J. Turnbull, V.D. (8th
+D.L.I.) in command; Capt. G.A. Stevens (Royal Fusiliers),
+Adjutant; A Company (8th D.L.I.), Capt. T.A. Bradford;
+B Company (A and B Companies of 6th D.L.I.), Lieut.
+W.P. Gill; C Company (6th D.L.I.), Lieut. T.B. Heslop;
+D Company (6th D.L.I.), Capt. F.H. Livesay; Machine-gun
+section, 2nd Lieut. R.A. Howe (6th D.L.I.); transport
+section, Lieut. Ramsay (8th D.L.I.); Quartermaster, Lieut.
+W.M. Hope (6th D.L.I.). All supernumerary staff were sent
+to the base at Harfleur. At the same time the 7th Battalion
+became Divisional Pioneers and the 5th Battalion Loyal
+North Lancashire Regiment joined the 151st Brigade.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 11th June the new Battalion marched
+by Companies to dug-outs in the grounds of Kruisstraat
+Ch&acirc;teau, south of Ypres. The following day the march was
+resumed <i>via</i> the Lille gate and Maple Copse to Sanctuary
+Wood, where the Battalion was lent to the 149th Infantry
+Brigade to provide working parties for the improvement of
+the Hooge defences. It was during this move that the transport,
+on the 14th June, had its worst experience of the
+famous Hell Fire Corner, where it was shelled and a water
+cart was completely destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>Wednesday, the 16th June, had been chosen for an attack
+on Hill 60 by the 3rd Division, the 50th Division being
+ordered to co-operate by making a demonstration. At
+2.30 a.m. the Battalion moved into the support trenches,
+twenty minutes before the bombardment commenced. At
+4.15 a.m. the 3rd Division assaulted, and their apparent
+success which could be seen from the rear was greeted with
+much enthusiasm by the men. About two hours later a
+message was received from a commanding officer in Zouave
+Wood that he was about to attack north-east of Hooge.
+Accordingly, two Companies under Major Hawdon were
+sent in support, the others being assembled ready to follow.
+The attack was cancelled, however, and at 7.30 a.m. the
+Battalion re-assembled in its original trenches. At night it
+moved up and relieved the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers in
+the Hooge defences. The disposition of Companies was as
+follows: B Company, under Lieut. Gill, were in "B9"
+trench. A Company, under Capt. Bradford, in "H13"
+and "H14" trenches; C Company, under Lieut. Heslop,
+in the Hooge Ch&acirc;teau stables; and D Company, under
+Capt. Livesay, in support in "H16" trench. The trenches,
+especially those occupied by B Company, had been much
+battered, and a considerable amount of work had to be done
+on them during the night. At this time the Ch&acirc;teau and
+stables were still standing, and though C Company were in
+occupation of the stables, the Germans held the Ch&acirc;teau,
+from the windows of which their snipers were able to give
+considerable trouble.</p>
+
+<p>The following day was marked by considerable shelling,
+and at night a successful bombing enterprise was led against
+a sap head. For two days the position remained unchanged,
+the Battalion being engaged in repairing the trenches and
+carrying up rations and ammunition, till on the night of
+the 18th it was relieved by a Company of the 7th Northumberland
+Fusiliers and a Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment,
+and went to F. hutments south of Vlamertinghe.</p>
+
+<p>This concluded the Battalion's first tour in the "Salient."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">ARMENTI&Egrave;RES AND THE RETURN TO THE "SALIENT."</span></h3>
+
+<h4><i>First Phase.</i></h4>
+
+
+<p>On Sunday, the 20th June, the Battalion marched off from
+Vlamertinghe at 8.30 a.m. through Ouderdom and Locre
+to Dranoutre, where it went into bivouacs at Corunna Farm,
+being now in the II Corps commanded by Sir Charles
+Ferguson, who inspected and addressed the men the following
+day. In the evening, after their inspection, they moved
+up to the front line and took over the trenches from "E1" to
+the barricade on the Kemmel-Wytschaete Road&mdash;a quiet
+sector except for trouble from snipers.</p>
+
+<p>A few days after taking over, an interesting incident
+occurred. A notice board was put up in the German trenches
+bearing the words "Lemberg is taken." It was accompanied
+by cheering and the lighting of flares, to which the
+front line Companies replied by rapid fire in the direction
+of the board. The same day (23rd June) work was started
+on the mines, which were eventually blown up in the successful
+attack on the Wytschaete Ridge in June, 1917. Apart
+from this, nothing of interest occurred beyond the usual
+reliefs till the middle of July. An announcement which
+aroused considerable delight was made on the 15th July to
+the effect that leave to England was to be granted, two
+officers and three other ranks being allowed to be away at a
+time for periods of six and four days respectively.</p>
+
+<p>On the 16th July the Battalion was relieved and moved
+from Kemmel at 7.30 p.m. proceeding via Dranoutre and
+Bailleul to Armenti&egrave;res, where it arrived at 1 a.m. the next
+morning and went into billets at the Blue factory. The
+following night it moved up to relieve Battalions of the
+Royal Scots and Monmouths. B Company under Lieut.
+R.V. Hare, took over "67" trench, C Company under Lieut.
+T.B. Heslop, "68" trench, A Company under Capt. Ritson
+(8th D.L.I.), "69" trench, and D Company under Capt.
+Livesay, Lille Post. The sector proved to be very quiet
+and the trenches exceptionally good. It is interesting to
+note that about this time the training of bombers was
+organised, and 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon of the Battalion
+was appointed first Brigade Bombing Officer.</p>
+
+<p>The men were now beginning to realize that their first
+taste of conditions in France was not typical of the whole
+front, and that war had its more pleasant side. After the
+"Salient," the Armenti&egrave;res trenches were a picnic, and
+though there is little of historic interest to record concerning
+the tour, it formed the subject of many conversations and
+jests when harder times followed. Many times, probably,
+in the water-logged shell holes of Passchendaele in 1918
+was it recalled how once at Armenti&egrave;res even the duck boards
+were cleaned daily and men were crimed for throwing
+matches on them. It is not forgotten either how the
+Battalion Band first came into being at Houplines.</p>
+
+<p>On the 11th August, the 6th and 8th Battalions once more
+assumed a separate identity. Major Borrett, D.S.O., the
+King's Own, took over command of the 6th Battalion with
+Capt. Jeffreys once more as Adjutant. Four days later
+Major Borrett left and handed over the command to Capt.
+Jeffreys, 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon becoming Adjutant.
+On this re-organization the Companies of the Battalion
+became known as W, X, Y, and Z. About the same time the
+5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left the
+Brigade, and was replaced by the 5th Battalion Border
+Regiment.</p>
+
+<p>Early in September, some excitement was caused by the
+rumour that the "Mushroom," a circular trench in the
+Battalion sector, was mined and likely to be blown up.
+Bombers of W Company patrolled it and slept in it for six
+nights without result. On the 25th September the heavy
+firing at Loos caused a little anxiety. The day after this the
+Battalion sector was slightly altered by the taking over of
+the Houplines trenches from the 12th Division. A little
+more excitement than usual occurred on 13th October, when
+a demonstration was made by the artillery and the throwing
+of smoke bombs.</p>
+
+<p>The tour ended on the 10th November, when the Battalion
+was relieved and marched to billets at La Creche, near
+Bailleul, where it stayed for a month enjoying its first rest
+since embarkation.</p>
+
+
+<h4><i>Second Phase.</i></h4>
+
+<p>Early in December it was known that the next tour was
+to be once more in the "Salient." On the 17th December
+the Battalion entrained at Steenwercke for Poperinghe,
+from where it marched to Dickebusch huts, which are
+always remembered as being built on islands in a sea of mud.
+The following night another march via Kruisstraat and
+Zillebeke brought the men to Maple Copse where they
+relieved the 11th Royal Scots (9th Division). The trenches
+were found to consist of holes and ditches which were worked
+on till they were quite good and dry. It was here that
+arrangements were first made for the prevention of trench
+feet.</p>
+
+<p>Sunday, the 19th December, was marked by a German
+gas attack north of Hooge, but the Battalion was not involved.
+The following day the artillery activity continued,
+and Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys was wounded whilst going round a
+new piece of the line which had been taken over from the
+Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Major G.A. Stevens
+(8th D.L.I.) took over command, and the following day
+Capt. R.B. Bradford (afterwards Brig.-Gen. Bradford, V.C.)
+joined as Adjutant. An unusual occurrence took place on
+the 22nd December, when two Russians, who had been
+prisoners in Germany and had been working behind the
+line, escaped and came into the trenches in the Battalion
+sector. On Christmas Day the Battalion was out of the
+line and in the huts at Dickebusch. Capt. Bradford left
+on the 31st December to join the 7th Battalion, and was
+succeeded as Adjutant by 2nd Lieut. C.E. Yaldwyn.</p>
+
+<p>On New Year's morning the Battalion had its first experience
+of a really heavy British bombardment of the enemy's
+trenches. The bombardment was so intense that it was
+possible to find one's way about Sanctuary Wood by the
+light of the gun flashes. The only other incident of importance
+in the first month of 1916 was the departure of the
+machine-gun section which, under 2nd Lieut. L. Brock, was
+sent to form part of the Brigade Machine Gun Company.
+To replace the guns, the first Lewis Guns were issued and put
+under the command of 2nd Lieut. J.P. Moffitt. It was
+also about this time that the Battalion journal, <i>The Whizz-Bang</i>,
+came into existence, edited and run by 2nd Lieut.
+Yaldwyn. Its illustrations by Lieut. Catford and articles
+were much appreciated, but, unfortunately, its publication
+ceased in November of the same year.</p>
+
+<p>Throughout January and February there were local
+artillery combats which terminated with the capture of
+Hill 60 and "The Bluff." On the 1st March there was a
+demonstration at 5 p.m., which consisted of artillery and
+infantry fire and cheering as if for an attack. The following
+morning at 4.32 a.m. the 3rd Division attacked and
+captured International and New Year trenches and "The
+Bean" with over 200 prisoners. On the 18th March,
+the Battalion was relieved and moved to Poperinghe by
+train from Ypres. Four days later it returned again by
+train and took over the recently captured Bluff trenches
+from the 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers (3rd Division). These
+trenches were round the edge of the Bluff crater and were in
+a very bad condition due to the rain and heavy shelling,
+and were littered with remnants of German equipment and
+their dead. X Company were on the right in New Year
+trench supported by Y Company in Gordon Post. W Company
+were in the centre in "The Loop," and Z Company
+on the left in "The Bean."</p>
+
+<p>On the 27th March, at 4.15 a.m., the 3rd Division on the
+right attacked at St. Eloi, and during the attack the Medical
+Officer (Capt. White) and a party of stretcher bearers rendered
+valuable assistance. A few days later (2nd April) the
+Battalion was relieved by the Canadians, who had suffered
+heavily from shell fire in coming up, and moved again to
+Dickebusch, where there was a stay of two days before
+moving South to Scottish Lines at Westoutre and La Clyte.</p>
+
+<p>A week later, on the 8th April, the Battalion was again
+in the line, this time relieving the 7th Battalion Shropshire
+Light Infantry in trenches N and O, in front of Wytschaete,
+with back area at La Clyte. These trenches were of the
+breastwork type. About this time there was a good deal
+of fighting on the left, where the Germans were trying to
+retake the St. Eloi craters.</p>
+
+<p>On the 24th April the Battalion was relieved and marched
+to rest billets at Berthen. These billets were found to be
+farms scattered over a large area. A few days after arrival,
+Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys, D.S.O., returned and took over command
+from Lieut.-Col. Stevens, who went as Brigade Major
+to a Canadian Brigade. Early on the morning of the 30th
+the Battalion was roused by the news of a gas attack, but
+after standing to till daylight it was not required to move.
+A week later, 2nd Lieut. G. Kirkhouse was appointed
+Adjutant in place of 2nd Lieut. Yaldwyn, and on the 8th
+May the Battalion returned to La Clyte for four days working
+parties. The only other incidents of importance during
+May were an inspection by Sir Douglas Haig and the farewell
+inspection and address on the 16th by Brig.-Gen. Shea prior
+to his departure to take over command of the 30th Division.
+He was succeeded by Brig.-Gen. Westmorland.</p>
+
+<p>On the 28th May the Battalion returned to the trenches it
+had left a month before, and on the 2nd June the men were
+able to watch the German attack between Hill 60 and Hooge
+and the Canadian counter-attacks on the following day.
+Lieut. Ebsworth, M.C., D.C.M., East Lancashire Regt.,
+joined as Adjutant on the 7th June. During this tour the
+first Battalion raid was made by men of Y Company under
+2nd Lieut. H.C. Annett and 2nd Lieut. J.F.G. Aubin,
+who was Battalion Bombing Officer. The party consisted
+of 24 men, including two bombing squads, and had as its
+object identification of the enemy on the immediate front.
+The night of the 6th June was chosen and the party went
+out as arranged. In No Man's Land they met a large enemy
+wiring party and their object was not attained. Three
+nights later, however, a German was captured, and again
+on the 12th the raiding party went out, this time with the
+object of killing Boches. They entered the enemy trench,
+and after doing considerable damage with bombs and rifles,
+returned without casualty.</p>
+
+<p>Apart from these incidents the sector was on the whole
+quiet, except for a certain amount of sniping. The principal
+feature was the daily enemy bombardment with trench
+mortars, which lasted from one to three hours, and was on
+occasions very heavy. The front line, however, was thinly
+held and very few casualties resulted. After receiving two
+drafts of 190 and 110 men respectively the Battalion was
+relieved on 7th August by the 7th Battalion King's Own
+and moved to its old billets at Berthen.</p>
+
+<p>This ended the second phase of its war history, and a few
+days later it moved South to the Somme area.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">THE SOMME.</span></h3>
+
+<h4><i>First Phase.</i></h4>
+
+
+<p>On the 10th August, 1916, the Battalion entrained at Godewaersvelde,
+and detraining at Candas, marched to Heuzecourt
+and spent four days resting. The 15th, 16th and 17th
+were spent in marching through Vignacourt and Villers
+Bocage to Baizieux, where the men bivouaced in the wood.
+Here two accidents occurred. Major F. Walton, Second in
+Command, and Lieut. Ebsworth, M.C., Adjutant, were
+thrown from their horses and sustained broken limbs.
+2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse resumed duties as Adjutant.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly a month was spent in the wood, the time being
+devoted to training in the new wave formation for the
+coming offensive. It was about this time that distinguishing
+marks were adopted in the Division and the Battalion
+began to wear the red diamonds which came to be regarded
+with almost as much pride as the cap badge, and continued
+to be worn as long as the Battalion existed as a unit in
+France. On the 6th September Brig.-Gen. N.J.G.
+Cameron took over command of the Brigade. Four days
+later the Battalion moved to bivouacs in Becourt Wood,
+and there the final preparations were made for action, and
+amid the growing violence of the artillery preparation it
+moved again on the 14th September to Shelter Wood.</p>
+
+<p>Zero for the second phase of the Somme battle was 6.20 a.m.
+on the 15th September. The 149th and 150th Infantry
+Brigades were then in the front line between High Wood
+and Martinpuich with the 151st Brigade in reserve. At
+zero the Battalion moved from Shelter Wood by way of
+Sausage Valley to an old German trench at the south-west
+corner of Mametz Wood. About noon a further forward
+move was made, Y and Z Companies to the northern edge
+of the wood, and W and X Companies to a position a little
+further forward between Mametz and Bazentin-le-Petit
+Woods. So far the Battalion had escaped shell fire, and
+the men were much interested in prisoners who were being
+escorted to the rear. About 11 a.m. a message was received
+that the 47th Division had failed to take High Wood, and
+that the two Brigades of the 50th Division had secured their
+objectives. Later came a message that the 47th Division
+had taken High Wood at the second attempt.</p>
+
+<p>Rations arrived about 5 p.m., and whilst they were being
+distributed Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys returned from Brigade Headquarters
+with orders to move up at once. Accordingly
+the Battalion paraded and marched up the road to the
+Quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit. By this time the area was full
+of movement. Guns, ammunition, ration wagons and
+troops were everywhere moving up after the advance.</p>
+
+<p>After a conference at Brigade Headquarters orders were
+again issued for a move, and at 9 p.m. the Battalion in fours,
+led by the Commanding Officer and a guide from the
+Northumberland Fusiliers moved from the Quarry with
+orders to attack from Eye and Clarke's trenches at 9.30 p.m.
+The attack was to be made in four waves, with the 9th
+Durham Light Infantry, who had been in position all the
+afternoon, on the right, the 6th in the centre, and the 5th
+Border Regiment on the left. Unfortunately the guide lost
+his way, and after unnecessary wandering the head of the
+Battalion arrived in Clarke's trench, at the junction with
+Bethel sap, at 9.15 p.m. After considerable difficulty,
+owing to ignorance of the ground, the Companies got into
+position. W Company, under Capt. J. Cook, was on the
+left of the first wave, and X Company, under Capt. W.F.E.
+Badcock, on the right, with Z (left) and Y (right) in support.
+Just as they got into Clarke's trench 2nd Lieut. Annett,
+commanding Y Company, was killed, and 2nd Lieut. B.J.
+Harvey, though wounded, took command.</p>
+
+<p>At the time appointed for the attack the 5th Border
+Regiment could not be located, so the 6th and 9th Durham
+Light Infantry, after waiting about an hour, advanced. Crossing
+Hook trench, which had been the enemy front line in the
+morning and was now held by remnants of the 149th Brigade,
+they moved down the slope towards Starfish and Prue
+trenches, the first objective. They were met by a certain
+amount of machine-gun and rifle fire, and had a few casualties,
+including Capt. Badcock, who was wounded. The 6th
+Battalion continued to advance, however, until completely
+checked by machine-gun fire, and then took cover in ditches
+and shell holes. It was then discovered that there was a
+considerable gap on the right, but by moving men in that
+direction touch was regained with the 9th Battalion.</p>
+
+<p>About 3.30 a.m. on the 16th the Commanding Officer took
+up Z Company to reinforce the front line, and the 5th Border
+Regiment also moved up at the same time. The whole line
+was then pushed forward and straightened. Battalion
+Headquarters remained in Clarke's trench.</p>
+
+<p>Further orders were received to attack again at 9.15 a.m.,
+but they never readied the Companies, and nothing happened.
+Things were fairly quiet during the day, and at night a
+shallow communication trench was dug over the ridge and
+attempts made to improve the forward positions. Efforts
+were also made to collect the Battalion into Companies, but
+on the 17th the only parties under the control of Headquarters
+were half of W Company, under Capt. Cook, part of
+X Company, under Lieut. Harriss, a Platoon of Z Company,
+under Lieut. W.B. Hansell, and Y Company, in reserve in
+a sunken road, under 2nd Lieuts. McVicker and Richardson.
+It was known that other isolated groups were in positions
+in the front line. One of these was organised for defence
+under orders of Private B. McLinden of X Company, who
+subsequently received the Military Medal.</p>
+
+<p>The chief obstacle to a further advance was an enemy
+strong point called the Crescent. Accordingly a party was
+organised to attack it, consisting of two bombing squads,
+one each from the 6th and 8th Battalions under 2nd Lieut.
+J.F.G. Aubin, now Brigade Bombing Officer. Leaving by
+way of Crescent Alley at 6 p.m., they met with considerable
+shell fire and were disorganised. Re-forming, however, they
+went out again with the same result. The shelling proved
+to be the preliminary to an attack on the 150th Brigade,
+which was beaten off, Y Company being used to assist their
+neighbours with Lewis guns.</p>
+
+<p>The following day (18th) was misty, and it was thought
+that the Germans were evacuating Starfish trench. An
+attack was therefore ordered to occupy it. This attack was
+made by the 6th Battalion on the left and the 9th on the
+right, each providing 100 men. 2nd Lieut. W. Little, with
+50 men of W Company, composed the Battalion's front line,
+and 2nd Lieut. W.F. Charlton, with 50 of Z Company, the
+supporting line. A few men of other Companies were also
+mixed with these two lines. Shortly after starting they
+came under heavy machine-gun fire and had a number of
+casualties, including 2nd Lieut. Charlton, who was killed.
+Some of the party returned to their line during the day and
+others at night. All who had been near the enemy trench
+reported it to be strongly held.</p>
+
+<p>During the morning Y Company were sent up to relieve
+W, X and Z Companies in the front line. Owing to the
+trenches being very muddy after rain, and at all places very
+shallow, this was a difficult operation. To add to the difficulty
+the 8th Battalion began to arrive to relieve the Battalion
+before the Company relief was complete. However,
+they at last got out and moved back to 6th Avenue East and
+the intermediate line, where two days were spent in cleaning
+up. Here Lieut. Ebsworth rejoined as Adjutant, and the
+officers and men who had been left at the transport lines
+also came up.</p>
+
+<p>On the 20th September, the Battalion moved further
+back to shelter in Mametz Wood, where a draft of 50 men
+from the 2/6th Battalion, Essex Regiment, joined. After
+four days' rest it again went forward to the intermediate
+line. The same day Major Wilkinson, of the 149th Machine
+Gun Company, joined as second in command. The following
+night the whole Battalion turned out to dig a jumping-off
+trench. Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys took them as far as the Battalion
+Headquarters of the 5th Durham Light Infantry from
+where Lieut. Ebsworth and a guide led them to the position.
+The guide lost his way, and after wandering about nearly
+all night, the Battalion returned without doing any work.</p>
+
+<p>On the 26th September Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys left the Battalion
+to proceed to England for three months' rest, and
+Major Wilkinson took over command. The following day
+a move was made to Hook trench, where the men lived in
+small shelters and provided working parties at nights. This
+trench was on the sky line, and as a result received considerable
+attention from the enemy gunners. To prevent
+casualties, and also to provide more room, two Companies
+were pushed forward on the 28th to Starfish trench. From
+these positions, in the afternoon, the Battalion relieved the
+9th Battalion in the front line. The relief was observed,
+and the communication trench shelled. The disposition of
+Companies was, from right to left: Y, Z, W, X, each Company
+having two Platoons in the front line (North Durham
+Street) and two Platoons in the support line (South Durham
+Street). At night they occupied battle positions, and
+extended the trench they occupied by 150 to 300 yards.
+The 9th Battalion was in support in Crescent Alley. On the
+left were the 5th Border Regiment, and on the right the 47th
+Division, but it was not possible to get into touch with the
+flanks during the night. The Company Commanders were
+now W Company, 2nd Lieut. Barnett; X Company, 2nd
+Lieut. Lean; Y Company, Lieut. Catford; and Z Company,
+Capt. Peberdy. By dawn all preparations, including the
+alteration of watches to winter time, were completed for the
+attack, which had been ordered for the 1st October.</p>
+
+<p>The preliminary bombardment commenced at 7 a.m. and
+continued till zero (3.15 p.m.), when it changed to a barrage.
+Unfortunately there were some casualties from shells falling
+short, the total casualties for the day being about 40, including
+the Commanding Officer wounded. Lieut.-Col.
+R.B. Bradford, now commanding the 9th Battalion, asked
+for and was given permission to take command of the two
+Battalions, and for his subsequent work that day was
+awarded the V.C. He arrived at Battalion Headquarters at
+zero, and at once went up to the front line.</p>
+
+<p>The attack commenced at 3.15 p.m., but, partly on account
+of the failure of the 47th Division on the right, and
+partly owing to the wire not being properly cut, the attackers
+were held up by machine-gun fire and suffered heavy casualties.
+After considerable fighting with bombs and rifles
+three Lewis gun teams of X Company, under 2nd Lieut. T.
