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diff --git a/old/51387-0.txt b/old/51387-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 001cfba..0000000 --- a/old/51387-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,29782 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Prince of Wales' Civil -Service Rifles, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The History of the Prince of Wales' Civil Service Rifles - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: March 8, 2016 [EBook #51387] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRINCE OF WALES CIV. SERVICE RIFLES *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Wayne Hammond and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE HISTORY OF THE PRINCE OF WALES’ OWN - CIVIL SERVICE RIFLES - -[Illustration: _TO WILLIAM MANNING ESQ^R. M.P. LIEUTENANT COLONEL -COMMANDANT_, - -_The Officers and Privates of the Bank of England Volunteer Regiment_. - -_This Print is by permission most respectfully dedicated by their -obedient servant_, - - _John Wallis Junior_] - - -By the courtesy of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, the -possessors of the original print. - - * * * * * - -The uniform is similar to that worn by the Somerset House Volunteers of -the period. - - - _London: Published, August 30th, 1804, by - John Wallis, Jun., 16, Ludgate Street._ - - _Frontispiece._ - - - - - THE HISTORY OF THE - PRINCE OF WALES’ OWN - CIVIL SERVICE RIFLES - - - PRINTED BY WYMAN & SONS LTD., FETTER LANE, E.C., - FOR P.W.O. CIVIL SERVICE RIFLES, - SOMERSET HOUSE, STRAND - 1921 - - TO THOSE - CIVIL SERVICE RIFLEMEN - WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES - IN THE GREAT WAR - - - - -NOTE BY THE EDITOR - - -These pages have been put together under pressure of the desirability -of placing their contents without further delay in the hands of a -public virtually limited to Regimental members past and present, their -relatives and friends. They do not aim higher than setting on record -the unvarnished chronicles of several generations of volunteers who -have never yielded place to any in their pride and love of regiment. - -Before the close of the last century the story of the Regiment’s thirty -years’ existence had been written by the officer who to-day has been -the right hand of the Editor in the task of bringing the record down to -the year of the War. The latter has to thank Colonel Merrick for giving -up much of his time to this object, and for allowing a reprint of the -earlier portion. - -Captain Bell was good enough to make himself responsible for the -tale from the year 1909 to 1914. Major Kirkby has kindly given his -supervision in preparing certain tabular statements which are found -as appendices. Yet this book would never have reached the printers’ -hands but for the initiative shown by Captain Davenport as regards the -narrative of the first Battalion in War. His achievement prompted the -search for an author who could and would do the same for the widely -ranging story of the movements of the second Battalion. Into this -gap stepped Major Benké who, in a short space of time delivered the -completed task. It will be agreed that both these officers, aided in -some parts by collaborators, have produced a readable and human account -of those events of which they can speak at first hand, made clearer by -the excellent sketch maps which accompany the narratives of operations. - -To Major Duncan Lewis, the writer of those pages in which the -necessarily uneventful story of the third Battalion is found, we -express our indebtedness. Captain Doubleday is best fitted to tell -of the beneficent work of the Regimental Aid Fund, and thanks may be -expressed here on behalf of all those who benefited by the activities -of himself and his fellow-helpers. In the very difficult task of -compiling the lists of all ranks who served in the Regiment during war -time, we have to thank Major Ramsbotham--the Adjutant--for his energy -in this and, indeed, in all matters connected with the needs of the -Regiment. - -Attention is directed to the statistics relating to the numbers who -served in the Regiment, and who were transfers, which will be found at -the end of Appendix VI. - -Nine hundred and sixty-seven commissions were granted from the ranks. -The Dead number 1,227. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - NOTE BY THE EDITOR ix - - - PART ONE - - HISTORY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS 1 - - - PART TWO - - STORY OF THE 1ST BATTALION - - INTRODUCTION 53 - - CHAPTER I. “17th of March Men” 55 - - CHAPTER II. Givenchy and Festubert 59 - - CHAPTER III. A “Bon War” 68 - - CHAPTER IV. Loos and the Spinney 75 - - CHAPTER V. Winter in the Loos Salient 81 - - CHAPTER VI. Notre Dame de Lorette 90 - - CHAPTER VII. Vimy Ridge, 1916 93 - - CHAPTER VIII. Calonne Ricouart and Souchez 100 - - CHAPTER IX. The Trek 104 - - CHAPTER X. High Wood 111 - - CHAPTER XI. Eaucourt L’Abbé and the Butte de - Warlencourt 118 - - CHAPTER XII. A Rest Cure in the Ypres Salient 123 - - CHAPTER XIII. The Salient in Winter 129 - - CHAPTER XIV. The Moringhem Trek 135 - - CHAPTER XV. Messines, 7th June, 1917 140 - - CHAPTER XVI. The Renaissance 147 - - CHAPTER XVII. Last Days in the Ypres Salient 151 - - CHAPTER XVIII. Another Rest Cure--Gavrelle and Oppy 158 - - CHAPTER XIX. Bourlon Wood and the Hindenburg Line 162 - - CHAPTER XX. The Retreat 177 - - CHAPTER XXI. Months of “Wind-up” 191 - - CHAPTER XXII. Intensive Training 197 - - CHAPTER XXIII. The Great Advance 202 - - CHAPTER XXIV. Back to the Coalfields 215 - - CHAPTER XXV. The Armistice 218 - - CHAPTER XXVI. Home 223 - - - STORY OF THE 2ND BATTALION - - PREFACE 227 - - CHAPTER XXVII. Formation--Training--Irish Rebellion, - 1916--Departure for France, June, - 1916 228 - - CHAPTER XXVIII. France, 22nd June, 1916, to 19th - November, 1916--In the Trenches - at Neuville St. Vaast--Battalion - Raid--Journey to Marseilles 237 - - CHAPTER XXIX. The Voyage to Salonica--Malta--Salonica, - 30th November, 1916--Journey - to Katerina--Outpost at - Stipi 248 - - CHAPTER XXX. Leaving Katerina--Trek to the Doiran - Front--Karasuli Night 259 - - CHAPTER XXXI. On the Doiran-Vardar Front--The - Advance 267 - - CHAPTER XXXII. Alexandria, 23rd June, 1917--Ismailia--Belah-- - Desert Training--Gambli and Tel el Fara--El - Shaulth--Preparations for the Palestine - Offensive 279 - - CHAPTER XXXIII. Beersheba, 1917, October 21st to - November 4th--Wadi Welfare 289 - - CHAPTER XXXIV. Kauwakah and Rushdi Systems--Attack--Sheria-- - Muntaret--Huj--Nejileh--and to Gaza via - Sheria 300 - - CHAPTER XXXV. The March from Gaza Up Country--Enab--The - Capture of Jerusalem--Tel el Ful--Bireh 311 - - CHAPTER XXXVI. Ibn Obeid--Bethany--Jebel Ektief--Jerusalem-- - Mukmas 323 - - CHAPTER XXXVII. Jerusalem--Mukmas--Jericho--Es Salt--Wadi - el Jib 331 - - CHAPTER XXXVIII. El Haud--Ain Arik--Surafend--Kantara-- - Alexandria--Journey to Italy 339 - - CHAPTER XXXIX. Journey through Italy and France--Reconstruction-- - Moulle--St. Sylvester Cappel--Mont Rouge--Locre-- - Dranoutre--Mont Vidagne 348 - - CHAPTER XL. Neuve Eglise--Messines--Houthem--Wytschaete 357 - - CHAPTER XLI. America Corner--The Attack--Crossing - the Lys--Bousbecque--Roncq--The - Pursuit to the - Scheldt--Petit Tourcoing--Avelghem--The - Armistice--Courtrai--March - over Devastated - Area--Boesinghem--Base - Duties--The End 363 - - - STORY OF THE 3RD BATTALION - - CHAPTER XLII. 373 - - CHAPTER XLIII. THE RECONSTITUTED BATTALION 379 - - -APPENDICES PAGE - - I. Regimental Plate 383 - - II. Staff 386 - - III. Members who served in South African War 390 - - IV. School of Arms 392 - - V. Annual Strength States 396 - - VI. Casualty List 394 - - VII. Decorations and Awards (Officers) 397 - - “ “ “ (Other Ranks) 401 - - VIII. Officers who served, 1914-1919 407 - - IX. Other Ranks who served, 1914-1919 415 - - -PLATES[1] - -[1] It might be explained that the photographs here reproduced were -not selective but rather those which were at hand available for -publication. A larger collection of portraits might have been secured -had there been more time. - - 1804. Volunteer (colour) _Frontispiece_ - - 1871. Wimbledon _Facing p._ 36 - - 1899. Old Deer Park, Richmond “ 36 - - W. H. Brantom, D.C.M. “ 66 - - Captain Allen Edward Trembath, D.C.M. “ 66 - - Lieutenant Robert Chalmers “ 66 - - Brevet-Colonel A. M. Renny, Ret. Ind. Army “ 72 - - Bethune Square “ 82 - - Double Crassier, Loos, 1915 “ 82 - - Festubert Church, May, 1915 “ 88 - - Machine-gun Position, Givenchy “ 88 - - Lewis Gunners of Civil Service Rifles “ 88 - - Front Trench, opposite Hulluch “ 88 - - Gare Alley, Loos “ 88 - - “The Tower Bridge,” Loos “ 88 - - Captain Leslie Davies “ 112 - - Captain A. Roberts “ 112 - - Captain Geoffrey A. Gaze “ 112 - - Captain W. E. Ind, M.C “ 142 - - Captain Francis Woodbine Parish, 1915 “ 147 - - Bourlon Wood from south-west corner, 1917 “ 164 - - Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. E. Segrave, D.S.O. - (H.L.I.) “ 166 - - Road to Jerusalem near Bab-el-Wad “ 314 - - Jebel Kuruntul and Jericho “ 314 - - Second Lieutenant R. H. Harris, M.C. “ 320 - - Lieutenant-Colonel T. E. Bisdee, D.S.O., M.C. - (D.C.L.I.) “ 338 - - Regimental Plate “ 383 - - -SKETCH MAPS - - (1ST BATTALION) - PAGE - No. 1. The Ypres Salient, October, 1916 to September, - 1917 127 - - No. 2. France. Cassel--Messines--Houthem, 1918 155 - - No. 3. 28th November, 1917 to 6th December, 1917 163 - - No. 4. The first day of The Retreat, 23rd March, 1918 179 - - No. 5. The second day of The Retreat, 24th March, 1918, - and also the fighting at High Wood, September - and October, 1916 181 - - No. 6. Last days of The Retreat (March, 1918) and the - battle of Aveluy Wood 187 - - No. 7. The Civil Service Rifles in the 47th Division - Attack, 22-25th August, 1918 203 - - No. 8. The movements of the Civil Service Rifles from - 1st September to 6th September, 1918 211 - - - (2ND BATTALION) - - No. 1. France. Neuville St. Vaast Trench System, 1916 241 - - No. 2. Salonica. Doiran Front, 1917 268 - - No. 3. Salonica. Advance on the Doiran Front, 1917 275 - - No. 4. Palestine. Beersheba to Huj, 1917 293 - - No. 5. Palestine. Jerusalem and Jericho, 1917-18 335 - - No. 6. Belgium. America Corner--Wervicq--River - Scheldt, 1918 369 - - - - -HISTORY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS - -CHAPTER I - - -1859-1909[2] - -[2] This history, up to the year 1891, was written and published in -that year by Lieut. (now Lt.-Col.) Edward Merrick, C.S.R.V. He has -brought his narrative down to 1909 for the purpose of this volume. - -For the purpose of tracing the first authentic record of Volunteers -connected with the Civil Service, it is necessary to call attention to -the raising of the Loyal Volunteers of London in 1798. About that year, -when we were at war with France and Spain, were fighting in India, -and almost all over the world, and the country was denuded of troops, -the rich citizens of London began to get alarmed at their unprotected -state, in the event of rebellion or riot at home. They petitioned the -King, and a charter was granted, authorising the formation of armed -associations in London and the environs. - -The “Loyal Volunteers of London,” as they were called, were therefore -raised to uphold the cause of the King and of order. Their motto was -“_Pro Rege et Patria_.” - -Among the corps thus raised was that of the “Somerset House -Volunteers.” A picture of one of these gentlemen, as copied from a book -by T. Rowlandson, in the British Museum, may now be seen in the Orderly -Room at the Audit Office. - - -Somerset House Volunteers, 1798. - -The Somerset House Volunteer Association consisted only of two -companies of light infantry, under the command of Walter Sterling, -Major Commandant. The Captains were J. Stewart and W. Harrison. The -corps was not to go out of the district of Somerset House and St. -Mary-le-Strand, but with its own consent. - - -Bank of England Volunteers, 1798. - -Among those who would have cause for anxiety at such a period would -naturally be the Governor and Directors of the Bank of England, and -certainly they showed great public spirit. They headed a voluntary -contribution to the revenue in this year, with a subscription of -£200,000. They also raised from their employés a corps of volunteers, -450 strong, to protect the Bank. - -This corps was under the command of Thomas Whitmore, and Rowlandson -tells us that it was presented with colours on 2nd September, 1799, by -the lady of Samuel Thornton, Esq., Governor of the Bank of England, in -Lord’s Ground, Marylebone. A picture of this ceremonial, painted by -Stoddart, is to be seen now in the Bank. - -These Loyal Volunteers of London were, however, entirely swamped by the -great volunteer movement, which swept throughout the country in 1802, -caused by the extensive preparations then being made by Bonaparte to -invade England. - - -Volunteers of 1802. - -In this war-scare, which far exceeded in its intensity that of 1859, -420,000 Volunteers were enrolled in a few months--many more, in fact, -than the Government could or ever did arm. - -The Civil Service were represented in this body by two corps: the -Excise Corps, which in 1804 was 576 strong, under the command of Lord -George Seymour, and the Customs Corps, about 300 strong. - -In the same year (1804), the Bank of England had a corps of 433, under -the command of William Manning, and a supplementary corps of 122, under -the command of Beeston Long. - -Some of the records of the last-named corps are still in existence in -the Bank. From them we gather that the parades were usually held at 7 -or 8 a.m. The most notable period in their history appears to have been -in 1812, at the time of the assassination of Mr. Percival in the House -of Commons. In the state of public alarm that followed this event, it -was considered necessary that the Bank Volunteers should be under arms -to guard the Bank, night and day. - - -Disbandment. - -At the signing of the general treaty of peace in 1814, the joy of -the country at what it believed to be the conclusion of its long and -exhausting wars, was shown by the haste with which the Volunteers were -at once disbanded. - -The Corps of the Civil Service shared with others in votes of thanks -passed to them by both Houses of Parliament, and letters from the -Commander-in-Chief (the Prince Regent) were received, thanking each -corps for its valuable services. - -From the records already referred to, we find that a special “march -past” before the Lord Mayor, at the Mansion House, brought the military -duties of the Bank officials of that generation to an end. - -We now pass over a space of 45 years, during which the military spirit -of the Service may be said to have lain dormant, until we approach the -event with which the true interest of our story begins, viz., the year -1859, and the birth of the Corps to which we have the honour to belong. - -To the Members of the Audit Office (now the Exchequer and Audit -Department), Somerset House, must, without doubt, be assigned the -honour of having founded the Civil Service Volunteer Corps. - - -General Meeting at Audit Office. - -The Volunteer Force of to-day, as everybody knows, sprang into -existence in the year 1859, and was occasioned by the warlike attitude -of the Emperor of the French and the blustering threats of his -generals. The notable circular of the Secretary of State for War to the -Lords Lieutenant, which called the Volunteers into existence, was dated -12th May, 1859, and on the 18th May a meeting, which had been formally -convened “to take into consideration the formation of a Rifle Volunteer -Corps from the Members of the Civil Service,” was held at the Audit -Office. Mr. F. A. Hawker was the prime mover in this proceeding, and he -presided at the meeting. - -Now, if everything had proceeded as satisfactorily as the energetic -and spirited action of these early pioneers deserved, the “Civil -Service” would have been one of the first Metropolitan Corps formed, -and its order of precedence would therefore have been far in advance -of what it ultimately became. But, unfortunately, we have here another -example of the old proverb, “the more haste,” &c., for, notwithstanding -the circular of the Secretary of State, the War Office were by no -means ready to respond with any degree of generosity to the crowds of -enthusiastic civilians who at once cried out on all sides to be armed. - -The utmost conceded was that Volunteers should be allowed in certain -cases to _purchase_ their own arms and equipment. - - -First Attempts at Formation. - -The desire, however, of the Audit Office Meeting was that special -favour should be shown to Civil Servants, so it was decided to express -the views of the meeting in the following letter, which was despatched, -not to the War Office, but to the Prime Minister himself, Earl Derby: - - “Audit Office, 20th May, 1859. - - “MY LORD,--I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship - a copy of the Resolutions passed at a meeting of gentlemen - of the Audit Office, held on the 18th instant to take into - consideration the formation of a Volunteer Rifle Corps from the - members of the Civil Service and I beg leave respectfully to - request that your Lordship will be pleased to cause me to be - furnished with replies to the Resolutions in question for the - information of the gentlemen in this office who have signified - their desire to join a Civil Service Rifle Corps. - - “The junior members of the Civil Service being generally in - the receipt of small incomes, your Lordship will perceive - that the only difficulty in obtaining volunteers from the - Civil Service is the expense attending their outfit. I would - therefore, venture more particularly to draw your Lordship’s - attention to the 3rd Resolution, in which we request that the - arms and accoutrements only may be supplied to volunteers from - the members of the Civil Service by Her Majesty’s Government; - _and as this is a question which affects nearly the whole body - of the Civil Service, who are anxious to enrol themselves into - a Volunteer Rifle Corps_, I trust that your Lordship will not - think us intrusive in asking you to take these Resolutions into - your favourable consideration. - - “We hope your Lordship will pardon us if we have taken any - liberty in bringing this subject under your consideration, but - as Civil Servants of the Crown we are anxious that we should - not be behind others in the present movement in favour of the - formation of Volunteer Rifle Corps. - - “I have, &c., - - “F. A. HAWKER.” - -The reply to this letter came from the War Office, and affords an -admirable illustration of the amount of official support, which the -Volunteer movement received in its infancy. - - “War Office, 31st May, 1859. - - “Sir,--I am directed by Secretary Major-General Peel to - acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, on - the subject of a Civil Service Volunteer Corps, which has been - forwarded to this office by Lord Derby. - - “In reply, I am to inform you that the Government have decided - not to supply arms to Volunteer Corps, either by sale or - otherwise; and that General Peel does not consider the case of - the gentlemen on whose behalf your application has been made to - be one in which he can sanction a departure from the general - rule. - - “I am, &c., - - “H. R. DREWRY.” - -Thus closed the first act in the attempt to form a Civil Service Rifle -Corps, for this snub appears to have had the effect of quenching the -military ardour of the Auditors to such an extent that several months -elapsed before they recovered from it. - -In October, however, roused by events going on around them, they took -heart once more, and returned to the charge. By this time Government -had partially thawed, under the influence of the excitement throughout -the country. Lord Ranelagh’s Committee had sat at the War Office, and -it had been decided to issue arms to Volunteers at the lavish rate of -one rifle to every four men enrolled. - -In answer, therefore, to a letter despatched to him by Mr. Hawker, the -Secretary of State for War stated, in a reply dated 7th November, 1859, -that he would be happy to recommend Her Majesty to accept any offer of -the service of a Company or Sub-division of Volunteers, which he might -receive from Mr. Hawker through the Lord-Lieutenant of the County. - - -Audit Corps Formed. - -Forthwith, at a general meeting held in the Audit Office on the 10th -November, it was resolved, “That it was desirable that a Sub-division -of not less than forty effectives be at once formed in the Audit -Office, and that other departments be invited to co-operate by raising -Companies or Sub-divisions with the view of promoting the formation of -a Brigade.” - -From this time forward enthusiasm and hard work were the order of the -day. A circular letter to other Government Departments was issued, and -the nucleus of the Corps was at once formed by the immediate election -of forty-six members of the Audit Office. - -In a few days the number of effective members enlisted had reached -seventy. Affairs were pushed on with great energy, and on the 25th -November, 1859, at half-past four in the afternoon, the first drill of -the Civil Service Volunteers was held in Westminster Hall--one Sergeant -Chace being the Instructor. - - -Other Corps Formed. - -The Auditors were not to be left long in sole possession of the -military arena of the Civil Service, for Corps were being rapidly -raised in the Post Office, Inland Revenue, Customs, Whitehall, and -Admiralty. - -An unsuccessful attempt was made to raise a Corps in the British Museum. - -Almost all of these Corps date their origin from the circular issued -from the Audit Office, inviting the co-operation of their department. -So rapidly were they organised, that towards the end of December, 1859, -they appear to have got into fair working order; and in answer to an -invitation from the Audit Office, a Provisional Council, consisting -of two representatives from each Corps, assembled for the purpose of -taking the necessary steps to amalgamate the whole into one Brigade. - - -First Council Meeting. - -This first meeting of the Council was held on the 7th January, 1860. -The following members were present, as the first chosen representatives -of their divisions, and to them may be justly attributed the title of -“The Fathers of the Regiment”:-- - - Captain F. A. Hawker, Audit Office Corps, in the chair. - Lieutenant Vine, Audit Office Corps. - Captain Harrington, Post Office Corps. - Mr. T. Angell, Post Office Corps. - Mr. W. Willis, Admiralty Corps. - Mr. A. Brady, Admiralty Corps. - Mr. F. B. Garnett, Inland Revenue Corps. - Mr. J. H. Dwelly, Inland Revenue Corps. - Mr. J. H. Lilley, Customs Corps. - Mr. Wybrow, Customs Corps. - Mr. Tom Taylor, Whitehall Corps. - Mr. Richard Mills, Whitehall Corps. - -Containing, as this list does, the names of so many men that have since -become eminent in the Service, it affords ample evidence that the -Regiment could have suffered from no lack of talent in the conduct of -its affairs in its early days. - - -Title of Corps. - -The first proceeding of the Council after electing Mr. Francis Taylor, -of the Audit Office, its secretary, was to resolve that the amalgamated -corps (now found to consist of 658 effective and 410 honorary members, -and stated to be “daily increasing”) should be called the “Civil -Service Rifle Brigade.” The Admiralty representatives suggested the -“Crown Rifle Brigade,” but their amendment was not received with favour. - - -Uniform. - -The Council next launched into the important subject of uniform, a -subject of which the details occupied their attention at several -successive meetings, and in regard to which some of the members -displayed great energy. Apparently unmindful of the terrors of a -military tailor’s bill, each attended the meeting in the pattern of -uniform that he individually recommended. Mr. Tom Taylor was one of -these energetic members, and to him it appears that the regiment was -indebted for the pattern of most of the uniform ultimately selected; -for we find that with regard to the full dress of both privates and -officers, the decision of the Council was that “the uniform worn by Mr. -Tom Taylor be adopted.” - -The uniform as then fixed was similar in all main points to that -so recently discarded. It was, perhaps, a little more sombre in -appearance, for the royal blue facings, silver lace, and Prince of -Wales’ feathers were added at a later date (1863). The cost, including -chako, was £4 4s. - -Affairs were not to remain for long in the semi-amalgamated corps -in a state of perfect harmony. A disagreement, amounting to an open -breach, even occurred on this early question of uniform; for at the -third meeting of the Council, held on the 31st January, a letter from -the Customs Corps was read, stating that “_they declined to adopt the -ornaments on the belts as decided upon by the Council, and that they -would therefore have no participation in the arrangements of the Civil -Service Regiment_.” - - -Customs Corps Secede. - -The Customs had, from the first, shown an inclination to fall off. It -appears that, being a strong corps, they considered they were entitled -to be represented on the Council by more than two representatives. - -With an expression of regret for their withdrawal, “more especially -on a matter so trivial,” the Council accepted the loss; and when the -authority for the amalgamation was ultimately received from the War -Office, it referred only to the 27th Middlesex (Inland Revenue), -the 31st (Whitehall), and the 34th (Admiralty), which were to be -amalgamated with the 21st Middlesex (Audit Office and Post Office), the -battalion to be entitled “The Civil Service Corps of Rifle Volunteers,” -with an authorised maximum strength of 800. - - -Prince of Wales. - -At its second meeting, the Council had decided upon the important step -of inviting the Prince of Wales to accept the Honorary Colonelcy of -the Regiment. They were induced to take this step by the hopes held -out to them through Mr. George Alexander Hamilton, Secretary to the -Treasury, to whose influence the success of the application was mainly -attributed; for by the beginning of May an intimation was received -that, with the sanction of Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, His -Royal Highness had graciously consented to accept the post. And from -the honour thus accorded it the Regiment has never ceased to derive the -greatest benefit. To be singled out in these early days as the Regiment -through whom this mark of Royal favour was to be shown to the Volunteer -force, was a distinction which placed it at once in the forefront of -public estimation, whilst the interest which, on many occasions, the -Prince has since exhibited in its welfare has contributed largely to -the prosperity of the corps. - - -Chaplain. - -The first Staff appointment which the Council succeeded in filling -was that of Chaplain, offered to, and accepted by, the Rev. Charles -Kingsley, afterwards Canon Kingsley. - - -C.O. - -The important post of Lieutenant-Colonel or Commanding Officer was not -so easily filled. It was offered first to Sir E. Lugard, and afterwards -to Lord West, but both were unable to undertake the duties. At length, -at a meeting held on the 15th May, on a proposition of Captain Mills, -the Council decided that Viscount Bury be invited to take the command -of the regiment. This application proved more successful, for although -Lord Bury had connected himself to a slight extent with the “Artists’” -Corps, which had just been formed, the impediment was soon removed, and -before the end of June his lordship attended a meeting of the Council, -and a few days afterwards was gazetted Lieutenant-Colonel of the -Regiment. - -Lord Bury at this time occupied the official position of Treasurer to -the Royal Household, and, together with Lord Ranelagh, Lord Elcho, -and the Duke of Westminster, was one of the prominent leaders of the -Volunteer movement. - - -Adjutant. - -The appointment of an Adjutant also caused difficulty. A committee -consisting of a few members of the Council was elected to consider -the applications for the post. The choice of this committee fell upon -Captain Ennis, who was a member of the Corps, and Captain-Commandant of -the Inland Revenue Companies. Captain Ennis had at one time been in the -“Hussars.” - -The War Office, however, refused to accept Captain Ennis as Adjutant, -on the ground that he was over fifty, and that his service in the army -had been in connection with the Cavalry. The feeling in the Regiment -was very strong against this decision, and grave consequences with -regard to the prosperity of the Corps were said to be likely to ensue -if the War Office refused to appoint so popular an officer. - -One of the first tasks which Lord Bury undertook, by desire of the -Council, was to overcome the objection raised by the War Office. In -this he was successful, and Captain Ennis was appointed to the post, -which, however, he held for two years only, when he resigned. - - -Surgeon. - -With the authority for the appointment of Captain Ennis to the -Adjutancy came also that of Dr. Spencer Smith to the post of Surgeon. -This gentleman resigned only a few years ago, after a service of 24 -years. In the early days his office was by no means the apparent -sinecure it has since become, for it was the duty of the Surgeon, or -the Assistant Surgeon, to attend at the range whenever target practice -was held, and for the zealous and kind manner in which this duty was -carried out, at great sacrifice of time and convenience, the Commanding -Officer, in regimental orders, expressed the warmest thanks of the -Regiment. - -The amount of zeal with which the Surgeons entered upon their work in -those days is exemplified by the following unpleasantly expressive item -in the Regimental accounts of that period: - - “To set of Amputating Instruments kept at the - Range £4 4 0.” - - -Major. - -The War Office, at that time, required that Majors of Volunteer Corps -should have served in the Army, so that it was not until April, 1861, -that the post of Major was filled by the appointment of Major Leslie -(late Captain 1st Life Guards). - -With this exception the formation of the Regiment may now (June, 1860) -be said to have been complete. It was composed as follows: - - A Company (Audit Office) 81 Captain Hawker. - - B & C “ (Post Office) 133 { “ Harrington. - { “ Du Plat Taylor. - - D & E “ (Inld. Revenue) 102 { “ Dalbiac. - { “ Ennis, junr. - - F & G “ (Whitehall) 153 { “ Tom Taylor. - { “ Mills. - - H “ (Admiralty) 64 “ Willis. - ---- - 533 - ---- - - -Composition of Corps. - -These numbers scarcely convey a correct impression of the hold which -the corps had secured upon the Civil Service. It must be remembered -that, in addition to the effective strength as given above, there were -at least 500 honorary members including many who occupied leading -official positions. These were individuals who were debarred by age -or other reasons from drilling, but who, nevertheless, were quite as -enthusiastic in advocating the new “movement” as their more active -comrades in the ranks. - -Of the latter it may be said that, on the whole, they were men of -more advanced age and position than we are now accustomed to see in -the ranks. Shouldering the rifle amongst them were many men now of -note--Lord Lingen, Sir R. G. C. Hamilton, Lord Teynham, and others. -The name of Mr. Tom Taylor the well known dramatic author, afterwards -editor of _Punch_, has already been mentioned; whilst other literary -and scientific men the corps could then claim were Professor Huxley, -Professor Tyndall, Mr. Anthony Trollope, Mr. W. S. Gilbert, and Mr. -Edmund Yates. - -To turn from the doings of the Council to those of the Regiment itself, -we find that the first parade of the combined corps “for the purpose of -drilling as a battalion” was held at Somerset House on the 28th March, -1860. - - -First Battalion Drill, &c. - -This parade was in plain clothes and without arms, but in the following -week the regiment mustered in uniform and under arms. Captain Ennis -(afterwards Adjutant) took the command at these drills. - -The following week the regiment was ready for its first “march out.” -This notable event was held at Wimbledon, amidst torrents of rain, and -is commemorated by a sketch made by Captain Angell, a photograph of -which hangs in the Orderly Room. The expense of this march was defrayed -by a collection of ten shillings per man. - -From this time, instruction in battalion drill proceeded with great -vigour. The use of the West London Cricket Ground at Brompton was -obtained for the purpose, and the regiment marched there weekly, whilst -other battalion drills and “skeleton drills” for officers were held -almost daily at Somerset House. - -Matters proceeded so rapidly on the appointment of a -Lieutenant-Colonel, that Lord Bury considered that the Corps might -be safely exposed to the perils of a sham fight to be held by the -Metropolitan Volunteers at Bromley, on the 14th July. This, however, -did not appear to be the opinion of the regiment itself when the day -arrived. The muster was very small. It was attributed afterwards by -Lord Bury in Orders, to the fact that “many members of the regiment had -resolved not to come on account of the danger to be apprehended from -the inexperience of their comrades in firing drill.” - -The members themselves, however, seemed very anxious to remedy this -minor defect on their part, and musketry instruction now became the -rage. To carry this out successfully it was necessary that a staff -of Volunteer Instructors should be raised, who in their turn should -instruct the other members of the Regiment. - - -Musketry Instruction. - -The arduous duties carried out by these Volunteer Musketry Instructors -certainly entitle them to especial mention. At their head was Captain -Du Plat Taylor, assisted by Ensign Campbell and Battalion Instructor -Halliday. The first Company Instructors in the order of merit in which -they passed their examination were: - - Sergeant Rule. - “ Powell. - “ Bond. - “ Lockhart. - “ Crispin. - “ Pitt. - Corporal R. G. Hamilton. - “ Churchill. - Sergeant Plaskett. - “ Trickett. - Corporal Hamilton. - Sergeant Cardin. - “ Potter. - Corporal Baker. - Sergeant Pidcock. - “ Jackson. - -Every available place in the neighbourhood of Somerset House was -occupied nightly by squads practising “position” and “aiming” drill, -and by August, Captain Du Plat Taylor was able to take his first -squad to the Wimbledon range for ball practice. This was carried out -in the strictest and most methodical manner, for even in those days, -Captain Taylor began to earn for himself the character of the strict -disciplinarian for which he has since been so noted. The following -facts are gathered from the regulations laid down by him in Regimental -Musketry Orders: - - “All Target Practice to be performed in Uniform, in Full - Marching Order. - - “Members proceeding to Wimbledon for Firing Practice to fall - in in Military Order at the station at Putney, and march to - the range under the command of the senior present. On arrival - at the range they would be delivered over to the Senior - Musketry Instructor. The return to Putney to be conducted in - the same manner. _Strict silence to be maintained in the ranks - throughout the whole of the proceedings._ - - “With the view of avoiding the heavy expenses incurred by the - hire of Butt Markers, the duties to be undertaken by members of - the Corps; three non-commissioned officers and three privates - being previously detailed on each occasion. - - “Should any member so detailed refuse or neglect to attend, he - would be disqualified from competing for Regimental Prizes.” - -However necessary these rules may have been at the time, it need -scarcely be observed that before long they were found to be irksome. -Rumour reports that on the occasion of a squad, on its return from -the ranges in the dark, being marched into a ditch, open mutiny broke -out with regard to the obnoxious rules, and that Captain Taylor was -thereupon constrained to relax his discipline until he could find -more tractable material to work upon than the “gentlemen of the Civil -Service.” - - -Queen’s Review. - -Two events of the year 1860 must not be omitted. One was the first -grand Volunteer Review before the Queen, in Hyde Park, when the Civil -Service, under Lord Bury, formed part of a brigade under Lord Ranelagh. - -In reference to this event Lord Bury states, “The behaviour of all -ranks on the ground was steady and soldierlike, and the general -appearance presented by the Regiment was all that could be desired.” - -Another was the celebration of the Prince of Wales’ birthday by an -inspection at Somerset House, followed by a Regimental Dinner. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -Eccentricities. - -Looking back from the sober routine of the volunteering of to-day, to -this strange period when every one was a recruit, it is only natural -that eccentricities should be apparent on all sides. The enthusiasm -that pervaded all ranks was, of course, immense, and the amount of -drilling done, especially by the Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers -was enormous. A golden age was this for the Army Drill-Instructors. -Elderly recruits of a nervous temperament hesitated to exhibit -themselves in the ranks until they had been privately coached in the -initial mysteries of drill, in the seclusion of their own apartments. -Uniform was worn on every possible occasion, at drill or on the range. -It is said that after one occasion when Lord Bury had appeared at the -range in plain clothes, he received a letter from an indignant private, -expressing a hope that such a slight would not again be cast upon -members of the regiment. - -One Rule passed by the Council was that Honorary Members should be -entitled to appear on parade in uniform, with a scarlet sash as a -distinguishing ornament. - -Another Rule strikes us as still more eccentric. Privates _when off -parade_ should be allowed to wear a sword similar to that worn by -officers, but in a black leather scabbard. What the privates were -supposed to want to do with their sword when off parade it is difficult -to imagine. - -With the close of the drill season the Regiment does not cease to show -signs of interesting activity. Whilst in winter quarters it enlivened -its repose with various festive gatherings having for their main object -the support of the regimental band, which was in want of funds. - - -Dramatic Performance. - -Perhaps the most interesting of these gatherings is an Amateur Dramatic -Performance, held at the Lyceum Theatre, wherein the corps exhibited an -array of talent, of which it might justly feel proud. The performance -was so successful that it was repeated. The following is a copy of the -programme: - - PRINCE OF WALES’ OWN - - Civil Service Rifle Volunteers. - - HONORARY COLONEL, H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G. - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, VISCOUNT BURY, M.P. - - ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1861, - WILL BE PERFORMED, FOR THE SECOND TIME, AT THE - THEATRE ROYAL LYCEUM, - BY SPECIAL DESIRE, - The original Comedy by CAPTAIN TOM TAYLOR, C.S.R.V., - ENTITLED: - “A LESSON FOR LIFE.” - - LORD GREYSTOKE Lieutenant DEWAR - THE HON. MARMADUKE Undergraduates Captain J. DU PLAT - DACRE of St Barnabas TAYLOR - REREDOSS College, Mr. MILLS. - HORSLEY Cambridge Lieutenant T. ANGELL - CROUCH Lieutenant W. S. GILBERT - STRETCHER Serjeant BAUKE - VIVIAN Captain HOOD - COLEPEPPER (Senior Tutor of St. Barnabas) Captain MILLS - OPPENHARDT (A German Jew) Captain TOM TAYLOR - BASEWITZ (A Swindler) Ensign EDMUND YATES - DR. VIVIAN (A Country Vicar) Private R. MORRISON - MR. GRAY (A Country Attorney) Mr. W. H. LONG - TOPHAM Lieutenant GARNETT - MURCOTT Serjeant WALSHE - LADY VALECRUCIS Mrs. STIRLING - THE HON. MABEL VALECRUCIS Miss ELLEN TERRY - MARY FORD Miss KATE TERRY - (_By kind permission of A. Wigan, Esq., T.R. Saint James’_) - NANNY KETTLEWELL Mrs. STEPHENS - - TO BE PRECEDED BY AN ORIGINAL COMEDIETTA, IN ONE ACT, - “IF THE CAP FITS,” - WRITTEN BY - CAPTAIN HARRINGTON, C.S.R.V., and ENSIGN EDMUND YATES, - C.S.R.V. - - THE PERFORMANCES TO CONCLUDE WITH - “THE HAPPY MAN,” - A FARCE, - By Private SAMUEL LOVER, of the London Irish Rifle Volunteers. - THE BAND OF THE REGIMENT WILL ATTEND. - - -Regimental Ball. - -A Regimental Ball was also given at Willis’s Rooms, in aid of the same -object. In the list of the Lady Patronesses are the names of: - - The Duchess of Manchester. - The Duchess of Wellington. - The Countess Russell. - Viscountess Palmerston. - Viscountess Bury. - Lady Elcho. - Mrs. Gladstone. - - -Band. - -The Band, on behalf of which so much energy was expended, was composed -of 25 members, the greater number of whom were amateurs. It appears to -have been in an excellent state of efficiency, as it gained prizes at -various band contests, which it was then the fashion to hold. It was -under the charge of an energetic and capable bandmaster, Mr. J. Moirato -Davis; but very valuable assistance was rendered to its efficiency by -Mr. W. P. Jones, of the Audit Office. Its annual cost to the regiment -appears to have been about £300. - - -Subscription Fund. - -As there was no Government grant in those days to assist in defraying -the expenses of the corps these had to be met entirely by voluntary -contributions, and the subscriptions of members. - -The Council issued a circular asking for assistance from the whole of -the Civil Service. Subscriptions flowed in liberally. In the Inland -Revenue and Whitehall Divisions alone the subscriptions in the first -year exceeded £1,000. - - -1861. First Easter Monday Review. - -The opening of the year 1861 was marked by the first Easter Monday -Review. This was held at Brighton. Some difference of opinion was -displayed by the various Volunteer Commanding Officers as to the -advisability of holding this review. Lord Bury opposed the idea. He -expressed his opinions on the point in a Regimental Order to the -following effect:-- - - “I do not think the proposed expedition judicious in a - political point of view. I think it inconsistent with the - purely defensive character of the Volunteer movement to make - demonstrations on the coast.” - -Of course, under these conditions the Civil Service Regiment refrained -from demonstrating; or, at all events, they joined with a few other -like-minded corps, and so effectually concealed their demonstrations -among the bushes of Wimbledon Common, that they evidently felt -satisfied that not the slightest exasperation could have been felt on -their account by the most bellicose of Frenchmen. - - -1862. - -Little else of importance occurred to mark the year 1861, so we will -pass at once to the second Easter Monday Review, which ushered in the -drill season of 1862. - -By this time it would appear that Lord Bury’s views had changed, for -the regiment not only attended the Review, but in a Regimental Order, -in which he praises the steadiness of the battalion on that occasion, -Lord Bury states--“It is an honour to have taken part in such a day.” - -Another event of this year was a review by the Duke of Cambridge -at Wimbledon, when we are told that His Royal Highness expressed -his praise on witnessing the advance of the battalion extended as -skirmishers. - -To show the satisfactory state of affairs at this period, I cannot do -better than again to quote from Regimental Orders as follows: - - “The Lieutenant-Colonel cannot but congratulate the Regiment - on the fact that at the close of their third drill season, - they occupy a most satisfactory position among the Volunteer - Corps of the country: the organisation is complete; the - numbers are increasing; the Officers have passed the ordeal - of a searching examination; the Drill is improved; the - Musketry Instruction, which was from the first the strongest - point in the organisation of the Regiment, has even improved - in efficiency; and the number both of effectives and of - marksmen is fully equal, in proportion to numbers, to any - other Volunteer Corps. The Lieutenant-Colonel need not point - out how much the efficiency of a Regiment depends on its - Non-commissioned Officers. We are fortunate in having a body - of Non-commissioned Officers who thoroughly know their duty. - The Skirmishing Drill of the Regiment is better done, and much - more clearly understood than in former years. _In conclusion, - the Lieutenant-Colonel confidently believes that the utmost - unanimity and good feeling exists throughout the Regiment._” - -The last statement appears, in the present day, a rather strange and -superfluous one to put into Regimental Orders; but it is evident that -its meaning was fully understood at the time. Enthusiastic volunteer -as Lord Bury was, and evidently taking a delight in his duties as -Commanding Officer, he must have frequently felt that to rule a body of -gentlemen volunteers, in a very elementary stage of military knowledge -and discipline, was a somewhat formidable and even thankless task. -Every member of the corps--officer, non-commissioned officer, and -private--had an opinion to express on every point, and he expressed it -freely. Plenty of evidence exists of burning questions which agitated, -and sometimes even threatened the unity of the corps; but the great -tact displayed by Lord Bury, his forbearance and kindly courtesy, which -disarmed all opposition, led the corps safely through all. - -One incident which occurred about this period, and the explanations -with regard to which occupy the greater part of three Regimental -Orders, was, that a part of the Regiment had expressed unwillingness -to join in a march out with the “Artists’” Corps, owing to what Lord -Bury describes as “an absurd wish attributed to him to bring about an -amalgamation between the Civil Service Regiment and the Artists’.” - -But it is not necessary here to go into the details of these almost -forgotten grievances, which, although interesting as showing what may -be called the _morale_ of the Corps at that period, are perhaps best -buried in oblivion. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -1863. Prince of Wales’ Challenge Cup. - -At the commencement of the year 1863, the Prince of Wales showed his -interest in the Corps by presenting it with a Challenge Cup of the -value of 100 guineas. The nominal right to hold this cup for a year is -still annually shot for; but it is customary for the Commanding Officer -to retain it in his own custody. - -This was the year of the Prince of Wales’s marriage, and on the -7th March the Regiment took part in the parade of the Metropolitan -Volunteers in Hyde Park, on the arrival of the Princess Alexandra in -London. The “Civil Service” were granted the post of honour on the -right of the line, on this occasion. - -The Regiment again attended the Easter Monday Review at Brighton, -and earned golden opinions for itself, receiving, we are told, from -Officers of high rank, great commendation for their steadiness at drill. - -In this year (three years after their formation) the Volunteers were -first thought worthy of an annual Capitation Grant by the Government. -£1 was paid for every efficient member who completed three Company and -six Battalion Drills. - - -Adjutants: Captain Adair, 1862-3. Captain Lombard, 1864-1886. - -It has not yet been mentioned that Captain Alexander W. Adair was -appointed to the Corps as Adjutant, in May, 1862. Towards the close of -this year (1863) he resigned, and with the opening of 1864 we form the -acquaintance of one who has left an indelible mark on the history of -the Civil Service Rifles. On the 17th March, 1864, Captain Graves C. -Swan Lombard (late of the 16th Regiment) was appointed Acting Adjutant, -and for the long period of 22 years from this date his name appears at -the foot of Regimental Orders. - -There is no doubt but that, from his very first appearance in the -Corps, Captain (afterwards Major) Lombard ingratiated himself into the -goodwill of all its members; and it is little to say, that all who had -the pleasure of serving with him will ever have pleasing recollections -of his kindly manner, his admirable tact, his quiet but firm -discipline. These, with many other excellent qualities, combined to -make him, in the opinion of all the true model of a Volunteer Adjutant. - -One of the first Orders signed by Major Lombard was, however, somewhat -unfortunate, containing as it did the following paragraph:-- - -“The Post Office Companies will proceed to Harrow on Saturday, 24th -inst., to join in a Field Day with the Harrow School and other Corps. -Each member to provide himself with twenty rounds of ball cartridge.” - -It is never too late to acknowledge a mistake, so on the 26th inst. -(only _two_ days after the Review was held) the correction comes: - -“In the Order of the 17th inst., the words ‘BALL cartridge’ should have -been ‘BLANK cartridge.’” - -Let us hope the Harrow boys suffered no inconvenience from the error. - - -1864. - -The year 1864 is noted for two events of importance. The first was a -Review in Hyde Park, when the “Civil Service” formed part of a brigade -under the command of the Prince of Wales. The second was an Inspection -of the Regiment by the Prince on the 15th June, at Somerset House. A -letter from the Prince to Lord Bury was afterwards published in Orders, -in which His Royal Highness stated that both he and the Princess, who -accompanied him, were much gratified by the Inspection. - -The events of one year are now found to be so much like those of -another that it is unnecessary to follow each year in detail. We will, -therefore, only refer to the prominent features which mark from this -time the history of the Corps. - - -Shooting of Period. - -A few words about the shooting of the period. “H” Company appears to -have been the best shooting Company at this time, whilst “C” Company -stood by far the lowest in the list of marksmen. Private E. Plasket -was evidently the “crack” shot of the Regiment. Lord Bury’s name also -figures well in Regimental Competitions. In 1865 he headed the 3rd -class scores with 72 out of a possible 80--a score which even in these -days of Martinis would be treated with great respect. - - -Majors. - -In 1865, Members of the Regiment for the first time filled the post -of Major, the two senior Captains, Hawker and Du Plat Taylor, being -promoted. - - -1866--Bank of England Company. - -An important event in the history of the Corps occurred in 1866, in -the formation of a new Company, composed of members of the Clerical -Establishment of the Bank of England. The Bank had as yet taken no -active part in the Volunteer movement; but the Directors, following -the traditions of their predecessors of the last century, were very -favourably inclined towards it. It was with little difficulty, -therefore, that Mr. Kingsmill, to whose energy the formation of the -Company was principally due, succeeded in recruiting a sufficiently -large contingent to make them an acceptable acquisition to any leading -Metropolitan Corps. - -An attempt was made to draw them into the ranks of the London Rifle -Brigade. Although not servants of the Crown, however, it was felt -that there were bonds of affinity which drew them closer to the Civil -Service than to any other Corps. Lord Bury’s sanction was readily -obtained, and in July, 1866, they joined, 140 strong, under the command -of one of the Directors of the Bank--Captain J. P. Currie. - -To make room for the new Company, the 1st Whitehall, or F Company, -which was then in a weak state, was amalgamated with the 2nd Whitehall, -or G Company, and the Bank took rank after the Admiralty as the K -Company. - - -Camp at Wimbledon. - -In the Orders of 1866 we find the first notice of a Regimental Camp, to -be held at the Wimbledon Meeting. These were the days when Wimbledon -was the _only_ camp--a huge Volunteer “picnic,” suggestive of camp -bonfires and unlimited festivity. It was certainly the first experience -which the Regiment appears to have had in camp life. In the Order -giving details, one of the most prominent paragraphs recommends members -to bring _sheets_ and a _corkscrew_! - - -Major Du Plat Taylor. - -In April, 1868, Major Du Plat Taylor resigned. Major Du Plat Taylor had -from the first been one of the most prominent and energetic officers -of the Corps. He had a strong desire, which he expressed in a circular -issued in 1864, to raise a third Company in the Post Office, and then -to form a separate battalion under his own command. Although not -successful in this very questionable scheme, he now resigned in order -to take command of a new corps (the 49th, now the 24th Middlesex), -raised from the Sorters and Letter Carriers of the Post Office. His -success at the head of this regiment is well known. - -The vacancy caused by this promotion was filled by the promotion of -Captain Currie, of the Bank of England, to be Major. - - -1871. - -The next events of importance occur in the year 1871. This was a period -of some military excitement, caused by the Franco-German War. The old -Enfield rifle was called in, and the Snider breechloader issued to -Volunteers. - - -School of Instruction. - -Schools of Instruction for Volunteer Officers were instituted by the -Army authorities. These supplied a want that had been much felt, as -much by the “Civil Service” as by other Corps; for although the more -energetic Officers occasionally obtained permission to be attached to a -Regiment of Regulars for a short period, the instruction thus obtained -does not appear to have been very thorough. - -Indeed, the blunders of Commanding Officers, eccentric words of -command, and suchlike, form the staple commodity of the “Volunteer” -humour of the period. It is related that on one occasion, when -the “Civil Service” were marching down Fleet Street, a Field -Officer, rushing to the front, delivered himself of the following: -“Battalion--FOURS RIGHT. No, I mean FOURS LEFT. No--er--er--. D----n -it. _Turn up Fetter Lane._” - -Lord Bury was the first Officer of the Corps to take advantage of -the new institution, and in 1871 he attended the School at Chelsea -Barracks, and obtained the “pass” certificate. Since that time it has -been the rule for all Officers to pass the School as soon as possible -after receiving a commission. - - -Major Hawker. - -In this year (1871) Major Hawker resigned. On his resignation he -was entertained by the Regiment at a dinner given in his honour at -St. James’s Hall; and, in a special Regimental Order issued for the -occasion, he was thanked by Lord Bury for the services which he had -rendered the Corps. His vacancy was filled by the promotion of Captain -Mills. - -We now approach a period when a greater variety was displayed in the -annual military programme of the Corps. Camps of Instruction were -instituted--the first in 1873. Detachments from the Corps attended the -Autumn Manœuvres of the Army and the Aldershot Summer Drills; but to -these matters we will refer more fully in a subsequent chapter. - - -50th Middlesex Formed. - -In 1875 a new Corps (one of the last formed in Middlesex) was raised -from the porters and subordinate establishment of the Bank of England. -After the disbandment of the Bank Volunteers in 1814, the Directors -still considered it advisable to train a certain number of their -_employés_ to the use of arms, to be employed, if necessary, for -the defence of the Bank. Their porters and messengers were specially -selected with a view to this purpose, and arms and uniform were -provided by the Bank. The year 1875 found them a rather antiquated -body of men, armed with the Brown Bess musket, with which weapon -they made an annual excursion to the butts, and underwent their sole -military exercise, at great peril to themselves and to the surrounding -neighbourhood. - -At this period, efforts were made to bring them within the scope of -the Volunteer Regulations. The only difficulty in the way was the -requirement of the Directors to employ them solely for the defence of -the Bank property. After some demur, however, the Government consented -to admit them, and they were enrolled as the 50th Middlesex--afterwards -changed to the 25th. - -The Corps consisted of one Company only, about 100 strong, under the -command of Captain Gray, Chief Accountant of the Bank. They chose for -their uniform the dark-green and busby of the Rifle Brigade, and were -attached for drill purposes to the “Civil Service” Corps. - - -Dramatic Society. - -In 1876 a Regimental Dramatic Society was inaugurated with great -_éclat_. Although the Corps was unable to boast of such noted names as -were seen on the programme of its performance of 1861, yet there was -found to be an abundance of dramatic talent in its ranks. Moreover, -some of the celebrities referred to gladly gave their services to their -old Corps. Mr. W. S. Gilbert personally superintended the rehearsals -for the production of one of his own plays, “On Guard,” which was -selected for the opening performance; and the veteran Mr. Tom Taylor -contributed a Prologue for the occasion. - -For several years the Club continued to give excellent performances -in St. George’s Hall, and with the funds thus obtained gratuitous -entertainments were provided at the various Camps. - -Aldershot, Wimbledon, and the Camps of Instruction owe many a jovial -evening to the efforts of the Dramatic Club. There came a time, -however, when the support given by the general body of the Corps began -to fall off, and it was necessary to discontinue the performances. -Let us hope that it will not be long before the dramatic spirit again -revives in the ranks. - - -Major Currie. - -In 1879 Major Currie resigned. The Regiment had benefited much by Major -Currie’s services. Lord Bury having suffered from bad health about this -period, Major Currie for some time carried out the duties of Commanding -Officer, and earned for himself much popularity in the Corps. His post -was filled by the promotion of a brother Director of the Bank, Captain -A. G. Sandeman, of K Company. - - -Lord Bury. - -Mention should not be omitted of the fact that at this period (1878-80) -the Corps had the gratification of seeing its Commanding Officer -(Lord Bury) occupying the post of Under Secretary of State for War. -In this capacity he presided over a Committee appointed by Government -to investigate and report on the requirements of the Volunteer Force. -There is no doubt that the more generous treatment which the Force has -received from Government of late years is owing in a great degree to -the Report of this Committee. - - -Title Altered. - -In 1880 a scheme for re-numbering the Middlesex Corps was adopted by -the War Office. Many of the Corps formed in 1860 had become defunct or -had been amalgamated with others. The “Civil Service,” from the 21st, -thus became the 12th Middlesex. A few years later, when the territorial -system was arranged, they were classified as the 5th Volunteer -Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, but this title has not yet -been adopted. - - -21st Year. - -In 1881 the Volunteer Force celebrated its coming of age, and Her -Majesty marked the event by reviewing her “citizen soldiers.” The -English Volunteers mustered in Windsor Great Park, on the 9th July, -1881, and marched past their Sovereign. A few weeks later the Queen -proceeded to Scotland, and reviewed the Scottish Corps at Edinburgh. - -The “Civil Service” decided to celebrate their arrival at maturity -by a grand dinner of past and present members. The Prince of Wales -graciously consented to preside on the occasion, and this necessitated -delaying the festival until the following year. The dinner was -ultimately held at Willis’s Rooms, on the 1st March, 1882. The demands -for admission were many times in excess of the space available, and the -process of balloting for tickets was resorted to in the case of past -members. - -A distinguished company of guests were invited to meet the Prince, who, -as Chairman, made several speeches, in the course of which he warmly -complimented the regiment, and expressed his wish to meet it at the -Portsmouth Review the following Easter. This wish was carried out. The -Prince was present at Portsmouth for some days, and appeared in public -on each occasion in his uniform as Colonel of the Civil Service Corps. -At the march past, on the day of the Review, he took command of the -battalion, and marched past at its head. - -Her Majesty further complimented the Volunteer Force in this year, by -appointing, for the first time, certain of its commanding officers -Aides-de-Camp to the Queen. Lord Bury was one of the six selected for -this honour. - -In 1884 Major Sandeman resigned, and the Honourable Arnold Keppel, the -eldest son of Lord Bury, formerly of the Scots Guards, was appointed -junior Major. - - -Change of Rifle. - -In 1885 the Snider Rifles were called in and Martinis issued to -Volunteer Corps. For a few years before this, a limited number of -Martinis had been lent to each corps for the use of men who shot for -the Queen’s Prize at Wimbledon. (The rifles of the “Civil Service” were -again changed in 1890 for Martinis of a later pattern, with which the -sword-bayonet was issued in lieu of the bayonet of the old type.) - - -Adjutants. - -In 1886 Major Lombard retired from the post of Adjutant, having served -to the full limit of age allowed by the War Office Regulations in force -on his appointment. The Corps now came under the operation of the rule -at present in force, by which an officer on the Active List of the Army -is appointed for five years only, when he returns to his regiment. -Under this rule Captain A. G. S. Beadnell, of the King’s Own Scottish -Borderers, was appointed, _vice_ Major Lombard. - - -Jubilee Year. - -The Volunteer “events” which marked the Jubilee Year of 1887 will ever -make it memorable to those who took part in them. The Civil Service -Corps were fully represented at each of these--The Royal Procession -to the Abbey; the March Past the Queen at Buckingham Palace, when the -Corps had the honour of being led by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales; and -last, but not least, the gigantic Military Review at Aldershot. On the -last-mentioned occasion, in order to parade at the early hour of four -in the morning, the detachment was billeted for the previous night at -Somerset House. