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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19339-8.txt b/19339-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c24f7ec --- /dev/null +++ b/19339-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3235 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of With The Immortal Seventh Division, by +E. J. Kennedy and the Lord Bishop of Winchester + +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: With The Immortal Seventh Division + +Author: E. J. Kennedy and the Lord Bishop of Winchester + +Release Date: September 20, 2006 [EBook #19339] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE IMMORTAL SEVENTH DIVISION *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + + + * * * * * + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been | + | preserved. | + | | + | Each chapter is preceded by a blank page, a chapter title | + | page and another blank page. | + | | + | A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected | + | in this text. For a complete list, please see the end of | + | this document. | + | | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + + WITH THE IMMORTAL + SEVENTH DIVISION + + By the Rev. + E.J. KENNEDY + Chaplain Major to The Expeditionary Force. + + + With a Preface by the Right Reverend the + LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER + + + HODDER AND STOUGHTON + LONDON NEW YORK TORONTO + MCMXVI + + + + + TO + MY WIFE + AND + HELP-MATE OF MANY YEARS. + + + + +PREFACE + + +This little record bears the impress of the character of its +writer--simple, manly, open-hearted towards man, and devout towards God. + +I have read a great part of it with keen interest. Written without +strain, from fresh personal experience, and with great sympathy for the +officers and men of our Army, it gives a very lively picture of a +chaplain's work at the Front, and the scenes and conditions under which +it is done. + +Mr. Kennedy's commanding stature, and fine physical manhood, gave him +advantages which his fine character and genial nature used, by God's +grace, to the best effect. + +Having known him, and admired him from the time when I admitted him to +Priest's Orders in South London, down to the day when at my request he +addressed our Diocesan Conference upon the challenge given to the Church +by the war, and the claims and needs of the men of our Army returning +from the Front,--a subject on which he glowed with eagerness,--it is a +happiness to me to bespeak for his words an attention which will +certainly be its own reward. + +I trust the book may do a little to lessen the loss which (to human +vision) the best interests of our country and her people have suffered +by his early and unexpected death. + + EDW. WINTON. + + FARNHAM CASTLE, + _November, 1915._ + + + + +EDITOR'S NOTE + + +Chaplain Major E.J. Kennedy, the writer of this little book, returned to +his parish of St. John the Evangelist, Boscombe, in September 1915, +having completed his year's service with the Expeditionary Force. Fired +with a deep sense of the need of rousing the Home Church and Land to a +clearer realization of the spiritual needs of 'Our Men' and armed with +the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the approval and +consent of his Diocesan, he determined to spend a certain amount of his +time in the strenuous work of lecturing up and down the country, in +addition to his many parochial duties. Immediately on his return he +plunged into this work, without taking any rest after his arduous +labours at the Front. On Tuesday, October 19, he was lecturing in +Liverpool and Birkenhead. On Wednesday he was taken ill, and on Thursday +he returned home. On the following Monday he succumbed to the disease +which doubtless he contracted at the Front. + +In the passing of Major Kennedy the Church and Nation have lost a man +who could ill be spared. So simple in his faith, so fearless and +powerful in his preaching, he was a man who wielded an influence almost +unique in this country. Those who have been benefited by his ministry +are not counted by hundreds but by tens of hundreds. His influence with +the men at the Front was extraordinary. A soldier writes, 'I was awfully +sorry to hear of Mr. Kennedy's death. It came so sudden too. I expect he +would not wish for a better death than dying practically in his +country's cause. He will be greatly missed, his place will not be easily +filled. Unfortunately there are not many men of his stamp in the world. +He was "white" all through, a thing as rare as it is valuable. He was a +real manly Christian gentleman.' This letter is typical of hundreds +which have been received from all parts of the world, including the +Front, so wide and far reaching was the sweep of his influence. + +Of him it may be truly said, 'He was God's man.' Many in all schools of +thought and walks of life, as they think of him to-day will +unconsciously say to themselves what the poet has expressed-- + + "This is the happy warrior, this is he + Whom every man in arms should wish to be." + +Well done! thou good and faithful servant. + + J.H. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + +CHAPTER I +THE SEVENTH DIVISION 3 + +CHAPTER II +THE TREK THROUGH BELGIUM 27 + +CHAPTER III +THE WELCOME OF A PEOPLE 69 + +CHAPTER IV +A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS 79 + +CHAPTER V +THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES 99 + +CHAPTER VI +CONCERNING OFFICERS AND MEN 121 + +CHAPTER VII +THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD 139 + +CHAPTER VIII +THE CARE OF THE WOUNDED 159 + +CHAPTER IX +WORK AT THE BASE 177 + +CHAPTER X +A CLOSING WORD 195 + + + + +THE SEVENTH DIVISION + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE SEVENTH DIVISION + + +'A telegram, sir!' and a mounted orderly who had ridden over from +Larkhill, stood outside my tent at the Bustard's Camp, Salisbury Plain, +at 5 a.m., on September 17, 1914. + +In that remote part of the world so removed from the benefits of +ordinary life, we were yet in receipt of our daily papers at that early +hour in the morning, and I was enjoying a twenty-four hours' history of +the world, at the moderate price of a penny, when the brief tones of the +orderly aroused me from its perusal. Its contents were startling: 'You +have been selected for immediate foreign service. Report yourself early +to-morrow morning at the War Office.' For some days past I had been +doing duty with my Territorial Battalion, the 7th Hants; but daily I had +been hoping that I might be able to throw in my lot with the great mass +of men, who had volunteered at the call of King and country. + +During the month of August I had been shut up at the Riffel Alp with +some seventy other unfortunates; kicking our heels in enforced ignorance +when we would fain have been near the centre of information, if not of +service. Unable to travel owing to the railways of Switzerland and +France being required for the mobilization of troops, we could only +possess our souls in patience. It was a time never to be forgotten, for +although our English blood was stirred by the rumours that reached us of +an expeditionary force being landed in France, under General Sir John +French, and of even greater significance, the mobilization of the +English Fleet, yet our only source of information was derived from the +Corriere della Sera, the communiqués of which were supplied by the Wolff +Agency. Our state of mind can be readily imagined when I mention such +points of _reliable_ news as the 'Destruction of the English Fleet; +Death of Sir John French; Invasion of England; London taken; Bank of +England in flames.' Of course we knew that this was false, and yet there +was no possibility of rebutting the statements. + +For nearly a month we alternated between hope and fear. The effect of +the bright Swiss sunshine would at times render us optimistic, and then +the fall of night would once more see us plunged into the depths of a +helpless pessimism. However, the time came when the little English +colony struggled through the difficulties of railway transport, and +arrived once more in the region of authentic information. The journey +home, which occupied three days, was full of interest, for France was +throbbing with 'la guerre' and 'la gloire'; train after train with +troops bound for the Front, swept by us; while at Lyons we encountered +an ambulance train full of wounded, and another of German prisoners. My +party had the advantage of travelling with the wife and son of a Cabinet +Minister, and through Sir E. Grey's kind solicitude for his colleague's +people, the best possible accommodation was provided for us, but even +that powerful interest was not always sufficient to prevent delay and +discomfort. On reaching Creil, the junction for Belgium, we found the +station full of English troops in their retreat from Mons, and many were +the stirring stories gathered from our retiring, but not disheartened +men. The spirit of the French troops much impressed us; unaccompanied, +my ladies went among them with confidence, and on every hand were +treated with the consideration of gentlemen. I remarked on this to a +French gentleman who was travelling with us, and he said with warranted +pride, 'But they are gentlemen, monsieur.' Some of the wounded French +took the greatest interest in describing to us the circumstances under +which they had been hit,--some, as the manner of soldiers is, displayed +the bullet or piece of shrapnel which had laid them low. + +Nearly all the troop trains going to the Front were decorated with +flowers and evergreens, whilst the stations and villages were alive with +enthusiastic people assembled to cheer their men onward to their +glorious and dangerous task. + +It was with thankful hearts and very travel-stained persons that we +finally reached home, heartily agreeing after our exciting experiences +that a little goes a long way. + +I had at the earliest moment possible volunteered my services to the +Army Chaplains Department, but was informed that there was no prospect +at that time of my being called upon; accordingly I joined my +Territorial Battalion, under Colonel Park, and was awaiting a summons to +service, here, there, or anywhere, when, as I have described, the call +came. I have often wondered why the War Office always springs upon one +with such alarming suddenness; possibly it is the way of the Army; it is +certainly disconcerting, although it is educational, for it teaches one +to be always ready and alert for any emergency. + +And now the order had come, and there was hurrying to and fro; a rapid +dash home; a putting together of kit which would be required in the +unknown life about to be entered upon. A last night at home; and then +the reporting of oneself at the War Office; the signing of a contract +for twelve months' service; a medical examination as to physical +fitness; an hour or two's shopping at Harrods (where one developed a +tendency to think of everything not wanted, and to forget what was +really useful); and finally Waterloo Station, that scene of many +farewells. 'Good-bye' has so many significations. It may be uttered at +the parting for a couple of hours; it may be uttered, and often is, in +these days as the final word on earth to much loved ones. Oh, these +partings! how they pull a man's heart to pieces; and yet, with that +remarkable insularity which characterizes our race,--or should I say +races--it is one of the things seldom or never mentioned among men on +service; and yet I suppose it is always uppermost in a man's mind. Again +and and again I have lit upon men in out of the way corners, reading a +well worn letter, or perchance gazing at a photograph, every facial +lineament of which was already well stamped upon the mind of the gazer. +It is one of the mental attitudes which go to form a spirit of +comradeship; the feeling that it is all part of the game, and we are +most of us tarred with the same brush. + +I had received my orders at the War Office, to join the Seventh Division +then mobilizing at Lyndhurst. + +The Seventh Division! that meant very little to me, and indeed to the +public generally at that time, but what it signified to the nation will +be more fully appreciated when the history of this war is written. + +It may be interesting to give particulars of the composition of that, +which I believe is the first Division ever to march out of an English +camp fully equipped. + +Under the command of Major-General T. Capper, C.B., D.S.O.,[1] now Sir +Thomson Capper, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., it represented the very flower +of our Army, possessing a Staff of most capable officers. + +It consisted of:-- + + Divisional Signal Company; + Divisional Mounted troops; + Northumberland Hussars; + Cycle Company; + Four Brigades of Artillery (R.H.A., R.F.A., R.G.A.); + Two Batteries R.G.A.; + Divisional Ammunition Column; + Divisional Engineers, two Field Companies; + 20th Infantry Brigade,-- + Brig.-General H.G. Ruggles Brise, M.V.O.; + Brigade-Major A.B.E. Cator. + + 2nd Scots Guards; + 1st Grenadier Guards; + 2nd Border Regiment; + 2nd Gordon Highlanders; + 21st Infantry Brigade,-- + Brig. H.E. Watts, C.B.; + Brigade-Major Captain W. Drysdale. + 2nd Bedford Regiment; + 2nd Yorks; + 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers; + 2nd Wiltshire Regiment; + 22nd Infantry Brigade-- + Brig. S.T.B. Lawford; + Brigade-Major Captain G.M. James, The Buffs. + + 2nd The Queens; + 2nd Royal Warwick Regiment; + 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers; + 1st South Staffs Regiment. + + Divisional Train; + Four Companies Divisional Medical Units; + 21st Field Ambulance; + 22nd " " + 23rd " " + +The mobilization of a Division for Active Service is a vast business; +everything has to be thought of and provided; there must be a thorough +equipment for the men, horses, and transport; medical stores, saddlery, +farriery, etc., etc., not a thing must be forgotten, for in those early +days of the war there was no well-equipped Ordnance Department on the +other side. Each Field Ambulance is a dispensary on wheels, comprising +the hundred and one field comforts which warfare rightly provides for +the lamentable wrecks that pass through the hands of the R.A.M.C. + +The question of horses is no slight undertaking, and certainly gives +rise to no little heartburning, as every mounted officer naturally tries +to secure a good mount. To me it was a specially serious matter; when a +man walks 15.8 and rides another two stone at least, considerable care +has to be exercised in the selection of his equine friend, who has to +bear with him the fatigues, trials and risks of a campaign. I shall ever +feel the deepest obligation to Captain Kennedy Shaw, O.C., Remounts +Department, Salisbury, for supplying me with one of the best horses I +have ever ridden; a big upstanding bay, with black points; deep chested; +good quarters; with the most perfect manners, even under the heaviest +fire, which could be desired. Strangely enough his name (which was tied +to his halter) was 'Ora Pro Nobis,' a not inapt cognomen for a padré's +horse. He must have come out of a good stable, and I often felt that +someone must have hoped that he would fall into good hands. Should this +by any chance be read by the owner, let me say that both my groom and I +took the greatest care of my good steed until the day when German +shrapnel ushered him into 'the eternal hayfield.' + +They were happy days at Lyndhurst, where the Division remained for a +fortnight. The future stress of awful losses was only a bare possibility +then, although it was on the horizon of many men's hearts; but at the +time it was ignored, for many of the officers had their women folk +staying, either in the village, or near at hand; and the lawn of the +'Crown,' the Divisional Head-quarters, was a bright and happy centre of +pleasurable intercourse. + +It was a strange experience to be ushered into the very vortex of a +soldier's life, although my experience of military camp life was not a +new one; in far back years happy service in a kilted regiment had left a +mark which time has not effaced. + +A very cordial reception from General Capper set me at my ease; whilst +Brig.-General Ruggles Brise, to whose Brigade I was attached, and to +whose kindness and courtesy I owe much, assured me of the good will of +the powers that be. The General posted me to the 20th Brigade--a noble +appointment indeed; for such troops as the Grenadier Guards, Scots +Guards, Gordon Highlanders and Border Regiment were good enough for any +man. + +The Parade Services I held while at Lyndhurst were an inspiration. The +prayer card issued by the Chaplain-General was greatly appreciated by +officers and men. I arranged for the distribution of 15,000 of them in +the Division, and they were eagerly accepted by all from the Generals +downwards. On many an occasion in the after days I came across these +cards tucked away in the lining of the caps of dead and wounded men. +Nothing can exceed the beautiful simplicity of the prayer, a copy of +which I venture to insert:-- + +A SOLDIER'S PRAYER. + + Almighty and most Merciful Father, + Forgive me my sins: + Grant me thy peace: + Give me thy power: + Bless me in life and death, + For Jesus Christ's sake. + + Amen. + + (On the reverse side.) + + Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy + kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. + Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our + trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And + lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For + thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and + ever. + + Amen. + +The other Chaplains of the Division were:-- + + Church of England: The Rev. Hon. T. George Maurice Peel, 21st + Brigade. + + Presbyterian: The Rev. W. Stevenson Jaffray. + + Roman Catholic: The Rev. Father Moth. + +It was on October 4 when my wife, daughter and myself were about to +take tea with Captain Douglas of the Staff--alas! now dead--and his +wife, that he hurriedly rode out of the 'Crown' saying, 'The order has +come to stand by.' The news was welcome, for we were growing weary of +waiting. Immediately the troops began to move off; the unit to which I +was attached--23rd Field Ambulance which served the 20th Brigade--left +at 2.45 a.m., reaching Southampton about six. It is of interest to note +that a Division of troops of over 15,000 men makes a brave show upon the +road, its length from the van to the rear being not less than twelve +miles. + +Apparently the cheering folk along the road passed a sleepless night, +for at every hamlet and village people lined the road, waving us their +farewells; and from many a cottage window kindly faces could be seen +silhouetted against the light of the room, cheering us onward with +hearty words. + +The embarkation at Southampton was a busy scene, and took many hours to +accomplish, but finally fourteen huge transports got under way, and +steamed up Channel for Dover. There we 'stood off and on' until 9 p.m. +on October 6, when picking up our pilot we steamed out into the Down in +the quiet of the autumn night. + +The names of the officers who composed the mess of the 23rd Field +Ambulance were: Major Crawford (now Lieut.-Colonel), Major Brown, +Captain Wright, Lieut. McCutcheon, Lieut. Mackay, Lieut. Hart, Lieut. +Priestly, Lieut. Wedd, Lieut. Beaumont, Lieut. Jackson (quartermaster), +Col. the Rev. W. Stevenson Jaffray, and the writer; on the whole a very +cheery, hard-working set of officers, whose work met with high +appreciation of Head-quarters, in due course. + +Many conjectures were on foot as to our destination, but when we found +the course was north-east, we knew that France was out of the question, +and Belgium loomed large in our imagination. + +The scene was an eerie one as the black hulls of the vessels moved +quietly over the placid sea, with a protective squadron of torpedo +destroyers surrounding us. It was sufficiently risky to give a piquance +to the experience. + +The Admiralty had laid mines from the Goodwin Sands to the Belgium +coast, and it was a remarkable feat of pilotage which took the whole +fleet through this mine zone in safety to its destination. The naval +officer who acted as pilot to the _Victorian_, on which I was aboard, +informed me the next morning that it had been the most anxious night of +his life, and I can well understand it, for the responsibility upon a +man, under such circumstances, was a heavy one. + +Coming on deck in the early hours of the following morning I saw the +low-lying Belgium coast bathed in sunlight; Zeebrugge lying a couple of +miles to the east. It was with a very thankful heart that I realized +that the first risky stage of our movement towards the Front was over. + +In due course we warped in alongside of the massive Mole at Zeebrugge; +and admired the huge proportions of a quay, which I understood had been +built by the Germans. Large as it was, there was not sufficient room for +all the fleet of transports, so half the Division landed at Ostend and +joined us later. + +The landing scene was stirring, and full of interest. All sorts of +troops were mixed together in apparently inextricable confusion; +Guardsmen, Highlanders, Linesmen, Sappers, Gunners, Cavalry and the +ubiquitous A.S.C. were moving about in the keen delight of being on the +soil that they had come to free from the oppressor; but the miracle of +military order and discipline soon evolved order out of chaos; and the +whole column moved off for its nine or ten mile trek to Bruges. + +With elastic step and cheery voice the men swung along to the inspiring +strains of 'Tipperary.' The road was typical of Belgium; the long avenue +of poplar trees, flanked by broad ditches, being the distinguishing +feature of this and most Belgium roads (the centre being composed of +cobbles, with macadam tracks on either side). Every one felt keen, and +the horses, fresh from forty-eight hours' confinement in their very +close quarters between decks, enjoyed the freedom as much as the men. + +On reaching Bruges, which was in total darkness, owing to the fear of +enemy aeroplanes, we received our instructions to proceed to an outlying +suburb of the city; and presently drew up in a field, bounded by houses +of the humbler description. The early morning was distinctly autumnal, +and a ration of biscuit, bully beef and steaming hot tea was not to be +despised. Late though it was, many people were about, occupying +themselves by gazing, half in wonderment and half in admiration, at the +first visit of khaki to their neighbourhood. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] This brilliant officer was killed in action at the end of September, +1915. + + + + +THE TREK THROUGH BELGIUM + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE TREK THROUGH BELGIUM + + +My first experience of billeting was sufficient to prove the very +arbitrary character of the whole proceeding. Imagine some one hundred +and fifty men, and twelve officers, suddenly appearing in a small +outlying street of the far-famed Belgian city, at the untimely hour of 4 +a.m., and all clamouring for a night's lodging. To begin with, it was +not an easy matter to arouse the slumbering people; and the billeting +party had to wait long before each door, ere slippered feet were heard +along passages, and drowsy voices inquired suspiciously as to our +business; then appeared more or less clad figures, who gazed anxiously +at the cloaked men standing at the door (for the Germans lay at the back +of every mind). However, the talismanic charm of 'Englishmen' did +wonders. It was 4.30 a.m. before I tumbled into an extremely comfortable +bed, and had barely laid my head upon the pillow--so it seemed--when a +great knocking at the door aroused me with a start from vivid dreams of +home, as an orderly entered the room with the alarming statement that +the column was moving off in ten minutes. It was seven o'clock, and I +felt inclined for another twelve hours in bed; there were no ablutions +that morning. A flying leap into my clothes; a most indiscriminate +packing of my valise, which I left my servant struggling with, in an +inexperienced attempt to roll it up correctly, and I swallowed a cup of +coffee which my kind hostess had provided for me (why is coffee always +so hot when one is in a hurry?), and I mounted my horse in the nick of +time to fall in with my column as it moved off. + +It was a long weary march over a very flat country, intersected with +dykes, and only broken by the ubiquitous poplar trees; and one had ample +time to think, and sometimes doze, as we marched along on our +twenty-five mile trek. At the midday halt, a little diversion enlivened +the proceedings in the shape of pulling two bogged horses out of a +narrow cut where they had been 'watered.' We managed with the help of +ropes and planks to get the poor brutes on to terra firma again, more +dead than alive. + +Then on and on, hour after hour, halting ten minutes each hour for a +needed breather and rest, until Ostend hove in sight. Visions of a +comfortable billet rose before one's luxurious mind, but no such luck; +right through the city we marched, finding the station square crammed +with terror-stricken and most wretched-looking refugees; until, some +four miles out, we lighted upon the most filthy and forsaken place to be +found on the map of civilization--Steene. The houses were so vile and +malodorous, that it was with great reluctance the O.C. allowed the men +to enter. By this time it was very dark and very cold, and it was with +purely animal instinct that we found the way to our mouths in the +darkness, and tried to make believe that we enjoyed the biscuit and +bully beef which formed our rations. + +Then came the somewhat important question of where to sleep. I deemed +myself among the fortunate in securing a stretcher, and dossed in a +transport wagon; a tired man might have a worse bed than that, and I +slept the sleep of the weary and, as I would fain hope, of the +righteous. + +The following morning, as it seemed likely that we should remain at +Steene for at least another day, I cast round for something more +comfortable in the way of a billet, and had secured three rooms at the +worthy Burgomaster's for the O.C., Mr. Jaffray and myself, and was about +to enjoy a more or less comfortable tea in the open, when an orderly +rode up with orders to trek back to Bruges. + +In a few minutes the camp was struck, and once more we moved on. I felt +that I could enter into the spirit of the well-known refrain-- + + The brave old Duke of York, + He had ten thousand men. + He marched them up to the top of a hill, + And he marched them down again. + And when they were up, they were up; + And when they were down, they were down: + And when they were half-way up the hill, + They were neither up or down. + +As we retraced our steps through Ostend, we found a large and acclaiming +crowd lining the route. As I rode just behind the Gordons, who were +marching with their usual swinging step, I was amused to hear a Belgian +woman ask her friend, 'And who are those?' pointing to the Highlanders. +'Oh,' was the reply, 'those are the wives of the English soldiers.' The +gay Gordons were greatly incensed on my setting before them their new +status. + +In the centre of the city I came across my friend Peel (padré of the +22nd Brigade; he has since won a military cross, and gained the +universal love of his men by his gallant conduct and splendid ministry). +He had somehow or other lost his Brigade, and being thus stranded, had +slung his batman up behind him on his horse and was proceeding with +unruffled dignity in the direction of the line of march. + +It was late at night and raining as it seldom rains in dear old England, +when we splashed ankle deep in water, over the cobbled streets of +Bruges, the stones being too slippery to permit of riding. Hungry and +tired we slouched along, until we came to the Monastery of St. Xavier, +at St. Michel, some two miles out of the city. Never shall I forget the +kindness extended to us by the lay brothers; especially one, Brother +Sylvester. I hope if these lines should ever reach his eye, that he will +accept the grateful thanks of those who benefited by the charitable +goodness of the Order, and especially his own. + +The men were speedily billeted in sweet straw, laid down in the upper +dormitories of the building; whilst the hundred and twenty horses were +stalled in the spacious stables; and beds provided for the officers in +the dormitories. But what was better still, after the men had been +attended to (and this is the invariable rule, men first) we regaled +ourselves upon tea and bread and butter in the bakehouse, where, in +front of the huge fire, we toasted our benumbed extremities and dried +our sodden clothing. After such a night's rest, as only comes to +fagged-out men, we awoke to a golden-tinted autumn morning, which +brought to us the joy of living; and once more we felt ready for the +onward trek. I have since learned that the Division was originally +destined to relieve Antwerp, but the sudden fall of the city set the +enemy free to march on Calais; and so the Seventh Division, with the +Third Cavalry Division, under Sir Julian Byng, the whole commanded by +Sir Henry Rawlinson, was sent post haste to intercept his advance in the +neighbourhood of Ypres. And thus the small force of under thirty +thousand men pressed on to the heroic task of holding up the main body +of the enemy; not less than two hundred and forty thousand men. + +Later on I shall have something to say about the prolonged encounter +which is historically known as the 'first battle of Ypres.' But +meantime it may be of interest to my readers to give an outline of our +rapid trek through Belgium. + +Leaving our hospitable quarters at Bruges, the column, which seemed +interminable, marched to Beernem. At this place I was fortunate enough, +with my brother chaplain, Mr. Jaffray, through the forethought of Mr. +Peel, to secure a bed. The accommodation was rough, and the little +estaminet was crowded with officers, who were only too thankful to sleep +on any floor where there was a chance of putting down a valise. I +particularly remember this billet, for I thought that I had a chance of +distinguishing myself by capturing a spy. Orders had been issued, +stating that a certain 'Captain Walker,' posing as a R.A.M.C. officer, +was visiting our troops, and picking up stray crumbs of information; +should such a person be encountered he was to be immediately arrested. I +had just turned in, when amid the babel of conversation which came from +downstairs, I caught the name 'Walker.' Slipping quietly down the ladder +which served as a staircase, I listened for a moment or two at the door, +and from what I heard, gathered that I had spotted my man; and suddenly +appearing as an apparition in pyjamas, I inquired in somewhat stentorian +tones which was Captain Walker? A rosy-cheeked subaltern somewhat +sheepishly admitted that he was Lieut. Walker, and I found my hopes +dashed to the ground. This was not my only encounter with spies, +supposed or real, of which more anon. + +A morning stay at Beernem enabled me to improvise a Parade Service, it +being Sunday; which was apparently heartily joined in by those +attending. The opportunities for such work by chaplains on the trek are +few and far between, and it is a question of + + Seizing the current when it serves, + Or losing our ventures. + +Leaving Beernem, our route led us through Wynghene. It was here I seized +the opportunity of displaying my undoubted ability as mess president, to +which post I had been appointed. At the midday halt in this village, I +was anxiously looking about for bread, eggs, vegetables or any other +commodity which would embellish the festal board of the mess, and thus +win the gratitude of my always hungry brother officers, when, through an +open door, I caught sight of fowls in a backyard. I promptly jumped off +my horse, and entered into negotiations with the owners of the chicken +run, which speedily resulted in the decapitated corpses of three plump +fowls being slung from my saddle. Amid the envy of the column, I proudly +rode down to the transport of my unit with my spoil, the result being +that in a short time not a fowl remained alive in the village; and that +night every mess was redolent with the delicious scent of roast fowl. + +Our next billet was at Eeghem, where a stone kitchen floor was the +utmost we could secure for the officers, after having bedded the men in +barns on luxurious beds of sweet straw. In the early morning, in company +with Mr. Peel, I enjoyed a brief stroll in the neighbourhood. In the +course of our walk we passed one of those small wayside chapels, which +are dotted here and there all over Belgium; not larger than some eight +feet square, it offered all the facilities that we needed for prayer and +quiet thought. + +As we approached Roulers, we found the town alive with people who had +assembled to welcome that which they regarded as an army of deliverance +from the dreaded Germans. + +After billeting the officers with considerable difficulty--for naturally +people at times resented the intrusion of hungry and travel-stained men +into their spic and span houses--I secured a most comfortable room for +myself in the house of an old widow lady; one of those charming old +world persons who are occasionally met with on life's journey, and who, +by their innate courtesy and sympathy, accentuate the oneness of the +human family. When a country is under martial law one cannot, of course, +take 'no' for an answer in applying for a billet, and therefore, in the +case of Belgium, one made the demand with the authority of 'in the +king's name,' which invariably brought about the desired result. My dear +old hostess could not do enough for me; with quavering accents she +remarked, 'Thank God you English have come, for now we feel safe.' I +must confess I felt very much of a hypocrite, for I knew that the enemy +was pursuing us in hot haste. Indeed, a few hours afterwards they +marched into the city, which they have held ever since. + +As we pressed on to Ypres, via Zonnebec, our route ran alongside of the +railway, and it was a stirring sight to see the naval armoured train +dash along, seeking for a pot shot at the enemy who was not far distant, +the sailors forming the crew regarding the work as a sporting venture. + +The first view of Ypres was glorious. As we marched through the great +square in front of the Cloth Hall, I was struck with the mediæval aspect +of the place. The gabled houses carried one's imagination into the long +ago; whilst the glorious Cloth Hall of the eleventh century, backed up +by the equally fine cathedral of similar age, presented a picture not +easily to be forgotten. Alas! when I next saw it, the place was a heap +of crumbling ruins. + +The Germans had passed through the city four days before we arrived; and +according to their wont, had helped themselves very liberally to what +they fancied. Many of the shopkeepers were loud in their complaints of +the shameful manner in which they had been robbed. + +I was able to secure most excellent billets for the mess in the house of +Monsieur and Madame Angillis. These good people were in a state of +considerable fear, for, not only had they two sons fighting in the +Belgian army, one of whom had been wounded, but as the owners of +considerable property in the city and the neighbourhood, they were +anxious as to what the future would bring. Their worst fears have been +realized, and I am afraid they are among the great mass of sufferers in +unhappy Belgium. Their daughter was rendering splendid service in the +Belgian Red Cross, and proved a great help in directing me to wounded +British soldiers, who might otherwise have been lost sight of. + +By this time fighting was in full swing, and our men had thrown up the +first line of trenches in semi-circular form, some six or seven miles to +the east of the town. + +Very soon the wounded and German prisoners made their appearance, and +doctors and chaplains were busily engaged. Most of the prisoners had a +very scared look, for we learned afterwards that they had been told that +we cut our prisoners' throats, or shot them out of hand, and their joy +was great at finding even their personal belongings restored to them. + +I was much struck with the characteristic behaviour of 'Tommy Atkins' to +these men; even to the extent of sharing his rations with them, and +handing out his 'fags,' which was an act of real self-denial. + +I owe my grateful thanks to one Uhlan, whose saddle fell to my lot, and +which I henceforth used, and regarded as one of the most comfortable I +have ever ridden on. + +A singularly unfortunate case came under my notice among the first batch +of wounded brought in. An officer of the 'Borders' in the dead of +night, hearing as he thought a German advance, left his trench to +reconnoitre, and after a fruitless search was returning to his men in +the thick early morning mist, when a sentinel, ignorant of his having +gone out, shot him as he approached the trenches. The poor chap was +badly hit in the lungs, and made a brave struggle for life, but alas! +died a few hours afterwards. + +The Divisional Head-quarters being established at Ypres, my unit moved +out to its Brigade, which occupied the line of trenches in the +neighbourhood of Zandvoorde. + +Arriving at our position in the dusk of a quickly parting day, we found +ourselves actually posted in front of the firing line. Disagreeable as +the experience was, there was nothing for it but to stick it. In a wood +close by, the enemy had machine guns, supported by a body of Uhlans. +Disturbing sniping took place at intervals through the night, which +rendered the bivouac unpleasant in the extreme. We slept on the ground +between the wagons; and under the circumstances I felt it wise to keep +as low down as possible, as 'fire' is in no sense discriminating. + +Our Brigade Head-quarters were at Kruiseck, to which place I rode early +one morning with our Major, to inspect farmhouses, with a view to +arranging Field Dressing Stations. Later in the day calling at +Head-quarters to inquire if there were any funerals requiring my +attention, I found the whole place in extreme excitement; Uhlans were +advancing in force. Every hedgerow and wall was lined with our men; the +scared inhabitants, utterly unnerved by shell fire, were fleeing from +the place. Their appearance was heartrending, and revealed the +unutterable horror of war as carried into the midst of a peaceful +population. + +My ride back to my unit in the gloaming was sufficiently adventurous to +please the most reckless man, owing to the proximity of the Uhlans, and +gave a zest not often met with to the three or four miles which had to +be traversed. Never did I strain my eyes more eagerly, and somewhat +after the fashion of Jehu of yore I made my way along the deserted track +into a place of comparative safety. + +From the neighbourhood of Zandvoorde my unit was hurriedly moved to +Gheluvelt, which was then threatened by a German force approaching from +the direction of Bercelaire. + +Here the whole population was in a state of indescribable anxiety and +fear, which it was impossible to remove, for the shells were more +convincing than any arguments we could bring to bear. + +Our Head-quarters were established at a Xaverian Brotherhood; the +superior of which--a dear old gentleman--did his utmost to ensure our +comfort. It was weary work hanging about all day awaiting results. +Towards evening I thought it wise to get a sleep, and so turned in about +five o'clock. During these days of constant anxiety, owing to the +proximity of the enemy, we seldom or never removed our clothes,--I had +not had mine off for over a week at that time--thus we were ready for +any emergency, at any time. + +From the village of Gheluvelt we moved on a mile nearer to Ypres, where +we billeted in the Chateau de Gheluvelt, from which the owner (Monsieur +Peerebone) and his family had evidently departed in great haste. Finely +situated in a well wooded park, the house was most splendidly equipped +in every respect. The pictures, statuary and furniture were in keeping +with the outward appearance of the place. It was interesting to notice +the different manner of dealing with other people's property in vogue +with the British, in contrast with the German method; so rigid was our +O.C. that not even a vegetable was allowed to be taken from the +well-stocked walled garden, close by the mansion; a sentry being placed +to prevent any hungry 'Tommy' gratifying his desire in that quarter. + +Towards evening a general engagement took place, and there was very +heavy shelling. Several shells struck the house, but none of us were +injured. On the following morning I was called to an advanced outpost of +the Scots Guards, to bury Sergeant Wilson, of Lord Esmé Gordon's +Company. On reaching the line I found the Battalion about to advance +into action in extended order, and the man had been hurriedly buried. On +my way back I joined Captain Hamilton Wedderburn, Adjutant, who had been +ordered to the rear suffering from appendicitis. I had met this +officer's father, Colonel Hamilton, who resided in my neighbourhood at +home. + +During the night several wounded men came in, and the large salon +presented a weird appearance as the doctors attended the suffering men. +No cooking was allowed, and all windows were carefully curtained, in +order not to draw the fire of the enemy, who were in very unpleasant +proximity to the house. I well remember next morning, because the +Germans had got the range to a nicety, and the otherwise enjoyable place +was rendered unbearable by the crash of shells. So unhealthy grew the +position, that the transport was moved a mile away; but we who composed +the tent section remained to deal with any men who were brought in. It +is astonishing how quickly one grows accustomed to 'fire,' and a very +short experience enabled us to go about our work, under risky +circumstances, in the most ordinary manner. + +The nights at this time were very dark, and at several points we could +see burning farm homesteads and villages, which to the thoughtful mind +denoted the awful destruction and suffering envolved by the ghastly +outrage upon humanity, being perpetrated by the enemy. + +We left the château very suddenly, owing to heavy shelling. Some of our +men were hit, and two of our 'mess' had horses killed under them, but +otherwise we managed to get clear from a decidedly dangerous position. +That night it was pitch dark, and we halted on the roadside, some two or +three miles west of Gheluvelt. It was pouring with rain as we ate our +meal of cold rations; we could not even enjoy a comforting smoke, as the +lighting of a match would have been certain to draw the fire of our +vigilant foe. Mr. Jaffray and I both agreed that a night's lodging in a +damp ditch was hardly consonant with our wishes, and therefore we set +out for the hamlet of Halte, where the railway crosses the road, in +hopes that we might find cover of some sort. + +Leading our horses very cautiously along the road, for sentinels were +posted in every direction, and at such 'nervy' times men frequently fire +before they challenge, we made our way to a small estaminet which we +found crammed with French soldiers. I pleaded hard for even a chair, but +the proprietor assured me of the impossibility of offering even this +very slender hospitality. I was fortunate to meet MacKenzie, the +Transport officer of the Scots Guards, who introduced me to a French +officer, who in turn interested the landlady's daughter in our forlorn +condition. This kind angel of mercy informed me that her married sister +lived at a farm near by, and she thought that there was a bedroom that +Mr. Jaffray and I might make use of. Accordingly, holding my reins in +one hand and my fair guide's hand in the other, I was led through pitch +darkness for some distance, and presently found myself in a huge Belgian +farm kitchen, crammed with French soldiers and smelling horribly of +garlic. Yes! the farmer could let us have his bedroom for the night, at +a small remuneration, as he and his wife had decided to stay up; +accordingly, we were shown into an exceedingly small room, some eight +feet square, in which was a bed the covering of which made one shudder +to look at; but any port in a storm; and we accordingly doubled up the +best way we could on a bed some two feet too short for us. As we vainly +tried to fall asleep, my batman suddenly turned up,--how he found our +quarters will always be a mystery to me--with the news that the column +had moved off to some place which he could not pronounce. I showed him +my map and asked him if he recognized any name in the locality, but +finding that he was as much at sea as to the destination of the unit as +I was, I determined that it was useless to attempt to explore that part +of Belgium in the darkness of a soaking night; so stowing my servant +away in the corner of the kitchen, we did our best to get a few hours' +sleep. In the first grey of the dawn we arose and ate a little black +bread and very salt bacon, washed down with some execrable coffee, then +leading our horses out of the cowhouse in which we had installed them +the night before, and from which we had had to turn out a couple of very +evil-smelling beasts, we sallied forth to the apparently hopeless task +of discovering the direction in which the column had moved. One's +deductive faculty had to be drawn upon largely. Presently we found +ourselves at Zillebeke, where we were held up by the Northumberland +Hussars, who came by in splendid order on their way to entering action. +Standing by my side was a Staff officer who had dismounted from his car, +awaiting the passage of the cavalry. I explained to him our difficulty, +and he said that he rather thought our unit was with the 10th Hussars +at Zandvoorde, some four miles away, and very kindly offered me a lift. +My horse had contracted a terrible cold and was hardly fit to ride, so +placing him in charge of my batman, I arranged to drive on in the car, +leaving Mr. Jaffray and my servant to follow. The friendly officer +turned out to be Lord Nairne, who was, unfortunately, killed a few days +afterwards. + +On reaching the village of Zandvoorde, I encountered a terrible sight. +The enemy was approaching from two sides, and shelling hard. The place +was a slaughter-house; never have I seen so ghastly a sight. The +doctors, with their coats off and shirt sleeves rolled up, looked more +like butchers than medical men, and for an hour or two I found my hands +full in the saddest of all work, dealing with dying men. + +As I was eating a hasty breakfast--for in campaigning one learns the +value of sleeping and eating whenever a chance presents itself--the +O.C. came to me saying that some one must get through to Ypres, to stop +the transport that was about to come out, and also to warn the major of +the serious condition of affairs at Zandvoorde. Would I go? Such an +opportunity of doing 'a real bit' only comes now and again, therefore it +was not difficult to decide. + +I had a foretaste of what I was presently to pass through, as, sitting +on the doorstep of a cottage, I was changing into riding boots, out of +the heavy Swiss climbing boots that I had been wearing, and which +threatened to be awkward in the stirrups, if by any chance I was thrown, +a not unlikely event under fire, when a shrapnel burst some twenty feet +from me, with an explosion which almost lifted me from the ground. The +door before which I sat, and the front of the cottage, were liberally +studded with bullets and pieces of the casing, but in a most +providential manner I was untouched. Very quickly I completed my change +of boots, and got my kit-bag once more stowed away in a transport wagon. +Strictest orders had been given that no kits were to be removed from the +wagon, and I hope that the O.C., if ever he discovers my delinquency, +will take into consideration the urgency of my desire to fulfil +instructions in the carrying of his orders into Ypres. + +For three miles, right over 'Hill 60,' I had the ride of my life. Shells +were bursting in every direction, but my good horse struggled on gamely. +By this time he had come to know the import of the shrieking whistle +which betokens the approach of a shell, but he displayed no more concern +than a momentary quiver as it burst. As for me I could only place myself +in God's hands, and well remember how, as each shell approached, I +repeated that comforting word from Isaiah xxvi. 3, 'Thou wilt keep him +in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in +thee.' Over and over again I repeated 'because he trusteth in thee.' And +then bang! bang! and once more the danger was past. + +The road was crowded with terrified people, literally fleeing for their +lives, and as I got out of the range of fire, I tried to comfort them in +the best way I could. + +Reaching Ypres I delivered my message, and then sank down and fell into +a deep sleep for four hours. I suppose it was a kind of reaction from +the nervous strain. + +I found Ypres crammed with wounded men, and worked hard there for the +next day or two. Many were the distressing cases that came under my +attention. + +It was on October 23 that I received my first batch of letters from +home, and the first opportunity I stole away into a quiet corner and +enjoyed myself to my heart's content. + +Those were wonderful days, in which all sorts and conditions of men, +from officers of the Household Troops downwards, passed through my +hands. Of course there were many funerals to conduct, and in connexion +with the funeral arrangements and the system of tabulating I came much +into contact with Major the Hon. ----. Collins, one of the most charming +and courteous of men. + +On October 31--that fateful day, when it seemed impossible for the thin +line of khaki to further withstand the tremendous onslaught of the enemy +which had placed the Prussian Guard in its front line--the sad duty of +burying young Prince Maurice of Battenburg fell to my lot. It was a +strange coincidence, for I had met him in bygone years when he was a +bright, attractive boy. Such a task awakened the greatest interest in +my heart, for sad as the ceremony was, I keenly felt the privilege of +rendering this last act of tender duty to a young prince so universally +beloved. One of his men, in relating the manner of his heroic death, +afterwards said to me, 'I loved him, sir, as a brother.' The funeral, +which was attended by Prince Arthur of Connaught and several Generals, +took place under heavy fire. So continuous indeed was the roar of the +shells, that an officer, writing to the papers some time after, related +that it was impossible to distinguish the chaplain's voice. The service +was therefore necessarily brief, and at its conclusion the crowd of +officers quickly dispersed. + +An order had been issued for a withdrawal from the Front, and the Menin +road into Ypres was blocked with troops and transport. + +A short time previous to this I had the misfortune to be somewhat +seriously injured, for my horse--frightened or struck by a shell which +burst near by, I have never been able to determine which,--fell heavily +on me, severely crushing my left leg. I had been taken in a Staff car to +the 6th casualty clearing station and attended to, but the injured limb +grew steadily worse. In the course of the afternoon, to my great joy, +the 23rd Field Ambulance passed me on its way from Hooge, and I was +promptly placed on an ambulance wagon, on which I trekked through Ypres; +until we reached Dickebusch, some three miles on the south of the city. + +As we halted for a time at the square at Ypres, a young officer, seeing +me in the ambulance, came up with a cheery 'Hallo, padré! what's up? +Last time I saw you was in your pulpit at St. John's, Boscombe; life's a +funny game, isn't it?' + +Such interviews are of frequent occurrence at the Front, where lives +momentarily touch, and then, possibly, for ever separate. + +Lying on a stone floor of a deserted cottage in Dickebusch that night, I +passed one of the most painful, wretched and sleepless nights of my +life. My brother officers were all snoring comfortably, when suddenly a +knock at the door placed me on the alert. My first thought was that the +Germans had got through, accordingly I made no reply; presently a gruff +voice said, 'An orderly, sir,' and I cried out, 'Come in.' He had +brought a dispatch to say that the whole German line had been forced +back, and that the Ambulance was immediately to take up its old position +on the farther side of Hooge. + +In a very short time an early breakfast was quickly disposed of and the +column was ready to move off. + +The O.C., finding me utterly incapacitated by reason of my injuries, +decided that I must go into hospital, for wounded men are not much use +in a life where a man's fullest powers are daily called for. + +Fortunately, at that moment, Colonel Swan, A.D.M.S., and Lieut.-Colonel +Guy Moores, D.A.D.M.S., came up in their car, and learning my condition, +very kindly brought me and my kit into Ypres; saying that I must proceed +to the Base. + +Accordingly I was deposited at Ypres station, where the R.T.O. most +kindly had me cared for in his office. + +During the long hours of Sunday, November 1, I spent a miserable time +waiting for the hospital train to start. In the course of the day, an +officer in my Brigade, Lord Bury, had a chat with me, and committed to +me an urgent telegram for his wife. In the course of the morning he had +been arrested as a spy; and seemed very amused at the uncommon +experience. At 6 p.m. I was placed on the train, and with some two or +three other fellow sufferers, gradually rolled away from the sound of +fire, which for three weeks past had been the daily accompaniment of +one's life. + +I cannot speak too highly of the great care and solicitude bestowed upon +the wounded in the train. For the first time one came into touch with +those splendid women, literally angels of mercy, the nursing sisters. +Never shall I cease to remember their loving care, and the skilful way +in which they bandaged up my crushed leg. + +It was a long journey. Leaving Ypres at 6 p.m. on Sunday night, we +didn't reach Boulogne until 3 p.m. on the Monday afternoon, a distance +of not more than eighty miles. + +On reaching the Base I was informed that I was to be sent to England, on +a hospital ship about to leave. Accordingly, with some twenty or thirty +other officers, and a large number of men, we were conveyed to the +ambulance, through a dense crowd of sympathizing French people. + +I have certainly never seen such a collection of scarecrows as we +presented to the public gaze; and in much pain though we were, we could +not help being struck with the ludicrousness of our condition. +Bespattered with mud; filthy in appearance; beards of several days' +growth; legs of trousers, and sleeves of coats cut away; bandaged and +bloody; we must have presented a truly remarkable sight. + +On the hospital ship, the _Carisbroke Castle_, the arrangements were +perfect. It was almost worth being injured to lie in such a comfortable +bed; and the food was beyond description of delight. + +On board, every case was speedily dealt with by medical men, and +everything done to ensure the comfort of the sufferers. + +Whilst the life at the Front is exceedingly rigorous and claims the +utmost of one's strength, and the word and act of sympathy does not come +much to the surface of men's lives, yet, when once a man is bowled over, +a careful country certainly does its best to alleviate his suffering. + +On reaching Southampton the following morning, finding that I lived in +the area of a military hospital (The Royal Victoria and West Hants), of +which I have been chaplain for many years, the senior officer, as a +great concession, very kindly allowed me to be sent home. + +Home! Do those who always live in the blessed shelter of this sweet +spot, really know the fulness and sweetness of 'home.' Truly the English +classic song, 'Home, sweet Home, there is no place like Home,' comes +with a new, full, deep meaning to men who have passed through the ordeal +of fire. + +Bed claimed my presence for many a weary day, and it was March 16 +before a Medical Board permitted me to resume my duties with the +British Expeditionary Force. My further experience of service must be +related in the subsequent chapter on 'Life at the Base.' + + + + +THE WELCOME OF A PEOPLE + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE WELCOME OF A PEOPLE + + +There was no mistaking the enthusiastic welcome accorded to the Seventh +Division, as it moved south through the well cultivated country, +thriving villages, and prosperous towns of Belgium. + +Already the deeds of German 'kultur' had reached the ears of the +inhabitants; indeed, many of those who had fled from the barbarous enemy +bore signs of the gross ill-treatment inflicted by the 'kultured' foe, +in furtherance of the advice of General Bernhardi and others to carry +'terror' into the hearts of the invaded people. And nearly all of them +had some dread story to relate, of wanton destruction to public and +private property, and of vile wrongs perpetrated upon an unoffending +people. Small wonder that they welcomed us; for Great Britain meant more +to them than the name of a powerful nation; it rather conveyed the idea +of the strong, active principles of liberty and justice, which they felt +were about to be set free in their unhappy country. + +In contradistinction to the Germans, this people of a small country +seemed to unconsciously uphold the marked differentiation between the +laws of might and right, as exhibited by the two nationalities, Germany +and Belgium. + +Germany, the former land of light and learning, has gradually slipped +downwards from her high ideals. A sure and sad process of religious and +moral declension has ensued; until, under the baneful influences of +Nietzsche, Treitschke, Bernhardi, and their like, the land of the +reformation has become the land of militarism, employing forces without +justice, discipline without pity, and annexation without consideration. + +All this lies at the back of the mind of the best part of Europe to-day, +and more especially of Belgium. + +Belgium is a Christian country. The religious houses have the words of +Scripture prominently inscribed upon them. On one house of a Religious +Order I saw painted, 'All for God.' On the cross roads there is +frequently found a life-size crucifix, which points its wondrous +teaching to many a weary soul. + +A valued friend of mine,--an officer in a kilted regiment--writing home +a short time ago described his sensations, as, emerging from the bloody +ruck of his first engagement, he presently found himself, worn and +spent, gazing at the figure of the Crucified One. And as he very +beautifully said, 'Jesus came afresh into my heart.' + +Again, one has not to travel far along any main road without +encountering a small shrine, open day and night, for those who desire +to draw aside from the ordinary pursuits of strenuous life, and enjoy +prayer to God; and that almost lost art, meditation. + +Thus we see a striking contrast between the conquerors and the +conquered, exhibited in the ruthless invasion to which Belgium has been +subjected. Roman Catholics as they are, the Belgians whom I met--and I +conversed with many--seemed to realize that England, Protestant England, +is honestly striving to exhibit 'the righteousness that alone exalteth +the nation.' + +It was in a state of the deepest gratitude, based upon such principles +as I have set forth, that the people flocked to receive us. True, at +times they revealed their feelings in very unorthodox fashion. For +example, I remember at a midday halt one day, while the men stood +preparatory to breaking off, an ecstatic Belgian girl rushed up to a +'Tommy,' and flinging her arms round his neck, kissed him warmly. I have +no doubt that on occasion the man could have returned the salute with +interest, but the suddenness and the publicity of the attack rendered +him both speechless and powerless. There he stood blushing like a school +girl; the while his comrades urged him to retaliate. He bore himself +like a martyr; but when a man immediately afterwards proceeded to kiss +him on both cheeks,--as foreigners often do--then 'Tommy' recovered his +mental equilibrium; and his language, well! it was more forcible than +elegant. + +A far more pathetic welcome fell to my lot, as I walked across the +square at Ypres, in the early days of the British occupancy. While +talking to a brother officer, I suddenly felt my hand seized, kissed, +and then stroked; and looking down, I saw a sweet little blue-eyed maid +of some five years, not much above the level of the bottom of my tunic +in height, who said in the prettiest broken English, 'Brave Ingleese.' +The memory of a certain other blue-eyed kiddy, away in England, was too +much for me, and this time _I_ was the aggressor, for I took the little +maid up in my arms and kissed her, much to the amusement of the +passers-by I have no doubt. + +Nothing seemed too good for the people to offer us. In our billets, +indeed, the very best the house could produce was set before us. + +As we marched through one town--I think it was Wynghene, which was +evidently the centre of the tobacco industry, for tobacco is largely +grown in that part of Belgium--thousands of cigars were handed to the +column, and for days after the men would not look at the humble 'fag.' +In country districts, too, the people were not to be outdone, for +strapping farm wenches and men lined the road and literally showered +apples and pears upon us. + +At the gates of one fine park, the owner, his wife and servants bestowed +cigarettes, matches and other acceptable gifts upon the men as they +marched past. Oh, yes! those were brave days, and made us feel +considerably pleased with ourselves, but do not grudge us such joys, for +just below the horizon of that time dark clouds were fast rising, which +soon darkened the skies of many and many a life. Anyhow, I will +undertake to say that none who were on that trek will ever forget the +enthusiasm of the people, as day by day we marched on to do battle for +them, and the great principles which surely have made our nation +great. + + + + +A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS + + +Life at the Front cannot fail to be full of stirring incidents; indeed, +I very much question whether any experience comes up to it for interest +and excitement. I am not speaking of the ding-dong trench warfare which +has characterized the campaign on the Western front for so many months +past, but refer more particularly to those early days when both armies +were exceedingly active; and the operations very much resembled a game +of chess, with not too long an interval between the moves. + +In the early days of the war in Flanders, the times were wondrously +stirring; one never knew where an attack would be launched, and what +would happen next. With such huge and mobile opposing forces in front of +us, every day had some fresh surprise in store. 