+Little and 2nd Lieut. C.L. Tyerman, and one team of W
+Company under 2nd Lieut. Barnett, succeeded in getting a
+footing in the first objective. These organised the position
+and carried on bombing attacks, 2nd Lieut. Little being
+killed. During these operations Lieut.-Col. Bradford arrived
+on the scene, and immediately took charge of the situation,
+and under his direction and leadership the whole of the first
+objective was gained. A Company of the 9th Battalion
+then came up, and using the new position as a starting point,
+advanced and took the final objective after dark.</p>
+
+<p>About dusk a counter-attack was attempted by the enemy
+on the right front. Advancing in extended order, about
+twenty of the enemy were challenged, and they all cheered,
+shouting "Hooray." As they showed no further friendly
+signs they were fired on and driven off. During the night
+a further counter-attack developed from the valley on the
+right, but this also was repulsed.</p>
+
+<p>The following day, by organised bombing, the whole of
+the final objective was captured and held, and communication
+trenches were dug back to North Durham Street.</p>
+
+<p>The casualties during the two days had been very heavy,
+and included amongst the officers, in addition to those already
+mentioned, 2nd Lieut. Peacock, killed, and 2nd Lieut. Lean,
+Capt. Peberdy, Lieut. Cotching, 2nd Lieut. Barnett and
+2nd Lieut. Appleby wounded. Amongst the decorations
+gained were Military Medals awarded to Corporal Dixon and
+Privates Rushforth and Atkinson, all signallers, and Private
+Turnbull of Y Company. Good work was also done by
+Sergeants Gowland and Winslow.</p>
+
+<p>On the night of the 2nd October Lieut.-Col. Bradford
+handed over the command of the Battalion to Lieut. Ebsworth,
+and it was relieved by the 7th Northumberland
+Fusiliers the night after. Owing to the mud the relief did
+not commence until 4 a.m., and it was almost dawn before
+the Battalion reached Headquarters, from where it was
+led by Lieut. Ebsworth to Starfish trench. Here it was
+joined by R.S.M. Perry and the C.S.M.'s and a draft which
+had been used as a carrying party. The officers left were
+Lieut. Ebsworth, 2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse, Adjutant; 2nd
+Lieut. K.B. Stuart, Signalling Officer, and 2nd Lieut.
+Tyerman; the Medical Officer, Capt. J.G. Hill, arrived
+later.</p>
+
+<p>After a short rest the Battalion marched back to bivouacs
+in Becourt Wood for one night.</p>
+
+
+<h4><i>Second Phase.</i></h4>
+
+<p>On the 4th October, the Battalion moved back to tents in
+Henencourt Wood, where drafts arrived, and remained for
+three weeks, reorganising and training. The Company
+Commanders were now:&mdash;W Company, 2nd Lieut. A.S.
+Tate; X Company, 2nd Lieut. J.H.F. Ludgate; Y Company,
+2nd Lieut. R.H. Stewart; and Z Company, 2nd Lieut.
+C.L. Tyerman.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of this period, on the 23rd October, the Battalion
+left the Wood and marched back to Becourt, where
+two days were spent in tents. On the 25th October the men
+were on the move again over familiar ground and soon found
+themselves in tents just outside Mametz Wood. After a
+week spent on working parties they moved up to the front
+line, W Company, now under 2nd Lieut. R.H. Wharrier,
+being in front in Snag trench and the other three Companies
+in close support in the Flers line. On the night of Saturday,
+the 4th November, X, Y and Z Companies took over the front
+line in preparation for an attack on the Butte de Warlencourt
+on the Sunday morning. Zero had been fixed for 9.15 a.m.
+and the relief was not complete, owing to the extremely
+bad state of the trenches, till 9 a.m. The Battalion was
+disposed for the attack with X Company on the right, Y in
+the centre, Z on the left and W in support, with the 9th
+Battalion on the left flank and the 8th on the right. This
+fateful day, 5th November, proved to be the most disastrous
+the Battalion had yet passed through. The enemy position
+was exceptionally strong, the trenches from which the
+attack started were so muddy that several men were
+drowned in them, and the time for preparation was so short
+that the attack broke down almost as soon as it had started.
+The casualties were very heavy, and included amongst the
+officers 2nd Lieut. K.B. Stuart, 2nd Lieut. Fell, 2nd Lieut.
+A.S. Ritson, 2nd Lieut. S. Robson, 2nd Lieut. T.F. Applegarth,
+and 2nd Lieut. G.W. Robson, all killed, and all the
+remaining Company officers, except 2nd Lieut. Wharrier,
+wounded. Amongst the honours awarded were the M.C. to
+2nd Lieut. Wharrier and the Military Medal to L.-Cpl. H.
+Cruddace, who was also promoted to be sergeant. A monument
+was afterwards erected on the Butte to the memory
+of those of the Battalion who fell on this day.</p>
+
+<p>On the following night the Battalion was relieved by the
+5th Battalion and went back to Mametz Wood, where it
+stayed till the end of the month supplying working parties
+daily. Several new officers joined here, including Lieut.-Col.
+H.M. Allen, Black Watch, who took over command; Lieut.
+(now Major) Ebsworth becoming Second in Command.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of the month came rumours of a rest, and
+on the 30th the Battalion marched off once more to Becourt,
+where it was this time accommodated in huts. After a night
+there it marched back to billets at Warloy, where it stayed
+during the whole of December, training and resting. The
+rest was thoroughly enjoyed by all ranks. On Christmas
+Day sports were held which included a mounted officers'
+race won by Lieut. H.T. Bircham, M.C., transport officer.</p>
+
+<p>On New Year's Day the Battalion was on its way back to
+the line. The first day's march took it to billets in Albert,
+the billets being partially destroyed houses. The following
+day the march was resumed to a hut camp near the quarry
+at Bazentin-le-Petit, well known to the few remaining survivors
+of the 15th September. After a few days in this
+camp, troubled only by an occasional shell, a move was made
+into High Wood West camp, a cheerless place consisting of
+black tarpaulin huts. From this and a similar camp across
+the valley (High Wood East) the Battalion did two tours in
+the front line at Factory Corner, where the line consisted of
+more or less isolated posts. The support line, where a few
+days were spent, was just in front of Flers. During these
+tours the weather was exceedingly cold and the men suffered
+considerably, both in the line and in the camp. There was
+also a considerable amount of shell fire. Parties carrying
+up rations and pushing trolleys up the light railway from
+Clarke's Dump had several casualties, and on one occasion
+the camp was hit and all the signallers who had been left out
+of the line for training became casualties. In the line itself
+the only outstanding incident happened to a patrol which
+found itself surrounded one night, but succeeded in getting
+back safely. Towards the end of the month came rumours
+of relief, and on the 24th January the Division was relieved
+by the 1st Australian Division. The Battalion came out to
+a new hut camp on the Beaver Road, between the Bazentin
+and Mametz Woods. The next day it marched to Becourt
+Camp, the air being full of rumours as to the future.</p>
+
+<p>It soon became known, however, that the Division was
+moving south to take over a section of the line hitherto
+held by the French, still in the Somme area, just south of
+Peronne. From Becourt the Battalion continued its march
+to Ribemont. The march was uneventful except for the
+fact that the two rear Companies took a wrong turning, and
+after a roundabout journey arrived late at the halting place
+for dinner. At Ribemont it stayed for about three weeks,
+during which training was carried out, the men being accommodated
+in barns. Col. Allen was still in command with
+Lieut. T.J. Arnott (Gordon Highlanders) as Adjutant.
+There was little of interest during this period and, on the
+whole, everybody was pleased when the move was resumed
+to huts at Hamel. After a few days there the Battalion
+marched to billets at Proyart, where Lieut.-Col. J.W.
+Jeffreys, D.S.O., returned and took over command. Again,
+in three or four days it marched to Foucaucourt, where it
+was in Divisional Reserve. This village, which had at
+one time been in the front line system, was practically
+nothing but ruins and the Battalion was accommodated in a
+large camp of French huts, fitted with wire beds, each hut
+holding about 150 men. Here, final preparations were made
+for the line, which was visited by officers who reported that
+the trenches were dry and in good condition. It was very
+frosty weather at this time, but unfortunately before the
+Battalion moved up a thaw had set in. The relief of the
+5th Yorkshire Regiment will never be forgotten by those
+of the Battalion who took part in it. Following on the
+methods adopted by the French the relief took place through
+very long communication trenches, running from Estr&eacute;es
+through Berny to the line in front of Misery. These
+trenches, as a result of the thaw, were everywhere knee
+deep in mud and usually waist deep, and men arrived in the
+line without boots and in a few cases without trousers, having
+lost them in the mud. The experiences of X Company were
+perhaps the worst. Leaving camp at about 5 p.m., then 130
+strong, they were met by guides, who lost their way, and
+eventually arrived in the front line at dawn, having lost over
+100 men stuck in the mud. The relief was not reported
+complete till 4 p.m. the next day. The front line trenches
+were worse if possible than the communication trenches, and
+the days that followed were most unpleasant. There was
+very little cover from enemy snipers, who were pretty active,
+and there were several casualties from fishtail trench mortars.
+One night was marked by a very intense "strafe" for a
+short time with rifle grenades and trench mortars. It
+afterwards appeared that this was the enemy's parting
+shot, for soon after the Division was relieved the enemy's
+extensive retirement on this sector took place. After two
+tours in the front line, one in support in trenches round
+Berny, and one in reserve at Foucaucourt, the Battalion
+was relieved early in March by the 2/5th South Staffordshire
+Regiment (59th Division), who had just come from Ireland
+and had not previously seen any fighting in France. On
+relief the Battalion returned to Foucaucourt.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of the tour Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys left the
+Battalion for a few days in hospital, during which time
+Major Little, of the 5th Border Regiment, and Major Crouch
+of the 9th Durham Light Infantry, both held command.
+He returned, however, when the Battalion came out of the
+line.</p>
+
+<p>This ended the tour in the Somme region, but the Battalion
+did not leave the area till the end of the month, the period
+being spent in huts at Morcourt, where an energetic programme
+of training and sports was carried out. The
+principal feature of the sports was the success of members
+of the Battalion, including Sergt. Young and Ptes. Nimney
+and Moody in the Brigade and Divisional boxing contests.
+Although there were no outstanding incidents to record of
+this training, Morcourt seems to mark one of those turning
+points in the history of the Battalion from which all subsequent
+events date. So many small things occurred there that
+it was remarked by later comers that it appeared to them
+that the Morcourt training must have lasted for months.
+One event, however, can be pointed to as a turning point.
+On the 25th March, Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys, who had never fully
+recovered from the wounds received in Sanctuary Wood,
+was ordered to return to England on account of ill-health,
+and handed over command to Major W.D. Carswell Hunt,
+M.C., of the 7th Durham Light Infantry. Colonel Jeffreys'
+personal influence and fighting qualities, strongly reflected
+even in his absence in those officers who had received their
+early training under him, had been largely responsible for the
+reputation and the success of the Battalion during its first
+two years of fighting and his departure was greatly regretted
+by all ranks.</p>
+
+<p>A few days after he left, the Battalion was on the move
+to take part in the battle which was about to begin at Arras.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Arras</span>.</h3>
+
+<h4><i>First Phase.</i></h4>
+
+
+<p>From Morcourt the Battalion moved by motor 'buses through
+Amiens to Talmas preparatory to a long trek on foot. The
+first two nights were spent at Wargnies and Havernas.
+Here a famous Church Parade was held, at which the Commanding
+Officer, in the absence of a Chaplain, preached his
+first and, as it proved, his last sermon. From there the
+Battalion marched to Longuevillette and then to Vacquerie-le-Bourcq,
+spending a night at each place. About this time
+Lieut. Arnott left the Battalion and Lieut. G.D.R. Dobson
+(7th Durham Light Infantry) became Adjutant. The next
+day Blangerval and Blangermont were reached and a short
+stay made, half the Battalion being accommodated in each
+village. From here Major Hunt went up by car to see the
+forward area and died of heart failure on the journey. He
+was brought back to St. Pol, where he was buried in the
+cemetery, representatives of several battalions forming the
+funeral procession. Major A. Ebsworth, M.C., took over
+command.</p>
+
+<p>When the march was resumed the direction was changed,
+and, moving eastwards, billets were reached at Neuville-au-Cornet.
+Rumours were now spreading of the forthcoming
+battle and a further march to Villers-sur-Simon left no doubt
+that the Battalion would be involved. These were the last
+billets occupied by the men, the next portion of the trek
+bringing them to huts at Montenescourt, about six miles due
+west of Arras. Here Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O.
+(5th Yorkshire Regiment) arrived to take over the command,
+which he held for nearly a year.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 11th April, in a blinding snowstorm,
+the Battalion moved forward to the fight. Marching through
+Arras, they came to the caves at Ronville. These caves
+were like nothing seen before. Excavated by Spanish
+prisoners in the middle ages to provide stone for the building
+of the city, they extended over an enormous area, and were
+capable of holding thousands of men. The sensation of
+finding oneself in this huge underground town, complete
+with electric light and water supply, after stumbling down a
+long, uneven stairway, will not be forgotten by those who
+survive.</p>
+
+<p>After one night here, the caves had to be evacuated next
+morning to make room for more troops coming up. The
+Germans had now been driven back as far as Wancourt, which
+was captured the previous day. On leaving the caves,
+cellars in Ronville village were occupied. No sooner were
+the men in, however, than orders were received to move further
+forward. The Battalion paraded on the road leading to
+Beaurains, which was crowded with vehicles and men, and
+marched off in the afternoon. After their experiences of
+trench warfare the sight of open, rolling country, the scene
+of yesterday's fighting, was very strange and, to some, invigorating.
+Passing through the ruins of Beaurains and
+Neuville Vitasse, the route turned across country towards
+Wancourt, and about dusk the Battalion reached a sunken
+road, where it halted. Owing to a delay in the arrival of
+the Lewis gun limbers, the Lewis gunners were behind the
+rest of the Battalion, and some difficulty was experienced
+by them in locating the sunken road. Up to this point
+there had been no firing or signs of activity. After a conference
+of Commanding Officers a relief of the 14th Division
+was arranged. W, X and Y Companies moved a little
+further up and occupied Niger and Nepal trenches, which
+were some distance behind the front line, and Z Company
+were sent to dig a trench a little further forward near Wancourt
+cemetery. Here they remained for the day. At
+night detailed orders were received for an attack at dawn,
+the Battalion's frontage being near Wancourt Tower.</p>
+
+<p>At 1 a.m. on the 14th April the men moved to the assembly
+position in the dry bed of the Cojeul River, with the 8th
+Battalion in support and 5th Border Regiment in reserve,
+the 9th Battalion being already in a line just south of
+Guemappe. The original orders had now been considerably
+altered, and zero hour arrived before fresh orders had been
+circulated to the Companies. The result was that at
+4.30 a.m., after moving in file from the assembly position to
+a bank, some 200 yards in front, the Battalion advanced
+under a barrage in four waves of Companies, W being front
+and Z in rear, with no orders except a rough indication of
+the direction.</p>
+
+<p>As they advanced they were met by very heavy machine-gun
+fire from the front and from Guemappe in their left rear.
+W and X Companies reached the ridge 500 yards from the
+starting point, and passing down the other side, were not
+seen again during the day. Y and Z Companies also reached
+the ridge, but could get no further. Later they were joined
+by the 8th Battalion, which was also held up.</p>
+
+<p>The fighting then died down, but apart from one brief
+message from X Company no trace could be found of the
+two front Companies, and the casualties in the remaining
+two were very heavy. To add to the confusion, the 56th
+Division on the right had lost direction, and men of the
+London Regiment were everywhere mixed with those of the
+50th Division.</p>
+
+<p>At dusk orders were received that the line on the ridge
+would be taken over by the London Rifle Brigade. As soon
+as the light permitted search was made for W and X Companies.
+Eventually the remnants consisting of 4 officers
+and about 20 men were discovered. Having reached a
+small system of trenches, they had organised their defence
+and successfully beaten off determined attempts to surround
+them. About 80 men were finally assembled after the relief,
+and more joined the Battalion during the next few days,
+but the casualties amounted to over 200, or more than 50
+per cent, of the total fighting strength. The officers killed
+were Capt. Brock, Lieut. Richardson, and 2nd Lieuts.
+Greener, Payne and Newton, whilst many were wounded.
+Capts. R.S. Johnson and H. Walton, commanding W and X
+Companies, were subsequently awarded the Military Cross,
+and Corporal Betts the D.C.M. and Croix de Guerre.</p>
+
+<p>After burying as many bodies as could be recovered, the
+remnants of the Battalion moved back to dug-outs in the
+Hindenburg Line on Telegraph Hill, which were reached,
+after a roundabout march, at dawn.</p>
+
+<p>From these dug-outs the Battalion returned next day to the
+caves at Ronville, where it was re-organised and re-equipped
+ready for further action. After four days' rest it again moved
+up, on the 21st April, this time to dug-outs in the trench system
+known as "The Harp," the Q.M. Stores remaining in Arras,
+where on the 22nd April Lieut. Lewis, acting Q.M., was
+killed by a shell. In "The Harp" fighting stores were
+issued, as the Battalion was to be in reserve for the attack
+on the 23rd April. At zero hour, just at dawn on that date,
+St. George's Day, the bombardment commenced, and the
+sight of the gun flashes against the red sky as the Battalion
+moved forward will not readily be forgotten. After two
+halts in sunken roads orders were received to occupy Niger
+trench once more, but by this time the fighting had died
+down. Although constantly on the alert, no further orders
+were received, and after two nights there, the Battalion was
+relieved by the 14th Division and returned to Telegraph Hill.
+One night was spent there, and the following day, the 27th,
+it entrained at Arras for Mondicourt, from where it marched
+to billets at Humbercourt, arriving about 3 a.m.</p>
+
+<p>Here a few days were spent resting and training, and on
+the 1st May a march was ordered to Berles-au-Bois, which
+was found to be a village of ruins without inhabitants.
+After one night there the Battalion marched to Riviere-Grosville,
+where the billets were quite good. Here Lieut.
+G.D.R. Dobson went to hospital, and Lieut. R.B. Ainsworth
+became Adjutant. Two or three days were spent
+there, and on the 3rd May a return was made to Humbercourt.
+Here very pleasant days were spent in training,
+particularly those on the range at Lucheux Forest, where
+elaborate field firing schemes were carried out.</p>
+
+<p>After about a fortnight there the Battalion was ordered
+up in reserve for an attack by the 33rd Division and marched
+to Monchy-au-Bois, where the accommodation was found to
+consist of an open field in which was a trench line and much
+wire. Shelters were erected of ground sheets, and a few
+tents obtained, and in these the men lived for five days,
+training being continued. Their services were not required
+in the line, however, and they marched back to Laherliere.
+Here a long stay was expected, but the following day the
+journey was resumed to Souastre, where the Battalion spent
+perhaps the most enjoyable month in its history. The men
+were accommodated in a hut camp built round a large
+parade and sports ground. As a result of easy training,
+plenty of recreation and fine weather, the <i>moral</i> of the men
+reached a very high level.</p>
+
+
+<h4><i>Second Phase.</i></h4>
+
+<p>On the 15th June the Battalion returned to hold the line
+which it had helped to gain in April. Leaving Souastre, it
+marched to support at a camp near Henin-sur-Cojeul. There
+was practically no accommodation here and ground sheets
+had to be used as shelters. The following day it relieved
+the 10th Battalion Essex Regiment in the front line, just
+south of the Cojeul River Valley, opposite Cherisy. After
+four days in this sector it went out to Divisional reserve near
+Boisleux-au-Mont, where, on the 27th June, it was visited
+by Col. the Hon. W.L. Vane, the Honorary Colonel of the
+Battalion. A regular system of reliefs, which lasted for
+three months, now commenced. Under this system the
+Battalion had two periods of four days in the front line and
+one in support at Henin or Neuville Vitasse, followed by
+eight days in reserve in camp near Mercatel. The weather
+was good on the whole, and the trenches in excellent condition.
+The enemy was only moderately active and there
+were very few casualties. One of the Battalion areas in
+this sector was the bank from which the attack started on
+the 14th April, and whilst there a cross was erected to the
+memory of those who fell on that day.</p>
+
+<p>As a result of their long stay here, the men became very
+familiar with the whole area, and their experiences in the
+communication trenches, Foster Avenue, Shikar Lane,
+Kestrel Avenue, Avenue Trench and others were talked of
+for long after. Neither did they forget Lone Sap, from which
+the enemy captured two of their comrades, Cable Trench,
+which was raided by a party under 2nd Lieut. B.R. Leatherbarrow,
+Concrete Trench, the Hindenburg Line, the caves
+in Marliere Village, which on one occasion produced some
+interesting souvenirs left by the Boches, and many other
+localities.</p>
+
+<p>Apart from minor raids and counter-raids, the only outstanding
+incident was the double raid of the 15th September.
+This operation was carried out by the 9th Durham Light
+Infantry in the afternoon and repeated by the 8th Durham
+Light Infantry in the evening. The Battalion was holding
+the sector immediately on the right of the raiders, and its
+function was to draw the enemy's attention and fire by the
+exhibition of dummy figures and a dummy tank, which
+were later on view at the United Services Museum in Whitehall.
+2nd Lieut. Leatherbarrow was in charge of these
+dummies, assisted by Sergeant P. Finn, who was awarded
+the Military Medal for his work.</p>
+
+<p>Other decorations earned during this period were Military
+Medals awarded to Corporal Nesbitt and Private Allison of
+X Company for digging out a man buried by shell fire,
+under very dangerous conditions.</p>
+
+<p>Apart from good work in the line not only in patrolling,
+etc., but also in improving the trenches till they were probably
+as good as any on the whole front, considerable work
+was done on the erection of reserve camps and horse standings.
+It was with some regret therefore that when at
+Northumberland Lines, a very comfortable hut camp near
+Mercatel, the men heard that they were to leave the area
+before the winter.</p>
+
+<p>Early in October they marched to a canvas camp at
+Gomiecourt, just off the main Bapaume road, and stayed
+there a short time training. The arrival of representatives
+from Divisions in the "Salient," to instruct in the methods
+adopted in the recent successful fighting there, left no doubts
+as to the next move.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Return to the "Salient."</span></h3>
+
+
+<p>About the end of October the Battalion marched one night
+to Bapaume, where it entrained for Esquelbecq, north-west
+of Cassel. On detraining it marched to billets at Eringhem
+for two nights. From there the march was continued to
+Arneke, and there the men were told that a short stay would
+be made, but early the next day orders were received to
+march to Proven, just inside the Belgian frontier. On the
+road, however, fresh orders were received, and the latter
+part of the journey, from Wormhoudt, was done by train.</p>
+
+<p>On arrival at Proven the Battalion occupied Piddington
+Camp on the Poperinghe road, and incidentally, renewed
+the acquaintance of Belgian mud. After one night there it
+moved for the next night to bivouacs known as Sarawak
+Camp, in the woods north of Poperinghe. This will probably
+be remembered as one of the dirtiest camps ever occupied.
+The last stage of the journey eastwards was done by train
+from Proven to Boesinghe. Arriving at the latter place in
+the morning, the men proceeded to Hulls Farm Camp close
+by, on the Ypres road. This camp was occupied, however,
+by the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, which was
+moving up in the afternoon to take part in an attack along
+the Ypres-Staden railway north of Poelcapelle. Whilst
+lying in an open field waiting to occupy the camp a visit was
+received from a squadron of Gotha bombing planes, and
+about 20 casualties were suffered. About 5 p.m. the camp
+was taken over. Here the Battalion remained for three
+days, and had considerable experience of Hun aeroplane
+bombs, fortunately without further casualties. Exceptionally
+large working parties were demanded on each of the three
+nights, and their experiences were perhaps worse than those
+of the tour in the line which was to follow.</p>
+
+<p>The third battle of Ypres was still in progress at this time,
+and Passchendaele had not yet been taken. On the front
+between the railway and Houthulst Forest, due north of
+Poelcapelle, the 149th Infantry Brigade had attacked and
+advanced the line slightly. A further attack by battalions
+of the 150th Brigade had partially failed, and about the
+beginning of November the battalion moved up to occupy
+the left sector of the line which was just inside the forest.</p>
+
+<p>The journey up to the front line was far from pleasant.