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -Wimbledon Ranges. - -No history of the Corps could be accepted as complete which omitted an -account of the Wimbledon Ranges; for it is around them that, with many -of us, the pleasantest memories of volunteering life will cling--some -of its sweetest triumphs, and also, perhaps, some of its keenest -disappointments. _Here_ we have endeavoured to learn, with more or -less success, how to bear the pride of victory, as well as the sting -of defeat, with that impassive demeanour which is held to become the -well-bred Briton. - -Then, too, are they not the more interesting because they are, in -themselves, _glorious_ ranges? Not, perhaps, with regard to their -adaptability to good shooting. They have a fish-tail wind that is -trying, and a semaphore that is--worse. But the grand view! Across -the wide common, with its gorse, heather, and fern, its quiet dells, -its shady copses, and its broad, open, wind-swept plateaux, to the -beautiful glades of Richmond Park, and far, far away to the distant -Surrey Hills. Then, the pure, bracing breeze, coming as it does just -over the top of Leith Hill, straight from the sea, giving more health -and vigour in one short afternoon than any doctor’s tonic taken for a -month. - -Every landmark around has been familiar to us for years, and most are -associated with some incident which renders them attractive. Here, -for instance, is the spot where we fired our first shot as a recruit. -(We have never fired at that ridiculous distance since.) How well do -we remember that awful event! How we screwed up our courage to the -sticking-point, firmly resolved to “let off” that dread weapon; but -in our own mind the immediate future was full of vague uncertainty. -With what feelings of utter indifference we received the sergeant’s -congratulations that we had hit the target. It had gone off! We were -alive and well, and the world moved on as before! There was no room in -our mind for anything else. - -Well, well! That intense feeling of respect for a loaded rifle very -soon wore off. Let us return to the sober facts of history. - -The Wimbledon Ranges have been used by the “Civil Service” from the -very commencement of the Corps. The Sub-Committee appointed by the -Council in 1860 to seek for a Range were not long in discovering -Wimbledon. The Ranges were then in the possession of the 11th Surrey -Volunteers, who rented them from the Lord of the Manor, Earl Spencer, -for the sum of one shilling yearly. They agreed to allow the “Civil -Service” to share the shooting accommodation, on the understanding that -the latter paid three-fourths of the cost of the erection of the Butts. - -One feels compelled to remark that the Regimental authorities have -never been very happy in their management of matters connected with -these ranges. Affairs were commenced with a lawsuit, brought by the -contractor who erected the Butts, and the Corps lost the day. - -In 1861 the London Scottish, who had opened adjoining ranges, proposed -to build a Shooting House. They invited the “Civil Service” to join -them in the undertaking, and to become joint owners. The Council, -however, did not consider it advisable to do so, but preferred to pay -a yearly rent for a share in the tenancy. In 1864 the Council again -refused an offer to become joint owners, and the result has been that -the Corps has paid in annual rent considerably more than would have -sufficed to build the house, enjoying meanwhile comparatively poor -accommodation, and having no voice in its management. - -Matters were considerably disturbed in 1871 by the passing of the -Wimbledon Commons Act, and by the appointment of Conservators to -protect the interests of the Common-holders. The Act went so far as -to recognise the established privileges of the Volunteers in using -the Ranges, although shooting was henceforth restricted to certain -days of the week, and to certain hours of the day. But ever since then -the Conservators of the Common, with their restrictions, protests, -and objections, have been a thorn in the side of the Regimental Range -Committee. - -In 1880 a lawsuit was commenced by the tenant of the land bordering the -Common near the Range, on the ground that injury was caused by bullets -falling on his land. The action was brought against the “Civil Service” -only, but had for its object the closing of the whole of the Ranges -in this corner of the Common. After being protracted over a period of -several years, the action resulted in the closing of the 1st class -targets, and the substitution of wooden or canvas targets, instead of -iron, at the 2nd class range. - -With this concession the Corps may be said to have established its -title to the use of the Ranges. The War Office have lately instituted -more than one careful inspection, and have decided that they are -“safe,” so that it may be hoped that the Corps will continue to enjoy -possession for many years to come. - - -The Flagstaff. - -A noteworthy object on the Wimbledon Range is the flagstaff. This is -153 feet high, and has the reputation of being the tallest flagstaff -in England of one piece only. It is known as the “Douglas Pine,” and -is the product of Vancouver’s Island. It was presented to the London -Scottish in 1872 by an old member of the Corps, who had settled on that -island and felled it on his own land. The recruit is usually informed -that it took two ships to bring it over; the explanation that one ship -brought it to Liverpool and the other to London being reserved. - -It will be noticed that the little stick in question is protected by a -somewhat formidable lightning-conductor, its predecessor having been -destroyed by lightning one afternoon whilst shooting was going on at -the Range. - -We must not quit Wimbledon without a passing comment on the Wimbledon -Camp. - - -Wimbledon Camp. - -The “Civil Service” was among the earliest of the Metropolitan Corps -which formed its own private camp at the great rifle meeting, and from -1864 to 1885 the dark blue flag with its Prince of Wales’s Feathers was -always to be seen flying in its own peculiar corner of the enclosure. -This unbroken record of nearly a quarter of a century was not obtained, -however, without some trouble. In the early days, when camping out -was a novelty, and Wimbledon afforded the only means of enjoying that -novelty, there was little difficulty in ensuring a good attendance; -but, with the rise of Camps of Instruction and the Aldershot Camps, -applications for the Wimbledon tents, with their somewhat heavy fees, -began to fall off. For many years it was kept up merely by the efforts -of a small band of enthusiasts, to whom the Wimbledon “picnic,” with -its jovial round of holiday mirth, had a peculiar charm. The support -of the general body of the Corps fell off to such a marked extent that -in 1886, four years before the National Rifle Association removed to -Bisley, the Camp was discontinued. - - -Shooting. - -To pass from Wimbledon and to remark briefly on the shooting records of -the Regiment is an easy digression. - -The “Civil Service” has never yet had the good luck to provide the -winner of the Queen’s Prize, and this fact is sometimes thrust forward -by the thoughtless to detract from its merits as a “good shooting -Corps.” A simple computation will show that, with 200,000 Volunteers to -shoot for it, a Corps of 600 strong will have done its duty if it wins -the prize once in 333 years! But members of the Corps have on more than -one occasion run the winner very hard. Lord Bury himself was second for -the prize in 1861. - -Others who have been within measurable distance are: Private W. A. -Impey (Audit Office) in 1869, Lieutenant J. Mitford (Post Office) in -1875, and Sergeant W. W. Akhurst (Post Office) in 1885. - -Wimbledon honours have also been earned for the Corps by Sergeant J. -P. Wright (Bank of England), winner of the Grand Aggregate in 1874; -Captain H. W. E. Jeston (National Debt Office), winner of the N.R.A. -Challenge Cup in 1869; and teams who have on various occasions won the -Mappin Challenge Cup for running and shooting. - -Nor can we in the present year (1891) admit that the shooting of the -Corps shows any sign of declining. In the War Office Returns for the -last two years it stood first of the Metropolitan Corps, and second in -the Home District. The Regimental Team rejoice in an almost unbroken -series of victories in the numerous matches it has shot in the same -period; whilst Private Rothon, Corporal Matthews, and Corporal Clunan -well maintained the credit of the Corps at the first meeting of the -National Rifle Association on Bisley Common. In addition to this, -in Private Rothon the Corps has the winner of the Champion Badge of -Middlesex for 1890, and, having been chosen to shoot in the English -“twenty,” he made the highest score in the International Match of 1891. - -A few words about Aldershot. - - -The Aldershot Drills. - -The Aldershot Summer Drills appear to have been instituted when the -Autumn Manœuvres, held in 1872-3, were discontinued. The “Civil -Service” first sent a detachment to Aldershot in 1875, and from that -date, with but few exceptions, they have annually sent a Company. This -Company has been almost always attached to the Provisional Battalion -commanded by Colonel Du Plat Taylor, of the Post Office Volunteers. Of -all the efforts taken to instil a military training into the Volunteer -none perhaps have had so great an effect as the “Aldershot Week.” The -complete change of life experienced by thus suddenly adopting the -soldier’s daily routine and hard fare, the living with and fraternising -with soldiers, the feeling that you are for the time being actually -paid as a soldier, that you are watched by military police lest you -should desert, that the Mutiny Act has been read over you, which -says that if you disobey your officer you shall be shot--all this is -calculated to make the most light-hearted Volunteer feel that he is -in earnest at last. He enters into the spirit of the work, enjoys -the novelty of the situation--knowing that it won’t last long--and -generally comes home, grimy, sunburnt, and, in his own eyes at least, -a soldier to the backbone. The stamp it puts on a man is never -effaced. To say “he is an Aldershot-man” means that he is entitled to -considerable respect as a good Volunteer. - - -Camps of Instruction. - -Aldershot may have been instrumental in giving us a leaven of good -soldiers, but nothing has had so great an effect in changing the -conditions of our Volunteer life as the Camps of Instruction. As the -greater part of Battalion drills are now done in Camp, it is hardly -possible for a member, as was the case in old days, to make himself -efficient by toddling round the quadrangle at Somerset House; and this -change has almost banished from the ranks the individual generally -described as the “old-fashioned Volunteer.” - -The first Regimental Camp of Instruction was pitched on Wimbledon -Common on the 12th May, 1873. It lasted three days only, a longer time -being forbidden by the provisions of the Wimbledon Commons Act. The -weather was very cold, with occasional snow. The nightly attendance -averaged about 100. - -In the following year, 1874, Major Currie lent a field at Esher for -the purpose. This Camp lasted six days, and was memorable for being -the scene of one of those foolish escapades--a night attack, delivered -with great spirit by a local corps, and repulsed with equal ardour by -the “Civil Service.” In the present day, with increased knowledge of -military tactics, Volunteer officers recognise the absurdity of such -attacks. - -In 1875, the Camp was pitched in a portion of Wimbledon Park known as -the Leg of Mutton Field, Southfields. Here also it was located in 1876 -and 1877. In the following year, 1878, a very enjoyable Camp was held -in Sandown Park, Esher. - -1879 will be for ever memorable, to those who took part in it, as -the year of the _mud_ Camp, held in a small field, or rather swamp, -attached to an empty house near Putney Heath. - -Finally, in 1880, was discovered that very acme of positions--a -spot suited above all others for an encampment of Metropolitan -Volunteers--the Old Deer Park at Richmond. - - -The Old Deer Park. - -Here the Corps has encamped every year since,[3] and, indeed, it would -be difficult to find a more advantageous camping-ground. Interesting -in its associations as one of the oldest Royal Parks in England, -originally attached to Richmond Palace, it gives for drill purposes -an extensive area of slightly undulating parkland, ornamented with -picturesque groups of trees, among which are some patriarchs so -venerable as to make one imagine that they might have looked down upon -the grand tournaments held on that spot by the Tudor Kings. - -[3] Up till 1898, but not since. - -Long may it be before any over-zealous War Office official shall reform -the Richmond Camp of Instruction out of existence. Let us hope that for -many a future generation the Civil Service Recruit may do his lonely -midnight sentry-go, in the quiet seclusion of the Old Deer Park, with -no greater peril to encounter than the ghost of a Maid of Honour! - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -About the year 1888 a considerable decline in the recruiting power -of the Regiment became apparent, owing chiefly to the reduction of -the establishments of many Government Offices in consequence of the -lengthening of the official day to seven hours. There were no new -entrants into the Service, and consequently no material for recruiting. - -By many, however, the cause was ascribed to the unattractive uniform. -This idea gained ground, and Lord Bury allowed the opinion of the whole -Regiment to be taken on the matter. - -This was not the first time that the members of the Regiment had been -canvassed with regard to a change of uniform. In 1862 a proposal was -raised in favour of _scarlet_; and again, in 1881, when Lord Bury -wished his Corps to take the lead in adopting a recommendation of the -War Office Committee, of which he was Chairman, and change to a uniform -similar to “regulars”; but on both of these occasions a large majority -of the members were found to be thoroughly conservative. The helmet had -been adopted in lieu of the Shako in 1881, but, with this exception, -the uniform remained as it had been fixed in 1863. - - -Change of Uniform. - -Other views now prevailed, and out of 300 who answered the circular -addressed to them, and who expressed any opinion at all in the matter, -220 were in favour of a change. After a considerable time had been -taken in arriving at a decision, it was resolved to discard the dark -grey for a very light grey, retaining the Royal blue facings and the -black belts of the old uniform. - -The sanction of the Honorary Colonel and of the War Office having been -obtained, the change was carried out at the commencement of 1890. -Taking advantage of a grant from the Volunteer Equipment Fund raised -by the Lord Mayor (Sir James Whitehead), the Corps at the same time -furnished itself with greatcoats and the full equipment considered -necessary by the War Office; so that at the Inspection of this year the -Regiment paraded in its new uniform, and, for the first time, fully -equipped. - -The Inspection of 1890 was also remarkable for another event of -importance. For some time past Lord Bury had been announcing his -intention of shortly resigning the command of the Corps, which he had -now held for thirty years. - -A few months before, the officers of the Corps, foreseeing the coming -resignation, had presented Lady Bury with an oil painting of his -Lordship, in the uniform of the C.S.R.V. The portrait, by a rising -young artist of the day, had been exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery, -and had been very favourably noticed. - - -Resignation of Lord Bury. - -At the close of the Inspection referred to (held in the Camp in the Old -Deer Park, Richmond) Lord Bury, in a few earnest words, regretfully -bade farewell to the Regiment in which he had spent so large a period -of his life, and with which he expressed a hope that his family would -henceforward be always connected. He then formally handed over the -command to his successor, Major and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Mills; -and, with an outburst of hearty cheering in his honour, the Civil -Service Corps took leave of its first Commanding Officer. - - -Staff Promotions. - -On the resignation of Lord Bury, and the appointment of -Lieutenant-Colonel Mills to the command of the Regiment, Captain and -Honorary Major J. J. Cardin, of the Post Office, was promoted to the -post of Major; and it is doubtful if in the whole history of the Corps -can be recorded any more popular promotions than these two. - - -Building of Head Quarters. - -There remains now but one more event to chronicle in order to bring -this brief category to a close, viz., the building of a Regimental -Headquarters. Ever since its formation the only apology for a -Headquarters which the Corps possessed consisted of a single room, -kindly lent by the authorities of the Exchequer and Audit Department, -in which the business of the Regimental Staff was conducted. It had -been felt for some time that the satisfactory condition of the Corps -justified an effort being made to provide its members with similar -accommodation to that possessed by most of the London Corps. The chief -difficulty was that of obtaining a favourable site at an outlay within -reasonable limits. This difficulty was at length overcome mainly by the -exertions of Colonel Mills, through whose agency the Government were -induced to lend, under very favourable conditions, a piece of ground -between the two west wings of Somerset House, approached from the -Embankment by what was originally the West Watergate. - -It was estimated that a building suitable for the purpose could be -erected on this site for about £3,000. At a meeting of officers, at -which Lord Bury presided, held at the Audit Office on 19th February, -1890, it was decided to attempt to raise this sum by an appeal for -subscriptions addressed principally to the upper ranks of the Civil -Service. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was graciously pleased to head the -list with a donation of one hundred guineas. The Governor and Directors -of the Bank of England subscribed a like sum, and within a few months -Colonel Mills had personally collected £1,300 from the ministerial -and permanent heads of Departments and others of high rank in the -Government Offices. - - -1892. - -In 1892 the Headquarters Building was formally opened. The Prince of -Wales, as Honorary Colonel, had announced his intention of performing -the ceremony, but was prevented by the lamentable death of the Duke of -Clarence which occurred in January, and the duty was carried out by -H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught. The event was followed by a succession of -“At Homes,” dances, and other festivities to give the Regiment a house -warming in its new home. - -The home itself was much appreciated, and at once began to have a -marked effect on the popularity and, consequently, upon the strength -and efficiency of the corps. It had, moreover, the great merit of -having been provided free of all future debt; for it had been the firm -principle of Colonel Mills, to whose efforts the building was due, that -not a brick should be laid until the whole of the money required for -building and furnishing had been deposited in his hands. - -Many London Regiments had built themselves fine Headquarters about this -time, but in doing so had left themselves with the burden of a debt -which sadly crippled them for many years. It was not indeed until the -buildings were handed over to the War Office on the formation of the -Territorial Force that many Commanding Officers were relieved of heavy -financial embarrassments on this account. - -Colonel Mills having successfully carried out the final task he had -set himself, now retired after thirty-three years of arduous service. -He was then the only member left in the corps who had served in it -from its commencement. In the following year he became Comptroller and -Auditor-General, and received the honour of knighthood. - -Major Viscount Bury[4] succeeded to the Command, and the vacant post of -Field Officer was filled by the promotion of Major H. B. H. Tytheridge. - -[4] In 1891 the 6th Earl of Albemarle died. He was a Waterloo veteran. -By his death the first Commanding Officer succeeded to the earldom, and -gave his name to the Hon. Arnold Keppel. - - -1893. - -The Regiment now entered upon an era of rising strength and vigorous -efficiency. Officers keen to learn found in Captain Barton an Adjutant -who was as keen to teach. Parties on outpost work, road sketching, -military topography, etc., were soon to be found ranging the outskirts -of London and of any other place where the Civil Service were encamped, -and the result was seen in after years, when the Army List recorded a -far higher list of qualifications in “extra subjects” to the officers -of the Corps than to any other in the country. - -Recruiting flourished, until in 1896 the Corps attained its full -strength of 800, and returns were only kept within authorised limits by -ruthlessly striking off would-be non-efficients. - - -1894. - -In 1894 the Earl of Albemarle, the Regiment’s first Commanding Officer, -died, and Colonel Viscount Bury succeeded to the title. - -The Corps attended the Easter manœuvres at Windsor in this year, when -its Commanding Officer secured for it the much appreciated privilege of -being quartered at Eton College. - -In July, 1894, Lieutenant-Colonel Cardin (Senior Major) resigned after -a period of thirty-four years’ service in the Corps. The vacant post -was filled by the promotion of Captain and Honorary Major J. Mitford. - - -1895. - -On the 25th May, 1895, the Prince of Wales held an inspection of -the Regiment at Chelsea Barracks. The parade strength was 719 Civil -Service, and 93 Bank of England (25th Middlesex). The Prince, who wore -the new light grey uniform of the Corps, presented the first issue of -the Long Service Medal to 40 officers and men. The Officers’ Volunteer -Decoration had been bestowed in 1892 on 17 officers (retired and -serving) of the Corps, with the Prince’s own name heading the list. - -The shooting of the Regiment was much restricted this year by the -closing of all but the short (300 yards) range at Wimbledon, owing to -the efforts of the Conservators of the Common, who alleged danger to -the public. - -It was not until 1898, that by the opening of the ranges at Runemede, -the Regiment was again able to fire the full musketry course, and the -Wimbledon ranges were finally abandoned. - - -1896. - -In 1896 Captain G. Lamb, Leinster Regiment, was appointed Adjutant in -the place of Captain Barton, whose time having expired, returned to his -regiment. It was with great regret that the Civil Service parted with -this officer. - - -1897. - -1897 was the year of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Unlike the -Jubilee of 1887, when the Metropolitan Volunteers turned out in their -full strength to line the route, battalions were now restricted to two -companies of 25 file each. The Civil Service Companies were commanded -by the two senior captains, Major Miall and Captain Merrick. - -At the great Royal Naval Review at Spithead, the “H” (Admiralty) -Company under Captain Danter had the unique experience of providing a -Guard of Honour in the battleship _Empress of India_; perhaps the only -occasion on which the Volunteer Force was represented in a Naval Review. - -In this year the Regimental Signalling Party, who for some time had -never failed to secure a high place in the list of those presenting -themselves for official examination, now passed first in the Kingdom. - - -1898. “Prince of Wales’ Own.” - -In February, 1898, the Prince of Wales honoured the officers by -attending a Mess Dinner held at the Whitehall Rooms. Responding to the -toast of his health, the Prince complimented Lord Albemarle on the -efficiency of the Regiment, and spoke warmly of the pleasure it gave -him to remember how long he had been its Honorary Colonel--the oldest -Colonel, he thought, in the Volunteer Force. It was announced shortly -afterwards that the Regiment was to be called “The Prince of Wales’s -Own.” - - -1899. - -Facilities were now being given for Volunteers to do as much training -as possible with regular troops, and the Civil Service took advantage -of this during the Easter period. In 1898 a strong detachment were -quartered at the Albuhera Barracks, Aldershot, and in 1899 the whole -Battalion were accommodated at the Inkerman Barracks, Woking, with the -2nd East Surrey Regiment. In reporting on outpost operations carried -out on the latter occasion, the Brigadier said: “The outpost work was -good. The placing of picquets, groups and supports left nothing to be -desired and reflects great credit on the Company officers.” - -An admirable test of the state of efficiency at which the Volunteer -Force had now arrived was afforded this year by the Royal Review of -Metropolitan Volunteers on the Horse Guards Parade, held to commemorate -the fortieth year of the Force. Before midday hardly a uniform was to -be seen in the streets; but by four in the afternoon 30,000 Volunteers -had mustered at their Headquarters, marched to St. James’ Park, and -formed up in Brigades. From thence in rapid succession, after a -complicated and trying movement, owing to the awkwardly confined -space, they marched past in column of double Companies, debouching from -the Park by the gate allotted to them to their respective Headquarters, -and by 8.0 p.m. this little army had vanished back to civilian life. -The steadiness and precision of movement, the quiet, orderly behaviour, -the neat and soldierly appearance of the men made, without doubt, a -great impression on authorities and public alike. - -It was well that this was so, for before the year had closed the first -demand of the country for real service was to be made on the Force. -The South African war was straining the powers of our small regular -army to its utmost limit, and in December there was a sudden call -upon the Volunteers for detachments for voluntary service in South -Africa. This call would have been responded to much more readily if the -military authorities had not hampered it with many apparently needless -restrictions. The City Imperial Volunteers raised by the Lord Mayor was -the only body allowed to retain its identity as a Volunteer unit. It -was to this force, therefore, that London volunteers pressed forward, -and for the small quota which the Civil Service were asked to supply, -three or four times the number at once presented themselves for medical -inspection. - -The Regiment had the pleasure of seeing its Commanding Officer, the -Earl of Albemarle, chosen for the command of the infantry battalion; -but although several other officers volunteered their services these -posts were almost entirely reserved for members of the City Corps. - -The history of the City Imperial Volunteers has been recounted at -length elsewhere. Suffice it to say that the Regiment embarked on the -20th January, 1900, and after a period of preliminary training in South -Africa, joined the 21st Brigade under General Bruce Hamilton. After -continuous marching for about fifty days the Battalion reached Pretoria -on the 5th June, and on the 12th June fought in the battle of Diamond -Hill. - -An interesting impression of the effect they produced on that occasion -was furnished in a speech made at a public gathering by an officer -commanding a squadron of the Royal Horse Guards present on the field: - - “We were drawn up,” he said, “on the flank of the line at the - foot of the hill, when word came down to us that the City - Imperial Volunteers were advancing to attack. With great - interest we watched through our glasses to see how volunteers - would act in coming into action. They came over the brow of - the hill in excellent formation, pressing forward as steadily - as at a review. ‘Why!’ we exclaimed, ‘You can’t tell them from - Regulars!’” - -So impressed was the speaker that he determined then and there that if -ever he had the chance he would command a battalion of Volunteers. - -[Illustration: - - 1871. WIMBLEDON. - - _Photo by J. H. Lile & Co._ - - Sgt.-Major P. Kenny. Q.-M. F. J. Michôd. Major R. Mills. - - Capt. G. C. S. Lombard. - - Major J. P. Currie. Lt.-Col. Viscount Bury.] - -[Illustration: - - 1899. OLD DEER PARK, RICHMOND. - - _Photo by W. S. Stuart._ - - Major W. Danter. Capt. J. W. Smith-Neill, Major Lamb, Adjdt. - - Scots Guards. - - Lt.-Col. Tytheridge, V.D. Col. Earl of Abermarie. - - <i>To face page 36.</i>] - -The officer was the Earl of Arran, afterwards commanding the Civil -Service. - - -1900. - -The City Imperial Volunteers returned home in November, and were given -a tumultuous welcome as they marched through London on the afternoon -of Saturday, the 21st November. The route was lined by all the -Metropolitan Volunteer Battalions; and so enthusiastic was London to -welcome its “heroes” that it was with the greatest difficulty that the -route could be kept clear. - -Unfortunately, Lord Albemarle had been attacked with fever at Cape Town -and was unable to embark, thereby missing the welcome accorded to his -Battalion. - -The returned warriors of the Civil Service were entertained by the rest -of the Regiment at a great banquet given in their honour in the King’s -Hall, Holborn, on the 10th December. - -In all 136 members of the Corps served in South Africa, principally in -the Yeomanry. Of these five were killed or died in hospital. - -Trooper A. E. Trembath (Imperial Yeomanry) earned the D.C.M., and was -promoted to rank of Lieutenant for distinguished service in action.[5] - -[5] Lieutenant Trembath was killed in 1915 whilst serving with the 1st -Battalion in France. - -As the country was denuded of troops in this year the Government -decided to establish Emergency Camps of Militia and Volunteers during -the summer months. Brigade Camps lasting for a month were formed, and -each Corps was requested to keep fifty per cent. of its strength in -attendance for the whole period. - -The South London Brigade consisting of - - 2nd (South) Middlesex - 7th Middlesex (London Scottish) - 12th Middlesex (Civil Service) - 13th Middlesex (Queen’s Westminsters) - 20th Middlesex (Artists) - -went into camp on Farnborough Common from the 7th July to the 7th -August. The Civil Service was by far the strongest battalion in -attendance, and at its Inspection held on Saturday, the 21st July, the -Battalion, including one Company of the 25th (Bank of England), stood -over 1,000 on parade. - -Permission was obtained this year to increase the establishment of the -Battalion by two Companies and the maximum strength to 1,000. The two -new Companies were “F” Company, recruited from the clerical staff of -the London County Council, and “I” Company, formed of cyclists. - - -1901. Field Army Brigades. - -On the 22nd January, 1901, Her Majesty Queen Victoria died. The -Regiment was informed in due course that the King would honour it by -continuing to retain the position of Honorary Colonel. - -In April, 1901, the Regiment lost its Commanding Officer by the -promotion of Lieutenant-Colonel the Earl of Albemarle to the command -of the Norfolk Volunteer Infantry Brigade. Colonel Tytheridge, who had -temporarily commanded during the absence of Lord Albemarle in South -Africa, now succeeded to the command. - -The experience of the South African war had forcibly impressed the -country with the fact that in the Volunteer Force it possessed an asset -deserving of greater encouragement and development than it had hitherto -obtained. As a result of this feeling, the higher military authorities -issued new and more stringent conditions of efficiency in an endeavour -to bring the backward Corps up to the general level. - -Regimental Camps of Instruction were now abolished and replaced by -Brigade Camps. The Old Deer Park, Richmond, where the Battalion had -encamped for nineteen years in succession (1880 to 1898) was to harbour -it no more. Easter Manœuvres, Whitsuntide Marching Columns, Aldershot -Provisional Battalions, Clacton Seaside Engineering Camps all dropped -out; and energies were concentrated on securing a maximum muster at the -Brigade Camp, where it was necessary to maintain an attendance of half -the full strength (500) for the period of fourteen days in order to -earn the War Office grant. - -The position in which the Regiment might find itself in the event of a -national emergency had long been a subject of uncertainty and doubt. - -The Treasury had firmly expressed themselves on this point in a Minute -issued in 1899 and published in Regimental Orders, as follows:-- - - “The Volunteer Force was primarily formed for Home Defence, and - there seems special objections to a regiment like the Civil - Service Rifles serving abroad. The men have their public duties - to perform at home, and if they were sent abroad, untried - men must be temporarily employed in their places for the - performance of Civil Service professional work.”[6] - -[6] There is no doubt that if it had not been for this attitude adopted -by the Treasury and firmly maintained up to 1914, and the hampering -effect it had upon Regimental authorities, the Civil Service would have -been found in that fateful year among the first of the Territorial -battalions on the field of war. - -The Battalion, nevertheless, was selected as one of those to be placed -in the “Field Army Brigades” which were formed under the new scheme of -Home Defence. At first it was placed in the 24th (Volunteer) Brigade, -consisting of 2nd (South) Middlesex, 12th Middlesex (Civil Service), -21st Middlesex, and 4th (Volunteer Battalion) Royal West Surrey -Regiment. - -Camp was formed this year at Jubilee Hill, Aldershot, under the Officer -Commanding the District. - - -1903. - -In 1903 Brigades were re-organised, and the Civil Service, with the -Queen’s Westminsters, London Irish and 2nd London formed the 23rd -Brigade under Colonel Jerrard. This officer held training camps as -follows: - - 1903.--Shorncliffe. - 1904 and 1905.--Sway (New Forest). - 1906.--Shorncliffe. - -About this time the Regiment effected certain changes in its uniform -with the view of making it more suitable for work in the field. The -helmet was altered to a shape which was perhaps less artistic, but -gave greater comfort, and had not the disadvantage possessed by its -predecessor of disabling the wearer from shooting when lying down. The -tunic or jacket was made much looser and contained serviceable pockets. -Puttees were adopted in lieu of gaiters, and enamelled belts were -discarded in favour of dull black leather. - -Altogether it now formed a very serviceable yet attractive uniform. -Its invisibility at a distance was remarkable, and was the subject of -frequent remark by distinguished foreign officers attending manœuvres. - - -1902. - -Captain B. J. Majendie, King’s Royal Rifles, was appointed Adjutant -in November, 1902, _vice_ Major Lamb, retired. Captain Majendie’s -experiences in the South African war had been somewhat unique and -unfortunate. Whilst accompanying a troop of cavalry sent out as a -patrol from Ladysmith on the day that war was declared, the party were -surrounded and captured by the enemy and held prisoners in Pretoria -until that place was taken by General Roberts in the following year. -Captain Majendie was the first Adjutant which the Corps had secured -from the regular regiment of which it formed a Volunteer battalion; and -by his efforts and instruction the Battalion became “riflemen,” and -adopted rifle drill and customs. But the fact that officers were always -trained at the Guards’ Schools of Instruction, where the drill of the -rifleman is unknown, was a drawback to this arrangement. - -In 1902, Major and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Danter, who had been -appointed Major in 1897, resigned through bad health. The Battalion -owed much to Colonel Danter for his hard and brilliant work for many -years. To his energy and leadership in their early years may be mainly -attributed the successes which the Regiment were now securing in its -signalling section and in the School of Arms. - - -School of Arms. - -To the latter institution a word is now due. Ever since the -Headquarters had been opened, the athletic youth of the public offices -in London had been attracted to this excellent training school in -their midst. During the winter months the building was thronged to -overflowing on “School” nights with perspiring youth in flannels, as -class after class followed each other in unceasing relays for hours. -Organising, directing and instructing this untiring energy were Danter, -Brett, W. H. D. Clarke, Whitehurst, Weeks, Bell, Kirkby and others, -ably supported, of course, by the most skilled instructors that the -Guards and Aldershot could supply. - -The result had now become apparent in the wonderful series of successes -the School achieved, not only in the Home District Tournaments, but at -the Royal Military Tournaments in competition with the Navy and Army. - -A list of winners of Challenge cups and championship and silver -medallists is given in Appendix No. V. - -In addition to these successes, the School of Arms obtained 39 second -and 18 third prizes at the R.M. Tournament, and an even greater number -of prizes at the competitions of the Metropolitan Territorial School of -Arms Association. - -The most successful period for the Regimental School was during the -first decade of the present century, when those fine all-round athletes -Hobbins, Marsh and Chalke were in the hey-day of their prowess, and -Major Brett, the oldest man in the competitions of 1907, won the -Officers’ Bayonet Challenge Cup. - -In the previous year the Regimental Officers’ Team won the -Inter-Regimental Bayonet Fighting Cup, beating the R.M.A., with its -large complement of officers to select from, in the final. This was the -only occasion on which the Cup was wrested from the Regulars or Navy. - -The Light-Weight Tug-of-War Team in 1904 became the permanent -possessors of the R.M.T. Cup, which they had won three times in four -years. - - -“Daily Telegraph” Cup. - -In 1902 the Corps secured an honour for which it had striven for -many years, and which, although as a rule honourably placed in the -strenuous competition, it had never yet succeeded in obtaining. This -was the _Daily Telegraph_ Cup for marching and shooting, competed -for at the Home District Rifle Meeting by teams from most of the -battalions of regulars and volunteers in the district. And now, under -the leadership of Captain F. J. Brett, supported by Sergeant W. H. D. -Clarke, it was won four years in succession, a feat never performed by -any other battalion. - - -1904. - -In 1904, Colonel Tytheridge resigned and the Earl of Arran, late -Captain, Royal Horse Guards, was appointed Commanding Officer. Captain -and Hon. Major E. Merrick and Captain R. G. Hayes were promoted Field -Officers. - -At the end of 1906 the Field Army Brigades were abolished, as -preparations were then being made for a much greater call upon -volunteers than that entailed by the existing scheme of Home Defence. - -Troubled by the incessant cry for economy in military expenditure from -their supporters on one side and the imminence of a European war with -insufficient military strength on the other, the Government turned -again to the Volunteer Force for aid. - - -The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907. - -The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act was passed in 1907, by which the -Force might at once become an integral part of the Army on a threat of -war. - -The Brigade Camp of 1907 held at West Tarring, near Worthing, was -therefore the last camp of the Civil Service Volunteers. Before the -summer training camps of 1908 were formed, the Corps had been disbanded -and re-enrolled, the grey uniform had been discarded, and a new -khaki-clad battalion of Territorial soldiers of the King, 800 strong, -stood ready to ask His Majesty to be again their Honorary Colonel. The -request was granted, and the _London Gazette_ announced that: - - “His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to signify - his royal pleasure that he will continue to remain Honorary - Colonel of the Corps on its transfer to the Territorial Force.” - -The transfer throughout the Force was not made without difficulty or -without great effort on the part of its leaders. Much nervousness -existed as to the liabilities to be incurred under the Act, the -additional claim upon a man’s spare time, the suggested penalties in -case of default, etc. The efforts of the leaders were not assisted -by the singularly inept methods of the military authorities. The Act -provided that the Volunteer should be re-attested on entering the new -Force. The Attestation Form at first issued by the War Office contained -a long list of questions to be answered by the recruit. Prominent -across the face of the form was the statement: - - “You are hereby warned that if it is found that you have given - a false answer to the following questions you will be liable to - imprisonment with hard labour.” - -In this grateful and tactful manner it was proposed to greet the -patriotic citizen on taking the first step towards his additional -burden. But the protests of Volunteer Commanders were loud and the -obnoxious form was quickly withdrawn. - - -15th (Co. of London) Battalion, 4th London Brigade. - -The Battalion, under the title of the “15th (County of London) -Battalion the London Regiment,” was placed in the 4th London Brigade of -the 2nd London Division, the brigade being constituted as before (the -old “Grey Brigade”), and still under the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding -the Scots Guards Regiment. - -The first training camp of the Territorial Brigade was held at West -Down, Salisbury Plain, from August 2nd to 16th, 1908, Colonel Inigo -Jones, Scots Guards, in command. The Civil Service were by far the -strongest battalion in the camp; the London Scottish and other -corps having as yet been able to raise but a few companies for the -new Force. This result had been achieved in spite of the fact that -Treasury Regulations had been issued, regarding leave to be granted -to Territorials in Government Departments for camp training, in which -the conditions were much less generous than those formerly accorded to -volunteers by Heads of Departments. - -Fortunately, an officer of the Corps, Lieutenant F. H. D. Acland, -having been elected M.P. for Richmond (Yorks), had been given the post -of Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office. By his influence the -Secretary of State for War, Mr. Haldane, commenced a tour of inspection -of Territorials by visiting the camp at Salisbury Plain and lunching -with the “Civil Service.” On his attention being drawn to the new leave -conditions, Mr. Haldane was good enough to attend the Regimental Prize -Distribution at the close of the year and publicly announced that more -generous conditions should be issued. - - -1908. - -In August, 1908, the Earl of Arran found himself compelled, with -regret, to resign the command. Notwithstanding the fact that his former -military experience had been entirely that of a cavalry officer, -Lord Arran had, by his personal efforts, kept up the high standard -of steadiness and efficiency in drill to which the Battalion had -attained, and his popularity as a Commanding Officer had never been -exceeded by any. It was with sorrow that every member of the Corps -heard of his decision to resign. - -The command was taken over temporarily for a few months by Major and -Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Merrick, who, then in his thirty-third year -of service, declined to allow his name to be put forward for further -promotion. In December, 1908, the regiment found in Major the Hon. C. -S. H. D. Willoughby, late of the Scots Guards, a Commanding Officer -admirably qualified to lead it through the period of preparation for -more serious military work which was now before it as a battalion of -the Territorial Force. - -In the change from a unit of the loosely-organized mass of Infantry -and Garrison Artillery which constituted the Volunteer Force, to that -of a strictly regulated battalion of the new Territorial Army (with -its Brigade and Divisional Staffs, its due proportion of Cavalry, -Field Artillery and Transport) the Corps had been trimmed and shorn of -many of its former privileged adjuncts. Its establishment of officers -was considerably reduced, and with great regret it lost its Honorary -Chaplain, the Rev. Canon Duckworth. Canon Duckworth had served the -Corps loyally for 23 years. He took great pride in never being a -“non-efficient,” was always on parade at the annual inspection, and -wherever the regiment was encamped its Chaplain never failed to appear -on the middle Sunday to conduct the service and preach his annual -sermon. - -The Battalion also lost its two bands, and its company of cyclists was -abolished. - -The drills and camp trainings required were not as extensive as those -afforded by the Corps under Volunteer conditions; but this was amply -compensated for by the benefit derived, especially by officers, from -the training given by Brigade and Divisional Staffs. - -Instructional tours, in which officers of Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry -and Transport met, took place frequently to important military -positions in the neighbourhood of London. In these the Division -(_minus_ the men) would move by Manœuvre Orders duly issued by -Divisional, Brigade and other Commanders of units, billet or bivouac on -positions previously inspected and reported upon, throw out outposts, -resume column of route, move on to the battle position and engage the -enemy in the neighbourhood of Dunstable, Canterbury or other place -selected. In its early days the 2nd London Division on these occasions -had the advantage of the admirable instruction of Colonel Stanley Maude -(afterwards General Sir Stanley Maude) as chief of the staff. - - -1910.