'From early morning till +dewy eve' we lived on the tiptoe of expectation; for, indeed, the early +morning carried its message, but generally of discomfort, for not the +least discomfort of a campaign is the very early hour at which reveille +is sounded, usually at five, but sometimes at four; or, in the case of +emergency, at any hour of the night. But generally it comes just as the +attitude necessary to comfort has been discovered, and the somnolent +individual is ready for the luxury of what I may call a half and half +snooze. It is at that moment, in that mysterious borderland of sleeping +and waking, that the strident and compelling sound of the bugle falls +upon the unwilling ear. There is no turning over for another spell. One +comfort is, there is always very little toilet to perform; and in a few +minutes the place is alive with dishevelled and half-awake men. Where +water can be easily procured, cleanliness is the order of the day; and +with all our faults, one essential feature stands to the credit of the +British soldier: he _is_ a clean man. Never does Tommy miss his wash and +shave if there is half a chance of gratifying this admirable instinct. + +All visitors to the Front are struck with the glorious health and +fitness of our lads. In fact, I have never seen such a collection of +healthy manhood in my life. This is attributable in the first place to +the natural open-air life which the men lead, but in the next place to +the excellent sanitary arrangements and precautions adopted and insisted +upon by the authorities, which very largely account for the remarkable +immunity from disease enjoyed by the troops. + +Behind all this, comes the most important question of 'grub.' The +commissariat of the British Expeditionary Force is a marvel of +organization. During the last six months of my military service I +enjoyed the advantage of travelling up and down the lines from Ypres to +Bethune, and everywhere I was most profoundly impressed by the marvel of +supply. Scattered over the whole front are units, large and small, each +of which has to be fed daily; and woe to the unlucky A.S.C. officer who +is responsible for delay in forwarding or conveying rations. 'Tommy' is +nothing without a good 'grouse,' but in this respect he is not always +logical; bread which is stale will give him cause to grumble for hours; +but he will rush into the most desperate and bloody work, and suffer +untold misery, without a murmur. + +Alluding to the masterpiece of organization, which enables our army to +be fed while in the battle front, Mr. Philip Gibbs, writing in the +_Daily Chronicle_, says: 'The British soldier has at least this in his +favour, in spite of all the horrors of war which has put his manhood to +the test, he gets his "grub" with unfailing regularity, if there is any +possible means of approach to him, and he gets enough and a bit more. It +is impossible for him to "grouse" about that element of his life on the +field. The French soldier envies him and says,--as I have heard one of +them say--"Ma foi! our comrades feed like princes! they have even jam +with their tea! The smell of bacon comes from their trenches and touches +our nostrils with the most excellent fragrance, more beautiful than the +perfume of flowers. The English eat as well as they fight, which is +furiously."' + +It may interest my readers to see what a man's daily ration consists of. +This table refers to officers and men alike, for there is no difference +in this respect:-- + + 1-1/4 lb. fresh meat, _or_, 1 lb. preserved meat; + 1-1/4 lb. bread; + 4 oz. bacon; + 3 oz. cheese; + 4 oz. jam; + 3 oz. sugar; + 1/2 lb. fresh vegetables, _or_, 2 oz. dried; + 5/8 oz. tea, coffee, _or_ cocoa; + 2 oz. tobacco per week, _or_ 50 cigarettes. + +This ration is more scientifically arranged than its recipient imagines; +as a matter of fact, it comprises all the essentials which go to build +up the stamina of the fighting man; and thus, well provided with fresh +air, good food, to say nothing of hard exercise, the animal side of Mr. +Thomas Atkins is kept in the pink of condition, and he is able to face +the burdens of life which are incidental to his calling, and which are +not a few, with remarkable ease and success. + +Life at the Front is a strange compound of the grave and the gay. One of +the most appealing features is witnessed in the sad lot of the Belgian +refugees, who, often at a moment's notice, have fled from their homes, +leaving all their property to the devastation of war. I have frequently +seen mournful processions on the road, consisting of old and young. It +is heartrending to witness the pitiable look of an aged couple, who +through a long life have lived in some happy homestead, taking their +last gaze at the house with its trim garden, which one knows in a few +hours will be shattered past recognition; women, sometimes in a most +delicate condition, struggling bravely on; children crying; and the men +with set teeth and despairing faces striding on, carrying the few +articles which they have hurriedly snatched up, as the whole family has +escaped from the hell which has so suddenly befallen them. Where are +they to go to? God only knows what becomes of them. I have seen them +lining the road on a pouring wet night, outside a town already full to +overflowing with like unhappy sufferers; the while Belgian soldiers, +with fixed bayonets, have prohibited any further entrance to that which +promised a lodging place. Soldiers are not proverbially given to +overmuch sensitiveness where human suffering is concerned, for a daily +intercourse with terrible scenes cannot fail to harden a man, but I +declare that I have seen strong men burst into tears as they have gazed +at one of these processions of great mental and bodily agony. + +One serious aspect of life at the Front is found in the remarkable +system of espionage which unfortunately abounds. One lives in a constant +state of suspicion, for in this respect the enemy is as daring as he is +resourceful. + +The first time I passed through Hooge we suddenly saw a homing pigeon +let out of the loft of a cottage; immediately the house was surrounded +and entered. I speedily made for the back of the premises, hoping to +intercept any one who had been responsible for a most suspicious act. A +boy of some eighteen years was discovered in the loft, with a large +number of carrier pigeons, which were immediately confiscated, and the +boy was arrested. I rode off to Head-quarters, some mile and a half +away, and reported the occurrence, with the result that the boy was +marched off for close examination. The pigeons, however, formed a very +agreeable addition to the men's menu that night. I believe the boy was +released; but whilst he was under arrest, a very personable and +well-dressed individual approached, and introduced himself as Count +----, stating that he had known the boy for years, and that the keeping +of pigeons formed his hobby. Something in the manner of the man aroused +our suspicion, and after careful examination it was found that he +himself was a spy; and in due course he was shot. + +Another somewhat remarkable instance of the ramifications of this aspect +of warfare occurred in a certain well-known town; one of the high +officials of which--whom I knew well--a most courteous gentleman--proved +to be in close touch with the enemy. He, too, was shot. Daily there are +men, and sometimes women, who risk their lives in securing items of +information as to the disposition of troops, guns, etc., which are +likely to prove of value to the enemy. Notwithstanding the strictest +orders, I am afraid our men are not always wise in their intercourse +with strangers. On one occasion, very stringent orders from +Head-quarters had been read out to the men, prior to moving off in the +early morning, informing them that on no account were they to disclose +any information whatsoever as to the movements or disposition of +troops; and yet, during a ten minutes' halt later in the day, as I rode +by a transport wagon, I heard the driver gassing on with refreshing +innocence, as he retailed to a civilian where we had come from; where we +were going to; where our Brigade was situated, etc. I am afraid I raised +my voice in hot anger, and riding round to the other side of the wagon +was just in time to see the eager listener disappearing across country. +It was impossible to arrest him, and the incident closed; not altogether +to the satisfaction of the thoughtless purveyor of news I imagine. + +Amid men so full of such animal life as our brave lads, it will be +readily imagined that existence is not wholly composed of shadow; +indeed, few careers are so full of brightness and geniality as those of +our fighting men. 'Tommy Atkins' is a unique creation. I know not from +whence he springs. There is something in his environment which evolves +him, I suppose; it is not a question of years of association with men of +his like, for the New Army which has only been in being for a few months +produces precisely the same type; and men whom this time last year were +far removed from the very thought of soldiering, are now found to +possess all the attributes and qualities--good, bad and +indifferent--which formed the traditional soldier in the ranks. His +cheeriness is unbounded. For some time the pronunciation of Ypres +bothered him seriously, but he soon settled the difficulty by calling it +'Wypers.' Étaples was also another stumbling block, but 'Eatables' soon +revealed Tommy's way out of another difficulty. Ploegstreete, which for +centuries has been an insignificant hamlet, is now known throughout the +British Army as 'Plug Street'; well known for possessing some of the +finest trenches along the line. + +One afternoon I had ridden back into Ypres to purchase a note-book, and +had procured what I wanted, when two privates who stood by my side in +the little stationer's shop determined on the purchase of some small +article; the difficulty at the moment was to find out its cost. One of +them, who acted as spokesman, held up his selection, and astonished the +woman at the other side of the counter by saying, 'How mooch monnee?' +Naturally enough the woman gazed at him with a bewildered air, when +'Tommy' turned to the pal by his side and said, 'Silly swine, they don't +know their own language.' + +A remarkable feature which I frequently encountered in connexion with +what I may call the soldier's social life, is the great facility with +which he introduces himself to the native inhabitants. In a very few +minutes he seems to be thoroughly at home with them, girls and all, and +is in some mysterious way holding conversation, or at all events +conveying his meaning, to the satisfaction of both parties. In the +gloaming you will see him strolling about with the girls of the village, +as much at home as in the lanes of his own countryside. What they talk +about I can't tell, but talk they do; and as far as one can determine, +to their mutual pleasure. + +Even in the deadliest moments, the wit of the man is to the front. At +the battle of Neuve Chapelle, at the beginning of March, a bomb-thrower, +rushing through the village, came upon a cellar full of Germans in +hiding. Putting his head in at the door, at the risk of his life he +cried: 'How many of yer are there in there?' The answer came, 'Ve vos +twelve.' Then said Tommy, throwing in a bomb, 'Divide that amongst yer,' +with the result too ghastly for words. + +Such humour, coarse though it may be, is not by any means confined to +terra firma. On the first of April, a British aeroplane sailed over the +German lines, and when over the first line of trenches, dropped a +football. The Huns were simply terrified, as they saw this new kind of +bomb slowly descending, and fled right and left. With amazement they saw +it strike the ground, and then bounce high up, until it gradually +settled down; then very cautiously the bolder elements amongst them +crept up and found a football, on which was written, 'The first of +April, you blighters.' + +It is strange to see this remarkable spirit evinced in the most +hazardous moments of life. Right out in front of the trenches one night +a man was badly hit, and his chum, at the risk of his life, rushed out +to his help, saying, 'Get on my back, mate, and I will carry you in,' +only to be met with, 'Not darned likely; I shall be shot in the back, +and you will get the V.C.' + +A further illustration of this most remarkable military production +occurs in the following incident. A friend of mine, who has himself been +twice wounded, on the last occasion of injury was in the trenches, when +suddenly a man by his side was hit in the wrist; clapping his hand upon +the wound he exclaimed, 'Got it! I've been waiting for this since last +August.' Then, putting his left hand into his pocket, he pulled out a +mouth-organ and played 'Home, Sweet Home.' Who but an English 'Tommy' +could, or would, do that. No wonder that the French are puzzled by this +strange composition of humanity with which they are fighting as allies. + +The enemy, too, wonders, as he comes across a foe so remarkable in his +words and methods. A German officer--a most charming man--lying in the +next bed but one to me, on the hospital ship which brought me home from +France, was asked what he thought of the comparative fighting values of +the allies, and he remarked, 'Well! we can manage the Belgians, and we +understand the French, but we cannot comprehend you English, for by +every known law of war you are beaten again and again, but you never +seem to know it!' This is, of course, not an original utterance, but +derived from one of Napoleon's great Generals; but at all events it +shows the estimate placed upon our fighting capacity by an enemy who at +one time styled us as 'that contemptible little army.' There is +sometimes a weird sense of disproportion revealed, as in the case of a +Highlander who was visited by a brother chaplain at a Base hospital some +two or three months ago, and who remarked to the patient, 'Well, Jock, +what do you think of Jack Johnsons? They put the fear of God into your +heart, don't they?' 'Aye, sir, they do, but let's hope it will soon wear +off.' + +My readers will see that we are a strange compound of grave and gay at +the Front, as I have already said. There is, however, a deeper side of +the soldier's life, which after all is even more correctly +characteristic of the man than that which only appears upon the +surface. + + + + +THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES + + +Until October, 1914, Ypres was generally regarded as a quiet Belgian +town, celebrated for its most interesting and valuable buildings, and +relics of a past age; but owing to its strategic importance in this war, +it has from that time onwards been lifted out of its somnolent life into +a world-wide importance, as one of the greatest battle-fields of the +world. + +In explaining the great part which the Seventh Division took in this +front-rank battle, I cannot do better than quote from _The Times_ of +December 16, 1914, in describing the heroic effort of our troops in +resisting the furious onslaughts of the Germans in their vain endeavour +to reach Calais; to which point the Kaiser had commanded a road 'to be +forced at all costs.' Under the heading-- + + THE DEFENCE OF YPRES + BRILLIANT WORK OF THE SEVENTH + DIVISION STUBBORN VALOUR AND ENDURANCE + +the writer proceeds to say:-- + + 'The full story of the gallantry shown by British troops in their + stubborn defence of Ypres has yet to be told, but the orders + which we publish below, with the detailed official narrative of + events in Flanders which accompanies them, give some indication + of the fine work which has been done by the Seventh Infantry and + Third Cavalry Divisions. + + The following order, which accompanied an order issued by General + Sir Douglas Haig, published in _The Times_ of November 30, was + issued to the Seventh Division by Lieut.-General Sir H.S. + Rawlinson:-- + + In forwarding the attached order by G.O.C. First Corps, I desire + to place on record my own high appreciation of the endurance and + fine soldierly qualities exhibited by all ranks of the Seventh + Division from the time of their landing in Belgium. You have been + called to take a conspicuous part in one of the severest + struggles in the history of the war, and you have had the honour + and distinction of contributing in no small measure to the + success of our arms and the defeat of the enemy's plans. + + The task which fell to your share inevitably involved heavy + losses, but you have at any rate the satisfaction of knowing that + the losses you have inflicted upon the enemy have been far + heavier. + + The Seventh Division have gained for themselves a reputation for + stubborn valour and endurance in defence, and I am certain that + you will only add to your laurels when the opportunity of + advancing to the attack is given you. + + * * * * * + + Such Army orders are necessarily written in general terms, and + are invariably marked by a disciplined self-restraint. It may be + of interest, therefore, to give some account of the circumstances + in which "the stubborn valour and endurance" of which Sir Henry + Rawlinson speaks were displayed. The work of the Seventh Division + and the Third Cavalry Division to the date of the issue of this + order at about the end of November, was of a kind which strains + the mental and physical strength of troops, beyond any other form + of operations. The two Divisions were sent to the aid of the + Naval Division at Antwerp, and they were landed at Ostend and + Zeebrugge about October 6. They occupied the regions of Bruges + and Ghent, and they had to suffer the initial disappointment of + finding that they arrived too late. Two days later Sir Henry + Rawlinson moved his Head-quarters from Bruges to Ostend. The + enemy were advancing in great force, and the position of our + troops became untenable; indeed, the situation was so serious + that the troops which had been detailed for lines of + communication at the base were forced to embark again and return + to Dunkirk. + + + A POSITION OF GRAVE DANGER + + The position of the two Divisions from this point onwards was one + of grave danger. They were forced by the overwhelming superiority + in numbers of the enemy to retire. From Ghent all the way to + Ypres it was a desperate rearguard fight. They had to trek across + a difficult country without any lines of communication and + without a base, holding on doggedly from position to position, + notably at Thielt and Roulers, until they took up their final + stand before Ypres. What that stand has meant to England will one + day be recognized. What it cost these troops, and how they + fought, will be recorded in the proudest annals of their + regiments. + + After the deprivations and the tension of being pursued through + day and night by an infinitely stronger force, these two + Divisions had yet to pass through the worst ordeal of all. It was + left to a little force of 30,000 to keep the German Army at bay + for some days while the other British Corps were being brought + up from the Aisne (the First Corps did not come to their + assistance till October 21). Here they hung on like grim death, + with almost every man in the trenches holding a line which was of + necessity a great deal too long--a thin, exhausted line against + which the prime of the German first line troops were hurling + themselves with fury. The odds against them were about eight to + one, and when once the enemy found the range of a trench, the + shells dropped into it from one end to the other with the most + terrible effect. Yet the men stood firm and defended Ypres in + such a manner that a German officer afterwards described their + action as a brilliant feat of arms, and said that they were under + the impression that there had been four British Corps against + them at this point. + + When the two Divisions were afterwards withdrawn from the firing + line to refit, it was found that in the Infantry alone, out of + the 400 officers who set out from England, there were only + forty-four left, and out of 12,000 men only 2,336. So far, little + has been published about the work of these Divisions--probably + because the bulk of the various dispatches is so great. It may be + well, therefore, to place on record now an achievement which will + one day be reckoned, no doubt, among the finest of the kind in + British military history.' + +One's own view and conception of so huge a movement was necessarily +small, for in a 'far-flung battle line' the ordinary individual could +only see very little of the main operations. Yet the little I saw +revealed to me the splendid heroism of our men, and the carefully +thought out disposition of our troops; a heroism so perfect that one +attenuated line of khaki, consisting of under 30,000 men, held 240,000 +Germans at bay. For a week this small force clung to their positions by +dint of magnificent fighting and dauntless pluck, until the main army +from the Aisne under General Sir John French joined forces with them. + +During these stirring and most eventful days the scenes of ordinary life +often came before me in striking contrast to what was being thus enacted +in the very forefront of England's effort. For instance, sometimes amid +a very hell of noise and carnage, the thought of Regent Street or +Cheapside in their work-a-day aspect, or again, the peaceful +surroundings of 'home, sweet home,' would find a momentary lodgment in +my mind, only to be dispelled by the sounds and signs which betokened +that the sternest game of life was being played before my eyes. Each +hour seemed to promise the break of our lines by the vast masses of the +enemy, which were always pressing us hard, and indeed the promise would +have been fulfilled but for the grit of men who never acknowledged +defeat. + +I have always been proud of being a Briton, but seeing what I did, and +knowing what I know, I feel immeasurably prouder now, than ever before, +of belonging to a nation which can produce such men. Even nature +presented its remarkable contrast to the clamour of war, for in the +interlude of the firing of a battery of eighteen pounders I have heard +the birds singing as peacefully and merrily as in quiet English fields. + +It is difficult to convey to my readers the prodigies of valour which +daily took place in the course of the great struggle in front of Ypres. +One dark night a young R.A.M.C. officer, who until quite recently had +been pursuing his quiet round of work as a medical practitioner in +England, but who at the call of country had pressed to the front, was +out with his bearer company attending the dying and wounded men, when +suddenly a Battalion, which had lost all its officers, momentarily broke +from the trenches. Quickly gathering the dread import of their act, this +young hero rushed into the ruck of men, who amid that awful hell had +been seized with panic. Calling to a sergeant he directed him to shoot +the first man that came by, then rushing into the disorganized +rabble--for it was little else at that time--he shouted to them, 'Men! +men! have you forgotten that you are Englishmen,' and quickly bringing +them into order headed them back again to their grim work. I have been +pleased to see that this brave lad has received a well merited +distinction from his Sovereign, but at the time the only comment made +upon his behaviour by his O.C. was, 'The young beggar ought to get a rap +over his knuckles for exceeding his duty.' Such feats are constantly +occurring, so often indeed as to hardly excite comment. + +Two officers from a Guards Battalion in my Brigade died the death of +heroes in the dark hours of one early morning, endeavouring to fulfil +the hopeless task of capturing a German gun, the while they had only six +men with them. The whole party was blown to pieces in the endeavour. +Some may think it a useless waste of valuable life; in degree it is, but +these daring deeds go far to preserve that glorious spirit of heroic +venture which characterizes the whole fighting line of our men. The +value of systematic training, which at the time it is being undergone is +often regarded as a weariness of the flesh by the men undergoing it, is +strikingly exhibited in actual warfare. I was much struck with this late +one afternoon, as I saw the 2nd Gordons enter action in extended order. +Their 'dressing and distance' was most admirably preserved, the while +they took advantage of every inch of cover that presented itself. It +was indeed a thrilling sight to see these brave lads advancing under a +murderous fire, with as great a steadiness as if they were in the Long +Valley at Aldershot. + +Moving about near the firing line requires considerable circumspection, +and a fairly accurate knowledge of the disposition of troops. For lack +of this, I once found myself in a most unenviable position. I had been +called to bury an officer of the Guards, who had died under +circumstances of singular gallantry--alas! leaving a wife and two +charming children. On nearing the spot where I had been told the body +was lying, I was informed that it had been arranged to convey the +remains to England. There was nothing for it but to retrace one's steps, +but by this time the firing which had been unpleasantly heavy on the way +out, had waxed in intensity, when suddenly emerging from the shelter of +a wood, I found myself between the two lines of opposing forces. A +British sergeant roared lustily to me to stay where I was and lie down, +and I never obeyed instruction with greater alacrity. Fortunately for +me, the line of battle steadily shifted and I was enabled to ride +onwards with some degree of security; but I inwardly registered a vow +that in the future I would make sure of what was taking place before I +rode into such a mare's nest. + +The methods of warfare, as now conducted, are entirely removed from +those of previous campaigns; for instance, the ranging of guns to-day is +most correctly determined by aeroplanes. But not only do these war +scouts render this important service; from the air they are enabled to +detect the disposition of troops, gun emplacements, and all other +movements of the enemy, which heretofore it has been difficult to +determine. + +Very frequently most thrilling duels take place between opposing +aviators, and certainly nothing is more exciting than to watch such a +struggle in mid air. One is lost in wonderment at the pluck and the +skill of the aviators, as one sees them man[oe]uvring for place, the +while subject to heavy fire. One of the most notable aviators at that +time was Commander Samson, commonly known as Captain Kettle, owing to a +likeness to that far-famed character of fiction, which was to be faintly +traced in the hero of real life. Commander Samson was not only a 'flyer' +possessed of intrepid courage and great skill, but he further possessed +an armour-plated car, in which was a high velocity gun; this he +manipulated in a manner which struck terror to the German's heart; and +one was not surprised to hear that the Kaiser had offered a reward of +four thousand marks to the man who brought him down, or put him out of +action. I enjoyed a marked illustration of his prowess one afternoon, +near Hooge. A German aeroplane was sailing majestically over our lines, +the observer no doubt making notes of everything which he beheld, when +suddenly Samson dashed up in his car, and after very deliberate aim, hit +the aircraft in the oil tank, which resulted in the whole falling to the +ground a burning and crumpled mass. Such episodes appeal to the sporting +nature which characterizes most men, and tend to relieve any monotony +which may at times threaten to settle upon the men. + +From boyhood one has delighted in reading the vivid accounts of such +campaigns as the Peninsular, or Crimea; and in later days in taking part +in the autumn man[oe]uvres held in such open country as Dartmoor, or +Salisbury Plain. One well remembers the fascination of watching a +General, surrounded by his Staff, sending orders and receiving +dispatches at the hands of his 'gallopers.' But all this has changed. +No longer do we see cocked hat Generals, on the summit of rising ground, +spying the position of troops through his field-glasses. To-day some of +the most notable actions are fought by a General who the whole time may +be three or four miles away from the seat of the struggle. Picture him, +pipe in mouth, working out the movements of the troops on a large map in +front of him. Every moment the Field telephone is at work; dispatch +riders breathlessly deliver their messages, the while the Staff are +carefully noting every fresh movement reported. Not an unnecessary word +is spoken, and all hinges upon one figure whose whole attention is +centred, by the aid of his vivid imagination and definite information, +upon a battlefield, the ground of which he probably knows, but which at +the moment is far out of sight. Such is the science of war up to date. + +Since the early days of the war methods have considerably changed. Both +sides have dug themselves in, until the allied lines stretch in one +continuous chain of over 500 miles. The trenches to-day are monuments of +masterly skill and construction. Gazing over a line of such earth +fortifications--for that is what they are--from the summit of a hill, it +is very difficult to realize that at one's feet there are thousands of +men lying hidden from each other, but ready at a moment's notice to +spring into deadly activity. An occasional shell bursts here and there, +but beyond that the characteristics are apparently peaceful; such is the +appearance at the present stage of warfare. But it must be always borne +in mind this is only preparatory to great and far-reaching movements. + +Ever and again a scrap takes place, and a few hundreds or thousands of +yards of trenches are taken or lost. To the ordinary civilian mind this +all seems very haphazard, but it is not so; every movement is made with +a purpose, and the result carefully noted by the master mind behind the +whole. + +The first battle of Ypres lasted somewhere about a month. Since then +other sanguinary battles have taken place on the ground which has become +historic. But October and November, 1914, will ever stand in the annals +of war as the occasion of one of England's greatest triumphs, for +notwithstanding Germany's costly endeavours to reach the coast, she +failed. + + + + +CONCERNING OFFICERS AND MEN + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +CONCERNING OFFICERS AND MEN + + +In considering the constituent elements of an army, the first avenue of +thought must lead to the primary essential--discipline. The realization +of this most important military virtue is one of the most difficult for +the young soldier to apprehend and appreciate, and yet it must underly +the whole system of the army. By discipline, I do not merely mean +smartness, which is involved in quick and correct response to the word +of command; that, of course, is part of it; but I refer more +particularly to that grip of self which enables a man to force himself +into subjection to authority, which may be entirely inimical to his own +will. One of the most striking illustrations of this remarkable mental +condition came under my notice on October 27, 1914. I had ridden up to +the front to see some of the men in my Brigade. The Grenadier and Scots +Guards had for days been holding the line with dogged pluck, and now had +withdrawn from the trenches for a brief respite from their most arduous +duties. Falling back a mile or so, they were rejoicing in the prospect +of a hot meal. Very speedily the trench fires were dug, and the +dixies[2] were filled with a savoury stew; the while the men were lying +about enjoying their well-earned rest. In the midst of their brief laze +an urgent order came down from General Capper, commanding the men to +return to the trenches immediately, as the enemy were approaching in +strong force. At once the brave lads kicked out the fires and stood to +attention, and moved off to a task from which many of them never +returned. An eyewitness assured me that the Brigadier[3] gave the order +in a voice which was broken with emotion, for he knew full well the +desperate nature of the task he was setting his men. In this grand +response to a most unpalatable order, the very highest discipline is +noticeable; it embodies such an act of devotion to duty as reveals that +mastery over self which lies at the very root of success in warfare. +Such a discipline cannot fail to evoke admiration wherever it is +witnessed. It is noticeable among officers and men alike, and tends to +weld both in that splendid spirit of comradeship which is so peculiarly +a feature of our army at the present time. + +In considering the relationship of those in command and those commanded, +I must deal with them separately. + +(1) Officers: Many years ago--I think it was during the Crimean +war--_Punch_ gave a very admirable setting of the British officer in two +phases. In one picture was a ball-room in which the whiskered exquisites +of that period were seen in the mazes of a dance, and underneath was +written: 'Our officers can dance.' The next picture revealed the same +men charging up to the guns at the head of their men, and underneath the +words: 'But by jingo they can fight too.' There is no doubt that the +English officer is good at enjoying himself, and no small blame to him, +but when it comes to the stern days of war, he is as keen and gallant as +ever. It must have struck the most casual observer that the proportion +of officer casualties during this war is entirely disproportionate to +the numbers engaged. Again and again this striking fact has met with the +severe stricture of those competent to judge; but it is useless to +attempt to alter the glorious traditions of the English army in this +respect: our officers will lead; and although it may be at a terrible +cost, the results are seen in the splendid backing up of the men. In the +early days of the war, on more than one occasion, I met with such a +remark from working men as 'Let the rich do their bit.' I hold that they +have done it, and done it magnificently. No one can read the list of +casualties without being struck with the enormous number of what I may +call the cultured classes which have fallen in the operations we are +engaged in. Indeed, there is hardly a titled family in England but is +mourning its dead. Our young officers are entering action with a wild +abandonment which it is impossible to realize unless witnessed. Writing +home to his people, a subaltern recently declared that he was at the top +of the fulness of life. Small wonder that our men will go anywhere and +do anything behind such magnificent leading as our officers are giving +them. + +But this splendid attribute of the British officer is not only seen amid +the excitement of conflict. At the end of a weary march when all alike +are fagged out and ready to throw themselves upon the earth and rest, +the first consideration on the part of the officers is the men; their +food, their billets; and when these important questions are dealt with, +then, and not till then, with wearied frames, these gallant gentlemen +begin to think of themselves. This evokes a feeling which I may not +inaptly style, hero worship, on the part of the men. Frequently, in +describing the glorious death of some favourite officer, a man has said +to me, 'I loved him like a brother'; and this condition of regard is +mutual, for it is no uncommon thing (on the occasion of the departure of +the 'leave' train) to see an officer, frequently of senior rank, on +spotting in the crowd a non-commissioned officer, or private, from his +regiment, go up to him and with a hearty grip of the hand, say, 'Well, +my lad, hope you have had a good time!' Such a state of things would, of +course, be impossible in the German army, but we Englishmen have proved +that the most solid foundation of a true relationship between officers +and men is respect and love, and right happy are the results attained. + +(2) Our men: It is not possible to speak too highly of the splendid +manhood embodied in our ranks to-day. Their language is certainly +reprehensible, but after all we must realize that their vocabulary is +not an extensive one, and the employment of adjectives which, to a +refined ear, sounds deplorable, is only used by them to describe an +intensity which no other words they possess would be capable of +rendering. I am, of course, not referring to blasphemy or obscenity, +which is immediately checked by every right-minded man in authority. + +During the whole of my experience in Flanders, I did not come across +one case of drunkenness; my experience may be peculiar, but I do not +think so. To begin with, there is, of course, the very strong deterrent +of rigid punishment for such an offence. Again, there are not the +facilities for the purchase of strong drink, such as unhappily +characterizes the condition of affairs in Great Britain; but away and +beyond these preventives lies the fact that every man is imbued with the +idea that he must keep himself fit and 'play the game,' and the result +is that at the Front to-day we have a sober army. I cannot too strongly +warn the men who are at home, preparing for the Front, to watch +themselves closely in this respect, and for the following reasons:-- + + (a) A man who drinks renders himself physically unfit for the + tremendous strain involved by a campaign. A short time ago + I was travelling in France, from General Head-quarters to + Bailleul, and riding past a certain Brigade which had + landed two days prior, I was struck with the very + considerable portion of men who had fallen out on the + march. This was partly due to the very painful process of + marching over cobbled stones to which they were new, but I + knew full well that it was also attributable to the fact of + the soft condition which some of the foolish fellows were + in, through the unwise use of stimulants in the near past. + + (b) Sobriety is an absolute essential, for again and again the + security of a Platoon, a Company, a Battalion, a Brigade, or + even of Division, may depend upon the alertness of a + sentinel. + +We observe, therefore, the urgent importance of a man placed in so +responsible a position being in the fullest possession of his powers of +mind and body; therefore, I say with emphasis, and I say it to every man +going out, keep clear of the drink. + +One cannot fail to be struck with the supineness of certain Generals +who, possessing the power of placing public houses out of bounds, +excepting for one hour morning and evening, yet allow the men under +their command to soak in bar parlours for hours at a time. There are +magnificent exceptions to this, and all honour to those Divisional +Commanders who have taken the trouble to ascertain the conditions of +social life under which their men exist when off duty, and who make +adequate provision for the ordinary means of recreation and enjoyment. + +But to pass to the men of whom we are all so justly proud. Their +cheerfulness is truly remarkable, and indeed it requires somewhat of +the spirit of a Mark Tapley to 'stick it' in such weather as +characterized the campaign of last winter. + +Their hopefulness, too, is a glorious possession, and a grand incentive +to any man. _Nil desperandum_ is the watch-word which flashes down the +ranks of our men, even in the tightest corners. + +Their courage! who can describe it? for it stands at the very apex of +human glory. Again and again the enemy has paid admiring tribute to the +splendid dash and invincible determination evinced by our men. I am +confident that if it were only a question of man against man, the war +would speedily be ended. + +I have had many opportunities of watching the fortitude of our brave +lads. I should be sorry indeed to attempt to describe what one has +witnessed in field dressing stations; suffice it to say that in moments +of greatest agony I have seen men bite their lips almost to the flow of +blood, rather than emit a groan. Such are the men to whom England has +committed her honour, her prestige, even her destiny; and the commission +has not been made in vain. + +In dealing with 'our men' it would be a serious omission not to pay a +tribute to the remarkable collection of Imperial manhood which is now +gathered together under our flag. I need not refer to the Canadians or +Australians, for they are of our own flesh and blood, but the Indian +soldier deserves a word of high appreciation. Side by side with his +white brother in arms he has fought magnificently. True, his methods of +warfare are different, but in their own particular manner they are just +as effective. One of their officers described to me the very great +relish with which the Ghurkas approach a German trench. Slinking over +the ground with the stealthiness of tigers, kukri between their teeth, +they lie silently under the thrown up earth, then flipping a piece of +dirt into the air, wait for the German's head to be suspiciously raised; +a flash of the keen knife, and the German ceases to exist! No wonder +that such men are regarded with terror by the Huns. One day, when a +batch of prisoners were brought in, an Indian approached one of them +with a broad grin; displaying his teeth, which shone like pearls, he +proceeded to show his good feeling towards the German by stroking the +man, as a token of amity; but the poor fellow before him imagined that +he was seeking a soft place in which to insert his deadly knife, and +fairly howled with terror. + +From a military point of view one of the strangest aspects of this +campaign has been the little use made of cavalry during the first battle +of Ypres, and indeed right up to the present the horses of our cavalry +have, for the most part, not been required. It was strange to see the +Household Cavalry working in the trenches side by side with infantry of +the Line, but doing their work as effectively, and uncomplainingly, as +any other section of the army. + +As the winter draws on apace, the heart of England will once more open +in a response to the necessary comforts which her brave sons call for at +her hands, and for which they will not call in vain. Let me give a few +hints: Tobacco and cigarettes are, of course, always in demand, and +under the peculiar circumstances of this nerve-racking campaign, are +more or less of a necessity. Socks, too, are needed, for whether the +weather is hot or cold, socks will wear out. The men dearly love sweets, +such as toffee, chocolate, peppermints. Cardigan jackets--not too +heavy--are largely called for; a packet containing writing paper, +envelopes and an indelible pencil are very acceptable; woollen sleeping +helmets, and, of course, mittens will not be refused; boracic acid +powder for sore feet; anything to do with a shaving outfit (especially +safety razors) are gladly welcomed. From country districts a local paper +means a great deal to a man, for it keeps him in touch with home +affairs. But above all, keep up a regular correspondence with your men; +it is difficult for the home folk to realize how much a letter means. A +striking object lesson is afforded on the arriving of a mail, by the +hurried withdrawal of the fortunate receivers of letters from the mail +bag, like the lions at the Zoo which, on receiving their food, withdraw +to enjoy it in solitude. In a word, our men are worth all you can do for +them; do not spare yourselves in alleviating the inevitable discomforts, +privations and trails which are involved in such work as they have set +themselves to accomplish. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[2] Dixies: camp kettles. + +[3] Brigadier-General Ruggles Brise, who was very badly wounded shortly +afterwards, and returned to England. + + + + +THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD + + +In the care of an army on active service the most complete arrangements +exist for every requirement of the soldier. As far as possible nothing +is omitted that will conduce to his comfort, well-being and usefulness. + + His food is, as we have already seen, most scientifically + devised. + + His equipment is adjusted on the most anatomical principles. + + His arms are the most up to date that science and money can + provide. + + His medical and surgical supplies are the most perfect that + science can apply. + + And not least, his spiritual needs are increasingly well + attended to. There are over six hundred chaplains now in + the field. + +Many people have queer notions as to the methods and objects of a +chaplain's work. Some years ago I was on my way to conduct a Mission in +Yorkshire, when I happened to meet an R.A.M.C. friend. On my telling him +of the errand upon which I was bound, he expressed some surprise, and +displayed complete ignorance as to the character of my intending duty. +Accordingly I endeavoured to remove his ignorance by establishing a +parallel between his work and mine. I pointed out that in the visitation +of the hospital wards at Aldershot he doubtless became interested in +his patients, especially any uncommon or obstinate cases, and to these +he would pay especial attention, applying every specific which lay +within his knowledge. In pursuance of my purpose I then proceeded to +point out that a clergyman's work proceeded upon precisely the same +scientific lines. First of all a diagnosis of the difficulties was made, +then the specific was applied, but with this difference; medical science +is again and again beaten by the ignorance of the precise remedy to +apply, even presuming that it has been discovered; whereas the clergyman +sets before his patient the unfailing Christ, Who is sufficient for +every need of sinful man. I left him I hope somewhat enlightened as to +the definite character of a clergyman's ministry. The difficulty of my +friend is much the same as that experienced by a large number of people +as regards the work of a padré in the field. Let me set before you the +different phases of the work which commonly fall within the allotted +sphere of a chaplain's duty at the Front. + +To begin with there are now two[4] chaplains appointed to a Brigade (in +the early days of the war there was only one, and he was usually +attached to a Field Ambulance), the one is more particularly responsible +for the active men of the Brigade, whilst the other works with the Field +Ambulance. (Each Brigade consists of from three to five thousand men and +has a Field Ambulance attached to it.) + + (1) As occasion offers church parades are held, to which the + attendance is compulsory. But many a time the padré will + arrange voluntary services of the most informal character; + in barns, in a wood, sometimes in the reserve trenches. The + chaplain, by order, has no right in the firing trenches + except on urgent duties: such as ministering to the men, or + conducting funerals. + + (2) Men who are communicants greatly value the Means of Grace, + and possibly the great sacrament of the Lord's Supper is + never administered under more remarkable circumstances than + at the Front. At times the setting of the service is of the + very crudest form, but none the less it is highly prized. I + know full well the objection that is felt by some clergy to + Evening Communion, but in the British Expeditionary Force at + times it is absolutely necessary, unless the Church is + prepared to practically excommunicate men for a longer or + shorter period. I may add that personally I have no + sympathy with limiting the Means of Grace instituted by our + Blessed Redeemer to any particular hour of the day, and + certainly the Divine Institution was made after the Last + Supper, or during that meal. + + (3) One of the saddest features of the padré's round of duty is + the burial of the dead. Funerals often take place in the + firing line, or immediately behind it, when, of course, the + ceremony is of the very briefest duration. At others the + remains of the brave dead are interred in the nearest + cemetery, but in either case, as far as possible, a cross is + placed on the grave recording the name, number and regiment + of the interred. The visitation of the dying, especially + during a 'push,' entails a great deal of time on the part + of the chaplain. If the dying man is conscious and realizes + his position, there will be the last messages for the loved + ones at home; the disposition of property; the setting right + of some existent wrong; for as the moment of dissolution + approaches, men's minds are usually keenly alive to the + urgency of the position. + + (4) One of the most harrowing duties is ministering to the + wounded, especially in the Field Dressing Station of an + Ambulance, where the men are first attended to after being + brought in from the field. Their condition is often + indescribable, and opportunities of a word of comfort + abound. Even as a man lies upon the table, his wounds being + probed and dressed, the Message of God, coupled sometimes + with so material a solace as the placing of a cigarette + between the lips of the sufferer, will help him to bear his + agony. In Casualty Clearing and Base Hospitals there are, of + course, always a number of sick to be visited, and this work + falls within the region of ordinary civilian hospital work. + In many cases where a man is first hit and he is not in a + too collapsed condition, his first thought is of home; and a + painful anxiety is often evinced by the sufferer to get a + message through, describing his condition, before his name + appears in the casualty list; for, unhappily, no distinction + is made in the published lists between slight and serious + cases. + + (5) All this involves a large amount of correspondence on the + part of the chaplain, and there are busy times when a + 'scrap' is proceeding. Every spare moment is occupied with + writing letters for those who are unable to do so + themselves. On the top of all his other work the padré is + constantly receiving letters from home, asking him as to the + whereabouts of this or that man, who may be dead, wounded or + missing; and this phase of the work of itself takes up a + great deal of time. + + (6) A not unimportant duty which falls to a chaplain's lot is + the recreation of the men, and if he is a good sort he will + endeavour, during periods of rest, to enliven the lot of his + men with sing-songs, boxing competitions, football matches, + athletic sports, etc., etc.--anything to buck up the men and + keep them cheery. In addition to this, many nondescript + duties fall to the chaplain's lot. Sometimes he is mess + president, and that will give him an anxious half hour. The + solicitude of a young wife who asked a matron of mature + experience as to the best method of keeping the affection of + her husband and preserving his interest in the home, was + answered by, 'Feed the brute.' A mess president knows to the + full what this means. The padré will sometimes have + difficult and perchance dangerous work allotted to him, such + as carrying messages under fire, or tending wounded men in + exposed places. He must also be prepared to lend a hand in + carrying the wounded; and, in short, render himself as + useful as possible, and thus prove himself a friend of + officer and man. + +The question is often asked, 'Should a chaplain be under fire?' It is +impossible to avoid it if he is serving troops under fire, and he must +take his chance with every one else. Many times I have been asked, 'Were +you afraid?' I am only a normal person, not conspicuous for undue pluck +on the one hand, or, I hope, undue funk on the other, but I never got +over my fear; of course one grew accustomed to the deadly visitants +which were constantly in our midst. After all, if there is no fear, +there is no courage. I sometimes hear of men, of whom it is said, 'They +do not know what fear is.' Well, if that is so, such an individual is +devoid of courage, for the very essence of courage consists in the +appreciation of fear, and a persistence in duty notwithstanding. Doctor +Johnson was passing through a cathedral when he noticed a tomb on which +was written, 'Here lies the body of a man who never knew fear.' 'Then,' +said the witty Doctor, 'he never tried to snuff a lighted candle with +his fingers.' General Gordon has told us that he was always subject to +fear. 