+After crossing the canal it consisted of a six-mile walk along
+a duck-board track across one of the most devastated areas
+on the whole front, and to add to the difficulties, the enemy's
+artillery was very active. Owing to lack of roads for the
+transport, each man carried four days' rations. The position
+consisted of a series of water-logged shell holes, which were
+troubled considerably by low-flying aeroplanes. Battalion
+headquarters were in a pill-box known as Egypt House, which
+received very assiduous attention from the Boche gunners.</p>
+
+<p>As it had been decided to make no further attack on this
+sector, though an improved position was desired, the nights
+were spent in pushing forward the posts as far as possible
+under cover of darkness. This was done very successfully,
+and the battalion line was advanced during the tour by
+200 yards with very few casualties. Several decorations were
+obtained for this work including the Bar to the Military
+Cross to Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, M.C., commanding Y Company;
+and the Military Cross to Capt. P.H.B. Lyon, commanding
+X Company. Sergts. Britton and Cruddace were awarded
+Bars to the Military Medal.</p>
+
+<p>After four days in the line, orders were received to move
+back to the neighbourhood of the canal for two days and
+then return. In view of the dangerous nature of reliefs,
+however, an alteration was asked for and obtained, and the
+Battalion completed its tour of six days. On relief by the
+9th Battalion, it moved to Marsouin Farm Camp, near
+Pilkem, and spent a very unpleasant morning under fire
+from high velocity shells. Fortunately there were no casualties,
+and in the afternoon after the relief it again moved to a
+camp at Elverdinghe for a few nights.</p>
+
+<p>From there it entrained to Watten, and marched to billets
+at Houlle. Here a very enjoyable month was spent. The
+maltery, where W and X Companies were billeted, was one
+of the best billets they had been in for some time. The
+great feature of this month's training was the sports. After
+winning the Brigade Football and Cross Country Cups, the
+battalion won a great triumph by obtaining the Divisional
+Cross Country Shield. This was given to the unit which had
+the largest proportion of its ration strength over the course
+in a certain time. The percentage obtained, 64 per cent.,
+reflected the high state of efficiency to which the Battalion
+had now attained. For this high standard, a large amount
+of credit was due to R.S.M. G. Perry, D.C.M., who was
+unfortunately compelled by ill-health to leave the Battalion
+at Houlle, and subsequently went home, after nearly three
+years' active service. At his best on the parade ground and
+in his lectures on the history of his Regiment, his influence
+continued to be felt long after his departure, especially as
+he was succeeded by one whom he had trained in soldiering,
+C.S.M. J. Taylor, of X Company.</p>
+
+<p>During the first week in December the visit of officers to
+the line disclosed the new sector to be taken over, which
+included Passchendaele village, recently captured by the
+Canadians. A few days later the Battalion entrained at
+Watten for Brandhoek, where it spent a short time in a hut
+camp in Divisional reserve. From there it marched up
+through Ypres to a camp just west of Potijze Wood, the
+scene of its first action in April, 1915. After two days there
+a further move was made to the forward area, into a number
+of shelters known as the Seine area. The next step was to
+the front line, which consisted of a series of shell hole positions
+on the Passchendaele Ridge. Not only were these uncomfortably
+wet, but they were very difficult to locate in the dark,
+and many will remember the trouble experienced in selecting
+the routes from the heap of debris of what had once been the
+village church. Battalion Headquarters were in a German
+pill-box known as Hamburg. Four days were spent in the
+front line, and the Battalion then went to Divisional reserve
+again at Brandhoek. After another tour in the line, it again
+moved to Brandhoek on Christmas Day, and there completed
+the 24 days which entitled it to a similar period of rest and
+training. The whole tour had been without any exciting
+incidents, and casualties were small, in spite of persistent
+shelling which made the duck-board tracks (H, K, R.A.M.C.,
+tracks, etc.) very unpleasant. The Christmas at Brandhoek
+was thoroughly enjoyed by the men. On Boxing Day a
+Christmas dinner was provided, consisting of turkeys,
+puddings, port wine, beer, etc., the orderly work being done
+by the N.C.O.'s, and the carving by the officers. A visit
+was paid to the Battalion here by the Corps Commander
+(Lieut-Gen. Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston), who congratulated
+the men on their appearance and bearing immediately after
+an uncomfortable trench tour.</p>
+
+<p>From Brandhoek the Battalion moved by 'bus to the
+Steenvoorde area, where it was accommodated in very
+scattered billets for about ten days, during which it was
+training and resting. It then entrained at Eecke for Wizernes,
+near St. Omer, and marched to billets at Acquin. A stay of
+about a fortnight there was occupied in the use of an exceptionally
+good training area. A return was then made to the
+former front line, and detraining again at Brandhoek, the
+Battalion went this time to another hut camp known as
+Toronto. A similar system of reliefs as before was carried out
+and the tour was divided up into short periods at Brandhoek,
+St. Jean, and the Passchendaele sector. The line was somewhat
+quieter than on the previous occasion. The route to
+and from the trenches was now a new track called Judah
+track, a stretch of about three miles, which reflected great
+credit on the Pioneer Battalions. From Brandhoek to
+St. Jean and the return journeys were usually done by 'bus
+or light railway. The tour ended with a night in the cellars
+in the town of Ypres, and from there the Battalion marched
+to Ypres station and entrained to Wizernes again, and so to
+billets in St. Martin-au-Laert, a suburb of St. Omer. These
+billets were very good, and the advantage of being near a
+town was fully appreciated. The story of the Battalion would
+not be complete without a reference to the band, which,
+under the direction of Sergt. T.O. Hann, M.M., had reached
+a very high standard, and was second to none in the Division.
+With the buglers, whose smart appearance attracted much
+attention, a selection of music was played in the town daily
+at "Retreat." At this time, also, the Battalion concert party,
+the "Red Diamonds," trained by Capt. Cardew and Capt.
+Lyon, provided several very good entertainments.</p>
+
+<p>It was now March, and the great enemy offensive on the
+Somme was expected. After three weeks, the rest was
+abruptly terminated by orders to entrain for Amiens, and
+about the second week in March the Battalion marched off
+from St. Martin, and entrained at Arques. At this time it
+was perhaps as efficient as any on the Western front, having
+had few casualties during the past year, and also having had
+a large proportion of rest and training. The officers knew
+their men both in and out of the line, and it was confidently
+expected that in the coming active operations great credit
+would be earned&mdash;but the overwhelming disasters of the next
+three months were never anticipated.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Somme, the Lys and the Aisne</span>.</h3>
+
+<h4><i>First Phase.</i></h4>
+
+
+<p>On detraining at Longeau, the Battalion marched to billets
+in Corbie, where it stayed for one night. The following day
+it moved to the south of the main Amiens-Peronne road to
+Marcelcave, and was then in Fifth Army Reserve. Here,
+for about a fortnight the finishing touches were put to the
+training. Included in the programme were the final stages of
+the Army Rifle Association competition, in which No. 6
+Platoon were defeated by a Platoon of the 8th Durham
+Light Infantry in the final of the Brigade contest. The
+officers were taken up to certain areas near Peronne, where
+the Battalion might have to deliver counter-attacks in the
+event of a German success. About the middle of March
+rumours of the impending attack became more numerous,
+and the intelligence reports containing prisoners' statements,
+etc., were not reassuring. At last, the date of the attack,
+the 21st March, became fairly certain, and the drum fire
+heard in the distance on that day was not unexpected.</p>
+
+<p>Orders were issued during the morning for a "stand-to"
+in readiness to move at very short notice, and about 3.45 p.m.
+instructions were received to entrain at Gouzeaucourt. In
+less than an hour the Battalion was on the march, the transport
+moving at the same time by road. After a short journey
+it detrained in the pitch dark at Brie, where Lewis guns,
+etc., were placed on lorries, the orders being to move into
+billets near Peronne. Whilst waiting for guides, however,
+a staff officer of the Division arrived with fresh orders.
+Instead of proceeding to billets the Battalion was to move
+straight into the fight. The Lewis guns were removed from
+the lorries and replaced by blankets, and the Battalion
+marched off in the direction of Tincourt. Just to the south
+of that village and in front of Beuzy a reserve system of
+partially dug trenches, known as the Green Line, was at
+once occupied. This line was the next defence system
+behind the Brown Line, where the 66th and other Divisions
+had been overwhelmed in the morning. On the morning of
+the 22nd March the men watched with interest tanks moving
+up to counter-attack, but on the whole things were quiet.
+In the afternoon the shelling became heavier, and in the
+distance large massed bodies of the enemy could be seen.
+The first contact occurred when a German scout was wounded
+and captured by a patrol. Orders were then received that
+the line was to be held at all costs. The apparent strength
+of the position, however, inspired confidence, and it was not
+till towards dusk that the first serious casualties occurred.</p>
+
+<p>About 9 p.m. further orders were received to withdraw to
+a ridge in the rear, in front of Cardigny. The movement was
+successfully carried out in the dark, and at dawn the new
+position was reconnoitred and the dispositions completed.
+At 7 a.m. the startling orders were received that the Fifth
+Army was about to withdraw to the west of the Somme, and
+detailed instructions as to the rearguard action were issued.
+The Battalion was to cover the retirement of the 5th Durham
+Light Infantry, which would in turn cover a further withdrawal.
+Accordingly the village of Cardigny was occupied
+with a view to a temporary stand. No sooner was this done
+than the enemy were on the outskirts and their snipers and
+machine guns were giving considerable trouble. The position
+soon became untenable, and permission was obtained to
+withdraw. This was done without loss, largely owing to the
+courage of Y Company, who, under Capt. J.F.G. Aubin,
+M.C., formed the rearguard to the Battalion.</p>
+
+<p>The next line of defence was a trench system on a ridge
+near Le Mesnil, which overlooked the Somme to the rear.
+Here things were quiet, though it was known that the enemy
+was working round the flanks, through Peronne on the left
+and Le Mesnil on the right. There was still a considerable
+amount of transport on the east of the river, and it was
+expected that a fight would follow to allow this to get away.
+After about two hours, however, orders came to cross the
+river by the Eterpigny footbridge. A route was taken
+across country towards this bridge, but there being no gap
+through the marshes and undergrowth, the Battalion was
+forced to turn aside through Le Mesnil village and, incidentally,
+to pass under a light shrapnel barrage. It was not
+known that the village was in the enemy's hands, but as
+soon as Z Company, who were leading, had reached the far
+side, the remaining Companies were attacked. Again
+Y Company distinguished itself, as did W and X Companies.
+They at once deployed, and though driven towards the
+marshes, successfully checked the enemy and eventually
+followed Z Company over the partially destroyed footbridge,
+about 300 yards long, with the loss of only two officers,
+Lieut. D.F. Charlton (killed) and 2nd Lieut. A. Dobson
+(prisoner), and about 20 men. For his action Capt. J.F.G.
+Aubin, M.C., was awarded the D.S.O.</p>
+
+<p>When all the Companies had been assembled on the west
+of the river a line was formed, along with the remnants of
+another Division, overlooking the marshes. By this time
+the day's fighting had died down, and things remained
+fairly quiet throughout the night.</p>
+
+<p>Early on the following morning, the 24th March, orders were
+received to withdraw the Battalion to Foucaucourt. The
+Companies were therefore assembled on the road and marched
+back by the main Amiens-Peronne road to an old prisoners
+of war camp near Foucaucourt village. Further orders
+awaited them there to be ready to move up again, and in
+about two hours they were again marching eastwards.
+About 8 p.m. they were again in position, in reserve, in a
+line north-east of Estr&eacute;es.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning the Battalion was hurriedly assembled
+and moved to Genermont, south of the main road, coming
+under the orders of the General Commanding the 8th Division.
+The situation here appeared to be very serious, as
+the enemy was advancing rapidly. Without any very definite
+orders the Battalion moved in artillery formation
+towards Marchelepot, but before reaching it the 8th Division,
+who were holding the line, had retired to the railway behind
+the village. Gaps along the line of the railway were accordingly
+filled by W and Z Companies, but it soon became
+necessary to put in Y Company also. No further developments
+occurred till about 5 p.m., when Y Company on
+the right found that the 24th Division on their right was
+withdrawing to Chaulnes ridge. A defensive flank was
+formed, and X Company moved to the north-east of Hyencourt
+to deliver a counter-attack if necessary. For a couple
+of hours the prospect looked very black, but the enemy did
+not press his advantage, and about 7 p.m. orders were
+received to withdraw the Battalion to a line of old trenches
+south-east of Pressoire. Here a quiet night was spent, with
+only a few casualties from shell fire.</p>
+
+<p>About 9 a.m. the next day the enemy renewed his attacks
+and a hurried withdrawal of the whole of the 8th Division
+was ordered. The instructions which reached the Battalion
+were somewhat confused, but along with the Battalions of
+the 24th Infantry Brigade they moved from the trenches in
+artillery formation, and passing through the ruins of Lihons&mdash;which
+was under observation, and consequently was
+heavily shelled as the men passed through it&mdash;continued the
+withdrawal almost to Rosi&egrave;res. About a mile south-east of
+that village a line was formed, but no further attack took
+place. In this position the Battalion had the 2nd Northants
+on its left and a Labour Battalion on its right.</p>
+
+<p>At 9.30 a.m. the next day (the 27th) the Labour Battalion
+withdrew and forced the two forward Companies of the
+Battalion to do the same. A counter-attack was delivered,
+however, and the line restored by the end of the day. The
+enemy renewed his attacks on the following morning, and
+the 24th Division on the right retired to Warvillers. Y Company
+then moved to Vrely to cover the withdrawal of the
+remainder of the Battalion to a line near Caix. It was
+during these operations that Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson,
+D.S.O., was killed. He had commanded the Battalion for
+nearly a year, and could truly claim that he had realised his
+ambition of making it one of the finest in France. The best
+type of the Territorial officer, his death was a personal loss to
+every officer and man who served under him. The same
+day Capt. H. Walton, M.C., commanding Z Company, was
+also killed.</p>
+
+<p>The three Companies in the Caix valley occupied a wired
+trench facing Rosi&egrave;res, and were told that the troops in
+front would retire and occupy the line with them. Instead,
+however, these troops passed through them, and the whole
+line fell back to the wood south-east of Caix. Here the
+remains of the Battalion were re-organised, and going forward
+again, re-occupied the Caix line. For this action Capt. G.E.
+Cardew and 2nd Lieut. R. Wilson received the Military
+Cross.</p>
+
+<p>It was found impossible to hold the line much longer, and
+about 4 p.m. the Battalion withdrew along the Beaucourt
+road and received verbal instructions to move to Moreuil.
+The cooks, storemen, buglers, etc., who had been left behind
+when the Battalion had moved up on the 21st March, and
+had since been in action as part of a composite battalion,
+had been collected by Major T.B. Heslop, and with some
+stragglers were now at Ailly-sur-Noye. These were ordered
+up to the line on the 29th and moved to Demuin Wood,
+where they arrived after having marched 30 kilometres over
+congested roads during the previous 20 hours. They remained
+in the area for several days, and had a very strenuous
+time with several casualties. After this party had
+moved up, stragglers were collected by Capt. Aubin at Boves,
+and these, with the transport, moved by stages to Saleux,
+passing large numbers of French troops moving up to check
+the advance. At Saleux the remnants of the Division,
+except the details who were still in the line, were re-organised
+in case of emergency, and eventually entrained to Rue and
+marched to billets at Vron. Here Major Heslop and his
+party rejoined. These billets were not far from the coast,
+and it was expected that after the strenuous fortnight there
+would be a short rest. This was not to be, however, but, as
+an alternative, rumour suggested a tour of duty in an easy
+part of the line. This appeared to be confirmed when after
+two days the Battalion moved by 'bus to the Bethune area.</p>
+
+
+<h4><i>Second Phase.</i></h4>
+
+<p>On debussing just west of Bethune, the Battalion marched
+through the town to billets at Beuvry, which was about four
+miles behind one of the quietest sectors on the British front.
+Here a draft of about 400 men arrived, and preparations were
+being made for a relief of the 55th Division near La Bass&eacute;e.
+These arrangements, however, were not carried out, and after
+a few days the Battalion moved by a short railway journey
+to Estaires, where it occupied billets in the town, all the
+officers&mdash;except the Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Transport
+Officer and Capt. Cardew&mdash;being in one billet, the Convent.
+At this time Estaires, though a very short distance behind
+the line, was a flourishing town.</p>
+
+<p>After a quiet day and night, alarming rumours of the
+second German offensive spread, and the next night there
+was a "stand-to." The day following, the officers and a few
+N.C.O.'s reconnoitred a line of posts in support which were
+to be occupied in the event of an attack, and in the evening
+instructions were received for a relief of the Portuguese
+Division, which was holding the line, the relief to take place
+the night after (9th April).</p>
+
+<p>On the night of the 8th April, there was another "stand-to,"
+and at 4 a.m. the threatened attack commenced with a
+heavy bombardment of the town. One of the first shells
+burst in the Convent, and all the occupants with two exceptions
+became casualties. The men, however, got out of their
+billets in safety, and the highest praise is due to the N.C.O.'s,
+who gave valuable assistance to the three surviving Company
+Officers in getting the Battalion into its battle positions in
+the Cockshy, Marais East and West, and Drumiez posts.
+Amongst the officers killed in the Convent were Capt. G.
+Kirkhouse, Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, D.S.O., M.C., and Lieut.
+C.L. Tyerman, all of whom had seen much service with the
+Battalion.</p>
+
+<p>The morning was misty, and beyond the fact that the
+Portuguese were being driven back in confusion, nothing
+definite could be ascertained as to the situation. The first
+reports which reached the Commanding Officer (Major T.B.
+Heslop) were to the effect that three Companies (W, X and Z)
+had been completely overwhelmed, and that two of his three
+Company Officers, Capt. Cardew (killed) and 2nd Lieut.
+Railton (prisoner) were casualties. The remainder of the
+Battalion, however, under Lieut. A.N. Brown, held its
+ground till the afternoon, when it was forced to withdraw
+to the railway near La Gorgue.</p>
+
+<p>At dusk, orders were received to cross the river Lawe and
+to hold the Western bank. This withdrawal was successful,
+and the opportunity was taken to reorganise the Battalion,
+which was divided into two companies, one under Lieut.
+Brown, with Sergt. P. Finn, M.M., and Sergt. Field; and the
+other under C.S.M. T. Sordy, M.C., with Sergts. Bell and
+Cooper. The strength of the Battalion was now barely 100,
+and when touch had been established on the flanks it was
+found that it was holding a frontage of about 2,000 yards.</p>
+
+<p>Assistance was therefore asked for, and a company of the
+Corps Cyclists and a company of the 7th Durham Light
+Infantry were attached. The latter were sent to fill a gap
+on the right flank between the Battalion and a Battalion of
+the Black Watch (51st Division). It was now about
+10 a.m. on the 10th April, and the enemy had renewed his
+attack and gained a footing in Lestrem. From this, however,
+he was driven by the 7th Durham Light Infantry company,
+but further to the south he had pressed back the Highlanders.</p>
+
+<p>Orders were then received to withdraw in a N.W. direction
+to the line of the Lys canal, the company of 7th Durham
+Light Infantry being moved over to the left flank to fill a
+gap which had been caused by the readjustment of their
+line by the 5th Durham Light Infantry. Meanwhile, the
+8th Durham Light Infantry, which was in rear, was ordered
+up to occupy the line between the right flank of the Battalion
+and the 51st Division.</p>
+
+<p>The new position was being fairly well held when it was
+reported that the 5th Durham Light Infantry on the left had
+been forced to retire. Both flanks being now uncertain, the
+Battalion was withdrawn towards Merville, under very heavy
+machine-gun fire. A stand was made on the outskirts of the
+town, but before night the fighting was taking place in the
+streets of the town.</p>
+
+<p>The next day the retirement continued towards the For&ecirc;t
+de Nieppe, and a line was taken up near Le Sart. By this
+time the strength of the Battalion was very small, and with
+the remnants of the 8th Durham Light Infantry, a composite
+battalion was formed under Lieut.-Col. P. Kirkup, M.C.
+Eventually, all were withdrawn from the fighting, and moved
+to the grounds of La Motte Ch&acirc;teau, where they came under
+very heavy shell fire for a short time. For a few days longer
+they remained on the western edge of the Forest and provided
+working parties on new trenches in the forest itself on a line
+in front of the Rue des Morts. At the end of this time they
+were taken out to billets at Cohem, near Wittes, where they
+remained for about a week reorganising and cleaning. Here
+Lieut.-Col. F. Walton, M.C., returned and took over command
+of the Battalion from Major T.B. Heslop, who was subsequently
+awarded the D.S.O. for his services whilst in command.
+Other honours gained in the Lys battle were the
+Military Cross by Lieut. A.N. Brown, the bar to the Military
+Cross by C.S.M. T. Sordy, M.C., the D.C.M. by Sergt. P.
+Finn, and Military Medals by Sergts. Bell and Cooper.</p>
+
+<p>Having now shared in two great battles within a month,
+a rest was confidently expected, and very soon orders were
+received to move by 'bus to Lapugnoy, near Bethune, to
+entrain for an unknown destination, though rumour suggested
+somewhere near Paris.</p>
+
+
+<h4><i>Third Phase.</i></h4>
+
+<p>After a twenty-four hours' journey, the Battalion detrained
+at Serzy, and marched to a hut camp at Arcis-le-Ponsart.
+Maps were scarce, but it was found that this village was
+somewhere east of Soissons, and that the nearest part of
+the line was the famous Chemin des Dames. The men of
+the Division were the first British troops to visit these parts,
+and the limited knowledge of the French language which they
+had found sufficient in Belgium and the North was found to
+be useless. Other Divisions were expected to come South, but
+for a short time the 50th occupied the unique position of
+being the only British troops in the Sixth French Army.</p>
+
+<p>In the camp at Arcis-le-Ponsart were all the battalions
+of the 151st Brigade, and the ceremony of Brigade guard
+mounting was revived. This took place daily in the centre
+of the village with the massed buglers and bands. On the
+occasion of a visit of the French Army Commander to
+Divisional Headquarters, a guard was provided at very short
+notice by the Battalion, and was complimented on its smart
+appearance and bearing. It may be mentioned that the
+bugler of this guard carried the silver bugle presented to the
+Battalion in 1861 by the ladies of Coundon.</p>
+
+<p>It was generally understood that the tour on this sector,
+which was one of the quietest in the line, was to be a period
+of rest and training prior to a return to the fighting further
+north. Accordingly, the days at Arcis were devoted to training,
+mostly in field work. The men whose training was not
+up to standard, including a certain number who had recently
+been transferred from the Inland Water Transport section of
+the Royal Engineers, were detached for separate instruction,
+and eventually went to form a Divisional School.</p>
+
+<p>After about three weeks' training, during which an epidemic
+of influenza visited the camp, the Battalion marched to
+billets in Glennes, a small village near the Aisne. Here final
+preparations were made for the line, and after a few days it
+moved up to relieve a battalion of the 73rd French Infantry
+Regiment in the woods immediately east of the Craonne
+Plateau.</p>
+
+<p>The relief was very interesting. Arriving in the woods in
+the dark, the men were led by French guides by bewildering
+tracks and trenches to the front line. When daylight came,
+the support companies found themselves amidst green trees,
+very different surroundings from those they had previously
+known as the forward area. To add to the general comfort
+there were practically no indications that the war was still on.