[7] - -[7] From this point to the outbreak of war the annals are continued by -Captain Bell, late Civil Service Rifles. - -The commencement of the training year saw the duties of Adjutant taken -over by Captain Fitzclarence of the Royal Fusiliers, an officer of -wide experience and one who had had some previous knowledge of the -working of a force recruited under the voluntary system. From his first -appearance on parade his popularity was assured, and he ably seconded -the efforts made by Colonel Willoughby to bring the regiment up to a -high state of efficiency. - -Training during the year followed the usual course. The Easter -training was carried out at Windsor, and the Annual Training Camp -at Minster-on-Sea was of an exceptionally interesting nature. In -the opinion of many it represented the ideal camp training for the -Territorial Force, consisting as it did of practical musketry and field -manœuvres, winding up with an extensive trek through the pleasant lanes -of northern Kent. A most enjoyable fortnight was spent, and the members -of the Battalion returned at the end of it to their everyday avocations -feeling satisfied that they had made some real progress towards fitting -themselves to fulfil the duties for which the Territorial Force was -intended. The Brigadier gave expression to his views on the following -terms: - - “The Brigadier wishes to thank all ranks of the Brigade for - their loyal co-operation and unflagging zeal and keenness - during the Annual Camp this year, more especially during the - week’s bivouac and hard marching, which was a severe test to - untrained troops and in which the Brigade acquitted itself to - his entire satisfaction. He attributes this success in a great - measure to the fine spirit and soldierlike pride which has ever - distinguished the Grey Brigade, and has once again successfully - brought it through a trying time. He hopes and thinks that, - though the work has been hard, the results have been great, and - that all ranks are more fitted to take their part in active - service should the necessity arise.” - -A Regimental Athletic Club was formed with the twofold object of -securing the best possible representation in the Territorial Sports -and Marathon Race held annually in June and of fostering athletics -from a military standpoint throughout the Battalion. The Committee did -valuable work, and as the result of its labours the Regimental Team was -enabled to take a high place in the Marathon Race. - -This year the Regiment had to mourn the loss of its Honorary Colonel, -His Majesty King Edward VII. He had been associated with the regiment -over the long period of fifty years. - -Major R. B. Hughes, who had been Quartermaster to the Battalion since -the early nineties, was compelled, much to his regret, to resign his -appointment this year. The regiment felt at his departure a regret -equal to his own. Quartermaster-Sergeant W. H. D. Clark succeeded him, -and the ability and hard work which he put into the arrangements for -the Annual Camp contributed in no small degree to the success of that -outing. - -The announcement that the Regiment had been honoured by the appointment -of the Rev. Canon Herbert Hensley Henson, D. D., as its Chaplain was -received with gratification by the Battalion. Canon Henson had been -approached because his church--St. Margaret’s, Westminster--is regarded -as the church of Parliament and the Civil Service. - - -1911. - -The Easter Training this year took place at the Guards’ Depot -at Caterham. The opportunity thus afforded to the officers and -non-commissioned officers of the Battalion to see the course of -instruction through which a recruit of the Regular Army had to pass was -most valuable. - -The Battalion was called on to furnish a number of detachments in -connection with the Coronation festivities this year, and acquitted -itself well throughout. The Major-General in command of the Division -expressed his entire satisfaction with the way in which the various -duties were performed. As the personal gift of His Majesty on the -occasion of his coronation, the Coronation Medal was awarded to the -Commanding Officer, the Officers Commanding the detachments, the -Quartermaster, Regimental Sergeant-Major, the senior N.C.O. and senior -Private. - -Annual training in camp took place at Dover. The political situation -at home and abroad was not all that might be desired, and amongst all -ranks was the feeling that before the camp terminated the Battalion -might be called on for more serious work than that usually carried out -on these occasions. Not until the Battalion had entrained for return to -London could it be said that the tension had relaxed. The Major-General -in his remarks on the training said that he noticed with pleasure the -very good work done by all units, work which showed a distinct advance -on any previously performed. He referred to the satisfaction given -him by the cheerful way in which hardships, which resulted from the -unavoidable stoppage of railway transport, had been borne by all ranks. - -The Regiment furnished a detachment consisting of 1 officer, 1 N.C.O. -and 4 men to attend the investiture of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales at -Carnarvon on July 13th, 1911. - -The efforts put forth by the Regimental Sports Club in connection with -the annual Marathon Race only just failed of success, the Battalion -team finishing second. - - -1912. - -This year saw the old pattern Slade-Wallis equipment replaced by the -Mills web equipment. The change was much appreciated and every one -felt that with the supply of the new pack and haversack it was no -longer necessary to rely for essentials on the kit-bag, and that, as a -consequence, the mobility of the Battalion was greatly increased. - -A feature of the year was the Whitsuntide outing arranged at Bisley for -the purpose of drill and musketry. The detachment was favoured by good -weather and had the opportunity of firing under the most favourable -conditions all the practices laid down for the annual course. - - * * * * * - -Colonel Willoughby, who had been in command of the Regiment since -1908, was appointed to the command of the 6th Infantry Brigade on May -14th, 1912, and was succeeded by Major R. G. Hayes. Colonel Willoughby -during his period of command had endeared himself to all ranks, and -the Regiment parted with him with sincere regret. He issued a Farewell -Order in the following terms: - - “In relinquishing his official connection with the Regiment, - Colonel Willoughby desires to thank the Officers, N.C.O.’s and - men for their loyal co-operation and constant support they have - so freely rendered him throughout the period that it has been - his privilege to command the Battalion.” - -A further loss to the Battalion was that of Major F. J. Brett, who -resigned on April 27th, 1912. “Freddie’s” honours and achievements -in the world of sport would fill a book by themselves. He was the -life and soul of the Regimental School of Arms and his successes in -bayonet fighting, fencing, etc., will long be remembered. His success -in winning, in the year 1907, at the age of forty-six, the individual -Bayonet Fighting Competition at the Royal Military Tournament is one -which it can safely be said will never be equalled. - -The practice of having the Easter training at the Guards Depot at -Caterham had now become established, and the welcome which was always -given the detachment there made the outing one to be looked forward -to. The annual training in camp took place this year at Frith Hill, -Aldershot, and was notable for the inclement weather experienced. -The incessant rain may, however, have been a blessing in disguise, -inasmuch as it prevented the rations being smothered with the black -sand peculiar to this locality. Despite the unpleasant conditions, the -troops kept remarkably free from illness. A feature of the training was -Brigade movements in close formation, and it was a matter of no little -astonishment to all ranks to see how easily and without confusion large -bodies of well-organised and disciplined troops could be moved over -rough and uneven ground. On the return of the Battalion from camp, the -following extract from a War Office letter was published in Regimental -Orders: - - “The Army Council have expressed their appreciation and that - of the Secretary of State for War for the excellent spirit - which was shown by the Territorial troops in camp this year. - The weather has been most inclement and the soldierly spirit in - which the troops bore their discomforts was most praiseworthy.” - - -1913. - -A review of the London District Territorial Troops by His Majesty the -King took place in Hyde Park on July 5th, 1913. The Battalion was well -represented. - -The annual camp was held this year at Abergavenny in South Wales. The -Battalion had never before been called on to proceed so far afield -for its training, and the visit to Wales was looked forward to with -eager anticipation. The Brigade arrived at Abergavenny on Sunday, -July 27th, and soon got to work on the programme laid down. The first -week was devoted to section, company and battalion training, and on -the Monday in the second week all surplus canvas was struck and a -week’s trek commenced. The first day’s march brought the Battalion via -Crickhowell to Glanusk Park, where a bivouac was formed. Many members -of the Battalion were glad of the opportunity thus afforded to renew -acquaintance with Lord Glanusk, an acquaintance first formed while he -was Adjutant of the City Imperial Volunteers and maintained during his -tenure of command of the Guards Depot at Caterham. On the following -day the march was resumed, and the Battalion reached “The Forest,” -via Tretower and Cwm-du. Wednesday saw the Battalion _en route_ for -Tal-y-maes, encountering on its way an opposing force at the Pass of -Rhin Truman. The pass was forced and the troops eventually reached -their camp at Tal-y-maes, situated amongst some of the finest scenery -in Wales. There Battalion and Brigade manœuvres were carried out for a -couple of days, after which the return to Abergavenny was commenced and -the old quarters reached at the end of the week. The Brigade returned -to London on Sunday, August 10th, well satisfied that the military -authorities had succeeded in combining an enjoyable holiday with a -considerable amount of military training. A tribute to the popularity -of the conception can be found in the fact that out of a battalion 779 -strong, 735 attended the camp. - - -1914. - -All other events of the year 1914 were dwarfed by the outbreak of the -war with the Central Powers and the embodiment of the Territorial -Force. As every one recollects, the call was sudden. The Battalion was -carrying out the programme laid down for its peace training, and had -actually arrived at Perham Down Camp, Salisbury Plain, for its annual -camp training. Its stay there was but short--in fact, only a matter -of hours--and it found itself back in London within twenty-four hours -of having left it. The mobilization arrangements which had not long -before been tested under the supervision of the Brigadier worked well, -and a time of busy preparation set in.[8] At the outset the Battalion -received with astonishment the news that the Government had decided -that members of the Civil Service called up on embodiment would not be -allowed their civil pay, and would have to depend entirely on their -Army pay of their rank plus the usual allowances. It was felt that a -decision such as this would interfere greatly with the efforts made -to fill up the gaps in the Regiment, and would make difficult the -provision of the necessary reserve of men. Representations were at once -made to the Prime Minister, Captain Parish, the Adjutant, even going so -far as to interview him on the subject before he had breakfasted on the -morning following the announcement. The Prime Minister agreed to have -the matter further considered, and the result was so far satisfactory -that the flow of recruits continued. - -[8] “We went to Somerset House and dismissed, but assembled again on -the Tuesday, and on Wednesday we were mobilised. The battalion of 800 -odd were accommodated in the corridors of Somerset House, and we fed -à la picnic in the square.”--_Extract from letter dated Feb. 5th, -1915._--ED. - -The Battalion commenced its move to its war station in the -neighbourhood of Watford on August 11th, bivouacked at Edgware for -the night, and continued the march the following day. The troops -stood the trying march well. The Battalion took up its quarters in -and around the village of Bedmond and remained there until early in -November, when it moved into billets in the town of Watford. A number -of changes in personnel took place. Colonel the Earl of Arran, a former -Commanding Officer of the Regiment, was given command of the Battalion, -Lieutenant-Colonel Hayes being appointed to the command of the second -line. The news of Lord Arran’s appointment was received with great -gratification, and every one present on parade in the little park at -Bedmond on the day on which he joined the Battalion will remember the -stirring and inspiring words in which he addressed them, winding up his -remarks by stating in a very determined way that, “We have a long way -to go, but we are going to get there.” To the great regret of the whole -Battalion Lord Arran was obliged later on to relinquish the command to -rejoin his old regiment, the Royal Horse Guards. His place was taken -by Colonel Renny, late of the Indian Army, and under him the Battalion -moved to France on March 17th, 1915. - - - - -PART TWO - - - - -1st Battalion Civil Service Rifles - -By CAPTAIN P. DAVENPORT, M.C.[9] - -[9] Appointed 2nd Lieut., 11th June, 1915; to France, December 24th, -1915; acting Captain, 1917; Adjutant, 27th June, 1917.--EDITOR. - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -A few words on the manner in which the story of the 1st Battalion was -written will not be out of place, and may help to explain the delay in -producing the book and the obvious errors of omission which have been -committed. - -When the Battalion went to France two diaries were kept at -headquarters--the War Diary, in which were recorded all the military -exploits of the Battalion, and the Regimental Diary, which contained -all the “personal gossip” in the Regiment, as well as accounts of tours -in the front line. This Regimental Diary was started by Capt. Parish, -who was then Adjutant, with the idea that it should be printed and -published at the end of the war. But owing to frequent changes in the -personnel of Battalion Headquarters, the book was not kept up to date, -and there are, in consequence, several big gaps in its pages. It was -finally closed early in 1918, when Colonel Segrave decided that as -the keeping of two diaries entailed a certain amount of duplication -of work, the War Diary should, in future, be a complete record of the -history of the Battalion. From that time, therefore, the War Diary -contained every item of interest to the Battalion, including such -details as the names of the members of football teams and the artistes -at Battalion concerts. - -With these two books, therefore, I began in the winter of 1919 to -collect material for a history. A committee was formed, on which -I tried to get a representative of each Company and Specialist -Section, and here I should like to acknowledge my indebtedness to -these gentlemen, each one of whom has taken an active interest in the -preparation of the book:--R. H. Burden, D.C.M., R. G. Callingham, S. -L. Clements, E. Cooke, D.C.M., C. Ibbett, M.M., F. A. Lewis, M.M., R. -H. Maddocks, F. C. Robertson, D.C.M., G. M. Sladden and R. C. Sugars, -D.C.M. - -In addition C.S.M. T. P. Brett, M.C., and Sergeant C. M. A. Tucker -were kind enough to place at my disposal a book of notes, letters, -and extracts from private diaries which they had collected, dealing -with the first year of the career of the Battalion in France. Sergeant -Tucker has been most energetic throughout in his efforts to collect -further material and to improve the crude story which I presented to -the committee. - -The story was written in instalments and so read to the committee, -who criticised it and amended it, and it was then typed by Sergeant -Tucker. The typed copy was then circulated among different members of -the committee, who suggested further amendments, and the result is -now presented to the Regiment as a simple record of the outstanding -features of life in the 1st Civil Service Rifles in France. - -I am fully conscious that there are grave omissions, notably in -respect to paragraphs of appreciation of individuals. There are many -more members deserving of special mention than appear in these pages, -but I have included all who were brought to my notice and who, in my -opinion, played a prominent part in the success of the Battalion. At -the same time there are some whom I have missed, and to avoid doing -these an injustice it was at one time suggested that all references to -individuals should be cut out, but there are some who played such a -big part in our history that no story of the Battalion would be nearly -complete without mention of them. - -As to the literary style and arrangement of the book, I am told by one -of my critics that it is dull and lifeless, and that the descriptions -of battles are not sufficiently picturesque. My only reply is that I -have aimed at an accurate description rather than at a highly coloured -style, and I hope my critics will bear in mind that, prior to this -effort, I have never attempted anything more ambitious in the literary -line than a love letter. - -In addition to members of the committee the following members of the -Regiment have very kindly written contributions:--G. C. G. Andrews, -C. E. Bassett, E. De Ath, C. N. Burdock, C. Manthorpe, L. C. Morris, -M.C., V. Stewart, J. H. Swain, and W. G. Skillern. To these gentlemen I -should like to express my grateful appreciation. - - _February, 1921._ PAUL DAVENPORT. - - - - -CHAPTER I - -“17TH OF MARCH MEN” - - -At the annual dinner in London on St. Patrick’s Day the survivors of -those who constituted the original 1st Battalion of the Civil Service -Rifles commemorate the historic day on which the Regiment first sent a -Battalion on active service--the 17th of March, 1915. - -It was hardly realised when that Battalion went to France that it would -soon become the highest of distinctions in the Regiment to be described -as a “17th of March man,” but this distinction is fully recognised now, -and he is a much envied man who has the right to attend the Annual -Commemoration Dinner.[10] - -[10] This dinner was instituted on the 17th March, 1916, in the Reserve -Battalion Camp at Hazeley Down, Winchester, where already a number of -the originals who had been wounded, had returned. To Captain G. C. -Grimsdale fell the honour of taking the chair at the first of these -functions, which it was decided should be held annually so long as any -“17th of March men” should live to attend them. - -There were about 1,100 all ranks who, after eagerly awaiting, during -seven long months of training, the summons to join the B. E. F. in -France, achieved their ambition on St. Patrick’s Day, 1915, and -entrained at Watford in the early hours of the morning. Throughout -their stay in Watford, where they had been billeted since November, -1914, they had received the warmest hospitality, and it is not -surprising, therefore, that their pride in going to the front was -tinged with regret at leaving such good friends. - -After a roundabout journey, Southampton was reached at 11.0 a.m., and -the Battalion had to confine itself for the rest of the day to a few -hundred yards of quay, impatiently awaiting embarkation, which was not -carried out till dusk. Four boats were used--the _Balmoral_, _City of -Chester_, _Jupiter_ and _Munich_--boats used in the piping times of -peace for pleasure trips along the coast. There were no bands playing, -no cheering crowds, but just three or four bored officials, embarkation -officers, and dock policemen. Thus the 1st Civil Service Rifles,[11] -under the command of Lieut. Colonel A. M. Renny, left England, having -on board the four boats thirty officers, 1,046 other ranks, and 78 -horses. - -[11] See Appendix for list of officers. - -In addition, Captain H. B. Farquhar had taken a small advance party -some days earlier. - -On the whole the Civil Service Rifles were not favourably impressed -with Havre where the battalion disembarked at about 9.0 a.m. on the -18th of March, the chief disappointment, perhaps, being that there were -little or no signs of the Great War. No welcoming crowds of pretty -French girls were there to meet them, and almost unnoticed they marched -through the town and up the hill which led to the camp above Harfleur. -Here the troops, perspiring after the steep climb, in what they thought -was full marching order, learnt that there were many more things for -the unfortunate Infantry soldier to carry in France. Winter clothing -was issued, and although it was very welcome on that bitterly cold -afternoon, the weight of it made everyone look forward with more than -usual keenness to the coming of Spring. - -A bitterly cold night was spent in the tents, and at 3.0 p.m. on the -following day, the Battalion made its first acquaintance with the troop -trains of the B. E. F.--the men’s compartments of which bore the now -familiar legend:-- - - Chevaux (en long) 8 - Hommes 37-40 - -Lieutenant A. Roberts and fifty-nine other ranks had to be left behind -as a first reinforcement--an arrangement made by a thoughtful G. H. -Q. to ensure that the whole of the Civil Service Rifles should not be -wiped out in their first battle. - -After a most wearisome journey, lasting twenty-four hours, the -Battalion detrained at the little station of Berguette. - -The march from Berguette to the billets in the village of Cauchy a la -Tour was an ordeal never to be forgotten by those who suffered it. -Fifteen miles on pavè roads, in full marching order with a blanket in -addition, tested to the uttermost men who were already fatigued by -the extreme discomfort of the cattle train. But Cauchy was reached, -without loss, at midnight, and to the consternation of all ranks, no -trace could be found of the billeting party or of the billets. This -was indeed a bitter blow to the exhausted troops, who settled down in -the main street, and began to wonder whether they had to march still -further, for there were no signs of life in Cauchy. The situation -was eventually saved by waking up M. le Maire, on whom, it is said, -Lieutenant Carlisle so successfully tried his French that billets were -found after the Battalion had been waiting in the road for two hours. -Some say the straw was clean, others say it was otherwise, but it -mattered little that night. Any place was good enough, provided the -troops could be left to sleep in peace. - -It is believed that after the billeting party had left Havre, the -destination of the 47th Division was changed, and the Civil Service -Rifles were already at St. Omer before any message reached the -billeting party, who did not arrive at Cauchy until about twenty-four -hours after the Battalion was billeted. - -The Battalion trained, somewhat impatiently, for three whole weeks at -Cauchy a la Tour. The troops, it must be admitted, were bored with it, -as would appear from the following description in a letter home:-- - - “The village is in the middle of a flat colliery district. - The northern horizon is filled with great hills of slag from - the mines--like Egyptian pyramids, whence comes an eternal - shrill whistle. The well in the market square from which we - draw our water is 100 feet deep, and it is difficult to get - near the bucket for the crush of civilians and khaki. The - women are mostly fat and sans corsets. They sell French papers - and herald their approach with a toot of a horn. Mud carts - are drawn by dogs. Horses can be seen working treadmills. The - constant stream of motor lorries bringing food stores to the - front passes along the highway. We hear the distant boom of big - guns--a famous part of the firing line is 18 miles away. But - the preponderant thought with us all is ‘Where is this bloody - war?’” - -On the 22nd of March, the Battalion was inspected by Field-Marshal Sir -John French, accompanied by General Sir Douglas Haig and General Sir -Chas. Munro. The Commander-in-Chief’s remark “The men are splendid” was -afterwards reproduced in large type on the Civil Service Recruiting -Posters in London underneath a photograph of Sergeant G. L. Eager, -looking very much at home in a trench. - -The first Civil Service Rifles Sports Meeting in France took place in -a small rough field in Cauchy a la Tour, on the afternoon of the 28th -March. The following account of it is taken from the Regimental Diary:-- - - “The events included 500 yards--winner, Private L. P. Winter, - of ‘D’ Company; 250 yards (Sergeants)--Sergeant Rathbone - (a dark horse) ‘thrown in’ with 20 yards start; 250 yards - (officers)--Captain and Adjutant F. W. Parish 1st, Captain W. - F. K. Newson 2nd; Second Lieutenant Benké 3rd. Inter-Company - tug-of-war--‘A’ Company beat ‘B’ Company on the third pull. - Officers three-legged race--Second Lieutenants Benké and - Stevens easy winners. Lieutenants Chalmers and Carlisle next. - Inter-Company team race (1 officer, 20 other ranks)--‘B’ - Company 1st, ‘D’ Company 2nd. Inspection of Officers’ chargers - and also of transport horses for best turnout; two races of - 250 yards for ‘visitors’--the small boys of the village who - also participated in scrambles for small change. Obstacle - race, where one obstacle proved too much for all but six - starters--Lance-Corporal Cocky Oliver 1st; Lance-Corporal - H. Battersby 2nd; Lance-Corporal W. J. Irving 3rd. The - Commanding Officer afterwards distributed prizes to the - winners. Much amusement caused by their nature. We had broken - away from the salad bowl, tea spoon and tobacco cabinets, - etc. and substituted packets of chocolate, tinned fruit, tins - of sardines, box of candles (though Cauchy is illuminated - throughout by electricity), and, for officers, tins of dubbin - and bully beef tin openers.“ - -It may, perhaps, be remarked that all the winners at this Sports -Meeting mentioned in the Regimental Diary have survived the war--with -the sad exception of Lieutenant R. Chalmers. - -The only other incident of note during the training at Cauchy was the -visit to the Division of the Bishop of London, who, according to the -Regimental Diary, was touring the back areas. His Lordship preached to -the 140th Brigade on the 29th of March, but the only comment that can -be found is that “We had to wear our heavy packs and were kept waiting -for some time.” - -On the last day at Cauchy, the 6th of April, news was received of the -first death in the Battalion on active service. Private W. E. Little -of “D” Company, who had left the Battalion on the 4th, suffering from -cerebro spinal meningitis, having died in hospital at St. Omer. Thus -the 17th of March men had already lost one man before they reached the -firing line. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -GIVENCHY AND FESTUBERT - - -On the 7th of April the Battalion left for Bethune and the forward -area. The villagers gave the men a very hearty send-off, for the Civil -Service Rifles had thoroughly captured the hearts of all at Cauchy, who -had done their best to fête their heroes overnight. - -After sleepy Cauchy, Bethune was voted top hole. The shops in the -old town were quite Parisian, and every one indulged in dainty but -unsatisfying gateaux and steaming bowls of hot chocolate. For the _bon -viveurs_ there were excellent dinners in the ancient Hotel du Nord; for -the artistic the delicate traceries in the fine old church. - -Bethune already showed some scars of the war, and the building in -which the Battalion was housed, Le College des Jeunes Filles, had -lost most of its windows, but otherwise it made a comfortable billet. -Here Lieutenant A. Roberts arrived with thirty other ranks from the -Base--evidently O.C. Reinforcements thought it was high time the Civil -Service Rifles suffered some casualties. On the following day the Civil -Service Rifles made its first acquaintance with the trenches. “A” and -“B” Companies were detailed for working parties in support trenches, -while to “D” Company fell the honour of being the first Civil Service -Rifle Company to go into the front line. It was the good fortune of the -Battalion to be initiated in the mysteries of trench warfare by the -4th (Guards) Brigade, and the arrangement was that each Company should -go in for twenty-four hours “under instruction” before the battalion -held a section of the line alone. “D” Company accordingly joined the -2nd Coldstream and survived their twenty-four hours without loss, but -the first battle casualties in the Battalion were suffered by “B” -Company, who, with “A” Company, were returning from their working party -at Cuinchy, when Privates W. Bartram and H. H. Russell were wounded -by a rifle bullet, which passed through the thigh of one man and hit -the calf of the other. It is said that the wounded men were deeply -concerned on two accounts--they had seen no Germans either alive or -dead, and it was pay day and they had not drawn their pay! - -There is no doubt that this first visit to the front line was -productive of a sense of disappointment. War had, till then, been -regarded as a glorious thing, a thing of bugles and flashing bayonets, -of courage in hand-to-hand encounters, and above all, of excitement. -But this first experience showed it to be a thing of drab monotony, -of dull routine, of the avoidance of being killed, of an invisible -enemy. And so the letters of these days, which were to have been of -enthralling interest, were, instead, just catalogues of the minor -duties and details of trench life. Among them, however, is one -that cannot but prove of subtle humour to the infantryman of later -years--1916 and onwards. An extract is here reproduced. - - “You should see the R.E. out in front mending the barbed - wire--and when a flare goes up, dropping instantly and - looking like sandbags, to be up and working like mad as soon - as darkness ensues again--cool beggars they are--odd bullets - flying all the time.” - -On the other hand, R. W. Softly’s account of the first journey up to -the line would not make the soldier of 1918 envy the man of 1915:-- - - “‘B’ Company had come provided with all kinds of - supplies--firewood in abundance--and tied on to most of the - packs was a ‘grand pain.’ Though man may live on bread alone I - defy him to live solely on Army biscuit. We certainly thought - we had reached the limit as beasts of burden, but as we waited - at the first communication trench, some Guardsmen passed - by. Instead of our modest bundles of firewood, they carried - enormous tree branches. Half of them possessed frying pans or - braziers, and many of them carried a pair of rubber trench - boots so hung round the neck that it looked as if they were - carrying on their shoulders a limp individual whose head and - trunk were missing. When I add that they also carried picks and - shovels, you will understand if we were inclined to regard them - as a race of supermen as they filed past us in the setting sun.” - -An important event was the taking-over by the whole Battalion, on the -13th of April, of a sector of the line--the real thing at last! Here, -indeed, was an event to set the many scribes of the Battalion busy. Of -all the experiences of the war, probably none made such a vivid and -lasting impression on all ranks in the Regiment, and certainly none was -more fully written up by the members as this first tour in the firing -line of a Battalion of the Civil Service Rifles. In the light of after -events in the war, it was a very quiet and peaceful tour, and probably -much the same as the initial experience of many other Battalions, but -it was none the less the realisation of all that these men had been -training for since the outbreak of war, so it is small wonder that no -detail was omitted, so far as the censorship regulations allowed, from -the hundreds of descriptive letters sent home at this time. Probably -all of them described how the Battalion paraded in Bethune (the names -of places are included here, though they were doubtless suitably -disguised in those letters home) in full marching order, wearing -greatcoats, on the afternoon of April 13th, 1915, and marched via the -village of Beuvry to the La Bassée Canal, the latter part of the march -being by platoons at 100 yards distance. Here was the old familiar -“artillery formation” in real life at last! - -Even the landmarks along the side of the Canal received their share -of attention, and mention is made of the two pontoon bridges, between -which at one point the stiff hind legs of a horse stuck out of the -water, of the broken telegraph wires along the Canal bank, and of the -ruined buildings just short of Windy Corner, where the mile-long, -narrow, winding, brick-paved communication trenches were entered. These -had homely names--“Cheyne Walk,” “Battersea Road,” “City Road,” and -the dug-outs had such names as “St. Albans Villa,” “Le Petit Riche,” -“Funland,” and so on. - -Of the many trying journeys of an infantry battalion, none is worse -than the “hesitation march” along a communication trench. The floor -of the trench is uneven and is full of holes, there are numerous -obstructions across the top, causing the weary soldier to go down -almost on all fours; there are numerous momentary halts for no apparent -reason, and whenever the party does seem to get moving, sure enough the -cry will come along, “lost touch in rear.” A few muttered curses as the -troops sink down on the bottom of the trench to await the word “all up -in rear” when another start is made. It is now found that they have -lost touch in front, and the leading men are going “all out” to catch -up. - -The communication trench leading to the front line at Givenchy was -apparently no exception to the rule, as will be gathered from the -following account: - - “It takes half an hour to trudge up to the firing line, and, - if in rear of the platoon, it is exceedingly difficult to keep - in touch. No matter how desperately you strive to catch up, - the pack of the man in front is always just on the point of - disappearing round the corner. Stray shots whizz past from time - to time....” - -The perspiring troops, having negotiated the communication trench, -arrived at last in the front line at Givenchy, and the Battalion -relieved the 1st Herts Regiment in the sector known officially as B1, -but better known as the Duck’s Bill. - -The frontage held was about 400 yards, and the front line was about -half a mile in front of Battalion Headquarters and the Battalion -Reserve. - -Two Companies, “B” and “D,” occupied the front line, and “A” and “C” -were in reserve in the ruined houses of Givenchy on both sides of the -canal. The village post office was used as Battalion Headquarters with -the Signal Station in the cellar. - -The tour was a distinctly peaceful and uneventful one, which later -on would scarcely have been mentioned in a letter home, but the -regimental diary describes it in detail and tells how, after a quiet -day, things livened up at night and in the reserve billets “a curious -sound is heard every few seconds--smack, smack, as bullets spend -themselves on the walls around. These are probably fired by the Germans -at our fellows in the trenches, and, going high, hit the houses at -a height of perhaps ten feet from the ground. Others, however, are -probably fired from fixed rifles at gaps where we are supposed to -pass frequently--along the bridge and other places, and a lucky shot -might catch one of us. At nine o’clock we are startled by a tremendous -explosion. It is one of our big guns, nicknamed ‘Little Willie,’ on a -railway mounting. It moves along the railway by the canal, and after -firing four or five rounds it wisely goes home.” - -The Companies changed round on the second day, and in the evening of -the third day the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Herts Regiment, -and returned to the college at Bethune. The troops now felt they were -real soldiers, though doubtless some were surprised to find that they -could spend three days in the line without seeing a German. The only -unpleasant feature in an otherwise very satisfactory forty-eight hours -in the line was the casualty just before the relief to Private R. -Pulman, of “D” Company, who was badly wounded in the head by a bullet. -Private Pulman died in hospital in Bethune the following day, and his -platoon attended the funeral. - -The only other casualties were also in “D” Company--Sergeant G. F. -Anderson and Private I. Spielman--both wounded. - -The novelty of front line trenches had not yet worn off, and having -had a not unpleasant taste of trench life, the troops were quite keen -to go in again. So it is recorded that “We had heard a rumour that -after doing our forty-eight hours in the trenches we were to return to -Cauchy, so we are now pleased when we hear that we are to go again to -the trenches to-day (the 19th of April)”. - -The second trip to the line was very much like the first one, but on -the first morning the Battalion lost one who for many years had served -with great distinction. Private A. E. Snellgrove, of “B” Company, who -was killed outright by a bullet through the head, had been a crack shot -in the Regiment as long ago as the Volunteer days. Although he had left -the Regiment some time before the war, he was one of the first men to -rejoin in August, 1914. A quiet, modest and unassuming fellow, Private -Snellgrove had many friends in the Regiment, to whom his death came as -a great shock. He was buried in the Guards’ Cemetery at Givenchy. - -The Battalion was holding a section of the line immediately north of -the previous sector, and the area now held included what was known as -the “Keep” at Givenchy. This was an old farm building with a courtyard -in which the Guards had made a flower bed, which they called St. -James’s Park. Here were regimental badges of various Guards Regiments -worked in box or privet hedging. Not to be outdone, the Civil Service -Rifles planted their crest in privet hedging alongside the others. - -Two days in this sector, one day’s respite in billets at Le Preol, and -then two more days in the former sector B1, brought to a close the -first experience of the 140th Infantry Brigade in holding the front -line, for on the 24th of April the Brigade was relieved and the Civil -Service Rifles marched via Beuvry, Bethune and Chocques to rest billets -at the village of La Beuvrière--a village a little larger than Cauchy -and a little more pleasantly situated. - -The village lay between two well-wooded uplands. Companies were -billeted in small farms by the side of main roads and the men slept -warmly on straw of suspicious character. As often as not there was -a pigsty next door. Battalion Headquarters was in a house in the -square next the grey old monastery--then used as a hospital. The -parade ground was down the hill over the railway, bounded on one side -by a swift-flowing brook good for a dip after a game of football. A -favourite morning’s training was to steer a way by compass through the -thick undergrowth of a wood, six square miles in area, to the east of -the village. - -The troops now felt quite familiar with the trenches, and were glad -to have an opportunity of talking over their experiences in the -comparative comfort of the estaminets. As there had been no further -casualties there was a fairly cheerful atmosphere to greet the -remainder of the first reinforcement--twenty-eight N.C.O.’s and men who -joined from Havre on the 27th of April. The Battalion had, however, -lost a good many men through sickness--an outbreak of measles being the -chief cause. Already two officers, Lieutenants Radice and Benké, had -returned to England through sickness, and, in addition, 2nd Lieutenant -F. J. Smith, “A” Company, was so badly injured in a football match at -La Beuvrière on the 2nd of May against the Post Office Rifles, that he -had to return to England. The loss of Frank Smith was keenly felt in -the Battalion, of which he had been a member since 1906. As a sergeant -in “B” Company he was very popular, both with his brother N.C.O.’s -and with the men. He was a thorough sportsman in every way, and his -appointment to a commission in the Regiment only about a month before -was very popular with all ranks. - -It was while at La Beuvrière that the Battalion received for each -Company a travelling kitchen. Hitherto cooking had been done in the -camp kettle, or “dixie,” and there had been very little variety in -the meals. After a long march, there was always a tedious waiting for -meals, but the “Company Cooker” was to revolutionise that, for dinners -could be cooked on the march--and what is more, they were. So the -infantryman salutes the inventor of the “Company Cooker.” - -After nearly a fortnight’s rest the Division went back to war, and -the Civil Service Rifles, pausing for one night in very dirty reserve -billets at the village of Gorre, found themselves on the 9th of May on -the fringe, as it were, of the battle of Festubert, where they were -holding the intermediate line of breastworks, behind the 6th London -Regiment. - -Although Festubert was not a battle of such magnitude as the operations -of 1916 and later, it was an event of no small importance at the time. -The first attack was delivered on the 9th of May with the object, -ultimately, of gaining the Aubers Ridge--which dominates Lille and La -Bassée. The battle went on intermittently for some days and in the end -was not successful. - -But although the Battalion held a kind of “watching brief” during this -battle, recollections of Festubert are not by any means pleasant. -The ground was so marshy that it was impossible to dig trenches, and -the line hereabouts was held by a series of sandbagged barricades, -approached by two roads (Willow Road and Yellow Road) devoid of any -kind of cover. Having negotiated these roads, the men of the front line -of barricades were little, if any, better off than those in support at -the so-called Welsh Chapel, while the Reserve Company “billets” between -Welsh Chapel and Le Plantin could not be called healthy. - -It was at Festubert that the Battalion first became acquainted with -the realities of war, and although the men were employed practically -throughout in holding the line, burying the dead, and on working and -carrying parties, with a little patrol work thrown in, there were many -gallant deeds done, and at the same time many gallant fellows were lost. - -The most vivid impression of Festubert is associated with the enormous -number of dead, who were not only lying about the ground, but in some -places actually formed the barricades. It was often necessary for the -members of burying parties to wear the primitive gas masks, and it -was here that “Paddy” Brett, the C.S.M. of “D” Company, a man in his -forty-third year, smoked for the first time in his life. - -The actual number of dead buried by the Civil Service Rifles in this -area is not known, but a very reasonable estimate puts it at 350 in -three days. - -The survivors of “B” Company, in particular, have most unpleasant -recollections of the night when they had to crawl over piles of corpses -in order to go forward to occupy an advanced position. - -Among other incidents of Festubert, mention should be made of the -scouting and patrolling done almost nightly by 2nd Lieutenants W. -E. Ind and F. F. Trembath, Sergeant B. K. Ware, Lance-Corporal G. -C. G. Andrews, and Privates R. W. Kelley and T. Taylor. The work of -patrolling No Man’s Land was not at this time so simple and commonplace -as it became later on, and the patrolling done by these men is -mentioned specially, not because it was the first time it had been done -in the Battalion, but because more than at any other time it was done -in earnest, and was productive of really useful information. - -But although the first day of the battle was uneventful so far as the -Civil Service Rifles were concerned, it must not be imagined that no -fighting at all was done at Festubert. For it was here that the first -decorations for gallantry in the field were awarded to men of the -Battalion. On the night of the 25th of May, eight bombers were sent -to the assistance of the Post Office Rifles in an attempt to clear a -trench. After a stubborn fight the position was captured, but of the -eight bombers only four returned alive, and two of these were wounded. -The excellent work of these four was recognised by the award to each of -them of the D.C.M. These were thus the first members of the Regiment to -receive decorations in this war:-- - - Private W. H. Brantom, “B” Co. - Private H. Harris, “A” Co. - Private S. Lawrence, “C” Co. - Private S. W. Mills, “A” Co. - -The four who were killed were Privates W. S. Curtis, “B” Company; A. J. -F. Tracey, “D” Company; P. A. L. Madell, “D” Company; and A. N. Sharp, -“C” Company. - -On the same night Lieutenant R. Chalmers, known affectionately as -“Cissie,” was in charge of a working party of “B” Company digging in No -Man’s Land, when he had occasion to take out a small patrol. He came -across a party of bombers of the Post Office Rifles who were short -of bayonet men. Without a moment’s hesitation, Lieutenant Chalmers -picked up a rifle and bayonet from a man who had become a casualty, and -joining the bombers, rallied them on the parapet to resist an enemy -“rush.” He was soon in the thick of the fight and, while gallantly -leading this party of strangers, he received two bullet wounds which -afterwards proved fatal. Like the unselfish fellow he had always been, -he ordered the stretcher-bearers to attend to the other wounded first. -When he himself was afterwards carried back, he died in hospital at the -village of Chocques. - -It is difficult indeed to do justice to Lieutenant Chalmers. He had -only just joined the Regiment when war broke out, but from the first -he proved himself a real enthusiast, thoroughly unselfish, and ever -ready to volunteer for any work--however unpleasant. He became a -great favourite with the N.C.O.’s and men who served under him, and -his death was keenly felt by his many friends in the Regiment. He had -already been commended by the Commanding Officer for good work in the -front line on three occasions, and his behaviour at the time when he -was mortally wounded was typical of one of the bravest fellows any -Battalion could wish for. - -The 25th of May was indeed a bad day for the Battalion for, in -addition to Lieutenant Chalmers and the bombers before mentioned, many -of the stalwarts were killed or wounded on that day. Captain A. E. -Trembath,[12] O.C. “C” Company, who had served with great distinction -in the South African War, was killed in helping one of his wounded -officers (Lieutenant F. C. Olliff). It was an unfortunate affair for -“C” Company, who also lost old friends in Lance-Sergeant J. Smith -(killed) and Lieutenant A. C. Bull (wounded) at the same time. “C” -Company having already lost more than their share of old stagers in -this area could ill afford to lose any of these, and another who had -had long service in the Company was Lance-Corporal Battersby--well -known for his football and long distance running--who was so severely -wounded on the 17th of May that he lost an eye. - -[12] Captain Allen Edward Trembath, born 22nd October, 1879, joined -12th Middlesex before the Boer War, transferred to Middlesex Yeomanry, -1899. South Africa mentioned in despatches, D.C.M.; later, wounded and -invalided. Granted commission Middlesex Yeomanry; returned to South -Africa till end of war. 1914 rejoined Civil Service Rifles, later -taking a commission. - -The “C” Company losses by no means exhaust the Battalion’s chapter of -accidents, for “B” Company lost one of the finest men in the Battalion -in Lance-Corporal G. S. Scarr, who died on the 26th of May in hospital -at Chocques from wounds received on the previous night. Lance Corporal -Scarr was well known throughout the Battalion for many years for his -pure unselfishness and nobility of character. He was a man who always -played for his side and not for himself. - -It was at Chocques, too, that Lieutenant H. R. E. Clark, the Battalion -Machine Gun Officer, died of wounds received on the 24th of May. He had -joined the Battalion soon after the outbreak of war, and had quickly -won the confidence and respect of the men whom he led so well. The -loss of Lieutenant Clark was a particularly sad blow for his father, -Lieutenant and Quartermaster W. H. D. Clark, who for many years had -been such an enthusiastic worker for the good of the Regiment. The -hearts of all ranks went out to him in sincere sympathy in his very sad -bereavement. - -[Illustration: - - (_Photo by Hennigan, Watford_). - -W. H. BRANTOM, D.C.M. 1st Batt. Afterwards 2nd Lieutenant 2nd Batt. -Killed in Action at Souchez, 3rd July, 1916.] - -[Illustration: (_Photo by Coles, Watford_). - -CAPT. ALLEN EDWARD TREMBATH, D.C.M. D.C.M., South Africa, 1900. -Commission Middlesex Yeomanry. In 1914 rejoined Civil Service Rifles -and later took a Commission. Killed in Action at Festubert, 25th May, -1915.] - -[Illustration: (_Copy by Plâté_). - -LIEUT. ROBERT CHALMERS. Born April 13th, 1894; Died 25th May, 1915, of -wounds received in Action at Festubert.] - - _To face page 66._ - - -Amid so many bitter memories it is good to have one incident of an -amusing nature, and the story of the capture by “B” Company, assisted -by a platoon of “D” Company, of what became known afterwards as “Civil -Service Trench,” affords the one note of comic relief in the dismal -story of Festubert. The gallant charge was led at dead of night by -Major H. V. Warrender (who was then commanding “B” Company), ably -supported by the veteran Robb, who was in charge of the Company -Officer’s Mess. Robb, it is said, was armed with a Primus stove, but -it is not known whether this was meant for a miniature flammenwerfer -attack or whether it was to ensure a hot meal for his Company Commander -on arrival at the objective! Any hopes of V.C.’s in the Company were -doomed to disappointment, for the trench when reached was found to be -deserted, save by the few corpses that had been left behind. So at -last an operation was undertaken without a casualty, and shortly after -this the merry (!) month of May came to an end, and the Battalion said -good-bye to Festubert--the land of mud, blood and stench! - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A “BON WAR” - - -The inhabitants of the little mining village of Les Brebis displayed -little or no surprise when they were called from their beds in the -middle of the night to greet the Civil Service Rifles on their arrival -from Sailly Labourse--another mining village where a peaceful week had -been spent after Festubert. - -The natives of Les Brebis were now quite accustomed to being awakened -at all hours of the night to receive new lodgers, for their houses were -the billets of the Battalion in reserve to the front line at Grenay and -Maroc, near by. - -The heat during the day of the 7th of June had been of the real -midsummer variety, and it was little better at night, when the march -from Sailly Labourse took place. It was not a long march, but the -troops were very thankful when it ended, for they found their equipment -very heavy on that hot June night. - -Les Brebis had had a most extraordinary experience during the war. Here -was a village only about two miles from the front line, practically -untouched, and fully inhabited with civilians who still went about -their daily round as in pre-war times. The mines were still being -worked, and an excellent bathing place was found under the water tower -of the electric light works. - -The men were billeted for the first time in France in close billets, -six men on an average sleeping on the small attic floors of the miners’ -cottages. The miners and their families were very friendly disposed -towards the Civil Service Rifles to judge from the scribe who says: - - “Mesdames were very good to us and cooked the delicacies we - purchased in the town with the utmost care. There was a barrel - of beer in almost every billet, and veal cutlets, cut thin and - ‘done to a turn,’ with pommes de terre frites, egg salad and - stewed fruit made a favourite meal. Indeed, a French housewife, - whose mari was having a hard time in the Vosges on a couple of - sous a day expressed her conviction in a burst of confidence - that ‘English soldat do no work and eat too much.’” - -The early months of the summer of 1915 were passed very pleasantly in -this mining district without any event of importance. - -The front line was well furnished with various home comforts taken -from the almost deserted village of Maroc, the enemy was some distance -away, there was little shelling and there were very few casualties. -Indeed it was, after Festubert, very much in the nature of a picnic. No -Man’s Land was a field of waving corn, with scarlet poppies and blue -cornflowers to complete the rural scene. New potatoes and other fresh -vegetables, red currants and gooseberries could be picked in abundance -from the gardens near the trenches, and there are men who claim to have -slipped away from the line to a neighbouring estaminet “to have a quick -one” between their turns of sentry duty in the line. - -The chief enemy was the ferocious fly, which, according to one victim, -“crawled under our clothes, down our backs, between our eyelids and -into our mouths and ears. Over one dug-out a wit had inscribed Itch Den -(Ich Dien) below the Prince of Wales’s feathers, testifying to the fact -that we were now not only doing our bit but being well bitten in the -process.” - -More than one scribbler relieved the monotony of trench routine by -recording this phase of the Great War in his diary: - - “‘The chief fatigues,’ according to Loxdale, ‘were - sand-bagging, water fetching and dug-out digging, and the - game in connection with them all was to dodge them. This was - generally effected by never being about when fatigues were - going. Other methods which still worked occasionally were - preoccupation with imaginary duties, profound slumber, or - serious indisposition at the psychological moment.’” - -A night fatigue was humorously described by Beatty as follows: - - “To the uninitiated who have only witnessed the carrying of - a plank along the King’s highway, plank-carrying may appear, - at first sight, a very humdrum occupation. But when two men - endeavour to negotiate the twists and turns of a tortuous - trench--some alliteration, what!--bearing on their shoulders a - 12 ft. plank, the possibilities are endless. - - “It was a beautiful summer night: the stars were starring in - the heavens as is their wont: the poppies on the parapet were - gaily popping and Ebo Smith and I were lying in the trench - bottom wrapped in slumber, overcoats and waterproof sheets. - - “Suddenly we were rudely awakened by the raucous voice of an - N.C.O. exclaiming, ‘Five men wanted for fatigue.’ We told him - ‘Yes,’ and went to sleep again. But it was no use. He kept on - chanting in a dismal monotone: - - “‘Five men from No. 2 are wanted for fatigue,’ and we had - perforce to rise and follow him. After wandering for some - distance, we reached a pile of planks which we had to carry, - and this is where the fun started. - - “The diabolical malice of things inanimate is well known. - The propensity for bread-and-butter to fall face downwards - on the best Brussels carpet, and the elusive gambols of the - wily collar stud are everyday occurrences; but for absolutely - fiendish cunning commend me to a 12 ft. plank. - - “We had not gone more than one hundred yards along the trench - before my rifle got between my legs and the piling-swivel - caught in my puttee. I, naturally enough, leant the plank on - the parapet and bent down to unfasten my leg. This was the - opportunity for which the plank, having lulled us into a false - sense of security by its apparent docility, was waiting. With - diabolical malice it leapt from the parapet and smote me on - the back of the head. As there were no stretcher-bearers in - the neighbourhood I quickly recovered, and we proceeded on our - pilgrimage. - - “Ere long we arrived at an exceedingly sharp turn, the - projecting piece being made of sandbags. We were just thinking - of sitting down to discuss the matter when one of the men in - the traverse came to our aid. Poor lad! He didn’t know that - plank. - - “‘We’ll shove it over the top,’” quoth he! and, seizing one - end, leapt lightly to the top of the pile of sandbags ere we - could warn him. - - “His retribution was swift. The pile of sandbags collapsed, - our good Samaritan was hurled through the air, the plank swung - round and hit him on the head, while the avalanche of sandbags - buried Ebo Smith. I dug Ebo out. We thanked our friend, hoped - we hadn’t upset him, and left him seated and thinking deeply - amidst the debris of this ruined traverse. - - “Whether the plank had satiated its lust for blood or whether - it was again a case of the triumph of mind over matter, I know - not, but it gave us no more trouble, and we returned to our - slumber glowing with self-satisfaction at the thought of work - well done.” - -These long spells of trench life gave splendid opportunities for -letter writing, and P. J. Tickle, in one of his letters, tells how the -Battalion thus early had experience of the guide who got lost--a bitter -experience which became all too common later on. - - “After three days at Le Philosophe we wended our weary way to - the beginning of the small French communication trench, where - we picked up a guide from the battalion we were relieving. Did - I say ‘Guide.’ By all the gods man ever swore by, but he was - _no_ guide. Before reaching the support line there is only one - turning--newly cut by the British and perhaps the narrowest - I have ever cursed about. This guide managed to get us a - mile down it before discovering his mistake. We didn’t half - laugh. It’s an hour’s hard pushing to achieve such a distance - through such a trench in full marching order. Not satisfied - with having lost his way, he endeavoured to make up for lost - time, and finished the course an easy first with the rest of us - breathless and knocked, straggling at wide intervals....” - -So the summer wore on, the war being so quiet that it was not uncommon -for the Battalion to remain sixteen days in the front line without -relief. One tour was very much like another, and the following by -Irving is an excellent description of a typical relief and march to -billets. - - “24th July, 1915. - - “Hurrah! Hurrah!! Hurray!!! I’m clean! clean! clean! Also lice - free! Oh, it is simply great! - - “After a second stay of 16 days we left the firing line on the - night of the 22nd in the usual downpour. These affairs are - rather impressive in a way. Let us try to give you an idea. - - “First of all, there’s the packing up and the cleaning of the - trench and dug-out for the new-comers. Then the long wait, each - man in his firing position, for the relief. Then the crushing - past the full laden crowds in the narrow trench. - - “Then the long winding, never ending, communication trench - with its slippery floor, treacherous holes and deep muttered - oaths in the caressing whisper of the drizzle and the soft - darkness. Till you emerge into the quiet deserted streets of - the cemetery-like town, cross the main road, enter the twisted - iron gates and pass up the dark avenue of trees--a long, black - line of dirty, merry warriors. Now you’re within the shadow of - the ruined church, fit place for poets to weep. There it is - outlined against the flying clouds, its jagged grey tower, its - dead clock always pointing at ten to two--and the huge gaping - black wounds in its sides. As you pass, the edifice is lit up - grotesquely and ghostlike by the pale light of a distant trench - flare, and you catch a fleeting glimpse of the ruined interior - where now the rude winds roar over the heaps of debris and - round the tottering pillars and broken altar making sport of - all these sacred things long held dear by so many--the whole an - eloquent and terrifying protest against the God-defying Hun! - - “Then you go out into the wind-swept plain, following the - line of broken telegraph poles, dodging stray wires and shell - holes--the long, dark, single file--trudging, silent and - sodden. Till at last you reach the warm shadows of the village - with its odd lights veiled, and at the far end our farm billet - with its clean straw and a dry and dreamless slumber. - - “That was the night before last. - - “Yesterday was a good day’s work. I cleaned up everything - I had, equipment and kit, and with wild glee flung myself - into washing all my underclothes, socks and handkerchiefs, - and drying them, for it was a washing day to gladden - Mother’s heart. And to crown all, a starko behind the yellow - stack--free, unfettered and with an unlimited supply of water. - One of God’s most wonderful creations. How we worshipped it - body and soul. Oh, the glory of it! To be clean again is great! - Great!!!! We sang and danced and ran and jumped and shouted and - flung our glad laughter to the blue skies, and were thankful - withal. Oh, Earth and Sky, and Wind and Trees, and Green Grass - and Strength of Man, Glory!” - - “W. J. IRVING.” - - * * * * * - -During the whole of this time the French were making a desperate -struggle in the neighbourhood of Souchez and the Lorette Heights--and -occasional glimpses of this area were to be had, though it was mostly -enveloped in a thick cloud of smoke from the bursting shells. The -efforts of the French, however, may have diverted the attention of the -Boche, for he was certainly very kind to the neighbourhood of Grenay -and Maroc during this pleasant summer weather. In fact, he seems to -have been more severe on the villages of Le Philosophe and Mazingarbe -(where the Battalion was sometimes billeted when in reserve) than he -was on the front line. At Le Philosophe on one occasion a shell hit -Battalion Headquarters, wounding a number of Headquarters Company, -including all the regimental police. - -The event of the summer was the granting of leave to England to a small -party of the Battalion. The news was first received on the 4th of July -at Mazingarbe, and the C.O. (Colonel Renny), the R.S.M. (Sergeant-Major -A. Toomey) and Sergeant F. S. Thurston were the first in the Regiment -to enjoy the most coveted privilege of the British soldier in France. -Thereafter the allotment of leave to the Battalion was at the rate of -two officers and four other ranks per week, though this rate was not -kept up for very long. - -Colonel Renny, it should be mentioned, did not return from leave, as he -was detained in hospital in England. As Commanding Officer, he was very -popular with all ranks, and for his age his energy was marvellous. The -Battalion was very sorry to lose its “little Indian Colonel,” as he was -called. The men felt they would miss him most in the front line, where -it was a very familiar sight to see him wandering round, indifferent -to danger or discomfort, but determined to see things for himself. -Colonel Renny was succeeded by Major H. V. Warrender, who had hitherto -commanded “B” Company. Major Warrender was gazetted Lieutenant-Colonel -in August, and remained in command until the end of 1916. He thus holds -the distinction of having commanded the Battalion in war for a longer -period than any other commanding officer. - -Trench life in the Grenay lines got very monotonous by July and the -popular grouse in the Battalion hereabouts referred to the absence of -the much-advertised Kitchener’s Army. A notice chalked on a billet door -in Quality Street read: - - “Lost, stolen or strayed, - Kitchener’s Army. - Last seen in England in early spring.” - -and the ditty often sung about this time which ended - - “If Kitchener’s Army don’t come out very soon - ’Twill be all up with this ’ere blasted platoon.” - -gives evidence of the general feeling of boredom which began to -threaten the Battalion. - -[Illustration: BREVET COL. A. M. RENNY, Ret. Ind. Army. - -Commanded 1st Battalion, November, 1914-July, 1915. - - _To face page 72._] - -However, a portion at least of Kitchener’s Army appeared in due course -in this area, and during the last two days spent in trenches to the -right of the Double Crassier marked on the map as W-2, the Battalion -shepherded a kilted regiment on its trial trip in the trenches. -They were Scotch right enough (15th Division), both in speech and -character, and one of them, after breakfast on the first day, asked -in all seriousness what time the “char-rge” was. He considered there -ought to be at least one every day. Another canny one, suspecting the -“bona-fides” of his tutor, when asked what port he had embarked from, -replied “Ah’ll no tell ’e.” Yet another youthful Jock when told to go -on sentry immediately climbed out in front and began to march up and -down at the slope. - -Their commissariat went wrong and they got no food for twenty-four -hours. Their hosts saw to it that they had enough to eat, and before -dawn had picked sufficient mushrooms for the combined messes, and -by dinner enough young new potatoes, carrots, red currants and -gooseberries for a good meal. - -After a few days in trenches at Le Philosophe, the 47th Division moved -into Corps Reserve, the Civil Service Rifles occupying their old -billets at La Beuvrière early in August. - -The Battalion now lost a very old friend in Lieutenant and -Quartermaster W. H. D. Clark, who was ordered to England to take up -an appointment in the Ministry of Munitions. Lieutenant Clark had -joined the Civil Service Rifles as a private in 1888, and had served -continuously since that time, rising through the various ranks of -N.C.O. to R.Q.M.S. until he was appointed Quartermaster in 1910. -Mr. Clark had been at all times a most enthusiastic worker for the -Regiment, and his energy knew no bounds. He took away with him the -most cordial good wishes of all ranks. Another old friend in R.S.M. A. -Toomey, a Scots Guardsman who for many years had been on the permanent -staff of the Battalion, succeeded to the appointment of Quartermaster, -and C.S.M. Jolliffe of “C” Company acted as R.S.M. Bernard Jolliffe was -undoubtedly one of the most popular members of the Regiment, and it -was distinctly unfortunate that ill-health compelled him to return to -England a few months after taking up his new duties. - -The time at La Beuvrière was spent in Sports (Brigade and Divisional), -Football and Cricket, Inspections and Training. - -The Battalion distinguished itself by easily defeating both the 6th -London Field Ambulance and the Post Office Rifles at cricket and the -4th London Field Ambulance at football. As these teams had previously -done well, it was considered a fine performance on the part of the -Civil Service Rifles to beat them all. G. Wright, H. E. R. Warton -and J. H. Hunt of “D” Company shone as batsmen, and Wright and Second -Lieutenant Stevens were the most successful bowlers. Lance-Corporal C. -Palser of “C” Company won the quarter mile at the Brigade Sports, and -Corporal Williams of the Transport Section was second in the High Jump -at the Divisional Sports, where Private W. H. Domoney, an “A” Company -bomber, won the open competition for bomb throwing. - -It was not all Sports and Pastimes at La Beuvrière, however, and soon -the numerous parades and inspections began to pall even as trench life -had done. The now historic Brigade Order ordaining that in future the -brass tabs on the equipment and the metal parts of entrenching tool -handles were to be polished caused one of the Regimental scribes to -break into verse, and his effort was a popular item at Company and -Regimental Concerts. It was described as the turn of the evening at -a Regimental Concert held some months later, and attended by the -offending Brigadier himself and the Commanding Officer. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -LOOS AND THE SPINNEY - - -A return was made to the trenches at Maroc on the 1st September, when -it was found that the war had livened up considerably during the three -weeks’ absence at La Beuvrière. The aerial torpedo made its first -appearance to the Battalion, and to judge from the following letter -home from a member of “B” Company, caused some consternation:-- - - “When we first took these trenches over from the French there - was hardly a shell or a bullet all day. Now Hell is let loose. - The very first morning we were introduced to a novelty in the - shape of a gigantic bomb. The trench trembled and the air - rushing into our dug-outs almost blew us off our seats. We - rushed out to see what damage had been done, and could hardly - believe our eyes when we found that the bomb had exploded about - 300 yards in front of the trench. The next one burst not 40 - yards away, and after the blinding flash and the crash of the - explosion I felt nothing. The explosion is apparently upward - rather than outward. It is thought that the offending mortar - works on a pair of rails and is whisked back by the force of - the recoil into the side of the slag heap. Smoke rises when - the bomb is fired, but a heavy shelling at this spot failed to - silence it. Now an Artillery Observation Officer watches the - spot all day, and immediately the smoke is observed his battery - fires and tries to catch the mortar before it gets back under - cover.” - - * * * * * - -Preparations for the big attack at Loos now overshadowed everything -else, and the Battalion was out every night on working or carrying -parties--such light jobs as carrying gas cylinders, digging assembly -trenches and bridging trenches. All who took part in them are agreed -that these gas cylinder fatigues were the most strenuous they ever -had to do. On the first night there were two men to each cylinder. -The cylinder weighed 180 lbs., and the men in addition carried their -rifles and 100 rounds of ammunition in bandoliers. The numerous turns -in the trenches were almost impassable obstacles, and to realise the -difficulty of lifting the cylinders round the corners one must have -done the deed. Arrived at last at the front line, the cylinder had to -be lifted up high and a sort of juggling feat indulged in to get it -into the correct position desired by the critical Royal Engineer. - -Fatigues generally in these days were much more difficult than at any -other time of the war. Light railways had not yet been developed, and -it was not realised at this time how great a handicap it was for a man -to have two bandoliers of ammunition swinging round his neck while he -worked. - -Apart from the working parties, a happy time was spent at the little -village of Houchin, where there was much cricket and feasting and very -little drill, and it was here that the Battalion first had the use of -motor buses in France. - -When the battle eventually took place on the 25th September, the Civil -Service Rifles, as at Festubert, held a watching brief, being in -Brigade Reserve to the 6th and 7th Battalions, and it was thought that -this was the origin of the title of “God’s Own.” - -To the Civil Service Rifles the battle of Loos was chiefly a spectacle, -since, with the exception of two platoons of “B” Company, the whole -Battalion looked on from the reserve trenches. The fate of those two -platoons, however, brought home to their friends the realities of -battle. - -Soon after the attack started, No. 6 Platoon went forward over the top -as a bomb-carrying party. Starting out twenty-five strong the party -soon suffered heavy losses, and only three men of the party survived -unhurt. No. 8 Platoon went to the rescue, and although their fate was -much better, they, too, had their losses. - -The killed included the ever-popular Lance-Corporal Tommy Dodge, a -great personality both in the Civil Service Rifles and in the Civil -Service Rugby Football Club. - -Of the survivors, mention must be made of Corporal F. H. Chinn, who had -been sent with five men to establish a bomb store in the second German -trench. As the five became casualties, he made three journeys up the -side of the Double Crassier alone, carrying each time as many bombs as -he could collect. - - * * * * * - -After Loos there was a short rest at Verquin and Nœux-les-Mines, where, -on the 8th October, the Battalion lost the valuable services of Captain -H. H. Kemble, who became second in command of the 23rd Battalion. -As officer in command of “D” Company, Captain Kemble had won the -admiration and respect of all ranks who served with him, and who were -genuinely sorry to lose him. - -The winter campaign of 1915-1916 now set in in earnest, and from this -time onwards there was a long struggle against the rain, mud, and -trenches that were continually falling in. - -A fleeting visit was paid to the neighbourhood of Hulluch, where the -Battalion was in reserve during the struggle on the 13th October, and -narrowly escaped the fate which befel a Battalion of the Black Watch -who went down in attempting the impossible feat of cutting their way, -under very heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, through enemy wire of -incredible thickness. - -On the 28th October, “A” and “C” Companies had the honour of -representing the Battalion at an inspection by His Majesty the King in -a field near the village of Haillicourt. - -Soon after their return the weather went from bad to worse. Everywhere -men were huddled on the firestep with just a ground-sheet rigged over -a couple of rifles placed across the trench--the “shelter” thus formed -carefully collecting and depositing the rain-water down the neck of the -passer by! On every ration fatigue to the “lone tree” you floundered up -to the knees in mud and water. Private Beatty, of “A” Company, soothed -his feelings one night on slipping head first into a slimy shell-hole -with the following impromptu:-- - - “Mis-ry unspeakable, - Horrible, shriekable, - Groundsheets unleakable, - I don’t think. - Rain never ending, - On us descending, - Simply heartrending. - Gawd----!” - -when he fell backwards into another shell-hole, and the rest is -unprintable. - -The effect of the incessant rain and water-logged trenches began to -tell on the spirits of all ranks. The days of hot meals in trenches had -not then arrived. Sheepskin coats, leather jerkins and woollen gloves -had not, at any rate, been issued to the Civil Service Rifles, while -gum boots, though sometimes heard of, were seldom, if ever, seen. On -many occasions, too, the only implements available for the work of -baling out the water and thin mud from the trench bottom were picks and -shovels! - -It is characteristic of the spirit of the troops that there are so many -good stories told of this period of discomfort. Although it was found -that the working parties increased as the strength of the Battalion -decreased, it was also found that the rum ration increased, and one man -of “A” Company benefited so much by the extra ration that when his next -turn for sentry duty came, he faced the wrong way on the fire step and -called the attention of his platoon sergeant to a wood, which he said -he could swear was not in front of him during his previous turn of -sentry duty! - -Another story is told of the same man, who was a Scotsman, during -another of his turns of sentry duty. His platoon commander suspected -him of being asleep, and brought his sergeant along to confirm or -allay his suspicions. The man was resting his head on the parapet and -apparently gazing straight to his front. The platoon sergeant said he -felt sure the man was awake, but suggested to his officer that he might -test him with a franc. The officer thereupon slipped a franc note on to -the parapet in front of the sentry’s face. Without taking his eyes off -his “front,” the sentry promptly opened his mouth and took the bait. -“The franc is yours,” said Lieutenant Bates, whose doubts as to the -alertness of his sentry were now dispersed. - -By way of a diversion, the Battalion was inspected during one of the -short rests in support trenches, by a civic dignitary from London, -accompanied by his Press photographer. Of all the discomforts of life -in France few, if any, were more irksome to the British soldier than -being visited by a civilian, looking clean, and fat, and comfortable, -who would return home and have it duly advertised in the Press that he -had just been to the front to see things for himself. - -It will always be a mystery to the troops why so many civilians were -allowed to come on these “Cook’s tours” to France at the nation’s -expense, and if the visitors had only thought for a moment what effect -their “patronage” had on the weary soldier, who generally had to give -up a few hours of his well earned rest for an extra parade, there -would not perhaps have been so many photographs in the Press of “Mr. ----- wearing his steel helmet and box respirator while visiting the -troops in France.” The troops would not have minded so much if only the -distinguished civilian had included a visit to the front line in his -“tour of the trenches”! - -In addition to the physical strain due to the continuous exposure to -atrocious weather, Companies in turn occupying the “Spinney” trenches -towards the end of the period had their nerves sorely tried by the -eccentricities of enfilade fire. Shells burst against the inside of -the parapet, and there were some parts of the line in this very narrow -salient which appeared to be exposed to fire from the rear as well as -other directions! - -There were as many as thirty casualties a day--a high average for a -trench tour. At one place in front of a steep quarry--subsequently -evacuated during bombardments--men were constantly employed in filling -and placing sandbags on the parapet as fast as they were knocked down. - -The communication trenches were impassable and consequently the wounded -could not be taken down until night, when a perilous journey had to be -made over the open country, the stretcher bearers picking their way -between shell holes filled with water. There were no roads leading up -to the line, the district seemed to be unusually difficult to explore, -and parties of men were continually going astray. - -The wastage in personnel due to the appalling weather and shelling had -so mounted up, that when eventually relief came, the Battalion marched, -or rather dragged itself out only about 300 strong. - -The following extract from the diary of a bomber gives a characteristic -description of the close of this extraordinarily uncomfortable period -of the winter campaign of 1915-16. - - “We were thankful, I can tell you, to make tracks at last for - the reserve line, but it was raining hard and it damped our - spirits to find our new trench waterlogged. We bombers had not - been in our dug-out an hour before one earth wall collapsed - and buried our equipment and belongings. We were too tired - to grumble, but propping up the fallen corrugated iron roof - to form a side, we slept soundly beneath the ruins. In the - morning, in spite of the rain and liquid mud, we set to and - made a dug-out with groundsheets and one or two pieces of - corrugated. Our new abode was the envy of our comrades. It had - even a covered in hall where we cleaned our boots before being - permitted to enter. Then we won a brazier, collared some wet - coke, charcoal and wood logs and kept up a good fire. I took - off my boots every time I came in from a fatigue and dried my - socks and puttees. We sat round the brazier at night, and by - the light of the glowing and smoking logs--for candles we had - none--told stories and sang songs and were some company. But - our nerves were still strung, and when whizbangs came over - our way we fell down on the floor in strategic positions. The - mud was still awful, and everywhere the trench and ramshackle - shanties were falling in. - - “It happened, however, a fine frosty night on that 13th - November, when we were relieved by the 1st Cameron - Highlanders--as fine a regiment of Scotch troops as you could - wish to see. The Highland accent was particularly soothing. We - marched as far as Mazingarbe that night. - - “Next morning was the day for Divisional Relief, and as - the Battalion marched out of the village, other troops - were marching in. It was a fine, dry, frosty morning, and - official War Office cinema operators took pictures all along - the route--we with our trench mud still on us, some wearing - sleeping helmets in lieu of caps buried in fallen trenches, a - be-draggled and motley band, hardly able to put one foot before - another--and the incoming troops marching on the other side of - the road spotlessly clean and fit. - - “As we neared the railhead at Noeux les Mines the Battalion - found its old self and tried to sing with as much vigour as - trench throats would allow: - - ‘As we’re marching down the Broadway side, - Doors and windows open wi--de: - We know our manners, - We spend our tanners, - We are respected wherever we may go, - We are the London Bhoys!’” - - “It was fine to be in the train again, and to see cows once - more browsing at peace in the fields. We all fell in love with - Lillers and soon forgot our troubles.” - - * * * * * - -Memories of what was afterwards known as “the 1st Lillers” (for the -Battalion visited Lillers again at the next Corps Reserve) are of -the pleasantest. The billets were good, there were plenty of sports -and amusements, and there was an appreciable increase in the leave -allotment to the Battalion. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -WINTER IN THE LOOS SALIENT. - - -The last month of 1915 found the Civil Service Rifles in trenches -in what was justifiably called a “hot corner.” After the holiday at -Lillers, the Battalion went to occupy the well-known Hairpin trench, -near Loos. - -Some months previously the general run of the German front trench -had been along the crest of a ridge, the English line being parallel -and about 100 yards below. An attempt to capture the crest had only -partially succeeded, and about fifty yards of the German trench was -occupied by English troops. A trench was dug from each end of this -strip to the English front line, thus forming the Hairpin. On each side -of the captured piece of trench a stretch of about 50 yards was left -unoccupied by either side, but obstructed by the usual block guarded by -bombers. - -To connect up their front line again the Germans dug a trench in front -of the captured piece. - -It will readily be understood that this was not a healthy spot, and the -advantage of holding the captured 50 yards of German trench was a very -doubtful one, as the occupants came in for a very liberal bombardment. - -But _the_ tragedy of the Hairpin came on the night of the 20th -December, when the Battalion was ordered to send all its bombers, -together with some bayonet men from “B” Company, over the top on the -right of the Hairpin to jump into the German trench and bomb along -it, while a party from the 7th Battalion restored a barricade (in the -German front line adjoining the afore-mentioned captured strip of 50 -yards) which the Germans had rushed early that morning. - -The attack was most gallantly led by the Battalion Bombing Officer, -2nd Lieutenant A. M. Thompson, an officer of the 14th Royal Fusiliers, -attached to Civil Service Rifles, but from the outset there was not the -slightest chance of success. However, 2nd Lieutenant Thompson and the -N.C.O.’s and men with him went to their end unflinchingly, and though -the enemy put down an impenetrable barrier of bombs, rifle grenades and -machine-gun bullets, the tragic scheme went on until all officers and -N.C.O.’s taking part had been put out of action. - -There were many most valuable lives lost on that night unfortunately, -as it turned out, to no purpose, for the Germans a few days later blew -up the whole trench and a number of the 23rd London Regiment, who were -holding it, went with it. - -Although Second Lieutenant Thompson had only been with the Battalion -a few months, he had speedily won the confidence and respect of all -ranks, for at all times he set a fine example of courage and devotion -to duty. He was buried the next evening in the right leg of the Hairpin. - -Of Lance-Corporal L. H. Druett, who died a true hero’s death in that -disastrous enterprise, it is difficult indeed to speak sufficiently -highly. His sterling qualities as a soldier, a companion, and a real -white man, won for him the respect and admiration of the most careless. - -Associated for a long time with Lance-Corporal Druett was Private A. -B. Evans, otherwise “Taff” Evans, known to the bombers as “The Bird” -(having a trick of putting his head to one side like a magpie), another -of the stalwarts who lost his life in the struggle at the Hairpin while -going to the assistance of another bomber; and, among others, mention -must be made of Lance-Corporal M. Roach, who was in charge of a large -party of “B” Company bombers and bayonet men, and who was fatally -wounded whilst working on one of the barricades, after doing splendid -work that night, and of Private E. G. Crockett, who, although severely -wounded in the stomach, walked unaided to the Dressing Station over -100 yards away, but it was impossible to save his life, and he died in -hospital nearly a fortnight later. Both were great favourites in “B” -Company, where they had been well known for their good sportsmanship -and cheerfulness. - -The bombers were naturally hit harder than other sections in this sad -business, and another who could ill be spared was Private H. M. Nash, a -modest and unassuming fellow, who had only recently become a bomber. It -is said that he threw his bombs like a cricket ball some 45 yards, and, -after his officers and N.C.O.’s had been hit, he performed many deeds -of gallantry before he met his death. - -Enough has been written to give an idea of the losses at the Hairpin. -They were all men whose places it was felt could never be adequately -filled, and consequently the Battalion was not in a particularly joyous -mood for Christmas, which was spent in trenches and cellars near the -Water Tower at Vermelles. The conditions did not lend themselves to -a merry Christmas, for there was no chance at all of celebrating -Christmas Day, and it was not until Boxing Day that the Christmas -letters and parcels were received. - -In consequence of an alarm, a sudden move had to be made on -Christmas Eve to support positions at Vermelles, and the whole of that -day and Christmas Day were spent in “standing to,” so there was little -opportunity for merry-making. But on Christmas night the alarm died -down and a move was made to huts at Noyelles, where some succeeded in -dining not wisely but too well on parcels from home, puddings from the -_Daily News_, and Army rum. The Battalion canteen managed at this time -by Ibbett, had now got into its stride, and its stock included welcome -barrels of stout, in addition to champagne, port, sherry, whisky and a -few other “dainties.” - -[Illustration: BETHUNE SQUARE.] - -[Illustration: DOUBLE CRASSIER, LOOS, 1915. - - _To face page 82._] - -New Year’s Eve was not even as cheerful as Christmas Eve, for the -Battalion was now in the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and -the artillery on both sides were busy playing the old year out--the -infantry in the front line getting the full benefit of it. - -But before the New Year was many hours old, the Battalion had a real -stroke of good luck--a German mine blew up prematurely in front -of them, thus saving them from what was easily the most unpopular -frightfulness of the war! - -The New Year was also marked by an act of gallantry which was -afterwards recognised by the award of the Military Medal to the two men -concerned--Corporal P. J. Tickle and Drummer H. Hogwood. - -The Hohenzollern Redoubt was not a pleasant spot. There had been a good -deal of fighting in the neighbourhood during the past three months, and -khaki figures still lay stiff and grim in No Man’s Land where they had -fallen. There were therefore no regrets when the Division was relieved -by a Cavalry Division about the middle of January, 1916, and the 47th -Division relieved the 18th French Division in the Loos sector. - -The Civil Service Rifles brought to a close its long association with -this neighbourhood by a short spell of trench warfare in the trenches -on the eastern fringe of the village of Loos, and on the famous Double -Crassier. The situation on the Double Crassier was unique in a way, for -both English and German trenches ran across these two big slag heaps. -The troops invariably returned from these trenches looking like so many -coal miners, for there was coal dust floating about everywhere. - -The district lived up to its peace-time reputation as a centre of -mining activity, for the hated mine warfare was pursued freely about -this time with the usual accompaniment of minenwerfers. Otherwise -life hereabouts was more or less uneventful, except for a big display -of war-time fireworks on the Kaiser’s birthday, January 27th. It was -thought the great War Lord would celebrate his birthday by making a -big attack, but on the front occupied by the 47th Division he was -apparently satisfied with a heavy bombardment. - -There have been numerous poets in the ranks of the Civil Service -Rifles, and there are many creditable effusions which, perhaps through -the modesty of the poet, will never see the light of print. Some, -however, have been saved, including some verses on the exploits of -Private Beatty, a bomber of “A” Company, an odd, scraggy little man, -with a husky voice, known to his intimates as Potgut Woodbine. He is -immortalised by Hanna in his - -NEW SONG OF HIAWATHA. - - “Came my youngling--Pip. Q. Emma, - She the youngest of my offspring, - She the peardrop of my eyelid-- - Grinning, dribbling, gurgling came she. - - Thus the buxom Pip. Q. Emma-- - ‘Say, oh, Father Potgut Woodbine, - Thou who could’st outrun the lithe louse; - Thou who never more wilt form fours, - What did’st thou when on the warpath - Strode the Hare-Hun-Scare-Hun-Willies?’ - Breathless paused she for an answer. - - Childling, daughter of the prairies, - Born where rushing waters thunder - (Near the Elephant and Castle - Hard against the Old Kent Gas Works)-- - Listen how my kinsman Potgut - Put to flight the wily Hun-bird; - Popped it right up Hiawatha, - Fritz von Rudolph Hiawatha - And his spouse, Frau Minen Werfer. - - Know you first how Hiawatha - Wooed his buxom Minen Werfer-- - Learned the names of all her spare parts, - Learned her--barrel, charge and striker, - Strength of charge and detonator-- - Took to parts her complex innards, - At her home, the Trench Mawt Ah Skool. - Skool am Trenchgranatenkruppe - Bureau Bomski vor Vlamingen - Mawt Ah Markwun Star How Itza - Teufel Bligh Mee Mawt Ah Oh Mi. - - Took he Minnie to his bosom, - On his deer-skin wore her totem, - Wore he swankily Kross Mawt Ahs, - Token of his life’s gymkhana. - Not that Fritz’s life was one huge joke! - Or as ripe as Methu-Selah’s-- - Trained he three moons with his Minnie, - Three moons--no leave--hell’s sweat--oh, hell! - Three months with the Umpteenth Na Poos. - - Up the line went Hiawatha - In a truck designed for cattle - Labelled ‘London via Calais,’ - By a poor misguided Fun-Man, - Poor, deluded fool Hun-Fun-Man, - Reveller in Herr Wolffe’s Folk-lore-- - Grimm, Hans Andersen and Æsop - (Mighty joss-men in invention, - Fertile in imagination). - Westward on his way to Calais - Blithely journeys Hiawatha, - Counts the hours till on the Boulevard - He shall dance with Minen Werfer; - Counts the hours--and in the meantime - Bully beef imbibes--and curses. - - To a full stop came the puff-puff, - Is this Calais, guard, or Paris? - Houndsditch, Croydon, Piccadilly? - New Cross Empire or the Abbey? - Tersely came the answer--‘_Hulluch_.’ - - Up the trench went Hiawatha, - With his jolly old Trench Mawt Ah, - Grunting, sweating, cursing, went he, - Vanished all his former blitheness. - - On his side the British Tumai, - Mustered in his front-line trenches, - Mustered. Picked men of the Lun-duns. - From the Base Camps, o’er the Prairies, - Came the Warriors from The Village, - Little Village by The River, - Lun-Dun, homestead of the Cocquenays. - Came the Blackfoot Cee Essah Hipes, - Came the jolly old Westminsters. - Came Loo Eeza’s own Shoshonies, - Came the Choctan Stepney Long-Bows. - Came the Amazon-like Scott Ish, - Sinkers of the raiding ‘Emden,’ - Maid-like clad, yet Mighty Warriors. - - Never could one say of ‘Minnie’ - As of Darling Clementine-- - ‘Light she was and like a fairy’-- - For her Bore was 4·9, - Treble ply in all her braces - (Which were not the same as Fritz’s) - Manners none had Minen Werfer, - Minen Werfer, Strafe-ing Mawt Ah. - Spat she openly with gusto, - Vomited great land-torpedoes-- - Spat she rations of contumely - At the grim-faced, grimy Tumai. - - In the trench among the Tumais, - Sore-strafed, half-drowned, tortured Tumais, - Was thy kinsman Pot-Gut Woodbine, - Bomber Pot-Gut Bee Tee Woodbine, - Crouching red-faced o’er his brazier, - Puffing, blowing at the embers, - Heeding not the rage of Minnie. - Reckless he of flying fragments - Till a piece dropped in his dixie, - Flopping, dropped right home to Dixie. - Up rose Pot-Gut in his anger, - In his hand he seized a Mills Bomb, - In a loud voice bellowed ‘Pin Out’ - (War-cry of the Cee Ess Bombers). - - Strong of arm was Pot-Gut Woodbine, - He could throw ten Mills Bombs upward, - Throw them with such strength and swiftness, - That the tenth had left his fingers - Ere the first to earth had fallen. - - In the neck, poor Minen Werfer - Got she six of Pot-Gut’s Mills Bombs; - In the neck, or rather barrel, - Other four got Hiawatha, - Got, nor thanked the Lord for sending. - Woke he in the med’cine wig-wam, - Life had ceased to be one Huge Joke, - ‘Where is now my Minen Werfer,’ - Cried he, and from out the darkness, - Through the noise of many waters - Came the answer, ‘Minnie? Fini! - Fini! Na poo! Compris. Got me?’ - Loud his voice raised Hiawatha - In a howling lamentation-- - ‘Farewell,’ said he, ‘Minen Werfer’ - ‘Farewell, O my Strafeing Mawt Ah,’ - Both my ears are buried with you, - All my hair you’ve taken with you! - Come not back again to labour, - Come not back again to swelter - Up the line with post and rations. - Soon your footsteps I shall follow - To the regions of the cursed. - To the Hell reserved for Hun-men.’ - - This did I, O Pip. Q. Emma, - In the Great War with the Hun-man, - Thus fought I, your mighty kinsman, - Bomber Bee Tee Pot-Gut Woodbine. - - From my knee slid Pip. Q. Emma, - What a liar! Pot-Gut Woodbine!” - -It was agreed by all that this gem should not be lost to the world, -and it was reproduced some months afterwards in the _Hazeley Wail_, a -magazine published by the 1st Battalion wounded who had returned to the -Reserve Battalion. - - * * * * * - -Hopes were now raised by rumours of another period in Corps Reserve and -a return to Lillers, but the Division was not destined to leave without -a little excitement, for in the early hours of the 15th of February, -the last day at Loos was heralded by the blowing of a big mine by -the Germans under the front line held by the 7th London Regiment on -the immediate right of the Civil Service Rifles. A diary of a bomber -describes it thus:-- - - “This morning I had just fallen asleep, after an arduous night - fatigue, followed by a cold stand-to, when the earth walls of - the dug-out shook with so violent a tremor that I thought we - should have been buried alive. I rushed outside to find the - enemy firing like mad! Rifle grenades, trench mortars, aerial - torpedoes, and death-dealing whiz bangs were falling in all - directions. Some 50 yards to our right a new volcano now reared - its ugly sides to Heaven. The Teutons had got their own back. - The mine was theirs. But before the earth had finished falling, - our Private Sugars (attached 140th Brigade Machine Gun Company) - from the front line trench, about 50 yards from the mine had - turned his machine gun on to the position, and his continuous - stream of lead stopped the German attempts to rush the crater. - Indeed, a heap of slain told the losses of their bold but - fruitless attacks. Alas! a party of the Seventh had met the - fate we so dreaded ourselves! They had gone up with the mine! - Truly our luck was in. - - “In half an hour all firing ceased as if by consent, and - we settled down to prepare breakfast. Bulldog Harris, the - C.S.M. of ‘C’ Company, had been issuing rum at the time of - the explosion. With great presence of mind he had saved the - precious liquid from the falling debris with his cap. So we got - our ration. Many of the new draft needed such a pick-me-up, for - we quite thought the strafe was a prelude to a German attack. - The enemy was said to have massed his reserves on this front in - readiness for an offensive. - - “Thank God we are to be relieved to-night! To-morrow we should - be on terra firma again, far away from the terrors of mines and - counter-mines. There will be no need to watch the sky for those - fatal rockets or to fall flat on the trench path to escape the - full fury of the nasty tearing Minnie. - - “To good old Lillers with its ancient market place and quaint - mediæval images of the saints carved in niches over the - principal shops--a town now flowing with Bass, Worthington and - cheap champagne--snug Auberges, too, where you can dine in - luxury for 1 franc, 75 cents. To Lillers!” - - * * * * * - -The troops were naturally in the best of spirits on the morning of the -departure for Lillers. The transport had to go the whole way by road, -and started in a perfect blizzard at about 5.0 a.m. - -The rest of the Battalion went by rail as usual from Nœux-les-Mines, -and, soon after arriving at Lillers, the welcome news arrived that the -Division had said good-bye to the Loos sector, and on its return to the -front line would try conclusions with the Boche in a new area. - -There were many informal “celebrations” of the completion of the first -year in France during a very pleasant fortnight spent in Lillers, -where, in spite of intense cold and much snow, all ranks contrived to -be merry and to forget the war, except for the various alarms, notably -the two days’ stand-to in billets for Verdun. - -A typical Company “celebration” held at the Restaurant Picot on the -27th of February has been recorded:-- - - “Covers were laid for 40. Our spirits were high and our - appetites huge as we tucked into two helpings each of soup, - sardines, tongue, chicken and peas, fruit, blanc mange and - dessert. At 6.0 p.m. we could toast each other in French beer, - cheap champagne and port. - - “During some of the courses, Cooper, Lawman and others warbled - sweetly at the piano, and by the time the dessert course - was reached, the fun had become fast and furious. Old Picot - himself, a fat and jovial Frenchman of 50, danced and frolicked - with the youngest. - - “There were no speeches made or toasts drunk to those whose - faces we so sadly missed at the festive board, but was it - altogether fancy that made us feel their presence?” - - * * * * * - -The occasions on which an infantry soldier in France was able to have -a bath were so few and far between in these early days, that the event -was usually recorded in the official Regimental War Diary. In the -mining districts advantage was generally taken of the civilian baths -at the mine heads, but sometimes the Divisional baths were installed -in breweries, electric light works, or, in fact, anywhere near a water -main. The baths naturally could not be near the billets of all units in -the Division, so that a bath was often preceded and succeeded by a long -march in full marching order at a most inconvenient time of day. - -These objections were ultimately overcome in the Civil Service Rifles -by Lieutenant-Colonel Segrave, who brought canvas baths -from London, won a Soyer stove or two from Ordnance, and instituted -the Civil Service Rifles baths, which were open daily whenever the -Battalion was out of the line. - -[Illustration: MACHINE-GUN POSITION, - -GIVENCHY, - -April, 1915.] - -[Illustration: FESTUBERT CHURCH, - -May, 1915.] - -[Illustration: FRONT TRENCH, OPPOSITE HULLUCH, - -Held and consolidated by Civil Service Rifles after unsuccessful attack -by 1st Division on 13th October, 1915. A Machine-Gun Officer and a Gun -Team in “Cubby Holes” cut in sides of trench.] - -[Illustration: LEWIS GUNNERS OF CIVIL SERVICE RIFLES, - -Vermelles, Christmas Day, 1915.] - -[Illustration: “THE TOWER BRIDGE,” LOOS, - -View from Firing Line on Hill 70, February, 1916.] - -[Illustration: GARE ALLEY, LOOS, - -November, 1915.] - -The ceremonies at the Divisional baths generally took place during a -Battalion’s rest in Divisional or Corps Reserve, and a scribe of “B” -Company was so impressed with the baths at Lillers as to write the -following account in a letter home:-- - - “Platoons went in turns to the brewery for a bath. Imagine, - if it is not too shocking, twelve of us at a time bathing in - a mash-tub, and the unusual spectacle of 24 feet and I don’t - know how many toes meeting in the middle. No wonder somebody - described the atmosphere as ‘foetid.’ You kept on losing the - soap and diving for it under other fellows’ legs.” - -At Poperinghe, later on, the baths were run by a hustler who could -now get a lucrative appointment on the District Railway. After three -weeks of trench life, a man was allowed exactly thirty seconds under -the hot spray and was then allowed to dry himself in a strong breeze -while the minions of the Divisional Laundry Officer disinfected his -clothing, which in some baths had to be strung up in a bundle on a hook -to protect him from pickpockets. - - * * * * * - -The first year in France was rapidly drawing to a close, and though -many gaps had been caused in the ranks by casualties and many by -members of the Regiment being appointed to commissions in other -Regiments, the Battalion as a whole had undergone little change. The -work of the first year could be looked upon with satisfaction, and -although “God’s Own” Civil Service Rifles had not taken part in any big -assault, there had been many little items of “dirty work” done. - -The short stay at Lillers passed all too quickly and soon the Battalion -trekked out in the snow, the remainder of the time in Corps Reserve -being spent in training at the villages en route to the new area. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -NOTRE DAME DE LORETTE - - -The new area proved to be the northern end of the famous Vimy Ridge, -which the Battalion approached by easy stages, for although the -Division took over the “Carency Sector” of the line on the 13th of -March, it was not until the 10th of April that the Civil Service Rifles -went into the front line. The interval had been spent in reserve -billets in the French huts in Bouvigny Woods, in the partially deserted -village of Villers au Bois, the wholly deserted village of Carency, -the fully inhabited and rather pretty (for the Pas de Calais) village -of Fresnicourt, and in the support trenches on the hill known as Notre -Dame de Lorette (or Lorette Spur). These trenches had looked down on -the long struggle by the French in 1915 for Souchez, the famous Zouave -Valley, and for a footing on Vimy Ridge. - -Lorette Spur was the most popular of all trench areas with the men, -for by day there was no movement allowed and they were thus left -undisturbed. It was here that the first anniversary of landing in -France was spent. What little shelling there was went to Battalion -Headquarters in the ruined village of Ablain St. Nazaire, and by night -the working parties were all in the neighbourhood of the trenches -occupied by the men themselves. - -The Lewis Gunners were particularly happy on Lorette Spur, for they had -good dug-outs and little or no work to do. It was in these trenches -where Private Roessli (a Lewis Gunner) distinguished himself as a -sculptor, for he had ample opportunities and much good material in the -chalk with which the dug-outs were lined. - -Evidence of the popularity of Lorette Spur is found in Corporal “Paddy” -Guiton’s description:-- - - “Shortly after this we wended our weary way to the trenches - lying in the valley under one of the spurs of the Lorette - heights. There we relieved a battalion of the Yorkshire - Regiment, ‘the old tin pots.’ I asked one of the outgoing - N.C.O.’s what the place was like. He replied in his quaint - northern dialect: ‘It’s like convalescent whoam, lad.’ - - “We lived in the so-called dug-outs, or rather surface shanties - in this region, and ‘C’ Company, at any rate, had quite a - ‘cushy’ time. There were numerous fatigues, of course, but - the Hun let us alone, and we had great comfort--derived from - the fact that we had fires with real coal as fuel. There was - quite a good fireplace in my lair, which was inhabited by - four other N.C.O.’s, and our picnics here even on rations - (without parcels) were singularly delightful. These fires were - only allowed during the hours of darkness as the smoke might - otherwise be perceived by enemy observers. - - “We renewed our coal periodically by making nocturnal visits to - the old sugar refinery at Souchez, nothing of which now remains - but a mass of twisted iron girders and a heap of stones mixed - with coal slack. This ground is that so valiantly won back by - the French during our attack at Loos, and previously in May, - 1915, was the scene of the most bitter and desperate fighting. - The ground in the neighbourhood is scarred with the almost - obliterated remains of old trenches and we found an interesting - pastime in reconstructing the scenes and locating the various - trenches held by our allies and the enemy. - - “Sometimes in the evening we held sports meetings, of which - an organised rat hunt formed the principal feature. On these - occasions, Sergeant Chick distinguished himself greatly. Even - now I can see his lean figure, leading the chase, a thick stick - brandished in his right hand. - - “My enjoyment of the life at Notre Dame de Lorette was too full - to last, and one evening quite unexpectedly, ‘Bulldog’ Harris - warned me to prepare for leaving with the billeting party. - - “Good-bye, Loretto! I earnestly hope that all the troops who - are bearing the heat and burden of the day will find the same - calm and contentment that I did under the shadow of your - frowning cliffs.” - - * * * * * - -The front line trenches on Vimy Ridge were considerably cleaner than -those at Loos, and although there was an extraordinary amount of mine -blowing, there were times in the early spring of 1916 when life even in -the front line was not too bad. - -Out at rest, excellent sport was to be had in the nightly rat hunts -in Bouvigny Woods, as well as cricket and football, and the Officers’ -Riding School under Lieut. W. H. Craig, the new Transport Officer, who -had originally come to France as Transport Sergeant. - -The situation in the front line astride the Souchez River was somewhat -uncommon, for there was no trench at all, the line being held by means -of three breastworks, each holding about a platoon, about 100 yards -apart. The remainder of the Battalion occupied a quarry and an old -trench behind. - -It became quite a daily practice of the enemy at this time to blow a -mine at sunrise and sundown. - -On the afternoon of the 29th of April, 1916, a mine was blown under the -front line held by the 6th Battalion, on the immediate right of the -Civil Service, who were astride the Souchez River. The 6th suffered -heavy casualties and two sections of bombers and two Lewis Gun teams -were sent from the Civil Service to assist them. Sergeant E. M. Knapp -in charge of the bombers, was conspicuous throughout for his fearless -and untiring work on the crater. He himself organised the bombing -posts, not only of his own men, but also those of the 6th Battalion. - -In recognition of his splendid work on this occasion, Sergeant Knapp -was awarded the D.C.M. This gallant conduct was typical of all the -work done by Sergeant Knapp, who was a real tower of strength to the -Battalion bombers. As a leader of men he was unrivalled, and his zeal -and enthusiasm were a constant inspiration to the men he loved so much -and who in turn loved him. As a parade N.C.O. Sergeant Knapp was once -described as a “Ragtime” soldier, but his enthusiasm and sterling work -in the face of danger endeared him to the hearts of all men in the -Battalion. All members of the 1st Civil Service Rifles were justly -proud of “Knappski”--a leader whom the men would follow anywhere. - -Other members of the Regiment who distinguished themselves on the 29th -of April immediately the mine was blown were Corporal (afterwards -Sergeant) E. M. Nottingham, attached to the 140th Brigade Trench Mortar -Battery, who gained the D.C.M., and Corporal Smedling, also with the -Trench Mortar Battery, who gained the M.M. - -From the time of his arrival in France in March, 1915, to the time of -his death at the battle of Messines in June, 1917, Sergeant Nottingham -had proved himself a man who scorned danger and loved the life of the -trenches. The exploit which won him his D.C.M. was only one of many -such in the life of a most capable leader, who will never be forgotten -by those who served with him. - -The month of May, 1916, opened with a pleasant picnic in Bouvigny -Woods, followed by a restful spell in the trenches on Lorette Spur. -Here there was an excellent view one night of the explosion of six -British mines in rapid succession on Vimy Ridge, accompanied by an -unparalleled display of fireworks of all descriptions. As the men -watched the display from a comfortable distance at the top of Notre -Dame de Lorette, not one had the least suspicion that it was very soon -to be the cause of the most severe blow that fortune had so far dealt -to the Civil Service Rifles. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -VIMY RIDGE, 1916 - - -On a gloriously sunny afternoon in May, a man was dozing outside his -hut in the pretty little woods at the village of Camblain L’Abbé, where -the Civil Service Rifles were billeted in Brigade Reserve. The Brigade -had just taken over the Berthonval sector of trenches on Vimy Ridge, -and the Civil Service Rifles were to spend a week in what appeared to -be the most delightful village they had visited in Northern France. - -It was one of those days when it feels good to be alive. The birds sang -sweetly in the trees, and the delightful natural fragrance of spring -was everywhere. - -The afore-mentioned man, like many of his friends, had partaken of a -comfortable dinner, washed down with what was known as Royal Shandy--a -mixture of stout and sweet champagne, and as he settled down to a -comfortable afternoon nap he reflected that, after all, war was not too -bad. Some of the more energetic of his friends had gone for a walk to -the neighbouring village of Aubigny, others were busy writing letters, -but he preferred to have a lazy afternoon of pleasant reflection. There -would be many more opportunities for excursions to Aubigny, as the -Battalion had a whole week before it in these delightful surroundings. -Perhaps in the evening he would visit the local cinema, as he had not -been to see “the Pictures” for some time. However, that could wait too -if he did not feel energetic. How he wished the Division could stay -in this sector for the rest of the war! There had not been much front -line work lately--a Battalion only seemed to get one week in four in -the front line, and when there it was not too bad--a few mines to make -a little excitement, but then these were very regular, as they always -went up at sunrise and sunset in this district, so you knew when to -expect them. Yes, he thought, as he dozed off to sleep, “It’s a bon war -here.” He had just fallen asleep when he was roughly shaken and told -that the Battalion was to “fall in” at once. - -“I think they might have left us alone on a Sunday,” he groused as he -quickly got his equipment together. “Who is it this time, I wonder? The -Bishop of London or Horatio Bottomley? And why have we to march to -Villers au Bois to see him? If he wants to preach to us why can’t he -come here? However, perhaps it’s one of these infernal training gags. -Major General wants to see how long it takes to move his reserves about -on a summer Sunday evening. Wonder if we shall get back before the -estaminets close?” - -Similar thoughts were expressed by other members of the Battalion, for -the only order was “Battalion will parade at once and march to Villers -au Bois. Dress, full marching order.” - -Although the order came round in the middle of tea, the Battalion was -on the road in an astonishingly short space of time, and after a hot -and dusty march a halt was called in a field near the battered old -church of Villers au Bois. Here many of the men took the opportunity to -strip to the waist and rub themselves down with towels. Speculation was -still rife as to what it all meant, but the general opinion was that -it was a training stunt, which was regarded as the very worst taste on -the part of those in authority. Rumours of “dirty work afoot,” however, -began to spread through the ranks, and soon the order came to occupy -what was known as the Maistre Line--a line of trenches that had been -planned as a third line of defence in this sector. - -Once outside the village a wonderful sight met the eye. About two or -three miles away, hanging over the area of the front line trenches -on Vimy Ridge, was a dense cloud of bursting shells, and to make the -scene more weird, not a sound could be heard, either of guns or of the -explosion of the shells, although it was a beautiful still evening. The -bombardment, although confined to an area of little more than a square -mile, was by far the most intense yet witnessed by the Civil Service -Rifles. - -The Battalion was no sooner in position in the Maistre Line--a trench -about two feet deep, than orders were received to move forward by -Companies. - -“B” Company led off, followed by “C” Company, two Lewis guns, two -sections of bombers, Battalion H.Q. and “D” Company, and the remaining -Lewis guns brought up the rear. “A” Company remained behind to bring up -rations and water. - -The advance was along a very shallow and narrow communication trench, -and the scene of slaughter was approached through a barrage of tear -gas. Owing to the movement of other bodies of troops progress was very -slow, with the result that the Battalion endured some hours of tear -gas, but the line moved slowly but surely towards the Cabaret Rouge -on the Bethune-Arras Road, the site of a ruined estaminet where the -Brigade Headquarters was now situated, just on the western side of the -Zouave Valley. - -In the words of the Regimental Diary:-- - - “The enemy was indulging in the most intense bombardment we - had witnessed. He must have employed guns of every possible - calibre. The air was just one solid mass of bursting shells.” - - * * * * * - - “We had little or no information as to what was happening, and - as darkness had now gathered and we were in entirely strange - trenches, there did not seem much chance of finding out.” - - * * * * * - -The leading Company (“B”), under Captain H. B. Farquhar, reached -Brigade Headquarters at Cabaret Rouge at 10.15 p.m., and was ordered -to report to the Commanding Officer of the Battalion holding the left -of the 140th Brigade Front. After being loaded up with bombs and an -extra 100 rounds of ammunition per man, they staggered forth through -the barrage of the Zouave Valley, where the bombardment raged with -its most intense fury, and arrived almost exhausted at the Battalion -Headquarters of the left sub-sector of what was known as the Berthonval -Sector shortly after 1.0 a.m., on May 22nd. The awful barrage of the -valley had been negotiated almost without loss. - -The Company Commander was told on arrival at Battalion Headquarters -that the line of resistance and support line had been lost, and that -his Company would deliver a counter attack at 2.0 a.m. It was then -1.30 a.m., and there was therefore no time to make any reconnaissance, -nor was it possible to get any information at all as to the precise -situation. Captain Farquhar was told that on his right the 6th and -7th Battalions would co-operate, on his left a company of the London -Irish, and with him would be a party of bombers and details of the -Post Office Rifles, but where any of these troops were to be found was -not vouchsafed to him. He was told that one of his flanks would rest -on Ersatz Trench, but as he had never heard of Ersatz Trench, nor was -anyone there to show him where it was, he might just as well have been -told to rest his flanks on the Unter den Linden. He was unable to find -out whether there were any British troops between him and the Bosche, -or how much of the line he was supposed to capture. - -However, with these scant particulars, and with the information that -the objective was about 600 yards up the side of the Ridge, Captain -Farquhar was ordered to start his counter attack at 2.0 a.m. - -He called his Platoon Sergeants and his only other officer (Lieutenant -B. Scott) together, and acquainted them with the scheme, and arranged -his men in two waves, 6 and 8 Platoons under Lieutenant Scott in the -first wave, and 5 and 7 Platoons in the second wave. - -Reports differ considerably as to what exactly happened afterwards, for -it must be remembered that the operations were carried out in total -darkness, save for the fitful glare of the German rockets and Verey -lights, and as it is difficult to get a reliable description of any -battle, even in daylight, it is even more difficult to describe this -scramble in the dark, in country which was strange to the attacking -forces, few, if any, of whom knew where to look for friends or foes. -But there is no doubt that the attack was launched at 2.0 a.m., and -that “B” Company advanced in two waves up the slopes of Vimy Ridge, -with no artillery, machine guns or Lewis guns supporting them, and -that very soon they came under such a murderous and intense fire from -enemy artillery, trench mortars, machine guns and rifles, that very -few survived unwounded. As far as can be gathered from survivors, it -appears that after taking the British front line at 9.0 p.m., the -enemy at once put out a barbed wire obstacle, and the survivors of “B” -Company claim that a number of their men actually reached the wire, -where, of course, they were helpless. - -The vast majority of “B” Company having been killed or wounded, the -foremest of the unwounded survivors, finding they were now in a -hopeless position, appear to have decided to take cover in shell holes -and await developments. Here they remained throughout the whole of -the following day in scorching sunshine, looking for the best way of -escape, and at nightfall they were able to make their way back. - -So much, and no more, is known of the fate of “B” Company, but “C” and -“D” Companies, who had followed them through the valley, were more -fortunate, for the former, under Captain G. A. Gaze, arriving at the -Battalion Headquarters at 1.50 a.m., were ordered to support the 18th -Battalion (London Irish) at once. As he was unable to get in touch -with the London Irish, Captain Gaze, assisted by a Company of the Post -Office Rifles, formed a defensive flank in Granby Street, where “C” -Company, dog tired as they were, set to work at once to make a decent -position, and at the same time scoured the country around in search of -the wounded, many of whom were rescued. It was in this work of rescue -that C.S.M. R. H. Harris (Bulldog Harris) excelled himself. He went far -afield in his search for his bosom friend, “Kaffir” Howett, who, as -C.S.M. of “B” Company had gone down in the van of the attacking party. -Harris was unable to find his friend who was so dear to him, but he -succeeded in bringing in several others of the wounded, and carried on -his work of rescue untiringly until daylight. It should be remembered -that the whole of this rescue work was done under incessant machine gun -and artillery fire. - -Another who accomplished great deeds on this occasion was Sergeant -T. P. Chick, of “C” Company. It was daybreak when his attention was -caught by a wounded man of the Post Office Rifles, who was lying out in -front of the trench. He at once announced his intention of going out -to assist him, if possible, and although it was now fully light, he -persisted in going out once more, and safely reached the wounded man. - -Sergeant Chick was crawling back, and was not more than ten yards from -the parapet, when he was shot just over the heart, and died about ten -minutes afterwards. - -He died for another, and his end was typical of his life of noble -self-sacrifice in the interests of others. - -It became a habit at one time among some troops in the Division to -estimate the amount of work done by a unit by the number of casualties -suffered, but although a heavy casualty list certainly indicates a -“bloody” time, it does not follow that a unit which suffers few or no -losses has done nothing. - -Of the three Companies involved in the fighting at Vimy (for “A” -Company took no part in the operations beyond carrying rations), “C” -and “D” Companies appear to have got off comparatively lightly so far -as casualties are concerned, though it was due to the efforts of these -two Companies that a new front line was established so soon. - -Under Captain A. Roberts, “D” Company was the last to cross the Zouave -Valley, and on arriving at Battalion Headquarters the Company was -ordered to support “B” Company. Captain Roberts had least time of all -in which to find out anything about the situation, but he led his -men up the slope and they eventually occupied the old Reserve Line -of the Battalion originally holding the sub-sector. This line they -now converted into the British front line, and “D” Company, with a -few remnants of the Post Office Rifles, held it from Granby Street to -Ersatz Trench--the intended flanks of “B” Company’s counter attack. - -Prominent among the “D” Company men who helped in the rescue of the “B” -Company wounded was Corporal R. J. B. Beazley, described by his C.S.M. -as one of the best little fellows in the Regiment. He made at least -half a dozen journeys “out in front” always returning with a wounded -man. - -A feature of the operations so far had been the entire silence of -the British Artillery--it was afterwards said that the enemy attack -took place in the middle of an artillery relief. But no sooner had -“D” Company dug a decent front line trench than the British Artillery -began to knock it about, and Captain Roberts had to complain of shorts -several times during the day. - -The situation became quiet soon after daybreak and “C” and “D” -Companies were able to carry on with their work in peace for a few -hours, but during the day the enemy from time to time put down an -intense barrage, lasting generally for about half an hour, when the -whole valley was filled with smoke, debris and sheets of flame. -Happily, there were few further casualties on this account, and -although the dose was repeated late at night when the Battalion was -relieved by the 24th London Regiment, there was little further loss and -the Zouave Valley was left as it had been found--in a mass of smoke and -bursting shells. - -The battle of Vimy Ridge, although not much more than a minor -operation--it is believed to have been the sequel to the blowing of the -six British mines in the vicinity on the night of the 15th of May--has -been described at some length because it was the most important -event so far in the life of the Civil Service Rifles in France. -Hitherto the Battalion had succeeded in preserving more or less its -original identity, but here, in the short space of twenty-four hours, -practically all that was left of the original “B” Company had been -swept away. It is perhaps because of the sudden nature of the operation -that the losses came as such a shock to the surviving members of the -Battalion. - -Captain H. B. Farquhar had long been the idol of “B” Company, and a -great favourite in other Companies in the Battalion. He had done what -he could to save his men from the awful disaster, but as a soldier he -had to obey orders, and, having called his platoon sergeants together -and told them all he knew he bravely bade them good-bye, and, like the -rest of his Company, went to his doom without flinching. - -Captain Farquhar has often been described as the finest Company -Commander the Battalion ever possessed. - -He was keen, energetic and unselfish, a real pattern to his officers, -N.C.O.’s and men. A survivor of the “B” Company of Captain Farquhar’s -day has written an admirable character sketch of “the skipper” and his -henchman, Lieutenant Bobby Scott, who perished with the first wave at -Vimy. - - “CAPTAIN FARQUHAR.--The skipper was a strong man. For all his - wit, sometimes sardonic, but always merry, he could be a man of - beaten steel on occasion. - - “‘Old’ ‘B’ Company knew him well at Watford, but ‘old’ ‘C’ - Company really made his acquaintance in France. - - “In the line he ignored danger in a matter-of-fact way that - inspired us as much as the theatrical bravado of a shallower - man would have unsettled us. In those never-ending front line - spells just before the ‘first Lillers’ he heartened us through - many a weary night as no other man I know could have done. To - me, as a hardened and persistent night sentry, he seemed to - be an almost permanent feature of the landscape of ‘No man’s - land,’ strolling serenely up and down as if taking a leisurely - constitutional. He was always on the spot when anything - happened, and I think we got his habit of never shirking any - objectionable job which could possibly be considered ‘up to us’ - to do. - - “LIEUTENANT SCOTT.--‘An officer and a gentleman’ is probably - the most overworked if not the most misapplied phrase in the - military dictionary. It is too often thoughtlessly bestowed on - any nice-mannered, band-box officer. But it fitted Mr. Scott. - He was a real soldier and he was an instinctive gentleman.” - -Captain Farquhar had been ably supported by his C.S.M., F. Howett, -known for many years throughout the Battalion as Kaffir Howett. - - * * * * * - -The Kaffir had made a name for himself long before the war broke out, -for he was for a long time associated with “Bulldog” Harris as the life -and soul of the Regimental School of Arms. These two inseparables were -also prominent members of the Civil Service Rugby Football Club. - -As a soldier, Kaffir Howett had many of the sterling qualities of his -Company Commander. He was a stern disciplinarian and was fearless in -the line, but while, he too, had a subtle sense of humour, he was more -of the “strong silent man” than of the “merry and bright.” - -The only consoling reflection about the loss of these more than -gallant fellows is that they could not have died in better company, -but what magnificent deeds would have been done later in the year by -such fellows as Farquhar, Scott, Howett and Chick, and to them must be -added Sergeant A. J. Andrews (Long Andrews or Driver Andrews to his -intimates) another old pillar of “B” Company, who before the war had -made a name on the football field, and Corporal S. Crocombe, a staunch -N.C.O. of “B” Company, who, although rescued on the night of the -battle, succumbed to his wounds five days later. - -Besides the killed, a number of the stalwarts of the Battalion were -wounded. In “B” Company alone, these included Sergeants A. W. Hodgson, -who had already been wounded once, and F. Tyler (known as Wat Tyler), -and Corporals H. W. Rowland and F. Plaster, four N. C. O.’s who had -been prominent members of the Company for many years, whilst “D” -Company had to deplore the loss of Sergeant G. Wright, who in addition -to his fine military record, performed great deeds on the cricket field. - -The Lewis Gunners also had their losses, the outstanding one being -Lance-Corporal “Cocky” Oliver (wounded) whose ready wit on all -occasions was such a valuable asset to the Lewis Gun Section. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -CALONNE RICOUART AND SOUCHEZ - - -It will be gathered from the foregoing that, in whatever light the -operation on Vimy Ridge was regarded by the General Staff, to the Civil -Service Rifles it was a battle of some importance, and the loss of -so many of the leading members naturally plunged the survivors into -something approaching deep depression as they trudged wearily back -to Camblain l’Abbé on the morning of the 23rd of May. The Transport -limbers were met at Villers au Bois, and many weary men were thankful -to shed their equipment here, and some of the more exhausted managed -even to secure a lift for the rest of the journey. - -The Transport Section, too, had played its part in the battle, for -every available horse and man had been employed during the 22nd of -May carrying bombs and ammunition across the track to Cabaret Rouge -in daylight. Fortunately they had escaped any loss, either of men or -horses. - -Camblain l’Abbé was now very different from the quiet little village -that had seemed so far removed from the war two days before. The whole -Brigade occupied the billets recently allotted to the Civil Service -Rifles, and it was here that the news of the counter attack by the -142nd Infantry Brigade was awaited with such keen interest on the night -of the 24th. The attempt, however, like that of another Division a few -days later, was unsuccessful, and the crest of Vimy Ridge remained in -German possession until the Canadian victory of the 1st of April, 1917. - -“The feelings of men leaving the danger zone for a period of rest defy -accurate portrayal. Each one has his own individual thoughts, but they -may be summed up in one word ‘contentment.’” Thus writes a well-known -N.C.O. of “C” Company, who went so far as to say that the tension had -been so great for a short period that, on knowing himself to be out -of immediate danger for the time being, he felt as if he could have -marched fifty miles, with full pack and blankets thrown in! - -“Every force has a recoil,” he continues, “and most men feel -tremendously bucked on leaving the trenches for a spell out of the line. - -“It was thus with feeling of great relief that the Battalion marched -to Calonne Ricouart on the 25th of May, there to forget their sorrows -in the work of training and reorganisation.” - -It is pleasing to be able to record the recognition, in the shape of -honours and awards, of some of the many acts of gallantry performed in -the Battalion on Vimy Ridge, and while at Calonne Ricouart it was heard -that the work of C.S.M. R. H. Harris and Second Lieutenant F. Osborne -was recognised by the award of the Military Cross; and Lance-Corporal -Mark W. Hall, the leading stretcher-bearer of “B” Company, Sergeant W. -R. McKinley of “A” Company, Private S. H. Bressey of “D” Company and -Private L. Flanagan of “B” Company were awarded the Military Medal. - -Sports Meetings of various descriptions were held at Calonne Ricouart, -and as the billets were good and the weather generally was fine, the -troops soon began to recover their good spirits. - -The Transport field was approached by a one-sided rustic bridge over -a stream. On one occasion almost the entire section endeavoured to -make “Onions,” the mascot, mule take a bath from this bridge. The old -lady, however, was proof against all efforts, and the only thing that -happened was that the side of the bridge gave way. Lower down the road -was a picturesque water mill, and next to this an estaminet, “Au Joli -Pêcher,” provided liquid refreshment. Here Mlle. Felicité always had a -roomful of thirsty _soldats_ who required a great deal of la bière to -wash the dust out of their throats. - -Large drafts of officers and men began to arrive from England, and very -soon the Battalion became once more up to strength, and to complete the -refitting, short rifles were now issued to all N. C. O.’s and men in -place of the long Lee Metfords with which they had hitherto been armed. - -The event of the “rest” was an original revue entitled “Spit and -Polish,” performed on the afternoon of the 10th of June at the Cinema, -Divion. The “leading lady” has given the following account of the -affair. - - “The first rehearsal took place in Lieutenant Sharratt’s - billet. After a lot of smoking and talking, but very little - rehearsing, the parts were allotted as follows:-- - - The Bogus Brigadier Private Teasdale. - Adjutant Private Graham. - Sergeant-Major Private Lloyd. - Colonel Straws, I.D. Private Chisholm. - Real Brigadier Second-Lieutenant W. H. Brantom. - Hon. Lady Lizzie Private C. Cooper. - - “The plot was written round the Hon. Lady Lizzie, who, bent on - war work, obtained a situation as typist in the orderly-room - where two Tommies--one disguised as a Brigadier and the other - as an Adjutant--had decided to run the war in their own way. - Eventually the real Brigadier comes on the scene. Lady Lizzie - turns out to be his daughter and marries the bogus Brigadier, - Sir Charles Chaplin! - - “The revue was performed four days after the first rehearsal. - Fortunately little memorising was needed as we relied chiefly - on gags. On the morning of the performance Captain Ind came - over to Divion to censor the dress rehearsal. Needless to - say he cut out some of the best things, though, even then, - the show had some ‘kick’ left in it. And perhaps the revue - _was_ a trifle crude in places. But there was no holding a - man like Teasdale. With his quick wit and fertile brain it - required some nimbleness of mind to keep pace with him in - _everything_--especially as I was playing the girl’s part! - - “I don’t think anybody who was there will forget the occasion. - The battalion had marched from Calonne, a distance of three - miles, and arrived at the Cinema three-quarters of an hour - before time, thus giving the boys an opportunity for a concert - to themselves.[13] The noise was terrific, the bombers singing - their particular songs and being howled down by the Lewis - Gunners with their own pet ditties, and vice versa. When ‘Posh - Harry’ arrived he was greeted with the refrain: - - [13] The pioneers (of whom the lengthy Foote and Ginger Facon were -notorious members) in the meantime prepared the stage, proving -themselves expert stage carpenters. - - “I wish I were an R. S. M. - Earning lots of dollars. - Etc., etc., etc.” - - “The first half of the programme consisted of single turns - frantically applauded. Then came the revue. - - “I won’t attempt to describe it fully, but who will quite - forget the beauty chorus of those thirty nice, smart soldiers, - headed by Knapp, singing in harmony to the tune of ‘Boiled Beef - and Carrots,’ that opening chorus: - - “Spit and Polish! Spit and Polish! - Our fathers said in days of yore. - That Spit and Polish would win this war. - Don’t walk about like dirty dogs - Or lads from Eton College, - The only way to win this war - Is--Spit and Polish!” - - “Of this chorus, Sidwell, he of the staring eyes, was great as - the man who fainted on actually seeing the kidneys and best - parts of the meat handed to his Company when drawing rations at - the Q.M. Stores! - - “The great moment, however, was Teasdale’s entry as the - Brigadier (on a chair with the back for the horse’s head) with - umpteen ribbons on his chest, wonderful top boots--his whole - appearance a thing of joy! He kept the house in a boisterous - thunder of hilarious applause right through to his final - inspection of the beauty chorus when he presented a tin of - Brasso to poor old Knapsky!” - -The revue was a happy conclusion to a very enjoyable stay at Calonne -Ricouart, and shortly afterwards a return was made to the front line -trenches known as the Souchez Sector, a little north of the village of -Souchez. - -The outstanding features of life in this area were the heavy trench -mortars used by the Bosches in the line, and the very happy days in -Noulette Woods, near the village of Aix Noulette, when out of the line. - -Early in July the Battalion was ordered to raid the enemy trenches in -the Bois en Hache, just north of Souchez, but although five officers -and 100 other ranks were specially trained for the event, it was a -dismal failure, and it has long been a forbidden topic of conversation -in Civil Service Rifles circles. Fortunately the casualties were few, -and the Battalion left the area shortly afterwards to return to the -dreaded Berthonval sector on Vimy Ridge. - -On this occasion, however, a very peaceful time was spent in the front -line, and it was hard to believe that it was the scene of the big fight -of two months ago. - -The thoughts of every one were now turned to the big offensive in the -Somme district, and for some time the distant rumble of guns, heard -daily from morning till night, had given rise to discussions as to when -the 47th Division would move south to join in the fray. - -It was therefore no surprise when the Civil Service Rifles marched out -of Camblain l’Abbé on the 26th of July, 1916, after four very happy -days in that pleasant village, to start the great trek to the Somme -district. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE TREK - - -During its career in France, the Civil Service Rifles have frequently -moved over long distances by route march--a practice known as -“trekking”--but the great march of 1916 seems so to have dwarfed all -other performances of a similar nature, that it is always referred to -simply as “the trek,” and it is agreed by all who took part in it, that -the trek was one of the most enjoyable experiences the Civil Service -Rifles had during the war. - -At the same time the period was one of the most strenuous, the daily -programme of work being sometimes so crowded that it hardly seemed -worth while to go to bed. The Divisional Commander was evidently a firm -believer in early rising, for réveillé was often sounded at the early -hour of 3.30 a.m. - -The route from the mining district to the valley of the Somme was -distinctly roundabout, and for the first two or three weeks of the trek -the Division got farther and farther away from its destination, until -eventually it came to rest near the coast in the Abbéville district. - -A pleasant march on the first day brought the Civil Service Rifles -to the village of Houdain, where Lieutenant G. G. Bates organised a -very successful Mess Dinner for officers at the Café du Centre, and on -the following day, after a short march, the village of Valhuon, near -St. Pol, was reached, where four enjoyable days were spent in lovely -summer weather. The weather, indeed, was a little too summer-like -on the day of the march from Valhuon to Croisette. Not only was it -so far the hottest day of the year, but the march took place during -the hottest time of the day, and when Croisette was reached at 3.30 -p.m. many had fallen by the wayside. Other units of the Division had -similar experiences, and hereafter early rising was the order of the -day, réveillé generally being sounded about an hour before dawn so that -training could be finished before the heat of the day. - -A common occurrence during the marches on the trek was the failure to -observe the infantryman’s most valuable charter--ten minutes’ halt in -every hour. The marches were usually by Brigades, and the starting -point was often a mile or so away from the billeting area. For some -strange reason the march to the starting point was wont to be hurried, -and what should have been the first halt was omitted altogether. - -Towards the end of the march, again, the leading Battalion, on -approaching the village in which it was to be billeted, would often cut -out the halt as the appointed time was reached, and go straight on to -the billets. The succeeding Battalions on such occasions would follow -like sheep, irrespective of whether they were billeted in the same -village or in another one two or three miles farther on. - -In these circumstances it is not surprising that marches which on paper -looked nothing out of the ordinary were found to be very arduous and -trying, and men were frequently guilty of the “crime” of falling out on -the march. - -At first early rising was voted a success by all ranks, but when an -afternoon parade was introduced and later an evening parade just to -fill up the day, the troops began to feel that though it was “nice to -get up in the morning,” it was certainly “nicer to stay in bed.” - -A day’s rest at Croisette was followed by a march to Fortel, where, -during a four days’ stay, a delightful bathing place was discovered -in the swift-flowing, icy cold waters of the River Canche. “A” and -“D” Companies and the Lewis gunners have happy recollections of this -stream, for the most part of the two hours’ route march by Companies -which formed part of the daily programme was spent in and around the -bathing place. - -The 4th of August at Conteville was marred by the sudden introduction -of an evening parade. The move from Fortel had taken place in the -early hours of the morning, and after a very short march Conteville -was reached at about 10.0 a.m. The troops were still congratulating -themselves on their luck when the order came round that all units in -the Division would at once start to practise an attack on a wood or -village. - -The wandering life was resumed on the 5th of August, when the Division -moved to the training area near Abbéville, the Civil Service Rifles -being billeted in the little village of Drucat. The Division now -settled down to serious work, and for three weeks the troops trained -strenuously every day. It is interesting to note that the Division -trained for its share in the battle of the Somme near the historic -battlefield of Crécy. - -But although there was much hard work and the billets at Drucat were -poor--so poor that in many cases both officers and men slept in gardens -or fields--and the inhabitants inclined to be hostile, memories of -August 1916 are among the happiest of the war. - -A great drawback, however, was the scarcity of beer. The estaminets -in the village had none at all, nor did they attempt to get any, for -they were thus able to get rid of their stock of atrocious wines. The -Regimental Canteen eventually came to the rescue by securing a supply -of beer from Abbéville. - -The weather at first was all that could be desired, and bathing was -indulged in daily. At the end of the fields occupied by the Lewis gun -section and the Transport lines ran a narrow, shallow stream. The men -of the Transport section, by damming the stream with a wall of filled -sandbags, managed to construct a pool just big enough for a man to -plunge in, and the bathing pool was thoroughly appreciated by officers -and men alike. - -A number of N.C.O.’s and men were allowed to go to Abbéville each day, -and a merry day in the old French town usually ended with the hiring of -antiquated “voitures” for the journey home. The said “voitures” were -invariably driven by members of the Civil Service Rifles, the lawful -owners or drivers always being willing to hand over the reins, and many -were the chariot races run on the road from Abbéville to Drucat by -rival parties from the Civil Service Rifles, the winning post being the -Company parade ground, where the races ended just as the Company was on -parade for roll call. - -Cricket was played in the Lewis gun field, where, also, an al fresco -concert was given one day by a concert party sent by Miss Lena Ashwell. -The weather was most unkind that day, but the spirits of the concert -party, like those of the troops, were not to be squashed by the rain, -and the artistes, five charming English ladies and two gentlemen, -gallantly stuck it until the deluge became so terrific that the noise -of it drowned the efforts of the whole party to sing “Chalk Farm to -Camberwell Green.” - -What testimony to the attractiveness of the party could be more -eloquent than the simple fact that none of the audience left the field! -The appreciation of the audience was not limited to the performance. It -was a rare and refreshing feast to see those five pretty English girls, -especially to those, and they were many, who had not been privileged to -see an English girl for more than a year. Moreover, the Civil Service -Rifles were told that they were the first real fighting troops to be -entertained by these ladies, who had hitherto had to content themselves -with entertaining those whose duties kept them at the Base. - -Colonel Warrender thanked the artistes in his most delightful style and -expressed the sentiments of all ranks when he said that it was the most -enjoyable concert that had ever been given to the Battalion. - -While at Drucat the Battalion received a consignment of what at first -were thought to be toy bread-carts, such as are used in London suburbs. -But on inquiry it was found that these were the new “Hand Carts, Lewis -Gun,” intended to replace the limbers. - -These little carts were first “tried out” on the departure from Drucat -on the 20th of August with disastrous results. The shafts broke before -the first halt, and ere long each team of Lewis gunners was stripped to -the waist, their clothes and equipment piled high on to the carts while -they tugged and pushed at their vehicles, gallantly struggling to keep -up with the Battalion. But in spite of these determined efforts they -were all very badly “tailed off.” - -The route march concluded with an outpost scheme, and in the evening -the Civil Service Rifles were billeted in Villers Sous Ailly, a pretty -little village, conspicuous for the excellent spirit of hospitality -shown by the inhabitants--a welcome change from recent experiences. The -only regret about Villers was that the Battalion had to leave the next -morning. - -The farce of the Lewis gun handcarts was continued, and in spite of -a great display of inventive genius by the Lewis gunners, they were -quite unable to keep up with the Battalion. Perhaps the best suggestion -was that of the man who said the Lewis gunners should take turns at -carrying the carts on their backs! - -It was said the carts had passed a severe test in the courtyard of the -War Office and had been found to run smoothly when empty. - -Leaving Villers Sous Ailly, two uncomfortable nights were spent at -Naours and Mirvaux (considered by many to be the most dilapidated -village in Europe outside the “forward area,” and where one man pushed -a whole wall down by simply leaning against it!), and on the 23rd -of August the 140th Infantry Brigade reached Franvillers, near the -Amiens-Albert road. Here there appeared to be a concentration of all -the flies on the Western front, and it was thought that these were to -take part in a new form of attack! - -Franvillers and district was used as a kind of “finishing school” for -troops in training for any particular phase of the battle of the Somme -in 1916, and as it was fairly near to the battlefield, it had become -an unusually busy centre. Troops from all parts of the United Kingdom -seemed to have passed through and every available inch of space was -used for billets. The billets, owing chiefly to overcrowding, were very -uncomfortable and very dirty, and the natives were beginning to get -tired of the troops. - -The training was of the very strenuous type--drills before breakfast, -attack practice after breakfast, musketry and digging in the -afternoon, and route march in the evening. It was now known that the -attack which was being practised daily over a taped course was to be on -a certain wood, but the name of the wood was so far kept secret. - -But in spite of this crowded programme, there were some who found time -for trips to Amiens, and there were many who enjoyed the excellent -bathing in a natural pool in the Ancre at Heilly, a village south of -the Amiens-Albert road. - -It was at Franvillers that Sergeant R. F. M. Bigby earned the gratitude -of his comrades by securing an issue of rum for all. According to his -story he was drinking beer in an estaminet, when the Regimental Medical -Officer came in on a tour of inspection, accompanied by the A.D.M.S. -A mild outbreak of enteric in the Division was causing the medical -fraternity some anxiety at the time, and efforts were being made to -discover the cause of it. The A.D.M.S. asked Sergeant Bigby what he was -drinking, but, on being informed, instead of ordering any, as Bigby -had expected, the doctor inquired about the quality of it. The gallant -sergeant assured the medicos that the quality was poor, but that if -followed by a ration of rum there were no ill effects. On the contrary, -a ration of rum at night, especially during bad weather and in bad -billets, had been found to be a pretty sure prevention against enteric, -which complaint, added Bigby--as the medicos were doubtless aware--was -getting rather troublesome at Franvillers. But then, there had not been -an issue of rum so far in that village, so could one be surprised? - -When, very shortly after this interview, a ration of rum was issued to -the troops, there were few in the Division who did not acclaim the name -of Bigby! - -Early in September it became known that the 47th Division was to -attack the German positions in and around High Wood--positions which -had already been captured by more than one Division, but afterwards -retaken by the Germans, who, throughout six weeks of heavy fighting, -had resisted all attempts to dislodge them permanently. To the Civil -Service Rifles were allotted the first German lines in the wood itself, -with the 7th Battalion on their right and the 17th Battalion on their -left. Henceforth there was a state of suppressed excitement in the -Battalion, and all ranks took the very keenest interest in the full -dress rehearsals over a marked-out battlefield, which occupied the last -days of training at Franvillers. These “shows” were attended by the -whole Division, including Artillery, Trench Mortars, and the contact -aeroplanes attached to the Division, and the attack was practised with -zero at every possible hour of the day or night. - -By the time Franvillers was left, on the 12th of September, every man -understood what he had to do and where he had to go in the battle. - -A few privileged persons had been to see a demonstration of the great -secret of the war--the Caterpillars, as they were called in those days, -also frequently referred to at this time as the “Hush! Hush!” These -new engines of warfare, which soon became known as Tanks, were to make -their first bow to the public by assisting in the attack on High Wood, -where two of them were eventually allotted to the Civil Service Rifles -in place of an artillery barrage. - -After leaving Franvillers, the Battalion took the fine Route Nationale -to Albert, “a city of empty and ruined houses, some occupied by our -troops, others barred and bolted as if a very plague had taken off the -population.” The Civil Service Rifles passed right under the shadow -of the ruined cathedral with the gilded Madonna and Child hanging -face downwards from the top of the steeple. From Albert the Battalion -marched to Becourt Wood and relieved the 2nd Royal Sussex in what -looked like a big rubbish tip, remaining there in reserve until the -14th. - -The scene which met the eye after passing through Albert has been -recorded by Corporal De Ath, who was attached to the 140th Trench -Mortar Battery. - - “I shall never forget the sight that met our eyes on the other - side of the town,” writes De Ath. “It took us some time to - realise that we were looking on what was to us, an almost - incredible and unheard of thing--a vast armed camp just behind - the trenches and well within shell fire. As far as the eye - could see there were miles of tents, bivouacs, limbers and - horse lines. Huge dumps of supplies and ammunition covered - the ground, and between them, in any old corner, were the big - guns--huge monsters roaring incessantly and devouring the great - piles of shells stacked around. Everywhere were scenes of the - greatest activity, and one could only rub one’s eyes and gasp - at this astounding spectacle. The colossal cheek of that great - camp rather shocked us, but there it was, unconcerned and - undisturbed, thanks to our magnificent aircraft, constantly - patrolling above with never an enemy plane daring to do - likewise. - - “We pitched our bivouacs on the crest of a ridge just behind - the old front line, and to the left of Becourt Wood. From that - high point we got a good view of the surrounding country. At - our feet the usual flotsam and jetsam of abandoned trenches - with their tangled heaps of barbed wire. Away behind us was - the wooded country-side which came as a change after the drab - monotonous scenery of the Flemish Flats. Closer at hand the - ruined Cathedral caught one’s eye. - - “But away in front, in the wake of the advance, the picture - was entirely different. It was a scene of desolation--a desert - of low ridges, scarred and marked by blurred lines of chalk - trenches and shell holes. Here and there a few jagged tree - stumps stood out, but nearly every feature of the landscape - had been swept away by the furious pounding of our shells. - - “All along the sky line our heavy shells and shrapnel were - bursting continually, so that the smoke never ceased. Now and - again it would slacken only to break out again with double - intensity. Behind and around us the ‘Heavies’ boomed and - roared, whilst in front in every little valley and hollow, even - in the open without pretence of cover, our 18-pounders snapped - and barked viciously, alternating with the deeper notes of the - 4·5’s and the 60-pounders. Between whiles one heard the heavy - ‘crump’ of the Hun shells. - - “A confused blur showed where a village once stood, but only - a heap of rubble and dust was left, revealed more often than - not by the junction of several roads. In the dip below lay - Fricourt, to the left Thiepval and Pozieres where bloody fights - raged on July 1st. Further away the green mass of Mametz Wood, - still providing excellent cover in spite of the thinning out - it had undergone. Further on lay Contalmaison, Montauban and - the Bazentins, with Delville Wood to the right, and there on - the crown of the ridge a little bunch of tree stumps marked - the wood that was to be our goal, the key to the desperate - game that we were to play on the morrow. The country seemed - surprisingly difficult. A series of low hills and ridges - plentifully dotted with woods and villages and traversed by - numerous sunken roads, culminated in the ridge which overlooked - the plain of Bapaume. Most of that ridge was already ours, but - in many places the enemy still hung out with stubborn tenacity. - It looked terrible country to fight through--naturally strong - and made almost impregnable by German science and skill. - -It was realised that the Civil Service Rifles were about to go through -the most severe test in their history, by the side of which Festubert, -Loos, and even Vimy Ridge would be insignificant. The thorough training -which had just been completed, however, had filled all ranks with -confidence, and the great Somme trek, which ended on the 14th of -September with the relief of the 1st Surrey Rifles in the front line -trenches in High Wood, brought to a close a period of training which -for really strenuous work has never been beaten. Some, in fact, allege -that the Division was overtrained at this time, and that the “finishing -school” at Franvillers had nearly finished them off. But in spite of -these allegations, it is believed that the Battalion had never been -better prepared for battle. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -HIGH WOOD - - -What a wonderful scene it was along the New German Road on the -afternoon of the 14th of September--a never-ending transport column -moving along in broad daylight, conveying ammunition and R.E. material -for the big fight. An object of special interest to the Civil Service -Rifles was one of the tanks which was passed on the road. The men -studied it critically and expressed a pious hope that it would turn up -all right on the day. - -Although the road was so crowded with traffic, there was little -shelling, and after passing Bazentin-le-Grand the long communication -trench was entered and the front line reached without loss. - -High Wood was about the last vantage point that the enemy held along -the ridge. Only a few jagged trees remained and the ground was littered -with broken limbers and pitted with innumerable shell holes which -literally intersected one another. Various trenches ran through the -Wood, of which the greatest part was held by the enemy. - -The relief over, it became known that zero for the attack would be -at 5.50 a.m. on the morrow, and thereupon a weird silence fell over -all the area of the assembly trenches, where the men were packed like -sardines in a tin. Many chapters have been written in an attempt to -describe the eve of a battle, but the finest description ever written -falls very short of expressing the feelings and thoughts of the men as -they wait in their assembly trenches for the dawn. - -No attempt will be made here to describe the eve of High Wood. Suffice -it to say that it was a very quiet night; that the troops, as they -stood squashed up in Black Watch Trench, fervently hoped that their -fate on the morrow would be better than that of the Battalion whose -name the trench bore; and that the only fellows who got any sleep were -those who crept out into No Man’s Land to lie down in shell holes. -Rum was issued at dawn, and after a sleepless night it was unusually -welcome. - -And now zero hour approached, and thoughts turned to the tanks, which -were due to be on the German front line five minutes before zero. The -time drew nearer, but no tanks appeared, and a few minutes before zero, -Company Commanders received a message telling them to send an officer -to guide the tanks, if seen. Thus, the Civil Service Rifles were -handicapped at the start, for the tanks were neither seen nor heard. - -Owing to the irregular formation of the assembly trenches, “B,” “C” and -“D” Companies had been instructed to creep out before zero, so that -when the attack started they would be forming a straight line with “A” -Company, who were on the extreme right. These Companies accordingly -began to creep up soon after 5.30 a.m. The fight, therefore, can be -said to have started well before zero, for at once as these men left -their trenches, German rifles opened fire, followed by machine guns, -and by zero hour the three left Companies of the Civil Service Rifles, -together with the Battalion on their left, were already being treated -to a murderous fire from a multitude of machine guns and rifles in -the German front line trenches. At the same time down came the German -artillery barrage on the assembly trenches. As there was no artillery -support whatever, the attack at this point was held up, but not before -about four-fifths of “B,” “C,” and “D” Companies had been either killed -or wounded. - -“A” Company, on the right, fared much better. They did not leave their -trenches until zero, and their course led them out of the wood almost -immediately. Consequently, when they started, the German machine guns -were already busily occupied with the other Companies, and “A” Company -carried the first and second German trenches outside High Wood with -comparatively little loss. Arrived at the objective, a certain amount -of hand-to-hand fighting took place, in which Sergeant H. B. Riddell -and Second Lieutenant L. L. Burtt, distinguished themselves, the former -being chiefly instrumental in putting a machine gun out of action, -though he was wounded in the fight. - -The Battalion signallers following up “A” Company had established a -station in the captured trench, and as their lines held for some time, -the details of how “A” Company had fared were quickly sent down to -Battalion Headquarters. - -“A” Company had already taken a number of prisoners, and they now -proceeded to bomb along the captured trench towards where they expected -to find “B” Company, but it was soon realised that the other Companies -had been held up. The situation with these Companies was very grave. -The Company Commanders of “B” and “D” Companies, Captains Leslie Davies -and Arthur Roberts, had been killed, while Captain Geoffrey Gaze, -commanding “C” Company, was wounded, but refused to go down. Captain -Gaze, in fact, was the only officer in these three Companies remaining -at duty. A good many of the senior N.C.O.’s had also been killed and -wounded, but thanks to the timely efforts of C.S.M. Brett of “D” -Company, C.S.M. Harris of “C” Company, and the surviving N.C.O.’s of -all three battered Companies, the remnants were formed up again in the -assembly positions, ready for another attempt. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo by Coles, Watford._ - -CAPT. LESLIE DAVIES.] - -[Illustration: - - _Photo by Hana Studios, Ltd._ - -CAPT. A. ROBERTS.] - -[Illustration: - - _Photo by Coles, Watford._ - -CAPT. GEOFFREY A. GAZE. - -Killed in Action 1916, and buried in one grave at High Wood, 15th -Sept., 1916. - -_To face page 112._] - -Meanwhile the tanks had not shown up, though one of them later on, -after nearly smashing up Battalion Headquarters, got stuck in a -communication trench, and materially interfered with the removal of the -wounded. Its pilot got out, and, going into Battalion Headquarters, -asked the Commanding Officer where High Wood was. Colonel Warrender’s -reply is not recorded. - -The other tank eventually got into action somewhere in front of “D” -Company’s objective, and then caught fire. - -At 11.0 a.m. the 140th Infantry Brigade Stokes mortar battery came to -the rescue. Captain Good, who was in command, had had his guns on the -spot overnight, and had been anxious to give the attacking infantry -some support. On the ground that surprise was to be the key-note of the -attack, however, the authorities decided to keep the Stokes guns, like -the artillery, silent. Captain Good and his men responded magnificently -when they were given the permission they sought so eagerly, and for -twenty minutes, “feeding their voracious little pets with bombs until -they grew too hot to touch,” as De Ath says, the battery put down such -an accurate and intense bombardment on the German front line that -“C” and “D” Companies, when they went forward again, carried their -objectives without much difficulty. The trench mortars had fired close -on 800 rounds in twenty minutes--a feat afterwards described by 4th -Army Headquarters as the most brilliant piece of work in the history of -trench mortars. - -“C” Company was gallantly led for a second time by Captain Gaze, but he -was killed before reaching the objective. - -By noon the whole of High Wood was in British possession, together -with what was known as the Switch Line beyond, and the Civil Service -Rifles had taken many prisoners and machine guns. The price of victory, -however, was terrible, and only 150 of the four Companies reached their -objective. - -The foregoing is an attempt at a description of the first phase of the -battle of High Wood, as it appeared to one who was present on the spot. -A well-known war correspondent seems to have had a better view of the -fight, for he related in detail in a London newspaper how the tanks -captured High Wood! - -The first stage of the battle was over, but there was much more to -follow. The remnants of the Battalion advanced a little beyond the -trench known as Switch Line and dug themselves in in a new trench, and -the afternoon was spent in hard work in consolidating these positions, -which were, however, subject to considerable shelling by heavy -artillery. - -During the day the 6th and 8th Battalions had pushed through to take -trenches some distance beyond, known as the Flers Line (connecting -the village of Flers with Eaucourt L’Abbé), and the Starfish, an -intermediate line. - -These operations only partially succeeded, so at 5.30 in the evening -of the 15th of September, the 1st Surrey Rifles, who were in reserve, -were sent out to attack the western half of the Starfish Line and the -strong point known as the Cough Drop. The Civil Service Rifles were -to occupy the Starfish when the 1st Surrey Rifles vacated it. The -latter, however, on emerging from High Wood in artillery formation, -were immediately caught by an intense enemy artillery and machine-gun -barrage, and the attack failed. - -A similar experiment was tried at 9.0 a.m. the next morning with the -23rd Battalion, but, although they advanced a considerable distance, -they were unable to reach the Flers Line. The Boches, however, obliged -by withdrawing to the Flers Line, and the 6th and 8th Battalions -occupied part of the Cough Drop and the Starfish Line respectively. The -23rd Battalion included two ex-Civil Service Riflemen in Major Kemble -and Second Lieutenant J. H. Hunt, who lost his life in this attack. As -a sergeant in “D” Company, J. H. Hunt had been exceptionally popular, -and the keenest regret was felt among his many friends when he left to -take his commission. - -When darkness fell on the first night of the battle, the melancholy -work of the burial of the dead was begun. The special party told off -for this work dug graves in High Wood itself, and all the dead who -could be found were buried side by side there. - -The night of the 15th September presented a very striking contrast to -the previous night, when peace and quiet had reigned in High Wood. The -heavy artillery, with which the enemy was so well supplied, pounded -away continually at the new trenches and at the supporting field gun -batteries on the edge of the wood. Amid the noise of the shells could -often be heard the groans of the wounded who had not yet been brought -in, the shouts of the search party of stretcher bearers, and the -curses of a ration or carrying party who had got lost. But above all -was the ceaseless wail of the field guns, echoing over the wilderness. -Listening to them on that night one could almost imagine that they, -too, were mourning for the gallant fellows who had lost their lives -that day, and who were now being laid to rest. To many who were there -the peculiar echo of the field gun ever afterwards brought back vivid -memories of those terrible nights in High Wood. - -There were many incidents and sights at High Wood which left a lasting -impression on the minds of the survivors. The impressions of Corporal -M. J. Guiton, of “C” Company, who lost a leg there, are typical of many -others in the Battalion:-- - - “That day I saw sights which were passing strange to a man of - peace. I saw men in their madness bayonet each other without - mercy, without thought. I saw the hot life’s blood of German - and Englishman flow out together, and drench the fair soil of - France. I saw men torn to fragments by the near explosion of - bombs, and--worse than any sight--I heard the agonised cries - and shrieks of men in mortal pain who were giving up their - souls to their Maker. - - “The mental picture painted through the medium of the eye may - fade, but the cries of those poor, tortured and torn men I can - never forget: they are with me always. I would I had been deaf - at the time.” - - * * * * * - -The day after the first attack was spent in the new trench, where -the garrison was shelled by heavy guns nearly all day. The Adjutant, -Lieutenant W. E. Ind, who had been full of energy from the start, was -a very frequent visitor, and in the evening he brought the good news -that the Battalion was to go forward to occupy a trench which had deep -dug-outs and which wasn’t shelled. Tired as they were, the troops -jumped at the idea, and were ready in less than no time. The Adjutant -led the way in a pitch black darkness to the expected comfort, which -proved in the end to be a trench two feet deep, which had been started -by the Germans as a cable trench. - -It had been reported that the 6th Battalion was holding the Flers Line, -and the Civil Service Rifles were accordingly going to occupy Drop -Alley, a communication trench leading from the strong point called -the Cough Drop to the Flers Line. But on arrival at the Cough Drop, -Lieutenant Ind found that the report was untrue, and he had perforce -to squeeze his small body of men in the western half of the Cough Drop -and the afore-mentioned cable trench which ran out of it. It had been -a long and weary journey, but the men set to work like niggers to -dig a decent trench. There were now only two officers and about 100 -other ranks, but these included a good sprinkling of seasoned warrant -officers and N.C.O.’s, and the force made up in quality what it lacked -in quantity. C.S.M. Callingham and Sergeant Irving of “A” Company had -done their comrades a very great service by struggling along with a -jar of rum, which was practically all that turned up that night in the -shape of rations, unless mention is to be made of rations sent up by a -thoughtful Quartermaster for the two officers--a bag of candles! - -The process of digging in was no sooner finished than the exhausted -troops had to stand to for about an hour and a half, on information -from the 6th that the enemy was “coming over in large numbers.” - -So the day went on with a constant succession of alarms, intense -bombardments and standing to. It was indeed a trying time for all that -was left of the four Companies and Lewis gun teams who, forty-eight -hours ago, had been so full of hope. But they all “stuck it” very -valiantly, and the excellent spirits of the men--prominent among whom -were Lance-Corporal F. A. Coward and his Lewis gun team, Privates -Hundleby, Lynch, and E. H. Lyons--together with the splendid example -set by Paddy Brett and Bob Harris, served to sustain the excellent -morale of the Civil Service Rifles. Special mention should be made of -the excellent patrol work done by Sergeant D. Gooding, of “D” Company, -who went out in broad daylight “to find touch on the left.” The left -flank of the position was exposed, and it was not known whether friend -or foe occupied the country beyond. Sergeant Gooding, with two men, -started off, therefore, without any information and, although under -rifle fire from shell holes and isolated posts, they carried out a -complete reconnaissance of the country which separated the Civil -Service Rifles from the nearest friendly troops, four or five hundred -yards away. Many others of that little band distinguished themselves by -their devotion to duty during a day when there was no communication of -any kind from Battalion Headquarters, and the party in the line became -attached to the 6th Battalion in the Cough Drop. - -On the 18th, a small reinforcement arrived in the shape of three -officers--Lieutenants W. L. C. Rathbone, G. M. Hoste, and B. K. Ware, -and fifty other ranks, from the “Non Starters” camp in Bottom Wood, -where a few officers and other ranks had been kept out of the fight in -order to form a nucleus for reorganisation in case of heavy losses. - -Before being relieved on the night of the 19th September by the 1st -Battalion The Black Watch, the Civil Service Rifles undertook two more -operations. The first was an advance into the Flers Line on the 18th, -but as the enemy had by now evacuated this trench, the advance passed -off without loss. - -But the enemy still held the junction of the Flers Line and Drop Alley, -and that portion of the Flers Line west of the junction. The New -Zealanders had a party in the Flers Line between the Bosches and the -Civil Service Rifles, but the Civil Service Rifles had a small force -under Lieutenant B. K. Ware in Drop Alley. These two forces attempted, -by joint bombing attacks, to dislodge the Bosches, but the attempt -failed. The men were now thoroughly exhausted, for in addition to the -enormous amount of work of the past few days and the excitement of the -fray, the last twenty-four hours had been endured in a pitiless rain, -which caused huge chunks of the trenches to give way. There was mud and -rain everywhere and, as there was no shelter, rifles and Lewis guns -eventually became choked with mud. It was while in this state that the -enemy attempted to drive Lieutenant Ware’s party out of Drop Alley. He -partially succeeded at first, but was afterwards driven back. But at -7.0 p.m. on the 19th, he came again with renewed vigour, and got down -Drop Alley, where the defending troops, with rifles and Lewis guns out -of action, and themselves quite worn out, were unable to dislodge him. -They did not give up without a struggle, however, and Lieutenant Ware -died that night in a plucky attempt to achieve the impossible. Thus -ended the operations of the Civil Service Rifles at High Wood, but it -was indeed a skeleton of a battalion that Lieut.