'For my part,' he once said, 'I am always frightened and very much +so.' And yet no one in history has a reputation more honestly earned for +this real kind of courage, a courage won by personal victory over fear. +Herein lies the essence of the experience of the vast majority of our +men; fearing fire, and loathing it as they do, they yet 'stick' it, +because it is their duty. + +It is astonishing how soon one grows accustomed to death at the Front. +It cannot well be otherwise; the man you have been chatting to five +minutes before is presently borne along dead. The officer who was the +life and soul of the mess on the previous night, in some ruined +farmhouse, is gone before the morning; and as a man well put it, 'Dying +men out here are as common as falling leaves in autumn.' + +The religious atmosphere at the Front is unique. I can hardly say that +there is what one may term a general turning to God, but certainly the +realization of the nearness of God and eternity are very present to most +men's minds. As a man said up at the Front, 'Out here every man puts up +some kind of a prayer every night.' The superficial scepticism which is +so largely ethical, or the result of indifference, and which is assumed +by many men in England, has no hold at the Front. One of our best known +Bishops was telling me when I met him 'somewhere in France' that a short +time back he was about to conduct a service in a hospital ward, in his +own city, and upon handing a hymn-book to one of the patients lying in +bed, he was met with, 'Thank you, I would rather not, I am an agnostic' +Hearing this, the man in the next bed raised himself up on his elbow, +and looking at the objector, tersely remarked, 'You silly young fool, a +week at the trenches would take that nonsense out of you.' Undoubtedly +our men are being awakened to the tremendous reality of eternal +verities, and it behoves us to help them all we can. In this respect the +experience of the padré is intensely happy; no work on which he engages +is more fruitful than that of upholding Christ before men who have come +near the end of their earthly course. Said an officer to me--who had +just been brought in badly wounded, and I had written to his wife +assuring her that all was being done to alleviate his suffering and to +effect his recovery (which happily took place)--'Padré, I have been a +wild man all my life, but last night as I lay wounded in the trenches, +for the first time I realized God, and perfect peace came into my +heart.' + +A captain in the Guards, badly hit through the lungs with shrapnel, +demanded a good bit of my attention. When he was sent to the Base I +hardly thought that he would survive the journey; however, in due course +he reached England. Some months afterwards I received a letter from his +mother, stating that her boy was slowly climbing back to recovery, and +thanking me for what I had been able to do for him; which was little +enough. At the bottom of the letter was a postscript: 'My darling boy +died at twelve to-day. Just before he passed away he said, "Mother, I am +in perfect peace with God. Give my love to padré."' Those are the kind +of things that make a man thank God for having volunteered to do one's +'bit' in that particular line of life in which he has been placed. No +work is grander than a chaplain's; but I must lay it down as a general +axiom, that no man should undertake this particular kind of work unless +he knows that he is charged with a message from God. + +In the Neuve Chapelle dispatch, Sir John French writes: 'I have once +more to remark upon the devotion to duty, courage and contempt of danger +which has characterized the work of the chaplains throughout this +campaign.' The padré's work is not to fight; indeed, he is not armed +(anyhow, he is not allowed to be by the authorities); and certainly one +of the difficulties experienced is to withhold oneself as one sees the +brave lads go to their daring and glorious work. + + Ambassador of Christ, you go + Up to the very gates of hell, + Through fog of powder, storm of shell, + To speak your Master's message: 'Lo, + The Prince of Peace is with you still, + His peace be with you, His goodwill.' + + It is not small, your priesthood's price + To be a man and yet stand by, + To hold your life while others die, + To bless, not share the sacrifice, + To watch the strife and take no part-- + You with the fire at your heart. + + W.M. LETTS, in the _Spectator_. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[4] There are now three appointed to each Brigade. + + + + +THE CARE OF THE WOUNDED + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE CARE OF THE WOUNDED + + +Among the many sad sights witnessed in modern warfare, I question +whether there is any more pathetic than a train of wounded men passing +down from the Front. Every description of injury is noticeable, for shot +and shell are not discriminating. From cases of the severest abdominal +and head wounds, the patient being in a more or less collapsed +condition, one turns to the laughing lad, with only a clean shot through +his forearm, and who still has the exciting influence of the 'scrap' +thickly upon him. But slight or dangerous, each requires attention, for +owing to the grave danger of septic trouble, the smallest scratch may +prove fatal. In their handling of the enormous number of casualties, +the work of the R.A.M.C. will stand out in luminous letters when the +history of the war is written. From sanitation, to a major operation, +this Department is equal to the occasion, and one is lost in admiration +at the splendid devotion to duty exhibited by this strictly scientific +branch of the service. + +Wounded men always possess a sad and enthralling interest to the public +mind. It is not morbid curiosity alone which draws men and women to gaze +upon the unhappy sufferers, rather I think it is a feeling akin to awe, +for it is recognized that these men have been in the thick of it, and +the imagination of the onlookers sees the courage they have displayed, +and peering through the veil beholds the terrible sights they have seen. +These, and similar thoughts cast a glamour over the most ordinary +wounded man, and clothe him with a heroism which in all probability he +of all men is most unconscious of possessing. + +The variety of circumstances under which men get wounded is unbounded. +Multitudes of those bowled over have never seen a German. It may be far +back in the rear that a 'Jack Johnson' or 'Black Maria' (for we have +many names for the German high explosive) has knocked a man out. It is +all over in a moment; in the quiet of the night, or amid the bustle of +the day the deadly shriek of an approaching shell falls upon the man's +ear, and before he can seek for cover--even supposing there is any to +hand--the roar of the explosion will probably be the last thing that he +will remember before he awakes to his agony. Or nearer to the line, the +whistle of an approaching shrapnel speaks of coming danger, and then a +prone figure on the ground tells of one more who has been 'pipped,' to +use a colloquialism of the Front. When we consider the extreme range of +a seventeen-inch gun as being not far short of thirty miles, the +difficulty of being out of range is at once apparent. Nearer at hand, +within a few yards, an accurately thrown bomb is a fruitful source of +injury to our fighting men, whilst in these days of accurate rifle fire +'snipers' mark the slightest movement at a thousand yards. In the fierce +rush of the taking of a trench, men are as thick on the ground as the +leaves of Vallombrosa. At such times, notwithstanding the specific +orders to the contrary, men are constantly helping each other. For +brotherly love will assert itself even amid the rush of battle. Here is +an order from the 'Standing Orders' of the Seventh Division:-- + +'Wounded men.--All ranks are forbidden to divert their attention from +the enemy in order to attend wounded officers or men.' + +But notwithstanding this command, again and again heroic deeds are +performed by combatants in their endeavour to get their wounded comrades +out of imminent danger. + +It was a noble deed of the Rev. Nevile Talbot, who, learning that his +brother in the Rifle Brigade was hit, rushed into the zone of fire, only +to find his beloved relative dead; straightway he immediately diverted +his attention to the need of a wounded 'Tommy' near by. The Rev. and +Honourable B.M. Peel was badly hit in the head and left leg, in charging +with the Welsh Fusiliers; true, he had no right to be there from a +military point of view, but I believe the O.C. had given him permission, +and certainly his heroic action inspired the men, and has left a +splendid memory in the minds of those who were with him. In such ways +the front line of casualties occur. How are they dealt with? I will +describe as briefly as possible the procedure which governs the +handling of the wounded from the fighting line to the Convalescent Home +in England. + + (1) Nearly every Battalion has its Regimental Surgeon and + Bearers; the latter are men who are specially trained to + render First Aid, and to carry the wounded out of the zone + of immediate fire. + + (2) At this point the stricken one is taken in hand by the + Bearer Section of the Field Ambulance, under the command of + an R.A.M.C. officer, who, where necessary, quickly renders + First Aid by applying a tourniquet where there is arterial + bleeding, or bandaging up an ordinary wound. These men, + whether attached to the Field Ambulance or a regiment, are + worthy of the highest praise. No courage is of a higher + order than that which enables men, devoid of the excitement + of fighting, to pass within the deadly hail of lead. + + (3) The wounded man is then conveyed to the Field Dressing + Station of the Field Ambulance. This may be located in a + deserted building: a barn, a farmhouse, or some such place. + It may be even placed behind a haystack, or in a wood, but + certainly in the most sheltered position that can be found. + Here the man's wound receives more careful attention, but + with a rush of such cases it is impossible to bestow all the + care that is desired. Very hurriedly the man's clothing is + cut open, the wound cleansed with iodine, or some such + disinfectant, bandaged up again, and the sufferer is ready + for evacuation to a Casualty Clearing Station. + + (4) Some miles behind the firing line, a convent, schools, or + any suitable house, or group of buildings, has been set + apart as a hospital, and under the present system greater + assistance can now be rendered to the patient. Even + operations may be performed if the case is one of special + urgency. At this point I would call attention to the + remarkable revolution that has taken place in the transport + of the wounded, through the agency of Motor Ambulances, in + lieu of the pair horse Ambulance formerly in use, and which + rumbled along the uneven roads, thereby causing an + intolerable amount of suffering to the badly stricken men + therein. The sufferers are now conveyed swiftly, and with + far greater comfort, to their temporary destinations; and + hundreds of lives are being preserved by means of this + miracle of modern times. + + (5) The hospital train at the 'rail head' which serves the + district is the next experience of the wounded man. Those + who have examined these wonderful accessories to modern + warfare will have been struck by the completeness of the + arrangements. Beds of the most comfortable description, + having regard to space, are provided, whilst sitting cases + are arranged for in ordinary carriages. Furnished with a + well-appointed kitchen, nothing is left to be desired as + regards the food, and this, I need hardly say, appeals very + strongly to a man who has been living upon Army rations for + weeks or months past. There is even a small operating + theatre in the best equipped hospital trains. + + (6) This brings us to the Base Hospital, where is found the + finest talent, both medical and surgical, that the country + can produce. Some of our greatest civilian medical men, in a + temporary capacity, are now rendering invaluable aid to the + remarkable cases which proceed from the fell work of shot + and shell. These hospitals, some of which are due to the + magnificent enterprise of private individuals, provide for a + very large number of patients. In one centre alone there + are eight hospitals, with fourteen beds in each. Here, too, + are working the most highly trained nursing sisters, and the + wounded man will, to his dying day, remember the patient + skill bestowed upon him by these devoted women. A patient + recently remarked to a friend of mine, who asked him whether + he didn't think the sister was an angel, 'Indeed she is, + sir, a regular fallen angel.' His adjective was a little out + of place, but he meant to describe exactly what we all feel + with regard to these splendid ministers to our need. + + (7) The hospital ship next receives the sufferer, and herein + everything that modern ingenuity can devise is applied to + the necessities of the case. Landing at some convenient + British port, an English hospital train receives the wounded + man, who is speedily whirled away to-- + + (8) The Home Hospital, where, of course, the man remains under + the ablest care, until he is happily classified a + convalescent. + + (9) The Convalescent Home is perhaps the happiest stage of the + whole curriculum, and Tommy runs a chance of being spoiled + ere he is ready for the fighting line, or, in case of + permanent disablement, for the care of his own kith and kin. + +I must not forget the remarkable qualities of the Orderlies of the +R.A.M.C. I have often been struck with the tender care and solicitude +which they bestow upon the wounded coming under their attention. In +their ranks are found all sorts and conditions of men: clergymen, +medical students; indeed, the premier Earl of Scotland, the Earl of +Crawford and Balcarres, enlisted as a Private in the R.A.M.C. and is now +a Corporal in a Field Ambulance. Such an example cannot fail to place +this distinguished branch of the Service on the highest level of utility +and importance. + +So far, I have more particularly dealt with the care of the wounded. +This, however, is only one side of the vast work under the care of the +medical side of the Army. With the lamentable effect of the evil of bad +water experienced in the South African war, the Authorities have been +most drastic in their insistence of a pure water supply to the Army. +To-day every unit has its filter cast, and most urgent orders are in +circulation forbidding men to drink from any other supply. This alone +has prevented a large amount of disease. + +One of the ills that our men have to contend with is 'feet.' No one, +excepting those who have had to march on French and Belgian roads, can +realize the pernicious effect of cobbled stones, with their many +inequalities, upon the feet of the men; hence in every well-commanded +Battalion frequent feet inspections are held--in many instances daily. +This simple preventive, coupled with a copious supply of socks sent out +by the people at home, has helped the great majority of 'Tommies' to +keep their pedal extremities in going order. + +The inspection of kit, from a sanitary point of view, is another +important phase of the hygienic question. Where men have to exist for +days without a change of clothing, it will be readily understood that +the effect is extremely prejudicial to health, and therefore a medical +supervision of the clothing of the men is of supreme value to their +health. In many places facilities for hot baths are provided for the men +coming out of the trenches, and greatly is this boon prized. One of the +commonest sights behind the firing line is a detachment of men swinging +along, with towels in their hands, on their way to or fro the tub. + +In some places whilst the men are in the bath their clothes are +carefully disinfected, and then handed back to them thoroughly cleansed +and fit for further use. Notwithstanding all these precautions, there +is, of course, a certain amount of sickness which is inevitable among so +great a number of men, but it is significant in proportion to the +numbers employed. After many months with troops I can emphatically say +that the bodily care of our men, by the medical authorities, is beyond +all praise, and has done much to preserve the redundant health which is +characteristic of our Army in the field. 'Cleanliness is next to +Godliness,' and I must add that it comes in a good second in the British +Expeditionary Force in Flanders and France. + + + + +WORK AT THE BASE + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +WORK AT THE BASE + + +At various centres in France are established Bases, where all the +necessary supplies and ammunition are landed, and thence transported to +the various Units in the Field. To cope with this vast system of +distribution an army of men is employed. It will help the reader to form +an estimate of the labour involved in this enormous undertaking if I +briefly refer to the various branches of the British Expeditionary Force +which are specially engaged in ministering to the Force as a whole. + + (1) _Army Service Corps._--These are men drilled and practised + in supply and transport. They are ubiquitous, and without + them it would be impossible to maintain the operations in + hand. + + (2) _Army Ordnance Department._--The men of this section are + skilled in the manipulation of ammunition, and in the + tabulation and distribution of a hundred and one articles of + equipment. It is a striking object lesson to make a tour of + inspection of this important Department of the Army. It + would be interesting to know how many hundreds of thousands + of miles of barbed wire have passed through the hands of the + A.O. during the war. Everything from a screw to a howitzer + comes within their attention. As to the supply of guns and + ammunition I am, of course, forbidden to say anything, + excepting to share with my fellow-countrymen the greatest + satisfaction that the grave difficulty noticeable earlier in + the war has to so large an extent been overcome. + + (3) _Army Medical Stores._--Here again we have another striking + object lesson in the wonders of detail. Everything required + by Hospitals, Field Ambulances, Casualty Clearing Stations + is herein stored and ready to be dispatched in response to + the indents which are daily pouring in; the requirements of + the R.A.M.C., from a surgical bandage to an operating + table--to say nothing of drugs--must be ready for use. This + involves the most careful attention on the part of the + staff, which is, of course, composed of picked men. + + (4) _Railway Engineers._--In each Base will be found one or more + companies of Sappers, who are responsible for the + maintenance of telegraphic and telephonic communications, + within the area of the Base; and also the construction and + upkeep of military railway lines and buildings. + + (5) _Sanitary Department._--In Bases where permanent Garrisons + are stationed (in some instances amounting to many + thousands) much care must be exercised with regard to the + ordinary hygienic conditions of life; and under highly + qualified officers the most careful supervision is exercised + in this respect. + + (6) _Army Post Office._--The correspondence of the Expeditionary + Force is enormous, and involves a large staff in keeping + 'Tommy' well posted with news from home. The efficiency of + this important adjunct to our Army is as highly valued as it + is admirably carried out. + + (7) _Army Bakers._--The men composing this Unit are of course + selected from a particular calling. Their work is beyond all + praise. In one Base with which I was more particularly + connected during the latter part of my service abroad, no + less than 220,000 two and a half pound loaves are baked + daily. This represents bread rations for 440,000 men. The + labour involved in such a vast production is very great. + Weekday and Sunday alike the Army Bakers are grandly + proceeding with their monotonous but most necessary work. So + complete is the system employed in the making and + distributing of 'the staff of life' that no Unit, however + far distant, receives bread older than four days. A French + General of high position, lately visiting one such Bakery, + expressed his unbounded admiration at the system employed, + saying that in the French Army bread fifteen days old is + very usually met with. + + (8) _Army Service Corps Labourers._--These men are specially + enlisted from stevedores, dock labourers, etc. Their work + consists, in the main, of unloading vessels, and shipping + supplies on to trains. + + (9) _Remounts and Veterinary Department._--It would rejoice the + hearts of all lovers of dumb animals to visit these great + repositories of whole, sick and injured horses. The saving + in horse flesh represented by these carefully administered + camps is of the utmost value to the Army as a whole, for + although motor transport is playing so important a part, + horses are a necessity in many phases of Army work. + + (10) _Military Police._--Under the Assistant Provost Marshal, a + military Base is controlled by a staff of picked men, who do + their work most admirably. Their duties are varied; they + have the oversight of the conduct of the men, and are most + particular in regard to the appearance of men in public. Woe + be to the man who is not properly dressed as he passes under + the lynx-eye of one of these military custodians of the + peace. Such supervision is not even altogether uncalled for + among the officers of the new Army; one has been much struck + with the slovenly, and at times grotesque, appearance of men + who have suddenly assumed the position of officers and + gentlemen. The somewhat apt epigram which is current to-day, + is not wholly unmerited, "Temporary officers are expected to + behave as temporary gentlemen." + + (11) _Convalescent Camps._--On men leaving hospitals, prior to + their rejoining their Units at the Front, they are usually + placed in Convalescent Camps, or in what are called Base + Details. Here they are employed in various light duties + until such times as they are fit for more active service. + +It was at a Base comprising a Garrison of such Units as I have mentioned +that I spent the greater part of my closing months of service in the +Army. I was not attached to any hospital, but had placed in my care the +greater part of what I may call the active men. The work was of the most +interesting description, and following as it did a strenuous experience +with the fighting forces, I am enabled, in consequence, to form a fairly +sound judgment on the work of the British Expeditionary Force as a +whole. + +On leaving home on March 16 for a fresh spell of service, I proceeded, +in obedience to orders received, and reported myself to Doctor Sims, the +principal chaplain, and received from him my orders as to my allocation. +On reaching my Base I was most cordially received by the Rev. E.G.F. +McPherson, C.M.G. Senior Church of England Chaplain to the Forces. This +officer, who ranks as Colonel, has had many years of distinguished +service in the Army, and is universally respected. Prior to his taking +up the position which he occupied when I reported to him, he was in the +retreat from Mons and the battle of the Aisne. The regard evinced for +him by all ranks is unbounded. On one occasion I was with him visiting +padrés at the Front, when an officer pointing to him said, 'There goes +the best loved man in the Army,' and I can well believe it. He is at the +present time rendering very important service with the Southern Command, +in the Salisbury training centre. + +Allocated to me were the A.S.C., Army Ordnance, Mechanical Transport +Base Regiment (employed on Guard duty), Firing parties at funerals, +Escorts, etc., Military Police, Army Bakers, and A.S.C. Labourers. + +My work at the Base necessarily differed largely from that at the Front. +The men being stationed at one place it was possible to arrange a +regular system of services; but these were at times exceedingly +difficult to sustain, owing to the very heavy pressure of work with +which the men had to cope; but notwithstanding such difficulties and +discouragements, I have every reason to be thankful for the great +opportunity which was afforded me. + +It was my privilege to prepare men for Baptism, and on two occasions for +Confirmation. This solemn rite of our Church was taken on the one +occasion by Bishop Bury, and on the other by the Bishop of Birmingham; +at each service admirable addresses were delivered. + +The Bishop of Birmingham--an old Territorial officer--has taken the +greatest interest in the work of the British Expeditionary Force, and is +thoroughly conversant with the whole line at the Front. + +It was a great pleasure to meet the Bishop of London, just before +Easter, on his way to the firing line, where he received a wonderful +welcome from all ranks. + +Spiritual work among soldiers is very real and deep. I question whether +there is any more difficult place for a man to endeavour to live up to +his convictions than in the Army; and to the Christian soldier, one of +the surest tests of the reality of his religious profession is the +simple matter of saying his prayers in the barrack room or tent. If a +man persistently does that, you may be sure there is something real in +his profession. + +I have already alluded to the deep impression created by the experience +of being under fire. A somewhat remarkable instance in support of this +condition of mind came under my notice a few weeks ago. The officer to +whom it relates will, I am sure, pardon my introducing his experience to +point my moral. He was standing with a brother officer amid the ruins of +Ypres, when, realizing that the position was distinctly 'unhealthy' +owing to the heavy shelling which had commenced, he suggested a +withdrawal from the locality. They had walked but a short distance, when +a high explosive shell burst behind them, and a piece of the casing +whizzed between their heads. 'That was a near shave,' said one; 'let's +go back and see where it fell.' It had fallen on the precise spot where +they had been standing but a minute or so before. The result of the +condition of mind produced by this remarkable 'let off' was a visit to +the chaplain's office. On asking what I could do for him the officer +replied, 'I hardly know, but I want your help. I have never been +baptized, so I suppose I ought to be baptized and confirmed.' I pointed +out to him that prior to the participation in the Sacrament of Holy +Baptism, he had to settle with himself his personal relationship with +Christ. By the goodness of God I believe that point was clearly +established in his mind, and it was my privilege to baptize him, and +then present him for Confirmation at the hands of the Bishop of +Birmingham. + +This affords another illustration of the wonderful working of a man's +mind who comes face to face with Eternity and the reality of God. Some +men at home will possibly be inclined to sneer at such a condition of +mind, but those of us who have been through it know full well the +emptiness of such home-bred objections, which certainly do not hold amid +the issues of life and death which are found at the Front. + +I have met many friends at the Base, both among officers and men. It is +a pleasing duty to record the gratitude I owe to those in command for +their invariable courtesy to me, in the prosecution of my work, and the +splendid personal support rendered to me. The personal influence of the +officers goes far in securing the sympathy of the men. + +I have never had more attentive congregations than those which have +formed the various Church Parades and voluntary gatherings which fell +to my lot to conduct whilst working at the Base. + +On one occasion it fell to me to conduct a 'Quiet Day' for Chaplains, +Hospital Nurses and Orderlies, and responsible though the work was, we +felt it to be a great lift up, coming as it did amid the stress of a +very arduous life. + +I frequently had the experience of visiting the different sections of +the Front, and on two occasions in particular gave addresses to +gatherings of chaplains, drawn from various Divisions. Those were unique +occasions, for one felt the tremendous responsibility of trying to help +men engaged in such important work. I knew that I was addressing heroes +without exception, men who were daily counting their lives cheap for +Christ's sake. + +A most interesting experience befell me on June 18. With a brother +chaplain I was visiting in the neighbourhood of Ypres, when ascending a +small hill from which one could survey the whole line of trenches, +extending from Zonnebec to Ploegstreete, we passed by some reserve +trenches in which were a considerable number of men, resting from their +duties in the front line trenches. I had taken with me in the car a +large number of packets of cigarettes, generously sent out by my +parishioners, and on asking the lads if they wanted any, I speedily +found myself at the head of a great following, like the Pied Piper of +Hamelin. The men streamed after me in hundreds down to the lane some +distance off, where the car was waiting. It did not take many minutes to +hand out a big supply of smokes. While thus engaged, a sergeant made +himself known to me as having heard me give an address down at the Base, +and with considerable _naïveté_ he said, 'Cannot you give us a talk +here, sir?' Of course I could! and in less than five minutes there were +hundreds of men most picturesquely grouped on the hillside. It was +touching to see their faces as I spoke to them of 'the greatest thing in +the world,' the Love of God in Christ Jesus; and as I built up my +argument of the Divine love by means of the illustration of the love of +home, many a clear eye glistened. As I closed, I pointed out to them the +unique occasion of our meeting, June 18, 1915, therefore the centenary +of the Battle of Waterloo. There we were actually on Belgian soil, +almost within gun-sound of the celebrated battle-field itself. As we +sang the National Anthem I felt that never had I heard it sung in so +inspiriting a manner; and when I called for three cheers for the King, +the Germans in their front line trenches,--which were certainly within +earshot,--must have imagined an attack in force was about to take place. +Such desultory gatherings go far to cheer a padré's heart as he proceeds +on the daily round and common task. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A CLOSING WORD + +[_Kindly written by_ Colonel E.G.F. MACPHERSON, _Senior Chaplain to the +Forces_ (_Church of England_).] + + +The completion of Mr. Kennedy's account of his work at Boulogne was not +finished ere he entered into his rest. As the senior under whom he +served during the latter part of his term with the Expeditionary Force, +I have been asked to add a few concluding remarks, relative to his +labours from the period his own narrative ends. + +Part of Mr. Kennedy's sphere of work lay just outside the Base at a +certain place. Here was erected a camp of wooden huts, occupied by a +considerable number of A.S.C. Dock Labourers. In this camp there was no +building where the troops could pass a pleasant and innocent evening, +nor was there a church within reasonable distance of the place. This, of +course, was naturally a great disadvantage to any chaplain in his +endeavours to get a hold upon the men. Mr. Kennedy felt the need; with +him to think was to act. + +He came to me and requested that I should write a letter to him, asking +him (as he was going immediately on short leave to England) to do what +he could to influence friends at home to supply what we both recognized +was a crying need. + +Although Mr. Kennedy was only away about a week, he returned with +between two or three hundred pounds, to start the erection of a Hut for +recreational and religious purposes. + +The next thing to do was to obtain a suitable site, preferably in the +midst of the camp. + +Mr. Kennedy obtained the consent of the Base Commandant, and that of +the officer commanding the camp; the latter especially rendering all +the assistance in his power--particularly in obtaining for us the +services of a competent architect. + +Plans were drawn up and approved by me. It was found that the expenses +of the Church Hut would be considerably more than was at first +contemplated: £600, not £400 as we thought. Mr. Kennedy appealed once +more to his friends and to the readers of certain religious papers. +Pecuniary assistance flowed rapidly in, and we were soon assured of +enough money to build a large and commodious Church Hut. There was to be +a large hall, a coffee bar, kitchen, and some small rooms. + +Mr. Kennedy, in spite of much other work in which he was engaged, found +time to constantly trudge to and fro to the camp, watching, with zealous +care, the erection of the Hut. No less keen and interested spectators +were the A.S.C. men themselves, for it meant a great deal to +them--somewhere to go to when work was done, somewhere to pass an hour +or so. + +Mr. Kennedy's idea was to supply wholesome refreshment, daily papers and +magazines, and games to play. This during the week. + +On Sundays the place was to be 'rigged,' as sailors call it, as a +church. It was to be used also for Bible Classes and Instructions. + +In wonderfully quick time the Hut was built, and duly opened. This +latter event happened after I was called home on special duty. + +Needless to say the Hut has been greatly used, both from a social and +religious point of view; and has been directly and indirectly the means +of much good being done. It is another monument to the life's work of a +noble soul. + + + +Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner, Frome and London. + + * * * * * + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Typographical errors corrected in text: | + | | + | Page 20: vessel replaced with vessels | + | Page 178: Amy replaced with Army | + | | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With The Immortal Seventh Division, by +E. J. Kennedy and the Lord Bishop of Winchester + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE IMMORTAL SEVENTH DIVISION *** + +***** This file should be named 19339-8.txt or 19339-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/3/3/19339/ + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The 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. 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Kennedy. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .5em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .5em; + text-indent: 1em; + } + H1 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */ + } + H5,H6 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */ + } + H2 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* centered and coloured */ + } + H3 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* centered and coloured */ + } + H4 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + a {text-decoration: none} /* no lines under links */ + div.centered {text-align: center;} /* work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 1 */ + div.centered table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;} /* work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 2 */ + ul {list-style-type: none} /* no bullets on lists */ + li {margin-top: .15em; margin-bottom: .15em;} /* spacing for list */ + + .cen {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} /* centering paragraphs */ + .sc {font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 95%;} /* small caps, normal size */ + .fakesc {font-size: 80%;} /* small size, all caps (fake small caps) */ + .noin {text-indent: 0em;} /* no indenting */ + .block {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} /* block indent */ + .block2 {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} /* block indent */ + .block3 {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} /* block indent */ + .right {text-align: right; padding-right: 2em;} /* right aligning paragraphs */ + .hang {text-indent: -2em;} /* hanging indents */ + .totoc {position: absolute; right: 2%; font-size: 75%; text-align: right;} /* Table of contents anchor */ + .tdr {text-align: right;} /* right align cell */ + .tdc {text-align: center;} /* center align cell */ + .tdl {text-align: left;} /* left align cell */ + .tdlp {text-align: left; padding-left: 5em; padding-top: .5em;} /* left align cell, with 5em left padding */ + .tdlsc {text-align: left; font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 95%;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */ + .tdrsc {text-align: right; font-variant: small-caps;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */ + .tdcsc {text-align: center; font-variant: small-caps;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */ + .tr {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; margin-top: 5%; margin-bottom: 5%; padding: 1em; background-color: #f6f2f2; color: black; border: dotted black 1px;} /* transcriber's notes */ + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; right: 2%; + font-size: 75%; + color: silver; + background-color: inherit; + text-align: right; + text-indent: 0em; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal;} /* page numbers */ + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 90%;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: text-top; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left: 25%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i8 {display: block; margin-left: 8em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + .poem span.pn { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; right: 2%; + font-size: 75%; + text-align: right; + text-indent: 0em; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + color: silver; background-color: inherit; + font-variant: normal;} /* page numbers in poems */ + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of With The Immortal Seventh Division, by +E. J. Kennedy and the Lord Bishop of Winchester + +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: With The Immortal Seventh Division + +Author: E. J. Kennedy and the Lord Bishop of Winchester + +Release Date: September 20, 2006 [EBook #19339] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE IMMORTAL SEVENTH DIVISION *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen" style="font-weight: bold;">Transcriber's Note:</p> +<br /> +<p class="noin">Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been preserved.</p> +<p class="noin">A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected in this text.<br /> +For a complete list, please see the <a href="#TN">end of this document</a>.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<h1>WITH THE IMMORTAL<br /> +SEVENTH DIVISION</h1> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h5 style="margin-bottom: -1px;">By the Rev.</h5> +<h2 style="margin-top: -1px; margin-bottom: -1px">E.J. KENNEDY</h2> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1px;">Chaplain Major to The Expeditionary Force.</h4> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h5 style="margin-bottom: -1px;">With a Preface by the Right Reverend the</h5> +<h3 style="margin-top: -1px;">LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h5>HODDER AND STOUGHTON<br /> +LONDON NEW YORK TORONTO<br /> +MCMXVI</h5> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + +<h4>TO<br /> +MY WIFE<br /> +AND<br /> +HELP-MATE OF MANY YEARS.</h4> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span><br /> + +<h3><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>This little record bears the impress of the character of its +writer—simple, manly, open-hearted towards man, and devout towards God.</p> + +<p>I have read a great part of it with keen interest. Written without +strain, from fresh personal experience, and with great sympathy for the +officers and men of our Army, it gives a very lively picture of a +chaplain's work at the Front, and the scenes and conditions under which +it is done.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kennedy's commanding stature, and fine physical manhood, gave him +advantages which his fine character and genial nature used, by God's +grace, to the best effect.</p> + +<p>Having known him, and admired him from the time when I admitted him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> +Priest's Orders in South London, down to the day when at my request he +addressed our Diocesan Conference upon the challenge given to the Church +by the war, and the claims and needs of the men of our Army returning +from the Front,—a subject on which he glowed with eagerness,—it is a +happiness to me to bespeak for his words an attention which will +certainly be its own reward.</p> + +<p>I trust the book may do a little to lessen the loss which (to human +vision) the best interests of our country and her people have suffered +by his early and unexpected death.</p> + +<p class="right">EDW. WINTON.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Farnham Castle,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>November, 1915.</i></span></p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>EDITOR'S NOTE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Chaplain Major E.J. Kennedy, the writer of this little book, returned to +his parish of St. John the Evangelist, Boscombe, in September 1915, +having completed his year's service with the Expeditionary Force. Fired +with a deep sense of the need of rousing the Home Church and Land to a +clearer realization of the spiritual needs of 'Our Men' and armed with +the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the approval and +consent of his Diocesan, he determined to spend a certain amount of his +time in the strenuous work of lecturing up and down the country, in +addition to his many parochial duties. Immediately on his return he +plunged into this work, without taking any rest after his arduous +labours at the Front. On Tuesday, October 19, he was lecturing in +Liverpool and Birkenhead. On Wednesday he was taken ill, and on Thursday +he returned home. On the following Monday he succumbed to the disease +which doubtless he contracted at the Front.</p> + +<p>In the passing of Major Kennedy the Church and Nation have lost a man +who could ill be spared. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span>So simple in his faith, so fearless and +powerful in his preaching, he was a man who wielded an influence almost +unique in this country. Those who have been benefited by his ministry +are not counted by hundreds but by tens of hundreds. His influence with +the men at the Front was extraordinary. A soldier writes, 'I was awfully +sorry to hear of Mr. Kennedy's death. It came so sudden too. I expect he +would not wish for a better death than dying practically in his +country's cause. He will be greatly missed, his place will not be easily +filled. Unfortunately there are not many men of his stamp in the world. +He was "white" all through, a thing as rare as it is valuable. He was a +real manly Christian gentleman.' This letter is typical of hundreds +which have been received from all parts of the world, including the +Front, so wide and far reaching was the sweep of his influence.</p> + +<p>Of him it may be truly said, 'He was God's man.' Many in all schools of +thought and walks of life, as they think of him to-day will +unconsciously say to themselves what the poet has expressed—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"This is the happy warrior, this is he<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whom every man in arms should wish to be."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Well done! thou good and faithful servant.</p> + +<p class="right">J.H.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="toc" id="toc"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<br /> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="50%" summary="Table of Contents"> + <tr> + <td width="80%"> </td> + <td class="tdrsc" width="20%"><span style="font-size: 90%;">Page</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER I.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">The Seventh Division</a></td> + <td class="tdr">3</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER II</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">The Trek through Belgium</a></td> + <td class="tdr">27</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER III</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">The Welcome of a People</a></td> + <td class="tdr">69</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER IV</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">A Chapter of Incidents</a></td> + <td class="tdr">79</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span>CHAPTER V</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">The First Battle of Ypres</a></td> + <td class="tdr">99</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Concerning Officers and Men</a></td> + <td class="tdr">121</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">The Work of a Chaplain in the Field</a></td> + <td class="tdr">139</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">The Care of the Wounded</a></td> + <td class="tdr">159</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER IX</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Work at the Base</a></td> + <td class="tdr">177</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp" colspan="2">CHAPTER X</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">A Closing Word</a></td> + <td class="tdr">195</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>THE SEVENTH DIVISION</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER I<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>THE SEVENTH DIVISION</h3> +<br /> + +<p>'A telegram, sir!' and a mounted orderly who had ridden over from +Larkhill, stood outside my tent at the Bustard's Camp, Salisbury Plain, +at 5 a.m., on September 17, 1914.</p> + +<p>In that remote part of the world so removed from the benefits of +ordinary life, we were yet in receipt of our daily papers at that early +hour in the morning, and I was enjoying a twenty-four hours' history of +the world, at the moderate price of a penny, when the brief tones of the +orderly aroused me from its perusal. Its contents were startling: 'You +have been selected for immediate foreign service. Report yourself early +to-morrow morning at the War Office.' <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>For some days past I had been +doing duty with my Territorial Battalion, the 7th Hants; but daily I had +been hoping that I might be able to throw in my lot with the great mass +of men, who had volunteered at the call of King and country.</p> + +<p>During the month of August I had been shut up at the Riffel Alp with +some seventy other unfortunates; kicking our heels in enforced ignorance +when we would fain have been near the centre of information, if not of +service. Unable to travel owing to the railways of Switzerland and +France being required for the mobilization of troops, we could only +possess our souls in patience. It was a time never to be forgotten, for +although our English blood was stirred by the rumours that reached us of +an expeditionary force being landed in France, under General Sir John +French, and of even greater significance, the mobilization of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>English Fleet, yet our only source of information was derived from the +Corriere della Sera, the communiqués of which were supplied by the Wolff +Agency. Our state of mind can be readily imagined when I mention such +points of <i>reliable</i> news as the 'Destruction of the English Fleet; +Death of Sir John French; Invasion of England; London taken; Bank of +England in flames.' Of course we knew that this was false, and yet there +was no possibility of rebutting the statements.</p> + +<p>For nearly a month we alternated between hope and fear. The effect of +the bright Swiss sunshine would at times render us optimistic, and then +the fall of night would once more see us plunged into the depths of a +helpless pessimism. However, the time came when the little English +colony struggled through the difficulties of railway transport, and +arrived once more in the region of authentic information. The journey +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>home, which occupied three days, was full of interest, for France was +throbbing with 'la guerre' and 'la gloire'; train after train with +troops bound for the Front, swept by us; while at Lyons we encountered +an ambulance train full of wounded, and another of German prisoners. My +party had the advantage of travelling with the wife and son of a Cabinet +Minister, and through Sir E. Grey's kind solicitude for his colleague's +people, the best possible accommodation was provided for us, but even +that powerful interest was not always sufficient to prevent delay and +discomfort. On reaching Creil, the junction for Belgium, we found the +station full of English troops in their retreat from Mons, and many were +the stirring stories gathered from our retiring, but not disheartened +men. The spirit of the French troops much impressed us; unaccompanied, +my ladies went among them with confidence, and on every hand were +treated with the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>consideration of gentlemen. I remarked on this to a +French gentleman who was travelling with us, and he said with warranted +pride, 'But they are gentlemen, monsieur.' Some of the wounded French +took the greatest interest in describing to us the circumstances under +which they had been hit,—some, as the manner of soldiers is, displayed +the bullet or piece of shrapnel which had laid them low.</p> + +<p>Nearly all the troop trains going to the Front were decorated with +flowers and evergreens, whilst the stations and villages were alive with +enthusiastic people assembled to cheer their men onward to their +glorious and dangerous task.</p> + +<p>It was with thankful hearts and very travel-stained persons that we +finally reached home, heartily agreeing after our exciting experiences +that a little goes a long way.</p> + +<p>I had at the earliest moment possible volunteered my services to the +Army <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>Chaplains Department, but was informed that there was no prospect +at that time of my being called upon; accordingly I joined my +Territorial Battalion, under Colonel Park, and was awaiting a summons to +service, here, there, or anywhere, when, as I have described, the call +came. I have often wondered why the War Office always springs upon one +with such alarming suddenness; possibly it is the way of the Army; it is +certainly disconcerting, although it is educational, for it teaches one +to be always ready and alert for any emergency.</p> + +<p>And now the order had come, and there was hurrying to and fro; a rapid +dash home; a putting together of kit which would be required in the +unknown life about to be entered upon. A last night at home; and then +the reporting of oneself at the War Office; the signing of a contract +for twelve months' service; a medical examination as to physical +fitness; an hour or two's shopping at <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>Harrods (where one developed a +tendency to think of everything not wanted, and to forget what was +really useful); and finally Waterloo Station, that scene of many +farewells. 'Good-bye' has so many significations. It may be uttered at +the parting for a couple of hours; it may be uttered, and often is, in +these days as the final word on earth to much loved ones. Oh, these +partings! how they pull a man's heart to pieces; and yet, with that +remarkable insularity which characterizes our race,—or should I say +races—it is one of the things seldom or never mentioned among men on +service; and yet I suppose it is always uppermost in a man's mind. Again +and and again I have lit upon men in out of the way corners, reading a +well worn letter, or perchance gazing at a photograph, every facial +lineament of which was already well stamped upon the mind of the gazer. +It is one of the mental attitudes which go to form a spirit of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>comradeship; the feeling that it is all part of the game, and we are +most of us tarred with the same brush.</p> + +<p>I had received my orders at the War Office, to join the Seventh Division +then mobilizing at Lyndhurst.</p> + +<p>The Seventh Division! that meant very little to me, and indeed to the +public generally at that time, but what it signified to the nation will +be more fully appreciated when the history of this war is written.</p> + +<p>It may be interesting to give particulars of the composition of that, +which I believe is the first Division ever to march out of an English +camp fully equipped.</p> + +<p>Under the command of Major-General T. Capper, C.B., D.S.O.,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> now Sir +Thomson Capper, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., it represented the very flower +of our Army, possessing a Staff of most capable officers.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>It consisted of:—</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 2em;" class="noin">Divisional Signal Company;<br /> + Divisional Mounted troops;<br /> + Northumberland Hussars;<br /> + Cycle Company;<br /> + Four Brigades of Artillery (R.H.A., R.F.A., R.G.A.);<br /> + Two Batteries R.G.A.;<br /> + Divisional Ammunition Column;<br /> + Divisional Engineers, two Field Companies;<br /> + 20th Infantry Brigade,—<br /> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brig.-General H.G. Ruggles Brise, M.V.O.;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brigade-Major A.B.E. Cator.</span></p> + +<p style="margin-left: 2em;" class="noin">2nd Scots Guards;<br /> + 1st Grenadier Guards;<br /> + 2nd Border Regiment;<br /> + 2nd Gordon Highlanders;<br /> + 21st Infantry Brigade,—<br /> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brig. H.E. Watts, C.B.;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brigade-Major Captain W. Drysdale.</span><br /> + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>2nd Bedford Regiment;<br /> + 2nd Yorks;<br /> + 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers;<br /> + 2nd Wiltshire Regiment;<br /> + 22nd Infantry Brigade—<br /> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brig. S.T.B. Lawford;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brigade-Major Captain G.M. James, The Buffs.</span></p> + +<p style="margin-left: 2em;" class="noin">2nd The Queens;<br /> + 2nd Royal Warwick Regiment;<br /> + 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers;<br /> + 1st South Staffs Regiment.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 2em;" class="noin">Divisional Train;<br /> + Four Companies Divisional Medical Units;<br /> + 21st Field Ambulance;<br /> + 22nd Field Ambulance<br /> + 23rd Field Ambulance</p> + +<p>The mobilization of a Division for Active Service is a vast business; +everything has to be thought of and provided; there must be a thorough +equipment <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>for the men, horses, and transport; medical stores, saddlery, +farriery, etc., etc., not a thing must be forgotten, for in those early +days of the war there was no well-equipped Ordnance Department on the +other side. Each Field Ambulance is a dispensary on wheels, comprising +the hundred and one field comforts which warfare rightly provides for +the lamentable wrecks that pass through the hands of the R.A.M.C.</p> + +<p>The question of horses is no slight undertaking, and certainly gives +rise to no little heartburning, as every mounted officer naturally tries +to secure a good mount. To me it was a specially serious matter; when a +man walks 15.8 and rides another two stone at least, considerable care +has to be exercised in the selection of his equine friend, who has to +bear with him the fatigues, trials and risks of a campaign. I shall ever +feel the deepest obligation to Captain Kennedy Shaw, O.C., Remounts +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>Department, Salisbury, for supplying me with one of the best horses I +have ever ridden; a big upstanding bay, with black points; deep chested; +good quarters; with the most perfect manners, even under the heaviest +fire, which could be desired. Strangely enough his name (which was tied +to his halter) was 'Ora Pro Nobis,' a not inapt cognomen for a padré's +horse. He must have come out of a good stable, and I often felt that +someone must have hoped that he would fall into good hands. Should this +by any chance be read by the owner, let me say that both my groom and I +took the greatest care of my good steed until the day when German +shrapnel ushered him into 'the eternal hayfield.'</p> + +<p>They were happy days at Lyndhurst, where the Division remained for a +fortnight. The future stress of awful losses was only a bare possibility +then, although it was on the horizon of many men's hearts; but at the +time it was ignored, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>for many of the officers had their women folk +staying, either in the village, or near at hand; and the lawn of the +'Crown,' the Divisional Head-quarters, was a bright and happy centre of +pleasurable intercourse.</p> + +<p>It was a strange experience to be ushered into the very vortex of a +soldier's life, although my experience of military camp life was not a +new one; in far back years happy service in a kilted regiment had left a +mark which time has not effaced.</p> + +<p>A very cordial reception from General Capper set me at my ease; whilst +Brig.-General Ruggles Brise, to whose Brigade I was attached, and to +whose kindness and courtesy I owe much, assured me of the good will of +the powers that be. The General posted me to the 20th Brigade—a noble +appointment indeed; for such troops as the Grenadier Guards, Scots +Guards, Gordon Highlanders and Border Regiment were good enough for any +man.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>The Parade Services I held while at Lyndhurst were an inspiration. The +prayer card issued by the Chaplain-General was greatly appreciated by +officers and men. I arranged for the distribution of 15,000 of them in +the Division, and they were eagerly accepted by all from the Generals +downwards. On many an occasion in the after days I came across these +cards tucked away in the lining of the caps of dead and wounded men. +Nothing can exceed the beautiful simplicity of the prayer, a copy of +which I venture to insert:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2 sc">A Soldier's Prayer.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Almighty and most Merciful Father,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Forgive me my sins:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Grant me thy peace:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Give me thy power:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bless me in life and death,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For Jesus Christ's sake.<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Amen.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="block2"><p class="cen">(On the reverse side.)</p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> + +<p>Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy +kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. +Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our +trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And +lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For +thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and +ever.</p> + +<p class="right">Amen.</p> +</div> + +<p>The other Chaplains of the Division were:—</p> + +<div class="block"><p>Church of England: The Rev. Hon. T. George Maurice Peel, 21st +Brigade.</p> + +<p>Presbyterian: The Rev. W. Stevenson Jaffray.</p> + +<p>Roman Catholic: The Rev. Father Moth.</p></div> + +<br /> + +<p>It was on October 4 when my wife, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>daughter and myself were about to +take tea with Captain Douglas of the Staff—alas! now dead—and his +wife, that he hurriedly rode out of the 'Crown' saying, 'The order has +come to stand by.' The news was welcome, for we were growing weary of +waiting. Immediately the troops began to move off; the unit to which I +was attached—23rd Field Ambulance which served the 20th Brigade—left +at 2.45 a.m., reaching Southampton about six. It is of interest to note +that a Division of troops of over 15,000 men makes a brave show upon the +road, its length from the van to the rear being not less than twelve +miles.