+The shelling consisted at the most of half-a-dozen explosions
+daily, and generally there was "nothing doing." The rations
+came up to Battalion Headquarters by train, and the carrying
+parties lost their terrors.</p>
+
+<p>After four days the Battalion moved out to the support
+area, which consisted of billets in the deserted village of
+Chaudardes. Here concerts were organised, there was bathing
+in the Aisne Canal, the band played selections in the centre
+of the village, and it was even possible to do a certain amount
+of training when the enemy's observation balloons were not up.</p>
+
+<p>The four days in support being finished, a return was made
+to the line, this time on the right sub-sector, with the
+8th Durham Light Infantry on the left. The conditions were
+still good, and everything pointed to this being a rest sector
+for the enemy also.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing unusual occurred till the evening of the 26th May,
+when a message was received to the effect that a prisoner had
+stated that after a three-hours' bombardment the enemy
+was going to attack at 4 a.m. on the 27th. Observers also
+reported that towards dusk the roads behind the enemy's
+line were black with troops. The situation appeared to be
+so improbable that it was difficult to regard it as serious. The
+necessary precautions were taken, however; reserves of ammunition
+were sent forward, surplus personnel were sent down
+to the transport lines, and everybody warned to be on the alert.</p>
+
+<p>Promptly at 1 a.m. on the 27th the barrage came down,
+and it was such as had never been experienced by the
+Battalion before. The enemy flooded the whole area to a
+depth of about 3,000 yards with high explosive, shrapnel, and
+gas shells. Even the stores and transport, as was afterwards
+disclosed, were shelled out of Muscourt, which was many
+miles back, south of the Aisne.</p>
+
+<p>Communication with the forward companies was maintained
+by telephone, and an occasional runner, and at
+4.50 a.m. a message was received at Headquarters from the
+front line stating that the enemy had attacked in force and
+had overwhelmed the forward posts. An enemy tank was
+also reported to be tearing up the wire. The next information
+came from Capt. Lyon who, finding his Company (X)
+had been wiped out, reported at Battalion Headquarters
+that the enemy was advancing rapidly. The reserve company
+(Z), under Capt. R. Green, M.C., were in position close
+to Headquarters, and they reported the enemy on top of
+them, with machine guns behind their right flank and
+bombers behind their left.</p>
+
+<p>It was then decided to move Headquarters further to the
+rear, and it was afterwards discovered that at this time parties
+of the enemy were actually well in rear of the position.</p>
+
+<p>After moving down the communication trench for about
+500 yards, Lieut.-Col. Walton, with the Adjutant and Signalling
+Officer, and Capt. Lyon, collected all the available men, about
+forty of the Battalion, and searched for the best place to make
+a stand. They were still under the barrage, and the smoke
+made matters very difficult. Presently the 5th Durham Light
+Infantry came up the trench to take up an allotted position,
+which they found to be already taken by the enemy. They
+moved off to the right of the main trench, however, and the
+forty men under Capt. Lyon joined them.</p>
+
+<p>A message was then received by the Commanding Officer
+telling him to report at Brigade Headquarters. On arrival,
+however, the dug-outs were found to be unoccupied. Enemy
+machine guns were now firing from the rear, and it was realised
+that apart from about half-a-dozen orderlies who formed the
+remains of the Headquarters personnel, the Battalion had
+been practically annihilated.</p>
+
+<p>In his search for the Brigadier, who, it afterwards transpired,
+had been killed, Lieut.-Col. Walton arrived at the bridge
+at Concevreux. Here he found a few men of the 8th Durham
+Light Infantry and the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers, with
+whom the bridge was held till the afternoon. Unfortunately,
+none of the Battalion joined this party from the front, and
+for the next two or three days the two Commanding Officers
+of the 6th and 8th Durham Light Infantry found themselves
+in command of various bodies of men of other battalions.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile those of the Battalion who were at the transport
+lines when the battle started had been collected on the
+road from Muscourt to Romain under Major T.B. Heslop,
+D.S.O., and placed under the orders of the G.O.C. 74th
+Brigade. Whilst on the road they could see enemy troops
+and guns on the far side of the Aisne valley and later saw
+these guns being fired point blank at them. Various positions
+were taken up during the day, the party being in close
+contact with the enemy and suffering many casualties. On
+the 29th these details, which had rejoined the transport, were
+ordered to move from Villers Argon to Baslieux-sous-Chatillon,
+but before reaching the latter place, every available man
+was again collected to form part of a Company under Major
+Heslop, representing the remnants of the 151st Brigade in a
+Battalion to which each Brigade of the Division contributed
+one Company. After a night in Quisles Ch&acirc;teau this
+Battalion moved towards Ville-en-Tardenois to support the
+74th Brigade. The enemy's position was uncertain and
+the 151st Brigade Company were ordered to act as advance
+guard and to seize the high ground north and east of
+Romigny. This was done, but the enemy attacked in force,
+with the result that the Company were driven to a position
+south of the village which they held till reinforcements arrived.</p>
+
+<p>Eventually, the remnants of the Division, except the
+Composite Battalion, were assembled at Vert-la-Gravelle,
+south of the Marne, when a Composite Brigade was formed,
+consisting of a weak Battalion from each of the original
+Brigades. This Brigade, after about a week spent in
+reorganisation, moved up to Chaumuzy and the Bois de
+Courton, where it did good work in a counter-attack on the
+Bligny ridge. Meanwhile, the transport and stores moved
+back to Broyes, near Sezanne, where they were eventually
+joined by the members of the Composite Battalion. For
+actions during the whole of the operations, the Military Cross
+was awarded to Capt. A.B. Hare, Lieut. T. Rushworth,
+2nd Lieut. J. Woodhead, and R.S.M. J. Taylor. The last
+named was wounded and was succeeded by C.S.M. T.
+Sordy, M.C. The Military Medal was awarded to Sergt.
+Malone, L.-Cpl. Ripley and Pte. Dinsley, and the French
+Croix de Guerre to Corpl. Nield.</p>
+
+<p>At Broyes still another Composite Battalion was formed
+from the Brigade in case of emergency, and though orders
+were received to proceed into the line, they were cancelled.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the news that owing to the military demands,
+the 50th Division was to be broken up. Nothing definite,
+however, could be ascertained, and early in June the remnants
+entrained at Sezanne for the Abbeville area. On detraining
+at Longpre they marched to billets at Caumont, where orders
+were received that the battalions were to be reduced to the
+strength of Training Cadres (10 officers and 50 other ranks).
+After a few days they marched to Warcheville, from where the
+surplus men (about 120) were sent to the Base. It may be
+mentioned that the total casualties in the Battalion during
+the months of March, April and May had been 60 officers
+and over 1,200 other ranks.</p>
+
+<p>In a few more days the Battalion, now a Training Cadre,
+moved by 'bus to a camp just outside Dieppe, and there a
+month was spent awaiting further orders. The time was
+spent in the training of the N.C.O.'s who were to be instructors
+on special subjects, and in visits to the town. The band had
+been lent to the 50th Division, which had been filled up by
+new battalions from Salonica and was able to play selections
+in the camp, and on one occasion in the town.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the month's stay, about the middle of August,
+it was announced that the battalions were not to be disbanded,
+but retained for training purposes. A few days later the
+Cadres of the 5th, 6th and 8th Durham Light Infantry moved
+by train to Rouen, where they were to build a camp and start
+a new institution, that of instructing reinforcement officers
+at the Base in tactical schemes. The officers of the Cadres
+therefore began the latter work, whilst the N.C.O.'s and men
+worked, or superintended the work on the new camp. In
+this somewhat monotonous way two months dragged on,
+during which, in the temporary absence on sick leave of
+Lieut.-Col. Walton, Lieut.-Col. Montgomerie, M.C., of the
+Norfolk Regiment, was in command. The band still remained
+with the Battalion and after the Armistice was
+granted permission to play on the Joan of Arc statue, being
+the first British band to do so. They also had the unique
+experience of playing "Blaydon Races" in Rouen Cathedral.</p>
+
+<p>About the middle of October came rumours of the splitting
+up of the Cadres, and on the 18th October Lieut.-Col. Walton
+was ordered to proceed to take command of the 18th Durham
+Light Infantry. He was succeeded by Lieut.-Col. A.L.
+MacMillan of the Seaforth Highlanders, who commanded,
+however, for only a few days, for on the 6th November the
+Battalion was demobilised, and within a few days the personnel
+had been scattered to various battalions all over France.</p>
+
+<p>So within a few days of the Armistice, ended the career of
+the 6th Durham Light Infantry in France, after three and
+a half years of good work which had made for it, right up
+to the end, a reputation which bore not a single stain, and
+which on more than one occasion had caused it to be held up
+as an example of the efficiency of the Territorial Force to
+which it had the great honour to belong.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="APPENDICES" id="APPENDICES"></a>APPENDICES.</h2>
+
+
+<h3>APPENDIX I.</h3>
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Officers Killed or Died</span>.</h4>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>Major S.E. Badcock</td><td rowspan='3'><span style='font-size: 4em'>}</span></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. T.J. Monkhouse</td><td align='left'>26th April, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. C.S. Kynoch</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. J.M. Hare</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>24th May, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. G.C. Robertson</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>21st July, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. L.M. Peberdy</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>22nd Dec., 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. L. Meyer</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>11th June, 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. R.J. Harris</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>16th June, 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. J.C. Miller</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>27th July, 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. H.C. Annett</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>15th Sept., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. N.F. Charlton</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>18th Sept., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. W. Little</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>1st Oct., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. D.R. Peacock</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>2nd Oct., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. C.H.B. Catford<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>5th Oct., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. G.W. Robson</td><td rowspan='6'><span style='font-size: 7em'>}</span></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. A.S. Ritson</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. S. Robson</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. T.F. Applegarth</td><td align='left'>5th Nov., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. K.B. Stuart</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. H. Fell</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Major W.D. Carswell Hunt, M.C.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a></td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>5th April, 1917.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. A.L. Brock</td><td rowspan='5'><span style='font-size: 6em'>}</span></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. W.H. Richardson</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. J.W. Payne</td><td align='left'>14th April, 1917.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. H. Greener</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. W.L. Newton</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. D.D.R. Lewis<a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>22nd April, 1917.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. D.F. Charlton</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>24th March, 1918.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. T. Sharkey</td><td rowspan='2'><span style='font-size: 3em'>}</span></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. A.R. Burn</td><td align='left'>26th March, 1918.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. H. Walton, M.C.</td><td rowspan='3'><span style='font-size: 4em'>}</span></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. T.J. Burton<a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></td><td align='left'>27th March, 1918.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O.</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. A.A. Horwood</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>28th March, 1918.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, D.S.O., M.C.</td><td rowspan='8'><span style='font-size: 9em'>}</span></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. G.E. Cardew, M.C.</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. G. Kirkhouse</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. Mackenzie (R.A.M.C.)<a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. C.L. Tyerman</td><td align='left'>9th April, 1918.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. D.B. Scott</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. R.A. Wilson, M.C.</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. F. Shirtliffe</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. W.B. Hansell</td><td rowspan='2'><span style='font-size: 3em'>}</span></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. A.N. Brown, M.C.</td><td align='left'>27th May, 1918.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. J.C. Garritt.</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>30th May, 1918.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Died of wounds.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Died.</p></div>
+
+
+<h3>APPENDIX II.</h3>
+
+<p>(<i>The ranks shown are the highest held by the respective officers during
+their service in France</i>.)</p>
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Commanding Officers</span>.</h4>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson</td><td align='left'>19th April-28th April, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.</td><td align='left'>28th April-19th May, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Major W.E. Taylor (York and Lancaster Regt.).</td><td align='left'>19th May-24th May, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.</td><td align='left'>24th May-11th Aug., 1915.<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Brig.-Gen. O.C. Borrett, C.M.G., D.S.O. (King's Own Regt.).</td><td align='left'>11th Aug.-15th Aug., 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.</td><td align='left'>15th Aug.-19th Dec., 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Brig.-Gen. G.A. Stevens, C.M.G., D.S.O. (Royal Fusiliers).</td><td align='left'>19th Dec., 1915-27th April, 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.</td><td align='left'>27th April,-23rd Sept., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Major G.E. Wilkinson, M.C. (Northumberland Fusiliers).</td><td align='left'>23rd Sept.-1st Oct., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Brig.-Gen. R.B. Bradford, V.C., M.C.</td><td align='left'>1st Oct.-2nd Oct., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C., D.C.M. (East Lancashire Regt.).</td><td align='left'>2nd Oct.-6th Nov., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. H.M. Allen, C.M.G., D.S.O. (Black Watch).</td><td align='left'>6th Nov., 1916-Feb., 1917.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.</td><td align='left'>Feb.-25th March, 1917.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='2'><p>(During this period the command was held for short intervals
+by Lieut.-Col. W.B. Little, D.S.O., M.C. (East Lancashire Regt.), and
+Lieut.-Col. E. Crouch, D.S.O., D.C.M. during the temporary
+absence in hospital of Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys.)</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>Major W.D. Carswell Hunt. M.C.</td><td align='left'>25th March-5th April, 1917.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C., D.C.M.</td><td align='left'>5th April-11th April, 1917.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O., (Yorkshire Regt.).</td><td align='left'>11th April, 1917-27th Mar., 1918.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. T.B. Heslop, D.S.O.</td><td align='left'>27th March-April, 1918.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. F. Walton, M.C.</td><td align='left'>April-18th Oct., 1918.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='2'><p>(During this period the command was held for a few days by Lieut.-Col.
+E.W. Montgomerie, M.C. (Norfolk Regt.), during the temporary
+absence of Lieut.-Col. Walton.)</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. A.L. MacMillan (Seaforth Highlanders).</td><td align='left'>18th Oct.-6th Nov., 1918.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Adjutants.</span></h4>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.</td><td align='left'>19th April-28th April, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. R.V. Hare</td><td align='left'>28th April-19th May, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.</td><td align='left'>19th May-24th May, 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. P.H.B. Lyon, M.C.</td><td align='left'>24th May-20th Dec., 1915.<a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Brig.-Gen. R.B. Bradford, V.C., M.C.</td><td align='left'>20th Dec.-31st Dec., 1915.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. C.E.G. Yaldwyn</td><td align='left'>31st Dec., 1915-May, 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. G. Kirkhouse</td><td align='left'>May-20th Sept., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C., D.C.M.</td><td align='left'>20th Sept.-2nd Oct., 1916</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. G. Kirkhouse</td><td align='left'>2nd Oct.-10th Nov., 1916.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. T.J. Arnott (Gordon Highlanders)</td><td align='left'>10th Nov., 1916-5th April, 1917.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Major G.D.R. Dobson, M.C.</td><td align='left'>5th April-3rd May, 1917.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. R.B. Ainsworth, M.C.</td><td align='left'>3rd May, 1917-6th Nov., 1918.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Quartermaster.</span></h4>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>Capt. W.M. Hope, M.C.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>19th April, 1915-6th Nov., 1918.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<p>(With short interval when wounded in 1918.)</p>
+
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Transport Officer.</span></h4>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. H.T. Bircham, M.C.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>19th April, 1915-June, 1918.<a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> With interval from 8th June-11th Aug., 1915 during the amalgamation of
+the 6th and 8th Battalions.</p></div>
+
+
+<h3>APPENDIX III</h3>
+
+<p>(<i>The ranks shown are the highest held by the respective officers during
+their service in France</i>.)</p>
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Decorations won by Officers serving with the Battalion</span>.</h4>
+
+
+<p><b>D.S.O.</b></p>
+<ul>
+<li>Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys.</li>
+<li>Lieut.-Col. T.B. Heslop.</li>
+<li>Capt. J.F.G. Aubin.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p><b>M.C. &amp; BAR.</b></p>
+<ul><li>Capt. J.F.G. Aubin.</li></ul>
+
+
+<p><b>M.C.</b></p>
+
+<ul><li>Lieut.-Col. F. Walton.</li>
+<li>Capt. T. Welch.</li>
+<li>Capt. R.H. Wharrier.</li>
+<li>Capt. H. Walton</li>
+<li>Capt. R.S. Johnson.</li>
+<li>Capt. R.B. Ainsworth.</li>
+<li>Capt. P.H.B. Lyon</li>
+<li>Capt. W.M. Hope</li>
+<li>Capt. G.E. Cardew.</li>
+<li>Capt. A.N. Brown.</li>
+<li>Capt. T. Rushworth.</li>
+<li>Capt. A.B. Hare.</li>
+<li>Lieut. W.P. Gill.</li>
+<li>Lieut. G.R. Angus.</li>
+<li>Lieut. B.J. Harvey.</li>
+<li>Lieut. H.T. Bircham.</li>
+<li>2nd Lieut. R.A. Wilson.</li>
+<li>2nd Lieut. J. Woodhead.</li></ul>
+
+
+
+<p>The V.C. was won by Brig.-Genl. R.B. Bradford whilst in
+command of the 6th and 9th Battalions.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h6>THE</h6>
+<h6>ARDEN PRESS</h6>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;">
+<img src="images/crest.png" width="200" height="172" alt="Arden Crest" title="Arden Crest" />
+</div>
+
+<h6>W.H. SMITH &amp; SON</h6>
+<h6>STAMFORD STREET</h6>
+<h6>LONDON: S.E.</h6>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the 6th Battalion, The
+Durham Light Infantry, by Unknown
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the 6th Battalion, The Durham
+Light Infantry, by Unknown
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of the 6th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
+       France, April 1915-November 1918
+
+Author: Unknown
+
+Editor: R.B. Ainsworth
+
+Release Date: September 5, 2005 [EBook #16660]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE 6TH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Irma Spehar, Christine D and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
+Produced from page images provided by Internet
+Archive/Canadian Libraries
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                      THE STORY
+
+                 OF THE 6TH BATTALION
+
+                   THE DURHAM LIGHT
+
+                       INFANTRY
+
+
+        France, _April_ 1915--_November_ 1918
+
+
+                       EDITED BY
+
+               CAPT. R.B. AINSWORTH, M.C.
+
+
+
+
+                        LONDON
+                THE ST. CATHERINE PRESS
+                 STAMFORD STREET, S.E.
+                         1919
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                                 PAGE
+
+FOREWORD                                                         7
+
+CHAPTER I.
+THE "SALIENT"                                                    9
+
+CHAPTER II.
+ARMENTIERES AND THE RETURN TO THE "SALIENT"                      20
+
+CHAPTER III.
+THE SOMME                                                        25
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+ARRAS                                                            35
+
+CHAPTER V.
+RETURN TO THE "SALIENT"                                          41
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+THE SOMME, THE LYS AND THE AISNE                                 45
+
+APPENDICES.
+
+OFFICERS KILLED OR DIED, COMMANDING OFFICERS, DECORATIONS, ETC.  57
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD.
+
+
+During one of the short periods of training in 1917, it was suggested
+that lectures should be delivered to the troops on the history of their
+battalions in France. Accordingly Capt. G. Kirkhouse, then Assistant
+Adjutant, set to work to collect material for this purpose. Owing to
+there being no officers, and very few men, who had served continuously
+with the Battalion since April, 1915, the task was not easy, and it was
+found impossible to complete the information in time for a lecture before
+the Battalion returned to the line. The material was carefully preserved,
+however, and was the only portion of the records which survived the
+disaster of the 27th May, 1918. As soon as time permitted, the task was
+continued, but owing to there being very few survivors of earlier days,
+many details have probably escaped notice. Imperfect and incomplete as
+the story is, however, it is hoped that the details related will serve to
+recall other incidents, both pleasant and unpleasant, to those members of
+the Battalion who have been fortunate enough to survive.
+
+It is regretted that it has not been found practicable to include a
+chapter on the inner life of the Battalion which centred round the
+characters of some of its members. So many names occur to one's mind that
+a chapter would be inadequate to mention all, and the exclusion of any
+would have involved an invidious and unjustifiable selection.
+
+                                                              R.B.A.
+
+_July, 1919._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE "SALIENT."
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+The end of March, 1915, found the 50th (Northumbrian) Division of the
+Territorial Force awaiting orders to proceed overseas. The infantry of
+the Division consisted of the 149th Infantry Brigade (4th, 5th, 6th and
+7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers), the 150th Infantry Brigade (4th
+Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, 4th and 5th Battalions Yorkshire
+Regiment, and 5th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry), and the 151st
+Infantry Brigade (6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions The Durham Light
+Infantry). Early in April, when the 6th Battalion The Durham Light
+Infantry were in billets at Gateshead, the orders arrived and on the 10th
+April Capt. F. Walton proceeded to Havre to make arrangements for the
+arrival of the transport section. The first detachment of men to leave
+Gateshead consisted of the transport and machine-gun sections which,
+under Major J.E. Hawdon, Second in Command, and Lieut. H.T. Bircham,
+Transport Officer, entrained at the Cattle Market, Newcastle, on the 17th
+April for Southampton, _en route_ for Havre.
+
+Two days later the remainder of the Battalion entrained at the Central
+Station, Newcastle, with the following officers: Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson
+in command, Capt. J.W. Jeffreys, Adjutant; Major W.M. Mackay, Medical
+Officer; Capt. A.P. Cummins, commanding A Company; Major S.E. Badcock,
+commanding B Company; Capt. W.H.D. Devey, commanding C Company; and Capt.
+J. Townend, commanding D Company. Arriving at Folkestone the same day,
+the Battalion embarked for Boulogne, where it arrived about midnight and
+marched up to Ostrohove Camp.
+
+The following day it entrained at Pont de Briques Station, on the train
+which brought the transport and machine-gun sections from Havre. The
+complete battalion detrained at Cassel, and after marching all night
+arrived in billets at Hardifort at 5 a.m. on the 21st April.
+
+On the 23rd April orders were received to march at very short notice to
+Steenvoorde, where the whole of the 151st Infantry Brigade, commanded at
+this time by Brig.-General Martin, was assembled in a field at the
+eastern end of the town. During the remainder of the day the men were
+allowed to rest. At dusk two battalions of the Brigade, the 7th and 9th
+Battalions, marched off in fighting order. The other two Battalions (the
+6th and 8th) proceeded by 'buses through Poperinghe to Vlamertinghe,
+where they took over a hut camp recently vacated by the 9th Royal Scots.
+
+It was now evident that the lessons which the Battalion had learnt during
+its long period of training were very soon to be put into practice. The
+24th April was spent in testing rifles and making final preparations for
+action, and in the evening an order arrived from the Brigade to get ready
+to move quickly. This order was given out and within half an hour the
+Battalion was on the pave road, marching towards Ypres. It entered the
+town as night settled on it. At this date the town was not ruined and the
+results of the shelling were hardly noticeable. As the Battalion was
+passing the Cloth Hall a shell came screaming faintly towards it, and,
+passing over, burst with a dull roar in the city a quarter of a mile
+away. There had been no talking in the ranks nor any sound except the
+beat of ammunition boots on the pave, but when this shell screamed
+overhead and burst, ejaculation in the good old Durham tongue could be
+heard passing cheerily up the length of the column. Two or three more
+shells passed over, but none burst near the Battalion.
+
+Reaching the top of the hill to the east of the city and leaving the
+white walls of Potijze Chateau on the left, the Battalion turned off the
+road and filed into the G.H.Q. line, a Battalion of the Shropshire Light
+Infantry climbing out to make room. This trench was of the breastwork
+type, and a novelty to the men whose idea of a trench was a ditch below
+the ground level. The dispositions of the Battalion were as follows: A
+Company were on the south side of the Potijze road and the remainder on
+the north side, with B Company on the right, D Company in the centre, and
+C Company on the left. The machine-gun section was with D Company.
+Transport lines were established just behind the Chateau near to a
+Canadian Battery. The position was unfortunate, for the section came
+under heavy shell fire and had several men and horses hit.
+
+Sunday, the 25th April, was the first day spent by the Battalion in the
+trenches. There was a considerable amount of shelling, but fortunately
+the Battalion in the trenches did not suffer. In the evening, as it got
+dark, the Battalion moved out of the trench and, forming up on the road
+which it had left the previous night, marched in fours for about a mile
+to Velorenhoek village, which was then almost intact. There the Battalion
+came under the orders of the 85th Infantry Brigade, and halted. All ranks
+slept for some hours on the roadside, or in the fields, gardens or
+cottages close to the road. Before dawn the Brigadier ordered the
+Battalion to vacate the village, and the column moved a few hundred yards
+up the road to the east. Here the Companies left the road and the men
+improved with their entrenching tools the little cover in the form of
+ditches and trenches which was to be found, and then lay down. Throughout
+this and the succeeding days the men were in marching order with full
+packs. The transport moved back to Potijze Wood, except the ration
+limbers, which went back to Poperinghe.
+
+About 10 a.m. on the 26th word was passed for the Commanding Officer and
+Adjutant, who accordingly reported to the Brigadier of the 85th Brigade.
+He was standing on the north side of the road on a little rising ground
+from which there was a view for a mile or two to the eastward. He gave
+the following order verbally: "The Germans have broken through our line
+and are advancing south-west. The Durham Light Infantry (6th Battalion)
+will advance and take up positions between Zonnebeke level crossing and
+Hill 37." He described the position of the crossing, later known as
+Devil's Crossing, by pointing out the direction and stated that the hill
+with a few trees on it to the E.N.E. was Hill 37. He further stated that
+the Shropshire Light Infantry would be on the right and that
+Lieut.-Colonel Bridgford, of that Regiment, would be in command of the
+6th Battalion.
+
+Orders were accordingly issued to Company Commanders verbally by the
+Adjutant as follows: The Battalion is to occupy the line between Hill 37,
+which can be seen on the left front, and Zonnebeke crossing, which lies
+on the road. Captain Cummins's Company (A) will march on the crossing
+and Captain Townend's Company (D) on Hill 37. Major Badcock's Company
+(B) and Captain Devey's Company (C) will divide the space between.
