diff options
Diffstat (limited to '16660-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 16660-h/16660-h.htm | 2927 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16660-h/images/crest.png | bin | 0 -> 4678 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16660-h/images/front.jpg | bin | 0 -> 35694 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16660-h/images/front_th.jpg | bin | 0 -> 7816 bytes |
4 files changed, 2927 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/16660-h/16660-h.htm b/16660-h/16660-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b46c75 --- /dev/null +++ b/16660-h/16660-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2927 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Story Of The 6th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry, by Capt. R.B. Ainsworth, M.C. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .right {text-align: right;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<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—<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">Armentières 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 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.</p> + +<p>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.</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:—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:—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 +Château, 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 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.</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">ARMENTIÈRES 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—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 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.</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 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.</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:—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 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.</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—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 Estrées.</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—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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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> </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'> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. J.M. Hare</td><td> </td><td align='left'>24th May, 1915.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. G.C. Robertson</td><td> </td><td align='left'>21st July, 1915.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. L.M. Peberdy</td><td> </td><td align='left'>22nd Dec., 1915.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. L. Meyer</td><td> </td><td align='left'>11th June, 1916.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. R.J. Harris</td><td> </td><td align='left'>16th June, 1916.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. J.C. Miller</td><td> </td><td align='left'>27th July, 1916.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. H.C. Annett</td><td> </td><td align='left'>15th Sept., 1916.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. N.F. Charlton</td><td> </td><td align='left'>18th Sept., 1916.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. W. Little</td><td> </td><td align='left'>1st Oct., 1916.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. D.R. Peacock</td><td> </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> </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> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. A.S. Ritson</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. S. Robson</td><td> </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> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. H. Fell</td><td> </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> </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> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. W.H. Richardson</td><td> </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> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. W.L. Newton</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. D.D.R. Lewis<a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></td><td> </td><td align='left'>22nd April, 1917.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lieut. D.F. Charlton</td><td> </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> </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> </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> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. A.A. Horwood</td><td> </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> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Capt. G.E. Cardew, M.C.</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Capt. G. Kirkhouse</td><td> </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> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. R.A. Wilson, M.C.</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2nd Lieut. F. Shirtliffe</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Capt. W.B. Hansell</td><td rowspan='2'><span style='font-size: 3em'>}</span></td><td> </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> </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. </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. </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. & 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 & 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 + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE 6TH *** + +***** This file should be named 16660-h.htm or 16660-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/6/16660/ + +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 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/16660-h/images/crest.png b/16660-h/images/crest.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..11ee4b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/16660-h/images/crest.png diff --git a/16660-h/images/front.jpg b/16660-h/images/front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..71b1dc8 --- /dev/null +++ b/16660-h/images/front.jpg diff --git a/16660-h/images/front_th.jpg b/16660-h/images/front_th.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..743992c --- /dev/null +++ b/16660-h/images/front_th.jpg |