</p> + +<p>Apparently the cheering folk along the road passed a sleepless night, +for at every hamlet and village people lined the road, waving us their +farewells; and from many a cottage window kindly faces could be seen +silhouetted against the light of the room, cheering us onward with +hearty words.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>The embarkation at Southampton was a busy scene, and took many hours to +accomplish, but finally fourteen huge transports got under way, and +steamed up Channel for Dover. There we 'stood off and on' until 9 p.m. +on October 6, when picking up our pilot we steamed out into the Down in +the quiet of the autumn night.</p> + +<p>The names of the officers who composed the mess of the 23rd Field +Ambulance were: Major Crawford (now Lieut.-Colonel), Major Brown, +Captain Wright, Lieut. McCutcheon, Lieut. Mackay, Lieut. Hart, Lieut. +Priestly, Lieut. Wedd, Lieut. Beaumont, Lieut. Jackson (quartermaster), +Col. the Rev. W. Stevenson Jaffray, and the writer; on the whole a very +cheery, hard-working set of officers, whose work met with high +appreciation of Head-quarters, in due course.</p> + +<p>Many conjectures were on foot as to our destination, but when we found +the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>course was north-east, we knew that France was out of the question, +and Belgium loomed large in our imagination.</p> + +<p>The scene was an eerie one as the black hulls of the vessels moved +quietly over the placid sea, with a protective squadron of torpedo +destroyers surrounding us. It was sufficiently risky to give a piquance +to the experience.</p> + +<p>The Admiralty had laid mines from the Goodwin Sands to the Belgium +coast, and it was a remarkable feat of pilotage which took the whole +fleet through this mine zone in safety to its destination. The naval +officer who acted as pilot to the <i>Victorian</i>, on which I was aboard, +informed me the next morning that it had been the most anxious night of +his life, and I can well understand it, for the responsibility upon a +man, under such circumstances, was a heavy one.</p> + +<p>Coming on deck in the early hours of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>the following morning I saw the +low-lying Belgium coast bathed in sunlight; Zeebrugge lying a couple of +miles to the east. It was with a very thankful heart that I realized +that the first risky stage of our movement towards the Front was over.</p> + +<p>In due course we warped in alongside of the massive Mole at Zeebrugge; +and admired the huge proportions of a quay, which I understood had been +built by the Germans. Large as it was, there was not sufficient room for +all the fleet of transports, so half the Division landed at Ostend and +joined us later.</p> + +<p>The landing scene was stirring, and full of interest. All sorts of +troops were mixed together in apparently inextricable confusion; +Guardsmen, Highlanders, Linesmen, Sappers, Gunners, Cavalry and the +ubiquitous A.S.C. were moving about in the keen delight of being on the +soil that they had come to free from the oppressor; but the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>miracle of +military order and discipline soon evolved order out of chaos; and the +whole column moved off for its nine or ten mile trek to Bruges.</p> + +<p>With elastic step and cheery voice the men swung along to the inspiring +strains of 'Tipperary.' The road was typical of Belgium; the long avenue +of poplar trees, flanked by broad ditches, being the distinguishing +feature of this and most Belgium roads (the centre being composed of +cobbles, with macadam tracks on either side). Every one felt keen, and +the horses, fresh from forty-eight hours' confinement in their very +close quarters between decks, enjoyed the freedom as much as the men.</p> + +<p>On reaching Bruges, which was in total darkness, owing to the fear of +enemy aeroplanes, we received our instructions to proceed to an outlying +suburb of the city; and presently drew up in a field, bounded by houses +of the humbler description. The early morning was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>distinctly autumnal, +and a ration of biscuit, bully beef and steaming hot tea was not to be +despised. Late though it was, many people were about, occupying +themselves by gazing, half in wonderment and half in admiration, at the +first visit of khaki to their neighbourhood.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> This brilliant officer was killed in action at the end of +September, 1915.</p></div> + +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>THE TREK THROUGH BELGIUM</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER II<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>THE TREK THROUGH BELGIUM</h3> +<br /> + +<p>My first experience of billeting was sufficient to prove the very +arbitrary character of the whole proceeding. Imagine some one hundred +and fifty men, and twelve officers, suddenly appearing in a small +outlying street of the far-famed Belgian city, at the untimely hour of 4 +a.m., and all clamouring for a night's lodging. To begin with, it was +not an easy matter to arouse the slumbering people; and the billeting +party had to wait long before each door, ere slippered feet were heard +along passages, and drowsy voices inquired suspiciously as to our +business; then appeared more or less clad figures, who gazed anxiously +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>at the cloaked men standing at the door (for the Germans lay at the back +of every mind). However, the talismanic charm of 'Englishmen' did +wonders. It was 4.30 a.m. before I tumbled into an extremely comfortable +bed, and had barely laid my head upon the pillow—so it seemed—when a +great knocking at the door aroused me with a start from vivid dreams of +home, as an orderly entered the room with the alarming statement that +the column was moving off in ten minutes. It was seven o'clock, and I +felt inclined for another twelve hours in bed; there were no ablutions +that morning. A flying leap into my clothes; a most indiscriminate +packing of my valise, which I left my servant struggling with, in an +inexperienced attempt to roll it up correctly, and I swallowed a cup of +coffee which my kind hostess had provided for me (why is coffee always +so hot when one is in a hurry?), and I mounted my horse in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>the nick of +time to fall in with my column as it moved off.</p> + +<p>It was a long weary march over a very flat country, intersected with +dykes, and only broken by the ubiquitous poplar trees; and one had ample +time to think, and sometimes doze, as we marched along on our +twenty-five mile trek. At the midday halt, a little diversion enlivened +the proceedings in the shape of pulling two bogged horses out of a +narrow cut where they had been 'watered.' We managed with the help of +ropes and planks to get the poor brutes on to terra firma again, more +dead than alive.</p> + +<p>Then on and on, hour after hour, halting ten minutes each hour for a +needed breather and rest, until Ostend hove in sight. Visions of a +comfortable billet rose before one's luxurious mind, but no such luck; +right through the city we marched, finding the station square crammed +with terror-stricken and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>most wretched-looking refugees; until, some +four miles out, we lighted upon the most filthy and forsaken place to be +found on the map of civilization—Steene. The houses were so vile and +malodorous, that it was with great reluctance the O.C. allowed the men +to enter. By this time it was very dark and very cold, and it was with +purely animal instinct that we found the way to our mouths in the +darkness, and tried to make believe that we enjoyed the biscuit and +bully beef which formed our rations.</p> + +<p>Then came the somewhat important question of where to sleep. I deemed +myself among the fortunate in securing a stretcher, and dossed in a +transport wagon; a tired man might have a worse bed than that, and I +slept the sleep of the weary and, as I would fain hope, of the +righteous.</p> + +<p>The following morning, as it seemed likely that we should remain at +Steene <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>for at least another day, I cast round for something more +comfortable in the way of a billet, and had secured three rooms at the +worthy Burgomaster's for the O.C., Mr. Jaffray and myself, and was about +to enjoy a more or less comfortable tea in the open, when an orderly +rode up with orders to trek back to Bruges.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the camp was struck, and once more we moved on. I felt +that I could enter into the spirit of the well-known refrain—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The brave old Duke of York,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">He had ten thousand men.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He marched them up to the top of a hill,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And he marched them down again.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when they were up, they were up;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And when they were down, they were down:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when they were half-way up the hill,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">They were neither up or down.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As we retraced our steps through Ostend, we found a large and acclaiming +crowd lining the route. As I rode just <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>behind the Gordons, who were +marching with their usual swinging step, I was amused to hear a Belgian +woman ask her friend, 'And who are those?' pointing to the Highlanders. +'Oh,' was the reply, 'those are the wives of the English soldiers.' The +gay Gordons were greatly incensed on my setting before them their new +status.</p> + +<p>In the centre of the city I came across my friend Peel (padré of the +22nd Brigade; he has since won a military cross, and gained the +universal love of his men by his gallant conduct and splendid ministry). +He had somehow or other lost his Brigade, and being thus stranded, had +slung his batman up behind him on his horse and was proceeding with +unruffled dignity in the direction of the line of march.</p> + +<p>It was late at night and raining as it seldom rains in dear old England, +when we splashed ankle deep in water, over the cobbled streets of +Bruges, the stones <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>being too slippery to permit of riding. Hungry and +tired we slouched along, until we came to the Monastery of St. Xavier, +at St. Michel, some two miles out of the city. Never shall I forget the +kindness extended to us by the lay brothers; especially one, Brother +Sylvester. I hope if these lines should ever reach his eye, that he will +accept the grateful thanks of those who benefited by the charitable +goodness of the Order, and especially his own.</p> + +<p>The men were speedily billeted in sweet straw, laid down in the upper +dormitories of the building; whilst the hundred and twenty horses were +stalled in the spacious stables; and beds provided for the officers in +the dormitories. But what was better still, after the men had been +attended to (and this is the invariable rule, men first) we regaled +ourselves upon tea and bread and butter in the bakehouse, where, in +front of the huge fire, we toasted our benumbed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>extremities and dried +our sodden clothing. After such a night's rest, as only comes to +fagged-out men, we awoke to a golden-tinted autumn morning, which +brought to us the joy of living; and once more we felt ready for the +onward trek. I have since learned that the Division was originally +destined to relieve Antwerp, but the sudden fall of the city set the +enemy free to march on Calais; and so the Seventh Division, with the +Third Cavalry Division, under Sir Julian Byng, the whole commanded by +Sir Henry Rawlinson, was sent post haste to intercept his advance in the +neighbourhood of Ypres. And thus the small force of under thirty +thousand men pressed on to the heroic task of holding up the main body +of the enemy; not less than two hundred and forty thousand men.</p> + +<p>Later on I shall have something to say about the prolonged encounter +which is historically known as the 'first battle <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>of Ypres.' But +meantime it may be of interest to my readers to give an outline of our +rapid trek through Belgium.</p> + +<p>Leaving our hospitable quarters at Bruges, the column, which seemed +interminable, marched to Beernem. At this place I was fortunate enough, +with my brother chaplain, Mr. Jaffray, through the forethought of Mr. +Peel, to secure a bed. The accommodation was rough, and the little +estaminet was crowded with officers, who were only too thankful to sleep +on any floor where there was a chance of putting down a valise. I +particularly remember this billet, for I thought that I had a chance of +distinguishing myself by capturing a spy. Orders had been issued, +stating that a certain 'Captain Walker,' posing as a R.A.M.C. officer, +was visiting our troops, and picking up stray crumbs of information; +should such a person be encountered he was to be immediately arrested. I +had just turned in, when amid the babel <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>of conversation which came from +downstairs, I caught the name 'Walker.' Slipping quietly down the ladder +which served as a staircase, I listened for a moment or two at the door, +and from what I heard, gathered that I had spotted my man; and suddenly +appearing as an apparition in pyjamas, I inquired in somewhat stentorian +tones which was Captain Walker? A rosy-cheeked subaltern somewhat +sheepishly admitted that he was Lieut. Walker, and I found my hopes +dashed to the ground. This was not my only encounter with spies, +supposed or real, of which more anon.</p> + +<p>A morning stay at Beernem enabled me to improvise a Parade Service, it +being Sunday; which was apparently heartily joined in by those +attending. The opportunities for such work by chaplains on the trek are +few and far between, and it is a question of</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Seizing the current when it serves,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or losing our ventures.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>Leaving Beernem, our route led us through Wynghene. It was here I seized +the opportunity of displaying my undoubted ability as mess president, to +which post I had been appointed. At the midday halt in this village, I +was anxiously looking about for bread, eggs, vegetables or any other +commodity which would embellish the festal board of the mess, and thus +win the gratitude of my always hungry brother officers, when, through an +open door, I caught sight of fowls in a backyard. I promptly jumped off +my horse, and entered into negotiations with the owners of the chicken +run, which speedily resulted in the decapitated corpses of three plump +fowls being slung from my saddle. Amid the envy of the column, I proudly +rode down to the transport of my unit with my spoil, the result being +that in a short time not a fowl remained alive in the village; and that +night every mess was redolent with the delicious scent of roast fowl.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>Our next billet was at Eeghem, where a stone kitchen floor was the +utmost we could secure for the officers, after having bedded the men in +barns on luxurious beds of sweet straw. In the early morning, in company +with Mr. Peel, I enjoyed a brief stroll in the neighbourhood. In the +course of our walk we passed one of those small wayside chapels, which +are dotted here and there all over Belgium; not larger than some eight +feet square, it offered all the facilities that we needed for prayer and +quiet thought.</p> + +<p>As we approached Roulers, we found the town alive with people who had +assembled to welcome that which they regarded as an army of deliverance +from the dreaded Germans.</p> + +<p>After billeting the officers with considerable difficulty—for naturally +people at times resented the intrusion of hungry and travel-stained men +into their spic and span houses—I secured a most comfortable room for +myself in the house <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>of an old widow lady; one of those charming old +world persons who are occasionally met with on life's journey, and who, +by their innate courtesy and sympathy, accentuate the oneness of the +human family. When a country is under martial law one cannot, of course, +take 'no' for an answer in applying for a billet, and therefore, in the +case of Belgium, one made the demand with the authority of 'in the +king's name,' which invariably brought about the desired result. My dear +old hostess could not do enough for me; with quavering accents she +remarked, 'Thank God you English have come, for now we feel safe.' I +must confess I felt very much of a hypocrite, for I knew that the enemy +was pursuing us in hot haste. Indeed, a few hours afterwards they +marched into the city, which they have held ever since.</p> + +<p>As we pressed on to Ypres, via Zonnebec, our route ran alongside of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>railway, and it was a stirring sight to see the naval armoured train +dash along, seeking for a pot shot at the enemy who was not far distant, +the sailors forming the crew regarding the work as a sporting venture.</p> + +<p>The first view of Ypres was glorious. As we marched through the great +square in front of the Cloth Hall, I was struck with the mediæval aspect +of the place. The gabled houses carried one's imagination into the long +ago; whilst the glorious Cloth Hall of the eleventh century, backed up +by the equally fine cathedral of similar age, presented a picture not +easily to be forgotten. Alas! when I next saw it, the place was a heap +of crumbling ruins.</p> + +<p>The Germans had passed through the city four days before we arrived; and +according to their wont, had helped themselves very liberally to what +they fancied. Many of the shopkeepers were loud in their complaints of +the shameful <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>manner in which they had been robbed.</p> + +<p>I was able to secure most excellent billets for the mess in the house of +Monsieur and Madame Angillis. These good people were in a state of +considerable fear, for, not only had they two sons fighting in the +Belgian army, one of whom had been wounded, but as the owners of +considerable property in the city and the neighbourhood, they were +anxious as to what the future would bring. Their worst fears have been +realized, and I am afraid they are among the great mass of sufferers in +unhappy Belgium. Their daughter was rendering splendid service in the +Belgian Red Cross, and proved a great help in directing me to wounded +British soldiers, who might otherwise have been lost sight of.</p> + +<p>By this time fighting was in full swing, and our men had thrown up the +first line of trenches in semi-circular form, some six or seven miles to +the east of the town.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>Very soon the wounded and German prisoners made their appearance, and +doctors and chaplains were busily engaged. Most of the prisoners had a +very scared look, for we learned afterwards that they had been told that +we cut our prisoners' throats, or shot them out of hand, and their joy +was great at finding even their personal belongings restored to them.</p> + +<p>I was much struck with the characteristic behaviour of 'Tommy Atkins' to +these men; even to the extent of sharing his rations with them, and +handing out his 'fags,' which was an act of real self-denial.</p> + +<p>I owe my grateful thanks to one Uhlan, whose saddle fell to my lot, and +which I henceforth used, and regarded as one of the most comfortable I +have ever ridden on.</p> + +<p>A singularly unfortunate case came under my notice among the first batch +of wounded brought in. An officer of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>the 'Borders' in the dead of +night, hearing as he thought a German advance, left his trench to +reconnoitre, and after a fruitless search was returning to his men in +the thick early morning mist, when a sentinel, ignorant of his having +gone out, shot him as he approached the trenches. The poor chap was +badly hit in the lungs, and made a brave struggle for life, but alas! +died a few hours afterwards.</p> + +<p>The Divisional Head-quarters being established at Ypres, my unit moved +out to its Brigade, which occupied the line of trenches in the +neighbourhood of Zandvoorde.</p> + +<p>Arriving at our position in the dusk of a quickly parting day, we found +ourselves actually posted in front of the firing line. Disagreeable as +the experience was, there was nothing for it but to stick it. In a wood +close by, the enemy had machine guns, supported by a body of Uhlans. +Disturbing sniping <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>took place at intervals through the night, which +rendered the bivouac unpleasant in the extreme. We slept on the ground +between the wagons; and under the circumstances I felt it wise to keep +as low down as possible, as 'fire' is in no sense discriminating.</p> + +<p>Our Brigade Head-quarters were at Kruiseck, to which place I rode early +one morning with our Major, to inspect farmhouses, with a view to +arranging Field Dressing Stations. Later in the day calling at +Head-quarters to inquire if there were any funerals requiring my +attention, I found the whole place in extreme excitement; Uhlans were +advancing in force. Every hedgerow and wall was lined with our men; the +scared inhabitants, utterly unnerved by shell fire, were fleeing from +the place. Their appearance was heartrending, and revealed the +unutterable horror of war as carried into the midst of a peaceful +population.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>My ride back to my unit in the gloaming was sufficiently adventurous to +please the most reckless man, owing to the proximity of the Uhlans, and +gave a zest not often met with to the three or four miles which had to +be traversed. Never did I strain my eyes more eagerly, and somewhat +after the fashion of Jehu of yore I made my way along the deserted track +into a place of comparative safety.</p> + +<p>From the neighbourhood of Zandvoorde my unit was hurriedly moved to +Gheluvelt, which was then threatened by a German force approaching from +the direction of Bercelaire.</p> + +<p>Here the whole population was in a state of indescribable anxiety and +fear, which it was impossible to remove, for the shells were more +convincing than any arguments we could bring to bear.</p> + +<p>Our Head-quarters were established at a Xaverian Brotherhood; the +superior of which—a dear old gentleman—did his utmost to ensure our +comfort. It was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>weary work hanging about all day awaiting results. +Towards evening I thought it wise to get a sleep, and so turned in about +five o'clock. During these days of constant anxiety, owing to the +proximity of the enemy, we seldom or never removed our clothes,—I had +not had mine off for over a week at that time—thus we were ready for +any emergency, at any time.</p> + +<p>From the village of Gheluvelt we moved on a mile nearer to Ypres, where +we billeted in the Chateau de Gheluvelt, from which the owner (Monsieur +Peerebone) and his family had evidently departed in great haste. Finely +situated in a well wooded park, the house was most splendidly equipped +in every respect. The pictures, statuary and furniture were in keeping +with the outward appearance of the place. It was interesting to notice +the different manner of dealing with other people's property in vogue +with the British, in contrast with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>the German method; so rigid was our +O.C. that not even a vegetable was allowed to be taken from the +well-stocked walled garden, close by the mansion; a sentry being placed +to prevent any hungry 'Tommy' gratifying his desire in that quarter.</p> + +<p>Towards evening a general engagement took place, and there was very +heavy shelling. Several shells struck the house, but none of us were +injured. On the following morning I was called to an advanced outpost of +the Scots Guards, to bury Sergeant Wilson, of Lord Esmé Gordon's +Company. On reaching the line I found the Battalion about to advance +into action in extended order, and the man had been hurriedly buried. On +my way back I joined Captain Hamilton Wedderburn, Adjutant, who had been +ordered to the rear suffering from appendicitis. I had met this +officer's father, Colonel Hamilton, who resided in my neighbourhood at +home.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>During the night several wounded men came in, and the large salon +presented a weird appearance as the doctors attended the suffering men. +No cooking was allowed, and all windows were carefully curtained, in +order not to draw the fire of the enemy, who were in very unpleasant +proximity to the house. I well remember next morning, because the +Germans had got the range to a nicety, and the otherwise enjoyable place +was rendered unbearable by the crash of shells. So unhealthy grew the +position, that the transport was moved a mile away; but we who composed +the tent section remained to deal with any men who were brought in. It +is astonishing how quickly one grows accustomed to 'fire,' and a very +short experience enabled us to go about our work, under risky +circumstances, in the most ordinary manner.</p> + +<p>The nights at this time were very dark, and at several points we could +see burning farm homesteads and villages, which to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>the thoughtful mind +denoted the awful destruction and suffering envolved by the ghastly +outrage upon humanity, being perpetrated by the enemy.</p> + +<p>We left the château very suddenly, owing to heavy shelling. Some of our +men were hit, and two of our 'mess' had horses killed under them, but +otherwise we managed to get clear from a decidedly dangerous position. +That night it was pitch dark, and we halted on the roadside, some two or +three miles west of Gheluvelt. It was pouring with rain as we ate our +meal of cold rations; we could not even enjoy a comforting smoke, as the +lighting of a match would have been certain to draw the fire of our +vigilant foe. Mr. Jaffray and I both agreed that a night's lodging in a +damp ditch was hardly consonant with our wishes, and therefore we set +out for the hamlet of Halte, where the railway crosses the road, in +hopes that we might find cover of some sort.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>Leading our horses very cautiously along the road, for sentinels were +posted in every direction, and at such 'nervy' times men frequently fire +before they challenge, we made our way to a small estaminet which we +found crammed with French soldiers. I pleaded hard for even a chair, but +the proprietor assured me of the impossibility of offering even this +very slender hospitality. I was fortunate to meet MacKenzie, the +Transport officer of the Scots Guards, who introduced me to a French +officer, who in turn interested the landlady's daughter in our forlorn +condition. This kind angel of mercy informed me that her married sister +lived at a farm near by, and she thought that there was a bedroom that +Mr. Jaffray and I might make use of. Accordingly, holding my reins in +one hand and my fair guide's hand in the other, I was led through pitch +darkness for some distance, and presently found myself in a huge Belgian +farm kitchen, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>crammed with French soldiers and smelling horribly of +garlic. Yes! the farmer could let us have his bedroom for the night, at +a small remuneration, as he and his wife had decided to stay up; +accordingly, we were shown into an exceedingly small room, some eight +feet square, in which was a bed the covering of which made one shudder +to look at; but any port in a storm; and we accordingly doubled up the +best way we could on a bed some two feet too short for us. As we vainly +tried to fall asleep, my batman suddenly turned up,—how he found our +quarters will always be a mystery to me—with the news that the column +had moved off to some place which he could not pronounce. I showed him +my map and asked him if he recognized any name in the locality, but +finding that he was as much at sea as to the destination of the unit as +I was, I determined that it was useless to attempt to explore that part +of Belgium <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>in the darkness of a soaking night; so stowing my servant +away in the corner of the kitchen, we did our best to get a few hours' +sleep. In the first grey of the dawn we arose and ate a little black +bread and very salt bacon, washed down with some execrable coffee, then +leading our horses out of the cowhouse in which we had installed them +the night before, and from which we had had to turn out a couple of very +evil-smelling beasts, we sallied forth to the apparently hopeless task +of discovering the direction in which the column had moved. One's +deductive faculty had to be drawn upon largely. Presently we found +ourselves at Zillebeke, where we were held up by the Northumberland +Hussars, who came by in splendid order on their way to entering action. +Standing by my side was a Staff officer who had dismounted from his car, +awaiting the passage of the cavalry. I explained to him our difficulty, +and he said that he rather <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>thought our unit was with the 10th Hussars +at Zandvoorde, some four miles away, and very kindly offered me a lift. +My horse had contracted a terrible cold and was hardly fit to ride, so +placing him in charge of my batman, I arranged to drive on in the car, +leaving Mr. Jaffray and my servant to follow. The friendly officer +turned out to be Lord Nairne, who was, unfortunately, killed a few days +afterwards.</p> + +<p>On reaching the village of Zandvoorde, I encountered a terrible sight. +The enemy was approaching from two sides, and shelling hard. The place +was a slaughter-house; never have I seen so ghastly a sight. The +doctors, with their coats off and shirt sleeves rolled up, looked more +like butchers than medical men, and for an hour or two I found my hands +full in the saddest of all work, dealing with dying men.</p> + +<p>As I was eating a hasty breakfast—for in campaigning one learns the +value of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>sleeping and eating whenever a chance presents itself—the +O.C. came to me saying that some one must get through to Ypres, to stop +the transport that was about to come out, and also to warn the major of +the serious condition of affairs at Zandvoorde. Would I go? Such an +opportunity of doing 'a real bit' only comes now and again, therefore it +was not difficult to decide.</p> + +<p>I had a foretaste of what I was presently to pass through, as, sitting +on the doorstep of a cottage, I was changing into riding boots, out of +the heavy Swiss climbing boots that I had been wearing, and which +threatened to be awkward in the stirrups, if by any chance I was thrown, +a not unlikely event under fire, when a shrapnel burst some twenty feet +from me, with an explosion which almost lifted me from the ground. The +door before which I sat, and the front of the cottage, were liberally +studded with bullets and pieces of the casing, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>but in a most +providential manner I was untouched. Very quickly I completed my change +of boots, and got my kit-bag once more stowed away in a transport wagon. +Strictest orders had been given that no kits were to be removed from the +wagon, and I hope that the O.C., if ever he discovers my delinquency, +will take into consideration the urgency of my desire to fulfil +instructions in the carrying of his orders into Ypres.</p> + +<p>For three miles, right over 'Hill 60,' I had the ride of my life. Shells +were bursting in every direction, but my good horse struggled on gamely. +By this time he had come to know the import of the shrieking whistle +which betokens the approach of a shell, but he displayed no more concern +than a momentary quiver as it burst. As for me I could only place myself +in God's hands, and well remember how, as each shell approached, I +repeated that comforting <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>word from Isaiah xxvi. 3, 'Thou wilt keep him +in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in +thee.' Over and over again I repeated 'because he trusteth in thee.' And +then bang! bang! and once more the danger was past.</p> + +<p>The road was crowded with terrified people, literally fleeing for their +lives, and as I got out of the range of fire, I tried to comfort them in +the best way I could.</p> + +<p>Reaching Ypres I delivered my message, and then sank down and fell into +a deep sleep for four hours. I suppose it was a kind of reaction from +the nervous strain.</p> + +<p>I found Ypres crammed with wounded men, and worked hard there for the +next day or two. Many were the distressing cases that came under my +attention.</p> + +<p>It was on October 23 that I received my first batch of letters from +home, and the first opportunity I stole away <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>into a quiet corner and +enjoyed myself to my heart's content.</p> + +<p>Those were wonderful days, in which all sorts and conditions of men, +from officers of the Household Troops downwards, passed through my +hands. Of course there were many funerals to conduct, and in connexion +with the funeral arrangements and the system of tabulating I came much +into contact with Major the Hon. ——. Collins, one of the most charming +and courteous of men.</p> + +<p>On October 31—that fateful day, when it seemed impossible for the thin +line of khaki to further withstand the tremendous onslaught of the enemy +which had placed the Prussian Guard in its front line—the sad duty of +burying young Prince Maurice of Battenburg fell to my lot. It was a +strange coincidence, for I had met him in bygone years when he was a +bright, attractive boy. Such a task awakened the greatest interest in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>my heart, for sad as the ceremony was, I keenly felt the privilege of +rendering this last act of tender duty to a young prince so universally +beloved. One of his men, in relating the manner of his heroic death, +afterwards said to me, 'I loved him, sir, as a brother.' The funeral, +which was attended by Prince Arthur of Connaught and several Generals, +took place under heavy fire. So continuous indeed was the roar of the +shells, that an officer, writing to the papers some time after, related +that it was impossible to distinguish the chaplain's voice. The service +was therefore necessarily brief, and at its conclusion the crowd of +officers quickly dispersed.</p> + +<p>An order had been issued for a withdrawal from the Front, and the Menin +road into Ypres was blocked with troops and transport.</p> + +<p>A short time previous to this I had the misfortune to be somewhat +seriously <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>injured, for my horse—frightened or struck by a shell which +burst near by, I have never been able to determine which,—fell heavily +on me, severely crushing my left leg. I had been taken in a Staff car to +the 6th casualty clearing station and attended to, but the injured limb +grew steadily worse. In the course of the afternoon, to my great joy, +the 23rd Field Ambulance passed me on its way from Hooge, and I was +promptly placed on an ambulance wagon, on which I trekked through Ypres; +until we reached Dickebusch, some three miles on the south of the city.</p> + +<p>As we halted for a time at the square at Ypres, a young officer, seeing +me in the ambulance, came up with a cheery 'Hallo, padré! what's up? +Last time I saw you was in your pulpit at St. John's, Boscombe; life's a +funny game, isn't it?'</p> + +<p>Such interviews are of frequent occurrence at the Front, where lives +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>momentarily touch, and then, possibly, for ever separate.</p> + +<p>Lying on a stone floor of a deserted cottage in Dickebusch that night, I +passed one of the most painful, wretched and sleepless nights of my +life. My brother officers were all snoring comfortably, when suddenly a +knock at the door placed me on the alert. My first thought was that the +Germans had got through, accordingly I made no reply; presently a gruff +voice said, 'An orderly, sir,' and I cried out, 'Come in.' He had +brought a dispatch to say that the whole German line had been forced +back, and that the Ambulance was immediately to take up its old position +on the farther side of Hooge.</p> + +<p>In a very short time an early breakfast was quickly disposed of and the +column was ready to move off.</p> + +<p>The O.C., finding me utterly incapacitated by reason of my injuries, +decided that I must go into hospital, for wounded <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>men are not much use +in a life where a man's fullest powers are daily called for.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, at that moment, Colonel Swan, A.D.M.S., and Lieut.-Colonel +Guy Moores, D.A.D.M.S., came up in their car, and learning my condition, +very kindly brought me and my kit into Ypres; saying that I must proceed +to the Base.</p> + +<p>Accordingly I was deposited at Ypres station, where the R.T.O. most +kindly had me cared for in his office.</p> + +<p>During the long hours of Sunday, November 1, I spent a miserable time +waiting for the hospital train to start. In the course of the day, an +officer in my Brigade, Lord Bury, had a chat with me, and committed to +me an urgent telegram for his wife. In the course of the morning he had +been arrested as a spy; and seemed very amused at the uncommon +experience. At 6 p.m. I was placed on the train, and with some <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>two or +three other fellow sufferers, gradually rolled away from the sound of +fire, which for three weeks past had been the daily accompaniment of +one's life.</p> + +<p>I cannot speak too highly of the great care and solicitude bestowed upon +the wounded in the train. For the first time one came into touch with +those splendid women, literally angels of mercy, the nursing sisters. +Never shall I cease to remember their loving care, and the skilful way +in which they bandaged up my crushed leg.</p> + +<p>It was a long journey. Leaving Ypres at 6 p.m. on Sunday night, we +didn't reach Boulogne until 3 p.m. on the Monday afternoon, a distance +of not more than eighty miles.</p> + +<p>On reaching the Base I was informed that I was to be sent to England, on +a hospital ship about to leave. Accordingly, with some twenty or thirty +other officers, and a large number of men, we were conveyed to the +ambulance, through <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>a dense crowd of sympathizing French people.</p> + +<p>I have certainly never seen such a collection of scarecrows as we +presented to the public gaze; and in much pain though we were, we could +not help being struck with the ludicrousness of our condition. +Bespattered with mud; filthy in appearance; beards of several days' +growth; legs of trousers, and sleeves of coats cut away; bandaged and +bloody; we must have presented a truly remarkable sight.</p> + +<p>On the hospital ship, the <i>Carisbroke Castle</i>, the arrangements were +perfect. It was almost worth being injured to lie in such a comfortable +bed; and the food was beyond description of delight.</p> + +<p>On board, every case was speedily dealt with by medical men, and +everything done to ensure the comfort of the sufferers.</p> + +<p>Whilst the life at the Front is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>exceedingly rigorous and claims the +utmost of one's strength, and the word and act of sympathy does not come +much to the surface of men's lives, yet, when once a man is bowled over, +a careful country certainly does its best to alleviate his suffering.</p> + +<p>On reaching Southampton the following morning, finding that I lived in +the area of a military hospital (The Royal Victoria and West Hants), of +which I have been chaplain for many years, the senior officer, as a +great concession, very kindly allowed me to be sent home.</p> + +<p>Home! Do those who always live in the blessed shelter of this sweet +spot, really know the fulness and sweetness of 'home.' Truly the English +classic song, 'Home, sweet Home, there is no place like Home,' comes +with a new, full, deep meaning to men who have passed through the ordeal +of fire.</p> + +<p>Bed claimed my presence for many a weary day, and it was March 16 +before <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>a Medical Board permitted me to resume my duties with the +British Expeditionary Force. My further experience of service must be +related in the subsequent chapter on 'Life at the Base.'</p> + +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>THE WELCOME OF A PEOPLE</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER III<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>THE WELCOME OF A PEOPLE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>There was no mistaking the enthusiastic welcome accorded to the Seventh +Division, as it moved south through the well cultivated country, +thriving villages, and prosperous towns of Belgium.</p> + +<p>Already the deeds of German 'kultur' had reached the ears of the +inhabitants; indeed, many of those who had fled from the barbarous enemy +bore signs of the gross ill-treatment inflicted by the 'kultured' foe, +in furtherance of the advice of General Bernhardi and others to carry +'terror' into the hearts of the invaded people. And nearly all of them +had some dread story to relate, of wanton destruction to public and +private <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>property, and of vile wrongs perpetrated upon an unoffending +people. Small wonder that they welcomed us; for Great Britain meant more +to them than the name of a powerful nation; it rather conveyed the idea +of the strong, active principles of liberty and justice, which they felt +were about to be set free in their unhappy country.</p> + +<p>In contradistinction to the Germans, this people of a small country +seemed to unconsciously uphold the marked differentiation between the +laws of might and right, as exhibited by the two nationalities, Germany +and Belgium.</p> + +<p>Germany, the former land of light and learning, has gradually slipped +downwards from her high ideals. A sure and sad process of religious and +moral declension has ensued; until, under the baneful influences of +Nietzsche, Treitschke, Bernhardi, and their like, the land of the +reformation has become the land of militarism, employing forces without +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>justice, discipline without pity, and annexation without consideration.</p> + +<p>All this lies at the back of the mind of the best part of Europe to-day, +and more especially of Belgium.</p> + +<p>Belgium is a Christian country. The religious houses have the words of +Scripture prominently inscribed upon them. On one house of a Religious +Order I saw painted, 'All for God.' On the cross roads there is +frequently found a life-size crucifix, which points its wondrous +teaching to many a weary soul.</p> + +<p>A valued friend of mine,—an officer in a kilted regiment—writing home +a short time ago described his sensations, as, emerging from the bloody +ruck of his first engagement, he presently found himself, worn and +spent, gazing at the figure of the Crucified One. And as he very +beautifully said, 'Jesus came afresh into my heart.'</p> + +<p>Again, one has not to travel far along any main road without +encountering a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>small shrine, open day and night, for those who desire +to draw aside from the ordinary pursuits of strenuous life, and enjoy +prayer to God; and that almost lost art, meditation.</p> + +<p>Thus we see a striking contrast between the conquerors and the +conquered, exhibited in the ruthless invasion to which Belgium has been +subjected. Roman Catholics as they are, the Belgians whom I met—and I +conversed with many—seemed to realize that England, Protestant England, +is honestly striving to exhibit 'the righteousness that alone exalteth +the nation.'</p> + +<p>It was in a state of the deepest gratitude, based upon such principles +as I have set forth, that the people flocked to receive us. True, at +times they revealed their feelings in very unorthodox fashion. For +example, I remember at a midday halt one day, while the men stood +preparatory to breaking off, an ecstatic Belgian girl rushed up to a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>'Tommy,' and flinging her arms round his neck, kissed him warmly. I have +no doubt that on occasion the man could have returned the salute with +interest, but the suddenness and the publicity of the attack rendered +him both speechless and powerless. There he stood blushing like a school +girl; the while his comrades urged him to retaliate. He bore himself +like a martyr; but when a man immediately afterwards proceeded to kiss +him on both cheeks,—as foreigners often do—then 'Tommy' recovered his +mental equilibrium; and his language, well! it was more forcible than +elegant.</p> + +<p>A far more pathetic welcome fell to my lot, as I walked across the +square at Ypres, in the early days of the British occupancy. While +talking to a brother officer, I suddenly felt my hand seized, kissed, +and then stroked; and looking down, I saw a sweet little blue-eyed maid +of some five years, not much above the level of the bottom of my tunic +in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>height, who said in the prettiest broken English, 'Brave Ingleese.' +The memory of a certain other blue-eyed kiddy, away in England, was too +much for me, and this time <i>I</i> was the aggressor, for I took the little +maid up in my arms and kissed her, much to the amusement of the +passers-by I have no doubt.</p> + +<p>Nothing seemed too good for the people to offer us. In our billets, +indeed, the very best the house could produce was set before us.</p> + +<p>As we marched through one town—I think it was Wynghene, which was +evidently the centre of the tobacco industry, for tobacco is largely +grown in that part of Belgium—thousands of cigars were handed to the +column, and for days after the men would not look at the humble 'fag.' +In country districts, too, the people were not to be outdone, for +strapping farm wenches and men lined the road and literally showered +apples and pears upon us.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>At the gates of one fine park, the owner, his wife and servants bestowed +cigarettes, matches and other acceptable gifts upon the men as they +marched past. Oh, yes! those were brave days, and made us feel +considerably pleased with ourselves, but do not grudge us such joys, for +just below the horizon of that time dark clouds were fast rising, which +soon darkened the skies of many and many a life. Anyhow, I will +undertake to say that none who were on that trek will ever forget the +enthusiasm of the people, as day by day we marched on to do battle for +them, and the great principles which surely have made our nation +great.</p> + +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER IV<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Life at the Front cannot fail to be full of stirring incidents; indeed, +I very much question whether any experience comes up to it for interest +and excitement. I am not speaking of the ding-dong trench warfare which +has characterized the campaign on the Western front for so many months +past, but refer more particularly to those early days when both armies +were exceedingly active; and the operations very much resembled a game +of chess, with not too long an interval between the moves.</p> + +<p>In the early days of the war in Flanders, the times were wondrously +stirring; one never knew where an attack would be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>launched, and what +would happen next. With such huge and mobile opposing forces in front of +us, every day had some fresh surprise in store. 'From early morning till +dewy eve' we lived on the tiptoe of expectation; for, indeed, the early +morning carried its message, but generally of discomfort, for not the +least discomfort of a campaign is the very early hour at which reveille +is sounded, usually at five, but sometimes at four; or, in the case of +emergency, at any hour of the night. But generally it comes just as the +attitude necessary to comfort has been discovered, and the somnolent +individual is ready for the luxury of what I may call a half and half +snooze. It is at that moment, in that mysterious borderland of sleeping +and waking, that the strident and compelling sound of the bugle falls +upon the unwilling ear. There is no turning over for another spell. One +comfort is, there is always very little toilet to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>perform; and in a few +minutes the place is alive with dishevelled and half-awake men. Where +water can be easily procured, cleanliness is the order of the day; and +with all our faults, one essential feature stands to the credit of the +British soldier: he <i>is</i> a clean man. Never does Tommy miss his wash and +shave if there is half a chance of gratifying this admirable instinct.</p> + +<p>All visitors to the Front are struck with the glorious health and +fitness of our lads. In fact, I have never seen such a collection of +healthy manhood in my life. This is attributable in the first place to +the natural open-air life which the men lead, but in the next place to +the excellent sanitary arrangements and precautions adopted and insisted +upon by the authorities, which very largely account for the remarkable +immunity from disease enjoyed by the troops.</p> + +<p>Behind all this, comes the most important question of 'grub.' The +commissariat <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>of the British Expeditionary Force is a marvel of +organization. During the last six months of my military service I +enjoyed the advantage of travelling up and down the lines from Ypres to +Bethune, and everywhere I was most profoundly impressed by the marvel of +supply. Scattered over the whole front are units, large and small, each +of which has to be fed daily; and woe to the unlucky A.S.C. officer who +is responsible for delay in forwarding or conveying rations. 'Tommy' is +nothing without a good 'grouse,' but in this respect he is not always +logical; bread which is stale will give him cause to grumble for hours; +but he will rush into the most desperate and bloody work, and suffer +untold misery, without a murmur.</p> + +<p>Alluding to the masterpiece of organization, which enables our army to +be fed while in the battle front, Mr. Philip Gibbs, writing in the +<i>Daily Chronicle</i>, says: 'The British soldier has at least <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>this in his +favour, in spite of all the horrors of war which has put his manhood to +the test, he gets his "grub" with unfailing regularity, if there is any +possible means of approach to him, and he gets enough and a bit more. It +is impossible for him to "grouse" about that element of his life on the +field. The French soldier envies him and says,—as I have heard one of +them say—"Ma foi! our comrades feed like princes! they have even jam +with their tea! The smell of bacon comes from their trenches and touches +our nostrils with the most excellent fragrance, more beautiful than the +perfume of flowers. The English eat as well as they fight, which is +furiously."'</p> + +<p>It may interest my readers to see what a man's daily ration consists of. +This table refers to officers and men alike, for there is no difference +in this respect:—</p> + +<div class="block3"> + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> + <p class="noin">1 <span class="fakesc">1/4</span> lb. fresh meat, <i>or</i>, 1 lb. preserved meat;<br /> + 1 <span class="fakesc">1/4</span> lb. bread;<br /> + 4 oz. bacon;<br /> + 3 oz. cheese;<br /> + 4 oz. jam;<br /> + 3 oz. sugar;<br /> + <span class="fakesc">1/2</span> lb. fresh vegetables, <i>or</i>, 2 oz. dried;<br /> + <span class="fakesc">5/8</span> oz. tea, coffee, <i>or</i> cocoa;<br /> + 2 oz. tobacco per week, <i>or</i> 50 cigarettes.</p> +</div> + +<p class="noin">This ration is more scientifically arranged than its recipient imagines; +as a matter of fact, it comprises all the essentials which go to build +up the stamina of the fighting man; and thus, well provided with fresh +air, good food, to say nothing of hard exercise, the animal side of Mr. +Thomas Atkins is kept in the pink of condition, and he is able to face +the burdens of life which are incidental to his calling, and which are +not a few, with remarkable ease and success.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>Life at the Front is a strange compound of the grave and the gay. One of +the most appealing features is witnessed in the sad lot of the Belgian +refugees, who, often at a moment's notice, have fled from their homes, +leaving all their property to the devastation of war. I have frequently +seen mournful processions on the road, consisting of old and young. It +is heartrending to witness the pitiable look of an aged couple, who +through a long life have lived in some happy homestead, taking their +last gaze at the house with its trim garden, which one knows in a few +hours will be shattered past recognition; women, sometimes in a most +delicate condition, struggling bravely on; children crying; and the men +with set teeth and despairing faces striding on, carrying the few +articles which they have hurriedly snatched up, as the whole family has +escaped from the hell which has so suddenly befallen them. Where are +they to go to? God <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>only knows what becomes of them. I have seen them +lining the road on a pouring wet night, outside a town already full to +overflowing with like unhappy sufferers; the while Belgian soldiers, +with fixed bayonets, have prohibited any further entrance to that which +promised a lodging place. Soldiers are not proverbially given to +overmuch sensitiveness where human suffering is concerned, for a daily +intercourse with terrible scenes cannot fail to harden a man, but I +declare that I have seen strong men burst into tears as they have gazed +at one of these processions of great mental and bodily agony.</p> + +<p>One serious aspect of life at the Front is found in the remarkable +system of espionage which unfortunately abounds. One lives in a constant +state of suspicion, for in this respect the enemy is as daring as he is +resourceful.</p> + +<p>The first time I passed through Hooge we suddenly saw a homing pigeon +let <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>out of the loft of a cottage; immediately the house was surrounded +and entered. I speedily made for the back of the premises, hoping to +intercept any one who had been responsible for a most suspicious act. A +boy of some eighteen years was discovered in the loft, with a large +number of carrier pigeons, which were immediately confiscated, and the +boy was arrested. I rode off to Head-quarters, some mile and a half +away, and reported the occurrence, with the result that the boy was +marched off for close examination. The pigeons, however, formed a very +agreeable addition to the men's menu that night. I believe the boy was +released; but whilst he was under arrest, a very personable and +well-dressed individual approached, and introduced himself as Count +——, stating that he had known the boy for years, and that the keeping +of pigeons formed his hobby. Something in the manner of the man aroused +our suspicion, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>after careful examination it was found that he +himself was a spy; and in due course he was shot.</p> + +<p>Another somewhat remarkable instance of the ramifications of this aspect +of warfare occurred in a certain well-known town; one of the high +officials of which—whom I knew well—a most courteous gentleman—proved +to be in close touch with the enemy. He, too, was shot. Daily there are +men, and sometimes women, who risk their lives in securing items of +information as to the disposition of troops, guns, etc., which are +likely to prove of value to the enemy. Notwithstanding the strictest +orders, I am afraid our men are not always wise in their intercourse +with strangers. On one occasion, very stringent orders from +Head-quarters had been read out to the men, prior to moving off in the +early morning, informing them that on no account were they to disclose +any information whatsoever as to the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>movements or disposition of +troops; and yet, during a ten minutes' halt later in the day, as I rode +by a transport wagon, I heard the driver gassing on with refreshing +innocence, as he retailed to a civilian where we had come from; where we +were going to; where our Brigade was situated, etc. I am afraid I raised +my voice in hot anger, and riding round to the other side of the wagon +was just in time to see the eager listener disappearing across country. +It was impossible to arrest him, and the incident closed; not altogether +to the satisfaction of the thoughtless purveyor of news I imagine.</p> + +<p>Amid men so full of such animal life as our brave lads, it will be +readily imagined that existence is not wholly composed of shadow; +indeed, few careers are so full of brightness and geniality as those of +our fighting men. 