+Advance in artillery formation, take advantage of the cover afforded by
+the ground, and each Company Commander should accompany one of his rear
+Platoons. When Companies had gained suitable positions on this line they
+were to deploy and attack by fire any bodies of the enemy who might
+attempt to cross their front. The whole operation was under direct
+observation by enemy balloons, and as soon as the Companies moved an
+intense barrage was put down. B Company, on the right, however, had a
+comparatively good time and suffered very few casualties, whilst No. 5
+Platoon, under Lieut. A.B. Hare, had none at all, and reached Zonnebeke
+Crossing in safety. The remaining Companies got the full effect of the
+barrage, which included gas shells, and lost direction towards the left.
+Capt. W.H.D. Devey, commanding C Company, was wounded, Capt. J. Monkhouse
+killed, and 2nd Lieut. H.H. Nicholson wounded. As a result of the loss of
+direction a gap was formed, and A Company were pushed forward to fill it.
+In spite of heavy casualties the line was maintained, and continued to
+advance, firing all the time on the enemy, who could be seen from the new
+positions. It was not till they had advanced a considerable distance that
+the officers and men found that there was another line of British troops
+ahead of them, holding out in shell-holes, on hillsides, etc.
+
+When this was discovered, Lieut. T.B. Heslop, with No. 11 Platoon and
+part of No. 9 Platoon, joined the London Rifle Brigade; 2nd Lieut. R.V.
+Hare, with No. 10 Platoon, joined a Battalion of the Shropshire Light
+Infantry, and 2nd Lieut. G. Angus, with the remainder of No. 9 Platoon,
+took up a position in support on the hill. By this time A and D Companies
+were in the forward positions. As already described, A Company had moved
+up to fill the gap between B and C Companies, and D Company had also
+moved to the assistance of C Company. As a result, the men of all
+Companies were mixed together, and it is difficult to say how they were
+distributed, but A Company seem to have been in two parts, one with D
+Company and one next to B Company. The former passed over Hill 37 and
+eventually joined the London Rifle Brigade in some ditches which formed
+the front line. There they suffered many casualties. Amongst others,
+Major S.E. Badcock and 2nd Lieut. Kynoch were killed and Capt. F. Walton
+and 2nd Lieut. G. Kirkhouse were wounded. As soon as the advance had
+commenced, the Adjutant, Capt. J.W. Jeffreys, had galloped through the
+barrage to find Zonnebeke crossing. Having shown it to the Company on the
+right flank he proceeded along the line and found a Platoon of D Company
+under 2nd Lieut. Lyon digging themselves in. A little further along
+another Platoon was found, and whilst showing them the line he was
+heavily fired on. After returning to Brigade Headquarters for a fresh
+horse he went to Hill 37 and there heard of D Company from some men of
+the Rifle Brigade. Before dusk all formed parties had got into touch with
+Battalion Headquarters, which were at Zevencote barn, beside Zonnebeke
+level crossing.
+
+About 4 p.m. Lt.-Col. Bridgford, who was in command of all troops in this
+sector, issued orders for an attack to be made to clear the enemy from
+the Fortuin-Passchendaele Road. The attack was to be made by two
+Companies of the Shropshire Light Infantry, with the 7th Durham Light
+Infantry in support and the 6th in reserve. The attacking troops were to
+pass through the front line and establish a new line on the road when
+captured. A conference of officers was held, and it was ascertained that
+the men available for the attack were as follows:--No. 3 Platoon under
+2nd Lieut. Blenkinsop, Nos. 5, 7 and 8 Platoons, under Capt. T. Welch,
+with Lieuts. A.B. Hare and H.C.W. Haythornthwaite; No. 9 Platoon under
+2nd Lieut. G. Angus, and about forty men of D Company under Capt. J.
+Townend and 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon.
+
+The Battalion, which was lying in a trench near the road, began to
+advance about 7 or 8 p.m., moving in artillery formation and following
+the 7th Durham Light Infantry towards the ridge to the north of
+Zonnebeke.
+
+On reaching the ridge, which was found unoccupied, the 7th Battalion
+moved off to Zonnebeke and the 6th Battalion was ordered to send three
+Companies to the support of the Hampshire Regiment on Gravenstafel Ridge
+further to the north.
+
+In accordance with the orders issued by Lt.-Col. Hicks, commanding the
+Hampshires, B Company, who were about 90 strong, left the remainder of
+the Battalion, who were now at Hicks' Farm and moved to reinforce 2nd
+Lieut. Ball of the Royal Fusiliers (28th Div.), who, with 100 men, was
+holding a position on the Gravenstafel Ridge. This position consisted of
+a much battered breastwork, of which only isolated portions offered any
+cover. The remainder of the Battalion was then divided. C Company were
+sent to garrison a strong point near a neighbouring farm, leaving No. 9
+Platoon, under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus, to form a ration party. A Company was
+held in reserve in isolated trenches. Battalion Headquarters and D
+Company moved back to Zevencote barn, where the Company occupied some
+trenches.
+
+On the night of the 27th April, A Company with about twenty men of D
+Company were sent to fill a gap between the Hampshires and the
+Shropshires, where they dug themselves in. The following day Capt. A.P.
+Cummins and Capt. D. Park were seriously wounded by a sniper firing from
+behind their line, and 2nd Lieut. Blenkinsop took over command till the
+arrival at night of Lieut. R.V. Hare. C.S.M. Lancaster of A Company was
+also badly wounded.
+
+The men on the left of B Company, under Lieut. H.C.W. Haythornthwaite
+during these days, were in very close touch with the enemy, being
+separated from them in the same trench by a block about ten yards wide.
+They were the first of the Battalion to use rifle grenades, which were
+taken up to them by a party of the Buffs. On the night of the 28th April
+No. 6 Platoon was sent up to join the Company, but it was found that they
+could not be accommodated in the trench and they returned to Battalion
+Headquarters. All through this period the Company was existing under very
+difficult conditions. The evacuation of wounded was almost impossible,
+and Corpl. Hardy did excellent work in establishing an aid post and
+attending to wounded for four days and nights. He was subsequently
+mentioned in dispatches for this good work. Their only rations were taken
+up on the night of the 28th by a party of No. 9 Platoon under Corpl.
+Hall, and water was collected from shell holes in empty ammunition boxes.
+
+Whilst in the front line, both A and B Companies were constantly under
+fire from trench mortars ("sausages") and snipers, some of whom were
+firing from the rear. Several of the posts held by B Company were blown
+in, and in one, occupied by Sergt. Bennison and ten men, all were hit
+except Ptes. Walters and Fenwick. In another post the shelter was blown
+in and several men wounded and buried. Pte. Robinson, the only man not
+hit, crossed the open to the next post, but was unable to obtain
+assistance. He thereupon went back, and under constant fire, dug out
+several men. For this action he was awarded the D.C.M. and Croix de
+Guerre.
+
+The machine-gun section was in action on the 26th April, and for his good
+work in handling them Lieut. W.P. Gill was awarded the Military Cross.
+After being withdrawn on the night of the 26th the guns were kept in
+reserve at Battalion Headquarters.
+
+During the whole of the four days the Battalion was in the line, parties
+from D Company under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus did good work in distributing
+rations, which were brought up from Poperinghe to Zonnebeke Crossing by
+limber. The exact location of the different parties was doubtful, and the
+absence of roads, tracks or landmarks made the delivery of rations to the
+men a very unpleasant task.
+
+On the 30th April came news of relief. A Company were relieved at night
+by the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and moved back to the
+Convent near Velorenhoek. B Company had further unpleasant experiences.
+Their relief by a Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers took place nearly at
+dawn, and it was impossible to get further than Hicks' Farm before it was
+too light to move. They were accordingly put into a barn and some
+trenches for the day, being still only about 300 yards from the enemy,
+whose aeroplanes were very active directing fire on to the position. This
+fire was fairly successful, and the barn was hit and set on fire and
+Lieut. A.B. Hare wounded. The men showed excellent discipline on this
+occasion and stood fast till led out to occupy a neighbouring trench. At
+night the Company rejoined the rest of the Battalion at the Convent,
+where the whole were accommodated in trenches near the road.
+
+In addition to the honours already mentioned the following were
+subsequently awarded for work during this period:--Capt. T. Welch
+received the Military Cross for his work with B Company on Gravenstafel
+Ridge, being the first officer in the Brigade to win the decoration;
+R.S.M. G. Perry, who had been doing excellent work for the Battalion
+since mobilization, was granted the D.C.M. for his work in organising
+ration parties; and C.S.M.s McNair and Bousfield (afterwards commanding
+15th D.L.I.) also received the D.C.M. for gallantry after casualties to
+officers. Others, who did excellent work, but received no decoration,
+were Lieut. W.F.E. Badcock, Signalling Officer, and his Sergeant, H.
+Elliott; Sergts. Linsley and Wallace, of B Company; Pte. Newton of A
+Company, and Pte. Hall of C Company.
+
+The casualties had been fairly heavy, and included fifteen officers,
+amongst whom was Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson, who left the Battalion sick on
+the 28th April. Capt. J.W. Jeffreys had assumed command with Lieut. R.V.
+Hare as Adjutant.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+On the 30th April the enemy delivered another attack, using gas. This
+fell mainly on the Irish Regiment, but the 6th Battalion in reserve
+occupied battle positions, and collected many men who were driven back by
+the gas. At night the Battalion marched back to huts in Brielen Wood,
+where it rested for 24 hours. Leaving there, it marched to St.
+Jansterbiezen, where it was inspected on the morning of the 2nd May by
+Sir John French, who thanked the men for their good work and praised
+especially A and B Companies. On the 8th May a draft of officers joined
+the Battalion, and the following day a move was made back to Brielen
+Woods. Here the Battalion, living in bivouacs, was in Divisional reserve
+for one day. The transport and Q.M. Stores moved into a field near
+Poperinghe.
+
+After this short rest the Battalion learnt that it was to return to the
+scene of its first experiences. On the 10th May it marched to Potijze and
+occupied the G.H.Q. line near the railway and some dug-outs in the
+cutting south-east of Ypres. Here the men were shelled at intervals,
+particularly on the 13th, and spent the nights on working parties. It was
+whilst in this area that the new gas respirators, consisting of a pad of
+cotton wool and a strip of muslin, were issued on a scale of one to every
+twelve men. On the 19th May Major W.E. Taylor, York and Lancaster
+Regiment, arrived and took over command from Capt. Jeffreys. Two days
+later the Battalion was relieved by the East Surrey Regiment, and
+returned to Brielen huts.
+
+During the next few days the artillery fire increased considerably on
+both sides, and just before dawn on Whit Monday, the 24th May, the
+Germans launched their gas attack. The gas cloud drifted towards Brielen
+and the men were roused and moved about half a mile from the camp to
+which they returned for breakfast and to prepare to move into action. The
+morning had turned out bright and fine when they paraded and marched off
+to Potijze. In those days the road leading out of Ypres eastwards was
+still marked by leafy trees, and as the Battalion marched along it,
+trees, branches and leaves were lying about, brought down by the heavy
+fire. Arriving at the wood, which was being heavily shelled, the men were
+put into ditches and half-dug trenches. Later in the day packs were
+collected, and in the lighter "Fighting Order" the men manned the G.H.Q.
+line in front of the wood, being in reserve to the 3rd Battalion
+Middlesex Regiment, who were under orders to deliver a counter-attack.
+Whilst taking up this position Major Taylor was wounded and 2nd Lieut.
+J.M. Hare killed, and Capt. Jeffreys again assumed command. The
+counter-attack was cancelled and the Battalion moved back to dug-outs on
+the Menin Road, where it stayed all the next day.
+
+On the night of the 25th May the whole Battalion paraded as a working
+party to dig a front line trench to fill a gap caused by the German
+attack. The right of this trench was on the railway cutting, the enemy
+being on the other side of the cutting. The men worked magnificently and
+finished the task in less than two hours. As soon as it was completed the
+new trench was occupied by a Battalion of the Buffs. After two more
+nights spent on working parties the men were relieved and marched back to
+bivouacs in Brielen Wood. On the 2nd June orders were received to move
+further back, and they marched through Poperinghe to a field on the south
+of the town, where they spent the night and the next day, moving again on
+the 4th to bivouacs at Ouderdom.
+
+The organisation of the Battalion was now to undergo a change which did
+not meet with universal approval amongst its members. On the 8th June it
+was amalgamated with the 8th Durham Light Infantry, the new Battalion
+being constituted as follows: Lieut.-Col. J. Turnbull, V.D. (8th D.L.I.)
+in command; Capt. G.A. Stevens (Royal Fusiliers), Adjutant; A Company
+(8th D.L.I.), Capt. T.A. Bradford; B Company (A and B Companies of 6th
+D.L.I.), Lieut. W.P. Gill; C Company (6th D.L.I.), Lieut. T.B. Heslop; D
+Company (6th D.L.I.), Capt. F.H. Livesay; Machine-gun section, 2nd Lieut.
+R.A. Howe (6th D.L.I.); transport section, Lieut. Ramsay (8th D.L.I.);
+Quartermaster, Lieut. W.M. Hope (6th D.L.I.). All supernumerary staff
+were sent to the base at Harfleur. At the same time the 7th Battalion
+became Divisional Pioneers and the 5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire
+Regiment joined the 151st Brigade.
+
+On the evening of the 11th June the new Battalion marched by Companies to
+dug-outs in the grounds of Kruisstraat Chateau, south of Ypres. The
+following day the march was resumed _via_ the Lille gate and Maple Copse
+to Sanctuary Wood, where the Battalion was lent to the 149th Infantry
+Brigade to provide working parties for the improvement of the Hooge
+defences. It was during this move that the transport, on the 14th June,
+had its worst experience of the famous Hell Fire Corner, where it was
+shelled and a water cart was completely destroyed.
+
+Wednesday, the 16th June, had been chosen for an attack on Hill 60 by the
+3rd Division, the 50th Division being ordered to co-operate by making a
+demonstration. At 2.30 a.m. the Battalion moved into the support
+trenches, twenty minutes before the bombardment commenced. At 4.15 a.m.
+the 3rd Division assaulted, and their apparent success which could be
+seen from the rear was greeted with much enthusiasm by the men. About two
+hours later a message was received from a commanding officer in Zouave
+Wood that he was about to attack north-east of Hooge. Accordingly, two
+Companies under Major Hawdon were sent in support, the others being
+assembled ready to follow. The attack was cancelled, however, and at 7.30
+a.m. the Battalion re-assembled in its original trenches. At night it
+moved up and relieved the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers in the Hooge
+defences. The disposition of Companies was as follows: B Company, under
+Lieut. Gill, were in "B9" trench. A Company, under Capt. Bradford, in
+"H13" and "H14" trenches; C Company, under Lieut. Heslop, in the Hooge
+Chateau stables; and D Company, under Capt. Livesay, in support in "H16"
+trench. The trenches, especially those occupied by B Company, had been
+much battered, and a considerable amount of work had to be done on them
+during the night. At this time the Chateau and stables were still
+standing, and though C Company were in occupation of the stables, the
+Germans held the Chateau, from the windows of which their snipers were
+able to give considerable trouble.
+
+The following day was marked by considerable shelling, and at night a
+successful bombing enterprise was led against a sap head. For two days
+the position remained unchanged, the Battalion being engaged in repairing
+the trenches and carrying up rations and ammunition, till on the night of
+the 18th it was relieved by a Company of the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers
+and a Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment, and went to F. hutments south
+of Vlamertinghe.
+
+This concluded the Battalion's first tour in the "Salient."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ARMENTIERES AND THE RETURN TO THE "SALIENT."
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+On Sunday, the 20th June, the Battalion marched off from Vlamertinghe at
+8.30 a.m. through Ouderdom and Locre to Dranoutre, where it went into
+bivouacs at Corunna Farm, being now in the II Corps commanded by Sir
+Charles Ferguson, who inspected and addressed the men the following day.
+In the evening, after their inspection, they moved up to the front line
+and took over the trenches from "E1" to the barricade on the
+Kemmel-Wytschaete Road--a quiet sector except for trouble from snipers.
+
+A few days after taking over, an interesting incident occurred. A notice
+board was put up in the German trenches bearing the words "Lemberg is
+taken." It was accompanied by cheering and the lighting of flares, to
+which the front line Companies replied by rapid fire in the direction of
+the board. The same day (23rd June) work was started on the mines, which
+were eventually blown up in the successful attack on the Wytschaete Ridge
+in June, 1917. Apart from this, nothing of interest occurred beyond the
+usual reliefs till the middle of July. An announcement which aroused
+considerable delight was made on the 15th July to the effect that leave
+to England was to be granted, two officers and three other ranks being
+allowed to be away at a time for periods of six and four days
+respectively.
+
+On the 16th July the Battalion was relieved and moved from Kemmel at 7.30
+p.m. proceeding via Dranoutre and Bailleul to Armentieres, where it
+arrived at 1 a.m. the next morning and went into billets at the Blue
+factory. The following night it moved up to relieve Battalions of the
+Royal Scots and Monmouths. B Company under Lieut. R.V. Hare, took over
+"67" trench, C Company under Lieut. T.B. Heslop, "68" trench, A Company
+under Capt. Ritson (8th D.L.I.), "69" trench, and D Company under Capt.
+Livesay, Lille Post. The sector proved to be very quiet and the trenches
+exceptionally good. It is interesting to note that about this time the
+training of bombers was organised, and 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon of the
+Battalion was appointed first Brigade Bombing Officer.
+
+The men were now beginning to realize that their first taste of
+conditions in France was not typical of the whole front, and that war had
+its more pleasant side. After the "Salient," the Armentieres trenches
+were a picnic, and though there is little of historic interest to record
+concerning the tour, it formed the subject of many conversations and
+jests when harder times followed. Many times, probably, in the
+water-logged shell holes of Passchendaele in 1918 was it recalled how
+once at Armentieres even the duck boards were cleaned daily and men were
+crimed for throwing matches on them. It is not forgotten either how the
+Battalion Band first came into being at Houplines.
+
+On the 11th August, the 6th and 8th Battalions once more assumed a
+separate identity. Major Borrett, D.S.O., the King's Own, took over
+command of the 6th Battalion with Capt. Jeffreys once more as Adjutant.
+Four days later Major Borrett left and handed over the command to Capt.
+Jeffreys, 2nd Lieut. P.H.B. Lyon becoming Adjutant. On this
+re-organization the Companies of the Battalion became known as W, X, Y,
+and Z. About the same time the 5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire
+Regiment left the Brigade, and was replaced by the 5th Battalion Border
+Regiment.
+
+Early in September, some excitement was caused by the rumour that the
+"Mushroom," a circular trench in the Battalion sector, was mined and
+likely to be blown up. Bombers of W Company patrolled it and slept in it
+for six nights without result. On the 25th September the heavy firing at
+Loos caused a little anxiety. The day after this the Battalion sector was
+slightly altered by the taking over of the Houplines trenches from the
+12th Division. A little more excitement than usual occurred on 13th
+October, when a demonstration was made by the artillery and the throwing
+of smoke bombs.
+
+The tour ended on the 10th November, when the Battalion was relieved and
+marched to billets at La Creche, near Bailleul, where it stayed for a
+month enjoying its first rest since embarkation.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+Early in December it was known that the next tour was to be once more in
+the "Salient." On the 17th December the Battalion entrained at
+Steenwercke for Poperinghe, from where it marched to Dickebusch huts,
+which are always remembered as being built on islands in a sea of mud.
+The following night another march via Kruisstraat and Zillebeke brought
+the men to Maple Copse where they relieved the 11th Royal Scots (9th
+Division). The trenches were found to consist of holes and ditches which
+were worked on till they were quite good and dry. It was here that
+arrangements were first made for the prevention of trench feet.
+
+Sunday, the 19th December, was marked by a German gas attack north of
+Hooge, but the Battalion was not involved. The following day the
+artillery activity continued, and Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys was wounded whilst
+going round a new piece of the line which had been taken over from the
+Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Major G.A. Stevens (8th D.L.I.) took
+over command, and the following day Capt. R.B. Bradford (afterwards
+Brig.-Gen. Bradford, V.C.) joined as Adjutant. An unusual occurrence took
+place on the 22nd December, when two Russians, who had been prisoners in
+Germany and had been working behind the line, escaped and came into the
+trenches in the Battalion sector. On Christmas Day the Battalion was out
+of the line and in the huts at Dickebusch. Capt. Bradford left on the
+31st December to join the 7th Battalion, and was succeeded as Adjutant by
+2nd Lieut. C.E. Yaldwyn.
+
+On New Year's morning the Battalion had its first experience of a really
+heavy British bombardment of the enemy's trenches. The bombardment was so
+intense that it was possible to find one's way about Sanctuary Wood by
+the light of the gun flashes. The only other incident of importance in
+the first month of 1916 was the departure of the machine-gun section
+which, under 2nd Lieut. L. Brock, was sent to form part of the Brigade
+Machine Gun Company. To replace the guns, the first Lewis Guns were
+issued and put under the command of 2nd Lieut. J.P. Moffitt. It was also
+about this time that the Battalion journal, _The Whizz-Bang_, came into
+existence, edited and run by 2nd Lieut. Yaldwyn. Its illustrations by
+Lieut. Catford and articles were much appreciated, but, unfortunately,
+its publication ceased in November of the same year.
+
+Throughout January and February there were local artillery combats which
+terminated with the capture of Hill 60 and "The Bluff." On the 1st March
+there was a demonstration at 5 p.m., which consisted of artillery and
+infantry fire and cheering as if for an attack. The following morning at
+4.32 a.m. the 3rd Division attacked and captured International and New
+Year trenches and "The Bean" with over 200 prisoners. On the 18th March,
+the Battalion was relieved and moved to Poperinghe by train from Ypres.
+Four days later it returned again by train and took over the recently
+captured Bluff trenches from the 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers (3rd
+Division). These trenches were round the edge of the Bluff crater and
+were in a very bad condition due to the rain and heavy shelling, and were
+littered with remnants of German equipment and their dead. X Company were
+on the right in New Year trench supported by Y Company in Gordon Post. W
+Company were in the centre in "The Loop," and Z Company on the left in
+"The Bean."
+
+On the 27th March, at 4.15 a.m., the 3rd Division on the right attacked
+at St. Eloi, and during the attack the Medical Officer (Capt. White) and
+a party of stretcher bearers rendered valuable assistance. A few days
+later (2nd April) the Battalion was relieved by the Canadians, who had
+suffered heavily from shell fire in coming up, and moved again to
+Dickebusch, where there was a stay of two days before moving South to
+Scottish Lines at Westoutre and La Clyte.
+
+A week later, on the 8th April, the Battalion was again in the line, this
+time relieving the 7th Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry in trenches N
+and O, in front of Wytschaete, with back area at La Clyte. These trenches
+were of the breastwork type. About this time there was a good deal of
+fighting on the left, where the Germans were trying to retake the St.
+Eloi craters.
+
+On the 24th April the Battalion was relieved and marched to rest billets
+at Berthen. These billets were found to be farms scattered over a large
+area. A few days after arrival, Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys, D.S.O., returned
+and took over command from Lieut.-Col. Stevens, who went as Brigade Major
+to a Canadian Brigade. Early on the morning of the 30th the Battalion
+was roused by the news of a gas attack, but after standing to till
+daylight it was not required to move. A week later, 2nd Lieut. G.
+Kirkhouse was appointed Adjutant in place of 2nd Lieut. Yaldwyn, and on
+the 8th May the Battalion returned to La Clyte for four days working
+parties. The only other incidents of importance during May were an
+inspection by Sir Douglas Haig and the farewell inspection and address on
+the 16th by Brig.-Gen. Shea prior to his departure to take over command
+of the 30th Division. He was succeeded by Brig.-Gen. Westmorland.