'Tommy Atkins' is a unique creation. I know not from +whence he springs. There is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>something in his environment which evolves +him, I suppose; it is not a question of years of association with men of +his like, for the New Army which has only been in being for a few months +produces precisely the same type; and men whom this time last year were +far removed from the very thought of soldiering, are now found to +possess all the attributes and qualities—good, bad and +indifferent—which formed the traditional soldier in the ranks. His +cheeriness is unbounded. For some time the pronunciation of Ypres +bothered him seriously, but he soon settled the difficulty by calling it +'Wypers.' Étaples was also another stumbling block, but 'Eatables' soon +revealed Tommy's way out of another difficulty. Ploegstreete, which for +centuries has been an insignificant hamlet, is now known throughout the +British Army as 'Plug Street'; well known for possessing some of the +finest trenches along the line.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>One afternoon I had ridden back into Ypres to purchase a note-book, and +had procured what I wanted, when two privates who stood by my side in +the little stationer's shop determined on the purchase of some small +article; the difficulty at the moment was to find out its cost. One of +them, who acted as spokesman, held up his selection, and astonished the +woman at the other side of the counter by saying, 'How mooch monnee?' +Naturally enough the woman gazed at him with a bewildered air, when +'Tommy' turned to the pal by his side and said, 'Silly swine, they don't +know their own language.'</p> + +<p>A remarkable feature which I frequently encountered in connexion with +what I may call the soldier's social life, is the great facility with +which he introduces himself to the native inhabitants. In a very few +minutes he seems to be thoroughly at home with them, girls and all, and +is in some mysterious way <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>holding conversation, or at all events +conveying his meaning, to the satisfaction of both parties. In the +gloaming you will see him strolling about with the girls of the village, +as much at home as in the lanes of his own countryside. What they talk +about I can't tell, but talk they do; and as far as one can determine, +to their mutual pleasure.</p> + +<p>Even in the deadliest moments, the wit of the man is to the front. At +the battle of Neuve Chapelle, at the beginning of March, a bomb-thrower, +rushing through the village, came upon a cellar full of Germans in +hiding. Putting his head in at the door, at the risk of his life he +cried: 'How many of yer are there in there?' The answer came, 'Ve vos +twelve.' Then said Tommy, throwing in a bomb, 'Divide that amongst yer,' +with the result too ghastly for words.</p> + +<p>Such humour, coarse though it may be, is not by any means confined to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>terra firma. On the first of April, a British aeroplane sailed over the +German lines, and when over the first line of trenches, dropped a +football. The Huns were simply terrified, as they saw this new kind of +bomb slowly descending, and fled right and left. With amazement they saw +it strike the ground, and then bounce high up, until it gradually +settled down; then very cautiously the bolder elements amongst them +crept up and found a football, on which was written, 'The first of +April, you blighters.'</p> + +<p>It is strange to see this remarkable spirit evinced in the most +hazardous moments of life. Right out in front of the trenches one night +a man was badly hit, and his chum, at the risk of his life, rushed out +to his help, saying, 'Get on my back, mate, and I will carry you in,' +only to be met with, 'Not darned likely; I shall be shot in the back, +and you will get the V.C.'</p> + +<p>A further illustration of this most <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>remarkable military production +occurs in the following incident. A friend of mine, who has himself been +twice wounded, on the last occasion of injury was in the trenches, when +suddenly a man by his side was hit in the wrist; clapping his hand upon +the wound he exclaimed, 'Got it! I've been waiting for this since last +August.' Then, putting his left hand into his pocket, he pulled out a +mouth-organ and played 'Home, Sweet Home.' Who but an English 'Tommy' +could, or would, do that. No wonder that the French are puzzled by this +strange composition of humanity with which they are fighting as allies.</p> + +<p>The enemy, too, wonders, as he comes across a foe so remarkable in his +words and methods. A German officer—a most charming man—lying in the +next bed but one to me, on the hospital ship which brought me home from +France, was asked what he thought of the comparative fighting values of +the allies, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>and he remarked, 'Well! we can manage the Belgians, and we +understand the French, but we cannot comprehend you English, for by +every known law of war you are beaten again and again, but you never +seem to know it!' This is, of course, not an original utterance, but +derived from one of Napoleon's great Generals; but at all events it +shows the estimate placed upon our fighting capacity by an enemy who at +one time styled us as 'that contemptible little army.' There is +sometimes a weird sense of disproportion revealed, as in the case of a +Highlander who was visited by a brother chaplain at a Base hospital some +two or three months ago, and who remarked to the patient, 'Well, Jock, +what do you think of Jack Johnsons? They put the fear of God into your +heart, don't they?' 'Aye, sir, they do, but let's hope it will soon wear +off.'</p> + +<p>My readers will see that we are a strange compound of grave and gay at +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>the Front, as I have already said. There is, however, a deeper side of +the soldier's life, which after all is even more correctly +characteristic of the man than that which only appears upon the +surface.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span><br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER V<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Until October, 1914, Ypres was generally regarded as a quiet Belgian +town, celebrated for its most interesting and valuable buildings, and +relics of a past age; but owing to its strategic importance in this war, +it has from that time onwards been lifted out of its somnolent life into +a world-wide importance, as one of the greatest battle-fields of the +world.</p> + +<p>In explaining the great part which the Seventh Division took in this +front-rank battle, I cannot do better than quote from <i>The Times</i> of +December 16, 1914, in describing the heroic effort of our troops in +resisting the furious onslaughts of the Germans in their vain <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>endeavour +to reach Calais; to which point the Kaiser had commanded a road 'to be +forced at all costs.' Under the heading—</p> + +<h4>THE DEFENCE OF YPRES<br /> +BRILLIANT WORK OF THE SEVENTH<br /> +DIVISION STUBBORN VALOUR AND ENDURANCE</h4> + +<p>the writer proceeds to say:—</p> + +<div class="block"><p>'The full story of the gallantry shown by British troops in their +stubborn defence of Ypres has yet to be told, but the orders +which we publish below, with the detailed official narrative of +events in Flanders which accompanies them, give some indication +of the fine work which has been done by the Seventh Infantry and +Third Cavalry Divisions.</p> + +<p>The following order, which accompanied an order issued by General +Sir Douglas Haig, published in <i>The Times</i> of November 30, was +issued <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>to the Seventh Division by Lieut.-General Sir H.S. +Rawlinson:—</p> + +<p>In forwarding the attached order by G.O.C. First Corps, I desire +to place on record my own high appreciation of the endurance and +fine soldierly qualities exhibited by all ranks of the Seventh +Division from the time of their landing in Belgium. You have been +called to take a conspicuous part in one of the severest +struggles in the history of the war, and you have had the honour +and distinction of contributing in no small measure to the +success of our arms and the defeat of the enemy's plans.</p> + +<p>The task which fell to your share inevitably involved heavy +losses, but you have at any rate the satisfaction of knowing that +the losses you have inflicted upon the enemy have been far +heavier.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>The Seventh Division have gained for themselves a reputation for +stubborn valour and endurance in defence, and I am certain that +you will only add to your laurels when the opportunity of +advancing to the attack is given you.</p> + +<br /> + +<p>Such Army orders are necessarily written in general terms, and +are invariably marked by a disciplined self-restraint. It may be +of interest, therefore, to give some account of the circumstances +in which "the stubborn valour and endurance" of which Sir Henry +Rawlinson speaks were displayed. The work of the Seventh Division +and the Third Cavalry Division to the date of the issue of this +order at about the end of November, was of a kind which strains +the mental and physical strength of troops, beyond any other form +of operations. The two <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>Divisions were sent to the aid of the +Naval Division at Antwerp, and they were landed at Ostend and +Zeebrugge about October 6. They occupied the regions of Bruges +and Ghent, and they had to suffer the initial disappointment of +finding that they arrived too late. Two days later Sir Henry +Rawlinson moved his Head-quarters from Bruges to Ostend. The +enemy were advancing in great force, and the position of our +troops became untenable; indeed, the situation was so serious +that the troops which had been detailed for lines of +communication at the base were forced to embark again and return +to Dunkirk.</p> +<br /> + +<h4>A POSITION OF GRAVE DANGER</h4> + +<p>The position of the two Divisions from this point onwards was one +of grave danger. They were forced by the overwhelming superiority +in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>numbers of the enemy to retire. From Ghent all the way to +Ypres it was a desperate rearguard fight. They had to trek across +a difficult country without any lines of communication and +without a base, holding on doggedly from position to position, +notably at Thielt and Roulers, until they took up their final +stand before Ypres. What that stand has meant to England will one +day be recognized. What it cost these troops, and how they +fought, will be recorded in the proudest annals of their +regiments.</p> + +<p>After the deprivations and the tension of being pursued through +day and night by an infinitely stronger force, these two +Divisions had yet to pass through the worst ordeal of all. It was +left to a little force of 30,000 to keep the German Army at bay +for some days while the other British Corps were being <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>brought +up from the Aisne (the First Corps did not come to their +assistance till October 21). Here they hung on like grim death, +with almost every man in the trenches holding a line which was of +necessity a great deal too long—a thin, exhausted line against +which the prime of the German first line troops were hurling +themselves with fury. The odds against them were about eight to +one, and when once the enemy found the range of a trench, the +shells dropped into it from one end to the other with the most +terrible effect. Yet the men stood firm and defended Ypres in +such a manner that a German officer afterwards described their +action as a brilliant feat of arms, and said that they were under +the impression that there had been four British Corps against +them at this point.</p> + +<p>When the two Divisions were <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>afterwards withdrawn from the firing +line to refit, it was found that in the Infantry alone, out of +the 400 officers who set out from England, there were only +forty-four left, and out of 12,000 men only 2,336. So far, little +has been published about the work of these Divisions—probably +because the bulk of the various dispatches is so great. It may be +well, therefore, to place on record now an achievement which will +one day be reckoned, no doubt, among the finest of the kind in +British military history.'</p></div> + +<br /> + +<p>One's own view and conception of so huge a movement was necessarily +small, for in a 'far-flung battle line' the ordinary individual could +only see very little of the main operations. Yet the little I saw +revealed to me the splendid heroism of our men, and the carefully +thought out disposition of our troops; a heroism <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>so perfect that one +attenuated line of khaki, consisting of under 30,000 men, held 240,000 +Germans at bay. For a week this small force clung to their positions by +dint of magnificent fighting and dauntless pluck, until the main army +from the Aisne under General Sir John French joined forces with them.</p> + +<p>During these stirring and most eventful days the scenes of ordinary life +often came before me in striking contrast to what was being thus enacted +in the very forefront of England's effort. For instance, sometimes amid +a very hell of noise and carnage, the thought of Regent Street or +Cheapside in their work-a-day aspect, or again, the peaceful +surroundings of 'home, sweet home,' would find a momentary lodgment in +my mind, only to be dispelled by the sounds and signs which betokened +that the sternest game of life was being played before my eyes. Each +hour seemed to promise the break of our lines by the vast masses of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>the +enemy, which were always pressing us hard, and indeed the promise would +have been fulfilled but for the grit of men who never acknowledged +defeat.</p> + +<p>I have always been proud of being a Briton, but seeing what I did, and +knowing what I know, I feel immeasurably prouder now, than ever before, +of belonging to a nation which can produce such men. Even nature +presented its remarkable contrast to the clamour of war, for in the +interlude of the firing of a battery of eighteen pounders I have heard +the birds singing as peacefully and merrily as in quiet English fields.</p> + +<p>It is difficult to convey to my readers the prodigies of valour which +daily took place in the course of the great struggle in front of Ypres. +One dark night a young R.A.M.C. officer, who until quite recently had +been pursuing his quiet round of work as a medical practitioner in +England, but who at the call of country had pressed to the front, was +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>out with his bearer company attending the dying and wounded men, when +suddenly a Battalion, which had lost all its officers, momentarily broke +from the trenches. Quickly gathering the dread import of their act, this +young hero rushed into the ruck of men, who amid that awful hell had +been seized with panic. Calling to a sergeant he directed him to shoot +the first man that came by, then rushing into the disorganized +rabble—for it was little else at that time—he shouted to them, 'Men! +men! have you forgotten that you are Englishmen,' and quickly bringing +them into order headed them back again to their grim work. I have been +pleased to see that this brave lad has received a well merited +distinction from his Sovereign, but at the time the only comment made +upon his behaviour by his O.C. was, 'The young beggar ought to get a rap +over his knuckles for exceeding his duty.' Such feats are constantly +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>occurring, so often indeed as to hardly excite comment.</p> + +<p>Two officers from a Guards Battalion in my Brigade died the death of +heroes in the dark hours of one early morning, endeavouring to fulfil +the hopeless task of capturing a German gun, the while they had only six +men with them. The whole party was blown to pieces in the endeavour. +Some may think it a useless waste of valuable life; in degree it is, but +these daring deeds go far to preserve that glorious spirit of heroic +venture which characterizes the whole fighting line of our men. The +value of systematic training, which at the time it is being undergone is +often regarded as a weariness of the flesh by the men undergoing it, is +strikingly exhibited in actual warfare. I was much struck with this late +one afternoon, as I saw the 2nd Gordons enter action in extended order. +Their 'dressing and distance' was most admirably preserved, the while +they took <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>advantage of every inch of cover that presented itself. It +was indeed a thrilling sight to see these brave lads advancing under a +murderous fire, with as great a steadiness as if they were in the Long +Valley at Aldershot.</p> + +<p>Moving about near the firing line requires considerable circumspection, +and a fairly accurate knowledge of the disposition of troops. For lack +of this, I once found myself in a most unenviable position. I had been +called to bury an officer of the Guards, who had died under +circumstances of singular gallantry—alas! leaving a wife and two +charming children. On nearing the spot where I had been told the body +was lying, I was informed that it had been arranged to convey the +remains to England. There was nothing for it but to retrace one's steps, +but by this time the firing which had been unpleasantly heavy on the way +out, had waxed in intensity, when suddenly emerging from the shelter <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>of +a wood, I found myself between the two lines of opposing forces. A +British sergeant roared lustily to me to stay where I was and lie down, +and I never obeyed instruction with greater alacrity. Fortunately for +me, the line of battle steadily shifted and I was enabled to ride +onwards with some degree of security; but I inwardly registered a vow +that in the future I would make sure of what was taking place before I +rode into such a mare's nest.</p> + +<p>The methods of warfare, as now conducted, are entirely removed from +those of previous campaigns; for instance, the ranging of guns to-day is +most correctly determined by aeroplanes. But not only do these war +scouts render this important service; from the air they are enabled to +detect the disposition of troops, gun emplacements, and all other +movements of the enemy, which heretofore it has been difficult to +determine.</p> + +<p>Very frequently most thrilling duels <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>take place between opposing +aviators, and certainly nothing is more exciting than to watch such a +struggle in mid air. One is lost in wonderment at the pluck and the +skill of the aviators, as one sees them manœuvring for place, the +while subject to heavy fire. One of the most notable aviators at that +time was Commander Samson, commonly known as Captain Kettle, owing to a +likeness to that far-famed character of fiction, which was to be faintly +traced in the hero of real life. Commander Samson was not only a 'flyer' +possessed of intrepid courage and great skill, but he further possessed +an armour-plated car, in which was a high velocity gun; this he +manipulated in a manner which struck terror to the German's heart; and +one was not surprised to hear that the Kaiser had offered a reward of +four thousand marks to the man who brought him down, or put him out of +action. I enjoyed a marked illustration of his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>prowess one afternoon, +near Hooge. A German aeroplane was sailing majestically over our lines, +the observer no doubt making notes of everything which he beheld, when +suddenly Samson dashed up in his car, and after very deliberate aim, hit +the aircraft in the oil tank, which resulted in the whole falling to the +ground a burning and crumpled mass. Such episodes appeal to the sporting +nature which characterizes most men, and tend to relieve any monotony +which may at times threaten to settle upon the men.</p> + +<p>From boyhood one has delighted in reading the vivid accounts of such +campaigns as the Peninsular, or Crimea; and in later days in taking part +in the autumn manœuvres held in such open country as Dartmoor, or +Salisbury Plain. One well remembers the fascination of watching a +General, surrounded by his Staff, sending orders and receiving +dispatches at the hands of his 'gallopers.' <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>But all this has changed. +No longer do we see cocked hat Generals, on the summit of rising ground, +spying the position of troops through his field-glasses. To-day some of +the most notable actions are fought by a General who the whole time may +be three or four miles away from the seat of the struggle. Picture him, +pipe in mouth, working out the movements of the troops on a large map in +front of him. Every moment the Field telephone is at work; dispatch +riders breathlessly deliver their messages, the while the Staff are +carefully noting every fresh movement reported. Not an unnecessary word +is spoken, and all hinges upon one figure whose whole attention is +centred, by the aid of his vivid imagination and definite information, +upon a battlefield, the ground of which he probably knows, but which at +the moment is far out of sight. Such is the science of war up to date.</p> + +<p>Since the early days of the war methods <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>have considerably changed. Both +sides have dug themselves in, until the allied lines stretch in one +continuous chain of over 500 miles. The trenches to-day are monuments of +masterly skill and construction. Gazing over a line of such earth +fortifications—for that is what they are—from the summit of a hill, it +is very difficult to realize that at one's feet there are thousands of +men lying hidden from each other, but ready at a moment's notice to +spring into deadly activity. An occasional shell bursts here and there, +but beyond that the characteristics are apparently peaceful; such is the +appearance at the present stage of warfare. But it must be always borne +in mind this is only preparatory to great and far-reaching movements.</p> + +<p>Ever and again a scrap takes place, and a few hundreds or thousands of +yards of trenches are taken or lost. To the ordinary civilian mind this +all seems very haphazard, but it is not so; every <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>movement is made with +a purpose, and the result carefully noted by the master mind behind the +whole.</p> + +<p>The first battle of Ypres lasted somewhere about a month. Since then +other sanguinary battles have taken place on the ground which has become +historic. But October and November, 1914, will ever stand in the annals +of war as the occasion of one of England's greatest triumphs, for +notwithstanding Germany's costly endeavours to reach the coast, she +failed.</p> + +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>CONCERNING OFFICERS AND MEN</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER VI<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>CONCERNING OFFICERS AND MEN</h3> +<br /> + +<p>In considering the constituent elements of an army, the first avenue of +thought must lead to the primary essential—discipline. The realization +of this most important military virtue is one of the most difficult for +the young soldier to apprehend and appreciate, and yet it must underly +the whole system of the army. By discipline, I do not merely mean +smartness, which is involved in quick and correct response to the word +of command; that, of course, is part of it; but I refer more +particularly to that grip of self which enables a man to force himself +into subjection to authority, which may be entirely inimical to his own +will. One of the most striking <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>illustrations of this remarkable mental +condition came under my notice on October 27, 1914. I had ridden up to +the front to see some of the men in my Brigade. The Grenadier and Scots +Guards had for days been holding the line with dogged pluck, and now had +withdrawn from the trenches for a brief respite from their most arduous +duties. Falling back a mile or so, they were rejoicing in the prospect +of a hot meal. Very speedily the trench fires were dug, and the +dixies<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> were filled with a savoury stew; the while the men were lying +about enjoying their well-earned rest. In the midst of their brief laze +an urgent order came down from General Capper, commanding the men to +return to the trenches immediately, as the enemy were approaching in +strong force. At once the brave lads kicked out the fires and stood to +attention, and moved off to a task from which many of them never +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>returned. An eyewitness assured me that the Brigadier<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> gave the order +in a voice which was broken with emotion, for he knew full well the +desperate nature of the task he was setting his men. In this grand +response to a most unpalatable order, the very highest discipline is +noticeable; it embodies such an act of devotion to duty as reveals that +mastery over self which lies at the very root of success in warfare. +Such a discipline cannot fail to evoke admiration wherever it is +witnessed. It is noticeable among officers and men alike, and tends to +weld both in that splendid spirit of comradeship which is so peculiarly +a feature of our army at the present time.</p> + +<p>In considering the relationship of those in command and those commanded, +I must deal with them separately.</p> + +<p>(1) Officers: Many years ago—I think <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>it was during the Crimean +war—<i>Punch</i> gave a very admirable setting of the British officer in two +phases. In one picture was a ball-room in which the whiskered exquisites +of that period were seen in the mazes of a dance, and underneath was +written: 'Our officers can dance.' The next picture revealed the same +men charging up to the guns at the head of their men, and underneath the +words: 'But by jingo they can fight too.' There is no doubt that the +English officer is good at enjoying himself, and no small blame to him, +but when it comes to the stern days of war, he is as keen and gallant as +ever. It must have struck the most casual observer that the proportion +of officer casualties during this war is entirely disproportionate to +the numbers engaged. Again and again this striking fact has met with the +severe stricture of those competent to judge; but it is useless to +attempt to alter the glorious traditions of the English army <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>in this +respect: our officers will lead; and although it may be at a terrible +cost, the results are seen in the splendid backing up of the men. In the +early days of the war, on more than one occasion, I met with such a +remark from working men as 'Let the rich do their bit.' I hold that they +have done it, and done it magnificently. No one can read the list of +casualties without being struck with the enormous number of what I may +call the cultured classes which have fallen in the operations we are +engaged in. Indeed, there is hardly a titled family in England but is +mourning its dead. Our young officers are entering action with a wild +abandonment which it is impossible to realize unless witnessed. Writing +home to his people, a subaltern recently declared that he was at the top +of the fulness of life. Small wonder that our men will go anywhere and +do anything behind such magnificent leading as our officers are giving +them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>But this splendid attribute of the British officer is not only seen amid +the excitement of conflict. At the end of a weary march when all alike +are fagged out and ready to throw themselves upon the earth and rest, +the first consideration on the part of the officers is the men; their +food, their billets; and when these important questions are dealt with, +then, and not till then, with wearied frames, these gallant gentlemen +begin to think of themselves. This evokes a feeling which I may not +inaptly style, hero worship, on the part of the men. Frequently, in +describing the glorious death of some favourite officer, a man has said +to me, 'I loved him like a brother'; and this condition of regard is +mutual, for it is no uncommon thing (on the occasion of the departure of +the 'leave' train) to see an officer, frequently of senior rank, on +spotting in the crowd a non-commissioned officer, or private, from his +regiment, go up to him and with a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>hearty grip of the hand, say, 'Well, +my lad, hope you have had a good time!' Such a state of things would, of +course, be impossible in the German army, but we Englishmen have proved +that the most solid foundation of a true relationship between officers +and men is respect and love, and right happy are the results attained.</p> + +<p>(2) Our men: It is not possible to speak too highly of the splendid +manhood embodied in our ranks to-day. Their language is certainly +reprehensible, but after all we must realize that their vocabulary is +not an extensive one, and the employment of adjectives which, to a +refined ear, sounds deplorable, is only used by them to describe an +intensity which no other words they possess would be capable of +rendering. I am, of course, not referring to blasphemy or obscenity, +which is immediately checked by every right-minded man in authority.</p> + +<p>During the whole of my experience in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>Flanders, I did not come across +one case of drunkenness; my experience may be peculiar, but I do not +think so. To begin with, there is, of course, the very strong deterrent +of rigid punishment for such an offence. Again, there are not the +facilities for the purchase of strong drink, such as unhappily +characterizes the condition of affairs in Great Britain; but away and +beyond these preventives lies the fact that every man is imbued with the +idea that he must keep himself fit and 'play the game,' and the result +is that at the Front to-day we have a sober army. I cannot too strongly +warn the men who are at home, preparing for the Front, to watch +themselves closely in this respect, and for the following reasons:—</p> + +<div class="block"><p class="hang">(a) A man who drinks renders himself physically unfit for the +tremendous strain involved by a campaign. A short time ago +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>I was travelling in France, from General Head-quarters to +Bailleul, and riding past a certain Brigade which had +landed two days prior, I was struck with the very +considerable portion of men who had fallen out on the +march. This was partly due to the very painful process of +marching over cobbled stones to which they were new, but I +knew full well that it was also attributable to the fact of +the soft condition which some of the foolish fellows were +in, through the unwise use of stimulants in the near past.</p> + +<p class="hang">(b) Sobriety is an absolute essential, for again and again the +security of a Platoon, a Company, a Battalion, a Brigade, or +even of Division, may depend upon the alertness of a +sentinel.</p></div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>We observe, therefore, the urgent importance of a man placed in so +responsible a position being in the fullest possession of his powers of +mind and body; therefore, I say with emphasis, and I say it to every man +going out, keep clear of the drink.</p> + +<p>One cannot fail to be struck with the supineness of certain Generals +who, possessing the power of placing public houses out of bounds, +excepting for one hour morning and evening, yet allow the men under +their command to soak in bar parlours for hours at a time. There are +magnificent exceptions to this, and all honour to those Divisional +Commanders who have taken the trouble to ascertain the conditions of +social life under which their men exist when off duty, and who make +adequate provision for the ordinary means of recreation and enjoyment.</p> + +<p>But to pass to the men of whom we are all so justly proud. Their +cheerfulness <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>is truly remarkable, and indeed it requires somewhat of +the spirit of a Mark Tapley to 'stick it' in such weather as +characterized the campaign of last winter.</p> + +<p>Their hopefulness, too, is a glorious possession, and a grand incentive +to any man. <i>Nil desperandum</i> is the watch-word which flashes down the +ranks of our men, even in the tightest corners.</p> + +<p>Their courage! who can describe it? for it stands at the very apex of +human glory. Again and again the enemy has paid admiring tribute to the +splendid dash and invincible determination evinced by our men. I am +confident that if it were only a question of man against man, the war +would speedily be ended.</p> + +<p>I have had many opportunities of watching the fortitude of our brave +lads. I should be sorry indeed to attempt to describe what one has +witnessed in field dressing stations; suffice it to say that in moments +of greatest agony <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>I have seen men bite their lips almost to the flow of +blood, rather than emit a groan. Such are the men to whom England has +committed her honour, her prestige, even her destiny; and the commission +has not been made in vain.</p> + +<p>In dealing with 'our men' it would be a serious omission not to pay a +tribute to the remarkable collection of Imperial manhood which is now +gathered together under our flag. I need not refer to the Canadians or +Australians, for they are of our own flesh and blood, but the Indian +soldier deserves a word of high appreciation. Side by side with his +white brother in arms he has fought magnificently. True, his methods of +warfare are different, but in their own particular manner they are just +as effective. One of their officers described to me the very great +relish with which the Ghurkas approach a German trench. Slinking over +the ground with the stealthiness of tigers, kukri between <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>their teeth, +they lie silently under the thrown up earth, then flipping a piece of +dirt into the air, wait for the German's head to be suspiciously raised; +a flash of the keen knife, and the German ceases to exist! No wonder +that such men are regarded with terror by the Huns. One day, when a +batch of prisoners were brought in, an Indian approached one of them +with a broad grin; displaying his teeth, which shone like pearls, he +proceeded to show his good feeling towards the German by stroking the +man, as a token of amity; but the poor fellow before him imagined that +he was seeking a soft place in which to insert his deadly knife, and +fairly howled with terror.</p> + +<p>From a military point of view one of the strangest aspects of this +campaign has been the little use made of cavalry during the first battle +of Ypres, and indeed right up to the present the horses of our cavalry +have, for the most <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>part, not been required. It was strange to see the +Household Cavalry working in the trenches side by side with infantry of +the Line, but doing their work as effectively, and uncomplainingly, as +any other section of the army.</p> + +<p>As the winter draws on apace, the heart of England will once more open +in a response to the necessary comforts which her brave sons call for at +her hands, and for which they will not call in vain. Let me give a few +hints: Tobacco and cigarettes are, of course, always in demand, and +under the peculiar circumstances of this nerve-racking campaign, are +more or less of a necessity. Socks, too, are needed, for whether the +weather is hot or cold, socks will wear out. The men dearly love sweets, +such as toffee, chocolate, peppermints. Cardigan jackets—not too +heavy—are largely called for; a packet containing writing paper, +envelopes and an indelible pencil are very acceptable; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>woollen sleeping +helmets, and, of course, mittens will not be refused; boracic acid +powder for sore feet; anything to do with a shaving outfit (especially +safety razors) are gladly welcomed. From country districts a local paper +means a great deal to a man, for it keeps him in touch with home +affairs. But above all, keep up a regular correspondence with your men; +it is difficult for the home folk to realize how much a letter means. A +striking object lesson is afforded on the arriving of a mail, by the +hurried withdrawal of the fortunate receivers of letters from the mail +bag, like the lions at the Zoo which, on receiving their food, withdraw +to enjoy it in solitude. In a word, our men are worth all you can do for +them; do not spare yourselves in alleviating the inevitable discomforts, +privations and trails which are involved in such work as they have set +themselves to accomplish.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Dixies: camp kettles.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Brigadier-General Ruggles Brise, who was very badly wounded +shortly afterwards, and returned to England.</p></div> + +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER VII<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD</h3> +<br /> + +<p>In the care of an army on active service the most complete arrangements +exist for every requirement of the soldier. As far as possible nothing +is omitted that will conduce to his comfort, well-being and usefulness.</p> + +<div class="block3"><p>His food is, as we have already seen, most scientifically +devised.</p> + +<p>His equipment is adjusted on the most anatomical principles.</p> + +<p>His arms are the most up to date that science and money can +provide.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>His medical and surgical supplies are the most perfect that +science can apply.</p> + +<p>And not least, his spiritual needs are increasingly well +attended to. There are over six hundred chaplains now in +the field.</p></div> + +<p>Many people have queer notions as to the methods and objects of a +chaplain's work. Some years ago I was on my way to conduct a Mission in +Yorkshire, when I happened to meet an R.A.M.C. friend. On my telling him +of the errand upon which I was bound, he expressed some surprise, and +displayed complete ignorance as to the character of my intending duty. +Accordingly I endeavoured to remove his ignorance by establishing a +parallel between his work and mine. I pointed out that in the visitation +of the hospital wards at Aldershot he doubtless became <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>interested in +his patients, especially any uncommon or obstinate cases, and to these +he would pay especial attention, applying every specific which lay +within his knowledge. In pursuance of my purpose I then proceeded to +point out that a clergyman's work proceeded upon precisely the same +scientific lines. First of all a diagnosis of the difficulties was made, +then the specific was applied, but with this difference; medical science +is again and again beaten by the ignorance of the precise remedy to +apply, even presuming that it has been discovered; whereas the clergyman +sets before his patient the unfailing Christ, Who is sufficient for +every need of sinful man. I left him I hope somewhat enlightened as to +the definite character of a clergyman's ministry. The difficulty of my +friend is much the same as that experienced by a large number of people +as regards the work of a padré in the field. Let me set before you the +different phases of the work <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>which commonly fall within the allotted +sphere of a chaplain's duty at the Front.</p> + +<p>To begin with there are now two<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> chaplains appointed to a Brigade (in +the early days of the war there was only one, and he was usually +attached to a Field Ambulance), the one is more particularly responsible +for the active men of the Brigade, whilst the other works with the Field +Ambulance. (Each Brigade consists of from three to five thousand men and +has a Field Ambulance attached to it.)</p> + +<div class="block"><p class="hang">(1) As occasion offers church parades are held, to which the +attendance is compulsory. But many a time the padré will +arrange voluntary services of the most informal character; +in barns, in a wood, sometimes in the reserve trenches. The +chaplain, by order, has no <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>right in the firing trenches +except on urgent duties: such as ministering to the men, or +conducting funerals.</p> + +<p class="hang">(2) Men who are communicants greatly value the Means of Grace, +and possibly the great sacrament of the Lord's Supper is +never administered under more remarkable circumstances than +at the Front. At times the setting of the service is of the +very crudest form, but none the less it is highly prized. I +know full well the objection that is felt by some clergy to +Evening Communion, but in the British Expeditionary Force at +times it is absolutely necessary, unless the Church is +prepared to practically excommunicate men for a longer or +shorter period. I may add that personally I have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>no +sympathy with limiting the Means of Grace instituted by our +Blessed Redeemer to any particular hour of the day, and +certainly the Divine Institution was made after the Last +Supper, or during that meal.</p> + +<p class="hang">(3) One of the saddest features of the padré's round of duty is +the burial of the dead. Funerals often take place in the +firing line, or immediately behind it, when, of course, the +ceremony is of the very briefest duration. At others the +remains of the brave dead are interred in the nearest +cemetery, but in either case, as far as possible, a cross is +placed on the grave recording the name, number and regiment +of the interred. The visitation of the dying, especially +during a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>'push,' entails a great deal of time on the part +of the chaplain. If the dying man is conscious and realizes +his position, there will be the last messages for the loved +ones at home; the disposition of property; the setting right +of some existent wrong; for as the moment of dissolution +approaches, men's minds are usually keenly alive to the +urgency of the position.</p> + +<p class="hang">(4) One of the most harrowing duties is ministering to the +wounded, especially in the Field Dressing Station of an +Ambulance, where the men are first attended to after being +brought in from the field. Their condition is often +indescribable, and opportunities of a word of comfort +abound. Even as a man lies upon the table, his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>wounds being +probed and dressed, the Message of God, coupled sometimes +with so material a solace as the placing of a cigarette +between the lips of the sufferer, will help him to bear his +agony. In Casualty Clearing and Base Hospitals there are, of +course, always a number of sick to be visited, and this work +falls within the region of ordinary civilian hospital work. +In many cases where a man is first hit and he is not in a +too collapsed condition, his first thought is of home; and a +painful anxiety is often evinced by the sufferer to get a +message through, describing his condition, before his name +appears in the casualty list; for, unhappily, no distinction +is made in the published lists between slight and serious +cases.</p> + +<p class="hang">(5) <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>All this involves a large amount of correspondence on the +part of the chaplain, and there are busy times when a +'scrap' is proceeding. Every spare moment is occupied with +writing letters for those who are unable to do so +themselves. On the top of all his other work the padré is +constantly receiving letters from home, asking him as to the +whereabouts of this or that man, who may be dead, wounded or +missing; and this phase of the work of itself takes up a +great deal of time.</p> + +<p class="hang">(6) A not unimportant duty which falls to a chaplain's lot is +the recreation of the men, and if he is a good sort he will +endeavour, during periods of rest, to enliven the lot of his +men with sing-songs, boxing competitions, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>football matches, +athletic sports, etc., etc.—anything to buck up the men and +keep them cheery. In addition to this, many nondescript +duties fall to the chaplain's lot. Sometimes he is mess +president, and that will give him an anxious half hour. The +solicitude of a young wife who asked a matron of mature +experience as to the best method of keeping the affection of +her husband and preserving his interest in the home, was +answered by, 'Feed the brute.' A mess president knows to the +full what this means. The padré will sometimes have +difficult and perchance dangerous work allotted to him, such +as carrying messages under fire, or tending wounded men in +exposed places. He must also be prepared to lend a hand in +carrying <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>the wounded; and, in short, render himself as +useful as possible, and thus prove himself a friend of +officer and man.</p></div> + +<br /> + +<p>The question is often asked, 'Should a chaplain be under fire?' It is +impossible to avoid it if he is serving troops under fire, and he must +take his chance with every one else. Many times I have been asked, 'Were +you afraid?' I am only a normal person, not conspicuous for undue pluck +on the one hand, or, I hope, undue funk on the other, but I never got +over my fear; of course one grew accustomed to the deadly visitants +which were constantly in our midst. After all, if there is no fear, +there is no courage. I sometimes hear of men, of whom it is said, 'They +do not know what fear is.' Well, if that is so, such an individual is +devoid of courage, for the very essence of courage consists in the +appreciation of fear, and a persistence <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>in duty notwithstanding. Doctor +Johnson was passing through a cathedral when he noticed a tomb on which +was written, 'Here lies the body of a man who never knew fear.' 'Then,' +said the witty Doctor, 'he never tried to snuff a lighted candle with +his fingers.' General Gordon has told us that he was always subject to +fear. 'For my part,' he once said, 'I am always frightened and very much +so.' And yet no one in history has a reputation more honestly earned for +this real kind of courage, a courage won by personal victory over fear. +Herein lies the essence of the experience of the vast majority of our +men; fearing fire, and loathing it as they do, they yet 'stick' it, +because it is their duty.</p> + +<p>It is astonishing how soon one grows accustomed to death at the Front. +It cannot well be otherwise; the man you have been chatting to five +minutes before is presently borne along dead. The officer who was the +life and soul of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>mess on the previous night, in some ruined +farmhouse, is gone before the morning; and as a man well put it, 'Dying +men out here are as common as falling leaves in autumn.'</p> + +<p>The religious atmosphere at the Front is unique. I can hardly say that +there is what one may term a general turning to God, but certainly the +realization of the nearness of God and eternity are very present to most +men's minds. As a man said up at the Front, 'Out here every man puts up +some kind of a prayer every night.' The superficial scepticism which is +so largely ethical, or the result of indifference, and which is assumed +by many men in England, has no hold at the Front. One of our best known +Bishops was telling me when I met him 'somewhere in France' that a short +time back he was about to conduct a service in a hospital ward, in his +own city, and upon handing a hymn-book to one of the patients lying in +bed, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>he was met with, 'Thank you, I would rather not, I am an agnostic' +Hearing this, the man in the next bed raised himself up on his elbow, +and looking at the objector, tersely remarked, 'You silly young fool, a +week at the trenches would take that nonsense out of you.' Undoubtedly +our men are being awakened to the tremendous reality of eternal +verities, and it behoves us to help them all we can. In this respect the +experience of the padré is intensely happy; no work on which he engages +is more fruitful than that of upholding Christ before men who have come +near the end of their earthly course. Said an officer to me—who had +just been brought in badly wounded, and I had written to his wife +assuring her that all was being done to alleviate his suffering and to +effect his recovery (which happily took place)—'Padré, I have been a +wild man all my life, but last night as I lay wounded in the trenches, +for the first time I realized <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>God, and perfect peace came into my +heart.'</p> + +<p>A captain in the Guards, badly hit through the lungs with shrapnel, +demanded a good bit of my attention. When he was sent to the Base I +hardly thought that he would survive the journey; however, in due course +he reached England. Some months afterwards I received a letter from his +mother, stating that her boy was slowly climbing back to recovery, and +thanking me for what I had been able to do for him; which was little +enough. At the bottom of the letter was a postscript: 'My darling boy +died at twelve to-day. Just before he passed away he said, "Mother, I am +in perfect peace with God. Give my love to padré."' Those are the kind +of things that make a man thank God for having volunteered to do one's +'bit' in that particular line of life in which he has been placed. No +work is grander than a chaplain's; but I must lay it <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>down as a general +axiom, that no man should undertake this particular kind of work unless +he knows that he is charged with a message from God.</p> + +<p>In the Neuve Chapelle dispatch, Sir John French writes: 'I have once +more to remark upon the devotion to duty, courage and contempt of danger +which has characterized the work of the chaplains throughout this +campaign.' The padré's work is not to fight; indeed, he is not armed +(anyhow, he is not allowed to be by the authorities); and certainly one +of the difficulties experienced is to withhold oneself as one sees the +brave lads go to their daring and glorious work.</p> + +<div class="block3"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ambassador of Christ, you go<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Up to the very gates of hell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through fog of powder, storm of shell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To speak your Master's message: 'Lo,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Prince of Peace is with you still,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His peace be with you, His goodwill.'<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It is not small, your priesthood's price<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To be a man and yet stand by,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To hold your life while others die,<br /></span><span class='pn'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +<span class="i0">To bless, not share the sacrifice,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To watch the strife and take no part—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You with the fire at your heart.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p style="margin-left: 25%;"><span class="sc">W.M. Letts</span>, in the <i>Spectator</i>.<br /></p> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> There are now three appointed to each Brigade.</p></div> + +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>THE CARE OF THE WOUNDED</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER VIII<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>THE CARE OF THE WOUNDED</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Among the many sad sights witnessed in modern warfare, I question +whether there is any more pathetic than a train of wounded men passing +down from the Front. Every description of injury is noticeable, for shot +and shell are not discriminating. From cases of the severest abdominal +and head wounds, the patient being in a more or less collapsed +condition, one turns to the laughing lad, with only a clean shot through +his forearm, and who still has the exciting influence of the 'scrap' +thickly upon him. But slight or dangerous, each requires attention, for +owing to the grave danger of septic trouble, the smallest scratch may +prove fatal. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>In their handling of the enormous number of casualties, +the work of the R.A.M.C. will stand out in luminous letters when the +history of the war is written. From sanitation, to a major operation, +this Department is equal to the occasion, and one is lost in admiration +at the splendid devotion to duty exhibited by this strictly scientific +branch of the service.</p> + +<p>Wounded men always possess a sad and enthralling interest to the public +mind. It is not morbid curiosity alone which draws men and women to gaze +upon the unhappy sufferers, rather I think it is a feeling akin to awe, +for it is recognized that these men have been in the thick of it, and +the imagination of the onlookers sees the courage they have displayed, +and peering through the veil beholds the terrible sights they have seen. +These, and similar thoughts cast a glamour over the most ordinary +wounded man, and clothe him with a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>heroism which in all probability he +of all men is most unconscious of possessing.</p> + +<p>The variety of circumstances under which men get wounded is unbounded. +Multitudes of those bowled over have never seen a German. It may be far +back in the rear that a 'Jack Johnson' or 'Black Maria' (for we have +many names for the German high explosive) has knocked a man out. It is +all over in a moment; in the quiet of the night, or amid the bustle of +the day the deadly shriek of an approaching shell falls upon the man's +ear, and before he can seek for cover—even supposing there is any to +hand—the roar of the explosion will probably be the last thing that he +will remember before he awakes to his agony. Or nearer to the line, the +whistle of an approaching shrapnel speaks of coming danger, and then a +prone figure on the ground tells of one more who has been 'pipped,' to +use a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>colloquialism of the Front. When we consider the extreme range of +a seventeen-inch gun as being not far short of thirty miles, the +difficulty of being out of range is at once apparent. Nearer at hand, +within a few yards, an accurately thrown bomb is a fruitful source of +injury to our fighting men, whilst in these days of accurate rifle fire +'snipers' mark the slightest movement at a thousand yards. In the fierce +rush of the taking of a trench, men are as thick on the ground as the +leaves of Vallombrosa. At such times, notwithstanding the specific +orders to the contrary, men are constantly helping each other. For +brotherly love will assert itself even amid the rush of battle. Here is +an order from the 'Standing Orders' of the Seventh Division:—</p> + +<p>'Wounded men.—All ranks are forbidden to divert their attention from +the enemy in order to attend wounded officers or men.'</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>But notwithstanding this command, again and again heroic deeds are +performed by combatants in their endeavour to get their wounded comrades +out of imminent danger.</p> + +<p>It was a noble deed of the Rev. Nevile Talbot, who, learning that his +brother in the Rifle Brigade was hit, rushed into the zone of fire, only +to find his beloved relative dead; straightway he immediately diverted +his attention to the need of a wounded 'Tommy' near by. The Rev. and +Honourable B.M. Peel was badly hit in the head and left leg, in charging +with the Welsh Fusiliers; true, he had no right to be there from a +military point of view, but I believe the O.C. had given him permission, +and certainly his heroic action inspired the men, and has left a +splendid memory in the minds of those who were with him. In such ways +the front line of casualties occur. How are they dealt with? I will +describe as briefly as possible the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>procedure which governs the +handling of the wounded from the fighting line to the Convalescent Home +in England.</p> + +<div class="block"><p class="hang">(1) Nearly every Battalion has its Regimental Surgeon and +Bearers; the latter are men who are specially trained to +render First Aid, and to carry the wounded out of the zone +of immediate fire.</p> + +<p class="hang">(2) At this point the stricken one is taken in hand by the +Bearer Section of the Field Ambulance, under the command of +an R.A.M.C. officer, who, where necessary, quickly renders +First Aid by applying a tourniquet where there is arterial +bleeding, or bandaging up an ordinary wound. These men, +whether attached to the Field Ambulance or a regiment, are +worthy <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>of the highest praise. No courage is of a higher +order than that which enables men, devoid of the excitement +of fighting, to pass within the deadly hail of lead.</p> + +<p class="hang">(3) The wounded man is then conveyed to the Field Dressing +Station of the Field Ambulance. This may be located in a +deserted building: a barn, a farmhouse, or some such place. +It may be even placed behind a haystack, or in a wood, but +certainly in the most sheltered position that can be found. +Here the man's wound receives more careful attention, but +with a rush of such cases it is impossible to bestow all the +care that is desired. Very hurriedly the man's clothing is +cut open, the wound cleansed with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>iodine, or some such +disinfectant, bandaged up again, and the sufferer is ready +for evacuation to a Casualty Clearing Station.