+
+On the 28th May the Battalion returned to the trenches it had left a
+month before, and on the 2nd June the men were able to watch the German
+attack between Hill 60 and Hooge and the Canadian counter-attacks on the
+following day. Lieut. Ebsworth, M.C., D.C.M., East Lancashire Regt.,
+joined as Adjutant on the 7th June. During this tour the first Battalion
+raid was made by men of Y Company under 2nd Lieut. H.C. Annett and 2nd
+Lieut. J.F.G. Aubin, who was Battalion Bombing Officer. The party
+consisted of 24 men, including two bombing squads, and had as its object
+identification of the enemy on the immediate front. The night of the 6th
+June was chosen and the party went out as arranged. In No Man's Land they
+met a large enemy wiring party and their object was not attained. Three
+nights later, however, a German was captured, and again on the 12th the
+raiding party went out, this time with the object of killing Boches. They
+entered the enemy trench, and after doing considerable damage with bombs
+and rifles, returned without casualty.
+
+Apart from these incidents the sector was on the whole quiet, except for
+a certain amount of sniping. The principal feature was the daily enemy
+bombardment with trench mortars, which lasted from one to three hours,
+and was on occasions very heavy. The front line, however, was thinly held
+and very few casualties resulted. After receiving two drafts of 190 and
+110 men respectively the Battalion was relieved on 7th August by the 7th
+Battalion King's Own and moved to its old billets at Berthen.
+
+This ended the second phase of its war history, and a few days later it
+moved South to the Somme area.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE SOMME.
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+On the 10th August, 1916, the Battalion entrained at Godewaersvelde, and
+detraining at Candas, marched to Heuzecourt and spent four days resting.
+The 15th, 16th and 17th were spent in marching through Vignacourt and
+Villers Bocage to Baizieux, where the men bivouaced in the wood. Here two
+accidents occurred. Major F. Walton, Second in Command, and Lieut.
+Ebsworth, M.C., Adjutant, were thrown from their horses and sustained
+broken limbs. 2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse resumed duties as Adjutant.
+
+Nearly a month was spent in the wood, the time being devoted to training
+in the new wave formation for the coming offensive. It was about this
+time that distinguishing marks were adopted in the Division and the
+Battalion began to wear the red diamonds which came to be regarded with
+almost as much pride as the cap badge, and continued to be worn as long
+as the Battalion existed as a unit in France. On the 6th September
+Brig.-Gen. N.J.G. Cameron took over command of the Brigade. Four days
+later the Battalion moved to bivouacs in Becourt Wood, and there the
+final preparations were made for action, and amid the growing violence of
+the artillery preparation it moved again on the 14th September to Shelter
+Wood.
+
+Zero for the second phase of the Somme battle was 6.20 a.m. on the 15th
+September. The 149th and 150th Infantry Brigades were then in the front
+line between High Wood and Martinpuich with the 151st Brigade in reserve.
+At zero the Battalion moved from Shelter Wood by way of Sausage Valley to
+an old German trench at the south-west corner of Mametz Wood. About noon
+a further forward move was made, Y and Z Companies to the northern edge
+of the wood, and W and X Companies to a position a little further forward
+between Mametz and Bazentin-le-Petit Woods. So far the Battalion had
+escaped shell fire, and the men were much interested in prisoners who
+were being escorted to the rear. About 11 a.m. a message was received
+that the 47th Division had failed to take High Wood, and that the two
+Brigades of the 50th Division had secured their objectives. Later came a
+message that the 47th Division had taken High Wood at the second attempt.
+
+Rations arrived about 5 p.m., and whilst they were being distributed
+Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys returned from Brigade Headquarters with orders to
+move up at once. Accordingly the Battalion paraded and marched up the
+road to the Quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit. By this time the area was full
+of movement. Guns, ammunition, ration wagons and troops were everywhere
+moving up after the advance.
+
+After a conference at Brigade Headquarters orders were again issued for a
+move, and at 9 p.m. the Battalion in fours, led by the Commanding Officer
+and a guide from the Northumberland Fusiliers moved from the Quarry with
+orders to attack from Eye and Clarke's trenches at 9.30 p.m. The attack
+was to be made in four waves, with the 9th Durham Light Infantry, who had
+been in position all the afternoon, on the right, the 6th in the centre,
+and the 5th Border Regiment on the left. Unfortunately the guide lost his
+way, and after unnecessary wandering the head of the Battalion arrived in
+Clarke's trench, at the junction with Bethel sap, at 9.15 p.m. After
+considerable difficulty, owing to ignorance of the ground, the Companies
+got into position. W Company, under Capt. J. Cook, was on the left of the
+first wave, and X Company, under Capt. W.F.E. Badcock, on the right, with
+Z (left) and Y (right) in support. Just as they got into Clarke's trench
+2nd Lieut. Annett, commanding Y Company, was killed, and 2nd Lieut. B.J.
+Harvey, though wounded, took command.
+
+At the time appointed for the attack the 5th Border Regiment could not be
+located, so the 6th and 9th Durham Light Infantry, after waiting about an
+hour, advanced. Crossing Hook trench, which had been the enemy front line
+in the morning and was now held by remnants of the 149th Brigade, they
+moved down the slope towards Starfish and Prue trenches, the first
+objective. They were met by a certain amount of machine-gun and rifle
+fire, and had a few casualties, including Capt. Badcock, who was wounded.
+The 6th Battalion continued to advance, however, until completely
+checked by machine-gun fire, and then took cover in ditches and shell
+holes. It was then discovered that there was a considerable gap on the
+right, but by moving men in that direction touch was regained with the
+9th Battalion.
+
+About 3.30 a.m. on the 16th the Commanding Officer took up Z Company to
+reinforce the front line, and the 5th Border Regiment also moved up at
+the same time. The whole line was then pushed forward and straightened.
+Battalion Headquarters remained in Clarke's trench.
+
+Further orders were received to attack again at 9.15 a.m., but they never
+readied the Companies, and nothing happened. Things were fairly quiet
+during the day, and at night a shallow communication trench was dug over
+the ridge and attempts made to improve the forward positions. Efforts
+were also made to collect the Battalion into Companies, but on the 17th
+the only parties under the control of Headquarters were half of W
+Company, under Capt. Cook, part of X Company, under Lieut. Harriss, a
+Platoon of Z Company, under Lieut. W.B. Hansell, and Y Company, in
+reserve in a sunken road, under 2nd Lieuts. McVicker and Richardson. It
+was known that other isolated groups were in positions in the front line.
+One of these was organised for defence under orders of Private B.
+McLinden of X Company, who subsequently received the Military Medal.
+
+The chief obstacle to a further advance was an enemy strong point called
+the Crescent. Accordingly a party was organised to attack it, consisting
+of two bombing squads, one each from the 6th and 8th Battalions under 2nd
+Lieut. J.F.G. Aubin, now Brigade Bombing Officer. Leaving by way of
+Crescent Alley at 6 p.m., they met with considerable shell fire and were
+disorganised. Re-forming, however, they went out again with the same
+result. The shelling proved to be the preliminary to an attack on the
+150th Brigade, which was beaten off, Y Company being used to assist their
+neighbours with Lewis guns.
+
+The following day (18th) was misty, and it was thought that the Germans
+were evacuating Starfish trench. An attack was therefore ordered to
+occupy it. This attack was made by the 6th Battalion on the left and the
+9th on the right, each providing 100 men. 2nd Lieut. W. Little, with 50
+men of W Company, composed the Battalion's front line, and 2nd Lieut.
+W.F. Charlton, with 50 of Z Company, the supporting line. A few men of
+other Companies were also mixed with these two lines. Shortly after
+starting they came under heavy machine-gun fire and had a number of
+casualties, including 2nd Lieut. Charlton, who was killed. Some of the
+party returned to their line during the day and others at night. All who
+had been near the enemy trench reported it to be strongly held.
+
+During the morning Y Company were sent up to relieve W, X and Z Companies
+in the front line. Owing to the trenches being very muddy after rain, and
+at all places very shallow, this was a difficult operation. To add to the
+difficulty the 8th Battalion began to arrive to relieve the Battalion
+before the Company relief was complete. However, they at last got out and
+moved back to 6th Avenue East and the intermediate line, where two days
+were spent in cleaning up. Here Lieut. Ebsworth rejoined as Adjutant, and
+the officers and men who had been left at the transport lines also came
+up.
+
+On the 20th September, the Battalion moved further back to shelter in
+Mametz Wood, where a draft of 50 men from the 2/6th Battalion, Essex
+Regiment, joined. After four days' rest it again went forward to the
+intermediate line. The same day Major Wilkinson, of the 149th Machine Gun
+Company, joined as second in command. The following night the whole
+Battalion turned out to dig a jumping-off trench. Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys
+took them as far as the Battalion Headquarters of the 5th Durham Light
+Infantry from where Lieut. Ebsworth and a guide led them to the position.
+The guide lost his way, and after wandering about nearly all night, the
+Battalion returned without doing any work.
+
+On the 26th September Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys left the Battalion to proceed
+to England for three months' rest, and Major Wilkinson took over command.
+The following day a move was made to Hook trench, where the men lived in
+small shelters and provided working parties at nights. This trench was on
+the sky line, and as a result received considerable attention from the
+enemy gunners. To prevent casualties, and also to provide more room, two
+Companies were pushed forward on the 28th to Starfish trench. From these
+positions, in the afternoon, the Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion in
+the front line. The relief was observed, and the communication trench
+shelled. The disposition of Companies was, from right to left: Y, Z, W,
+X, each Company having two Platoons in the front line (North Durham
+Street) and two Platoons in the support line (South Durham Street). At
+night they occupied battle positions, and extended the trench they
+occupied by 150 to 300 yards. The 9th Battalion was in support in
+Crescent Alley. On the left were the 5th Border Regiment, and on the
+right the 47th Division, but it was not possible to get into touch with
+the flanks during the night. The Company Commanders were now W Company,
+2nd Lieut. Barnett; X Company, 2nd Lieut. Lean; Y Company, Lieut.
+Catford; and Z Company, Capt. Peberdy. By dawn all preparations,
+including the alteration of watches to winter time, were completed for
+the attack, which had been ordered for the 1st October.
+
+The preliminary bombardment commenced at 7 a.m. and continued till zero
+(3.15 p.m.), when it changed to a barrage. Unfortunately there were some
+casualties from shells falling short, the total casualties for the day
+being about 40, including the Commanding Officer wounded. Lieut.-Col.
+R.B. Bradford, now commanding the 9th Battalion, asked for and was given
+permission to take command of the two Battalions, and for his subsequent
+work that day was awarded the V.C. He arrived at Battalion Headquarters
+at zero, and at once went up to the front line.
+
+The attack commenced at 3.15 p.m., but, partly on account of the failure
+of the 47th Division on the right, and partly owing to the wire not being
+properly cut, the attackers were held up by machine-gun fire and suffered
+heavy casualties. After considerable fighting with bombs and rifles three
+Lewis gun teams of X Company, under 2nd Lieut. T. Little and 2nd Lieut.
+C.L. Tyerman, and one team of W Company under 2nd Lieut. Barnett,
+succeeded in getting a footing in the first objective. These organised
+the position and carried on bombing attacks, 2nd Lieut. Little being
+killed. During these operations Lieut.-Col. Bradford arrived on the
+scene, and immediately took charge of the situation, and under his
+direction and leadership the whole of the first objective was gained. A
+Company of the 9th Battalion then came up, and using the new position as
+a starting point, advanced and took the final objective after dark.
+
+About dusk a counter-attack was attempted by the enemy on the right
+front. Advancing in extended order, about twenty of the enemy were
+challenged, and they all cheered, shouting "Hooray." As they showed no
+further friendly signs they were fired on and driven off. During the
+night a further counter-attack developed from the valley on the right,
+but this also was repulsed.
+
+The following day, by organised bombing, the whole of the final objective
+was captured and held, and communication trenches were dug back to North
+Durham Street.
+
+The casualties during the two days had been very heavy, and included
+amongst the officers, in addition to those already mentioned, 2nd Lieut.
+Peacock, killed, and 2nd Lieut. Lean, Capt. Peberdy, Lieut. Cotching, 2nd
+Lieut. Barnett and 2nd Lieut. Appleby wounded. Amongst the decorations
+gained were Military Medals awarded to Corporal Dixon and Privates
+Rushforth and Atkinson, all signallers, and Private Turnbull of Y
+Company. Good work was also done by Sergeants Gowland and Winslow.
+
+On the night of the 2nd October Lieut.-Col. Bradford handed over the
+command of the Battalion to Lieut. Ebsworth, and it was relieved by the
+7th Northumberland Fusiliers the night after. Owing to the mud the relief
+did not commence until 4 a.m., and it was almost dawn before the
+Battalion reached Headquarters, from where it was led by Lieut. Ebsworth
+to Starfish trench. Here it was joined by R.S.M. Perry and the C.S.M.'s
+and a draft which had been used as a carrying party. The officers left
+were Lieut. Ebsworth, 2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse, Adjutant; 2nd Lieut. K.B.
+Stuart, Signalling Officer, and 2nd Lieut. Tyerman; the Medical Officer,
+Capt. J.G. Hill, arrived later.
+
+After a short rest the Battalion marched back to bivouacs in Becourt Wood
+for one night.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+On the 4th October, the Battalion moved back to tents in Henencourt Wood,
+where drafts arrived, and remained for three weeks, reorganising and
+training. The Company Commanders were now:--W Company, 2nd Lieut. A.S.
+Tate; X Company, 2nd Lieut. J.H.F. Ludgate; Y Company, 2nd Lieut. R.H.
+Stewart; and Z Company, 2nd Lieut. C.L. Tyerman.
+
+At the end of this period, on the 23rd October, the Battalion left the
+Wood and marched back to Becourt, where two days were spent in tents. On
+the 25th October the men were on the move again over familiar ground and
+soon found themselves in tents just outside Mametz Wood. After a week
+spent on working parties they moved up to the front line, W Company, now
+under 2nd Lieut. R.H. Wharrier, being in front in Snag trench and the
+other three Companies in close support in the Flers line. On the night of
+Saturday, the 4th November, X, Y and Z Companies took over the front line
+in preparation for an attack on the Butte de Warlencourt on the Sunday
+morning. Zero had been fixed for 9.15 a.m. and the relief was not
+complete, owing to the extremely bad state of the trenches, till 9 a.m.
+The Battalion was disposed for the attack with X Company on the right, Y
+in the centre, Z on the left and W in support, with the 9th Battalion on
+the left flank and the 8th on the right. This fateful day, 5th November,
+proved to be the most disastrous the Battalion had yet passed through.
+The enemy position was exceptionally strong, the trenches from which the
+attack started were so muddy that several men were drowned in them, and
+the time for preparation was so short that the attack broke down almost
+as soon as it had started. The casualties were very heavy, and included
+amongst the officers 2nd Lieut. K.B. Stuart, 2nd Lieut. Fell, 2nd Lieut.
+A.S. Ritson, 2nd Lieut. S. Robson, 2nd Lieut. T.F. Applegarth, and 2nd
+Lieut. G.W. Robson, all killed, and all the remaining Company officers,
+except 2nd Lieut. Wharrier, wounded. Amongst the honours awarded were the
+M.C. to 2nd Lieut. Wharrier and the Military Medal to L.-Cpl. H.
+Cruddace, who was also promoted to be sergeant. A monument was afterwards
+erected on the Butte to the memory of those of the Battalion who fell on
+this day.
+
+On the following night the Battalion was relieved by the 5th Battalion
+and went back to Mametz Wood, where it stayed till the end of the month
+supplying working parties daily. Several new officers joined here,
+including Lieut.-Col. H.M. Allen, Black Watch, who took over command;
+Lieut. (now Major) Ebsworth becoming Second in Command.
+
+Towards the end of the month came rumours of a rest, and on the 30th the
+Battalion marched off once more to Becourt, where it was this time
+accommodated in huts. After a night there it marched back to billets at
+Warloy, where it stayed during the whole of December, training and
+resting. The rest was thoroughly enjoyed by all ranks. On Christmas Day
+sports were held which included a mounted officers' race won by Lieut.
+H.T. Bircham, M.C., transport officer.
+
+On New Year's Day the Battalion was on its way back to the line. The
+first day's march took it to billets in Albert, the billets being
+partially destroyed houses. The following day the march was resumed to a
+hut camp near the quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit, well known to the few
+remaining survivors of the 15th September. After a few days in this camp,
+troubled only by an occasional shell, a move was made into High Wood West
+camp, a cheerless place consisting of black tarpaulin huts. From this and
+a similar camp across the valley (High Wood East) the Battalion did two
+tours in the front line at Factory Corner, where the line consisted of
+more or less isolated posts. The support line, where a few days were
+spent, was just in front of Flers. During these tours the weather was
+exceedingly cold and the men suffered considerably, both in the line and
+in the camp. There was also a considerable amount of shell fire. Parties
+carrying up rations and pushing trolleys up the light railway from
+Clarke's Dump had several casualties, and on one occasion the camp was
+hit and all the signallers who had been left out of the line for training
+became casualties. In the line itself the only outstanding incident
+happened to a patrol which found itself surrounded one night, but
+succeeded in getting back safely. Towards the end of the month came
+rumours of relief, and on the 24th January the Division was relieved by
+the 1st Australian Division. The Battalion came out to a new hut camp on
+the Beaver Road, between the Bazentin and Mametz Woods. The next day it
+marched to Becourt Camp, the air being full of rumours as to the future.
+
+It soon became known, however, that the Division was moving south to take
+over a section of the line hitherto held by the French, still in the
+Somme area, just south of Peronne. From Becourt the Battalion continued
+its march to Ribemont. The march was uneventful except for the fact that
+the two rear Companies took a wrong turning, and after a roundabout
+journey arrived late at the halting place for dinner. At Ribemont it
+stayed for about three weeks, during which training was carried out, the
+men being accommodated in barns. Col. Allen was still in command with
+Lieut. T.J. Arnott (Gordon Highlanders) as Adjutant. There was little of
+interest during this period and, on the whole, everybody was pleased when
+the move was resumed to huts at Hamel. After a few days there the
+Battalion marched to billets at Proyart, where Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys,
+D.S.O., returned and took over command. Again, in three or four days it
+marched to Foucaucourt, where it was in Divisional Reserve. This village,
+which had at one time been in the front line system, was practically
+nothing but ruins and the Battalion was accommodated in a large camp of
+French huts, fitted with wire beds, each hut holding about 150 men. Here,
+final preparations were made for the line, which was visited by officers
+who reported that the trenches were dry and in good condition. It was
+very frosty weather at this time, but unfortunately before the Battalion
+moved up a thaw had set in. The relief of the 5th Yorkshire Regiment will
+never be forgotten by those of the Battalion who took part in it.
+Following on the methods adopted by the French the relief took place
+through very long communication trenches, running from Estrees through
+Berny to the line in front of Misery. These trenches, as a result of the
+thaw, were everywhere knee deep in mud and usually waist deep, and men
+arrived in the line without boots and in a few cases without trousers,
+having lost them in the mud. The experiences of X Company were perhaps
+the worst. Leaving camp at about 5 p.m., then 130 strong, they were met
+by guides, who lost their way, and eventually arrived in the front line
+at dawn, having lost over 100 men stuck in the mud. The relief was not
+reported complete till 4 p.m. the next day. The front line trenches were
+worse if possible than the communication trenches, and the days that
+followed were most unpleasant. There was very little cover from enemy
+snipers, who were pretty active, and there were several casualties from
+fishtail trench mortars. One night was marked by a very intense "strafe"
+for a short time with rifle grenades and trench mortars. It afterwards
+appeared that this was the enemy's parting shot, for soon after the
+Division was relieved the enemy's extensive retirement on this sector
+took place. After two tours in the front line, one in support in trenches
+round Berny, and one in reserve at Foucaucourt, the Battalion was
+relieved early in March by the 2/5th South Staffordshire Regiment (59th
+Division), who had just come from Ireland and had not previously seen any
+fighting in France. On relief the Battalion returned to Foucaucourt.
+
+Towards the end of the tour Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys left the Battalion for
+a few days in hospital, during which time Major Little, of the 5th Border
+Regiment, and Major Crouch of the 9th Durham Light Infantry, both held
+command. He returned, however, when the Battalion came out of the line.
+
+This ended the tour in the Somme region, but the Battalion did not leave
+the area till the end of the month, the period being spent in huts at
+Morcourt, where an energetic programme of training and sports was carried
+out. The principal feature of the sports was the success of members of
+the Battalion, including Sergt. Young and Ptes. Nimney and Moody in the
+Brigade and Divisional boxing contests. Although there were no
+outstanding incidents to record of this training, Morcourt seems to mark
+one of those turning points in the history of the Battalion from which
+all subsequent events date. So many small things occurred there that it
+was remarked by later comers that it appeared to them that the Morcourt
+training must have lasted for months. One event, however, can be pointed
+to as a turning point. On the 25th March, Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys, who had
+never fully recovered from the wounds received in Sanctuary Wood, was
+ordered to return to England on account of ill-health, and handed over
+command to Major W.D. Carswell Hunt, M.C., of the 7th Durham Light
+Infantry. Colonel Jeffreys' personal influence and fighting qualities,
+strongly reflected even in his absence in those officers who had received
+their early training under him, had been largely responsible for the
+reputation and the success of the Battalion during its first two years of
+fighting and his departure was greatly regretted by all ranks.
+
+A few days after he left, the Battalion was on the move to take part in
+the battle which was about to begin at Arras.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+ARRAS.
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+From Morcourt the Battalion moved by motor 'buses through Amiens to
+Talmas preparatory to a long trek on foot. The first two nights were
+spent at Wargnies and Havernas. Here a famous Church Parade was held, at
+which the Commanding Officer, in the absence of a Chaplain, preached his
+first and, as it proved, his last sermon. From there the Battalion
+marched to Longuevillette and then to Vacquerie-le-Bourcq, spending a
+night at each place. About this time Lieut. Arnott left the Battalion and
+Lieut. G.D.R. Dobson (7th Durham Light Infantry) became Adjutant. The
+next day Blangerval and Blangermont were reached and a short stay made,
+half the Battalion being accommodated in each village. From here Major
+Hunt went up by car to see the forward area and died of heart failure on
+the journey. He was brought back to St. Pol, where he was buried in the
+cemetery, representatives of several battalions forming the funeral
+procession. Major A. Ebsworth, M.C., took over command.
+
+When the march was resumed the direction was changed, and, moving
+eastwards, billets were reached at Neuville-au-Cornet. Rumours were now
+spreading of the forthcoming battle and a further march to
+Villers-sur-Simon left no doubt that the Battalion would be involved.
+These were the last billets occupied by the men, the next portion of the
+trek bringing them to huts at Montenescourt, about six miles due west of
+Arras. Here Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O. (5th Yorkshire Regiment)
+arrived to take over the command, which he held for nearly a year.
+
+On the evening of the 11th April, in a blinding snowstorm, the Battalion
+moved forward to the fight. Marching through Arras, they came to the
+caves at Ronville. These caves were like nothing seen before. Excavated
+by Spanish prisoners in the middle ages to provide stone for the building
+of the city, they extended over an enormous area, and were capable of
+holding thousands of men. The sensation of finding oneself in this huge
+underground town, complete with electric light and water supply, after
+stumbling down a long, uneven stairway, will not be forgotten by those
+who survive.
+
+After one night here, the caves had to be evacuated next morning to make
+room for more troops coming up. The Germans had now been driven back as
+far as Wancourt, which was captured the previous day. On leaving the
+caves, cellars in Ronville village were occupied. No sooner were the men
+in, however, than orders were received to move further forward. The
+Battalion paraded on the road leading to Beaurains, which was crowded
+with vehicles and men, and marched off in the afternoon. After their
+experiences of trench warfare the sight of open, rolling country, the
+scene of yesterday's fighting, was very strange and, to some,
+invigorating. Passing through the ruins of Beaurains and Neuville
+Vitasse, the route turned across country towards Wancourt, and about dusk
+the Battalion reached a sunken road, where it halted. Owing to a delay in
+the arrival of the Lewis gun limbers, the Lewis gunners were behind the
+rest of the Battalion, and some difficulty was experienced by them in
+locating the sunken road. Up to this point there had been no firing or
+signs of activity. After a conference of Commanding Officers a relief of
+the 14th Division was arranged. W, X and Y Companies moved a little
+further up and occupied Niger and Nepal trenches, which were some
+distance behind the front line, and Z Company were sent to dig a trench a
+little further forward near Wancourt cemetery. Here they remained for the
+day. At night detailed orders were received for an attack at dawn, the
+Battalion's frontage being near Wancourt Tower.