</p> + +<p class="hang">(4) Some miles behind the firing line, a convent, schools, or +any suitable house, or group of buildings, has been set +apart as a hospital, and under the present system greater +assistance can now be rendered to the patient. Even +operations may be performed if the case is one of special +urgency. At this point I would call attention to the +remarkable revolution that has taken place in the transport +of the wounded, through the agency of Motor Ambulances, in +lieu of the pair horse Ambulance formerly in use, and which +rumbled along the uneven roads, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>thereby causing an +intolerable amount of suffering to the badly stricken men +therein. The sufferers are now conveyed swiftly, and with +far greater comfort, to their temporary destinations; and +hundreds of lives are being preserved by means of this +miracle of modern times.</p> + +<p class="hang">(5) The hospital train at the 'rail head' which serves the +district is the next experience of the wounded man. Those +who have examined these wonderful accessories to modern +warfare will have been struck by the completeness of the +arrangements. Beds of the most comfortable description, +having regard to space, are provided, whilst sitting cases +are arranged for in ordinary carriages. Furnished with a +well-appointed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>kitchen, nothing is left to be desired as +regards the food, and this, I need hardly say, appeals very +strongly to a man who has been living upon Army rations for +weeks or months past. There is even a small operating +theatre in the best equipped hospital trains.</p> + +<p class="hang">(6) This brings us to the Base Hospital, where is found the +finest talent, both medical and surgical, that the country +can produce. Some of our greatest civilian medical men, in a +temporary capacity, are now rendering invaluable aid to the +remarkable cases which proceed from the fell work of shot +and shell. These hospitals, some of which are due to the +magnificent enterprise of private individuals, provide for a +very <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>large number of patients. In one centre alone there +are eight hospitals, with fourteen beds in each. Here, too, +are working the most highly trained nursing sisters, and the +wounded man will, to his dying day, remember the patient +skill bestowed upon him by these devoted women. A patient +recently remarked to a friend of mine, who asked him whether +he didn't think the sister was an angel, 'Indeed she is, +sir, a regular fallen angel.' His adjective was a little out +of place, but he meant to describe exactly what we all feel +with regard to these splendid ministers to our need.</p> + +<p class="hang">(7) The hospital ship next receives the sufferer, and herein +everything that modern ingenuity can devise is applied to +the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>necessities of the case. Landing at some convenient +British port, an English hospital train receives the wounded +man, who is speedily whirled away to—</p> + +<p class="hang">(8) The Home Hospital, where, of course, the man remains under +the ablest care, until he is happily classified a +convalescent.</p> + +<p class="hang">(9) The Convalescent Home is perhaps the happiest stage of the +whole curriculum, and Tommy runs a chance of being spoiled +ere he is ready for the fighting line, or, in case of +permanent disablement, for the care of his own kith and kin.</p></div> + +<br /> + +<p>I must not forget the remarkable qualities of the Orderlies of the +R.A.M.C. I have often been struck with the tender <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>care and solicitude +which they bestow upon the wounded coming under their attention. In +their ranks are found all sorts and conditions of men: clergymen, +medical students; indeed, the premier Earl of Scotland, the Earl of +Crawford and Balcarres, enlisted as a Private in the R.A.M.C. and is now +a Corporal in a Field Ambulance. Such an example cannot fail to place +this distinguished branch of the Service on the highest level of utility +and importance.</p> + +<p>So far, I have more particularly dealt with the care of the wounded. +This, however, is only one side of the vast work under the care of the +medical side of the Army. With the lamentable effect of the evil of bad +water experienced in the South African war, the Authorities have been +most drastic in their insistence of a pure water supply to the Army. +To-day every unit has its filter cast, and most urgent orders are in +circulation forbidding men to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>drink from any other supply. This alone +has prevented a large amount of disease.</p> + +<p>One of the ills that our men have to contend with is 'feet.' No one, +excepting those who have had to march on French and Belgian roads, can +realize the pernicious effect of cobbled stones, with their many +inequalities, upon the feet of the men; hence in every well-commanded +Battalion frequent feet inspections are held—in many instances daily. +This simple preventive, coupled with a copious supply of socks sent out +by the people at home, has helped the great majority of 'Tommies' to +keep their pedal extremities in going order.</p> + +<p>The inspection of kit, from a sanitary point of view, is another +important phase of the hygienic question. Where men have to exist for +days without a change of clothing, it will be readily understood that +the effect is extremely prejudicial to health, and therefore a medical +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>supervision of the clothing of the men is of supreme value to their +health. In many places facilities for hot baths are provided for the men +coming out of the trenches, and greatly is this boon prized. One of the +commonest sights behind the firing line is a detachment of men swinging +along, with towels in their hands, on their way to or fro the tub.</p> + +<p>In some places whilst the men are in the bath their clothes are +carefully disinfected, and then handed back to them thoroughly cleansed +and fit for further use. Notwithstanding all these precautions, there +is, of course, a certain amount of sickness which is inevitable among so +great a number of men, but it is significant in proportion to the +numbers employed. After many months with troops I can emphatically say +that the bodily care of our men, by the medical authorities, is beyond +all praise, and has done much to preserve the redundant health which is +characteristic of our <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>Army in the field. 'Cleanliness is next to +Godliness,' and I must add that it comes in a good second in the British +Expeditionary Force in Flanders and France.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>WORK AT THE BASE</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER IX<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h3>WORK AT THE BASE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>At various centres in France are established Bases, where all the +necessary supplies and ammunition are landed, and thence transported to +the various Units in the Field. To cope with this vast system of +distribution an army of men is employed. It will help the reader to form +an estimate of the labour involved in this enormous undertaking if I +briefly refer to the various branches of the British Expeditionary Force +which are specially engaged in ministering to the Force as a whole.</p> + +<div class="block"><p class="hang">(1) <i>Army Service Corps.</i>—These are men drilled and practised +in supply and transport. They are <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>ubiquitous, and without +them it would be impossible to maintain the operations in +hand.</p> + +<p class="hang">(2) <i>Army Ordnance Department.</i>—The men of this section are +skilled in the manipulation of ammunition, and in the +tabulation and distribution of a hundred and one articles of +equipment. It is a striking object lesson to make a tour of +inspection of this important Department of the Army. It +would be interesting to know how many hundreds of thousands +of miles of barbed wire have passed through the hands of the +A.O. during the war. Everything from a screw to a howitzer +comes within their attention. As to the supply of guns and +ammunition I am, of course, forbidden to say anything, +excepting to share with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>my fellow-countrymen the greatest +satisfaction that the grave difficulty noticeable earlier in +the war has to so large an extent been overcome.</p> + +<p class="hang">(3) <i>Army Medical Stores.</i>—Here again we have another striking +object lesson in the wonders of detail. Everything required +by Hospitals, Field Ambulances, Casualty Clearing Stations +is herein stored and ready to be dispatched in response to +the indents which are daily pouring in; the requirements of +the R.A.M.C., from a surgical bandage to an operating +table—to say nothing of drugs—must be ready for use. This +involves the most careful attention on the part of the +staff, which is, of course, composed of picked men.</p> + +<p class="hang"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>(4) <i>Railway Engineers.</i>—In each Base will be found one or more +companies of Sappers, who are responsible for the +maintenance of telegraphic and telephonic communications, +within the area of the Base; and also the construction and +upkeep of military railway lines and buildings.</p> + +<p class="hang">(5) <i>Sanitary Department.</i>—In Bases where permanent Garrisons +are stationed (in some instances amounting to many +thousands) much care must be exercised with regard to the +ordinary hygienic conditions of life; and under highly +qualified officers the most careful supervision is exercised +in this respect.</p> + +<p class="hang">(6) <i>Army Post Office.</i>—The correspondence of the Expeditionary +Force is enormous, and involves a large staff in keeping +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>'Tommy' well posted with news from home. The efficiency of +this important adjunct to our Army is as highly valued as it +is admirably carried out.</p> + +<p class="hang">(7) <i>Army Bakers.</i>—The men composing this Unit are of course +selected from a particular calling. Their work is beyond all +praise. In one Base with which I was more particularly +connected during the latter part of my service abroad, no +less than 220,000 two and a half pound loaves are baked +daily. This represents bread rations for 440,000 men. The +labour involved in such a vast production is very great. +Weekday and Sunday alike the Army Bakers are grandly +proceeding with their monotonous but most necessary work. So +complete is the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>system employed in the making and +distributing of 'the staff of life' that no Unit, however +far distant, receives bread older than four days. A French +General of high position, lately visiting one such Bakery, +expressed his unbounded admiration at the system employed, +saying that in the French Army bread fifteen days old is +very usually met with.</p> + +<p class="hang">(8) <i>Army Service Corps Labourers.</i>—These men are specially +enlisted from stevedores, dock labourers, etc. Their work +consists, in the main, of unloading vessels, and shipping +supplies on to trains.</p> + +<p class="hang">(9) <i>Remounts and Veterinary Department.</i>—It would rejoice the +hearts of all lovers of dumb animals to visit these great +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>repositories of whole, sick and injured horses. The saving +in horse flesh represented by these carefully administered +camps is of the utmost value to the Army as a whole, for +although motor transport is playing so important a part, +horses are a necessity in many phases of Army work.</p> + +<p class="hang">(10) <i>Military Police.</i>—Under the Assistant Provost Marshal, a +military Base is controlled by a staff of picked men, who do +their work most admirably. Their duties are varied; they +have the oversight of the conduct of the men, and are most +particular in regard to the appearance of men in public. Woe +be to the man who is not properly dressed as he passes under +the lynx-eye of one of these military <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>custodians of the +peace. Such supervision is not even altogether uncalled for +among the officers of the new Army; one has been much struck +with the slovenly, and at times grotesque, appearance of men +who have suddenly assumed the position of officers and +gentlemen. The somewhat apt epigram which is current to-day, +is not wholly unmerited, "Temporary officers are expected to +behave as temporary gentlemen."</p> + +<p class="hang">(11) <i>Convalescent Camps.</i>—On men leaving hospitals, prior to +their rejoining their Units at the Front, they are usually +placed in Convalescent Camps, or in what are called Base +Details. Here they are employed in various light duties +until such times as they are fit for more active service.</p></div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>It was at a Base comprising a Garrison of such Units as I have mentioned +that I spent the greater part of my closing months of service in the +Army. I was not attached to any hospital, but had placed in my care the +greater part of what I may call the active men. The work was of the most +interesting description, and following as it did a strenuous experience +with the fighting forces, I am enabled, in consequence, to form a fairly +sound judgment on the work of the British Expeditionary Force as a +whole.</p> + +<p>On leaving home on March 16 for a fresh spell of service, I proceeded, +in obedience to orders received, and reported myself to Doctor Sims, the +principal chaplain, and received from him my orders as to my allocation. +On reaching my Base I was most cordially received by the Rev. E.G.F. +McPherson, C.M.G. Senior Church of England Chaplain to the Forces. This +officer, who ranks as Colonel, has had many years <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>of distinguished +service in the Army, and is universally respected. Prior to his taking +up the position which he occupied when I reported to him, he was in the +retreat from Mons and the battle of the Aisne. The regard evinced for +him by all ranks is unbounded. On one occasion I was with him visiting +padrés at the Front, when an officer pointing to him said, 'There goes +the best loved man in the Army,' and I can well believe it. He is at the +present time rendering very important service with the Southern Command, +in the Salisbury training centre.</p> + +<p>Allocated to me were the A.S.C., Army Ordnance, Mechanical Transport +Base Regiment (employed on Guard duty), Firing parties at funerals, +Escorts, etc., Military Police, Army Bakers, and A.S.C. Labourers.</p> + +<p>My work at the Base necessarily differed largely from that at the Front. +The men being stationed at one place it was possible to arrange a +regular system of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>services; but these were at times exceedingly +difficult to sustain, owing to the very heavy pressure of work with +which the men had to cope; but notwithstanding such difficulties and +discouragements, I have every reason to be thankful for the great +opportunity which was afforded me.</p> + +<p>It was my privilege to prepare men for Baptism, and on two occasions for +Confirmation. This solemn rite of our Church was taken on the one +occasion by Bishop Bury, and on the other by the Bishop of Birmingham; +at each service admirable addresses were delivered.</p> + +<p>The Bishop of Birmingham—an old Territorial officer—has taken the +greatest interest in the work of the British Expeditionary Force, and is +thoroughly conversant with the whole line at the Front.</p> + +<p>It was a great pleasure to meet the Bishop of London, just before +Easter, on his way to the firing line, where he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>received a wonderful +welcome from all ranks.</p> + +<p>Spiritual work among soldiers is very real and deep. I question whether +there is any more difficult place for a man to endeavour to live up to +his convictions than in the Army; and to the Christian soldier, one of +the surest tests of the reality of his religious profession is the +simple matter of saying his prayers in the barrack room or tent. If a +man persistently does that, you may be sure there is something real in +his profession.</p> + +<p>I have already alluded to the deep impression created by the experience +of being under fire. A somewhat remarkable instance in support of this +condition of mind came under my notice a few weeks ago. The officer to +whom it relates will, I am sure, pardon my introducing his experience to +point my moral. He was standing with a brother officer amid the ruins of +Ypres, when, realizing that the position was distinctly 'unhealthy' +owing to the heavy shelling which had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>commenced, he suggested a +withdrawal from the locality. They had walked but a short distance, when +a high explosive shell burst behind them, and a piece of the casing +whizzed between their heads. 'That was a near shave,' said one; 'let's +go back and see where it fell.' It had fallen on the precise spot where +they had been standing but a minute or so before. The result of the +condition of mind produced by this remarkable 'let off' was a visit to +the chaplain's office. On asking what I could do for him the officer +replied, 'I hardly know, but I want your help. I have never been +baptized, so I suppose I ought to be baptized and confirmed.' I pointed +out to him that prior to the participation in the Sacrament of Holy +Baptism, he had to settle with himself his personal relationship with +Christ. By the goodness of God I believe that point was clearly +established in his mind, and it was my privilege to baptize him, and +then <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>present him for Confirmation at the hands of the Bishop of +Birmingham.</p> + +<p>This affords another illustration of the wonderful working of a man's +mind who comes face to face with Eternity and the reality of God. Some +men at home will possibly be inclined to sneer at such a condition of +mind, but those of us who have been through it know full well the +emptiness of such home-bred objections, which certainly do not hold amid +the issues of life and death which are found at the Front.</p> + +<p>I have met many friends at the Base, both among officers and men. It is +a pleasing duty to record the gratitude I owe to those in command for +their invariable courtesy to me, in the prosecution of my work, and the +splendid personal support rendered to me. The personal influence of the +officers goes far in securing the sympathy of the men.</p> + +<p>I have never had more attentive congregations than those which have +formed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>the various Church Parades and voluntary gatherings which fell +to my lot to conduct whilst working at the Base.</p> + +<p>On one occasion it fell to me to conduct a 'Quiet Day' for Chaplains, +Hospital Nurses and Orderlies, and responsible though the work was, we +felt it to be a great lift up, coming as it did amid the stress of a +very arduous life.</p> + +<p>I frequently had the experience of visiting the different sections of +the Front, and on two occasions in particular gave addresses to +gatherings of chaplains, drawn from various Divisions. Those were unique +occasions, for one felt the tremendous responsibility of trying to help +men engaged in such important work. I knew that I was addressing heroes +without exception, men who were daily counting their lives cheap for +Christ's sake.</p> + +<p>A most interesting experience befell me on June 18. With a brother +chaplain I was visiting in the neighbourhood of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>Ypres, when ascending a +small hill from which one could survey the whole line of trenches, +extending from Zonnebec to Ploegstreete, we passed by some reserve +trenches in which were a considerable number of men, resting from their +duties in the front line trenches. I had taken with me in the car a +large number of packets of cigarettes, generously sent out by my +parishioners, and on asking the lads if they wanted any, I speedily +found myself at the head of a great following, like the Pied Piper of +Hamelin. The men streamed after me in hundreds down to the lane some +distance off, where the car was waiting. It did not take many minutes to +hand out a big supply of smokes. While thus engaged, a sergeant made +himself known to me as having heard me give an address down at the Base, +and with considerable <i>naïveté</i> he said, 'Cannot you give us a talk +here, sir?' Of course I could! and in less than five minutes there were +hundreds of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>men most picturesquely grouped on the hillside. It was +touching to see their faces as I spoke to them of 'the greatest thing in +the world,' the Love of God in Christ Jesus; and as I built up my +argument of the Divine love by means of the illustration of the love of +home, many a clear eye glistened. As I closed, I pointed out to them the +unique occasion of our meeting, June 18, 1915, therefore the centenary +of the Battle of Waterloo. There we were actually on Belgian soil, +almost within gun-sound of the celebrated battle-field itself. As we +sang the National Anthem I felt that never had I heard it sung in so +inspiriting a manner; and when I called for three cheers for the King, +the Germans in their front line trenches,—which were certainly within +earshot,—must have imagined an attack in force was about to take place. +Such desultory gatherings go far to cheer a padré's heart as he proceeds +on the daily round and common task.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span><br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span><br /> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<h3>A CLOSING WORD</h3> + +<h3>[<i>Kindly written by</i> Colonel <span class="sc">E.G.F. Macpherson</span>,<br /> <i>Senior +Chaplain to the Forces</i> (Church of England).]</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The completion of Mr. Kennedy's account of his work at Boulogne was not +finished ere he entered into his rest. As the senior under whom he +served during the latter part of his term with the Expeditionary Force, +I have been asked to add a few concluding remarks, relative to his +labours from the period his own narrative ends.</p> + +<p>Part of Mr. Kennedy's sphere of work lay just outside the Base at a +certain place. Here was erected a camp of wooden huts, occupied by a +considerable number of A.S.C. Dock Labourers. In this camp there was no +building where <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>the troops could pass a pleasant and innocent evening, +nor was there a church within reasonable distance of the place. This, of +course, was naturally a great disadvantage to any chaplain in his +endeavours to get a hold upon the men. Mr. Kennedy felt the need; with +him to think was to act.</p> + +<p>He came to me and requested that I should write a letter to him, asking +him (as he was going immediately on short leave to England) to do what +he could to influence friends at home to supply what we both recognized +was a crying need.</p> + +<p>Although Mr. Kennedy was only away about a week, he returned with +between two or three hundred pounds, to start the erection of a Hut for +recreational and religious purposes.</p> + +<p>The next thing to do was to obtain a suitable site, preferably in the +midst of the camp.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kennedy obtained the consent of the Base Commandant, and that of +the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>officer commanding the camp; the latter especially rendering all +the assistance in his power—particularly in obtaining for us the +services of a competent architect.</p> + +<p>Plans were drawn up and approved by me. It was found that the expenses +of the Church Hut would be considerably more than was at first +contemplated: £600, not £400 as we thought. Mr. Kennedy appealed once +more to his friends and to the readers of certain religious papers. +Pecuniary assistance flowed rapidly in, and we were soon assured of +enough money to build a large and commodious Church Hut. There was to be +a large hall, a coffee bar, kitchen, and some small rooms.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kennedy, in spite of much other work in which he was engaged, found +time to constantly trudge to and fro to the camp, watching, with zealous +care, the erection of the Hut. No less keen and interested spectators +were the A.S.C. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>men themselves, for it meant a great deal to +them—somewhere to go to when work was done, somewhere to pass an hour +or so.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kennedy's idea was to supply wholesome refreshment, daily papers and +magazines, and games to play. This during the week.</p> + +<p>On Sundays the place was to be 'rigged,' as sailors call it, as a +church. It was to be used also for Bible Classes and Instructions.</p> + +<p>In wonderfully quick time the Hut was built, and duly opened. This +latter event happened after I was called home on special duty.</p> + +<p>Needless to say the Hut has been greatly used, both from a social and +religious point of view; and has been directly and indirectly the means +of much good being done. It is another monument to the life's work of a +noble soul.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h5>Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner, Frome and London.</h5> + +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>Typographical errors corrected in text:</p> +<br /> +Page 20: vessel replaced with vessels<br /> +Page 178: Amy replaced with Army<br /> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With The Immortal Seventh Division, by +E. J. Kennedy and the Lord Bishop of Winchester + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE IMMORTAL SEVENTH DIVISION *** + +***** This file should be named 19339-h.htm or 19339-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/3/3/19339/ + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The 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. 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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: With The Immortal Seventh Division + +Author: E. J. Kennedy and the Lord Bishop of Winchester + +Release Date: September 20, 2006 [EBook #19339] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE IMMORTAL SEVENTH DIVISION *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + + + * * * * * + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been | + | preserved. | + | | + | Each chapter is preceded by a blank page, a chapter title | + | page and another blank page. | + | | + | A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected | + | in this text. For a complete list, please see the end of | + | this document. | + | | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + + WITH THE IMMORTAL + SEVENTH DIVISION + + By the Rev. + E.J. KENNEDY + Chaplain Major to The Expeditionary Force. + + + With a Preface by the Right Reverend the + LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER + + + HODDER AND STOUGHTON + LONDON NEW YORK TORONTO + MCMXVI + + + + + TO + MY WIFE + AND + HELP-MATE OF MANY YEARS. + + + + +PREFACE + + +This little record bears the impress of the character of its +writer--simple, manly, open-hearted towards man, and devout towards God. + +I have read a great part of it with keen interest. Written without +strain, from fresh personal experience, and with great sympathy for the +officers and men of our Army, it gives a very lively picture of a +chaplain's work at the Front, and the scenes and conditions under which +it is done. + +Mr. Kennedy's commanding stature, and fine physical manhood, gave him +advantages which his fine character and genial nature used, by God's +grace, to the best effect. + +Having known him, and admired him from the time when I admitted him to +Priest's Orders in South London, down to the day when at my request he +addressed our Diocesan Conference upon the challenge given to the Church +by the war, and the claims and needs of the men of our Army returning +from the Front,--a subject on which he glowed with eagerness,--it is a +happiness to me to bespeak for his words an attention which will +certainly be its own reward. + +I trust the book may do a little to lessen the loss which (to human +vision) the best interests of our country and her people have suffered +by his early and unexpected death. + + EDW. WINTON. + + FARNHAM CASTLE, + _November, 1915._ + + + + +EDITOR'S NOTE + + +Chaplain Major E.J. Kennedy, the writer of this little book, returned to +his parish of St. John the Evangelist, Boscombe, in September 1915, +having completed his year's service with the Expeditionary Force. Fired +with a deep sense of the need of rousing the Home Church and Land to a +clearer realization of the spiritual needs of 'Our Men' and armed with +the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the approval and +consent of his Diocesan, he determined to spend a certain amount of his +time in the strenuous work of lecturing up and down the country, in +addition to his many parochial duties. Immediately on his return he +plunged into this work, without taking any rest after his arduous +labours at the Front. On Tuesday, October 19, he was lecturing in +Liverpool and Birkenhead. On Wednesday he was taken ill, and on Thursday +he returned home. On the following Monday he succumbed to the disease +which doubtless he contracted at the Front. + +In the passing of Major Kennedy the Church and Nation have lost a man +who could ill be spared. So simple in his faith, so fearless and +powerful in his preaching, he was a man who wielded an influence almost +unique in this country. Those who have been benefited by his ministry +are not counted by hundreds but by tens of hundreds. His influence with +the men at the Front was extraordinary. A soldier writes, 'I was awfully +sorry to hear of Mr. Kennedy's death. It came so sudden too. I expect he +would not wish for a better death than dying practically in his +country's cause. He will be greatly missed, his place will not be easily +filled. Unfortunately there are not many men of his stamp in the world. +He was "white" all through, a thing as rare as it is valuable. He was a +real manly Christian gentleman.' This letter is typical of hundreds +which have been received from all parts of the world, including the +Front, so wide and far reaching was the sweep of his influence. + +Of him it may be truly said, 'He was God's man.' Many in all schools of +thought and walks of life, as they think of him to-day will +unconsciously say to themselves what the poet has expressed-- + + "This is the happy warrior, this is he + Whom every man in arms should wish to be." + +Well done! thou good and faithful servant. + + J.H. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + +CHAPTER I +THE SEVENTH DIVISION 3 + +CHAPTER II +THE TREK THROUGH BELGIUM 27 + +CHAPTER III +THE WELCOME OF A PEOPLE 69 + +CHAPTER IV +A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS 79 + +CHAPTER V +THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES 99 + +CHAPTER VI +CONCERNING OFFICERS AND MEN 121 + +CHAPTER VII +THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD 139 + +CHAPTER VIII +THE CARE OF THE WOUNDED 159 + +CHAPTER IX +WORK AT THE BASE 177 + +CHAPTER X +A CLOSING WORD 195 + + + + +THE SEVENTH DIVISION + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE SEVENTH DIVISION + + +'A telegram, sir!' and a mounted orderly who had ridden over from +Larkhill, stood outside my tent at the Bustard's Camp, Salisbury Plain, +at 5 a.m., on September 17, 1914. + +In that remote part of the world so removed from the benefits of +ordinary life, we were yet in receipt of our daily papers at that early +hour in the morning, and I was enjoying a twenty-four hours' history of +the world, at the moderate price of a penny, when the brief tones of the +orderly aroused me from its perusal. Its contents were startling: 'You +have been selected for immediate foreign service. Report yourself early +to-morrow morning at the War Office.' For some days past I had been +doing duty with my Territorial Battalion, the 7th Hants; but daily I had +been hoping that I might be able to throw in my lot with the great mass +of men, who had volunteered at the call of King and country. + +During the month of August I had been shut up at the Riffel Alp with +some seventy other unfortunates; kicking our heels in enforced ignorance +when we would fain have been near the centre of information, if not of +service. Unable to travel owing to the railways of Switzerland and +France being required for the mobilization of troops, we could only +possess our souls in patience. It was a time never to be forgotten, for +although our English blood was stirred by the rumours that reached us of +an expeditionary force being landed in France, under General Sir John +French, and of even greater significance, the mobilization of the +English Fleet, yet our only source of information was derived from the +Corriere della Sera, the communiques of which were supplied by the Wolff +Agency. Our state of mind can be readily imagined when I mention such +points of _reliable_ news as the 'Destruction of the English Fleet; +Death of Sir John French; Invasion of England; London taken; Bank of +England in flames.' Of course we knew that this was false, and yet there +was no possibility of rebutting the statements. + +For nearly a month we alternated between hope and fear. The effect of +the bright Swiss sunshine would at times render us optimistic, and then +the fall of night would once more see us plunged into the depths of a +helpless pessimism. However, the time came when the little English +colony struggled through the difficulties of railway transport, and +arrived once more in the region of authentic information. The journey +home, which occupied three days, was full of interest, for France was +throbbing with 'la guerre' and 'la gloire'; train after train with +troops bound for the Front, swept by us; while at Lyons we encountered +an ambulance train full of wounded, and another of German prisoners. My +party had the advantage of travelling with the wife and son of a Cabinet +Minister, and through Sir E. Grey's kind solicitude for his colleague's +people, the best possible accommodation was provided for us, but even +that powerful interest was not always sufficient to prevent delay and +discomfort. On reaching Creil, the junction for Belgium, we found the +station full of English troops in their retreat from Mons, and many were +the stirring stories gathered from our retiring, but not disheartened +men. The spirit of the French troops much impressed us; unaccompanied, +my ladies went among them with confidence, and on every hand were +treated with the consideration of gentlemen. I remarked on this to a +French gentleman who was travelling with us, and he said with warranted +pride, 'But they are gentlemen, monsieur.' Some of the wounded French +took the greatest interest in describing to us the circumstances under +which they had been hit,--some, as the manner of soldiers is, displayed +the bullet or piece of shrapnel which had laid them low. + +Nearly all the troop trains going to the Front were decorated with +flowers and evergreens, whilst the stations and villages were alive with +enthusiastic people assembled to cheer their men onward to their +glorious and dangerous task. + +It was with thankful hearts and very travel-stained persons that we +finally reached home, heartily agreeing after our exciting experiences +that a little goes a long way. + +I had at the earliest moment possible volunteered my services to the +Army Chaplains Department, but was informed that there was no prospect +at that time of my being called upon; accordingly I joined my +Territorial Battalion, under Colonel Park, and was awaiting a summons to +service, here, there, or anywhere, when, as I have described, the call +came. I have often wondered why the War Office always springs upon one +with such alarming suddenness; possibly it is the way of the Army; it is +certainly disconcerting, although it is educational, for it teaches one +to be always ready and alert for any emergency. + +And now the order had come, and there was hurrying to and fro; a rapid +dash home; a putting together of kit which would be required in the +unknown life about to be entered upon. A last night at home; and then +the reporting of oneself at the War Office; the signing of a contract +for twelve months' service; a medical examination as to physical +fitness; an hour or two's shopping at Harrods (where one developed a +tendency to think of everything not wanted, and to forget what was +really useful); and finally Waterloo Station, that scene of many +farewells. 'Good-bye' has so many significations. It may be uttered at +the parting for a couple of hours; it may be uttered, and often is, in +these days as the final word on earth to much loved ones. Oh, these +partings! how they pull a man's heart to pieces; and yet, with that +remarkable insularity which characterizes our race,--or should I say +races--it is one of the things seldom or never mentioned among men on +service; and yet I suppose it is always uppermost in a man's mind. Again +and and again I have lit upon men in out of the way corners, reading a +well worn letter, or perchance gazing at a photograph, every facial +lineament of which was already well stamped upon the mind of the gazer. +It is one of the mental attitudes which go to form a spirit of +comradeship; the feeling that it is all part of the game, and we are +most of us tarred with the same brush. + +I had received my orders at the War Office, to join the Seventh Division +then mobilizing at Lyndhurst. + +The Seventh Division! that meant very little to me, and indeed to the +public generally at that time, but what it signified to the nation will +be more fully appreciated when the history of this war is written. + +It may be interesting to give particulars of the composition of that, +which I believe is the first Division ever to march out of an English +camp fully equipped. + +Under the command of Major-General T. Capper, C.B., D.S.O.,[1] now Sir +Thomson Capper, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., it represented the very flower +of our Army, possessing a Staff of most capable officers. + +It consisted of:-- + + Divisional Signal Company; + Divisional Mounted troops; + Northumberland Hussars; + Cycle Company; + Four Brigades of Artillery (R.H.A., R.F.A., R.G.A.); + Two Batteries R.G.A.; + Divisional Ammunition Column; + Divisional Engineers, two Field Companies; + 20th Infantry Brigade,-- + Brig.-General H.G. Ruggles Brise, M.V.O.; + Brigade-Major A.B.E. Cator. + + 2nd Scots Guards; + 1st Grenadier Guards; + 2nd Border Regiment; + 2nd Gordon Highlanders; + 21st Infantry Brigade,-- + Brig. H.E. Watts, C.B.; + Brigade-Major Captain W. Drysdale. + 2nd Bedford Regiment; + 2nd Yorks; + 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers; + 2nd Wiltshire Regiment; + 22nd Infantry Brigade-- + Brig. S.T.B. Lawford; + Brigade-Major Captain G.M. James, The Buffs. + + 2nd The Queens; + 2nd Royal Warwick Regiment; + 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers; + 1st South Staffs Regiment. + + Divisional Train; + Four Companies Divisional Medical Units; + 21st Field Ambulance; + 22nd " " + 23rd " " + +The mobilization of a Division for Active Service is a vast business; +everything has to be thought of and provided; there must be a thorough +equipment for the men, horses, and transport; medical stores, saddlery, +farriery, etc., etc., not a thing must be forgotten, for in those early +days of the war there was no well-equipped Ordnance Department on the +other side. Each Field Ambulance is a dispensary on wheels, comprising +the hundred and one field comforts which warfare rightly provides for +the lamentable wrecks that pass through the hands of the R.A.M.C. + +The question of horses is no slight undertaking, and certainly gives +rise to no little heartburning, as every mounted officer naturally tries +to secure a good mount. To me it was a specially serious matter; when a +man walks 15.8 and rides another two stone at least, considerable care +has to be exercised in the selection of his equine friend, who has to +bear with him the fatigues, trials and risks of a campaign. I shall ever +feel the deepest obligation to Captain Kennedy Shaw, O.C., Remounts +Department, Salisbury, for supplying me with one of the best horses I +have ever ridden; a big upstanding bay, with black points; deep chested; +good quarters; with the most perfect manners, even under the heaviest +fire, which could be desired. Strangely enough his name (which was tied +to his halter) was 'Ora Pro Nobis,' a not inapt cognomen for a padre's +horse. He must have come out of a good stable, and I often felt that +someone must have hoped that he would fall into good hands. Should this +by any chance be read by the owner, let me say that both my groom and I +took the greatest care of my good steed until the day when German +shrapnel ushered him into 'the eternal hayfield.' + +They were happy days at Lyndhurst, where the Division remained for a +fortnight. The future stress of awful losses was only a bare possibility +then, although it was on the horizon of many men's hearts; but at the +time it was ignored, for many of the officers had their women folk +staying, either in the village, or near at hand; and the lawn of the +'Crown,' the Divisional Head-quarters, was a bright and happy centre of +pleasurable intercourse. + +It was a strange experience to be ushered into the very vortex of a +soldier's life, although my experience of military camp life was not a +new one; in far back years happy service in a kilted regiment had left a +mark which time has not effaced. + +A very cordial reception from General Capper set me at my ease; whilst +Brig.-General Ruggles Brise, to whose Brigade I was attached, and to +whose kindness and courtesy I owe much, assured me of the good will of +the powers that be. The General posted me to the 20th Brigade--a noble +appointment indeed; for such troops as the Grenadier Guards, Scots +Guards, Gordon Highlanders and Border Regiment were good enough for any +man. + +The Parade Services I held while at Lyndhurst were an inspiration. The +prayer card issued by the Chaplain-General was greatly appreciated by +officers and men. I arranged for the distribution of 15,000 of them in +the Division, and they were eagerly accepted by all from the Generals +downwards. On many an occasion in the after days I came across these +cards tucked away in the lining of the caps of dead and wounded men. +Nothing can exceed the beautiful simplicity of the prayer, a copy of +which I venture to insert:-- + +A SOLDIER'S PRAYER. + + Almighty and most Merciful Father, + Forgive me my sins: + Grant me thy peace: + Give me thy power: + Bless me in life and death, + For Jesus Christ's sake. + + Amen. + + (On the reverse side.) + + Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy + kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. + Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our + trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And + lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For + thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and + ever. + + Amen. + +The other Chaplains of the Division were:-- + + Church of England: The Rev. Hon. T. George Maurice Peel, 21st + Brigade. + + Presbyterian: The Rev. W. Stevenson Jaffray. + + Roman Catholic: The Rev. Father Moth. + +It was on October 4 when my wife, daughter and myself were about to +take tea with Captain Douglas of the Staff--alas! now dead--and his +wife, that he hurriedly rode out of the 'Crown' saying, 'The order has +come to stand by.' The news was welcome, for we were growing weary of +waiting. Immediately the troops began to move off; the unit to which I +was attached--23rd Field Ambulance which served the 20th Brigade--left +at 2.45 a.m., reaching Southampton about six. It is of interest to note +that a Division of troops of over 15,000 men makes a brave show upon the +road, its length from the van to the rear being not less than twelve +miles. + +Apparently the cheering folk along the road passed a sleepless night, +for at every hamlet and village people lined the road, waving us their +farewells; and from many a cottage window kindly faces could be seen +silhouetted against the light of the room, cheering us onward with +hearty words. + +The embarkation at Southampton was a busy scene, and took many hours to +accomplish, but finally fourteen huge transports got under way, and +steamed up Channel for Dover. There we 'stood off and on' until 9 p.m. +on October 6, when picking up our pilot we steamed out into the Down in +the quiet of the autumn night. + +The names of the officers who composed the mess of the 23rd Field +Ambulance were: Major Crawford (now Lieut.-Colonel), Major Brown, +Captain Wright, Lieut. McCutcheon, Lieut. Mackay, Lieut. Hart, Lieut. +Priestly, Lieut. Wedd, Lieut. Beaumont, Lieut. Jackson (quartermaster), +Col. the Rev. W. Stevenson Jaffray, and the writer; on the whole a very +cheery, hard-working set of officers, whose work met with high +appreciation of Head-quarters, in due course. + +Many conjectures were on foot as to our destination, but when we found +the course was north-east, we knew that France was out of the question, +and Belgium loomed large in our imagination. + +The scene was an eerie one as the black hulls of the vessels moved +quietly over the placid sea, with a protective squadron of torpedo +destroyers surrounding us. It was sufficiently risky to give a piquance +to the experience. + +The Admiralty had laid mines from the Goodwin Sands to the Belgium +coast, and it was a remarkable feat of pilotage which took the whole +fleet through this mine zone in safety to its destination. The naval +officer who acted as pilot to the _Victorian_, on which I was aboard, +informed me the next morning that it had been the most anxious night of +his life, and I can well understand it, for the responsibility upon a +man, under such circumstances, was a heavy one. + +Coming on deck in the early hours of the following morning I saw the +low-lying Belgium coast bathed in sunlight; Zeebrugge lying a couple of +miles to the east. It was with a very thankful heart that I realized +that the first risky stage of our movement towards the Front was over. + +In due course we warped in alongside of the massive Mole at Zeebrugge; +and admired the huge proportions of a quay, which I understood had been +built by the Germans. Large as it was, there was not sufficient room for +all the fleet of transports, so half the Division landed at Ostend and +joined us later. + +The landing scene was stirring, and full of interest. All sorts of +troops were mixed together in apparently inextricable confusion; +Guardsmen, Highlanders, Linesmen, Sappers, Gunners, Cavalry and the +ubiquitous A.S.C. were moving about in the keen delight of being on the +soil that they had come to free from the oppressor; but the miracle of +military order and discipline soon evolved order out of chaos; and the +whole column moved off for its nine or ten mile trek to Bruges. + +With elastic step and cheery voice the men swung along to the inspiring +strains of 'Tipperary.' The road was typical of Belgium; the long avenue +of poplar trees, flanked by broad ditches, being the distinguishing +feature of this and most Belgium roads (the centre being composed of +cobbles, with macadam tracks on either side). Every one felt keen, and +the horses, fresh from forty-eight hours' confinement in their very +close quarters between decks, enjoyed the freedom as much as the men. + +On reaching Bruges, which was in total darkness, owing to the fear of +enemy aeroplanes, we received our instructions to proceed to an outlying +suburb of the city; and presently drew up in a field, bounded by houses +of the humbler description. The early morning was distinctly autumnal, +and a ration of biscuit, bully beef and steaming hot tea was not to be +despised. Late though it was, many people were about, occupying +themselves by gazing, half in wonderment and half in admiration, at the +first visit of khaki to their neighbourhood. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] This brilliant officer was killed in action at the end of September, +1915. + + + + +THE TREK THROUGH BELGIUM + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE TREK THROUGH BELGIUM + + +My first experience of billeting was sufficient to prove the very +arbitrary character of the whole proceeding. Imagine some one hundred +and fifty men, and twelve officers, suddenly appearing in a small +outlying street of the far-famed Belgian city, at the untimely hour of 4 +a.m., and all clamouring for a night's lodging. To begin with, it was +not an easy matter to arouse the slumbering people; and the billeting +party had to wait long before each door, ere slippered feet were heard +along passages, and drowsy voices inquired suspiciously as to our +business; then appeared more or less clad figures, who gazed anxiously +at the cloaked men standing at the door (for the Germans lay at the back +of every mind). However, the talismanic charm of 'Englishmen' did +wonders. It was 4.30 a.m. before I tumbled into an extremely comfortable +bed, and had barely laid my head upon the pillow--so it seemed--when a +great knocking at the door aroused me with a start from vivid dreams of +home, as an orderly entered the room with the alarming statement that +the column was moving off in ten minutes. It was seven o'clock, and I +felt inclined for another twelve hours in bed; there were no ablutions +that morning. A flying leap into my clothes; a most indiscriminate +packing of my valise, which I left my servant struggling with, in an +inexperienced attempt to roll it up correctly, and I swallowed a cup of +coffee which my kind hostess had provided for me (why is coffee always +so hot when one is in a hurry?), and I mounted my horse in the nick of +time to fall in with my column as it moved off. + +It was a long weary march over a very flat country, intersected with +dykes, and only broken by the ubiquitous poplar trees; and one had ample +time to think, and sometimes doze, as we marched along on our +twenty-five mile trek. At the midday halt, a little diversion enlivened +the proceedings in the shape of pulling two bogged horses out of a +narrow cut where they had been 'watered.' We managed with the help of +ropes and planks to get the poor brutes on to terra firma again, more +dead than alive. + +Then on and on, hour after hour, halting ten minutes each hour for a +needed breather and rest, until Ostend hove in sight. Visions of a +comfortable billet rose before one's luxurious mind, but no such luck; +right through the city we marched, finding the station square crammed +with terror-stricken and most wretched-looking refugees; until, some +four miles out, we lighted upon the most filthy and forsaken place to be +found on the map of civilization--Steene. The houses were so vile and +malodorous, that it was with great reluctance the O.C. allowed the men +to enter. By this time it was very dark and very cold, and it was with +purely animal instinct that we found the way to our mouths in the +darkness, and tried to make believe that we enjoyed the biscuit and +bully beef which formed our rations. + +Then came the somewhat important question of where to sleep. I deemed +myself among the fortunate in securing a stretcher, and dossed in a +transport wagon; a tired man might have a worse bed than that, and I +slept the sleep of the weary and, as I would fain hope, of the +righteous. + +The following morning, as it seemed likely that we should remain at +Steene for at least another day, I cast round for something more +comfortable in the way of a billet, and had secured three rooms at the +worthy Burgomaster's for the O.C., Mr. Jaffray and myself, and was about +to enjoy a more or less comfortable tea in the open, when an orderly +rode up with orders to trek back to Bruges. + +In a few minutes the camp was struck, and once more we moved on. I felt +that I could enter into the spirit of the well-known refrain-- + + The brave old Duke of York, + He had ten thousand men. + He marched them up to the top of a hill, + And he marched them down again. + And when they were up, they were up; + And when they were down, they were down: + And when they were half-way up the hill, + They were neither up or down. + +As we retraced our steps through Ostend, we found a large and acclaiming +crowd lining the route. As I rode just behind the Gordons, who were +marching with their usual swinging step, I was amused to hear a Belgian +woman ask her friend, 'And who are those?' pointing to the Highlanders. +'Oh,' was the reply, 'those are the wives of the English soldiers.' The +gay Gordons were greatly incensed on my setting before them their new +status. + +In the centre of the city I came across my friend Peel (padre of the +22nd Brigade; he has since won a military cross, and gained the +universal love of his men by his gallant conduct and splendid ministry). +He had somehow or other lost his Brigade, and being thus stranded, had +slung his batman up behind him on his horse and was proceeding with +unruffled dignity in the direction of the line of march. + +It was late at night and raining as it seldom rains in dear old England, +when we splashed ankle deep in water, over the cobbled streets of +Bruges, the stones being too slippery to permit of riding. Hungry and +tired we slouched along, until we came to the Monastery of St. Xavier, +at St. Michel, some two miles out of the city. Never shall I forget the +kindness extended to us by the lay brothers; especially one, Brother +Sylvester. I hope if these lines should ever reach his eye, that he will +accept the grateful thanks of those who benefited by the charitable +goodness of the Order, and especially his own. + +The men were speedily billeted in sweet straw, laid down in the upper +dormitories of the building; whilst the hundred and twenty horses were +stalled in the spacious stables; and beds provided for the officers in +the dormitories. But what was better still, after the men had been +attended to (and this is the invariable rule, men first) we regaled +ourselves upon tea and bread and butter in the bakehouse, where, in +front of the huge fire, we toasted our benumbed extremities and dried +our sodden clothing. After such a night's rest, as only comes to +fagged-out men, we awoke to a golden-tinted autumn morning, which +brought to us the joy of living; and once more we felt ready for the +onward trek. I have since learned that the Division was originally +destined to relieve Antwerp, but the sudden fall of the city set the +enemy free to march on Calais; and so the Seventh Division, with the +Third Cavalry Division, under Sir Julian Byng, the whole commanded by +Sir Henry Rawlinson, was sent post haste to intercept his advance in the +neighbourhood of Ypres. And thus the small force of under thirty +thousand men pressed on to the heroic task of holding up the main body +of the enemy; not less than two hundred and forty thousand men. + +Later on I shall have something to say about the prolonged encounter +which is historically known as the 'first battle of Ypres.' But +meantime it may be of interest to my readers to give an outline of our +rapid trek through Belgium. + +Leaving our hospitable quarters at Bruges, the column, which seemed +interminable, marched to Beernem. At this place I was fortunate enough, +with my brother chaplain, Mr. Jaffray, through the forethought of Mr. +Peel, to secure a bed. The accommodation was rough, and the little +estaminet was crowded with officers, who were only too thankful to sleep +on any floor where there was a chance of putting down a valise. I +particularly remember this billet, for I thought that I had a chance of +distinguishing myself by capturing a spy. Orders had been issued, +stating that a certain 'Captain Walker,' posing as a R.A.M.C. officer, +was visiting our troops, and picking up stray crumbs of information; +should such a person be encountered he was to be immediately arrested. I +had just turned in, when amid the babel of conversation which came from +downstairs, I caught the name 'Walker.' Slipping quietly down the ladder +which served as a staircase, I listened for a moment or two at the door, +and from what I heard, gathered that I had spotted my man; and suddenly +appearing as an apparition in pyjamas, I inquired in somewhat stentorian +tones which was Captain Walker? A rosy-cheeked subaltern somewhat +sheepishly admitted that he was Lieut. Walker, and I found my hopes +dashed to the ground. This was not my only encounter with spies, +supposed or real, of which more anon. + +A morning stay at Beernem enabled me to improvise a Parade Service, it +being Sunday; which was apparently heartily joined in by those +attending. The opportunities for such work by chaplains on the trek are +few and far between, and it is a question of + + Seizing the current when it serves, + Or losing our ventures. + +Leaving Beernem, our route led us through Wynghene. It was here I seized +the opportunity of displaying my undoubted ability as mess president, to +which post I had been appointed. At the midday halt in this village, I +was anxiously looking about for bread, eggs, vegetables or any other +commodity which would embellish the festal board of the mess, and thus +win the gratitude of my always hungry brother officers, when, through an +open door, I caught sight of fowls in a backyard. I promptly jumped off +my horse, and entered into negotiations with the owners of the chicken +run, which speedily resulted in the decapitated corpses of three plump +fowls being slung from my saddle. Amid the envy of the column, I proudly +rode down to the transport of my unit with my spoil, the result being +that in a short time not a fowl remained alive in the village; and that +night every mess was redolent with the delicious scent of roast fowl. + +Our next billet was at Eeghem, where a stone kitchen floor was the +utmost we could secure for the officers, after having bedded the men in +barns on luxurious beds of sweet straw. In the early morning, in company +with Mr. Peel, I enjoyed a brief stroll in the neighbourhood. In the +course of our walk we passed one of those small wayside chapels, which +are dotted here and there all over Belgium; not larger than some eight +feet square, it offered all the facilities that we needed for prayer and +quiet thought. + +As we approached Roulers, we found the town alive with people who had +assembled to welcome that which they regarded as an army of deliverance +from the dreaded Germans. + +After billeting the officers with considerable difficulty--for naturally +people at times resented the intrusion of hungry and travel-stained men +into their spic and span houses--I secured a most comfortable room for +myself in the house of an old widow lady; one of those charming old +world persons who are occasionally met with on life's journey, and who, +by their innate courtesy and sympathy, accentuate the oneness of the +human family. When a country is under martial law one cannot, of course, +take 'no' for an answer in applying for a billet, and therefore, in the +case of Belgium, one made the demand with the authority of 'in the +king's name,' which invariably brought about the desired result. My dear +old hostess could not do enough for me; with quavering accents she +remarked, 'Thank God you English have come, for now we feel safe.' I +must confess I felt very much of a hypocrite, for I knew that the enemy +was pursuing us in hot haste. Indeed, a few hours afterwards they +marched into the city, which they have held ever since. + +As we pressed on to Ypres, via Zonnebec, our route ran alongside of the +railway, and it was a stirring sight to see the naval armoured train +dash along, seeking for a pot shot at the enemy who was not far distant, +the sailors forming the crew regarding the work as a sporting venture. + +The first view of Ypres was glorious. As we marched through the great +square in front of the Cloth Hall, I was struck with the mediaeval aspect +of the place. The gabled houses carried one's imagination into the long +ago; whilst the glorious Cloth Hall of the eleventh century, backed up +by the equally fine cathedral of similar age, presented a picture not +easily to be forgotten. Alas! when I next saw it, the place was a heap +of crumbling ruins. + +The Germans had passed through the city four days before we arrived; and +according to their wont, had helped themselves very liberally to what +they fancied. Many of the shopkeepers were loud in their complaints of +the shameful manner in which they had been robbed. + +I was able to secure most excellent billets for the mess in the house of +Monsieur and Madame Angillis. These good people were in a state of +considerable fear, for, not only had they two sons fighting in the +Belgian army, one of whom had been wounded, but as the owners of +considerable property in the city and the neighbourhood, they were +anxious as to what the future would bring. Their worst fears have been +realized, and I am afraid they are among the great mass of sufferers in +unhappy Belgium. Their daughter was rendering splendid service in the +Belgian Red Cross, and proved a great help in directing me to wounded +British soldiers, who might otherwise have been lost sight of. + +By this time fighting was in full swing, and our men had thrown up the +first line of trenches in semi-circular form, some six or seven miles to +the east of the town. + +Very soon the wounded and German prisoners made their appearance, and +doctors and chaplains were busily engaged. Most of the prisoners had a +very scared look, for we learned afterwards that they had been told that +we cut our prisoners' throats, or shot them out of hand, and their joy +was great at finding even their personal belongings restored to them. + +I was much struck with the characteristic behaviour of 'Tommy Atkins' to +these men; even to the extent of sharing his rations with them, and +handing out his 'fags,' which was an act of real self-denial. + +I owe my grateful thanks to one Uhlan, whose saddle fell to my lot, and +which I henceforth used, and regarded as one of the most comfortable I +have ever ridden on. + +A singularly unfortunate case came under my notice among the first batch +of wounded brought in. An officer of the 'Borders' in the dead of +night, hearing as he thought a German advance, left his trench to +reconnoitre, and after a fruitless search was returning to his men in +the thick early morning mist, when a sentinel, ignorant of his having +gone out, shot him as he approached the trenches. The poor chap was +badly hit in the lungs, and made a brave struggle for life, but alas! +died a few hours afterwards. + +The Divisional Head-quarters being established at Ypres, my unit moved +out to its Brigade, which occupied the line of trenches in the +neighbourhood of Zandvoorde. + +Arriving at our position in the dusk of a quickly parting day, we found +ourselves actually posted in front of the firing line. Disagreeable as +the experience was, there was nothing for it but to stick it. In a wood +close by, the enemy had machine guns, supported by a body of Uhlans. +Disturbing sniping took place at intervals through the night, which +rendered the bivouac unpleasant in the extreme. We slept on the ground +between the wagons; and under the circumstances I felt it wise to keep +as low down as possible, as 'fire' is in no sense discriminating. + +Our Brigade Head-quarters were at Kruiseck, to which place I rode early +one morning with our Major, to inspect farmhouses, with a view to +arranging Field Dressing Stations. Later in the day calling at +Head-quarters to inquire if there were any funerals requiring my +attention, I found the whole place in extreme excitement; Uhlans were +advancing in force. Every hedgerow and wall was lined with our men; the +scared inhabitants, utterly unnerved by shell fire, were fleeing from +the place. Their appearance was heartrending, and revealed the +unutterable horror of war as carried into the midst of a peaceful +population. + +My ride back to my unit in the gloaming was sufficiently adventurous to +please the most reckless man, owing to the proximity of the Uhlans, and +gave a zest not often met with to the three or four miles which had to +be traversed. Never did I strain my eyes more eagerly, and somewhat +after the fashion of Jehu of yore I made my way along the deserted track +into a place of comparative safety. + +From the neighbourhood of Zandvoorde my unit was hurriedly moved to +Gheluvelt, which was then threatened by a German force approaching from +the direction of Bercelaire. + +Here the whole population was in a state of indescribable anxiety and +fear, which it was impossible to remove, for the shells were more +convincing than any arguments we could bring to bear. + +Our Head-quarters were established at a Xaverian Brotherhood; the +superior of which--a dear old gentleman--did his utmost to ensure our +comfort. It was weary work hanging about all day awaiting results. +Towards evening I thought it wise to get a sleep, and so turned in about +five o'clock. During these days of constant anxiety, owing to the +proximity of the enemy, we seldom or never removed our clothes,--I had +not had mine off for over a week at that time--thus we were ready for +any emergency, at any time. + +From the village of Gheluvelt we moved on a mile nearer to Ypres, where +we billeted in the Chateau de Gheluvelt, from which the owner (Monsieur +Peerebone) and his family had evidently departed in great haste. Finely +situated in a well wooded park, the house was most splendidly equipped +in every respect. The pictures, statuary and furniture were in keeping +with the outward appearance of the place. It was interesting to notice +the different manner of dealing with other people's property in vogue +with the British, in contrast with the German method; so rigid was our +O.C. that not even a vegetable was allowed to be taken from the +well-stocked walled garden, close by the mansion; a sentry being placed +to prevent any hungry 'Tommy' gratifying his desire in that quarter. + +Towards evening a general engagement took place, and there was very +heavy shelling. Several shells struck the house, but none of us were +injured. On the following morning I was called to an advanced outpost of +the Scots Guards, to bury Sergeant Wilson, of Lord Esme Gordon's +Company. On reaching the line I found the Battalion about to advance +into action in extended order, and the man had been hurriedly buried. On +my way back I joined Captain Hamilton Wedderburn, Adjutant, who had been +ordered to the rear suffering from appendicitis. I had met this +officer's father, Colonel Hamilton, who resided in my neighbourhood at +home. + +During the night several wounded men came in, and the large salon +presented a weird appearance as the doctors attended the suffering men. +No cooking was allowed, and all windows were carefully curtained, in +order not to draw the fire of the enemy, who were in very unpleasant +proximity to the house. I well remember next morning, because the +Germans had got the range to a nicety, and the otherwise enjoyable place +was rendered unbearable by the crash of shells. So unhealthy grew the +position, that the transport was moved a mile away; but we who composed +the tent section remained to deal with any men who were brought in. It +is astonishing how quickly one grows accustomed to 'fire,' and a very +short experience enabled us to go about our work, under risky +circumstances, in the most ordinary manner. + +The nights at this time were very dark, and at several points we could +see burning farm homesteads and villages, which to the thoughtful mind +denoted the awful destruction and suffering envolved by the ghastly +outrage upon humanity, being perpetrated by the enemy. + +We left the chateau very suddenly, owing to heavy shelling. Some of our +men were hit, and two of our 'mess' had horses killed under them, but +otherwise we managed to get clear from a decidedly dangerous position. +That night it was pitch dark, and we halted on the roadside, some two or +three miles west of Gheluvelt. It was pouring with rain as we ate our +meal of cold rations; we could not even enjoy a comforting smoke, as the +lighting of a match would have been certain to draw the fire of our +vigilant foe. Mr. Jaffray and I both agreed that a night's lodging in a +damp ditch was hardly consonant with our wishes, and therefore we set +out for the hamlet of Halte, where the railway crosses the road, in +hopes that we might find cover of some sort. + +Leading our horses very cautiously along the road, for sentinels were +posted in every direction, and at such 'nervy' times men frequently fire +before they challenge, we made our way to a small estaminet which we +found crammed with French soldiers. I pleaded hard for even a chair, but +the proprietor assured me of the impossibility of offering even this +very slender hospitality. I was fortunate to meet MacKenzie, the +Transport officer of the Scots Guards, who introduced me to a French +officer, who in turn interested the landlady's daughter in our forlorn +condition. This kind angel of mercy informed me that her married sister +lived at a farm near by, and she thought that there was a bedroom that +Mr. Jaffray and I might make use of. Accordingly, holding my reins in +one hand and my fair guide's hand in the other, I was led through pitch +darkness for some distance, and presently found myself in a huge Belgian +farm kitchen, crammed with French soldiers and smelling horribly of +garlic. Yes! the farmer could let us have his bedroom for the night, at +a small remuneration, as he and his wife had decided to stay up; +accordingly, we were shown into an exceedingly small room, some eight +feet square, in which was a bed the covering of which made one shudder +to look at; but any port in a storm; and we accordingly doubled up the +best way we could on a bed some two feet too short for us. As we vainly +tried to fall asleep, my batman suddenly turned up,--how he found our +quarters will always be a mystery to me--with the news that the column +had moved off to some place which he could not pronounce. I showed him +my map and asked him if he recognized any name in the locality, but +finding that he was as much at sea as to the destination of the unit as +I was, I determined that it was useless to attempt to explore that part +of Belgium in the darkness of a soaking night; so stowing my servant +away in the corner of the kitchen, we did our best to get a few hours' +sleep. In the first grey of the dawn we arose and ate a little black +bread and very salt bacon, washed down with some execrable coffee, then +leading our horses out of the cowhouse in which we had installed them +the night before, and from which we had had to turn out a couple of very +evil-smelling beasts, we sallied forth to the apparently hopeless task +of discovering the direction in which the column had moved. One's +deductive faculty had to be drawn upon largely. Presently we found +ourselves at Zillebeke, where we were held up by the Northumberland +Hussars, who came by in splendid order on their way to entering action. +Standing by my side was a Staff officer who had dismounted from his car, +awaiting the passage of the cavalry. I explained to him our difficulty, +and he said that he rather thought our unit was with the 10th Hussars +at Zandvoorde, some four miles away, and very kindly offered me a lift. +My horse had contracted a terrible cold and was hardly fit to ride, so +placing him in charge of my batman, I arranged to drive on in the car, +leaving Mr. Jaffray and my servant to follow. The friendly officer +turned out to be Lord Nairne, who was, unfortunately, killed a few days +afterwards. + +On reaching the village of Zandvoorde, I encountered a terrible sight. +The enemy was approaching from two sides, and shelling hard. The place +was a slaughter-house; never have I seen so ghastly a sight. The +doctors, with their coats off and shirt sleeves rolled up, looked more +like butchers than medical men, and for an hour or two I found my hands +full in the saddest of all work, dealing with dying men. + +As I was eating a hasty breakfast--for in campaigning one learns the +value of sleeping and eating whenever a chance presents itself--the +O.C. came to me saying that some one must get through to Ypres, to stop +the transport that was about to come out, and also to warn the major of +the serious condition of affairs at Zandvoorde. Would I go? Such an +opportunity of doing 'a real bit' only comes now and again, therefore it +was not difficult to decide. + +I had a foretaste of what I was presently to pass through, as, sitting +on the doorstep of a cottage, I was changing into riding boots, out of +the heavy Swiss climbing boots that I had been wearing, and which +threatened to be awkward in the stirrups, if by any chance I was thrown, +a not unlikely event under fire, when a shrapnel burst some twenty feet +from me, with an explosion which almost lifted me from the ground. The +door before which I sat, and the front of the cottage, were liberally +studded with bullets and pieces of the casing, but in a most +providential manner I was untouched. Very quickly I completed my change +of boots, and got my kit-bag once more stowed away in a transport wagon. +Strictest orders had been given that no kits were to be removed from the +wagon, and I hope that the O.C., if ever he discovers my delinquency, +will take into consideration the urgency of my desire to fulfil +instructions in the carrying of his orders into Ypres. + +For three miles, right over 'Hill 60,' I had the ride of my life. Shells +were bursting in every direction, but my good horse struggled on gamely. +By this time he had come to know the import of the shrieking whistle +which betokens the approach of a shell, but he displayed no more concern +than a momentary quiver as it burst. As for me I could only place myself +in God's hands, and well remember how, as each shell approached, I +repeated that comforting word from Isaiah xxvi. 3, 'Thou wilt keep him +in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in +thee.' Over and over again I repeated 'because he trusteth in thee.' And +then bang! bang! and once more the danger was past. + +The road was crowded with terrified people, literally fleeing for their +lives, and as I got out of the range of fire, I tried to comfort them in +the best way I could. + +Reaching Ypres I delivered my message, and then sank down and fell into +a deep sleep for four hours. I suppose it was a kind of reaction from +the nervous strain. + +I found Ypres crammed with wounded men, and worked hard there for the +next day or two. Many were the distressing cases that came under my +attention. + +It was on October 23 that I received my first batch of letters from +home, and the first opportunity I stole away into a quiet corner and +enjoyed myself to my heart's content. + +Those were wonderful days, in which all sorts and conditions of men, +from officers of the Household Troops downwards, passed through my +hands. Of course there were many funerals to conduct, and in connexion +with the funeral arrangements and the system of tabulating I came much +into contact with Major the Hon. ----. Collins, one of the most charming +and courteous of men. + +On October 31--that fateful day, when it seemed impossible for the thin +line of khaki to further withstand the tremendous onslaught of the enemy +which had placed the Prussian Guard in its front line--the sad duty of +burying young Prince Maurice of Battenburg fell to my lot. It was a +strange coincidence, for I had met him in bygone years when he was a +bright, attractive boy. Such a task awakened the greatest interest in +my heart, for sad as the ceremony was, I keenly felt the privilege of +rendering this last act of tender duty to a young prince so universally +beloved. One of his men, in relating the manner of his heroic death, +afterwards said to me, 'I loved him, sir, as a brother.' The funeral, +which was attended by Prince Arthur of Connaught and several Generals, +took place under heavy fire. So continuous indeed was the roar of the +shells, that an officer, writing to the papers some time after, related +that it was impossible to distinguish the chaplain's voice. The service +was therefore necessarily brief, and at its conclusion the crowd of +officers quickly dispersed. + +An order had been issued for a withdrawal from the Front, and the Menin +road into Ypres was blocked with troops and transport. + +A short time previous to this I had the misfortune to be somewhat +seriously injured, for my horse--frightened or struck by a shell which +burst near by, I have never been able to determine which,--fell heavily +on me, severely crushing my left leg. I had been taken in a Staff car to +the 6th casualty clearing station and attended to, but the injured limb +grew steadily worse. In the course of the afternoon, to my great joy, +the 23rd Field Ambulance passed me on its way from Hooge, and I was +promptly placed on an ambulance wagon, on which I trekked through Ypres; +until we reached Dickebusch, some three miles on the south of the city. + +As we halted for a time at the square at Ypres, a young officer, seeing +me in the ambulance, came up with a cheery 'Hallo, padre! what's up? +Last time I saw you was in your pulpit at St. John's, Boscombe; life's a +funny game, isn't it?' + +Such interviews are of frequent occurrence at the Front, where lives +momentarily touch, and then, possibly, for ever separate. + +Lying on a stone floor of a deserted cottage in Dickebusch that night, I +passed one of the most painful, wretched and sleepless nights of my +life. My brother officers were all snoring comfortably, when suddenly a +knock at the door placed me on the alert. My first thought was that the +Germans had got through, accordingly I made no reply; presently a gruff +voice said, 'An orderly, sir,' and I cried out, 'Come in.' He had +brought a dispatch to say that the whole German line had been forced +back, and that the Ambulance was immediately to take up its old position +on the farther side of Hooge. + +In a very short time an early breakfast was quickly disposed of and the +column was ready to move off. + +The O.C., finding me utterly incapacitated by reason of my injuries, +decided that I must go into hospital, for wounded men are not much use +in a life where a man's fullest powers are daily called for. + +Fortunately, at that moment, Colonel Swan, A.D.M.S., and Lieut.-Colonel +Guy Moores, D.A.D.M.S., came up in their car, and learning my condition, +very kindly brought me and my kit into Ypres; saying that I must proceed +to the Base. + +Accordingly I was deposited at Ypres station, where the R.T.O. most +kindly had me cared for in his office. + +During the long hours of Sunday, November 1, I spent a miserable time +waiting for the hospital train to start. In the course of the day, an +officer in my Brigade, Lord Bury, had a chat with me, and committed to +me an urgent telegram for his wife. In the course of the morning he had +been arrested as a spy; and seemed very amused at the uncommon +experience. At 6 p.m. I was placed on the train, and with some two or +three other fellow sufferers, gradually rolled away from the sound of +fire, which for three weeks past had been the daily accompaniment of +one's life. + +I cannot speak too highly of the great care and solicitude bestowed upon +the wounded in the train. For the first time one came into touch with +those splendid women, literally angels of mercy, the nursing sisters. +Never shall I cease to remember their loving care, and the skilful way +in which they bandaged up my crushed leg. + +It was a long journey. Leaving Ypres at 6 p.m. on Sunday night, we +didn't reach Boulogne until 3 p.m. on the Monday afternoon, a distance +of not more than eighty miles. + +On reaching the Base I was informed that I was to be sent to England, on +a hospital ship about to leave. Accordingly, with some twenty or thirty +other officers, and a large number of men, we were conveyed to the +ambulance, through a dense crowd of sympathizing French people. + +I have certainly never seen such a collection of scarecrows as we +presented to the public gaze; and in much pain though we were, we could +not help being struck with the ludicrousness of our condition. +Bespattered with mud; filthy in appearance; beards of several days' +growth; legs of trousers, and sleeves of coats cut away; bandaged and +bloody; we must have presented a truly remarkable sight. + +On the hospital ship, the _Carisbroke Castle_, the arrangements were +perfect. It was almost worth being injured to lie in such a comfortable +bed; and the food was beyond description of delight. + +On board, every case was speedily dealt with by medical men, and +everything done to ensure the comfort of the sufferers. + +Whilst the life at the Front is exceedingly rigorous and claims the +utmost of one's strength, and the word and act of sympathy does not come +much to the surface of men's lives, yet, when once a man is bowled over, +a careful country certainly does its best to alleviate his suffering. + +On reaching Southampton the following morning, finding that I lived in +the area of a military hospital (The Royal Victoria and West Hants), of +which I have been chaplain for many years, the senior officer, as a +great concession, very kindly allowed me to be sent home. + +Home! Do those who always live in the blessed shelter of this sweet +spot, really know the fulness and sweetness of 'home.' Truly the English +classic song, 'Home, sweet Home, there is no place like Home,' comes +with a new, full, deep meaning to men who have passed through the ordeal +of fire. + +Bed claimed my presence for many a weary day, and it was March 16 +before a Medical Board permitted me to resume my duties with the +British Expeditionary Force. My further experience of service must be +related in the subsequent chapter on 'Life at the Base.' + + + + +THE WELCOME OF A PEOPLE + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE WELCOME OF A PEOPLE + + +There was no mistaking the enthusiastic welcome accorded to the Seventh +Division, as it moved south through the well cultivated country, +thriving villages, and prosperous towns of Belgium. + +Already the deeds of German 'kultur' had reached the ears of the +inhabitants; indeed, many of those who had fled from the barbarous enemy +bore signs of the gross ill-treatment inflicted by the 'kultured' foe, +in furtherance of the advice of General Bernhardi and others to carry +'terror' into the hearts of the invaded people. And nearly all of them +had some dread story to relate, of wanton destruction to public and +private property, and of vile wrongs perpetrated upon an unoffending +people. Small wonder that they welcomed us; for Great Britain meant more +to them than the name of a powerful nation; it rather conveyed the idea +of the strong, active principles of liberty and justice, which they felt +were about to be set free in their unhappy country. + +In contradistinction to the Germans, this people of a small country +seemed to unconsciously uphold the marked differentiation between the +laws of might and right, as exhibited by the two nationalities, Germany +and Belgium. + +Germany, the former land of light and learning, has gradually slipped +downwards from her high ideals. A sure and sad process of religious and +moral declension has ensued; until, under the baneful influences of +Nietzsche, Treitschke, Bernhardi, and their like, the land of the +reformation has become the land of militarism, employing forces without +justice, discipline without pity, and annexation without consideration. + +All this lies at the back of the mind of the best part of Europe to-day, +and more especially of Belgium. + +Belgium is a Christian country. The religious houses have the words of +Scripture prominently inscribed upon them. On one house of a Religious +Order I saw painted, 'All for God.' On the cross roads there is +frequently found a life-size crucifix, which points its wondrous +teaching to many a weary soul. + +A valued friend of mine,--an officer in a kilted regiment--writing home +a short time ago described his sensations, as, emerging from the bloody +ruck of his first engagement, he presently found himself, worn and +spent, gazing at the figure of the Crucified One. And as he very +beautifully said, 'Jesus came afresh into my heart.' + +Again, one has not to travel far along any main road without +encountering a small shrine, open day and night, for those who desire +to draw aside from the ordinary pursuits of strenuous life, and enjoy +prayer to God; and that almost lost art, meditation. + +Thus we see a striking contrast between the conquerors and the +conquered, exhibited in the ruthless invasion to which Belgium has been +subjected. Roman Catholics as they are, the Belgians whom I met--and I +conversed with many--seemed to realize that England, Protestant England, +is honestly striving to exhibit 'the righteousness that alone exalteth +the nation.' + +It was in a state of the deepest gratitude, based upon such principles +as I have set forth, that the people flocked to receive us. True, at +times they revealed their feelings in very unorthodox fashion. For +example, I remember at a midday halt one day, while the men stood +preparatory to breaking off, an ecstatic Belgian girl rushed up to a +'Tommy,' and flinging her arms round his neck, kissed him warmly. I have +no doubt that on occasion the man could have returned the salute with +interest, but the suddenness and the publicity of the attack rendered +him both speechless and powerless. There he stood blushing like a school +girl; the while his comrades urged him to retaliate. He bore himself +like a martyr; but when a man immediately afterwards proceeded to kiss +him on both cheeks,--as foreigners often do--then 'Tommy' recovered his +mental equilibrium; and his language, well! it was more forcible than +elegant. + +A far more pathetic welcome fell to my lot, as I walked across the +square at Ypres, in the early days of the British occupancy. While +talking to a brother officer, I suddenly felt my hand seized, kissed, +and then stroked; and looking down, I saw a sweet little blue-eyed maid +of some five years, not much above the level of the bottom of my tunic +in height, who said in the prettiest broken English, 'Brave Ingleese.' +The memory of a certain other blue-eyed kiddy, away in England, was too +much for me, and this time _I_ was the aggressor, for I took the little +maid up in my arms and kissed her, much to the amusement of the +passers-by I have no doubt. + +Nothing seemed too good for the people to offer us. In our billets, +indeed, the very best the house could produce was set before us. + +As we marched through one town--I think it was Wynghene, which was +evidently the centre of the tobacco industry, for tobacco is largely +grown in that part of Belgium--thousands of cigars were handed to the +column, and for days after the men would not look at the humble 'fag.' +In country districts, too, the people were not to be outdone, for +strapping farm wenches and men lined the road and literally showered +apples and pears upon us. + +At the gates of one fine park, the owner, his wife and servants bestowed +cigarettes, matches and other acceptable gifts upon the men as they +marched past. Oh, yes! those were brave days, and made us feel +considerably pleased with ourselves, but do not grudge us such joys, for +just below the horizon of that time dark clouds were fast rising, which +soon darkened the skies of many and many a life. Anyhow, I will +undertake to say that none who were on that trek will ever forget the +enthusiasm of the people, as day by day we marched on to do battle for +them, and the great principles which surely have made our nation +great. + + + + +A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS + + +Life at the Front cannot fail to be full of stirring incidents; indeed, +I very much question whether any experience comes up to it for interest +and excitement. I am not speaking of the ding-dong trench warfare which +has characterized the campaign on the Western front for so many months +past, but refer more particularly to those early days when both armies +were exceedingly active; and the operations very much resembled a game +of chess, with not too long an interval between the moves. + +In the early days of the war in Flanders, the times were wondrously +stirring; one never knew where an attack would be launched, and what +would happen next. With such huge and mobile opposing forces in front of +us, every day had some fresh surprise in store. 'From early morning till +dewy eve' we lived on the tiptoe of expectation; for, indeed, the early +morning carried its message, but generally of discomfort, for not the +least discomfort of a campaign is the very early hour at which reveille +is sounded, usually at five, but sometimes at four; or, in the case of +emergency, at any hour of the night. But generally it comes just as the +attitude necessary to comfort has been discovered, and the somnolent +individual is ready for the luxury of what I may call a half and half +snooze. It is at that moment, in that mysterious borderland of sleeping +and waking, that the strident and compelling sound of the bugle falls +upon the unwilling ear. There is no turning over for another spell. One +comfort is, there is always very little toilet to perform; and in a few +minutes the place is alive with dishevelled and half-awake men. Where +water can be easily procured, cleanliness is the order of the day; and +with all our faults, one essential feature stands to the credit of the +British soldier: he _is_ a clean man. Never does Tommy miss his wash and +shave if there is half a chance of gratifying this admirable instinct. + +All visitors to the Front are struck with the glorious health and +fitness of our lads. In fact, I have never seen such a collection of +healthy manhood in my life. This is attributable in the first place to +the natural open-air life which the men lead, but in the next place to +the excellent sanitary arrangements and precautions adopted and insisted +upon by the authorities, which very largely account for the remarkable +immunity from disease enjoyed by the troops. + +Behind all this, comes the most important question of 'grub.' The +commissariat of the British Expeditionary Force is a marvel of +organization. During the last six months of my military service I +enjoyed the advantage of travelling up and down the lines from Ypres to +Bethune, and everywhere I was most profoundly impressed by the marvel of +supply. Scattered over the whole front are units, large and small, each +of which has to be fed daily; and woe to the unlucky A.S.C. officer who +is responsible for delay in forwarding or conveying rations. 'Tommy' is +nothing without a good 'grouse,' but in this respect he is not always +logical; bread which is stale will give him cause to grumble for hours; +but he will rush into the most desperate and bloody work, and suffer +untold misery, without a murmur. + +Alluding to the masterpiece of organization, which enables our army to +be fed while in the battle front, Mr. Philip Gibbs, writing in the +_Daily Chronicle_, says: 'The British soldier has at least this in his +favour, in spite of all the horrors of war which has put his manhood to +the test, he gets his "grub" with unfailing regularity, if there is any +possible means of approach to him, and he gets enough and a bit more. It +is impossible for him to "grouse" about that element of his life on the +field. The French soldier envies him and says,--as I have heard one of +them say--"Ma foi! our comrades feed like princes! they have even jam +with their tea! The smell of bacon comes from their trenches and touches +our nostrils with the most excellent fragrance, more beautiful than the +perfume of flowers. The English eat as well as they fight, which is +furiously."' + +It may interest my readers to see what a man's daily ration consists of. +This table refers to officers and men alike, for there is no difference +in this respect:-- + + 1-1/4 lb. fresh meat, _or_, 1 lb. preserved meat; + 1-1/4 lb. bread; + 4 oz. bacon; + 3 oz. cheese; + 4 oz. jam; + 3 oz. sugar; + 1/2 lb. fresh vegetables, _or_, 2 oz. dried; + 5/8 oz. tea, coffee, _or_ cocoa; + 2 oz. tobacco per week, _or_ 50 cigarettes. + +This ration is more scientifically arranged than its recipient imagines; +as a matter of fact, it comprises all the essentials which go to build +up the stamina of the fighting man; and thus, well provided with fresh +air, good food, to say nothing of hard exercise, the animal side of Mr. +Thomas Atkins is kept in the pink of condition, and he is able to face +the burdens of life which are incidental to his calling, and which are +not a few, with remarkable ease and success. + +Life at the Front is a strange compound of the grave and the gay. One of +the most appealing features is witnessed in the sad lot of the Belgian +refugees, who, often at a moment's notice, have fled from their homes, +leaving all their property to the devastation of war. I have frequently +seen mournful processions on the road, consisting of old and young. It +is heartrending to witness the pitiable look of an aged couple, who +through a long life have lived in some happy homestead, taking their +last gaze at the house with its trim garden, which one knows in a few +hours will be shattered past recognition; women, sometimes in a most +delicate condition, struggling bravely on; children crying; and the men +with set teeth and despairing faces striding on, carrying the few +articles which they have hurriedly snatched up, as the whole family has +escaped from the hell which has so suddenly befallen them. Where are +they to go to? God only knows what becomes of them. I have seen them +lining the road on a pouring wet night, outside a town already full to +overflowing with like unhappy sufferers; the while Belgian soldiers, +with fixed bayonets, have prohibited any further entrance to that which +promised a lodging place. Soldiers are not proverbially given to +overmuch sensitiveness where human suffering is concerned, for a daily +intercourse with terrible scenes cannot fail to harden a man, but I +declare that I have seen strong men burst into tears as they have gazed +at one of these processions of great mental and bodily agony. + +One serious aspect of life at the Front is found in the remarkable +system of espionage which unfortunately abounds. One lives in a constant +state of suspicion, for in this respect the enemy is as daring as he is +resourceful. + +The first time I passed through Hooge we suddenly saw a homing pigeon +let out of the loft of a cottage; immediately the house was surrounded +and entered. I speedily made for the back of the premises, hoping to +intercept any one who had been responsible for a most suspicious act. A +boy of some eighteen years was discovered in the loft, with a large +number of carrier pigeons, which were immediately confiscated, and the +boy was arrested. I rode off to Head-quarters, some mile and a half +away, and reported the occurrence, with the result that the boy was +marched off for close examination. The pigeons, however, formed a very +agreeable addition to the men's menu that night. I believe the boy was +released; but whilst he was under arrest, a very personable and +well-dressed individual approached, and introduced himself as Count +----, stating that he had known the boy for years, and that the keeping +of pigeons formed his hobby. Something in the manner of the man aroused +our suspicion, and after careful examination it was found that he +himself was a spy; and in due course he was shot. + +Another somewhat remarkable instance of the ramifications of this aspect +of warfare occurred in a certain well-known town; one of the high +officials of which--whom I knew well--a most courteous gentleman--proved +to be in close touch with the enemy. He, too, was shot. Daily there are +men, and sometimes women, who risk their lives in securing items of +information as to the disposition of troops, guns, etc., which are +likely to prove of value to the enemy. Notwithstanding the strictest +orders, I am afraid our men are not always wise in their intercourse +with strangers. On one occasion, very stringent orders from +Head-quarters had been read out to the men, prior to moving off in the +early morning, informing them that on no account were they to disclose +any information whatsoever as to the movements or disposition of +troops; and yet, during a ten minutes' halt later in the day, as I rode +by a transport wagon, I heard the driver gassing on with refreshing +innocence, as he retailed to a civilian where we had come from; where we +were going to; where our Brigade was situated, etc. I am afraid I raised +my voice in hot anger, and riding round to the other side of the wagon +was just in time to see the eager listener disappearing across country. +It was impossible to arrest him, and the incident closed; not altogether +to the satisfaction of the thoughtless purveyor of news I imagine. + +Amid men so full of such animal life as our brave lads, it will be +readily imagined that existence is not wholly composed of shadow; +indeed, few careers are so full of brightness and geniality as those of +our fighting men. 'Tommy Atkins' is a unique creation. I know not from +whence he springs. There is something in his environment which evolves +him, I suppose; it is not a question of years of association with men of +his like, for the New Army which has only been in being for a few months +produces precisely the same type; and men whom this time last year were +far removed from the very thought of soldiering, are now found to +possess all the attributes and qualities--good, bad and +indifferent--which formed the traditional soldier in the ranks. His +cheeriness is unbounded. For some time the pronunciation of Ypres +bothered him seriously, but he soon settled the difficulty by calling it +'Wypers.' Etaples was also another stumbling block, but 'Eatables' soon +revealed Tommy's way out of another difficulty. Ploegstreete, which for +centuries has been an insignificant hamlet, is now known throughout the +British Army as 'Plug Street'; well known for possessing some of the +finest trenches along the line. + +One afternoon I had ridden back into Ypres to purchase a note-book, and +had procured what I wanted, when two privates who stood by my side in +the little stationer's shop determined on the purchase of some small +article; the difficulty at the moment was to find out its cost. One of +them, who acted as spokesman, held up his selection, and astonished the +woman at the other side of the counter by saying, 'How mooch monnee?' +Naturally enough the woman gazed at him with a bewildered air, when +'Tommy' turned to the pal by his side and said, 'Silly swine, they don't +know their own language.' + +A remarkable feature which I frequently encountered in connexion with +what I may call the soldier's social life, is the great facility with +which he introduces himself to the native inhabitants. In a very few +minutes he seems to be thoroughly at home with them, girls and all, and +is in some mysterious way holding conversation, or at all events +conveying his meaning, to the satisfaction of both parties. In the +gloaming you will see him strolling about with the girls of the village, +as much at home as in the lanes of his own countryside. What they talk +about I can't tell, but talk they do; and as far as one can determine, +to their mutual pleasure. + +Even in the deadliest moments, the wit of the man is to the front. At +the battle of Neuve Chapelle, at the beginning of March, a bomb-thrower, +rushing through the village, came upon a cellar full of Germans in +hiding. Putting his head in at the door, at the risk of his life he +cried: 'How many of yer are there in there?' The answer came, 'Ve vos +twelve.' Then said Tommy, throwing in a bomb, 'Divide that amongst yer,' +with the result too ghastly for words. + +Such humour, coarse though it may be, is not by any means confined to +terra firma. On the first of April, a British aeroplane sailed over the +German lines, and when over the first line of trenches, dropped a +football. The Huns were simply terrified, as they saw this new kind of +bomb slowly descending, and fled right and left. With amazement they saw +it strike the ground, and then bounce high up, until it gradually +settled down; then very cautiously the bolder elements amongst them +crept up and found a football, on which was written, 'The first of +April, you blighters.' + +It is strange to see this remarkable spirit evinced in the most +hazardous moments of life. Right out in front of the trenches one night +a man was badly hit, and his chum, at the risk of his life, rushed out +to his help, saying, 'Get on my back, mate, and I will carry you in,' +only to be met with, 'Not darned likely; I shall be shot in the back, +and you will get the V.C.' + +A further illustration of this most remarkable military production +occurs in the following incident. A friend of mine, who has himself been +twice wounded, on the last occasion of injury was in the trenches, when +suddenly a man by his side was hit in the wrist; clapping his hand upon +the wound he exclaimed, 'Got it! I've been waiting for this since last +August.' Then, putting his left hand into his pocket, he pulled out a +mouth-organ and played 'Home, Sweet Home.' Who but an English 'Tommy' +could, or would, do that. No wonder that the French are puzzled by this +strange composition of humanity with which they are fighting as allies. + +The enemy, too, wonders, as he comes across a foe so remarkable in his +words and methods. A German officer--a most charming man--lying in the +next bed but one to me, on the hospital ship which brought me home from +France, was asked what he thought of the comparative fighting values of +the allies, and he remarked, 'Well! we can manage the Belgians, and we +understand the French, but we cannot comprehend you English, for by +every known law of war you are beaten again and again, but you never +seem to know it!' This is, of course, not an original utterance, but +derived from one of Napoleon's great Generals; but at all events it +shows the estimate placed upon our fighting capacity by an enemy who at +one time styled us as 'that contemptible little army.' There is +sometimes a weird sense of disproportion revealed, as in the case of a +Highlander who was visited by a brother chaplain at a Base hospital some +two or three months ago, and who remarked to the patient, 'Well, Jock, +what do you think of Jack Johnsons? They put the fear of God into your +heart, don't they?' 'Aye, sir, they do, but let's hope it will soon wear +off.' + +My readers will see that we are a strange compound of grave and gay at +the Front, as I have already said. There is, however, a deeper side of +the soldier's life, which after all is even more correctly +characteristic of the man than that which only appears upon the +surface. + + + + +THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES + + +Until October, 1914, Ypres was generally regarded as a quiet Belgian +town, celebrated for its most interesting and valuable buildings, and +relics of a past age; but owing to its strategic importance in this war, +it has from that time onwards been lifted out of its somnolent life into +a world-wide importance, as one of the greatest battle-fields of the +world. + +In explaining the great part which the Seventh Division took in this +front-rank battle, I cannot do better than quote from _The Times_ of +December 16, 1914, in describing the heroic effort of our troops in +resisting the furious onslaughts of the Germans in their vain endeavour +to reach Calais; to which point the Kaiser had commanded a road 'to be +forced at all costs.' Under the heading-- + + THE DEFENCE OF YPRES + BRILLIANT WORK OF THE SEVENTH + DIVISION STUBBORN VALOUR AND ENDURANCE + +the writer proceeds to say:-- + + 'The full story of the gallantry shown by British troops in their + stubborn defence of Ypres has yet to be told, but the orders + which we publish below, with the detailed official narrative of + events in Flanders which accompanies them, give some indication + of the fine work which has been done by the Seventh Infantry and + Third Cavalry Divisions. + + The following order, which accompanied an order issued by General + Sir Douglas Haig, published in _The Times_ of November 30, was + issued to the Seventh Division by Lieut.-General Sir H.S. + Rawlinson:-- + + In forwarding the attached order by G.O.C. First Corps, I desire + to place on record my own high appreciation of the endurance and + fine soldierly qualities exhibited by all ranks of the Seventh + Division from the time of their landing in Belgium. You have been + called to take a conspicuous part in one of the severest + struggles in the history of the war, and you have had the honour + and distinction of contributing in no small measure to the + success of our arms and the defeat of the enemy's plans. + + The task which fell to your share inevitably involved heavy + losses, but you have at any rate the satisfaction of knowing that + the losses you have inflicted upon the enemy have been far + heavier. + + The Seventh Division have gained for themselves a reputation for + stubborn valour and endurance in defence, and I am certain that + you will only add to your laurels when the opportunity of + advancing to the attack is given you. + + * * * * * + + Such Army orders are necessarily written in general terms, and + are invariably marked by a disciplined self-restraint. It may be + of interest, therefore, to give some account of the circumstances + in which "the stubborn valour and endurance" of which Sir Henry + Rawlinson speaks were displayed. The work of the Seventh Division + and the Third Cavalry Division to the date of the issue of this + order at about the end of November, was of a kind which strains + the mental and physical strength of troops, beyond any other form + of operations. The two Divisions were sent to the aid of the + Naval Division at Antwerp, and they were landed at Ostend and + Zeebrugge about October 6. They occupied the regions of Bruges + and Ghent, and they had to suffer the initial disappointment of + finding that they arrived too late. Two days later Sir Henry + Rawlinson moved his Head-quarters from Bruges to Ostend. The + enemy were advancing in great force, and the position of our + troops became untenable; indeed, the situation was so serious + that the troops which had been detailed for lines of + communication at the base were forced to embark again and return + to Dunkirk. + + + A POSITION OF GRAVE DANGER + + The position of the two Divisions from this point onwards was one + of grave danger. They were forced by the overwhelming superiority + in numbers of the enemy to retire. From Ghent all the way to + Ypres it was a desperate rearguard fight. They had to trek across + a difficult country without any lines of communication and + without a base, holding on doggedly from position to position, + notably at Thielt and Roulers, until they took up their final + stand before Ypres. What that stand has meant to England will one + day be recognized. What it cost these troops, and how they + fought, will be recorded in the proudest annals of their + regiments. + + After the deprivations and the tension of being pursued through + day and night by an infinitely stronger force, these two + Divisions had yet to pass through the worst ordeal of all. It was + left to a little force of 30,000 to keep the German Army at bay + for some days while the other British Corps were being brought + up from the Aisne (the First Corps did not come to their + assistance till October 21). Here they hung on like grim death, + with almost every man in the trenches holding a line which was of + necessity a great deal too long--a thin, exhausted line against + which the prime of the German first line troops were hurling + themselves with fury. The odds against them were about eight to + one, and when once the enemy found the range of a trench, the + shells dropped into it from one end to the other with the most + terrible effect. Yet the men stood firm and defended Ypres in + such a manner that a German officer afterwards described their + action as a brilliant feat of arms, and said that they were under + the impression that there had been four British Corps against + them at this point. + + When the two Divisions were afterwards withdrawn from the firing + line to refit, it was found that in the Infantry alone, out of + the 400 officers who set out from England, there were only + forty-four left, and out of 12,000 men only 2,336. So far, little + has been published about the work of these Divisions--probably + because the bulk of the various dispatches is so great. It may be + well, therefore, to place on record now an achievement which will + one day be reckoned, no doubt, among the finest of the kind in + British military history.' + +One's own view and conception of so huge a movement was necessarily +small, for in a 'far-flung battle line' the ordinary individual could +only see very little of the main operations. Yet the little I saw +revealed to me the splendid heroism of our men, and the carefully +thought out disposition of our troops; a heroism so perfect that one +attenuated line of khaki, consisting of under 30,000 men, held 240,000 +Germans at bay. For a week this small force clung to their positions by +dint of magnificent fighting and dauntless pluck, until the main army +from the Aisne under General Sir John French joined forces with them. + +During these stirring and most eventful days the scenes of ordinary life +often came before me in striking contrast to what was being thus enacted +in the very forefront of England's effort. For instance, sometimes amid +a very hell of noise and carnage, the thought of Regent Street or +Cheapside in their work-a-day aspect, or again, the peaceful +surroundings of 'home, sweet home,' would find a momentary lodgment in +my mind, only to be dispelled by the sounds and signs which betokened +that the sternest game of life was being played before my eyes. Each +hour seemed to promise the break of our lines by the vast masses of the +enemy, which were always pressing us hard, and indeed the promise would +have been fulfilled but for the grit of men who never acknowledged +defeat. + +I have always been proud of being a Briton, but seeing what I did, and +knowing what I know, I feel immeasurably prouder now, than ever before, +of belonging to a nation which can produce such men. Even nature +presented its remarkable contrast to the clamour of war, for in the +interlude of the firing of a battery of eighteen pounders I have heard +the birds singing as peacefully and merrily as in quiet English fields. + +It is difficult to convey to my readers the prodigies of valour which +daily took place in the course of the great struggle in front of Ypres. +One dark night a young R.A.M.C. officer, who until quite recently had +been pursuing his quiet round of work as a medical practitioner in +England, but who at the call of country had pressed to the front, was +out with his bearer company attending the dying and wounded men, when +suddenly a Battalion, which had lost all its officers, momentarily broke +from the trenches. Quickly gathering the dread import of their act, this +young hero rushed into the ruck of men, who amid that awful hell had +been seized with panic. Calling to a sergeant he directed him to shoot +the first man that came by, then rushing into the disorganized +rabble--for it was little else at that time--he shouted to them, 'Men! +men! have you forgotten that you are Englishmen,' and quickly bringing +them into order headed them back again to their grim work. I have been +pleased to see that this brave lad has received a well merited +distinction from his Sovereign, but at the time the only comment made +upon his behaviour by his O.C. was, 'The young beggar ought to get a rap +over his knuckles for exceeding his duty.' Such feats are constantly +occurring, so often indeed as to hardly excite comment. + +Two officers from a Guards Battalion in my Brigade died the death of +heroes in the dark hours of one early morning, endeavouring to fulfil +the hopeless task of capturing a German gun, the while they had only six +men with them. The whole party was blown to pieces in the endeavour. +Some may think it a useless waste of valuable life; in degree it is, but +these daring deeds go far to preserve that glorious spirit of heroic +venture which characterizes the whole fighting line of our men. The +value of systematic training, which at the time it is being undergone is +often regarded as a weariness of the flesh by the men undergoing it, is +strikingly exhibited in actual warfare. I was much struck with this late +one afternoon, as I saw the 2nd Gordons enter action in extended order. +Their 'dressing and distance' was most admirably preserved, the while +they took advantage of every inch of cover that presented itself. It +was indeed a thrilling sight to see these brave lads advancing under a +murderous fire, with as great a steadiness as if they were in the Long +Valley at Aldershot. + +Moving about near the firing line requires considerable circumspection, +and a fairly accurate knowledge of the disposition of troops. For lack +of this, I once found myself in a most unenviable position. I had been +called to bury an officer of the Guards, who had died under +circumstances of singular gallantry--alas! leaving a wife and two +charming children. On nearing the spot where I had been told the body +was lying, I was informed that it had been arranged to convey the +remains to England. There was nothing for it but to retrace one's steps, +but by this time the firing which had been unpleasantly heavy on the way +out, had waxed in intensity, when suddenly emerging from the shelter of +a wood, I found myself between the two lines of opposing forces. A +British sergeant roared lustily to me to stay where I was and lie down, +and I never obeyed instruction with greater alacrity. Fortunately for +me, the line of battle steadily shifted and I was enabled to ride +onwards with some degree of security; but I inwardly registered a vow +that in the future I would make sure of what was taking place before I +rode into such a mare's nest. + +The methods of warfare, as now conducted, are entirely removed from +those of previous campaigns; for instance, the ranging of guns to-day is +most correctly determined by aeroplanes. But not only do these war +scouts render this important service; from the air they are enabled to +detect the disposition of troops, gun emplacements, and all other +movements of the enemy, which heretofore it has been difficult to +determine. + +Very frequently most thrilling duels take place between opposing +aviators, and certainly nothing is more exciting than to watch such a +struggle in mid air. One is lost in wonderment at the pluck and the +skill of the aviators, as one sees them man[oe]uvring for place, the +while subject to heavy fire. One of the most notable aviators at that +time was Commander Samson, commonly known as Captain Kettle, owing to a +likeness to that far-famed character of fiction, which was to be faintly +traced in the hero of real life. Commander Samson was not only a 'flyer' +possessed of intrepid courage and great skill, but he further possessed +an armour-plated car, in which was a high velocity gun; this he +manipulated in a manner which struck terror to the German's heart; and +one was not surprised to hear that the Kaiser had offered a reward of +four thousand marks to the man who brought him down, or put him out of +action. I enjoyed a marked illustration of his prowess one afternoon, +near Hooge. A German aeroplane was sailing majestically over our lines, +the observer no doubt making notes of everything which he beheld, when +suddenly Samson dashed up in his car, and after very deliberate aim, hit +the aircraft in the oil tank, which resulted in the whole falling to the +ground a burning and crumpled mass. Such episodes appeal to the sporting +nature which characterizes most men, and tend to relieve any monotony +which may at times threaten to settle upon the men. + +From boyhood one has delighted in reading the vivid accounts