+
+At 1 a.m. on the 14th April the men moved to the assembly position in the
+dry bed of the Cojeul River, with the 8th Battalion in support and 5th
+Border Regiment in reserve, the 9th Battalion being already in a line
+just south of Guemappe. The original orders had now been considerably
+altered, and zero hour arrived before fresh orders had been circulated to
+the Companies. The result was that at 4.30 a.m., after moving in file
+from the assembly position to a bank, some 200 yards in front, the
+Battalion advanced under a barrage in four waves of Companies, W being
+front and Z in rear, with no orders except a rough indication of the
+direction.
+
+As they advanced they were met by very heavy machine-gun fire from the
+front and from Guemappe in their left rear. W and X Companies reached the
+ridge 500 yards from the starting point, and passing down the other side,
+were not seen again during the day. Y and Z Companies also reached the
+ridge, but could get no further. Later they were joined by the 8th
+Battalion, which was also held up.
+
+The fighting then died down, but apart from one brief message from X
+Company no trace could be found of the two front Companies, and the
+casualties in the remaining two were very heavy. To add to the confusion,
+the 56th Division on the right had lost direction, and men of the London
+Regiment were everywhere mixed with those of the 50th Division.
+
+At dusk orders were received that the line on the ridge would be taken
+over by the London Rifle Brigade. As soon as the light permitted search
+was made for W and X Companies. Eventually the remnants consisting of 4
+officers and about 20 men were discovered. Having reached a small system
+of trenches, they had organised their defence and successfully beaten off
+determined attempts to surround them. About 80 men were finally assembled
+after the relief, and more joined the Battalion during the next few days,
+but the casualties amounted to over 200, or more than 50 per cent, of the
+total fighting strength. The officers killed were Capt. Brock, Lieut.
+Richardson, and 2nd Lieuts. Greener, Payne and Newton, whilst many were
+wounded. Capts. R.S. Johnson and H. Walton, commanding W and X Companies,
+were subsequently awarded the Military Cross, and Corporal Betts the
+D.C.M. and Croix de Guerre.
+
+After burying as many bodies as could be recovered, the remnants of the
+Battalion moved back to dug-outs in the Hindenburg Line on Telegraph
+Hill, which were reached, after a roundabout march, at dawn.
+
+From these dug-outs the Battalion returned next day to the caves at
+Ronville, where it was re-organised and re-equipped ready for further
+action. After four days' rest it again moved up, on the 21st April, this
+time to dug-outs in the trench system known as "The Harp," the Q.M.
+Stores remaining in Arras, where on the 22nd April Lieut. Lewis, acting
+Q.M., was killed by a shell. In "The Harp" fighting stores were issued,
+as the Battalion was to be in reserve for the attack on the 23rd April.
+At zero hour, just at dawn on that date, St. George's Day, the
+bombardment commenced, and the sight of the gun flashes against the red
+sky as the Battalion moved forward will not readily be forgotten. After
+two halts in sunken roads orders were received to occupy Niger trench
+once more, but by this time the fighting had died down. Although
+constantly on the alert, no further orders were received, and after two
+nights there, the Battalion was relieved by the 14th Division and
+returned to Telegraph Hill. One night was spent there, and the following
+day, the 27th, it entrained at Arras for Mondicourt, from where it
+marched to billets at Humbercourt, arriving about 3 a.m.
+
+Here a few days were spent resting and training, and on the 1st May a
+march was ordered to Berles-au-Bois, which was found to be a village of
+ruins without inhabitants. After one night there the Battalion marched to
+Riviere-Grosville, where the billets were quite good. Here Lieut. G.D.R.
+Dobson went to hospital, and Lieut. R.B. Ainsworth became Adjutant. Two
+or three days were spent there, and on the 3rd May a return was made to
+Humbercourt. Here very pleasant days were spent in training, particularly
+those on the range at Lucheux Forest, where elaborate field firing
+schemes were carried out.
+
+After about a fortnight there the Battalion was ordered up in reserve for
+an attack by the 33rd Division and marched to Monchy-au-Bois, where the
+accommodation was found to consist of an open field in which was a trench
+line and much wire. Shelters were erected of ground sheets, and a few
+tents obtained, and in these the men lived for five days, training being
+continued. Their services were not required in the line, however, and
+they marched back to Laherliere. Here a long stay was expected, but the
+following day the journey was resumed to Souastre, where the Battalion
+spent perhaps the most enjoyable month in its history. The men were
+accommodated in a hut camp built round a large parade and sports ground.
+As a result of easy training, plenty of recreation and fine weather, the
+_moral_ of the men reached a very high level.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+On the 15th June the Battalion returned to hold the line which it had
+helped to gain in April. Leaving Souastre, it marched to support at a
+camp near Henin-sur-Cojeul. There was practically no accommodation here
+and ground sheets had to be used as shelters. The following day it
+relieved the 10th Battalion Essex Regiment in the front line, just south
+of the Cojeul River Valley, opposite Cherisy. After four days in this
+sector it went out to Divisional reserve near Boisleux-au-Mont, where, on
+the 27th June, it was visited by Col. the Hon. W.L. Vane, the Honorary
+Colonel of the Battalion. A regular system of reliefs, which lasted for
+three months, now commenced. Under this system the Battalion had two
+periods of four days in the front line and one in support at Henin or
+Neuville Vitasse, followed by eight days in reserve in camp near
+Mercatel. The weather was good on the whole, and the trenches in
+excellent condition. The enemy was only moderately active and there were
+very few casualties. One of the Battalion areas in this sector was the
+bank from which the attack started on the 14th April, and whilst there a
+cross was erected to the memory of those who fell on that day.
+
+As a result of their long stay here, the men became very familiar with
+the whole area, and their experiences in the communication trenches,
+Foster Avenue, Shikar Lane, Kestrel Avenue, Avenue Trench and others were
+talked of for long after. Neither did they forget Lone Sap, from which
+the enemy captured two of their comrades, Cable Trench, which was raided
+by a party under 2nd Lieut. B.R. Leatherbarrow, Concrete Trench, the
+Hindenburg Line, the caves in Marliere Village, which on one occasion
+produced some interesting souvenirs left by the Boches, and many other
+localities.
+
+Apart from minor raids and counter-raids, the only outstanding incident
+was the double raid of the 15th September. This operation was carried out
+by the 9th Durham Light Infantry in the afternoon and repeated by the 8th
+Durham Light Infantry in the evening. The Battalion was holding the
+sector immediately on the right of the raiders, and its function was to
+draw the enemy's attention and fire by the exhibition of dummy figures
+and a dummy tank, which were later on view at the United Services Museum
+in Whitehall. 2nd Lieut. Leatherbarrow was in charge of these dummies,
+assisted by Sergeant P. Finn, who was awarded the Military Medal for his
+work.
+
+Other decorations earned during this period were Military Medals awarded
+to Corporal Nesbitt and Private Allison of X Company for digging out a
+man buried by shell fire, under very dangerous conditions.
+
+Apart from good work in the line not only in patrolling, etc., but also
+in improving the trenches till they were probably as good as any on the
+whole front, considerable work was done on the erection of reserve camps
+and horse standings. It was with some regret therefore that when at
+Northumberland Lines, a very comfortable hut camp near Mercatel, the men
+heard that they were to leave the area before the winter.
+
+Early in October they marched to a canvas camp at Gomiecourt, just off
+the main Bapaume road, and stayed there a short time training. The
+arrival of representatives from Divisions in the "Salient," to instruct
+in the methods adopted in the recent successful fighting there, left no
+doubts as to the next move.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+RETURN TO THE "SALIENT."
+
+
+About the end of October the Battalion marched one night to Bapaume,
+where it entrained for Esquelbecq, north-west of Cassel. On detraining it
+marched to billets at Eringhem for two nights. From there the march was
+continued to Arneke, and there the men were told that a short stay would
+be made, but early the next day orders were received to march to Proven,
+just inside the Belgian frontier. On the road, however, fresh orders were
+received, and the latter part of the journey, from Wormhoudt, was done by
+train.
+
+On arrival at Proven the Battalion occupied Piddington Camp on the
+Poperinghe road, and incidentally, renewed the acquaintance of Belgian
+mud. After one night there it moved for the next night to bivouacs known
+as Sarawak Camp, in the woods north of Poperinghe. This will probably be
+remembered as one of the dirtiest camps ever occupied. The last stage of
+the journey eastwards was done by train from Proven to Boesinghe.
+Arriving at the latter place in the morning, the men proceeded to Hulls
+Farm Camp close by, on the Ypres road. This camp was occupied, however,
+by the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, which was moving up in the
+afternoon to take part in an attack along the Ypres-Staden railway north
+of Poelcapelle. Whilst lying in an open field waiting to occupy the camp
+a visit was received from a squadron of Gotha bombing planes, and about
+20 casualties were suffered. About 5 p.m. the camp was taken over. Here
+the Battalion remained for three days, and had considerable experience of
+Hun aeroplane bombs, fortunately without further casualties.
+Exceptionally large working parties were demanded on each of the three
+nights, and their experiences were perhaps worse than those of the tour
+in the line which was to follow.
+
+The third battle of Ypres was still in progress at this time, and
+Passchendaele had not yet been taken. On the front between the railway
+and Houthulst Forest, due north of Poelcapelle, the 149th Infantry
+Brigade had attacked and advanced the line slightly. A further attack by
+battalions of the 150th Brigade had partially failed, and about the
+beginning of November the battalion moved up to occupy the left sector
+of the line which was just inside the forest.
+
+The journey up to the front line was far from pleasant. After crossing
+the canal it consisted of a six-mile walk along a duck-board track across
+one of the most devastated areas on the whole front, and to add to the
+difficulties, the enemy's artillery was very active. Owing to lack of
+roads for the transport, each man carried four days' rations. The
+position consisted of a series of water-logged shell holes, which were
+troubled considerably by low-flying aeroplanes. Battalion headquarters
+were in a pill-box known as Egypt House, which received very assiduous
+attention from the Boche gunners.
+
+As it had been decided to make no further attack on this sector, though
+an improved position was desired, the nights were spent in pushing
+forward the posts as far as possible under cover of darkness. This was
+done very successfully, and the battalion line was advanced during the
+tour by 200 yards with very few casualties. Several decorations were
+obtained for this work including the Bar to the Military Cross to Capt.
+J.F.G. Aubin, M.C., commanding Y Company; and the Military Cross to Capt.
+P.H.B. Lyon, commanding X Company. Sergts. Britton and Cruddace were
+awarded Bars to the Military Medal.
+
+After four days in the line, orders were received to move back to the
+neighbourhood of the canal for two days and then return. In view of the
+dangerous nature of reliefs, however, an alteration was asked for and
+obtained, and the Battalion completed its tour of six days. On relief by
+the 9th Battalion, it moved to Marsouin Farm Camp, near Pilkem, and spent
+a very unpleasant morning under fire from high velocity shells.
+Fortunately there were no casualties, and in the afternoon after the
+relief it again moved to a camp at Elverdinghe for a few nights.
+
+From there it entrained to Watten, and marched to billets at Houlle. Here
+a very enjoyable month was spent. The maltery, where W and X Companies
+were billeted, was one of the best billets they had been in for some
+time. The great feature of this month's training was the sports. After
+winning the Brigade Football and Cross Country Cups, the battalion won a
+great triumph by obtaining the Divisional Cross Country Shield. This was
+given to the unit which had the largest proportion of its ration strength
+over the course in a certain time. The percentage obtained, 64 per cent.,
+reflected the high state of efficiency to which the Battalion had now
+attained. For this high standard, a large amount of credit was due to
+R.S.M. G. Perry, D.C.M., who was unfortunately compelled by ill-health to
+leave the Battalion at Houlle, and subsequently went home, after nearly
+three years' active service. At his best on the parade ground and in his
+lectures on the history of his Regiment, his influence continued to be
+felt long after his departure, especially as he was succeeded by one whom
+he had trained in soldiering, C.S.M. J. Taylor, of X Company.
+
+During the first week in December the visit of officers to the line
+disclosed the new sector to be taken over, which included Passchendaele
+village, recently captured by the Canadians. A few days later the
+Battalion entrained at Watten for Brandhoek, where it spent a short time
+in a hut camp in Divisional reserve. From there it marched up through
+Ypres to a camp just west of Potijze Wood, the scene of its first action
+in April, 1915. After two days there a further move was made to the
+forward area, into a number of shelters known as the Seine area. The next
+step was to the front line, which consisted of a series of shell hole
+positions on the Passchendaele Ridge. Not only were these uncomfortably
+wet, but they were very difficult to locate in the dark, and many will
+remember the trouble experienced in selecting the routes from the heap of
+debris of what had once been the village church. Battalion Headquarters
+were in a German pill-box known as Hamburg. Four days were spent in the
+front line, and the Battalion then went to Divisional reserve again at
+Brandhoek. After another tour in the line, it again moved to Brandhoek on
+Christmas Day, and there completed the 24 days which entitled it to a
+similar period of rest and training. The whole tour had been without any
+exciting incidents, and casualties were small, in spite of persistent
+shelling which made the duck-board tracks (H, K, R.A.M.C., tracks, etc.)
+very unpleasant. The Christmas at Brandhoek was thoroughly enjoyed by the
+men. On Boxing Day a Christmas dinner was provided, consisting of
+turkeys, puddings, port wine, beer, etc., the orderly work being done by
+the N.C.O.'s, and the carving by the officers. A visit was paid to the
+Battalion here by the Corps Commander (Lieut-Gen. Sir Aylmer
+Hunter-Weston), who congratulated the men on their appearance and bearing
+immediately after an uncomfortable trench tour.
+
+From Brandhoek the Battalion moved by 'bus to the Steenvoorde area,
+where it was accommodated in very scattered billets for about ten days,
+during which it was training and resting. It then entrained at Eecke for
+Wizernes, near St. Omer, and marched to billets at Acquin. A stay of
+about a fortnight there was occupied in the use of an exceptionally good
+training area. A return was then made to the former front line, and
+detraining again at Brandhoek, the Battalion went this time to another
+hut camp known as Toronto. A similar system of reliefs as before was
+carried out and the tour was divided up into short periods at Brandhoek,
+St. Jean, and the Passchendaele sector. The line was somewhat quieter
+than on the previous occasion. The route to and from the trenches was now
+a new track called Judah track, a stretch of about three miles, which
+reflected great credit on the Pioneer Battalions. From Brandhoek to St.
+Jean and the return journeys were usually done by 'bus or light railway.
+The tour ended with a night in the cellars in the town of Ypres, and from
+there the Battalion marched to Ypres station and entrained to Wizernes
+again, and so to billets in St. Martin-au-Laert, a suburb of St. Omer.
+These billets were very good, and the advantage of being near a town was
+fully appreciated. The story of the Battalion would not be complete
+without a reference to the band, which, under the direction of Sergt.
+T.O. Hann, M.M., had reached a very high standard, and was second to none
+in the Division. With the buglers, whose smart appearance attracted much
+attention, a selection of music was played in the town daily at
+"Retreat." At this time, also, the Battalion concert party, the "Red
+Diamonds," trained by Capt. Cardew and Capt. Lyon, provided several very
+good entertainments.
+
+It was now March, and the great enemy offensive on the Somme was
+expected. After three weeks, the rest was abruptly terminated by orders
+to entrain for Amiens, and about the second week in March the Battalion
+marched off from St. Martin, and entrained at Arques. At this time it was
+perhaps as efficient as any on the Western front, having had few
+casualties during the past year, and also having had a large proportion
+of rest and training. The officers knew their men both in and out of the
+line, and it was confidently expected that in the coming active
+operations great credit would be earned--but the overwhelming disasters
+of the next three months were never anticipated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE SOMME, THE LYS AND THE AISNE.
+
+_First Phase._
+
+
+On detraining at Longeau, the Battalion marched to billets in Corbie,
+where it stayed for one night. The following day it moved to the south of
+the main Amiens-Peronne road to Marcelcave, and was then in Fifth Army
+Reserve. Here, for about a fortnight the finishing touches were put to
+the training. Included in the programme were the final stages of the Army
+Rifle Association competition, in which No. 6 Platoon were defeated by a
+Platoon of the 8th Durham Light Infantry in the final of the Brigade
+contest. The officers were taken up to certain areas near Peronne, where
+the Battalion might have to deliver counter-attacks in the event of a
+German success. About the middle of March rumours of the impending attack
+became more numerous, and the intelligence reports containing prisoners'
+statements, etc., were not reassuring. At last, the date of the attack,
+the 21st March, became fairly certain, and the drum fire heard in the
+distance on that day was not unexpected.
+
+Orders were issued during the morning for a "stand-to" in readiness to
+move at very short notice, and about 3.45 p.m. instructions were received
+to entrain at Gouzeaucourt. In less than an hour the Battalion was on the
+march, the transport moving at the same time by road. After a short
+journey it detrained in the pitch dark at Brie, where Lewis guns, etc.,
+were placed on lorries, the orders being to move into billets near
+Peronne. Whilst waiting for guides, however, a staff officer of the
+Division arrived with fresh orders. Instead of proceeding to billets the
+Battalion was to move straight into the fight. The Lewis guns were
+removed from the lorries and replaced by blankets, and the Battalion
+marched off in the direction of Tincourt. Just to the south of that
+village and in front of Beuzy a reserve system of partially dug trenches,
+known as the Green Line, was at once occupied. This line was the next
+defence system behind the Brown Line, where the 66th and other Divisions
+had been overwhelmed in the morning. On the morning of the 22nd March the
+men watched with interest tanks moving up to counter-attack, but on the
+whole things were quiet. In the afternoon the shelling became heavier,
+and in the distance large massed bodies of the enemy could be seen. The
+first contact occurred when a German scout was wounded and captured by a
+patrol. Orders were then received that the line was to be held at all
+costs. The apparent strength of the position, however, inspired
+confidence, and it was not till towards dusk that the first serious
+casualties occurred.
+
+About 9 p.m. further orders were received to withdraw to a ridge in the
+rear, in front of Cardigny. The movement was successfully carried out in
+the dark, and at dawn the new position was reconnoitred and the
+dispositions completed. At 7 a.m. the startling orders were received that
+the Fifth Army was about to withdraw to the west of the Somme, and
+detailed instructions as to the rearguard action were issued. The
+Battalion was to cover the retirement of the 5th Durham Light Infantry,
+which would in turn cover a further withdrawal. Accordingly the village
+of Cardigny was occupied with a view to a temporary stand. No sooner was
+this done than the enemy were on the outskirts and their snipers and
+machine guns were giving considerable trouble. The position soon became
+untenable, and permission was obtained to withdraw. This was done without
+loss, largely owing to the courage of Y Company, who, under Capt. J.F.G.
+Aubin, M.C., formed the rearguard to the Battalion.
+
+The next line of defence was a trench system on a ridge near Le Mesnil,
+which overlooked the Somme to the rear. Here things were quiet, though it
+was known that the enemy was working round the flanks, through Peronne on
+the left and Le Mesnil on the right. There was still a considerable
+amount of transport on the east of the river, and it was expected that a
+fight would follow to allow this to get away. After about two hours,
+however, orders came to cross the river by the Eterpigny footbridge. A
+route was taken across country towards this bridge, but there being no
+gap through the marshes and undergrowth, the Battalion was forced to turn
+aside through Le Mesnil village and, incidentally, to pass under a light
+shrapnel barrage. It was not known that the village was in the enemy's
+hands, but as soon as Z Company, who were leading, had reached the far
+side, the remaining Companies were attacked. Again Y Company
+distinguished itself, as did W and X Companies. They at once deployed,
+and though driven towards the marshes, successfully checked the enemy and
+eventually followed Z Company over the partially destroyed footbridge,
+about 300 yards long, with the loss of only two officers, Lieut. D.F.
+Charlton (killed) and 2nd Lieut. A. Dobson (prisoner), and about 20 men.
+For his action Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, M.C., was awarded the D.S.O.
+
+When all the Companies had been assembled on the west of the river a line
+was formed, along with the remnants of another Division, overlooking the
+marshes. By this time the day's fighting had died down, and things
+remained fairly quiet throughout the night.
+
+Early on the following morning, the 24th March, orders were received to
+withdraw the Battalion to Foucaucourt. The Companies were therefore
+assembled on the road and marched back by the main Amiens-Peronne road to
+an old prisoners of war camp near Foucaucourt village. Further orders
+awaited them there to be ready to move up again, and in about two hours
+they were again marching eastwards. About 8 p.m. they were again in
+position, in reserve, in a line north-east of Estrees.
+
+The next morning the Battalion was hurriedly assembled and moved to
+Genermont, south of the main road, coming under the orders of the General
+Commanding the 8th Division. The situation here appeared to be very
+serious, as the enemy was advancing rapidly. Without any very definite
+orders the Battalion moved in artillery formation towards Marchelepot,
+but before reaching it the 8th Division, who were holding the line, had
+retired to the railway behind the village. Gaps along the line of the
+railway were accordingly filled by W and Z Companies, but it soon became
+necessary to put in Y Company also. No further developments occurred till
+about 5 p.m., when Y Company on the right found that the 24th Division on
+their right was withdrawing to Chaulnes ridge. A defensive flank was
+formed, and X Company moved to the north-east of Hyencourt to deliver a
+counter-attack if necessary. For a couple of hours the prospect looked
+very black, but the enemy did not press his advantage, and about 7 p.m.
+orders were received to withdraw the Battalion to a line of old trenches
+south-east of Pressoire. Here a quiet night was spent, with only a few
+casualties from shell fire.
+
+About 9 a.m. the next day the enemy renewed his attacks and a hurried
+withdrawal of the whole of the 8th Division was ordered. The instructions
+which reached the Battalion were somewhat confused, but along with the
+Battalions of the 24th Infantry Brigade they moved from the trenches in
+artillery formation, and passing through the ruins of Lihons--which was
+under observation, and consequently was heavily shelled as the men passed
+through it--continued the withdrawal almost to Rosieres. About a mile
+south-east of that village a line was formed, but no further attack took
+place. In this position the Battalion had the 2nd Northants on its left
+and a Labour Battalion on its right.
+
+At 9.30 a.m. the next day (the 27th) the Labour Battalion withdrew and
+forced the two forward Companies of the Battalion to do the same. A
+counter-attack was delivered, however, and the line restored by the end
+of the day. The enemy renewed his attacks on the following morning, and
+the 24th Division on the right retired to Warvillers. Y Company then
+moved to Vrely to cover the withdrawal of the remainder of the Battalion
+to a line near Caix. It was during these operations that Lieut.-Col. F.W.
+Robson, D.S.O., was killed. He had commanded the Battalion for nearly a
+year, and could truly claim that he had realised his ambition of making
+it one of the finest in France. The best type of the Territorial officer,
+his death was a personal loss to every officer and man who served under
+him. The same day Capt. H. Walton, M.C., commanding Z Company, was also
+killed.
+
+The three Companies in the Caix valley occupied a wired trench facing
+Rosieres, and were told that the troops in front would retire and occupy
+the line with them. Instead, however, these troops passed through them,
+and the whole line fell back to the wood south-east of Caix. Here the
+remains of the Battalion were re-organised, and going forward again,
+re-occupied the Caix line. For this action Capt. G.E. Cardew and 2nd
+Lieut. R. Wilson received the Military Cross.
+
+It was found impossible to hold the line much longer, and about 4 p.m.
+the Battalion withdrew along the Beaucourt road and received verbal
+instructions to move to Moreuil. The cooks, storemen, buglers, etc., who
+had been left behind when the Battalion had moved up on the 21st March,
+and had since been in action as part of a composite battalion, had been
+collected by Major T.B. Heslop, and with some stragglers were now at
+Ailly-sur-Noye. These were ordered up to the line on the 29th and moved
+to Demuin Wood, where they arrived after having marched 30 kilometres
+over congested roads during the previous 20 hours. They remained in the
+area for several days, and had a very strenuous time with several
+casualties. After this party had moved up, stragglers were collected by
+Capt. Aubin at Boves, and these, with the transport, moved by stages to
+Saleux, passing large numbers of French troops moving up to check the
+advance. At Saleux the remnants of the Division, except the details who
+were still in the line, were re-organised in case of emergency, and
+eventually entrained to Rue and marched to billets at Vron. Here Major
+Heslop and his party rejoined. These billets were not far from the coast,
+and it was expected that after the strenuous fortnight there would be a
+short rest. This was not to be, however, but, as an alternative, rumour
+suggested a tour of duty in an easy part of the line. This appeared to be
+confirmed when after two days the Battalion moved by 'bus to the Bethune
+area.
+
+
+_Second Phase._
+
+On debussing just west of Bethune, the Battalion marched through the town
+to billets at Beuvry, which was about four miles behind one of the
+quietest sectors on the British front. Here a draft of about 400 men
+arrived, and preparations were being made for a relief of the 55th
+Division near La Bassee. These arrangements, however, were not carried
+out, and after a few days the Battalion moved by a short railway journey
+to Estaires, where it occupied billets in the town, all the
+officers--except the Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Transport Officer and
+Capt. Cardew--being in one billet, the Convent. At this time Estaires,
+though a very short distance behind the line, was a flourishing town.
+
+After a quiet day and night, alarming rumours of the second German
+offensive spread, and the next night there was a "stand-to." The day
+following, the officers and a few N.C.O.'s reconnoitred a line of posts
+in support which were to be occupied in the event of an attack, and in
+the evening instructions were received for a relief of the Portuguese
+Division, which was holding the line, the relief to take place the night
+after (9th April).
+
+On the night of the 8th April, there was another "stand-to," and at 4
+a.m. the threatened attack commenced with a heavy bombardment of the
+town. One of the first shells burst in the Convent, and all the occupants
+with two exceptions became casualties. The men, however, got out of their
+billets in safety, and the highest praise is due to the N.C.O.'s, who
+gave valuable assistance to the three surviving Company Officers in
+getting the Battalion into its battle positions in the Cockshy, Marais
+East and West, and Drumiez posts. Amongst the officers killed in the
+Convent were Capt. G. Kirkhouse, Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, D.S.O., M.C., and
+Lieut. C.L. Tyerman, all of whom had seen much service with the
+Battalion.
+
+The morning was misty, and beyond the fact that the Portuguese were being
+driven back in confusion, nothing definite could be ascertained as to the
+situation. The first reports which reached the Commanding Officer (Major
+T.B. Heslop) were to the effect that three Companies (W, X and Z) had
+been completely overwhelmed, and that two of his three Company Officers,
+Capt. Cardew (killed) and 2nd Lieut. Railton (prisoner) were casualties.
+The remainder of the Battalion, however, under Lieut. A.N. Brown, held
+its ground till the afternoon, when it was forced to withdraw to the
+railway near La Gorgue.
+
+At dusk, orders were received to cross the river Lawe and to hold the
+Western bank. This withdrawal was successful, and the opportunity was
+taken to reorganise the Battalion, which was divided into two companies,
+one under Lieut. Brown, with Sergt. P. Finn, M.M., and Sergt. Field; and
+the other under C.S.M. T. Sordy, M.C., with Sergts. Bell and Cooper. The
+strength of the Battalion was now barely 100, and when touch had been
+established on the flanks it was found that it was holding a frontage of
+about 2,000 yards.
+
+Assistance was therefore asked for, and a company of the Corps Cyclists
+and a company of the 7th Durham Light Infantry were attached. The latter
+were sent to fill a gap on the right flank between the Battalion and a
+Battalion of the Black Watch (51st Division). It was now about 10 a.m. on
+the 10th April, and the enemy had renewed his attack and gained a footing
+in Lestrem. From this, however, he was driven by the 7th Durham Light
+Infantry company, but further to the south he had pressed back the
+Highlanders.
+
+Orders were then received to withdraw in a N.W. direction to the line of
+the Lys canal, the company of 7th Durham Light Infantry being moved over
+to the left flank to fill a gap which had been caused by the readjustment
+of their line by the 5th Durham Light Infantry. Meanwhile, the 8th Durham
+Light Infantry, which was in rear, was ordered up to occupy the line
+between the right flank of the Battalion and the 51st Division.
+
+The new position was being fairly well held when it was reported that the
+5th Durham Light Infantry on the left had been forced to retire. Both
+flanks being now uncertain, the Battalion was withdrawn towards Merville,
+under very heavy machine-gun fire. A stand was made on the outskirts of
+the town, but before night the fighting was taking place in the streets
+of the town.
+
+The next day the retirement continued towards the Foret de Nieppe, and a
+line was taken up near Le Sart. By this time the strength of the
+Battalion was very small, and with the remnants of the 8th Durham Light
+Infantry, a composite battalion was formed under Lieut.-Col. P. Kirkup,
+M.C. Eventually, all were withdrawn from the fighting, and moved to the
+grounds of La Motte Chateau, where they came under very heavy shell fire
+for a short time. For a few days longer they remained on the western edge
+of the Forest and provided working parties on new trenches in the forest
+itself on a line in front of the Rue des Morts. At the end of this time
+they were taken out to billets at Cohem, near Wittes, where they remained
+for about a week reorganising and cleaning. Here Lieut.-Col. F. Walton,
+M.C., returned and took over command of the Battalion from Major T.B.
+Heslop, who was subsequently awarded the D.S.O. for his services whilst
+in command. Other honours gained in the Lys battle were the Military
+Cross by Lieut. A.N. Brown, the bar to the Military Cross by C.S.M. T.
+Sordy, M.C., the D.C.M. by Sergt. P. Finn, and Military Medals by Sergts.
+Bell and Cooper.
+
+Having now shared in two great battles within a month, a rest was
+confidently expected, and very soon orders were received to move by 'bus
+to Lapugnoy, near Bethune, to entrain for an unknown destination, though
+rumour suggested somewhere near Paris.
+
+
+_Third Phase._
+
+After a twenty-four hours' journey, the Battalion detrained at Serzy, and
+marched to a hut camp at Arcis-le-Ponsart. Maps were scarce, but it was
+found that this village was somewhere east of Soissons, and that the
+nearest part of the line was the famous Chemin des Dames. The men of the
+Division were the first British troops to visit these parts, and the
+limited knowledge of the French language which they had found sufficient
+in Belgium and the North was found to be useless. Other Divisions were
+expected to come South, but for a short time the 50th occupied the unique
+position of being the only British troops in the Sixth French Army.
+
+In the camp at Arcis-le-Ponsart were all the battalions of the 151st
+Brigade, and the ceremony of Brigade guard mounting was revived. This
+took place daily in the centre of the village with the massed buglers and
+bands. On the occasion of a visit of the French Army Commander to
+Divisional Headquarters, a guard was provided at very short notice by the
+Battalion, and was complimented on its smart appearance and bearing. It
+may be mentioned that the bugler of this guard carried the silver bugle
+presented to the Battalion in 1861 by the ladies of Coundon.
+
+It was generally understood that the tour on this sector, which was one
+of the quietest in the line, was to be a period of rest and training
+prior to a return to the fighting further north. Accordingly, the days at
+Arcis were devoted to training, mostly in field work. The men whose
+training was not up to standard, including a certain number who had
+recently been transferred from the Inland Water Transport section of the
+Royal Engineers, were detached for separate instruction, and eventually
+went to form a Divisional School.
+
+After about three weeks' training, during which an epidemic of influenza
+visited the camp, the Battalion marched to billets in Glennes, a small
+village near the Aisne. Here final preparations were made for the line,
+and after a few days it moved up to relieve a battalion of the 73rd
+French Infantry Regiment in the woods immediately east of the Craonne
+Plateau.
+
+The relief was very interesting. Arriving in the woods in the dark, the
+men were led by French guides by bewildering tracks and trenches to the
+front line. When daylight came, the support companies found themselves
+amidst green trees, very different surroundings from those they had
+previously known as the forward area. To add to the general comfort there
+were practically no indications that the war was still on. The shelling
+consisted at the most of half-a-dozen explosions daily, and generally
+there was "nothing doing." The rations came up to Battalion Headquarters
+by train, and the carrying parties lost their terrors.
+
+After four days the Battalion moved out to the support area, which
+consisted of billets in the deserted village of Chaudardes. Here concerts
+were organised, there was bathing in the Aisne Canal, the band played
+selections in the centre of the village, and it was even possible to do a
+certain amount of training when the enemy's observation balloons were not
+up.
+
+The four days in support being finished, a return was made to the line,
+this time on the right sub-sector, with the 8th Durham Light Infantry on
+the left. The conditions were still good, and everything pointed to this
+being a rest sector for the enemy also.
+
+Nothing unusual occurred till the evening of the 26th May, when a message
+was received to the effect that a prisoner had stated that after a
+three-hours' bombardment the enemy was going to attack at 4 a.m. on the
+27th. Observers also reported that towards dusk the roads behind the
+enemy's line were black with troops. The situation appeared to be so
+improbable that it was difficult to regard it as serious. The necessary
+precautions were taken, however; reserves of ammunition were sent
+forward, surplus personnel were sent down to the transport lines, and
+everybody warned to be on the alert.
+
+Promptly at 1 a.m. on the 27th the barrage came down, and it was such as
+had never been experienced by the Battalion before. The enemy flooded the
+whole area to a depth of about 3,000 yards with high explosive, shrapnel,
+and gas shells. Even the stores and transport, as was afterwards
+disclosed, were shelled out of Muscourt, which was many miles back, south
+of the Aisne.
+
+Communication with the forward companies was maintained by telephone, and
+an occasional runner, and at 4.50 a.m. a message was received at
+Headquarters from the front line stating that the enemy had attacked in
+force and had overwhelmed the forward posts. An enemy tank was also
+reported to be tearing up the wire. The next information came from Capt.
+Lyon who, finding his Company (X) had been wiped out, reported at
+Battalion Headquarters that the enemy was advancing rapidly. The reserve
+company (Z), under Capt. R. Green, M.C., were in position close to
+Headquarters, and they reported the enemy on top of them, with machine
+guns behind their right flank and bombers behind their left.
+
+It was then decided to move Headquarters further to the rear, and it was
+afterwards discovered that at this time parties of the enemy were
+actually well in rear of the position.
+
+After moving down the communication trench for about 500 yards,
+Lieut.-Col. Walton, with the Adjutant and Signalling Officer, and Capt.
+Lyon, collected all the available men, about forty of the Battalion, and
+searched for the best place to make a stand. They were still under the
+barrage, and the smoke made matters very difficult. Presently the 5th
+Durham Light Infantry came up the trench to take up an allotted position,
+which they found to be already taken by the enemy. They moved off to the
+right of the main trench, however, and the forty men under Capt. Lyon
+joined them.
+
+A message was then received by the Commanding Officer telling him to
+report at Brigade Headquarters. On arrival, however, the dug-outs were
+found to be unoccupied. Enemy machine guns were now firing from the rear,
+and it was realised that apart from about half-a-dozen orderlies who
+formed the remains of the Headquarters personnel, the Battalion had been
+practically annihilated.
+
+In his search for the Brigadier, who, it afterwards transpired, had been
+killed, Lieut.-Col. Walton arrived at the bridge at Concevreux. Here he
+found a few men of the 8th Durham Light Infantry and the 5th
+Northumberland Fusiliers, with whom the bridge was held till the
+afternoon. Unfortunately, none of the Battalion joined this party from
+the front, and for the next two or three days the two Commanding Officers
+of the 6th and 8th Durham Light Infantry found themselves in command of
+various bodies of men of other battalions.
+
+Meanwhile those of the Battalion who were at the transport lines when the
+battle started had been collected on the road from Muscourt to Romain
+under Major T.B. Heslop, D.S.O., and placed under the orders of the
+G.O.C. 74th Brigade. Whilst on the road they could see enemy troops and
+guns on the far side of the Aisne valley and later saw these guns being
+fired point blank at them. Various positions were taken up during the
+day, the party being in close contact with the enemy and suffering many
+casualties. On the 29th these details, which had rejoined the transport,
+were ordered to move from Villers Argon to Baslieux-sous-Chatillon, but
+before reaching the latter place, every available man was again collected
+to form part of a Company under Major Heslop, representing the remnants
+of the 151st Brigade in a Battalion to which each Brigade of the Division
+contributed one Company. After a night in Quisles Chateau this Battalion
+moved towards Ville-en-Tardenois to support the 74th Brigade. The enemy's
+position was uncertain and the 151st Brigade Company were ordered to act
+as advance guard and to seize the high ground north and east of Romigny.
+This was done, but the enemy attacked in force, with the result that the
+Company were driven to a position south of the village which they held
+till reinforcements arrived.
+
+Eventually, the remnants of the Division, except the Composite Battalion,
+were assembled at Vert-la-Gravelle, south of the Marne, when a Composite
+Brigade was formed, consisting of a weak Battalion from each of the
+original Brigades. This Brigade, after about a week spent in
+reorganisation, moved up to Chaumuzy and the Bois de Courton, where it
+did good work in a counter-attack on the Bligny ridge. Meanwhile, the
+transport and stores moved back to Broyes, near Sezanne, where they were
+eventually joined by the members of the Composite Battalion. For actions
+during the whole of the operations, the Military Cross was awarded to
+Capt. A.B. Hare, Lieut. T. Rushworth, 2nd Lieut. J. Woodhead, and R.S.M.
+J. Taylor. The last named was wounded and was succeeded by C.S.M. T.
+Sordy, M.C. The Military Medal was awarded to Sergt. Malone, L.-Cpl.
+Ripley and Pte. Dinsley, and the French Croix de Guerre to Corpl. Nield.
+
+At Broyes still another Composite Battalion was formed from the Brigade
+in case of emergency, and though orders were received to proceed into the
+line, they were cancelled.
+
+Then came the news that owing to the military demands, the 50th Division
+was to be broken up. Nothing definite, however, could be ascertained, and
+early in June the remnants entrained at Sezanne for the Abbeville area.
+On detraining at Longpre they marched to billets at Caumont, where orders
+were received that the battalions were to be reduced to the strength of
+Training Cadres (10 officers and 50 other ranks). After a few days they
+marched to Warcheville, from where the surplus men (about 120) were sent
+to the Base. It may be mentioned that the total casualties in the
+Battalion during the months of March, April and May had been 60 officers
+and over 1,200 other ranks.
+
+In a few more days the Battalion, now a Training Cadre, moved by 'bus to
+a camp just outside Dieppe, and there a month was spent awaiting further
+orders. The time was spent in the training of the N.C.O.'s who were to be
+instructors on special subjects, and in visits to the town. The band had
+been lent to the 50th Division, which had been filled up by new
+battalions from Salonica and was able to play selections in the camp, and
+on one occasion in the town.
+
+At the end of the month's stay, about the middle of August, it was
+announced that the battalions were not to be disbanded, but retained for
+training purposes. A few days later the Cadres of the 5th, 6th and 8th
+Durham Light Infantry moved by train to Rouen, where they were to build a
+camp and start a new institution, that of instructing reinforcement
+officers at the Base in tactical schemes. The officers of the Cadres
+therefore began the latter work, whilst the N.C.O.'s and men worked, or
+superintended the work on the new camp. In this somewhat monotonous way
+two months dragged on, during which, in the temporary absence on sick
+leave of Lieut.-Col. Walton, Lieut.-Col. Montgomerie, M.C., of the
+Norfolk Regiment, was in command. The band still remained with the
+Battalion and after the Armistice was granted permission to play on the
+Joan of Arc statue, being the first British band to do so. They also had
+the unique experience of playing "Blaydon Races" in Rouen Cathedral.
+
+About the middle of October came rumours of the splitting up of the
+Cadres, and on the 18th October Lieut.-Col. Walton was ordered to proceed
+to take command of the 18th Durham Light Infantry. He was succeeded by
+Lieut.-Col. A.L. MacMillan of the Seaforth Highlanders, who commanded,
+however, for only a few days, for on the 6th November the Battalion was
+demobilised, and within a few days the personnel had been scattered to
+various battalions all over France.
+
+So within a few days of the Armistice, ended the career of the 6th Durham
+Light Infantry in France, after three and a half years of good work which
+had made for it, right up to the end, a reputation which bore not a
+single stain, and which on more than one occasion had caused it to be
+held up as an example of the efficiency of the Territorial Force to which
+it had the great honour to belong.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDICES.
+
+
+APPENDIX I.
+
+OFFICERS KILLED OR DIED.
+
+Major S.E. Badcock                   }
+Capt. T.J. Monkhouse                 }26th April, 1915.
+2nd Lieut. C.S. Kynoch               }
+2nd Lieut. J.M. Hare                  24th May, 1915.
+2nd Lieut. G.C. Robertson             21st July, 1915.
+2nd Lieut. L.M. Peberdy               22nd Dec., 1915.
+2nd Lieut. L. Meyer                   11th June, 1916.
+2nd Lieut. R.J. Harris                16th June, 1916.
+2nd Lieut. J.C. Miller                27th July, 1916.
+2nd Lieut. H.C. Annett                15th Sept., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. N.F. Charlton              18th Sept., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. W. Little                  1st Oct., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. D.R. Peacock               2nd Oct., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. C.H.B. Catford[A]          5th Oct., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. G.W. Robson               }
+2nd Lieut. A.S. Ritson               }
+2nd Lieut. S. Robson                 }5th Nov., 1916.
+2nd Lieut. T.F. Applegarth           }
+2nd Lieut. K.B. Stuart               }
+2nd Lieut. H. Fell                   }
+Major W.D. Carswell Hunt, M.C.[B]     5th April, 1917.
+Capt. A.L. Brock                     }
+Lieut. W.H. Richardson               }
+2nd Lieut. J.W. Payne                }14th April, 1917.
+2nd Lieut. H. Greener                }
+2nd Lieut. W.L. Newton               }
+2nd Lieut. D.D.R. Lewis[A]            22nd April, 1917.
+Lieut. D.F. Charlton                  24th March, 1918.
+2nd Lieut. T. Sharkey                }
+2nd Lieut. A.R. Burn                 }26th March, 1918.
+Capt. H. Walton, M.C.                }
+Lieut. T.J. Burton[A]                }27th March, 1918.
+Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O.      }
+2nd Lieut. A.A. Horwood               28th March, 1918.
+Capt. J.F.G. Aubin, D.S.O., M.C.     }
+Capt. G.E. Cardew, M.C.              }
+Capt. G. Kirkhouse                   }
+Capt. Mackenzie (R.A.M.C.)[A]        }9th April, 1918.
+Lieut. C.L. Tyerman                  }
+Lieut. D.B. Scott                    }
+2nd Lieut. R.A. Wilson, M.C.         }
+2nd Lieut. F. Shirtliffe             }
+Capt. W.B. Hansell                   }27th May, 1918.
+Capt. A.N. Brown, M.C.               }
+2nd Lieut. J.C. Garritt.              30th May, 1918.
+
+[Footnote A: Died of wounds.]
+
+[Footnote B: Died.]
+
+
+APPENDIX II.
+
+(_The ranks shown are the highest held by the respective officers during
+their service in France_.)
+
+COMMANDING OFFICERS.
+
+Lieut.-Col. H.C. Watson               19th April-28th April, 1915.
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     28th April-19th May, 1915.
+Major W.E. Taylor (York and           19th May-24th May, 1915.
+  Lancaster Regt.).
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     24th May-11th Aug., 1915.[C]
+Brig.-Gen. O.C. Borrett, C.M.G.,      11th Aug.-15th Aug., 1915.
+  D.S.O. (King's Own Regt.).
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     15th Aug.-19th Dec., 1915.
+Brig.-Gen. G.A. Stevens, C.M.G.,      19th Dec., 1915-27th April, 1916.
+  D.S.O. (Royal Fusiliers).
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     27th April,-23rd Sept., 1916.
+Major G.E. Wilkinson, M.C.            23rd Sept.-1st Oct., 1916.
+  (Northumberland Fusiliers).
+Brig.-Gen. R.B. Bradford, V.C.,       1st Oct.-2nd Oct., 1916.
+  M.C.
+Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C.,        2nd Oct.-6th Nov., 1916.
+  D.C.M. (East Lancashire Regt.).
+Lieut.-Col. H.M. Allen, C.M.G.,       6th Nov., 1916-Feb., 1917.
+  D.S.O. (Black Watch).
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     Feb.-25th March, 1917.
+(During this period the command was held for short intervals by
+Lieut.-Col. W.B. Little, D.S.O., M.C. (East Lancashire Regt.), and
+Lieut.-Col. E. Crouch, D.S.O., D.C.M. during the temporary absence in
+hospital of Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys.)
+Major W.D. Carswell Hunt. M.C.        25th March-5th April, 1917.
+Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C.,        5th April-11th April, 1917.
+  D.C.M.
+Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O.,      11th April, 1917-27th Mar., 1918.
+  (Yorkshire Regt.).
+Lieut.-Col. T.B. Heslop, D.S.O.       27th March-April, 1918.
+Lieut.-Col. F. Walton, M.C.           April-18th Oct., 1918.
+(During this period the command was held for a few days by Lieut.-Col.
+E.W. Montgomerie, M.C. (Norfolk Regt.), during the temporary absence of
+Lieut.-Col. Walton.)
+Lieut.-Col. A.L. MacMillan (Seaforth  18th Oct.-6th Nov., 1918.
+  Highlanders).
+
+
+ADJUTANTS.
+
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     19th April-28th April, 1915.
+Lieut. R.V. Hare                      28th April-19th May, 1915.
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys, D.S.O.     19th May-24th May, 1915.
+Capt. P.H.B. Lyon, M.C.               24th May-20th Dec., 1915.[C]
+Brig.-Gen. R.B. Bradford, V.C.,       20th Dec.-31st Dec., 1915.
+  M.C.
+Lieut. C.E.G. Yaldwyn                 31st Dec., 1915-May, 1916.
+Capt. G. Kirkhouse                    May-20th Sept., 1916.
+Lieut.-Col. A. Ebsworth, M.C.,        20th Sept.-2nd Oct., 1916
+  D.C.M.
+Capt. G. Kirkhouse                    2nd Oct.-10th Nov., 1916.
+Lieut. T.J. Arnott (Gordon            10th Nov., 1916-5th April, 1917.
+  Highlanders)
+Major G.D.R. Dobson, M.C.             5th April-3rd May, 1917.
+Capt. R.B. Ainsworth, M.C.            3rd May, 1917-6th Nov., 1918.
+
+
+QUARTERMASTER.
+
+Capt. W.M. Hope, M.C.                 19th April, 1915-6th Nov., 1918.
+(With short interval when wounded in 1918.)
+
+
+TRANSPORT OFFICER.
+
+Lieut. H.T. Bircham, M.C.             19th April, 1915-June, 1918.[C]
+
+[Footnote C: With interval from 8th June-11th Aug., 1915 during the
+amalgamation of the 6th and 8th Battalions.]
+
+
+APPENDIX III
+
+(_The ranks shown are the highest held by the respective officers during
+their service in France_.)
+
+DECORATIONS WON BY OFFICERS SERVING WITH THE BATTALION.
+
+D.S.O.
+
+Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys.
+Lieut.-Col. T.B. Heslop.
+Capt. J.F.G. Aubin.
+
+M.C. & BAR.
+Capt. J.F.G. Aubin.
+
+M.C.
+
+Lieut.-Col. F. Walton.
+Capt. T. Welch.
+Capt. R.H. Wharrier.
+Capt. H. Walton
+Capt. R.S. Johnson.
+Capt. R.B. Ainsworth.
+Capt. P.H.B. Lyon
+Capt. W.M. Hope
+Capt. G.E. Cardew.
+Capt. A.N. Brown.
+Capt. T. Rushworth.
+Capt. A.B. Hare.
+Lieut. W.P. Gill.
+Lieut. G.R. Angus.
+Lieut. B.J. Harvey.
+Lieut. H.T. Bircham.
+2nd Lieut. R.A. Wilson.
+2nd Lieut. J. Woodhead.
+
+The V.C. was won by Brig.-Genl. R.B. Bradford whilst in command of the
+6th and 9th Battalions.
+
+
+
+
+THE ARDEN PRESS
+
+[Illustration]
+
+W.H. SMITH & SON
+STAMFORD STREET
+LONDON: S.E.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the 6th Battalion, The
+Durham Light Infantry, by Unknown
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