of such +campaigns as the Peninsular, or Crimea; and in later days in taking part +in the autumn man[oe]uvres held in such open country as Dartmoor, or +Salisbury Plain. One well remembers the fascination of watching a +General, surrounded by his Staff, sending orders and receiving +dispatches at the hands of his 'gallopers.' But all this has changed. +No longer do we see cocked hat Generals, on the summit of rising ground, +spying the position of troops through his field-glasses. To-day some of +the most notable actions are fought by a General who the whole time may +be three or four miles away from the seat of the struggle. Picture him, +pipe in mouth, working out the movements of the troops on a large map in +front of him. Every moment the Field telephone is at work; dispatch +riders breathlessly deliver their messages, the while the Staff are +carefully noting every fresh movement reported. Not an unnecessary word +is spoken, and all hinges upon one figure whose whole attention is +centred, by the aid of his vivid imagination and definite information, +upon a battlefield, the ground of which he probably knows, but which at +the moment is far out of sight. Such is the science of war up to date. + +Since the early days of the war methods have considerably changed. Both +sides have dug themselves in, until the allied lines stretch in one +continuous chain of over 500 miles. The trenches to-day are monuments of +masterly skill and construction. Gazing over a line of such earth +fortifications--for that is what they are--from the summit of a hill, it +is very difficult to realize that at one's feet there are thousands of +men lying hidden from each other, but ready at a moment's notice to +spring into deadly activity. An occasional shell bursts here and there, +but beyond that the characteristics are apparently peaceful; such is the +appearance at the present stage of warfare. But it must be always borne +in mind this is only preparatory to great and far-reaching movements. + +Ever and again a scrap takes place, and a few hundreds or thousands of +yards of trenches are taken or lost. To the ordinary civilian mind this +all seems very haphazard, but it is not so; every movement is made with +a purpose, and the result carefully noted by the master mind behind the +whole. + +The first battle of Ypres lasted somewhere about a month. Since then +other sanguinary battles have taken place on the ground which has become +historic. But October and November, 1914, will ever stand in the annals +of war as the occasion of one of England's greatest triumphs, for +notwithstanding Germany's costly endeavours to reach the coast, she +failed. + + + + +CONCERNING OFFICERS AND MEN + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +CONCERNING OFFICERS AND MEN + + +In considering the constituent elements of an army, the first avenue of +thought must lead to the primary essential--discipline. The realization +of this most important military virtue is one of the most difficult for +the young soldier to apprehend and appreciate, and yet it must underly +the whole system of the army. By discipline, I do not merely mean +smartness, which is involved in quick and correct response to the word +of command; that, of course, is part of it; but I refer more +particularly to that grip of self which enables a man to force himself +into subjection to authority, which may be entirely inimical to his own +will. One of the most striking illustrations of this remarkable mental +condition came under my notice on October 27, 1914. I had ridden up to +the front to see some of the men in my Brigade. The Grenadier and Scots +Guards had for days been holding the line with dogged pluck, and now had +withdrawn from the trenches for a brief respite from their most arduous +duties. Falling back a mile or so, they were rejoicing in the prospect +of a hot meal. Very speedily the trench fires were dug, and the +dixies[2] were filled with a savoury stew; the while the men were lying +about enjoying their well-earned rest. In the midst of their brief laze +an urgent order came down from General Capper, commanding the men to +return to the trenches immediately, as the enemy were approaching in +strong force. At once the brave lads kicked out the fires and stood to +attention, and moved off to a task from which many of them never +returned. An eyewitness assured me that the Brigadier[3] gave the order +in a voice which was broken with emotion, for he knew full well the +desperate nature of the task he was setting his men. In this grand +response to a most unpalatable order, the very highest discipline is +noticeable; it embodies such an act of devotion to duty as reveals that +mastery over self which lies at the very root of success in warfare. +Such a discipline cannot fail to evoke admiration wherever it is +witnessed. It is noticeable among officers and men alike, and tends to +weld both in that splendid spirit of comradeship which is so peculiarly +a feature of our army at the present time. + +In considering the relationship of those in command and those commanded, +I must deal with them separately. + +(1) Officers: Many years ago--I think it was during the Crimean +war--_Punch_ gave a very admirable setting of the British officer in two +phases. In one picture was a ball-room in which the whiskered exquisites +of that period were seen in the mazes of a dance, and underneath was +written: 'Our officers can dance.' The next picture revealed the same +men charging up to the guns at the head of their men, and underneath the +words: 'But by jingo they can fight too.' There is no doubt that the +English officer is good at enjoying himself, and no small blame to him, +but when it comes to the stern days of war, he is as keen and gallant as +ever. It must have struck the most casual observer that the proportion +of officer casualties during this war is entirely disproportionate to +the numbers engaged. Again and again this striking fact has met with the +severe stricture of those competent to judge; but it is useless to +attempt to alter the glorious traditions of the English army in this +respect: our officers will lead; and although it may be at a terrible +cost, the results are seen in the splendid backing up of the men. In the +early days of the war, on more than one occasion, I met with such a +remark from working men as 'Let the rich do their bit.' I hold that they +have done it, and done it magnificently. No one can read the list of +casualties without being struck with the enormous number of what I may +call the cultured classes which have fallen in the operations we are +engaged in. Indeed, there is hardly a titled family in England but is +mourning its dead. Our young officers are entering action with a wild +abandonment which it is impossible to realize unless witnessed. Writing +home to his people, a subaltern recently declared that he was at the top +of the fulness of life. Small wonder that our men will go anywhere and +do anything behind such magnificent leading as our officers are giving +them. + +But this splendid attribute of the British officer is not only seen amid +the excitement of conflict. At the end of a weary march when all alike +are fagged out and ready to throw themselves upon the earth and rest, +the first consideration on the part of the officers is the men; their +food, their billets; and when these important questions are dealt with, +then, and not till then, with wearied frames, these gallant gentlemen +begin to think of themselves. This evokes a feeling which I may not +inaptly style, hero worship, on the part of the men. Frequently, in +describing the glorious death of some favourite officer, a man has said +to me, 'I loved him like a brother'; and this condition of regard is +mutual, for it is no uncommon thing (on the occasion of the departure of +the 'leave' train) to see an officer, frequently of senior rank, on +spotting in the crowd a non-commissioned officer, or private, from his +regiment, go up to him and with a hearty grip of the hand, say, 'Well, +my lad, hope you have had a good time!' Such a state of things would, of +course, be impossible in the German army, but we Englishmen have proved +that the most solid foundation of a true relationship between officers +and men is respect and love, and right happy are the results attained. + +(2) Our men: It is not possible to speak too highly of the splendid +manhood embodied in our ranks to-day. Their language is certainly +reprehensible, but after all we must realize that their vocabulary is +not an extensive one, and the employment of adjectives which, to a +refined ear, sounds deplorable, is only used by them to describe an +intensity which no other words they possess would be capable of +rendering. I am, of course, not referring to blasphemy or obscenity, +which is immediately checked by every right-minded man in authority. + +During the whole of my experience in Flanders, I did not come across +one case of drunkenness; my experience may be peculiar, but I do not +think so. To begin with, there is, of course, the very strong deterrent +of rigid punishment for such an offence. Again, there are not the +facilities for the purchase of strong drink, such as unhappily +characterizes the condition of affairs in Great Britain; but away and +beyond these preventives lies the fact that every man is imbued with the +idea that he must keep himself fit and 'play the game,' and the result +is that at the Front to-day we have a sober army. I cannot too strongly +warn the men who are at home, preparing for the Front, to watch +themselves closely in this respect, and for the following reasons:-- + + (a) A man who drinks renders himself physically unfit for the + tremendous strain involved by a campaign. A short time ago + I was travelling in France, from General Head-quarters to + Bailleul, and riding past a certain Brigade which had + landed two days prior, I was struck with the very + considerable portion of men who had fallen out on the + march. This was partly due to the very painful process of + marching over cobbled stones to which they were new, but I + knew full well that it was also attributable to the fact of + the soft condition which some of the foolish fellows were + in, through the unwise use of stimulants in the near past. + + (b) Sobriety is an absolute essential, for again and again the + security of a Platoon, a Company, a Battalion, a Brigade, or + even of Division, may depend upon the alertness of a + sentinel. + +We observe, therefore, the urgent importance of a man placed in so +responsible a position being in the fullest possession of his powers of +mind and body; therefore, I say with emphasis, and I say it to every man +going out, keep clear of the drink. + +One cannot fail to be struck with the supineness of certain Generals +who, possessing the power of placing public houses out of bounds, +excepting for one hour morning and evening, yet allow the men under +their command to soak in bar parlours for hours at a time. There are +magnificent exceptions to this, and all honour to those Divisional +Commanders who have taken the trouble to ascertain the conditions of +social life under which their men exist when off duty, and who make +adequate provision for the ordinary means of recreation and enjoyment. + +But to pass to the men of whom we are all so justly proud. Their +cheerfulness is truly remarkable, and indeed it requires somewhat of +the spirit of a Mark Tapley to 'stick it' in such weather as +characterized the campaign of last winter. + +Their hopefulness, too, is a glorious possession, and a grand incentive +to any man. _Nil desperandum_ is the watch-word which flashes down the +ranks of our men, even in the tightest corners. + +Their courage! who can describe it? for it stands at the very apex of +human glory. Again and again the enemy has paid admiring tribute to the +splendid dash and invincible determination evinced by our men. I am +confident that if it were only a question of man against man, the war +would speedily be ended. + +I have had many opportunities of watching the fortitude of our brave +lads. I should be sorry indeed to attempt to describe what one has +witnessed in field dressing stations; suffice it to say that in moments +of greatest agony I have seen men bite their lips almost to the flow of +blood, rather than emit a groan. Such are the men to whom England has +committed her honour, her prestige, even her destiny; and the commission +has not been made in vain. + +In dealing with 'our men' it would be a serious omission not to pay a +tribute to the remarkable collection of Imperial manhood which is now +gathered together under our flag. I need not refer to the Canadians or +Australians, for they are of our own flesh and blood, but the Indian +soldier deserves a word of high appreciation. Side by side with his +white brother in arms he has fought magnificently. True, his methods of +warfare are different, but in their own particular manner they are just +as effective. One of their officers described to me the very great +relish with which the Ghurkas approach a German trench. Slinking over +the ground with the stealthiness of tigers, kukri between their teeth, +they lie silently under the thrown up earth, then flipping a piece of +dirt into the air, wait for the German's head to be suspiciously raised; +a flash of the keen knife, and the German ceases to exist! No wonder +that such men are regarded with terror by the Huns. One day, when a +batch of prisoners were brought in, an Indian approached one of them +with a broad grin; displaying his teeth, which shone like pearls, he +proceeded to show his good feeling towards the German by stroking the +man, as a token of amity; but the poor fellow before him imagined that +he was seeking a soft place in which to insert his deadly knife, and +fairly howled with terror. + +From a military point of view one of the strangest aspects of this +campaign has been the little use made of cavalry during the first battle +of Ypres, and indeed right up to the present the horses of our cavalry +have, for the most part, not been required. It was strange to see the +Household Cavalry working in the trenches side by side with infantry of +the Line, but doing their work as effectively, and uncomplainingly, as +any other section of the army. + +As the winter draws on apace, the heart of England will once more open +in a response to the necessary comforts which her brave sons call for at +her hands, and for which they will not call in vain. Let me give a few +hints: Tobacco and cigarettes are, of course, always in demand, and +under the peculiar circumstances of this nerve-racking campaign, are +more or less of a necessity. Socks, too, are needed, for whether the +weather is hot or cold, socks will wear out. The men dearly love sweets, +such as toffee, chocolate, peppermints. Cardigan jackets--not too +heavy--are largely called for; a packet containing writing paper, +envelopes and an indelible pencil are very acceptable; woollen sleeping +helmets, and, of course, mittens will not be refused; boracic acid +powder for sore feet; anything to do with a shaving outfit (especially +safety razors) are gladly welcomed. From country districts a local paper +means a great deal to a man, for it keeps him in touch with home +affairs. But above all, keep up a regular correspondence with your men; +it is difficult for the home folk to realize how much a letter means. A +striking object lesson is afforded on the arriving of a mail, by the +hurried withdrawal of the fortunate receivers of letters from the mail +bag, like the lions at the Zoo which, on receiving their food, withdraw +to enjoy it in solitude. In a word, our men are worth all you can do for +them; do not spare yourselves in alleviating the inevitable discomforts, +privations and trails which are involved in such work as they have set +themselves to accomplish. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[2] Dixies: camp kettles. + +[3] Brigadier-General Ruggles Brise, who was very badly wounded shortly +afterwards, and returned to England. + + + + +THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD + + +In the care of an army on active service the most complete arrangements +exist for every requirement of the soldier. As far as possible nothing +is omitted that will conduce to his comfort, well-being and usefulness. + + His food is, as we have already seen, most scientifically + devised. + + His equipment is adjusted on the most anatomical principles. + + His arms are the most up to date that science and money can + provide. + + His medical and surgical supplies are the most perfect that + science can apply. + + And not least, his spiritual needs are increasingly well + attended to. There are over six hundred chaplains now in + the field. + +Many people have queer notions as to the methods and objects of a +chaplain's work. Some years ago I was on my way to conduct a Mission in +Yorkshire, when I happened to meet an R.A.M.C. friend. On my telling him +of the errand upon which I was bound, he expressed some surprise, and +displayed complete ignorance as to the character of my intending duty. +Accordingly I endeavoured to remove his ignorance by establishing a +parallel between his work and mine. I pointed out that in the visitation +of the hospital wards at Aldershot he doubtless became interested in +his patients, especially any uncommon or obstinate cases, and to these +he would pay especial attention, applying every specific which lay +within his knowledge. In pursuance of my purpose I then proceeded to +point out that a clergyman's work proceeded upon precisely the same +scientific lines. First of all a diagnosis of the difficulties was made, +then the specific was applied, but with this difference; medical science +is again and again beaten by the ignorance of the precise remedy to +apply, even presuming that it has been discovered; whereas the clergyman +sets before his patient the unfailing Christ, Who is sufficient for +every need of sinful man. I left him I hope somewhat enlightened as to +the definite character of a clergyman's ministry. The difficulty of my +friend is much the same as that experienced by a large number of people +as regards the work of a padre in the field. Let me set before you the +different phases of the work which commonly fall within the allotted +sphere of a chaplain's duty at the Front. + +To begin with there are now two[4] chaplains appointed to a Brigade (in +the early days of the war there was only one, and he was usually +attached to a Field Ambulance), the one is more particularly responsible +for the active men of the Brigade, whilst the other works with the Field +Ambulance. (Each Brigade consists of from three to five thousand men and +has a Field Ambulance attached to it.) + + (1) As occasion offers church parades are held, to which the + attendance is compulsory. But many a time the padre will + arrange voluntary services of the most informal character; + in barns, in a wood, sometimes in the reserve trenches. The + chaplain, by order, has no right in the firing trenches + except on urgent duties: such as ministering to the men, or + conducting funerals. + + (2) Men who are communicants greatly value the Means of Grace, + and possibly the great sacrament of the Lord's Supper is + never administered under more remarkable circumstances than + at the Front. At times the setting of the service is of the + very crudest form, but none the less it is highly prized. I + know full well the objection that is felt by some clergy to + Evening Communion, but in the British Expeditionary Force at + times it is absolutely necessary, unless the Church is + prepared to practically excommunicate men for a longer or + shorter period. I may add that personally I have no + sympathy with limiting the Means of Grace instituted by our + Blessed Redeemer to any particular hour of the day, and + certainly the Divine Institution was made after the Last + Supper, or during that meal. + + (3) One of the saddest features of the padre's round of duty is + the burial of the dead. Funerals often take place in the + firing line, or immediately behind it, when, of course, the + ceremony is of the very briefest duration. At others the + remains of the brave dead are interred in the nearest + cemetery, but in either case, as far as possible, a cross is + placed on the grave recording the name, number and regiment + of the interred. The visitation of the dying, especially + during a 'push,' entails a great deal of time on the part + of the chaplain. If the dying man is conscious and realizes + his position, there will be the last messages for the loved + ones at home; the disposition of property; the setting right + of some existent wrong; for as the moment of dissolution + approaches, men's minds are usually keenly alive to the + urgency of the position. + + (4) One of the most harrowing duties is ministering to the + wounded, especially in the Field Dressing Station of an + Ambulance, where the men are first attended to after being + brought in from the field. Their condition is often + indescribable, and opportunities of a word of comfort + abound. Even as a man lies upon the table, his wounds being + probed and dressed, the Message of God, coupled sometimes + with so material a solace as the placing of a cigarette + between the lips of the sufferer, will help him to bear his + agony. In Casualty Clearing and Base Hospitals there are, of + course, always a number of sick to be visited, and this work + falls within the region of ordinary civilian hospital work. + In many cases where a man is first hit and he is not in a + too collapsed condition, his first thought is of home; and a + painful anxiety is often evinced by the sufferer to get a + message through, describing his condition, before his name + appears in the casualty list; for, unhappily, no distinction + is made in the published lists between slight and serious + cases. + + (5) All this involves a large amount of correspondence on the + part of the chaplain, and there are busy times when a + 'scrap' is proceeding. Every spare moment is occupied with + writing letters for those who are unable to do so + themselves. On the top of all his other work the padre is + constantly receiving letters from home, asking him as to the + whereabouts of this or that man, who may be dead, wounded or + missing; and this phase of the work of itself takes up a + great deal of time. + + (6) A not unimportant duty which falls to a chaplain's lot is + the recreation of the men, and if he is a good sort he will + endeavour, during periods of rest, to enliven the lot of his + men with sing-songs, boxing competitions, football matches, + athletic sports, etc., etc.--anything to buck up the men and + keep them cheery. In addition to this, many nondescript + duties fall to the chaplain's lot. Sometimes he is mess + president, and that will give him an anxious half hour. The + solicitude of a young wife who asked a matron of mature + experience as to the best method of keeping the affection of + her husband and preserving his interest in the home, was + answered by, 'Feed the brute.' A mess president knows to the + full what this means. The padre will sometimes have + difficult and perchance dangerous work allotted to him, such + as carrying messages under fire, or tending wounded men in + exposed places. He must also be prepared to lend a hand in + carrying the wounded; and, in short, render himself as + useful as possible, and thus prove himself a friend of + officer and man. + +The question is often asked, 'Should a chaplain be under fire?' It is +impossible to avoid it if he is serving troops under fire, and he must +take his chance with every one else. Many times I have been asked, 'Were +you afraid?' I am only a normal person, not conspicuous for undue pluck +on the one hand, or, I hope, undue funk on the other, but I never got +over my fear; of course one grew accustomed to the deadly visitants +which were constantly in our midst. After all, if there is no fear, +there is no courage. I sometimes hear of men, of whom it is said, 'They +do not know what fear is.' Well, if that is so, such an individual is +devoid of courage, for the very essence of courage consists in the +appreciation of fear, and a persistence in duty notwithstanding. Doctor +Johnson was passing through a cathedral when he noticed a tomb on which +was written, 'Here lies the body of a man who never knew fear.' 'Then,' +said the witty Doctor, 'he never tried to snuff a lighted candle with +his fingers.' General Gordon has told us that he was always subject to +fear. 'For my part,' he once said, 'I am always frightened and very much +so.' And yet no one in history has a reputation more honestly earned for +this real kind of courage, a courage won by personal victory over fear. +Herein lies the essence of the experience of the vast majority of our +men; fearing fire, and loathing it as they do, they yet 'stick' it, +because it is their duty. + +It is astonishing how soon one grows accustomed to death at the Front. +It cannot well be otherwise; the man you have been chatting to five +minutes before is presently borne along dead. The officer who was the +life and soul of the mess on the previous night, in some ruined +farmhouse, is gone before the morning; and as a man well put it, 'Dying +men out here are as common as falling leaves in autumn.' + +The religious atmosphere at the Front is unique. I can hardly say that +there is what one may term a general turning to God, but certainly the +realization of the nearness of God and eternity are very present to most +men's minds. As a man said up at the Front, 'Out here every man puts up +some kind of a prayer every night.' The superficial scepticism which is +so largely ethical, or the result of indifference, and which is assumed +by many men in England, has no hold at the Front. One of our best known +Bishops was telling me when I met him 'somewhere in France' that a short +time back he was about to conduct a service in a hospital ward, in his +own city, and upon handing a hymn-book to one of the patients lying in +bed, he was met with, 'Thank you, I would rather not, I am an agnostic' +Hearing this, the man in the next bed raised himself up on his elbow, +and looking at the objector, tersely remarked, 'You silly young fool, a +week at the trenches would take that nonsense out of you.' Undoubtedly +our men are being awakened to the tremendous reality of eternal +verities, and it behoves us to help them all we can. In this respect the +experience of the padre is intensely happy; no work on which he engages +is more fruitful than that of upholding Christ before men who have come +near the end of their earthly course. Said an officer to me--who had +just been brought in badly wounded, and I had written to his wife +assuring her that all was being done to alleviate his suffering and to +effect his recovery (which happily took place)--'Padre, I have been a +wild man all my life, but last night as I lay wounded in the trenches, +for the first time I realized God, and perfect peace came into my +heart.' + +A captain in the Guards, badly hit through the lungs with shrapnel, +demanded a good bit of my attention. When he was sent to the Base I +hardly thought that he would survive the journey; however, in due course +he reached England. Some months afterwards I received a letter from his +mother, stating that her boy was slowly climbing back to recovery, and +thanking me for what I had been able to do for him; which was little +enough. At the bottom of the letter was a postscript: 'My darling boy +died at twelve to-day. Just before he passed away he said, "Mother, I am +in perfect peace with God. Give my love to padre."' Those are the kind +of things that make a man thank God for having volunteered to do one's +'bit' in that particular line of life in which he has been placed. No +work is grander than a chaplain's; but I must lay it down as a general +axiom, that no man should undertake this particular kind of work unless +he knows that he is charged with a message from God. + +In the Neuve Chapelle dispatch, Sir John French writes: 'I have once +more to remark upon the devotion to duty, courage and contempt of danger +which has characterized the work of the chaplains throughout this +campaign.' The padre's work is not to fight; indeed, he is not armed +(anyhow, he is not allowed to be by the authorities); and certainly one +of the difficulties experienced is to withhold oneself as one sees the +brave lads go to their daring and glorious work. + + Ambassador of Christ, you go + Up to the very gates of hell, + Through fog of powder, storm of shell, + To speak your Master's message: 'Lo, + The Prince of Peace is with you still, + His peace be with you, His goodwill.' + + It is not small, your priesthood's price + To be a man and yet stand by, + To hold your life while others die, + To bless, not share the sacrifice, + To watch the strife and take no part-- + You with the fire at your heart. + + W.M. LETTS, in the _Spectator_. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[4] There are now three appointed to each Brigade. + + + + +THE CARE OF THE WOUNDED + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE CARE OF THE WOUNDED + + +Among the many sad sights witnessed in modern warfare, I question +whether there is any more pathetic than a train of wounded men passing +down from the Front. Every description of injury is noticeable, for shot +and shell are not discriminating. From cases of the severest abdominal +and head wounds, the patient being in a more or less collapsed +condition, one turns to the laughing lad, with only a clean shot through +his forearm, and who still has the exciting influence of the 'scrap' +thickly upon him. But slight or dangerous, each requires attention, for +owing to the grave danger of septic trouble, the smallest scratch may +prove fatal. In their handling of the enormous number of casualties, +the work of the R.A.M.C. will stand out in luminous letters when the +history of the war is written. From sanitation, to a major operation, +this Department is equal to the occasion, and one is lost in admiration +at the splendid devotion to duty exhibited by this strictly scientific +branch of the service. + +Wounded men always possess a sad and enthralling interest to the public +mind. It is not morbid curiosity alone which draws men and women to gaze +upon the unhappy sufferers, rather I think it is a feeling akin to awe, +for it is recognized that these men have been in the thick of it, and +the imagination of the onlookers sees the courage they have displayed, +and peering through the veil beholds the terrible sights they have seen. +These, and similar thoughts cast a glamour over the most ordinary +wounded man, and clothe him with a heroism which in all probability he +of all men is most unconscious of possessing. + +The variety of circumstances under which men get wounded is unbounded. +Multitudes of those bowled over have never seen a German. It may be far +back in the rear that a 'Jack Johnson' or 'Black Maria' (for we have +many names for the German high explosive) has knocked a man out. It is +all over in a moment; in the quiet of the night, or amid the bustle of +the day the deadly shriek of an approaching shell falls upon the man's +ear, and before he can seek for cover--even supposing there is any to +hand--the roar of the explosion will probably be the last thing that he +will remember before he awakes to his agony. Or nearer to the line, the +whistle of an approaching shrapnel speaks of coming danger, and then a +prone figure on the ground tells of one more who has been 'pipped,' to +use a colloquialism of the Front. When we consider the extreme range of +a seventeen-inch gun as being not far short of thirty miles, the +difficulty of being out of range is at once apparent. Nearer at hand, +within a few yards, an accurately thrown bomb is a fruitful source of +injury to our fighting men, whilst in these days of accurate rifle fire +'snipers' mark the slightest movement at a thousand yards. In the fierce +rush of the taking of a trench, men are as thick on the ground as the +leaves of Vallombrosa. At such times, notwithstanding the specific +orders to the contrary, men are constantly helping each other. For +brotherly love will assert itself even amid the rush of battle. Here is +an order from the 'Standing Orders' of the Seventh Division:-- + +'Wounded men.--All ranks are forbidden to divert their attention from +the enemy in order to attend wounded officers or men.' + +But notwithstanding this command, again and again heroic deeds are +performed by combatants in their endeavour to get their wounded comrades +out of imminent danger. + +It was a noble deed of the Rev. Nevile Talbot, who, learning that his +brother in the Rifle Brigade was hit, rushed into the zone of fire, only +to find his beloved relative dead; straightway he immediately diverted +his attention to the need of a wounded 'Tommy' near by. The Rev. and +Honourable B.M. Peel was badly hit in the head and left leg, in charging +with the Welsh Fusiliers; true, he had no right to be there from a +military point of view, but I believe the O.C. had given him permission, +and certainly his heroic action inspired the men, and has left a +splendid memory in the minds of those who were with him. In such ways +the front line of casualties occur. How are they dealt with? I will +describe as briefly as possible the procedure which governs the +handling of the wounded from the fighting line to the Convalescent Home +in England. + + (1) Nearly every Battalion has its Regimental Surgeon and + Bearers; the latter are men who are specially trained to + render First Aid, and to carry the wounded out of the zone + of immediate fire. + + (2) At this point the stricken one is taken in hand by the + Bearer Section of the Field Ambulance, under the command of + an R.A.M.C. officer, who, where necessary, quickly renders + First Aid by applying a tourniquet where there is arterial + bleeding, or bandaging up an ordinary wound. These men, + whether attached to the Field Ambulance or a regiment, are + worthy of the highest praise. No courage is of a higher + order than that which enables men, devoid of the excitement + of fighting, to pass within the deadly hail of lead. + + (3) The wounded man is then conveyed to the Field Dressing + Station of the Field Ambulance. This may be located in a + deserted building: a barn, a farmhouse, or some such place. + It may be even placed behind a haystack, or in a wood, but + certainly in the most sheltered position that can be found. + Here the man's wound receives more careful attention, but + with a rush of such cases it is impossible to bestow all the + care that is desired. Very hurriedly the man's clothing is + cut open, the wound cleansed with iodine, or some such + disinfectant, bandaged up again, and the sufferer is ready + for evacuation to a Casualty Clearing Station. + + (4) Some miles behind the firing line, a convent, schools, or + any suitable house, or group of buildings, has been set + apart as a hospital, and under the present system greater + assistance can now be rendered to the patient. Even + operations may be performed if the case is one of special + urgency. At this point I would call attention to the + remarkable revolution that has taken place in the transport + of the wounded, through the agency of Motor Ambulances, in + lieu of the pair horse Ambulance formerly in use, and which + rumbled along the uneven roads, thereby causing an + intolerable amount of suffering to the badly stricken men + therein. The sufferers are now conveyed swiftly, and with + far greater comfort, to their temporary destinations; and + hundreds of lives are being preserved by means of this + miracle of modern times. + + (5) The hospital train at the 'rail head' which serves the + district is the next experience of the wounded man. Those + who have examined these wonderful accessories to modern + warfare will have been struck by the completeness of the + arrangements. Beds of the most comfortable description, + having regard to space, are provided, whilst sitting cases + are arranged for in ordinary carriages. Furnished with a + well-appointed kitchen, nothing is left to be desired as + regards the food, and this, I need hardly say, appeals very + strongly to a man who has been living upon Army rations for + weeks or months past. There is even a small operating + theatre in the best equipped hospital trains. + + (6) This brings us to the Base Hospital, where is found the + finest talent, both medical and surgical, that the country + can produce. Some of our greatest civilian medical men, in a + temporary capacity, are now rendering invaluable aid to the + remarkable cases which proceed from the fell work of shot + and shell. These hospitals, some of which are due to the + magnificent enterprise of private individuals, provide for a + very large number of patients. In one centre alone there + are eight hospitals, with fourteen beds in each. Here, too, + are working the most highly trained nursing sisters, and the + wounded man will, to his dying day, remember the patient + skill bestowed upon him by these devoted women. A patient + recently remarked to a friend of mine, who asked him whether + he didn't think the sister was an angel, 'Indeed she is, + sir, a regular fallen angel.' His adjective was a little out + of place, but he meant to describe exactly what we all feel + with regard to these splendid ministers to our need. + + (7) The hospital ship next receives the sufferer, and herein + everything that modern ingenuity can devise is applied to + the necessities of the case. Landing at some convenient + British port, an English hospital train receives the wounded + man, who is speedily whirled away to-- + + (8) The Home Hospital, where, of course, the man remains under + the ablest care, until he is happily classified a + convalescent. + + (9) The Convalescent Home is perhaps the happiest stage of the + whole curriculum, and Tommy runs a chance of being spoiled + ere he is ready for the fighting line, or, in case of + permanent disablement, for the care of his own kith and kin. + +I must not forget the remarkable qualities of the Orderlies of the +R.A.M.C. I have often been struck with the tender care and solicitude +which they bestow upon the wounded coming under their attention. In +their ranks are found all sorts and conditions of men: clergymen, +medical students; indeed, the premier Earl of Scotland, the Earl of +Crawford and Balcarres, enlisted as a Private in the R.A.M.C. and is now +a Corporal in a Field Ambulance. Such an example cannot fail to place +this distinguished branch of the Service on the highest level of utility +and importance. + +So far, I have more particularly dealt with the care of the wounded. +This, however, is only one side of the vast work under the care of the +medical side of the Army. With the lamentable effect of the evil of bad +water experienced in the South African war, the Authorities have been +most drastic in their insistence of a pure water supply to the Army. +To-day every unit has its filter cast, and most urgent orders are in +circulation forbidding men to drink from any other supply. This alone +has prevented a large amount of disease. + +One of the ills that our men have to contend with is 'feet.' No one, +excepting those who have had to march on French and Belgian roads, can +realize the pernicious effect of cobbled stones, with their many +inequalities, upon the feet of the men; hence in every well-commanded +Battalion frequent feet inspections are held--in many instances daily. +This simple preventive, coupled with a copious supply of socks sent out +by the people at home, has helped the great majority of 'Tommies' to +keep their pedal extremities in going order. + +The inspection of kit, from a sanitary point of view, is another +important phase of the hygienic question. Where men have to exist for +days without a change of clothing, it will be readily understood that +the effect is extremely prejudicial to health, and therefore a medical +supervision of the clothing of the men is of supreme value to their +health. In many places facilities for hot baths are provided for the men +coming out of the trenches, and greatly is this boon prized. One of the +commonest sights behind the firing line is a detachment of men swinging +along, with towels in their hands, on their way to or fro the tub. + +In some places whilst the men are in the bath their clothes are +carefully disinfected, and then handed back to them thoroughly cleansed +and fit for further use. Notwithstanding all these precautions, there +is, of course, a certain amount of sickness which is inevitable among so +great a number of men, but it is significant in proportion to the +numbers employed. After many months with troops I can emphatically say +that the bodily care of our men, by the medical authorities, is beyond +all praise, and has done much to preserve the redundant health which is +characteristic of our Army in the field. 'Cleanliness is next to +Godliness,' and I must add that it comes in a good second in the British +Expeditionary Force in Flanders and France. + + + + +WORK AT THE BASE + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +WORK AT THE BASE + + +At various centres in France are established Bases, where all the +necessary supplies and ammunition are landed, and thence transported to +the various Units in the Field. To cope with this vast system of +distribution an army of men is employed. It will help the reader to form +an estimate of the labour involved in this enormous undertaking if I +briefly refer to the various branches of the British Expeditionary Force +which are specially engaged in ministering to the Force as a whole. + + (1) _Army Service Corps._--These are men drilled and practised + in supply and transport. They are ubiquitous, and without + them it would be impossible to maintain the operations in + hand. + + (2) _Army Ordnance Department._--The men of this section are + skilled in the manipulation of ammunition, and in the + tabulation and distribution of a hundred and one articles of + equipment. It is a striking object lesson to make a tour of + inspection of this important Department of the Army. It + would be interesting to know how many hundreds of thousands + of miles of barbed wire have passed through the hands of the + A.O. during the war. Everything from a screw to a howitzer + comes within their attention. As to the supply of guns and + ammunition I am, of course, forbidden to say anything, + excepting to share with my fellow-countrymen the greatest + satisfaction that the grave difficulty noticeable earlier in + the war has to so large an extent been overcome. + + (3) _Army Medical Stores._--Here again we have another striking + object lesson in the wonders of detail. Everything required + by Hospitals, Field Ambulances, Casualty Clearing Stations + is herein stored and ready to be dispatched in response to + the indents which are daily pouring in; the requirements of + the R.A.M.C., from a surgical bandage to an operating + table--to say nothing of drugs--must be ready for use. This + involves the most careful attention on the part of the + staff, which is, of course, composed of picked men. + + (4) _Railway Engineers._--In each Base will be found one or more + companies of Sappers, who are responsible for the + maintenance of telegraphic and telephonic communications, + within the area of the Base; and also the construction and + upkeep of military railway lines and buildings. + + (5) _Sanitary Department._--In Bases where permanent Garrisons + are stationed (in some instances amounting to many + thousands) much care must be exercised with regard to the + ordinary hygienic conditions of life; and under highly + qualified officers the most careful supervision is exercised + in this respect. + + (6) _Army Post Office._--The correspondence of the Expeditionary + Force is enormous, and involves a large staff in keeping + 'Tommy' well posted with news from home. The efficiency of + this important adjunct to our Army is as highly valued as it + is admirably carried out. + + (7) _Army Bakers._--The men composing this Unit are of course + selected from a particular calling. Their work is beyond all + praise. In one Base with which I was more particularly + connected during the latter part of my service abroad, no + less than 220,000 two and a half pound loaves are baked + daily. This represents bread rations for 440,000 men. The + labour involved in such a vast production is very great. + Weekday and Sunday alike the Army Bakers are grandly + proceeding with their monotonous but most necessary work. So + complete is the system employed in the making and + distributing of 'the staff of life' that no Unit, however + far distant, receives bread older than four days. A French + General of high position, lately visiting one such Bakery, + expressed his unbounded admiration at the system employed, + saying that in the French Army bread fifteen days old is + very usually met with. + + (8) _Army Service Corps Labourers._--These men are specially + enlisted from stevedores, dock labourers, etc. Their work + consists, in the main, of unloading vessels, and shipping + supplies on to trains. + + (9) _Remounts and Veterinary Department._--It would rejoice the + hearts of all lovers of dumb animals to visit these great + repositories of whole, sick and injured horses. The saving + in horse flesh represented by these carefully administered + camps is of the utmost value to the Army as a whole, for + although motor transport is playing so important a part, + horses are a necessity in many phases of Army work. + + (10) _Military Police._--Under the Assistant Provost Marshal, a + military Base is controlled by a staff of picked men, who do + their work most admirably. Their duties are varied; they + have the oversight of the conduct of the men, and are most + particular in regard to the appearance of men in public. Woe + be to the man who is not properly dressed as he passes under + the lynx-eye of one of these military custodians of the + peace. Such supervision is not even altogether uncalled for + among the officers of the new Army; one has been much struck + with the slovenly, and at times grotesque, appearance of men + who have suddenly assumed the position of officers and + gentlemen. The somewhat apt epigram which is current to-day, + is not wholly unmerited, "Temporary officers are expected to + behave as temporary gentlemen." + + (11) _Convalescent Camps._--On men leaving hospitals, prior to + their rejoining their Units at the Front, they are usually + placed in Convalescent Camps, or in what are called Base + Details. Here they are employed in various light duties + until such times as they are fit for more active service. + +It was at a Base comprising a Garrison of such Units as I have mentioned +that I spent the greater part of my closing months of service in the +Army. I was not attached to any hospital, but had placed in my care the +greater part of what I may call the active men. The work was of the most +interesting description, and following as it did a strenuous experience +with the fighting forces, I am enabled, in consequence, to form a fairly +sound judgment on the work of the British Expeditionary Force as a +whole. + +On leaving home on March 16 for a fresh spell of service, I proceeded, +in obedience to orders received, and reported myself to Doctor Sims, the +principal chaplain, and received from him my orders as to my allocation. +On reaching my Base I was most cordially received by the Rev. E.G.F. +McPherson, C.M.G. Senior Church of England Chaplain to the Forces. This +officer, who ranks as Colonel, has had many years of distinguished +service in the Army, and is universally respected. Prior to his taking +up the position which he occupied when I reported to him, he was in the +retreat from Mons and the battle of the Aisne. The regard evinced for +him by all ranks is unbounded. On one occasion I was with him visiting +padres at the Front, when an officer pointing to him said, 'There goes +the best loved man in the Army,' and I can well believe it. He is at the +present time rendering very important service with the Southern Command, +in the Salisbury training centre. + +Allocated to me were the A.S.C., Army Ordnance, Mechanical Transport +Base Regiment (employed on Guard duty), Firing parties at funerals, +Escorts, etc., Military Police, Army Bakers, and A.S.C. Labourers. + +My work at the Base necessarily differed largely from that at the Front. +The men being stationed at one place it was possible to arrange a +regular system of services; but these were at times exceedingly +difficult to sustain, owing to the very heavy pressure of work with +which the men had to cope; but notwithstanding such difficulties and +discouragements, I have every reason to be thankful for the great +opportunity which was afforded me. + +It was my privilege to prepare men for Baptism, and on two occasions for +Confirmation. This solemn rite of our Church was taken on the one +occasion by Bishop Bury, and on the other by the Bishop of Birmingham; +at each service admirable addresses were delivered. + +The Bishop of Birmingham--an old Territorial officer--has taken the +greatest interest in the work of the British Expeditionary Force, and is +thoroughly conversant with the whole line at the Front. + +It was a great pleasure to meet the Bishop of London, just before +Easter, on his way to the firing line, where he received a wonderful +welcome from all ranks. + +Spiritual work among soldiers is very real and deep. I question whether +there is any more difficult place for a man to endeavour to live up to +his convictions than in the Army; and to the Christian soldier, one of +the surest tests of the reality of his religious profession is the +simple matter of saying his prayers in the barrack room or tent. If a +man persistently does that, you may be sure there is something real in +his profession. + +I have already alluded to the deep impression created by the experience +of being under fire. A somewhat remarkable instance in support of this +condition of mind came under my notice a few weeks ago. The officer to +whom it relates will, I am sure, pardon my introducing his experience to +point my moral. He was standing with a brother officer amid the ruins of +Ypres, when, realizing that the position was distinctly 'unhealthy' +owing to the heavy shelling which had commenced, he suggested a +withdrawal from the locality. They had walked but a short distance, when +a high explosive shell burst behind them, and a piece of the casing +whizzed between their heads. 'That was a near shave,' said one; 'let's +go back and see where it fell.' It had fallen on the precise spot where +they had been standing but a minute or so before. The result of the +condition of mind produced by this remarkable 'let off' was a visit to +the chaplain's office. On asking what I could do for him the officer +replied, 'I hardly know, but I want your help. I have never been +baptized, so I suppose I ought to be baptized and confirmed.' I pointed +out to him that prior to the participation in the Sacrament of Holy +Baptism, he had to settle with himself his personal relationship with +Christ. By the goodness of God I believe that point was clearly +established in his mind, and it was my privilege to baptize him, and +then present him for Confirmation at the hands of the Bishop of +Birmingham. + +This affords another illustration of the wonderful working of a man's +mind who comes face to face with Eternity and the reality of God. Some +men at home will possibly be inclined to sneer at such a condition of +mind, but those of us who have been through it know full well the +emptiness of such home-bred objections, which certainly do not hold amid +the issues of life and death which are found at the Front. + +I have met many friends at the Base, both among officers and men. It is +a pleasing duty to record the gratitude I owe to those in command for +their invariable courtesy to me, in the prosecution of my work, and the +splendid personal support rendered to me. The personal influence of the +officers goes far in securing the sympathy of the men. + +I have never had more attentive congregations than those which have +formed the various Church Parades and voluntary gatherings which fell +to my lot to conduct whilst working at the Base. + +On one occasion it fell to me to conduct a 'Quiet Day' for Chaplains, +Hospital Nurses and Orderlies, and responsible though the work was, we +felt it to be a great lift up, coming as it did amid the stress of a +very arduous life. + +I frequently had the experience of visiting the different sections of +the Front, and on two occasions in particular gave addresses to +gatherings of chaplains, drawn from various Divisions. Those were unique +occasions, for one felt the tremendous responsibility of trying to help +men engaged in such important work. I knew that I was addressing heroes +without exception, men who were daily counting their lives cheap for +Christ's sake. + +A most interesting experience befell me on June 18. With a brother +chaplain I was visiting in the neighbourhood of Ypres, when ascending a +small hill from which one could survey the whole line of trenches, +extending from Zonnebec to Ploegstreete, we passed by some reserve +trenches in which were a considerable number of men, resting from their +duties in the front line trenches. I had taken with me in the car a +large number of packets of cigarettes, generously sent out by my +parishioners, and on asking the lads if they wanted any, I speedily +found myself at the head of a great following, like the Pied Piper of +Hamelin. The men streamed after me in hundreds down to the lane some +distance off, where the car was waiting. It did not take many minutes to +hand out a big supply of smokes. While thus engaged, a sergeant made +himself known to me as having heard me give an address down at the Base, +and with considerable _naivete_ he said, 'Cannot you give us a talk +here, sir?' Of course I could! and in less than five minutes there were +hundreds of men most picturesquely grouped on the hillside. It was +touching to see their faces as I spoke to them of 'the greatest thing in +the world,' the Love of God in Christ Jesus; and as I built up my +argument of the Divine love by means of the illustration of the love of +home, many a clear eye glistened. As I closed, I pointed out to them the +unique occasion of our meeting, June 18, 1915, therefore the centenary +of the Battle of Waterloo. There we were actually on Belgian soil, +almost within gun-sound of the celebrated battle-field itself. As we +sang the National Anthem I felt that never had I heard it sung in so +inspiriting a manner; and when I called for three cheers for the King, +the Germans in their front line trenches,--which were certainly within +earshot,--must have imagined an attack in force was about to take place. +Such desultory gatherings go far to cheer a padre's heart as he proceeds +on the daily round and common task. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A CLOSING WORD + +[_Kindly written by_ Colonel E.G.F. MACPHERSON, _Senior Chaplain to the +Forces_ (_Church of England_).] + + +The completion of Mr. Kennedy's account of his work at Boulogne was not +finished ere he entered into his rest. As the senior under whom he +served during the latter part of his term with the Expeditionary Force, +I have been asked to add a few concluding remarks, relative to his +labours from the period his own narrative ends. + +Part of Mr. Kennedy's sphere of work lay just outside the Base at a +certain place. Here was erected a camp of wooden huts, occupied by a +considerable number of A.S.C. Dock Labourers. In this camp there was no +building where the troops could pass a pleasant and innocent evening, +nor was there a church within reasonable distance of the place. This, of +course, was naturally a great disadvantage to any chaplain in his +endeavours to get a hold upon the men. Mr. Kennedy felt the need; with +him to think was to act. + +He came to me and requested that I should write a letter to him, asking +him (as he was going immediately on short leave to England) to do what +he could to influence friends at home to supply what we both recognized +was a crying need. + +Although Mr. Kennedy was only away about a week, he returned with +between two or three hundred pounds, to start the erection of a Hut for +recreational and religious purposes. + +The next thing to do was to obtain a suitable site, preferably in the +midst of the camp. + +Mr. Kennedy obtained the consent of the Base Commandant, and that of +the officer commanding the camp; the latter especially rendering all +the assistance in his power--particularly in obtaining for us the +services of a competent architect. + +Plans were drawn up and approved by me. It was found that the expenses +of the Church Hut would be considerably more than was at first +contemplated: L600, not L400 as we thought. Mr. Kennedy appealed once +more to his friends and to the readers of certain religious papers. +Pecuniary assistance flowed rapidly in, and we were soon assured of +enough money to build a large and commodious Church Hut. There was to be +a large hall, a coffee bar, kitchen, and some small rooms. + +Mr. Kennedy, in spite of much other work in which he was engaged, found +time to constantly trudge to and fro to the camp, watching, with zealous +care, the erection of the Hut. No less keen and interested spectators +were the A.S.C. men themselves, for it meant a great deal to +them--somewhere to go to when work was done, somewhere to pass an hour +or so. + +Mr. Kennedy's idea was to supply wholesome refreshment, daily papers and +magazines, and games to play. This during the week. + +On Sundays the place was to be 'rigged,' as sailors call it, as a +church. It was to be used also for Bible Classes and Instructions. + +In wonderfully quick time the Hut was built, and duly opened. This +latter event happened after I was called home on special duty. + +Needless to say the Hut has been greatly used, both from a social and +religious point of view; and has been directly and indirectly the means +of much good being done. It is another monument to the life's work of a +noble soul. + + + +Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner, Frome and London. + + * * * * * + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Typographical errors corrected in text: | + | | + | Page 20: vessel replaced with vessels | + | Page 178: Amy replaced with Army | + | | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With The Immortal Seventh Division, by +E. J. 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