-Colonel Warrender led -down the New German Road to Bottom Wood on the morning of the 20th -September. Round a huge bonfire these remnants threw themselves down -to get their first rest since leaving Becourt Wood, and here a pause -was made to count the cost of what was so far the greatest trial of -the Civil Service Rifles and, at the same time, surely their greatest -achievement. - -To this day, High Wood is regarded by many as the finest performance -of the Battalion during the war. But whether this is true or no, it -is certain that this battle was the most distinctive landmark in the -history of the Civil Service Rifles, for it was at High Wood where the -first great changes took place in the personnel of the Battalion. Some -say it was the last of the original Battalion, but such a statement is -open to question. - -Many old faces had gone, but the old spirit still remained, and there -were enough old hands left to train drafts in the way they should go, -and to tell them what manner of men they had been whose places these -freshmen had the honour to fill. - -There fell during the fighting at High Wood, so many of the real flower -of the Battalion that it is impossible to do justice to them by any -eulogy here, and it would be invidious to single out any in particular -among so many illustrious dead. Their names will all be found recorded -elsewhere. Suffice it to say that they died like the true Englishmen of -tradition, every one gallantly and gamely carrying on against odds. In -the four days the casualties amounted to 15 officers, 365 other ranks. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -EAUCOURT L’ABBE AND THE BUTTE DE WARLENCOURT - - -The so-called camp in Bottom Wood was the essence of discomfort, but -after a meal and a few hours rest, a welcome move was made in the -evening of the 20th September to Albert, where one night was spent in -deserted houses. - -The march was continued the following day, and the Battalion arrived at -a tented camp in a wood just outside the village of Henencourt, where -Corps Headquarters was situated in a magnificent château, the grounds -of which were a replica of those of the Palace of Versailles. There -was little to suggest the luxury of Versailles, however, in the camp -occupied by the Civil Service Rifles, for although the Battalion was -depleted, the accommodation was scarce and every one was crowded. - -The process of refitting and reorganisation was begun, and to a draft -of one officer and 375 other ranks, who joined at Henencourt was added -a fair sprinkling of officers, N.C.O.’s and men who had missed High -Wood through leave, courses, or other causes. Thus the strength of the -Battalion was restored on paper, but in actual fact it was still but a -shadow of its former self. - -The officers spent most of their time at Henencourt Wood in -writing letters of condolence to bereaved parents, and the Company -Quartermaster Sergeants and senior N.C.O.’s were busy packing up and -sending off the personal effects of the killed and wounded, so that on -the whole, the ten days’ sojourn in this camp was not a joyous one. -The Divisional Follies tried to cheer things up by giving a show one -evening, but the proceedings fell flat, and those who wanted a little -diversion while the Battalion was at Henencourt sought it in Amiens. - -The last day of the month of September, 1916, found the Civil Service -Rifles once more on the way back to war, for after spending one night -in Albert, they occupied some disused trenches, entirely devoid of -dug-outs, in what was known as the Quadrangle, near Mametz Wood. Here -they waited eagerly for news of the attack by the 141st Brigade on the -village of Eaucourt L’Abbé, for which the 140th Brigade was in reserve. - -Numerous contradictory reports reached Colonel Warrender during -the few days spent in the Quadrangle, but at last it became known -definitely that Eaucourt L’Abbé had been captured, and that the 140th -Brigade would go there to relieve the 141st, but would only hold the -line--there would not be any further attack! - -The relief which took place on the night of the 4th October, when the -Civil Service Rifles relieved the Poplar and Stepney Rifles in the -Flers Line at Eaucourt L’Abbé, was an ordeal almost as trying as a -battle. - -The march from the Quadrangle began at 4.0 p.m. on the 4th, and the -tail of the Battalion reached the Flers Line at dawn the next day. The -event was so unique that no apology is offered for a somewhat lengthy -description:-- - -All was going well until the corner of High Wood was reached, where, -according to plan, guides would be picked up. There were, however, -several corners to High Wood, and the Lewis gun limbers, mess cart and -medical cart were not taken to the same corner as the one to which the -Battalion went. - -After a very long delay, while Lewis guns, etc., were carried -through the wood from the limbers to the Battalion over many awkward -obstacles such as wide trenches and barbed wire, a start was made -by half the Battalion, and about two hours afterwards the remainder -of the Battalion was ready. The way was along a track of sticky mud -of the typical Somme variety. The night was pitch black and the men -slipped about and frequently their feet stuck in the mud. It was often -necessary for two men to pull at another man to get him out of the -mud, and as they got their man out they found themselves stuck in in -turn. At one time Colonel Warrender was heard to tell the M.O. that -a man had fallen down, but he feared it was no use going back to him -“as he must have been trampled in by now.” The progress along the -track, slow as it was, became slower still when one after another the -guides announced that they were lost and had not the slightest idea in -which direction to go. A touch of humour crept into the adventure when -Colonel Warrender, addressing a guide who said he hadn’t the remotest -idea where he was, told him to go back to his Commanding Officer and -report that he was of no use! - -After many hours the Cough Drop was reached by the party bringing up -the rear, which included Battalion Headquarters, and here one of the -other Companies was met coming in the opposite direction. They, too, -had a guide who was lost. The Adjutant now took up the running alone -and plunged into the darkness on an exploring tour. He soon came back, -and then led the whole party, now consisting of a good many more than -half the Battalion, through Drop Alley to the Flers Line. The going -now began to tell on the exhausted troops and several there were -who collapsed unconscious in Drop Alley, weighed down by the heavy -loads they were carrying, and did not finish their journey until the -following day. - -The Flers Line is chiefly remembered for the number of dead, both -English and German, who were still lying about on the floor of the -trench and on all the firesteps. There were a few hurriedly-made -dug-outs, but these were in such a filthy state as to be unfit to -occupy, and although much hard work was done for the next two days, the -cleaning of the trench was still unfinished when the troops learnt to -their astonishment, on the 7th of October, that they were to attack the -Butte de Warlencourt and the Warlencourt Line--an objective some 2,800 -yards distant. - -Zero was at 2.0 p.m., and the Companies occupied the same relative -positions as at High Wood, “A” Company again being on the right. The -three Companies on the left were unfortunate once more, for they had to -file through the village of Eaucourt l’Abbé soon after leaving their -assembly trenches and extend into waves again after negotiating the -village. They were caught by the full fury of the German artillery -barrage, and those who got through the village were swept down by a -most intense machine-gun fire. “A” Company on the right made some -little progress, and after crossing the Eaucourt l’Abbé-Le Barque road -dug a new line alongside the remnants of other units of the Division, -all of whom had met a similar fate. Another attempt was made at night -by the 142nd Brigade, but as these troops had not even seen the country -in daylight, their attempt failed so completely that they were all -withdrawn shortly after zero. - -The attack on the Butte de Warlencourt failed, like many attacks -subsequently delivered by other Divisions, and the famous Butte did -not fall into English hands until the German retreat from the Somme -battlefield during the winter of 1916-17. - -The attack of the 7th of October differed in many respects from that -of the 15th of September. On this occasion there had been no training, -no rehearsal over a marked-out course, and in fact some of the troops -did not even know there was to be an attack until an hour or so -before zero. Even then there were many who were not sure what was the -objective. To this day there are some in the Civil Service Rifles who -talk of it as the attack on Eaucourt l’Abbé. There was an artillery -creeping barrage on this occasion, it is true, but as it moved at the -rate of 100 yards per minute and there were 2,800 yards between the -jumping-off trenches and the objective, the advancing waves of infantry -soon got badly left behind. Tanks were said to be co-operating, but -nothing was seen of them. - -There were only two officers per Company present on this occasion, and -the C.S.M. and one or two senior N.C.O.’s of each Company were kept out -of the fight, so the experienced soldier was in a distinct minority. -More than half of the Battalion had never been under fire before, and, -as these had only joined a few days previously, a good many of them -were not known even by name to the older members of their Platoons. -Thus it came about that many men were reported missing on this -occasion, and, as none of the survivors knew them, it was impossible to -say with any certainty where they had last been seen. - -The losses on the 7th of October amounted to five officers, 344 other -ranks, and although numerically they are not quite so great as at High -Wood, it should be remembered that on this occasion the Battalion was -not more than 500 strong at the outset. - -During the operations around Eaucourt l’Abbé there was one member -of the regiment who added to his already brilliant reputation as -a soldier. The work of Lieutenant W. E. Ind on this occasion was -more than wonderful. Quickly grasping the situation when the attack -failed, by his hard work and resourcefulness he succeeded in restoring -something like order out of chaos, not only in his own unit but also in -several neighbouring units. - -The relief by the 7th Seaforth Highlanders on the 9th of October was -a welcome contrast to the previous relief in this sector. The troops -quickly found their way out and before midnight had reached the -transport lines in Bottom Wood. - -Three nights were spent in Albert before the Division entrained on the -13th of October for Longpré, near Abbeville, en route for the Ypres -Salient. - -Before leaving Albert, the Quartermaster aroused the wrathful -indignation of the C.Q.M.S.’s by the issue of a quantity of clothing -and equipment which had been applied for at Henencourt. Many of the men -for whom it was intended had now become casualties, but that made no -difference to the Quartermaster’s stores of the Civil Service Rifles. -The most important article of clothing was the clean shirt which was -issued just before leaving Albert. The troops had not had a clean shirt -for many weeks, and the one they discarded was naturally somewhat the -worse for wear. One C.Q.M.S. on inquiring at the Orderly Room what -should be done with the old shirts was told by an Orderly Room clerk to -burn them. The clerk was trying to be funny, but the Q.M.S. missed the -point of his humour, and all Companies thereupon threw their old shirts -on the dust heap. When he was demobilised some years later the C.Q.M.S. -was still explaining to the authorities why he had destroyed his ultra -lousy shirts. - -The train journey from Albert to Longpré is surely a record even for -the R.O.D. A distance of just over thirty miles was covered in the -astonishingly short time of twenty-six hours, during which time many -men had left the train, dined in Amiens, visited the local cinema, -and still caught the train up again without being recorded as absent. -Indeed, during one part of the journey there seemed to be more men -walking than were riding. At the same time every one seemed conscious -of the fact that he had said good-bye to the dreaded Somme battlefield, -so few felt disposed to complain of the shortcomings of the R.O.D. - -After detraining at Longpré, two happy days were spent in the village -of Villers-sous-Ailly. The men received a hearty welcome from the -natives and M. le Maire, who seemed to be the greatest French authority -on the organisation of an English infantry battalion. This worthy -was very popular with the billeting party, for he had his village -completely mapped out, and could tell them whether a particular barn -was big enough to hold a platoon, a section, or a Lewis gun team. - -The Battalion returned to Longpré on the 16th of October and entrained -for Caestre, which was reached in the early hours of the following -morning, whence a long and uninteresting march brought the Battalion to -scattered billets outside the village of Boeschepe, and after another -long march on the 19th, the Civil Service Rifles relieved the 16th -Battalion Australian Infantry in support to what was called the Bluff -Sub-sector (or Canal Sub-sector) south of Ypres, and close to what had -once been the Ypres-Comines canal. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -A REST CURE IN THE YPRES SALIENT - - -To those whose memories of Ypres are only associated with thoughts -of mud and slaughter, and who at the mention of the word “Salient” -instinctively think of the horrors of Passchendaele, the Menin Road and -Hooge, it will seem incredible that there was a time during the war -when the Ypres Salient was peaceful and quiet, a place where Divisions, -shattered on the Somme, came for recuperation. - -It was in such a state that the 47th Division found the Ypres Salient -in October, 1916, and after what had been endured in the previous -month, it was particularly welcome. - -In the Civil Service Rifles reconstruction had only just begun. No -drafts had reached the Battalion, which was very much below strength. -Some Companies had only one officer, the Company Commander, and -practically no N.C.O.’s above the rank of Lance-Corporal. It was well, -therefore, that there was no fighting and the sound of a shell was the -exception rather than the rule. - -The Division had had no experience of trench warfare for some months, -and when the Civil Service Rifles on the 24th of October, 1916, -relieved the Post Office Rifles in the front line in what was called -the Ravine, a section of the Bluff Sector, they found several features -of trench warfare which were quite new to them. - -In the first place, each Company had a cookhouse in the trenches, and -the Company cooks came in with their Companies and cooked all the meals -on the spot. Rations were pushed up almost to Company Headquarters in -trucks along a light railway, and there was a dump of R.E. material -actually in the Battalion area. These were all amenities of trench life -hitherto unknown, and all helped to convey the idea that the Civil -Service Rifles were making a new start in life. These conditions helped -materially to restore the confidence and fighting spirit of troops who -were rapidly approaching the “fed-up” state. - -The trenches were mostly sandbagged barricades such as had been seen -as Festubert, but here they were neatly revetted with expanded metal, -and although there was a good deal of water, all the trench floors -were boarded. There were recesses labelled for bombs and S.A.A., and -although the trench shelters were not by any means shell-proof, the -majority at least were weatherproof. - -There were many ambitious schemes for winter comforts. A Brigade gum -boot store with lots of thigh gum boots was already established, and -large shelters were being erected in each Battalion area as drying -rooms, where men would be able to dry their clothes. These shelters, -however, never got into working order. Another novelty was the -precaution taken to prevent trench feet or frost bite. It was arranged -that every man should change his socks and rub his feet with whale oil -every day, the old socks being sent down every night and exchanged at -the Divisional Laundry for alleged clean ones which were brought up -with rations the following night. - -Thus it was hoped to combat some of the evils which beset the Army -during the previous winter, and there is no doubt that these measures -bore good fruit, for the losses through sickness during the winter of -1916-17 were less than half those of the previous winter. - -But although the prospect at the beginning of winter was very bright, -and the troops were looking forward confidently to a spell of quiet -life, it was not long before things began to liven up, as though the -Ypres Salient had begun to look to its reputation. - -The change was first noticeable when, on returning to the front line -after a few days in Divisional Reserve at Ottawa Camp, near the village -of Ouderdom, the Battalion took over a section of the front line in -what was called the Hill 60 Sector, on the 13th of November. - -These trenches differed in many respects from those in the Ravine, -in spite of the fact that they were practically adjacent. Mining -activities were carried on here on a very elaborate scale, and there -were several deep tunnels, some, it was said, running as far forward as -the German front line on Hill 60 itself. These tunnels were all being -worked by one of the Australian Tunnelling Companies, to whom working -parties were sent day and night. The main line of the Ypres-Roulers -railway ran through the sector, and the old railway cutting formed -the right boundary of the Battalion front. The trenches had been in -existence for many months, and owing to the continual bombardments, -the ravages of weather, and the quaint ideas of sanitation of former -occupants of the sector, the area could hardly claim to be a health -resort. Large fat rats abounded in and around every trench, and so fat -were they that they had lost their turn of speed, and fell easy victims -to any who could find time to hunt them. Bully beef and Maconochie’s -famous meat and vegetable rations were to be found everywhere. Some men -say that these were often used in place of trench boards. - -Those working in the tunnels with the Australians were impressed, -almost awestruck, by the magnitude of the mining operations, which -they felt sure would end one day in a miniature earthquake, and they -fervently hoped they would be at a safe distance when that should -happen. The tunnels were lighted by electricity, the power for which -was produced by a gas engine installed underground. A privileged few -were allowed to explore the wonderful Berlin Sap, a long tunnel which -stretched from some distance in rear of Battalion Headquarters to the -German lines. - -But it must not be imagined that the troops enjoyed home comforts -in this area. The Companies holding the left of the Battalion front -had practically no protection from either shell fire or weather, and -those who have occupied the curiously-named Metropolitan Left and -Metropolitan Right will be ready to swear that there was no more -miserable place on the western front. They were, however, little better -off than those who were stowed away in the tunnels of Marshall Walk, -where the atmosphere reduced the occupants, packed in tight, to a state -of coma. - -The enemy had now begun to bombard the area fiercely with various kinds -of shells and minenwerfer bombs, but fortunately he was kind enough, -at first at all events, to limit his bombardments strictly to certain -hours of the day. His special effort was always served up during the -two hours after lunch, and strangely enough it was mostly bestowed on -the Marshall Walk area, where the troops were able to squeeze into the -tunnels. The men in other parts of the line had to sit under a ground -sheet or a bit or corrugated iron and hope that nothing would come -their way. In this way five somewhat anxious days were endured with -comparatively few casualties before the Battalion moved into support -in another of the wonders of the Ypres Salient--the Railway Dug-outs. -These were dug-outs formed by tunnelling into the railway embankment -between the village of Zillebeke and Ypres itself. Half the Battalion -was accommodated here, the men occupying wire beds which were erected -in tiers. The atmosphere was thick, to say the least, and fatigue -parties were frequently told off to try to fan the foul air out with -gas fans. The other two Companies were at Battersea Farm and Château -Belge. - -The Railway Dug-outs area had its advantages, however, for there was -little shelling and there were opportunities during the day to wander -out into the fresh air, to visit the Brigade canteen, and sometimes -to visit the ruins of the historic city of Ypres. The working parties -at night were employed in pushing trucks of R.E. material along what -remained of the railway line to the ration dump of the front line -Battalion, in the Hill 60 sector. On the whole the five days at Railway -Dug-outs were written down as not too bad, and after five more days in -the front line in Hill 60 sector, the end of November saw the Battalion -in Divisional Reserve in the huts at Ottawa Camp. - -The Division had now settled down to a very stereotyped form of -warfare, and as there seemed every likelihood that no move would take -place for some months, an elaborate programme of work for improving the -accommodation both in trenches and camps was embarked upon. - -There were two Brigades holding the line and one in reserve occupying -four hutted camps in the neighbourhood of the villages of Ouderdom and -Busseboom. It was arranged that whenever a Brigade was in reserve, -the various Battalions should always go to the same camp. So it came -about that the Civil Service Rifles always went to Ottawa Camp. This -arrangement, it was hoped, would encourage Battalions to work hard at -camp improvements. Works Officers were appointed and pioneer platoons -were detailed in each Company for this purpose, but every time the -Civil Service Rifles returned to Ottawa Camp they swore no work had -been done since they were last there. - -Somebody did work in Ottawa Camp, however, for in course of time -it became transformed from the sea of mud, with a collection of -broken-down, draughty huts, into a tolerably comfortable camp--if any -camp in Belgium could be comfortable. The Battalion Mess for sergeants -was revived, and under the stewardship of Sergeant R. F. M. Bigby, a -fairly successful attempt was made to restore the former glory of the -Civil Service Rifles Sergeants’ Mess. - -In looking back on the year spent in the Ypres Salient, the average -member of the Civil Service Rifles, full of the bitter memories of the -Menin Road, Hooge and Château Wood, is apt to forget that there was a -time when life was quite enjoyable in Ottawa Camp, with the trips to -Poperinghe, where there was much gaiety. - -It is quite true, however, that at first Ottawa Camp was better known -for its discomfort than for anything else, and it was a curious fact -that Halifax Camp, which was the home of one of the Support Battalions -of a Brigade holding the front line, was much more comfortable. - -The month of December 1916 is chiefly notable for the formation of what -was known as the “football team”--two officers (Second Lieutenants H. -S. Gosney and C. E. Groves) and fifty other ranks. This team began to -train for a raid on the German trenches, when they hoped to atone for -the ill-luck which had attended previous Civil Service Rifles’ raids. - -[Illustration: SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE TWELVE MONTHS IN THE YPRES -SALIENT OCTOBER 1916-SEPTEMBER 1917.] - -The party was housed in reserve dug-outs in the trenches about Château -Ségard, one of the support positions for the Ravine sector, and in -addition to training in the surrounding trenches after dark, parties -went up to the front line nightly to patrol No Man’s Land and inspect -the enemy wire. - -The scheme was entered into with enthusiasm by the whole party, which -was split up into six groups, each with a definite job to do, and they -were all brim full of confidence when, at 5.45 p.m. on the 23rd of -December, they set out from the front line on their adventure--to the -strains of music from a violin in the German lines! - -The troops entered the German front line safely enough and worked their -way round the appointed area. The opposition, not very strong, was -quickly overcome, but no prisoners could be brought back. Two Bosches -did get as far as the parapet but there they decided to stay, and as -nothing would induce them to come over, “they had to be disposed of,” -as one of the N.C.O.’s afterwards said in his report. - -The return home at the appointed time was carried out successfully and -as numerous identifications were brought back, the object of the raid -had been achieved. The casualties were very few, but unfortunately they -included two killed--Lance-Corporal A. T. C. Geary and Private A. F. -Pearson. - -The success of the raid put the whole party in good spirits for -Christmas, which, as in 1915, was spent in the trenches. The Christmas -celebrations duly took place, however, early in January at Ottawa Camp, -when each Company had a Christmas dinner and concert. The festival -lacked nothing on account of the postponement, and in many sections -of the Battalion it was kept up for several days. To celebrate their -success the survivors of the raid were given a dinner at which the -heroes of the evening were Lance-Sergeant H. J. Steele and Corporal J. -H. Swain, who had both been awarded the M.M. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE SALIENT IN WINTER - - -Life in the Ypres Salient could now no longer be described as a rest -cure, for in addition to increased activity on both sides in the line, -the weather was of the real wintry type. - -The trenches, where there had been “water, water, everywhere,” had -become ice-bound, and remained so for many weeks. Trench stores were -often taken over by a C.S.M. who could scarcely see them through the -ice, but who was told that he would “find they were all right when the -thaw came.” - -To complete the wintry scene, snow had fallen and cast a mantle of -white over the ugly sights of war. The Ravine certainly looked pretty -now, with the feathery snowflakes glistening on the trees, and here and -there an icicle giving the genuine Christmas-card impression. No Man’s -Land, too, has rarely looked more picturesque with the festoons of -barbed wire daintily picked out in white. Yes, it was a beautiful scene -on a moonlight night in January 1917, but the sentry on the firestep -in the front line, with feet frozen, nose, ears and hands feeling as -though they were about to drop off, had no eye for such beauty. His -idea of beauty at the time was a little so-called dug-out, with a -ground sheet or an old post bag (contrary to G.R.O. “XYZ”) hanging -over the entrance, and inside a glorious warm “fug” with three or four -of his pals stewing in the fumes given off by a tiny brazier. It was -so cold on the firestep and the front line trenches were so near to -each other, that he daren’t stamp his feet, for fear of being heard in -the German line. Not that it mattered a great deal about being heard, -thought the sentry, for with his hands in such a frozen state that he -did not know whether he was holding his rifle or not, he couldn’t do -much to stop the Bosche if he did come over to-night. Things would not -be much better when the Battalion was relieved. He supposed it would -be Ottawa Camp again, where it was bitterly cold and the Quartermaster -would never give you any fuel. Why couldn’t he have a job like “Posh -Harry” at the Brigade School, he wondered? At any rate, there would be -a comfortable billet there, and a fire. He must get a stripe, that’s -what it came to, and then if he could not get a job at the Brigade -School or at the Divisional School in Poperinghe, at any rate he might -get sent there on a course. He was fed up with this life, he was sure, -and when his turn of sentry duty was finished and he was promptly put -on an ice-breaking fatigue, he began to think that there was some sense -after all in the peace talk that one read of in the newspapers at this -time. If only they would talk about it seriously! But what could one -expect when the newspaper folk described the peace talk as “an insult -to Tommy in the trenches”? - -Meditations such as the foregoing were not uncommon in the early -part of 1917, when the wintry weather was almost the sole topic of -conversation. But what was dreaded more than the frost and snow was the -thaw which would follow, and how every man prayed that his Battalion -would move into Divisional Reserve the day the thaw came! - -Before the thaw came, however, the Civil Service Rifles were to have -a little excitement in the front line, for one night in the middle of -January, the Bosche, who had evidently been reading the story of the -escape of Mary Queen of Scots from Lochleven Castle, had attired his -patrols in white raiment and sent them out across the snow. The trick -came off, and the Bosches entered the trench known as Berry Post, -inflicted casualties on the garrison, and got back to their own lines -unhurt. - -This feat so impressed the authorities that by the time the thaw had -fairly set in, white patrol jackets were awaiting collection from -ordnance. - -Many Transport men have unpleasant recollections of nights on this -sector, where rations were taken up to the front line in trucks -drawn by mules on the light railways from Woodcote Farm. In theory, -loaded trucks were picked up at the Farm and hauled to the Ravine or -elsewhere, there unloaded, and taken back to be ready for use next -day. In practice, the trucks were usually at the wrong end of the -railway to start with; and when obtained they invariably came off the -rails at intervals on the up-journey--to a chorus of curses from the -accompanying fatigue party. Drivers have bitter memories of nights when -shelling occurred while trucks were off the rails. They admit that it -was only human for the fatigue party to go to ground; but they still -cannot see how one man could be expected to manage a distracted mule -and also unload, re-rail and re-load a truck of trenchboards. - -It was here that Onions, chief Bolshevik of the Battalion mules was -lost. After the line had been broken by shell-fire, she was sent up at -dawn to bring back stranded trucks. Enemy observers traced her back -to Brisbane Dump and sent out an S.O.S. reporting her presence there. -Onions left hastily with a dislike of barrage fire and a wound in the -head, and was sent forthwith to the Base to be seen no more by the -Civil Service Rifles. - - * * * * * - -Small drafts were continually arriving during the winter of 1916-17, -and they often included several old N.C.O.’s and men of the original -Battalion, who were coming out for their second trip to France. Such -men were generally given a rousing send off by their companions -at Hazeley Down Camp, Winchester, where the Reserve Battalion was -stationed. The war cry of the returned warriors at the time was -“Everybody once, before anybody twice” and the unofficial flag, known -as the “Twicers” Flag, which was usually carried aloft on the march to -the station, has since been framed, and now hangs in the Civil Service -Rifles’ Club to commemorate the once famous “F” Company of the Civil -Service Rifles Reserve Battalion. - -For some unknown reason the officers joining the Battalion belonged to -regiments outside London. There were representatives of the various -Battalions of the Manchester Regiment, the Northern Cyclists and the -Hampshire Regiment. In fact, so many changes had taken place among the -officers of the Battalion, that by February, 1917, not a single one -remained of those who had embarked as officers in March 1915. - -An interesting innovation during the early weeks of 1917, was the -starting of a Regimental Drum and Fife Band. The R. S. M. called it a -Corps of Drums, the troops knew it at first as those----tin whistles, -but under the leadership of Sergeant Drummer Harmon, the Regimental -Band became an accomplished fact, and the Civil Service Rifles had -music on the march for the first time since coming to France--except -for the early spring of 1916, when “Mattie” Hull conducted a mouth -organ and tin whistle band among the Lewis gunners. - -A change from the eternal round of trench life came about towards the -end of February, when it fell to the lot of the Civil Service Rifles -to act for one month as Works Battalion in the Tenth Corps area. The -Companies were scattered over a very wide area, “A” being at Château -Belge, near Kruistraathoeke, “B” at Coppernollehoek and Poperinghe, -“C” at Pacific Sidings between Busseboom and Poperinghe, and “D” at -Vancouver Camp, close to Vlamertinghe. Battalion Headquarters remained -at Ottawa Camp. The Companies were employed daily on working parties, -chiefly under the Canadian Railway Construction Company, on work -connected with the laying of a light railway from Poperinghe to the -forward area. After the discomforts of trench life, the change was -very welcome, particularly with “B” Company, who had rather wonderful -billets, and “C” Company, who were all under one roof within easy -distance of Poperinghe. - -The Companies were still scattered on the 17th of March, so it was -not possible for the Battalion to celebrate the day with a united -gathering, but “C” Company had a very successful show at Pacific Siding -which was attended by representatives from all the other Companies. The -Sergeants held a belated but very hearty celebration on another day, -and a party from “B” Company held a dinner in Poperinghe. - - * * * * * - -Throughout the first six months of the time spent in the Ypres Salient, -the Transport Lines were established at a typical Belgian farm, and -consequently no gathering of Transport men is now complete without a -few tales of Delanotte Farm. - -In addition to the Transport, the Quartermaster and his staff spent a -good deal of their time at Delanotte Farm, where also the Civil Service -Rifles’ dentist, Corporal E. Pitt, was installed with all his stock -in trade. The Civil Service Rifles claim to be unique among Infantry -Battalions in the B. E. F. in that they alone possessed their own -dentist, who, although fully qualified, was primarily an infantryman -and was not one of the R. A. M. C. attached. - -During his service in France, Corporal Pitt has attended to a -distinguished clientele, including at least one Brigadier General, but -he showed no class distinctions in his dental chair, and the humble -private was always sure of just as careful treatment as was given to -his Brigadier. - -Pitt often had to work amid strange surroundings, but his surgery at -Delanotte Farm was perhaps his best known home, and one of his patients -has recorded his impressions of it: - - “In the last great European War the ambitious Emperor who may - be regarded as the Kaiser’s prototype stated that an army - marched on its stomach. But what is a stomach without its - teeth? (vide any advertisements of ‘a complete set from one - guinea upwards’). At any rate the British Army has come to - regard the teeth of its lads as anxiously as the fond mother - regards her little one’s chewing organs. These few remarks will - serve to introduce our hero. - - “Imagine a brick farm-house in a part of Belgium where the mud - is too muddy for words. The house nestles in a swamp of green - viscous slime. This was for many months the locale of the C. - S. R. Transport while the boys were disporting themselves in - the ditches (misnamed ‘trenches’) in the Ypres district. _The_ - room of the farmhouse was of fairly decent size, with a low - ceiling supported by stout smoke-grimed beams. It was always - well patronised by the lads of the Transport, who would discuss - the inevitable eggs and chips and sip their coffee or beer all - day long. At a large sink by the window the good lady of the - house, assisted variously by a submissive husband, a daughter - (who could by no stretch of imagination be called a coquette!) - and a son, seemed eternally engaged either in preparing a salad - of chickweed and groundsel (or so it seemed), or in counting - the stock of dried haricots. In the other corner by the - window, there was a complete dental establishment installed. - This was the scene of the labours of the indefatigable Pitt, - and there was nothing of the horse-doctor’s methods about - him. I can assure you that he wielded the cocaine-injecting - needle as expertly as the one and only Sherlock himself. Did - you want a tooth scraped or stopped, or filled, or coddled in - any way whatever, our dentist would say ‘right,’ and place - a fresh cigarette in his holder (would that I received a - royalty on the cigarettes he smoked!) Then he would select - some fearsome-looking--but really harmless--instruments from - his plenteous stock, and carry on. His sideline (something - like the ‘making bricks in spare time’ stunt) was treating - cases that would ordinarily fall to the care of the M.O. if - he were available. It was surprising how the fame of Pitt - spread near and far; and many and various were his clients. - The amusing part was the complete nonchalance of the people - of the house. They would carry on their weird and wonderful - culinary processes at the sink while the amateur doctor - extracted teeth and poured away bloody water and rinsed foul - dressings under their very noses. In this atmosphere of eggs - and chips, steaming coffee, stale beer, tobacco smoke, flies, - and sometimes washing, Pitt carried on his labours day by day, - month by month, until the Battalion was sent away to happier - (?) hunting grounds.... - - “Jolly old Pitt! How many of us had cause to bless the fact - that we could go to him for healing balm in our time of bitter - sorrow!” - - * * * * * - -The Battalion was reassembled after being employed for a month as Works -Battalion, and on the 21st of March renewed its acquaintance with -the front line trenches in the Ravine. The trenches were no longer -ice-bound, but the official first day of Spring did not live up to its -name, for snow and sleet fell throughout the night. Eight uneventful -days in the Ravine were followed by a similar period in support in -the neighbourhood of Swan Château and Château Segard. Hitherto when -the Battalion had been at Swan Château the chief recreation had been -sliding on the pond in the château grounds. Captain Ind, in fact, made -a nightly practice of leading Headquarter Company in sliding on the -ice by moonlight. On this occasion, however, boating and fishing were -freely indulged in. There was an odd looking craft on the pond, which -was in great demand, and the most popular bait for the fish seemed to -be a Mills bomb--though this bait was not sanctioned by the B. E. F. -Angling Society. It was in fact forbidden by G.R.O., so it naturally -follows that no angler was ever known to use the bait. - -Any man who thought the Battalion had come to the Ypres Salient for -boating and fishing, however, was rudely disillusioned when a return -was made to the front line in the familiar Ravine. The London Irish had -just finished a big raid on the German lines when the Civil Service -Rifles relieved them on the night of the 7th of April, and henceforth -things livened up very considerably in this sector, where life had -previously been tolerably quiet. The Bosche now bombarded furiously, -and on the 9th of April (Easter Monday) he raided the Battalion on -the immediate left of the Civil Service Rifles, causing pretty heavy -casualties. The raid took place at 6.30 p.m. and the accompanying -fireworks were kept up throughout the night. As a sample of the -frightfulness that could be served up in the Salient, it was fairly -complete, and the Civil Service Rifles, although not in the raided -trenches, lost thirteen killed and eighteen wounded during the night. - -The Division very soon afterwards had to take over a little more of the -line immediately south of the Ypres-Comines Canal, known as the Spoil -Bank Sector, and as it meant giving up the hated Hill 60 Sector, the -change was a very popular one. - -Ottawa Camp now came within the area of another Division, and the Civil -Service Rifles, on being relieved on the 12th of April by the First -Surrey Rifles, moved into Divisional Reserve in Devonshire Camp, near -Busseboom. - -Early in April rumours of a big Spring offensive began to relieve -the monotony, and the story was passed from one to another in strict -confidence that the Civil Service Rifles would soon attack a château in -a wood just south of the canal, where the Adjutant was of opinion that -“we shall have some interesting wood fighting.” - -The next trip to the front line was to the Spoil Bank section itself, -whence rumour had it that the attack would some day be launched, and -amateur tacticians were thus able to study the scheme on the spot. A -preliminary reconnaissance generally ended in the observer hoping he -would be away on leave or on a course when the attack should eventually -take place. - -An unsuccessful attempt at a raid by the enemy at 4.30 a.m. on the 25th -April was the only incident of note in a somewhat uninteresting stay in -the front line, where nearly every trench appeared to be open to direct -observation from the Bosche. The mystery about the Spoil Bank sector, -with its trenches so open and devoid of shelter, was that in five days -there were only eight casualties, all of which occurred during the -enemy’s attempted raid. The bombardment during the raid was such as to -make every man look forward with more than usual keenness to the relief -on the following night by the 6th Battalion, when the Civil Service -Rifles moved to Dominion Camp, adjoining Devonshire Camp. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE MORINGHEM TREK - - -A long stay of eleven days in Dominion Lines ended with a return to -the Support positions around Swan Château on the 8th of May, but only -three days were spent here (during which time there were thirteen -casualties, an unusually high number for the comparative safety of -support positions) before the Battalion was relieved by the Poplar and -Stepneys, and moved back to the village of Dickebusch for two days, -before starting on the “Moringhem Trek,” the first affair of its kind -since the memorable trek to the Somme. - -The trek began on the 13th of May with a march to the village of Watou, -and the old soldier now knew that he would soon be taking part in an -attack. “They’re not taking us all this way for exercise, or simply for -our amusement” he told the latest joined recruit as they marched along, -“but it’s worth it to get away from the Salient for a few days and to -see the civvies once more without any fear of shelling. And remember, -when we go over the odds are generally about four to one on a blighty, -so don’t worry.” - -The billets were good in Watou, but they were even better in the -village of Sercus, where the Battalion, after marching through -Hazebrouck, spent the second night. General regret was felt that only -one night was spent in this village, and on the third day, after -passing through Arques and St. Omer, the training area was reached -and the Companies were billeted in the village of Moringhem and -the neighbouring villages. On the whole the billets were poor and -uncomfortable, besides being scattered. “A” and Headquarters Company -were in Moringhem itself, “B” and “C” were about a mile and a half away -in Petit Difques, and “D” were in the little hamlet of Cuslinghem. - -It was announced that about three weeks would be spent in this -district, and a somewhat ambitious programme of sports and recreation -was drawn up. The training was often finished soon after mid-day. An -inter-platoon football competition was started, and preliminary heats -for the Battalion Sports Meeting, to be held on the 20th of May, were -run off during the early days of the “holiday.” - -The Brigadier having expressed a wish that officers and men should be -given facilities to visit St. Omer, parties were made up each day for -that purpose. The men generally went in G.S. wagons and limbers, and -the officers usually returned _a voiture_. - -A novelty in Regimental Sports was introduced on the 19th of May -at what was reported in the _Financial Times_ as the Moringhem May -Meeting, when the only event was a horse race for officers’ chargers. - -The race took place after church parade, and was over a five furlong -course behind the village church. Unfortunately, one or two of the -starters were not quite sure where the course was, and consequently -several horses had to wait at “the tapes” while Battalion orderlies -scoured the village for missing runners and jockeys. More unfortunate -still was the experience of the “bookie” who, at great trouble, had -secured costumes for himself and his clerk, but who spent the morning -wandering about the neighbouring hills, vainly searching for the -course, and cursing his clerk for a fool. - -Lieutenant Craig, the Transport Officer, acted as starter to a field -of seven. The Adjutant’s horse, Bunty, was first away, but his jockey -lost a stirrup and could not keep the lead. Entering the straight, -the Medical Officer (Captain C. M. Gozney) on the Boy, was in front, -and, shaking off the challenge by Bunty and Sunshine, he rode a good -race and won by a short head from the former, with Sunshine (ridden by -Captain F. D. Balfour) close up third. The winner started at 5-2, Bunty -at 3-1, and Sunshine at 100-3. The favourite Polly (5-4), ridden by -Captain Bowers Taylor, a heavyweight jockey, was quite unable to give -the weight away to the leaders. The bookie, it should be mentioned, -arrived on the course just in time to “pay out,” as there had been -considerable ante-post betting, and all the placed horses had been well -backed. - -The Battalion Sports Meeting on the following day was marred by orders -to send off a digging party of 200 other ranks to dig trenches on the -training ground. The whole Battalion had turned up on the Transport -Field, and cookers were in attendance so that tea could be had on the -ground, but after the departure of the working party, interest in the -Sports died down, and the crowd, somewhat disappointed, filtered away. - -Much keener interest was taken in the Inter-platoon football -competition, in the final of which Numbers 5 and 15 Platoons met three -times at Moringhem without being able to come to a decision. Two hours -exciting play on each of the first two occasions failed to produce even -a goal, but at the third meeting, play actually continued until Lights -Out, when the score was two goals all. It should, perhaps, be mentioned -that in these days of summer time it was not uncommon for Lights Out -to be sounded while it was still daylight. The football final was not -decided until after the Battalion had been in the front line. The score -on that occasion, when Number 15 Platoon won by no less than nine goals -to nothing, was an eloquent but sad testimony to what had happened -since the three drawn games at Moringhem. - -The stay at Moringhem differed in many respects from the preparation -for the Somme battle in 1916. On this occasion the Division marched -straight to its training ground, which was reached in three days. The -marked out course quickly made its appearance, and it was made known at -the outset that the 140th Brigade was training for the attack on the -German positions around the White Château, just south of the Canal, -near Hollebeke. Moreover, the “non-starters” were selected at the -beginning of the training, and the rehearsals were carried out with the -officers, N.C.O.’s and men who were going to take part in the actual -attack. - -The training was nothing like so strenuous as that for the High Wood -battle, and the men thus finished their day’s work with sufficient -energy left for football and other sports in the evening. In one -respect the experience of the Somme preparation was repeated. The -Adjutant, Captain W. E. Ind, M.C., threw himself whole heartedly and -enthusiastically into the work of training the Battalion and had very -quickly mastered every detail of the scheme. It was very largely due -to his efforts that the Civil Service Rifles left Moringhem thoroughly -prepared for their share in the battle and so full of confidence in -their success. - -On the whole a very happy time had been spent at Moringhem, and there -was no great anxiety to leave the place on the 31st of May, when the -Battalion returned by train from St. Omer to Poperinghe, where, as they -marched out of the station, the troops were greeted at once with a few -shells--just as a reminder that they were back in the Salient. - -The discomforts of the Ypres Salient were rarely more forcibly -illustrated than on the afternoon of the arrival at the so-called -tented camp in Dominion Lines. The march from Poperinghe Station took -place in the afternoon, and the Battalion marched into Dominion Lines -with visions of a comfortable camp and a welcome cup of tea! The men -were doomed to disappointment, for the “camp” proved to be a strip of -waste ground, very dusty, and without even a blade of grass on it. -There were a few bivouac sheets to be issued to each Company, and there -were about three bell tents for officers. Beyond this there was not -a stick of camp equipment of any kind. The disappointment was all the -keener because the Area Commandant was a Civil Service Rifles officer, -and it was thought he might have treated his own Regiment a little -better. The other three Battalions of the Brigade were comfortably -housed in huts. - -The country all around presented a very different aspect from that seen -in the autumn of 1916, when the Division came to Ypres for a rest. -On all sides one now saw signs of the coming offensive. The roads -were lined with big ammunition dumps, a few of which were blown up -nightly by Bosche artillery fire, which had increased very considerably -during the past month. The English artillery, too, had increased their -activity, and some wonderful bombardments were witnessed both by day -and night. The Bosche, in fact, could not have had much doubt of what -was in store for him. The only doubt in his mind would be how much -longer he would be allowed to remain in his front line trenches. - -A mysterious-looking enclosure, marked “Segregated Area,” attracted -a good deal of attention from the curious among the troops, who, -after reading the notice outside, that no horses could be admitted, -discovered that many tanks were housed there. Members of the Civil -Service Rifles who had been on the Somme heaved a sigh of relief when -they learnt that, although tanks were co-operating in the coming -attack, none were allotted a definite part in the task of their -Battalion. - -The 2nd of June was devoted to final preparations for the battle. -Officers got their men together for a little extra talk, and all ranks -eagerly studied maps and aeroplane photographs, of which there was a -generous supply and which showed clearly how thoroughly the artillery -had prepared the way. There was an atmosphere of suppressed excitement -similar to that of the days before High Wood, but on this occasion -there was greater confidence, inspired by the unmistakable evidence on -all sides of the magnificent work of the artillery and the Air Force. - -Company Commanders went up to reconnoitre the support positions which -the Battalion was to occupy the next day, and working parties were sent -out along the cross-country tracks, which had been made to ease the -traffic along the roads. These parties were occupied all day in the -pleasant task of filling up the shell holes which the Bosche had made -overnight. - -The battle surplus to be left behind when an Infantry Battalion took -part in an attack had by this time been clearly defined by General -Headquarters, and consequently a large party of “non-starters” joined -the Divisional Reinforcement Camp before the Battalion left for the -trenches on the 3rd of June. These included, in addition to two of -the regular Company Commanders, representatives of every platoon and -specialist section in the Battalion-picked N.C.O.’s and men who would -form a worthy nucleus on which to build a new Battalion in the event of -heavy casualties being suffered. The Divisional Reinforcement Camp was -commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Warrender, who had left the Civil Service -Rifles the previous November to command the 47th Divisional School at -Poperinghe. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -MESSINES--7TH JUNE, 1917 - - -The Regimental Diary gives a detailed description of the career of the -Civil Service Rifles from the time of leaving Dominion Lines on the -night of the 3rd of June to the return from the trenches after the -battle:-- - - “Just before we started for the trenches at 10.0 p.m., - the Bosche dropped a few big shells on the track near the - segregated area, so it was felt that as we had to pass this - point the war had started in earnest. Fortunately the whole - Battalion passed this area without mishap, and the journey to - the trenches was very quiet until we approached Café Belge, - when we received a message that the Bosche was shelling that - spot freely with gas shells. The information proved to be true, - and the Battalion had its first experience of a real gas shell - bombardment--happily without any casualties. We reached the - support positions--trenches in the vicinity of Swan Château - and Château Segard--without any further adventure, and after - relieving the Poplar and Stepney Rifles, spent a quiet night in - very crowded quarters. - - “The Battalion spent three days in these trenches, and on the - whole they were very pleasant. The weather was good, and there - were practically no working parties, so the men got plenty of - time for rest. The time was spent in such final preparation for - the attack as issuing bombs, rifle grenades, ground flares, - picks, shovels and chewing gum (one stick between two) and - rations for ‘the day.’ The Company Commanders reconnoitred - the assembly positions on the morning of the 6th, and by that - afternoon everything was ready for the move up to the assembly - trenches. The whole Battalion was in excellent spirit and every - one was full of confidence. The men had taken a very keen - interest in the orders and every man knew the part he had to - play. - - “We had a quiet move to the assembly trenches at night, and - although the tracks and back areas were receiving their usual - nightly ration of shells, there were no casualties. - - “It was now known that the attack would be delivered at dawn, - and the few hours before zero were spent in comparative peace. - The trenches were those occupied by the Civil Service Rifles - on their last visit to the front line. ‘A’ Company was in the - old Lock House, near the Spoil Bank by the side of the Canal. - The remaining Companies were on their right in West Terrace and - Grenade Trench, in the order in which they were to attack. ‘D’ - was on the right, ‘B’ next, ‘C’ next, and for the attack ‘A’ - Company came out of the Lock House and formed the left flank. - - “Zero for the great 2nd Army attack was at 3.10 a.m. on the 7th - of June, but our Battalion took no part in the first phase. - An hour before zero, all Company Commanders were to report to - Battalion Headquarters to be on the spot if anything went wrong - with the first phase. Battalion Headquarters was in a smelly, - wet dug-out in West Terrace. It had walls of brick and some - attempt at a concrete roof. The party assembled there consisted - of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel H. Marshall - (Hampshire Regiment), the Adjutant, Captain W. E. Ind, M.C., - and the four Company Commanders--‘A’ Company, Captain A. Bowers - Taylor (Manchester Regiment, attached); ‘B’ Company, Captain - G. C. Grimsdale; ‘C’ Company, Second-Lieutenant P. Davenport; - and ‘D’ Company, Second-Lieutenant G. Hasleham (Manchester - Regiment, attached). The Signals Officer, Second-Lieutenant - R. W. Illing and the Bombing Officer, Second-Lieutenant O. E. - Burden, also hovered about, and there was the usual ‘chorus’ - generally found hanging round Battalion Headquarters--servants, - police, pioneers, signallers and runners. Wallis, the ‘head - waiter,’ moved about as unconcerned as ever, with sandwiches - and whisky and soda for the guests. The gathering reminded one - of Bairnsfather’s sketch, ‘An hour before going into trenches.’ - Ind tried hard to keep the conversation going; Grimsdale, who - occupied one of the few seats, appeared somewhat subdued, - though he had a few knotty problems to put to the assembly. - Hasleham, who squatted tailor fashion on the floor, went to - sleep, while Bowers Taylor and Davenport spent the time trying - to follow his example--without much success. - - “At 3.10 a.m. precisely, the floor, walls and ceiling began to - rock furiously, and we realised that the Australian tunnellers - in Marshall Walk had not boasted idly when they told us last - November that their mine under Hill 60 would one day stagger - humanity. A moment later, another big mine went up at St. Eloi, - and at the same time the most wonderful bombardment there has - ever been known was let loose. Big guns, howitzers and field - guns seemed to be firing from everywhere behind us, and one - could not help feeling overawed by the magnificence of our - artillery. The machine guns joined in the fun, and the whole - thing inspired every one with great confidence. No human beings - could possibly withstand such a bombardment. It was the noise - of the bombardment, so often described as drumfire, which was - mistaken afar off for the noise of the mines, and imaginative - journalists with a keen sense of hearing afterwards wrote tales - of how they had heard the mines in London. The mines actually - made comparatively little noise. - - “We had three hours to wait before our time came to jump off, - so we tried to see what was going on in front, where the - 7th and 8th Battalions were attacking the White Château and - neighbouring trenches. Little could be seen, however, beyond a - big cloud of dust and here and there a tank toiling over the - shell holes. The Bosche, apparently, had no guns to spare for - us, as he left us entirely alone, and at 5.15 a.m. we moved up - to our jumping off trenches undisturbed. - - “The Adjutant, who for many weeks had worked on this scheme - harder than the producer of plays ever worked on a great - masterpiece, came up to see us off, and as the situation was so - quiet we were able to form up in waves outside our jumping-off - trenches. Our new padré, too, came along to wish the ‘dear - lads’ the best of luck, and to distribute a large quantity - of cigarettes. A staunch friend to the troops at all times, - the Rev. Ernest Beattie was surely the most cheery padré a - Battalion could have had. It did one good to see his genial - smile whenever he came round the line. - - “The first wave consisted of one platoon of each Company, ‘A’ - on the left under Sergeant Steele, then ‘C’ (Second-Lieutenant - Stoneman), ‘B’ (Sergeant G. T. Bachell), and ‘D’ - (Second-Lieutenant G. T. Mellett). An additional platoon of ‘B’ - under Second-Lieutenant Temple was attached to this wave which, - under the command of the Officer Commanding ‘C’ Company, moved - off at 6.25 a.m. The Battalion scouts, who had previously gone - forward to reconnoitre, had just returned and reported that all - had gone well with the Post Office Rifles, who were holding all - their objectives, and that the stream beyond, which we had to - cross, was practically dry and offered no obstacle. - - “The first wave had a good start, and in a line of sections in - single file went unhindered through the three objectives held - by the Post Office Rifles and across the aforesaid stream in - the White Château grounds, until it opened out to two lines - in extended order and halted under the barrage in a hollow - in front of the first objective, Oak Crescent, a trench just - south of the White Château stables. The first wave of the 6th - Battalion, who were attacking the stables on our left, moved - off at the same time. While waiting for the barrage to lift, we - suffered a few casualties. - - “The scene in the hollow while waiting for the barrage to - lift was a truly remarkable one. The inevitable mixing up of - waves had occurred, and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th waves, who were - following the first at five minute intervals, here became - merged into one mass, and the scene looked like the field for - a big cross-country race. The mix-up had occurred owing to the - men crossing the rough ground much more quickly than had been - expected. In the background a tank was slowly making its way - across the line of our advance to assist the 6th Battalion at - the stables if necessary. A small crowd gathered round it and - watched it with interest. What was most extraordinary was the - very slight enemy fire, and men were able to sort themselves - out more or less with ease. - - “When the barrage lifted, the first wave went forward to - assault Oak Crescent, but the difficulty was not so much to - capture it as to recognise it, for our guns had done their work - so well that it was hard to find the place where the trench - had been--and there was no trace of a Bosche either alive or - dead. The second wave, consisting of one platoon of ‘C’ Company - under Sergeant Glass, and one platoon of ‘D’ Company with - Company Headquarters, arrived to ‘mop up’ the trench, but as - they could not find any trench to mop up, they devoted their - time to trying to dig one instead. About this time the Officer - Commanding ‘A’ Company, Captain A. Bowers Taylor, was killed, - and the Officer Commanding ‘D’ Company, Second-Lieutenant - Hasleham, was wounded, and in addition the Battalion suffered - its most serious loss since leaving England. Lieutenant Ind, - who, in his eagerness to see that everything went well, had - followed the Battalion up to the hollow ground before the - first objective, was hit in the head by a piece of shell, and, - although he was taken down immediately, he was so badly wounded - that he died the same evening without recovering consciousness - in No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station, near Poperinghe. So the - Civil Service Rifles lost the finest Territorial soldier who - ever served with them. Fortunately the news did not get round - for some time, but it had a somewhat depressing effect when it - became known, for needless to say, Lieutenant Ind was loved by - every officer, N.C.O. and man in the Battalion. No man could - have worked harder for the welfare of a Battalion than he did, - nor could anyone be more fearless and unselfish than he was. He - had been with the 1st Civil Service Rifles continuously since - the Foreign Service Battalion was formed, and throughout he had - devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Regiment, whose members - he was ever ready to help in any way he possibly could. He - was a magnificent soldier, a thorough gentleman, and an ideal - friend, and his loss has left a gap in the Battalion which can - never be adequately filled. He had been looked upon for so long - as so essential a part of the Battalion that his many friends - found it difficult to realise that he had been killed. - - [Illustration: - - _Photo by The Chesterfield Studios Co., Chesterfield._ - - CAPTAIN W. E. IND, M.C. - - Adjutant 1st Batt., 15th March, 1916, till his death in Action, - 7th June, 1917. - - _To face page 142._ - ] - - “By a strange coincidence, Lieutenant-Colonel H. H. Kemble, - M.C., the Commanding Officer of the 23rd London Regiment (who, - as Captain Kemble, had been Ind’s Company Commander in the - Civil Service Rifles during their first six months in France) - was mortally wounded almost at the same time as his old - friend, and died the same night in the same ward. These two - old comrades were buried side by side in the Military Cemetery - just south of Poperinghe between the railway and the road to - Westoutre. - - “Lieutenant-Colonel Kemble’s death was lamented by all who knew - him in the Civil Service Rifles, where he was so well known and - respected as a very gallant Company Commander. - - “But although, as has been stated, the loss of Lieutenant Ind - had a somewhat depressing effect, it did not interfere with the - attack, and the third wave, consisting of one platoon of ‘A’ - Company (Second-Lieutenant G. W. Ackworth), one of ‘C’ Company - (Second-Lieutenant T. Woods), one of ‘B’ (Second-Lieutenant - Samuel) and one of ‘D’ (Second-Lieutenant Margrett), under the - Officer Commanding ‘B’ Company, moved through the line of what - was once Oak Crescent, and took their objective, Oblong Trench, - with little opposition. - - “The fourth wave, also consisting of a platoon from - each Company (‘A,’ Second-Lieutenant L. C. Morris, ‘B,’ - Second-Lieutenant C. Stevenson, ‘C,’ Second-Lieutenant C. V. - Marchant, and ‘D,’ Second-Lieutenant Moran), now moved through - Oak Crescent and amalgamated with the first wave. The two - together then moved forward, with an additional platoon of ‘A’ - Company (Second-Lieutenant A. Wilson) on the left, and captured - the final objective, Oblong Reserve, where a few tired and - frightened Germans readily gave themselves up. - - “About 200 yards beyond the final objective was a ruined - building, known as Delbske Farm, surrounded by a trench. - The instructions were that a patrol was to be pushed out to - the farm, which, if not held strongly, was to be rushed and - captured. A kind of scramble was accordingly made for the farm - by a party consisting of ‘C’ Company Headquarters, and Nos. 9 - and 11 Platoons, with Sergeant Steele’s platoon of ‘A’ Company - and any odd men of other Companies who happened to be handy. - The farm and trench were taken with little opposition, and - about thirty prisoners came pouring out of the building anxious - to be shown the way ‘home.’ - - “In every case throughout the day the objective had been - captured with ease. There were very few Bosches to be found, - and these immediately gave themselves up without a struggle - when we entered their trenches. Indeed, the only infantry - action took place after the trench at Delbske Farm had been - taken, when patrols, going out to right and left, were subject - to rifle fire from Bosche patrols, who later in the morning - seemed to have recovered from their fright sufficiently to - inflict a few casualties on the occupants of the trench outside - the farm. It was here that Sergeant Steele and Corporal - Freeman, of ‘A’ Company, after doing sterling work on patrol, - were shot through the head and killed instantly. - - “Late in the afternoon the Bosche began shelling heavily, but - although our aeroplanes twice reported him to be massing for - counter-attack, he was effectively dispersed by our artillery - and did not even leave his trenches. - - “The night was fairly quiet except for some desultory shelling; - but the troops were all very tired after their efforts of the - past 24 hours, and it came as a very pleasant surprise when - early on the morning of the 8th, the 2nd Leinsters arrived - and relieved us. The four Companies moved back to Ecluse - Trench--a support trench running south from the canal about - half a mile behind our original assembly positions. It was - quite a comfortable place and the weather was fine and warm. - The tired troops were therefore able to enjoy a solid day’s - sleep, undisturbed by shells. They were all very proud of their - victory, and when they were not sleeping they were all talking - at once, comparing souvenirs and recounting their various - experiences.” - - * * * * * - -So ended the first phase of the capture of the Messines-Wytschaete -Ridge. It had been a wonderful demonstration of the power of artillery -supported by a thorough aeroplane reconnaissance. From the point of -view of the infantry it had been a “walk over,” at least so far as the -Civil Service Rifles were concerned. Tales were told of hand-to-hand -struggles in the vicinity of the White Château, but the German troops -opposed to the Civil Service Rifles evidently knew whom they had to -deal with and they wisely refrained from indulging in any fighting. The -casualties, happily, were few, and the victory, considering the number -of objectives and the extent of ground covered, was undoubtedly a cheap -one. It was illustrated very clearly, however, how impossible it is, -when advancing over a wide area of rough ground, to arrive at the -distant objective in anything like the waves laid down in the training -pamphlets. - -Here were conditions ideal for a model attack--excellent artillery -support, well-trained men, every one of whom was keen and clearly -understood the scheme which had been so thoroughly rehearsed, and a -very weak opposition, and yet the attack became little more than a -scramble after the first objective was passed. At the same time the -troops had taken and held all the objectives allotted to them, and -there was a feeling of satisfaction among the members of the Civil -Service Rifles that the Battalion had done all that it was asked to do -in what was, so far, the greatest British victory of the war. - -After two days’ rest in Ecluse Trench a return was made to the front -line, and the 6th Battalion were relieved on the 10th of June in a -trench known as Opal Reserve--on the left of Oblong Reserve, familiar -to the Civil Service Rifles as one of their objectives on the 7th. -Battalion Headquarters was in what was left of the White Château itself. - -Although only two days were spent here it was a much more trying -experience than the battle had been, and the casualties suffered were -considerably more than the average for merely holding the line. The -Bosche had now reorganised his artillery, and he was using it to some -purpose on the White Château and its grounds. The first taste of the -trouble was given to No. 9 platoon of “C” Company on their way to the -front line. Starting out with about twenty men under Second Lieutenant -Stoneman, only nine reached the front line in Opal Reserve, four having -been killed, and seven wounded. - -The front line trench, which was mostly mud, was held by “B” and “C” -Companies, “A” and “D” being in reserve in a series of German “pill -box” shelters. Second Lieutenant L. L. Burtt was now in command of -“B” Company, and it is said he spent the time in being pulled out of -the mud by his Sergeant-Major (R. H. Burden), and in turn pulling him -out. There was no shelter of any kind for either of the front line -Companies, but “C” Company Headquarters occupied a niche cut out of the -wall of the trench, and there the Company Commander sat with an officer -on each side of him, like statues in the walls of a cathedral. - -The time here was spent in clearing the trench of the ever-falling -debris, dodging shells, and digging a jumping-off trench for the 41st -Division, who were shortly to continue the advance. For this purpose -they relieved the 47th Division on the night of the 12th of June, and -the Civil Service Rifles gladly handed over their strip of mud to the -18th Battalion K.R.R., and made their way out to Chippewa Camp, near -Reninghelst, where they arrived at about 6.0 a.m. on the 13th of June, -so tired that they didn’t care a fig who held the Messines-Wytschaete -Ridge. - - * * * * * - -In accordance with the usual practice after a big battle, the Division -went right back for rest and reorganisation, and after two days’ -marching the Civil Service Rifles, on the 16th of June, reached the -village of Ebblinghem, between Hazebrouck and St. Omer. - -The twelve days spent in this village were chiefly devoted to preparing -for an inspection by the Divisional Commander, and training for the -Divisional Water Carnival at Blaringhem. An al fresco concert in “D” -Company’s billet on the 23rd of June threatened to fall flat, but the -arrival, at a gallop, of a limber with a large barrel of beer on board -set things moving, and the concert finished very well. - -The Divisional Water Carnival was held in the canal at Blaringhem on -the 26th, and the crowd of visitors made one think of a Town Regatta -on the Thames, the fair sex being well represented. The weather was -gloriously fine, and the comic events were well to the fore in the -programme. The Battalion carried off its fair share of the honours, the -chief success being that of the R.Q.M.S., W. B. Hart, who built the -winning boat in the odd craft race, cleverly rowed by R. D. Tidmarsh, -who won an easy victory by a distance. A small lottery was arranged -for the visitors, and Mdlle. Victoria, the fair damsel at the Civil -Service Rifles Headquarters billet, won the first prize. This brought -to a close the holiday at Ebblinghem, for the march back to the war -was begun on the morning of the 28th, and, after staying one night -at Meteren and one night at Voormezeele, the month of July found the -Civil Service Rifles in support in what had been the German front line -immediately south of the Canal. - -The weather was bad, the trenches were in a perfectly rotten state of -repair, and the men had no protection against persistent shelling. -Three very unlucky days were spent here, during which time the losses -from shell fire amounted to about forty all ranks, and on the night of -the 3rd of July, after being relieved by Companies from the 21st, 22nd, -and 23rd Battalions, a weary and somewhat fed up Battalion made its way -to Murrumbidgee Camp--a hutted camp near the village of La Clytte. - -The chief attraction here was a bathing pond which, although somewhat -“soupy,” was well patronised by the troops. - -[Illustration: - - (_Portrait by Gabell._) - -FRANCIS WOODBINE PARISH, 1915 - -Captain, King’s Royal Rifle Corps; Adjutant, Prince of Wales’s Own -Civil Service Rifles. - -His wound, sustained in action on the Western front, was a contributory -cause of his death in 1921. - - _To face page 147._] - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE RENAISSANCE - - -Among the prominent events which may be regarded as landmarks or -milestones in the career of the Civil Service Rifles in France, two -have already been passed--Vimy Ridge and High Wood. The third milestone -was one of a different character, but the arrival of Lieut.-Colonel F. -W. Parish, M.C., to take command most certainly marked the beginning -of a new phase in the life of the Battalion. As the pre-war Adjutant, -Captain Parish had played a great part in the training of the Civil -Service Rifles for war, and all who knew him at the time will remember -his keenness. He left the Battalion at the end of October, 1915, to be -G.S.O. III of the 19th Division, and afterwards took command of one -of the Service Battalions of the North Staffords, with whom he was -severely wounded in the Somme Battle of 1916. - -It was soon found that he had lost none of his enthusiasm for the Civil -Service Rifles, and although a great many changes had taken place since -he left, there were still a good many who remembered him, and as he -walked along the trenches in Bois Confluent, near St. Eloi, on the 9th -of July, he could not mistake the welcome that was shown to him in the -faces of all his old friends. The Battalion, sad to relate, had become -somewhat stale and had a tired look, and the new Commanding Officer -supplied just the touch of renewed vigour which had been lacking of -late. He took the earliest opportunity to tell the troops that he was -glad to see them all, but that they were not quite the Battalion of -old, and he would not be content until they were. He said they were not -as clean as they might be, and although they had fought well, they were -not so smart, and their discipline was not so good as it should be. All -these things, he said, must be put right, and, as there was no time -like the present, he put his preaching into practice right away in the -support positions in Bois Confluent. - -There followed such a craze for cleaning up clothing and equipment as -had not been known for many months, and all ranks entered into the new -spirit with enthusiasm. Ten rough days in front line trenches around -the gates of the White Château grounds on the Hollebeke Road, where -the Germans shelled all day and every day, and where one side or the -other carried out a raid nearly every night, ended in the Battalion -being relieved on the night of the 24th of June by the 18th King’s -Royal Rifles, and moving to Carnarvon Camp, near Westoutre, one of the -most uncomfortable camps occupied by the Civil Service Rifles during -the war. - -After one day’s rest the work of “restoration” was resumed, and -vigorous “spit and polish” was indulged in for three days before the -Commanding Officer inspected the Battalion. In a breezy speech he said -he could already see a distinct improvement, and he felt sure a further -improvement would follow. - -On the 30th of July the Civil Service Rifles became the envied of all -the other units in the Division as they marched to Wippenhoek Siding -near Abeele, and entrained for St. Omer, whence a short march brought -them to Tatinghem. Here the Battalion was to carry out a training -programme, consisting chiefly of musketry on the 2nd Army ranges near -Moulle. - - * * * * * - -In his work of revival, there is no doubt that Colonel Parish had -everything in his favour. In the first place he had sole command of the -unit and was not worried by any orders from either Brigade or Division. -The training was to be done entirely under the Commanding Officer’s own -arrangements, the only condition laid down being that every one must -have musketry practice on the range. In the second place the Battalion -was sent to a pleasantly situated training area many miles from the -firing line, and thirdly the billets were excellent--in many cases -better than the men had ever had before in France. Practically every -sergeant, at least, had a real bed in an inhabited house. - -In these circumstances it would have been strange indeed if all ranks -had not responded wholeheartedly to the call of their Commanding -Officer, whose enthusiasm quickly spread throughout the Battalion. -It is true the “spit and polish” days of General Cuthbert were put -into the shade by the scrubbing and polishing which were indulged in -from morning till night in the early days at Tatinghem, and all the -time-honoured jokes and gags about Bluebell Metal Polish, Kiwi, etc., -were literally worked to death. Men groused and joked alternately about -the new craze, and one wag chalked up on a billet door a colourable -imitation of the Regimental crest, beneath which he had substituted -the words “Ich Posh” for the actual motto. Thanks to the inclement -weather, there was no chance during the first few days to do anything -but remain in billets and “clean up,” and when eventually the rain -ceased and Colonel Parish saw his Battalion on parade, he was so proud -of the men that he spent a good deal of his spare time thereafter in -persuading General Officers and others to come and inspect them. The -Civil Service Rifles, in consequence, underwent inspections during -this holiday by General Plumer (twice), Brigadier-General Kennedy, and -Brigadier-General Bailey, in addition to numerous inspections by the -Commanding Officer. The men endured these ordeals with little or no -grousing--for they had now learnt to take a proper pride in their smart -appearance. - -The Commanding Officer’s chief worry was lack of a parade ground where -he could drill his battalion, and the Adjutant was ordered to find -one. It was in vain that he said the local farmers objected to their -pasture being ruined by the tramping of army boots, so eventually he -discovered a field without a gate to it, and hoped the farmer would -not turn up during battalion drill. The farmer did not appear himself, -but his wife came on parade and protested so loudly to the Adjutant -that the Commanding Officer exclaimed in a loud voice “Send that woman -off parade. This is not a woman’s battalion.” This brilliant sally, -however, was wasted on the woman, who continued to protest volubly--and -those who have heard a French peasant woman when she is roused will -realise how difficult it was to induce her to leave the field. - -The great day of the training was the Regimental Rifle Meeting, run -almost on Bisley lines, which was held on the ranges at Moulle, on the -6th of August. Prizes were offered for the best sergeant and the best -corporal in the Battalion, for the best private in each Company, and -for each member of the Platoon having the highest average. In addition, -all prize winners were to have a day’s leave. - -The Prize Meeting was a great success, and the keenest interest was -taken in the competitions, on which there were various sweepstakes, -while, in addition, two members of the Battalion “made a book” on one -of the competitions, their most profitable dupe being the Commanding -Officer himself. - -“C” Company appear to have swept the board as far as Platoon averages -went, as two of their Platoons took the first two places, and one -other tied with numbers eight (“B” Company) and thirteen (“D” Company) -for third place. The following received silver wrist watches suitably -engraved for the occasion:-- - - _Best Sergeant in the Battalion_: - Sergeant H. Salmon - ‘C’ Company. - - _Best Corporal_: - Corporal O. L. H. Levey - ‘C’ Company. - - _Best Privates_: - ‘A’ Company - Privates L. W. V. Wilkinson and H. A. - Vernham, tied. - ‘B’ Company - Private W. J. Tuckett. - ‘C’ Company - Privates E. A. Honney and A. Strong - tied. - ‘D’ Company - Private F. T. G. White. - - The Officers’ competition was won by Second-Lieutenant G. E. - Tatum, ‘C’ Company. - -Shortly after the Rifle Meeting the Battalion became attached to the -142nd Brigade, and this caused a move to Moringhem, but after two -General Officers’ inspections in four days the Civil Service Rifles, -to their great joy, returned to their old billets, the 140th Brigade -having been sent to the Tatinghem area for training. - -The puzzle so far had been the absence of the marked-out or “flagged” -course, and speculation was rife as to how soon the familiar signs -would appear on the training ground, but beyond practising an advance -(through fields of cut corn) in what the Commanding Officer called -lines of “worms,” no very warlike movements were undertaken, nor was -there any mention of a coming operation. So the holiday at Tatinghem -came to an end without any rehearsing of a set piece which had been -such a conspicuous feature of former holidays of this kind. - -Just before leaving Tatinghem, a mild interest was taken in the -appearance on parade of a second Colonel, wearing the uniform of a -Scottish regiment, who inspected the Battalion on the 23rd of August, -and thereafter did not miss a parade. There were numerous speculations -as to who was this unassuming-looking fellow in the Scotch cap, and -what did he want, but no one guessed what a great part he was soon to -play in the history of the Regiment. - -A seemingly endless column of motor buses and lorries took the 140th -Brigade back to the war on the 24th of August, and the Civil Service -Rifles occupied Vancouver Camp, which seemed dreadfully uncomfortable -after the luxury of Tatinghem. The accommodation was poor, and the -day was cold with a biting wind howling and blowing the dust over -everything. The troops experienced very much the same kind of feeling -as on return to a City office after a month at the seaside or in the -country, and before turning in for the night a rumour went round that -the Division would very soon attack Polygon and Glencorse Woods, beyond -Westhoek Ridge. Pleasant dreams! - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -LAST DAYS IN THE YPRES SALIENT - - -As a sequel to overnight rumours, all officers were taken the next day -to study a ground plan of the country from Passchendaele to Westhoek -Ridge--an excellent model of what had now become the most famous -battlefield on the western front. The parts which specially interested -the Civil Service Rifles were the wood known as Nonne Boschen and -Glencorse Wood. In the afternoon the N.C.O.’s were taken to see the -model, and it was explained to them that they were soon to attack the -positions in the two woods mentioned. These had been captured more than -once during the past week or two, but in each case the captors had been -pushed back by a German counter-attack. - -The next step followed at a very early hour the morning after, when -a party of officers boarded a bus outside camp, and long before -daylight were deposited outside the Asylum at Ypres. Crossing the now -world-famous city, they passed out at the Menin Gate and down the -dreaded Menin Road to Hooge, whence they made a general reconnaissance -of the country from Bellewarde Ridge over Westhoek Ridge. The situation -in the front line seemed a trifle obscure, and those holding it did -not altogether cheer their visitors up when discussing the proposed -attack. It certainly surprised the said visitors to learn that one -group of old gun pits, where they were supposed to assemble for their -attack, was being held by the Bosches. This news, however, did not -have any serious effect on the scheme, and the following day a party -of N.C.O.’s accompanied the Adjutant on a similar reconnaissance. Rain -poured in torrents from start to finish, and it is feared that the -party, absolutely wet through to the skin, did not display very great -enthusiasm for their work that day. - -There followed a lecture by the Commanding Officer in the Vancouver -Theatre on the coming attack. The Army School lecturer of these days -still laboured under the delusion that the assaulting infantry in an -attack arrived at the objective in waves, in spite of ditches, water -jumps, barbed wire or other obstacles. To hear him talk of the attack -it all seemed so easy, that one could only wonder why it had not been -done before--preferably by the staff of an Army School. - -Colonel Parish, who had been an instructor at the Senior Officers’ -School at Aldershot earlier in the year, contrived to instil his -optimism into the troops, who entered on the flagged course rehearsals -the next day with considerable enthusiasm. Even the two men of “C” -Company who were detailed to wade through a marsh, said to exist in No -Man’s Land, were heard to joke about their “chances.” - -Consequently the troops, although not generally bellicose, were almost -eager for the fray, as there was a distinct feeling among them that -something big should be done to justify the recent holiday. Thus it -came about that members of the Battalion were heard to say that they -were looking forward to the battle. This attitude was certainly a -novelty, for although there was never a lack of volunteers for any -enterprise, however dangerous, nor was there ever any disposition to -“swing it” before a battle, it had for a long time been the practice -to look askance at any man who claimed to be keen on a fight. The -recognised attitude in public circles, both on the part of officers and -other ranks, was that of a pacifist. “Live and let live” was claimed -as their motto by some of the most zealous soldiers, simply because -they hated the idea of being dubbed “fire-eaters,” and often a most -gallant fighter would be one who asserted loudly that he was always -very “windy,” to use popular parlance, or that there was nothing he -dreaded more than going over the top. However, on the occasion referred -to, officers and men were more honest, and most, if not all, readily -asserted their keenness for the difficult and somewhat complicated form -of attack which they were soon to undertake in the neighbourhood of -Westhoek Ridge. - -The rehearsals over the marked-out course went on from day to day, -sometimes in the presence of the Divisional Commander, Major-General -Gorringe, and nearly always in the presence of the Brigade Commander, -Brigadier-General Kennedy, with various members of the gilded staff -in the offing. Still, the Civil Service Rifles, equipped with two -Lieutenant-Colonels, and fired with enthusiasm, disarmed criticism, -and the Generals regarded Glencorse Wood and the curiously-named Nonne -Boschen (Nuns’ Wood) as practically captured. They had, however, -reckoned without the weather. - -The big offensive which took place in the Ypres Salient from July to -September, 1917, is remembered more by the atrocious weather which -accompanied it throughout--and finally ruined it--than by any other -feature. Hopes had run high, as details of the ambitious scheme leaked -out, that this great push was going to hasten very considerably the -end of the war. The Bosche evidently feared that such might be the -result, to judge from the stubborn resistance he put up, and the number -of big guns he brought to bear on the district, and it was the eternal -shelling during these three months, combined with what was probably a -record in bad weather even for France, which caused men ever after to -speak with bated breath of “Passchendaele.” - -To have been through Passchendaele was regarded as having endured the -most severe trial of the war, but “Passchendaele” when referred to in -this connection, included not only the little village of that name and -the ridge adjoining it, but the whole of the devastated area in the -Ypres Salient where the fighting was so keen during the last wretched -months of the so-called summer of 1917. Passchendaele, therefore, can -be stretched to include Glencorse and Polygon Woods and the Westhoek -Ridge, for here the full fury of this terrible battle against the -combined forces of the Bosche and the weather was felt, and as far as -the Civil Service Rifles were concerned, they were knocked out by the -weather before they reached the “starting gate.” - -Throughout the last few days of August the rain fell almost -continuously. The marsh referred to, through which two men had to wade, -had now become a pond, and the rest of the country on Westhoek Ridge -had become a sea of mud. The attack, after being postponed from day -to day, was finally abandoned on the 31st of August, when the advance -party, under the Adjutant, was actually on parade ready to start for -the trenches. A limber containing medical stores, signalling equipment, -etc., had already been despatched for the Menin Road, where it was to -await the advance party. The advance party was dismissed, the limber -brought back, and later in the evening it became known that the attack -was definitely abandoned so far as the 47th Division was concerned. - -The news created something akin to consternation in the Battalion, -where the men felt the keenest disappointment at the loss of such an -opportunity to prove their worth, but none felt it more keenly than -Colonel Parish. It transpired that he had not recovered from his head -wound received on the Somme in 1916,[14] and he was therefore to return -to England, but he had succeeded in persuading the authorities to allow -him to see this battle through before going away. It thus came as a -very bitter blow to him, who had devoted so much energy and zeal to -improving the fighting spirit, that he should have to leave without -ever having commanded his Battalion in the front line. - -[14] This wound contributed to his untimely death on 9th Oct., 1921. He -is buried at Hawarden. - -His grief was shared by all ranks in the Battalion, for although he had -only been in command for six weeks, he had worked a wonderful change, -and had inspired every one by his enthusiasm for the Civil Service -Rifles. - -There was not an officer, N.C.O. or man who had served under him who -did not feel how very much the Regiment owed to Colonel Parish. It had -been a real pleasure to serve under him in any capacity, and there was -a genuine and universal regret felt at his departure. The benefit of -his six weeks’ command was felt in the Battalion throughout the rest of -the war. - -Colonel Parish said good-bye on parade on the 23rd of September, when -he told the men how sorry he was to go, but assured them all that it -was only for a little while, for he would be back as soon as the powers -that be would allow him. He felt sure that when that time came, Colonel -Segrave, to whom he was handing over his command, would be able to tell -him that this was still the finest Battalion in the Division. - -This, then, was the explanation of the “quiet, unobtrusive Colonel -in the Scotch cap” who had been living with the Civil Service Rifles -for the past fortnight. He had a difficult task before him, coming as -he did, after one who had become such a hot favourite with all under -his command. Colonel Segrave did not start off with the “new broom” -tactics, for there was very little that he wished to alter, and it was -his desire to continue on the lines of his predecessor. He told the -Battalion, when he took his first parade on the 4th of September, how -proud he was to be given command of the Civil Service Rifles, but it is -safe to say that not even he guessed how great was to be his love for -this Regiment before the end of his régime. - -Very soon afterwards the Battalion relieved the 2nd South Lancashire -Battalion in support trenches round about Hooge and Château Wood on -the Menin Road, and here were spent the last seven days of the eleven -months’ sojourn in the Ypres Salient. The experience of these seven -days was a fitting conclusion to all that had been endured in the past -year, for they were days during which the Salient lived up to its worst -reputation. - -The relief of the 2nd South Lancashires was carried out in daylight on -the 9th of September, and the Bosches welcomed the change by indulging -in a general bombardment of the area, which caused a few casualties in -“A” Company before they reached their new positions. - -The Battalion was disposed round about the site of the village of -Hooge. There were no trenches, although there were several marked on -the map, and the sole accommodation was found in old concrete shelters -which until recently had housed the Germans. “A” Company, however, -occupied part of the Menin tunnel, which had once been a triumph of -German field engineering. This ran underneath the Menin Road, and -inside had been a trench tramway, along which the enemy stores and -rations had been brought up. The main signal lines also ran along, and -it was noticed that these had been neatly pinned into the walls of the -tunnel--in contrast to the English method of laying lines criss-cross -along open trenches in such a manner as to catch the occupants across -the throat. This method of fixing lines, so common throughout the -British area, caused more bad language on a dark night than any other -provocation in France. - -[Illustration] - -The Menin tunnel may have been a safe refuge in the early days of its -existence, but now it was in a deplorable condition. Daylight was -admitted at very frequent intervals by the huge gaping holes caused by -the heavy artillery of both sides, but in spite of these the atmosphere -inside was almost overpowering, and the protection from shell fire was -purely imaginary. - -Gas shells were scattered freely over the area both day and night, and -the casualties increased each day. During the bombardment of the night -of the 11th of September, Lance-Corporal Foote, of the Headquarters -Pioneers, distinguished himself by carrying a wounded man from the -ruins in Château Wood occupied by Battalion Headquarters right down the -Menin Road to the dressing station at the famous Birr cross roads. - -The discomforts increased each day, and the bombardments of the -main track to the front line--the Kanwan track, which had formerly -taken place at regular times each day, now became more frequent and -irregular. The whole Battalion made the perilous journey along this -track nearly every day, for huge carrying parties had to be provided -to carry R. E. material and ammunition up to Clapham Junction--the -Headquarters of the front line Battalion. There were many signs of the -recent advance to be seen on the way to Clapham Junction, the most -noticeable being a mass of ruined tanks which looked as though they had -all been put out of action in trying to mount the embankment along a -part of the Menin Road. - -On the 15th of September began a series of practice barrages, and the -long-suffering infantry now had to endure the retaliation in addition -to other bombardments. Following one of the practice barrages the 7th -Battalion, holding the front line, sent forward a party and captured -a strong point. “C” Company, under Captain L. L. Burtt, went up at -night to work for them, and their journey along Kanwan Track ranks as -one of the worst experiences of the Company during the war. Misfortune -befell the party from the start, and the intense shelling combined -with the pitch-black darkness of the night caused the journey to -Clapham Junction to degenerate into a scramble. This was practically -the closing incident in the eleven months spent in the Ypres Salient, -for on the following afternoon the 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion -arrived, and the Civil Service Rifles made their way down the Menin -Road, strewn with all the débris of war, with here and there a dead -horse, and so to Château Segard, where one night was spent before -marching to the village of Steenvoorde and saying good-bye for ever to -the hated Ypres Salient. - -The departure from the Salient was not without its thrills for the -Lewis Gunners, who had been left with their guns on the Menin Road near -Hooge awaiting the limbers. These had to pass a corner on the Ypres -side of Birr Cross Roads known as Hell Fire Corner, and it so happened -on this evening that the spot was justifying its name, for it had been -shelled so heavily that the dump of R.E. material and ammunition by the -roadside was all ablaze--thus completely shutting off the Transport. -This state of affairs lasted for some hours, but Sergeant Sladden -solved the difficulty by taking his limbers round by a devious route -through Zillebeke, and eventually got the limbers away without loss. - -The Transport Section had had many exciting trips along the Menin Road, -and they were proud of the fact that they were able to leave the Ypres -Salient without having lost a horse in that area. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -ANOTHER REST CURE. GAVRELLE AND OPPY - - -The long march to Steenvoorde--17 miles--was endured cheerfully by all -ranks, who were overjoyed at leaving Belgium. It was felt that whatever -the new area was like, it would not be worse than the experience of -the past few weeks. What a tremendous change from the haven of rest of -eleven months ago! There were many who would even prefer to go through -the Somme experience of a year ago rather than return to the Menin Road. - -Those who had been left out as “non-starters” for the battle which did -not take place rejoined at Eecke, a little village near Caestre, where -two days were spent before the Battalion entrained at Caestre shortly -after midnight on the 22nd of September, and started in the best of -spirits for the Arras front. - -After resting for two nights at the delightful village of -Frevin-Capelle, near the source of the Scarpe, a short march in -delightful weather brought the Civil Service Rifles to Aubrey Camp--a -camp of Nissen huts and tents on the Lens-Arras Road near Roclincourt. -A night spent in Aubrey Camp was followed by a march to the front line -at Gavrelle where old friends were found in the Drake Battalion of the -63rd (Naval) Division. This Battalion had been attached to the Civil -Service Rifles for instruction in trench warfare at Souchez in June -1916. - -There followed a spell of peace and quiet which compared very -favourably even with the early days at Ypres. The absence of shelling -was very noticeable and the trenches were clean and dry. Moreover there -was an occasional deep dug-out and as the ground was chalky--it was -the southern extremity of Vimy Ridge--more were to be dug by the Royal -Engineers. There were never many deep dug-outs in English trenches, but -whenever the ground was suitable there were always a good many either -under construction or proposed. - -There was a good water supply from a well in the trenches, and rations -were brought to within 100 yards of Battalion Headquarters, and the -Battalion held the front line for eight days without showing any sign -of wear. Everyone was happy, except perhaps the energetic Commanding -Officer, who wanted to get on with the war. He had little or no use -for the quiet life of Gavrelle and seemed happier amid the turmoil of -the Ypres Salient. - -It was intended that the Division should make a long stay in this -sector, and elaborate plans for a winter scheme of defence were made by -the Divisional Commander. As in the Ypres Salient, a Battalion when out -at rest was always to occupy the same camp--in order to encourage the -men to work on camp improvements. The Civil Service Rifles accordingly -set to work on Aubrey Camp, and Colonel Segrave claims that his men -laid more trench boards per acre than could be found at any other place -on the Western front. He also established the Battalion Baths, so -that henceforth the Civil Service Rifles would be independent of the -Divisional Baths Officer. - -Football matches, trips to Arras, and the concerts given by the -Divisional Follies were the chief diversions, and, at the end of -October, a very successful Regimental concert was held in the -Divisional Cinema, the surprise turn of the evening being the R.S.M.’s -rendering of “Take me back to dear old Blighty.” - -The good spirits of the troops were further raised by a very welcome -increase in the leave allotment, which for some time had been very -poor, and all leave records were broken on the 6th of November when a -party of sixty other ranks left by the light railway from Roclincourt -en route for “Blighty.” - -The Transport and Quartermaster’s Stores were housed in Roclincourt in -the most comfortable billets they had had for some months. It was here -that the Transport Section received a shock in the shape of a comb-out -by the Commanding Officer. Colonel Segrave was a keen student of man -power, and in investigating the strength of his Battalion, he found the -Transport Section considerably overstaffed, with the result that eleven -of them rejoined their Companies in the trenches. - -The sectors of the front line held by the Civil Service Rifles were -alternately the Gavrelle Sector, and the posts just south of Oppy Wood. -Of these the Gavrelle sector was much the more popular, though neither -could compare with the support positions in the Railway Cutting and -Roundhay Camp, just by the Arras-Bailleul Road. - -It was while at Roundhay Camp that the peaceful life was disturbed -by startling rumours of a move to another front, and on the 15th of -November, weight was given to the rumours by the sudden closing of the -Brigade School. Leave, it was said, was stopped, and amid consternation -groups of men gathered all over the camp to discuss the situation, -those who wanted to be funny talking of ice cream and stilettos--for it -was understood the Division was bound for Italy. - -The “holiday” in the Arras district came to an abrupt end on the 18th -of November, when the 13th East Yorks Battalion arrived, and the Civil -Service Rifles left by Light Railway, and after a merry trip in the toy -train, reached a camp of French huts at Ecoivres. There, in spite of -rumours, a party of thirty other ranks went on leave, but speculation -was rife as to whether they would complete their full time. - -A few days were spent at Ecoivres, with many football matches, which -included a Rugby trial match on the 20th of November. Interest in the -Rugby match was diverted by the news, which arrived during the game, -of the brilliant success of the 3rd Army near Cambrai. The attack had -been kept secret, and the news came as a great surprise. It was said -the Hindenburg Line was broken, the cavalry and tanks were pursuing -the retreating enemy, and Cambrai itself would soon fall. In fact, the -war would soon be over. Orders received that night for a move on the -morrow gave rise to further speculation as to the destination of the -Division, and at the “calling over of the card” in the Officers’ Mess, -the betting was evens Cambrai, 6-4 Italy, and 100-1 England. - - * * * * * - -The movements of the Division during the last ten days of November, -1917, were such as would baffle the keenest member of the enemy -Intelligence Department. Units appeared to be moving from one village -to another with no particular object in view, and during the first few -days of the trek from Ecoivres the Battalion Commanders themselves had -no idea whether they were bound for Italy or the Cambrai front. The -Civil Service Rifles started with a succession of short marches, and -as a rule the billets were poor and the villages somewhat squalid. -There was, however, little time to “grouse,” for the order to move -on was usually received before the men had time to look round. After -a night in billets at Hermaville and a night of extreme discomfort -in dilapidated huts at Wanquetin, the village of Gouy en Artois was -reached, where it was learnt that the Division was now in the Fifth -Corps (3rd Army) and it was evident therefore that the move to Italy -was “off.” - -On the 24th of November the Battalion occupied a hutted camp in -Courcelles le Comte, a ruined village won from the Bosches during their -winter retreat of 1916. The roads and hamlets in this district were -still clearly marked with the big signboards erected during the German -occupation, and at one end of Courcelles could be seen the remains of a -German cinema or theatre. - -The camp itself had been built by English troops, and had at one -time been a well laid out camp of Nissen huts; but now it was the -abomination of desolation. The linings of the huts had been torn off -for firewood, the windows were broken, the doors torn off their hinges, -and every hut was strewn with rubbish. Fortunately only one night was -spent in these conditions, and the march was resumed the next afternoon. - -The march to Le Transloy on the 25th of November was unique. For the -first hour everything went well, but from that time onwards the column -was rarely on the move for more than ten minutes every hour. The usual -order of things was thus reversed, and instead of a ten minutes halt in -every hour, there was a ten minutes march per hour. Every road leading -into Bapaume was choked with troops, and a perspiring A.P.M. was trying -to sort out those bound for the front from those coming out into -reserve. - -Tea was served in the twilight on the Bapaume Road, and the next halt -found the Battalion in the main street of the town. There were some -there who had hoped to see Bapaume in 1916, but although they had ample -opportunity to admire the ruins in the bright moonlight, they had -now lost all interest in their surroundings, and many passed through -without even knowing the name of the place. - -Thoroughly fed up, the troops reached their camp shortly before -midnight, and to crown a very miserable day they were so frightfully -crowded into the huts that they could scarcely find room to lie down. -“Posh Harry” was almost speechless when he saw his billet. “What I want -to know,” he spluttered, “is where did the R.S.M. of the Guards sleep -last night? They say the Guards were here, but I’m sure their R.S.M. -would not sleep in there.” - -The discomfort of that camp, however, was eclipsed on the night of -the 27th of November, when the Battalion bivouacked in a field of -rich creamy mud at Doignies, the journey from Le Transloy having been -made by bus to Velu, and thence by route march, each man carrying his -blanket over his arm. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -BOURLON WOOD AND THE HINDENBURG LINE - - -Two of the most serious checks to the 3rd Army advance on Cambrai were -the villages of Bourlon and Fontaine Notre Dame, respectively at the -north-west and south-east corners of Bourlon Wood. The latter village, -too, was almost at the entrance to Cambrai on the Bapaume-Cambrai road. - -Both these villages had been captured towards the end of November, but -were afterwards retaken. The Guards Division, who had preceded the 47th -Division, accordingly attacked them again, and before the Civil Service -Rifles left Le Transloy it was learned that the attack had succeeded, -though the enemy very soon recaptured both villages once more. - -It was understood, however, that the English advance was to continue, -and when the Civil Service Rifles reached Doignies, the battle surplus -had already been sent back to the Divisional Reinforcement Camp. As the -situation in the front line underwent such frequent changes, there had -been nothing in the nature of a rehearsal of the coming battle, which -it was expected would be more in the nature of open warfare than had -been any of the previous operations of the 47th Division. - -On arriving at Doignies, Colonel Segrave received orders for his -Battalion to occupy part of the Hindenburg Line on the following day -(the 28th), and at a very early hour, he started with his Adjutant, -Medical Officer, Signals Officer and four Company Commanders for the -Headquarters of the front line brigade. The Battalion, in fighting -order, moved off later in the morning and occupied a part of the -Hindenburg Line nearly due west of Graincourt. - -At Brigade Headquarters Colonel Segrave learnt that he was to relieve -one of the Cavalry regiments holding the front line in Bourlon -Wood, but the date of relief was not then settled. He therefore -took his party across country, passing within a hundred yards or -so of Graincourt, across sunken roads, to a sugar factory on the -Bapaume-Cambrai road, where it was understood a guide would be found. - -Leaving the sugar factory, many signs of the recent advance were -seen, German equipment, rifles and ammunition being scattered almost -everywhere. Derelict English tanks and aeroplanes were also to be seen, -and the landscape generally presented a desolate picture. - -The Cavalry Headquarters occupied what had been a pretty chalet in a -delightful spot in the middle of the wood--an ideal place for a summer -picnic. There was no suggestion of a summer picnic about it now, -however, for the bitter fighting of the past few days had left its mark -everywhere, and in and around the chalet were gathered weary warriors, -eagerly awaiting the news of their relief. - -[Illustration: SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE MOVEMENTS OF THE C.S.R. -FROM 28 NOV. 1917 TO 6 DEC. 1917] - -The members of the reconnoitring party had only just thrown off their -equipment for a rest when it was found that they had been brought to -the wrong place, so, dispensing with the doubtful services of a guide, -Colonel Segrave led his officers through the wood in search of some -one willing to be relieved by his Battalion. The right place was found -to be in a small German dug-out in the road leading to the village -of Bourlon along the western edge of the wood, and here the Colonel, -learning that he was to take over that night the positions held by the -2nd Dismounted Cavalry Brigade and the 2nd/5th West Yorks Battalion, -made his dispositions and set off with his Adjutant and Medical Officer -to find his Battalion in the Hindenburg Line. The Company Commanders -remained behind to look round their respective fronts. - -On his way back, Colonel Segrave surprised a member of the R.A.M.C. -at a dressing station by begging from him a tin of bully beef and a -biscuit. The spectacle of a Colonel eating bully beef was too much for -the R.A.M.C. man, who stared after the three officers as though he had -seen ghosts. - -A long wait for orders in the Hindenburg Line ended in the Battalion -moving off without any at 9.0 p.m. There was a bright moon, and the -night was perfectly quiet at the start, when there was nothing to -suggest the exciting time that was in store for the troops before they -were to arrive at the front line. But on reaching the Relay Post on -the Cambrai road, where the guides and Company Commanders were to have -been, the head of the Battalion became enveloped in a barrage of gas -shells. The rest of the journey was what is known as “windy” in the -extreme. Gas masks had to be worn, and in pushing through the barrage, -some casualties were suffered, one platoon of “C” Company losing very -heavily after passing Battalion Headquarters. - -The relief was complete at about 2.0 a.m., and except for gas shelling -the situation became much quieter. - -“B” and “D” Companies held the front line, the former, under Lieutenant -C. M. Kilner, being on the left, just outside the southern edge of the -village, and with half a Company on each side of the road leading from -Battalion Headquarters to the village. “D” Company, under Captain R. -Middleton, connected with the right of “B” and held a position inside -the wood and about 300 yards south-east of the village. “D” Company -Headquarters was in a most palatial deep-dug out which had formerly -been the Headquarters of a German artillery brigade. “C” Company, under -Captain T. H. Sharratt, was in support near “D”. Soon after taking up -their positions, both “B” and “D” Companies sent out patrols towards -the village, but although Lieutenant W. E. Hoste took his patrol into -the village, and entered one or two houses, no Bosches were found. - -The quiet night was followed by a distinctly noisy day, throughout -which the enemy heavily bombarded the front line positions, the whole -of the wood, and the roads all round the outside of the wood. - -In the middle of the morning, the Brigadier arrived with the -news that there would be no further advance, and that the positions -now being held were to be consolidated. “A” Company, who were in -reserve, under Lieutenant L. C. Morris, M.C., round about Battalion -Headquarters, accordingly spent the rest of the day in carrying barbed -wire, pickets, sandbags and ammunition from a dump at the cross roads -known as Anneux Chapel to a forward dump near Battalion Headquarters. -The casualties during the day amounted to one officer and no less than -fifty four other ranks--a pretty heavy toll for a day when no attack -took place! - -[Illustration: BOURLON WOOD FROM SOUTH-WEST CORNER, 1917. - -_To face page 164._] - -In the opinion of those holding the line, the decision not to advance -any further was unnecessary--it was felt that the Battalion might well -be engaged very soon in defensive rather than offensive operations, and -some such idea was in the mind of Colonel Segrave as he went round the -Battalion front that day. - -Any remaining doubts as to the enemy intentions were dispersed on -the morning of the 30th of November, which opened with an intense -bombardment from German guns of every calibre. Smoke barrages were -put down on the flanks of the intended attack, and before long the -enemy infantry could be seen advancing in many waves from the country -beyond Bourlon village. The Battalion was not in signal communication -with anybody, either Brigade Headquarters or adjoining units, and the -Commanding Officer had therefore to rely on the services of runners and -four pigeons. According to the rules of the signal service, pigeons had -to be despatched in pairs, so the stock was only good for two messages. -When it is mentioned that it took a good runner well over an hour to -reach Brigade, the state of isolation of the Battalion will be realised. - -The battle raged throughout the morning without any infantry engagement -on the front held by the Civil Service Rifles, though S.O.S. rockets -were seen on several occasions on adjoining sections of the line. - -Company Commanders reported that the attack appeared to be directed -on the sectors held on each side of them, but up to midday they had -not been interfered with. The waves of enemy infantry had advanced -diagonally across their front, and both “B” and “D” Companies had put -in some excellent work with rifles and Lewis guns. The enemy, however, -was extraordinarily well served by his low-flying aeroplanes, which -seemed to swarm like bees over the Battalion area, and the machine-gun -fire from these caused a good many casualties during the day. - -Prominent among the early incidents of the battle was the performance -of Lance Corporal S. Fletcher of the Battalion scouts, and a “D” -Company runner who brought the first report from the front line to -Battalion Headquarters. The distance they had to cover was more than -a mile over very rough country, but in their anxiety to deliver the -result of their observations as quickly as possible they ran the -whole way, although fully equipped, and carrying rifles. The effort -proved too much for the runner, who collapsed on reaching Battalion -Headquarters, and fell unconscious down the stairs of the dug-out -without being able to deliver his message. The N.C.O. was little better -off, but after a time he recovered sufficiently to be able to give a -good account of what was going on. - -Soon after midday the S.O.S. signal was seen on the Battalion front, -and it was reported that a gap had been made in the Brigade front on -the left of the line held by “B” Company. - -The Support Company, “C,” led by 2nd Lieutenant C. V. Marchant, had by -this time moved up to reinforce “B” and “D” Companies, who had both -suffered heavy losses. The remnants of the left platoon of “B” Company, -finding the line originally held by the Battalion on their left to be -unoccupied, pushed along to try to find touch. Instead of finding their -friends, however, they found Bosches in large numbers, who appeared -to come from all sides, with the result that about ten of the Civil -Service Rifles were taken prisoners. - -Lieutenant Kilner, observing the enemy in the left rear of the -Battalion front, gathered the rest of his Company together and formed -a defensive flank in the sunken road on the Western edge of the wood. -Meanwhile, Colonel Segrave formed up the personnel of Battalion -Headquarters and his reserve Company, “A,” and led them in two waves -across the open country outside the wood. Leaving the vicinity of -Battalion Headquarters at about 4.0 p.m., they advanced through heavy -fire from rifles, machine guns, and low-flying aeroplanes, and although -they suffered many casualties, they succeeded before dusk in restoring -the line as originally held, and later in the evening established touch -on the left with the Post Office Rifles, who had come up from Brigade -Reserve to reinforce the line. The example set by their Commanding -Officer inspired the men of the Civil Service Rifles with such -confidence and enthusiasm, that they carried out their advance as at -a Salisbury Plain manœuvre, the Colonel, with a map in one hand and a -whistle in the other, giving his directions by signal. - -Colonel Segrave’s prompt action was specially commended in a pamphlet -afterwards published by General Headquarters entitled “The Story of a -Great Fight,” and those who were with him on that day regard it as the -finest example of leadership in the history of the Battalion. There was -nothing theatrical about the affair--it was just done in the calm and -methodical manner in which Colonel Segrave always behaved in the front -line. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo by Langfier, Ltd._ - -LT.-COL. W. H. E. SEGRAVE, D.S.O. (H.L.I.) - -Commanded 1st Battalion, 3rd September, 1917, to 6th August, 1918. - - _To face page 166._] - -The effects of the continuous gas shelling during the past three days -had told heavily on the Battalion--particularly the Headquarters -Company and “A” Company. Of the Headquarters Officers, Colonel Segrave -was the only one remaining on the night of the 30th of November, and -during the day he had lost no less than four Adjutants, the last one -being an Artillery Liaison Officer whom he had converted into an -infantryman. The other ranks of Headquarters fared no better, but the -losses in the Companies holding the front line were heavier still, and -when the 1st Surrey Rifles arrived on the night of the 1st of December, -and the Civil Service Rifles moved back into tents at Femy Wood near -Havrincourt, the losses in Bourlon Wood were found to be 12 officers, -278 other ranks. At Femy Wood it was found that the Colonel himself was -badly gassed, and he too left for hospital on the 2nd of December. - -Although it is not possible here to pay just tribute to those gallant -fellows individually, special mention must be made of the great loss -the Battalion suffered by the death of three of its members who had -already done great things, and who would have risen to higher rank in -the Regiment before long had they been spared. - -C.S.M. Mansbridge, of “D” Company, was as gallant in the front line -as he was smart and efficient on the parade ground. An old member of -the Regiment who thoroughly understood his brother Warrant Officers, -N.C.O.’s, and men, he would undoubtedly have made an ideal Regimental -Sergeant Major for the Civil Service Rifles. - -Sergeant H. L. Smith, who was acting C.S.M. of “A” Company, had a -multitude of friends in all Companies. As “Inky” Smith he had been one -of the shining lights of the Lewis gunners, of whom he was one of the -first members. He had fought with distinction at Vimy Ridge, and on the -Somme, and, like Mansbridge, he was a “17th of March man.” Both were -men who quickly won the respect of all who served with them. - -Second Lieutenant C. V. Marchant, of “C” Company, was a comparatively -young member of the Regiment. Not yet twenty years old, he had just -completed a year’s service with the Battalion in France, and during -that time he had become very popular with the men of “C” Company, with -whom he had served gallantly in the Ypres Salient, and particularly -at the battle of Messines. He was cool in battle, keen and fearless. -He met his death while leading his Company through the awful barrage -of shells and machine gun bullets, but he faced it unflinchingly. The -Battalion could ill afford to lose such an officer, who in spite of his -youth would soon have made an excellent Company Commander. - -“C” Company also lost two valuable members in C.S.M. F. C. Robertson, -D.C.M., who was severely wounded on the 29th of November, and Sergeant -O. L. H. Levey, wounded on the 30th. Both were “17th of March men,” and -Robertson had been a member of the Regiment for many years before the -war. He was a quiet unassuming fellow, who was never found wanting, and -who was never “rattled” even under the greatest provocation and in the -most trying circumstances. - -Sergeant Levey was a most enthusiastic member of the Regiment who -had distinguished himself by his skill with the rifle. Fortunately -he recovered sufficiently from his wounds to return to the Regiment -some months later, when he quickly rose to the rank of C.S.M. of his -Company. His prowess in the football field gained him fame not only in -the Battalion, but throughout the Division. - -In addition to the fighting portion of the Battalion, the Transport -Section and Quartermaster’s staff suffered casualties in and around -Bourlon Wood, the Quartermaster himself, Lieutenant W. G. Hodge, better -known as “Ben Hodge,” being gassed on the night of the 29th November -while at Battalion Headquarters. On the same night the Transport Column -was heavily shelled on the Bapaume-Cambrai Road, with the result that -several of the most experienced drivers and horses were wounded. - -But in spite of the heavy casualties in Bourlon Wood, and the fact -that the enemy bombardment was the most severe and prolonged that the -Battalion was called upon to face during the war, the men of the Civil -Service Rifles could look back with justifiable pride on their share in -the battle, during which they did not yield an inch of ground, although -the Bosches gained considerable success in neighbouring parts of the -line. - -The remnants of the Battalion numbered only about 200, all ranks, when -they reached Femy Wood on the 2nd of December with scarcely a kick left -in them after their exertions of the past few days, and it came as a -great surprise when they had to return to the front line on the 4th of -December reinforced by a handful of officers and other ranks from the -“non-starters’ camp.” - -In order to cover the withdrawal of the 142nd Infantry Brigade from -Bourlon Wood, a defensive position on either side of the village of -Graincourt was taken up, and there, on the 5th and 6th of December, the -Battalion gave yet another exhibition of splendid fighting qualities in -its second defensive battle within a week. - -The officers who had come up included Major H. Marshall, who was in -command of the Battalion, Major H. F. M. Warne, who acted as his -second in command, and Captain L. L. Burtt, who commanded “C” and “D” -Companies, now formed into one Company. “A” and “B” Companies were -amalgamated under Lieutenant L. C. Morris, M.C. - -The positions were taken up at dusk, “A” and “B” Companies being on the -left along a sunken road running in a north-westerly direction from -about the centre of the village, and “C” and “D” on the right were -along a similar road which ran due east from the village. The village -itself was not occupied, but posts were established near the cemetery -in the sunken roads north-east of the village. These were withdrawn at -dawn. The 2nd Division was on the left of “A” and “B” Companies, and -the 59th Division was on the right of “C” and “D” Companies. - -The troops from the front line in Bourlon Wood passed through as -arranged, the evacuation of the wood having been rendered necessary -owing to the forcing in by the Germans of both arms of the Cambrai -Salient. - -The whole front was patrolled throughout the night, but until daylight -nothing was seen or heard of the enemy, whose front line was about two -miles away. Numerous explosions heard in the wood showed that the Royal -Engineers were destroying dug-outs and anything likely to be of use to -the enemy. - -The garrison on the right, numbering less than 120, all ranks, after -trying to dig themselves in in the frost bound ground along the side -of the road, moved forward to a well-camouflaged German trench which -started just outside the village and continued almost to the 59th -Division on the right. Leading out of the back of the trench were four -old gun pits with the dismantled 5·9’s still there, and at the village -end was a trench running forward at right angles. - -It should be mentioned that at the outset it was understood that the -garrison would be withdrawn after twenty-four hours, but, as after -events show, the troops were doomed to disappointment. - -The two halves of the Battalion were not in touch with each other at -all, and as they fought during these few days as separate units, their -experiences are dealt with separately. - -At daylight on the 5th of December it was seen from the trench occupied -by “C” and “D” Companies that the Germans had discovered the withdrawal -from Bourlon Wood, for small parties of them were seen wandering about -the deserted front line and in the wood itself, great interest being -shown in a derelict tank, which was subsequently used as a signal -station. - -It was not, however, until the afternoon that the enemy approached to -within reasonable distance of Graincourt, but his patrols now became -very active, first coming on in small parties, which were easily -dispersed by rifle and Lewis gun fire, and later in larger numbers, -which were also dispersed in the same way. Some excellent shooting was -indulged in about this time by the gallant little bands on either side -of the village, but although they were able to keep the enemy off while -the daylight lasted, it was obvious that the small force defending -the village would not be able to prevent him from entering Graincourt -during the night. With the coming of darkness it was found that a -considerable number of Germans had reached the village, for patrols and -even ration parties encountered them, both in front and in rear of the -defending garrison. Runners were also involved in small fights, which -were quite frequent during the night on the fringes of the village. In -one of these a German machine gun team was overwhelmed, the gun and one -man being captured, and the rest of the team being killed. - -Just as the men of “C” and “D” Companies were expecting to be -withdrawn, Major Warne arrived from Battalion Headquarters to take -command of the garrison on the right, with orders to hold the position -for another twenty-four hours, and, on withdrawal, to occupy a strong -post in the rear. - -One must have endured the strain of prolonged fighting in a precarious -position, worn out by constant watching, with little food or water, and -many other discomforts too numerous to mention, in order to realise how -intense was the disappointment of these men who, thinking that Major -Warne came to tell them their work was done and to take them back to -rest, learnt that their job had only just begun. - -At about 5.0 a.m. on the 6th, a Lewis gun was posted in the road about -300 yards south of the village with orders to deal with the enemy -there as far as possible, but to withdraw if the opposition became too -strong, to a strong post about a mile further down the road towards the -village of Flesquieres. An enemy patrol soon tried to rush the gun, but -without success, and a wounded prisoner was captured as a result. - -At daylight two parties tried to rush the gun. Both were beaten off, -but not before the gun team had suffered two casualties. As other -parties of the enemy were on the move for a further attack, the gun -team was ordered to withdraw to the aforementioned point, where the gun -was soon in action again in helping to repel an attack on the strong -point itself. - -Meantime Major Warne’s force was still holding on, and the incidents of -the 6th of December are thus described by Sergeant C. Manthorp, who, -with Sergeant E. Cooke, was conspicuous throughout the operation by -gallantry and good leadership:-- - - “When dawn broke on the 6th, we were very much on the alert - to see what surprises were in store for us, and directly we - could see any distance we were well rewarded. The whole German - army seemed to be advancing, line after line, crossing the - skyline and coming directly for us. Fortunately for us their - orders were obviously not to attack, for when the front line - got to within 600 or 700 yards from our trench, they started - digging in, or at least making a trench sufficiently deep for - protection from our fire. Whilst the advancing and entrenching - was proceeding, we, of course, indulged in a fair amount of - rifle practice, and not without good results, though, of - course, the distance was rather great for anything sensational. - After digging-in, the Bosche lay quite dormant for some hours, - and we, of course, were on tenter-hooks to know what his next - move would be, for with the little force at our disposal, it - would have been hopeless to expect us to hold off what must - have been thousands of Bosches, should they have chosen to - attack. - - “It was early afternoon before the next move came. Then all the - lines of Bosches in front of us attacked, but right across our - front on to the 59th Division, the movement being for them a - half left movement. Then we had all the shooting we desired. - The machine-gunners had a fine time, and so did our riflemen, - who were mostly collected in the four gun pits, which were - higher than the floor of the trench and enabled us to fire over - our camouflage, which was composed of wire netting, turf, etc., - and made firing from the greater part of the trench impossible. - - “By about 3.0 p.m. the Bosches appeared to have gone right - through the position held by the 59th Division, and it looked - to us as if the latter had been compelled to retire by weight - of numbers. Of course this made our position untenable with - the Bosches in our right, rear, and working round us, and the - village between us and the remainder of our Battalion also in - enemy hands. - - “About 70 yards in rear of our trench and parallel with it, - ran a sunken road, connecting the village on our left. Parties - of Bosches commenced to approach each way along this road, - and this forced us to withdraw most of our garrison from the - trench and form a semi-circle with each end resting on the - road. Things soon became very exciting, and then those of us - who were out at the back of the trench, received the order to - retire. From the sunken road back to the permanent front line - must have been about 1½ miles, and that journey proved about - the most exciting that any of us had experienced. The party’s - strength was two officers and probably about 100 other ranks, - and the retirement was done in extended order. At the start - off we were received with fire from nearly every direction, - and also a little shell fire which may or may not have been - meant for us. After going about half a mile, we had the best - part of the whole business. We came across at least 100 of - the enemy in more or less close order, and did not actually - discover them until they were within about 100 yards of us, - owing to the folds in the ground. It is difficult to say who - appeared to be the most surprised, they or us, but we did not - give them long to think about it. We flopped and opened rapid - fire on them, and also got our Lewis guns going. Our Lewis - gunners had been cursing about their loads, but we were more - than glad of the guns under the circumstances. This big party - of Bosches quickly took fright and it was laughable to see - them all double off back towards home like a flock of sheep. - It was a marvellous target, only about 200 or 300 yards away. - You simply couldn’t miss, and, of course, our success gave us - great help on our journey, for most of us were nearly done, - owing to the bitter nights we had had with no proper hot - food. Having disposed of this body, we encountered no further - opposition from Fritz except occasional rifle fire, and we - took four stray Germans prisoners along with us. We were then - about three-quarters of a mile from our goal, and came upon a - small cable trench about three feet deep running towards our - lines. Just about this time, one of our own aeroplanes came - upon the scene and indulged in a little machine-gun practice on - us, but quickly discovered his mistake. Still, it all helped - to cheer us on the way. I was about the first to get into the - cable trench, and with the prisoners in front, led the way back - to where the Royal Welsh Fusiliers were holding the permanent - line. They also mistook us for Bosches, possibly because of - the four prisoners in front, and subjected us to rather severe - machine-gun fire. It was not till I had waved my shrapnel - helmet for some time on top of my rifle as high as I could - hold it, that they recognised us as friends. Then one of our - officers, who happened to be with them, got out of the trench - and led us in. It appeared that they had already beaten off one - attack during the afternoon, so one could not be surprised at - their mistaking us for foes. - - “After some delay we eventually got the remains of the two - Companies back to Rest Camp, whence we had started off on the - evening of the 4th. There were about 15 of ‘C’ Company who got - out and 40 of ‘D’ Company. - - “Those of us who did get through can certainly look back - upon the affair as one of the most strenuous and exciting - experiences we had in France.” - -Sergeant Cooke has also written an excellent description of the same -action, which bears out his comrade’s story:-- - - “Daylight on the 6th found everything quiet, but during the - morning large bodies of troops were observed filing into - Anneux--a village between Graincourt and Bourlon Wood--and - it was evident that an attack from this direction was to be - expected. The arrival of a motor car, which was at first - mistaken for a tank, caused some excitement, but, apart from - this and visits from scouting planes, nothing of interest - happened until about 3.0 p.m. when the attack from Anneux was - launched. - - The attack, in the form of several waves of infantry, was - mainly directed against the positions right of Graincourt, - leaving ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies practically untouched. - - The remaining Companies, leaving the gun pits and taking up - positions in the open from which more effective use of the - rifle could be made, opened a steady and accurate fire on the - advancing waves, with the result that the attack on their - immediate front crumpled up. - - “Attention was now diverted to the right flank, where the enemy - appeared to be meeting with more success, and it was discovered - that the Battalion on the right had retired earlier in the - day--their withdrawal having been hidden from the Civil Service - Rifles by rising ground between the two positions. - - “The situation was now serious, as the enemy had closed round - the right rear of ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies, whilst at the same - time the left rear of the position was threatened by troops - from Graincourt, and the order was given for the garrison to - cut its way out and make for the strong points in front of - Flesquieres. - - “Many casualties from machine-gun fire were suffered in getting - clear of the encircling troops, but about 50 of the two - Companies were left to continue the journey back to the strong - points. - - “After numerous encounters with isolated machine-gun posts - this party ran into some 200 or 300 of the enemy in an - organised line of shell holes before the positions in front of - Flesquieres, where the attack had been beaten off earlier in - the afternoon, and, as the line was well supplied with light - machine guns, the chances of getting through seemed decidedly - slender until a Red Cross man advanced making the usual signs - of surrender. - - “The effect was remarkable, for no sooner had his action been - seen than, with a yell, the Civil Service Rifles charged down - on the enemy, who, being taken by surprise, hastily crowded off - into a small valley, where they afforded excellent targets for - the remaining ammunition of the riflemen and Lewis gunners. - - “A few prisoners were collected, and a fresh start made for the - British lines, but, owing to the gathering twilight the party - was mistaken for the enemy and subjected to heavy machine-gun - fire which caused further casualties. - - “Eventually, by working their way down a shallow ditch - originally intended for a telephone cable, the battered remnant - of ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies managed to get near enough to attract - the attention of a machine-gun officer who guided them into the - Strong Point from which the long and slippery march back to - Havrincourt was commenced.” - - * * * * * - -When the withdrawal from Graincourt began, the right garrison had been -divided into two parties, the smaller, consisting of Major Warne, -Captain Burtt, Second-Lieutenants Potts and Houslop, with about 20 -or 30 other ranks, being in the trench, and the larger party, under -Second Lieutenants Lacy and King, being outside. Second Lieutenant -Lacy was wounded during the withdrawal, and afterwards died of wounds, -whilst Second Lieutenant King was last seen in the rear of the party -as it withdrew, binding up a wounded N.C.O., and was afterwards -taken prisoner. The officers and men in the trench found themselves -surrounded by Boches, and after lying quiet for some time they decided -to try to work their way back to the British lines. - -Darkness had now fallen, and they had not gone far on their journey -before they ran into a large body of the enemy, who took them prisoners -and led them back through Graincourt and Bourlon Wood, stopping at the -late “D” Company Headquarters, thence via Cambrai to Le Cateau, where -they were split up into different camps. - -Much space has been given to the description of the action of “C” and -“D” Companies because, of the two halves of the Battalion, their task -was much the more complicated. “A” and “B” Companies, on the left of -the village, were in touch with Battalion Headquarters throughout. - -The big German attack on the 6th of December moved across their front, -but well away from their positions. They were thus able to put in some -excellent shooting with comparatively little opposition from the enemy. -Their patrols, however, were frequently in contact with enemy patrols, -and fought with great credit in the numerous “street corner” fights on -the outskirts of the village. - -The left garrison was withdrawn at 5.30 p.m. on the 6th, and reached -Havrincourt without any serious interruption. - -The Regimental Aid Post was withdrawn at 6.0 p.m., all the wounded who -could be found having been sent down. - -Battalion Headquarters reached Havrincourt shortly before midnight, -and after a day in tents in Havrincourt Wood, the Battalion moved, on -the 8th of December, to billets in the village of Bertincourt, where -at last there was time to pause and count the cost. The stay in this -village was simply a repetition of the experience in Henencourt Wood -in 1916, with the melancholy writing of letters of condolence and -despatching of “effects.” - -After a week spent at Bertincourt, where the remainder of the “battle -surplus” rejoined from the Divisional Reinforcement Camp, the Battalion -moved up to take over a piece of line in front of Havrincourt. The -troops had been hoping to go back for a rest, and the return to the -line came as a not very pleasant surprise, and the statements of -Company Commanders that the Battalion would certainly be back at rest -for Christmas were received with a certain amount of scepticism. - -The neighbourhood of Graincourt proved to be a less exciting place on -this occasion, and after six cold but uneventful days the Battalion set -off by train to the back area for a rest, and for what was generally -felt to be a well-deserved Christmas holiday. - -Snow lay thick on the ground when the Battalion marched into the -village of Morlancourt, where it was to spend the rest. If the -weather was seasonable, that is more than could be said for most of -the billets, and a good deal of work had to be done in some of them -to obtain any degree of comfort. The Christmas spirit, however, was -abroad, and the troops, after their recent experiences, were not in the -mood to worry about minor discomforts. The place was hardly one “to -write home about,” but the estaminets were plentiful and well stocked, -and as a change from Bourlon Wood or even Bertincourt, the village of -Morlancourt, with all its drawbacks, was appreciated. - -Parades were few, and preparations for Christmas festivities were the -order of the day. These were to take the form of plenty to eat, plenty -to drink, and concerts and sing-songs in some of the largest halls and -barns of the village. Time was too short to permit of the production of -a revue or pantomime, though a cynic suggested that the authorities had -some such idea in their minds when they called on the Quartermaster’s -staff to provide a guard one evening. - -The Christmas dinners were a great success. No building, of course, -could be found in the village to accommodate the whole Battalion, but -it was found possible for “A” and “B” Companies to sit down to dinner -together in one place, and “C” and “D” in another. All the officers met -together for dinner later in the day. - -The fare was varied and plentiful, joints of pork making a welcome -change from the everlasting beef and mutton of the Army menu. Concerts -and other forms of merrymaking passed away the remainder of the day, -and the good spirits of the troops testified to their enjoyment of the -Christmas festivities. - -The sergeants were planning a dinner for the New Year, and preparations -were practically complete when a hard-hearted Staff ordered a move to -the neighbouring villages of Ribemont and Mericourt, where the other -Battalions of the Brigade were already stationed. The remainder of the -holiday was spent in these villages, where the Civil Service Battalion, -as last comer, was unfortunate in the allotment of billets, and the men -were spread over a large area. - -The postponed sergeants’ dinner, attended by the Commanding Officer and -acting Adjutant, was held at Ribemont. - -On the 10th of January the Battalion moved back by train to work, -spending one night at Bertincourt before moving up to support positions -in the village of Ribecourt. Now followed two tours, to the sectors -in front of Ribecourt and Flesquières, during which there is little -outside the ordinary events of trench warfare to record. While in -reserve, the Battalion was stationed at Bertincourt, a dilapidated -village, where some of the billets were Nissen huts and others -damaged houses, and where the chief feature at the time was mud. This -neighbourhood was a favourite one for the operations of the Boche -night bombers. The Civil Service Rifles had had previous experience of -this form of annoyance in billets, and in spite of the extra duties -occasioned by Lewis gun anti-aircraft posts, the troops soon regarded -the nightly visits of the planes as philosophically as the most -hardened Londoner. - -At the beginning of February the man-power question was so acute in -the British Infantry that it was decided to reduce Infantry Brigades -from four to three Battalions--“in order to make a Brigade more mobile -and more easily controlled by the Brigade Commander,” said the official -explanation. In the 47th Division the three Battalions to be broken up -in consequence of this order were the 6th, 7th, and 8th City of London -Battalions, who, with the Civil Service Rifles, had till then formed -the 140th Brigade. The 17th and 21st Battalions (Poplar and Stepneys -and First Surrey Rifles respectively) were transferred from the other -Brigades of the Division to complete the 140th. This measure came to -the Battalions broken up as an unexpected and sudden shock, the force -of which will be fully understood and appreciated by every soldier who -knows the strength of the bonds which keep the members of a Battalion -together. The men of the Civil Service Rifles, realising what their own -feelings would have been if it had fallen to their lot to be split up, -were full of sympathy for the fellows who had been their comrades and -their rivals for nearly three years of active service. - -A number of officers and other ranks of the 6th Battalion were -transferred to the Civil Service, and, in spite of the soreness which -they must have felt at the loss of the identity of the Battalion whose -high name and fame they had helped to win, they settled down to give -to their new unit the same wholehearted service that they had given to -their own. - -One of the results of this reorganisation was the acquisition by the -Civil Service of the brass band of the 6th Battalion. Strengthened by -the inclusion of some of the more expert musicians of the existing -drum and fife band, this band, under the direction of Sergeant W. -H. Blackmore, quickly became one of the most valuable assets of the -Regiment, and remains so to this day, for Mr. Blackmore still has -charge of the Regimental Band, which includes in its ranks the majority -of the men who served with him in France. The Regimental Band is one of -the most successful features of the post-war Civil Service Rifles. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -THE RETREAT - - -Although a big German offensive had been expected for some weeks, and -elaborate preparations to meet it had been made during the winter -months, there were few signs of the eve of a big battle when the Civil -Service Rifles, after a two hours’ train journey from Etricourt, -arrived at Winchester Valley late in the evening of the 19th of March, -and relieved the 1st Berkshire Regiment (2nd Division) in Lincoln -Reserve, the support line on Beaucamp Ridge, near Villers Plouich. The -Poplar and Stepneys and London Irish were in the front line, and the -20th of March passed off very quietly. - -It was thought that the Brigade was in for another spell of peaceful -trench warfare, similar to those experienced before the short and -pleasant stay at Manancourt. The rumours of the coming battle, which -had been so strong during the winter months, had, in fact, begun to -die down. The optimistic went so far as to think that the enemy attack -would not take place, whilst the “quietly confident,” thinking of the -days of strenuous digging on those wide trenches behind the Hindenburg -Line--the “Tank traps”--with the miles of barbed wire obstacles which -had been erected all around, felt that, even if the enemy did launch a -big attack, he would not get beyond the Hindenburg Line. Not even the -most pessimistic had imagined the great crisis through which the Allied -armies were to pass before another month was over. Nor was there any -indication in the daily routine that the authorities were anticipating -such a titanic struggle in the near future. Leave, regarded by the -soldier as the most reliable “Military Barometer,” was still being -granted, and the allotment was indeed very much better than at any -other time during the war. Men were actually going home on leave within -six months of their last arrival in France, and in such circumstances -how could one take any but the rosiest view of the future? The German -attack, if it came off at all, would probably be a repetition of -Bourlon Wood, and after that both sides would settle down to another -long spell of trench warfare. It was folly to talk, as the newspapers -were doing, of a decisive battle. - -When day broke on the 21st of March, however, it was clear that there -had been some truth in the “big battle” rumours, for the first day of -spring was heralded by such an intense enemy bombardment that there was -no longer any doubt that the Bosche was making a supreme effort, beside -which all his previous attacks faded into insignificance. - -The difficulty at first was to find out where the attack was being -pushed home, for in spite of the bombardment, which lasted from 4.30 -a.m. until 11.0 a.m., there was no infantry engagement on the 21st of -March on the 140th Brigade front. It was fortunate, too, that this was -so, for the gas shells fell so freely all around that box respirators -had to be worn continuously for six and a half hours. - -There have been many attempts to write the story of the great retreat -and, generally speaking, the experience of one battalion was much the -same as that of any other. But it is well-nigh impossible to describe -in detail the career of any unit throughout the most strenuous days -of the fighting--the 21st to the 26th of March. During these days -battalions often became split up into several parties engaged in -different small fights, where none knew how the battle fared with their -comrades in other parts of the field. The war correspondents, it is -true, saw the Allied troops fighting every inch of ground, and killing -thousands of Germans as they fell back, but it was difficult indeed -for those engaged in the fighting to ascertain what the situation was, -and a total lack of information was one of the outstanding features of -the retreat. It was only when they ultimately got back into reserve, -some days after, that the troops were able to learn from the newspapers -that the Germans had been badly beaten all along the line. “Still,” -thought the British Tommy, who had marched in six days across country -covered by two ordnance maps, “I don’t altogether like this new style -of winning the war.” - -The story of the Civil Service Rifles during these critical days of -their career in France is told briefly in the official War Diary, which -contains just a simple record of their movements without any comment. - -In that record it is told how the Battalion, which was in support in -Lincoln Reserve on the morning of the 21st, became at night the front -line battalion, the 17th and 18th Battalions having been withdrawn. The -second day of the battle was quiet on the Civil Service Rifles’ front, -and the Battalion remained undisturbed in Lincoln Reserve until the -early hours of the 23rd, when, orders having been received to withdraw, -a position was taken up on the Dessart Ridge Switch, on the right of -the Metz-Fins Road. The line was complete by dawn, the dispositions -being “A” Company on the left, with their left flank on the road -and their right in touch with “B,” with “C” and “D” on the right of -“B”: Battalion Headquarters was established in a bank about half a -mile behind. “A” was afterwards, owing to congestion, withdrawn to a -position slightly in rear of the two companies. - -[Illustration: SKETCH ILLUSTRATING THE FIRST DAY OF THE C.S.R. -RETREAT--23 MARCH 1918.] - -The 23rd of March was the most critical day in the career of the Civil -Service Rifles in France. The official narrative disposes of it in less -than a page, but a whole book could be written on the many situations -which arose on that day, and the many acts of heroism, determination -and devotion to duty performed by different members of the Battalion. - -The story of the fighting can be followed more or less from the map on -the opposite page. - -Immediately the position on Dessart Ridge Switch was taken up, i.e., -about 5.0 a.m., “D” Company on the right became engaged with the enemy, -who attempted to rush in from the right flank, which was unprotected, -and by 7.0 a.m. the Battalion was engaging the enemy all along the -line. At 8.0 a.m. the enemy made a determined bombing attack on the -right of “D” Company, and established machine gun posts which enfiladed -the position. Shortly afterwards large numbers of troops were seen -to be retiring, apparently from the position known as Metz Switch. -Colonel Segrave went over and rallied these, and took them forward -with his Headquarters Company to the ridge between Metz and Dessart -Wood (east of the Metz-Fins Road), and took up a position facing east, -and at right angles to the Dessart Switch line. This was done to form -a rallying line for retiring troops and a defensive flank to Dessart -Ridge Switch. - -After shelling the whole area for an hour or two more, the enemy gained -a little more ground and established further machine-gun posts, this -time towards the left, south and south-east of Metz. Shortly after -noon, troops on the left retired, leaving the left flank of the Civil -Service Rifles exposed, and the Battalion now held an isolated position -with the enemy working his way round both flanks. The Headquarters -Company was accordingly withdrawn to the Vallulart Wood Line, and the -remaining Companies, in the Dessart Switch Line facing South, continued -the fight in the same position, forming a flank to what had been the -third British system of defensive positions, now occupied by some Civil -Service Rifles and other troops. - -This third system and the Dessart Switch Line were abandoned at -about 4.0 p.m., but “D” Company on the right had by this time been -surrounded and was never extricated. The cause of this disaster was the -fact that the Company’s right flank was completely “in the air” from -the time it reached the position. Indeed, this may be said of every -position the Battalion took up during the day. There was not at any -time any support on the right flank, the troops of the 9th Division -(5th Army) having already departed before the fighting began. Many -explanations of these repeated withdrawals have since been made, both -in after-dinner speeches and in statements to the Press. At least one -book has been written on the subject. There was, and apparently still -is, considerable difference of opinion as to the justification for the -action of the troops of the 5th Army. This story is not concerned with -the controversy. The statement is made simply to illustrate how the -Civil Service Rifles, on the right of the 47th Division, felt the full -effect of the rapid withdrawal of the troops on their right. - -[Illustration: SKETCH ILLUSTRATING THE SECOND DAY OF THE C.S.R. RETREAT -(24 MARCH 1918) AND ALSO THE FIGHTING AT HIGH WOOD AND EAUCOURT L’ABBE -IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 1916.] - -The movements of the various parts of the Battalion after 4.0 p.m. on -the 23rd are not even now very clear. Battalion Headquarters (less -Headquarters Company) left the third system at 4.0 p.m. and moved to -Rocquigny, when Colonel Segrave collected a party of about fifty and -put them in position along a ridge north of Four Winds Farm, about a -mile and a half south-west of Ytres, where they remained until the -enemy drove them out at dusk. - -At this point the official narrative breaks down with the remark: -“By this time the remnants of the Civil Service Rifles were split up -into so many parties, whose movements are too complicated to follow.” -The survivors from those small parties, remembering their night of -wandering in the dark over rough and strange country, and their -inexplicable reunion at dawn, will bear out the truth of the last -sentence. - -By 9.0 a.m. on the twenty-fourth, the Battalion had been reduced to a -mere handful of troops, who were worn out by their twenty-four hours’ -continuous fighting. The fate of the majority of the absentees was -only too well known, but there were a good many missing whose fate was -uncertain. The survivors, however, gallantly stuck to their task, and, -numbering about 150, they took up a position under Colonel Segrave, -just east of the Bapaume-Peronne road, and about a mile south-east of -Le Transloy. Here they remained in support of a party of the 1st Surrey -Rifles holding the higher ground to the east, until at noon they had to -move back another two miles almost due west, and a position was taken -up about half a mile south of Le Transloy and just off the western -side of the Le Transloy-Combles road. This position was only held for -three hours, when the party, now acting as a rearguard, moved round the -western side of Le Transloy to a line north-east of Gueudecourt, whence -they were withdrawn at 5.30 p.m. by order of the Brigade Commander -through Gueudecourt and Flers to Martinpuich. - -It was still light when Martinpuich was reached, and there were a few -of the 150 or so survivors to whom the sight of the ruins of Eaucourt -L’Abbé and the Flers Line recalled their grim struggle of October 1916. -It was by no means a happy coincidence that brought the Civil Service -Rifles back to this battlefield, where, eighteen months previously, -they had paid such a price for the capture of High Wood. On their -previous visit to this area they had been filled with confidence and -the offensive spirit. They had felt they were really doing something -towards winning the war. To retreat across the same country now made -it seem as though all the labours of the past eighteen months had been -wasted--the lives lost in vain. It had been better if this battlefield -had not been reached until darkness had fallen, and perhaps spared -those men the bitter reflections on the autumn of 1916 and all they had -gone through since. - -There was little time, however, for reminiscences, for only a very -short stay was made in Martinpuich, and 10.0 p.m. found the Battalion -reforming at Bazentin-le-Petit, where further officers and other ranks -rejoining brought the strength up to about 230 all ranks. An outpost -position was then taken up along the eastern edge of Bazentin-le-Petit -and occupied until 10.0 a.m. on the 25th, when a withdrawal was made to -Contalmaison Ridge, where the Battalion remained until 3.0 a.m. on the -26th. - -After the rapid changes of position during the past two days it had -seemed quite a long stay on Contalmaison Ridge, but the troops were not -destined to settle there, and the next move was to Bouzincourt. The -fighting had now ceased for the time being, so far, at least, as the -Civil Service Rifles were concerned, but there was still no rest to be -had, and it was not until after a five hours’ march via Contalmaison, -La Boiselle and thence across country to Aveluy and Bouzincourt, that -billets were reached. The Battalion was now supposed to be resting, but -after eight hours in Bouzincourt, the men were on the march again, and -at 4.0 p.m. on the 26th they trudged along to billets at Louvencourt, -where the night was spent. - -At 9.0 a.m. on the 27th the march was resumed and after a rest for -an hour or two at Clairfaye Farm, a move was made to billets at -Toutencourt, where a halt was made for quite twelve hours! - -During these marches the Battalion had been in reserve, but now it -began to move back to the front line, but before relieving the 6th -Buffs (12th Division) in Aveluy Wood on the night of the 29th, a very -welcome twenty-four hours’ rest had been enjoyed in billets at Warloy. - -While the fighting portion of the Battalion had been having such a -strenuous time in the retreat, the Administrative portion had also -had plenty of excitement, and the men of the transport section and -Quartermaster’s staff had frequently had to think about knocking -the ashes out of their rifles and sharpening their bayonets during -days when they were often in touch with the enemy. For a time they -had to carry on as a separate unit, and the story of their travels -is told in the following narrative contributed by Transport-Sergeant -G. M. Sladden, to whom much credit is due for the withdrawal of the -Regimental transport without the loss of a man or a horse. - - “The period of the ‘Great Retreat’ was an arduous one for the - Battalion Transport, entailing conditions vastly different from - the ordered routine incidental to trench warfare. Their lines - were stationed on the 21st March in a field on the Metz-Fins - road, the Quartermaster’s stores being then in Metz, where the - Battalion had been billeted prior to relieving the 2nd Division - in the line. The stores were filled with an unusually heavy - stock of material, including the blankets of the Battalion, - the officers’ valises and the men’s packs. In fact, mobile - conditions did not exist at this time. - - “Early on the morning of the 22nd the hostile attack developed - on our part of the front, and it rapidly became apparent that - the attack was making headway, though hitherto no news had been - heard of the great German success on the previous day further - south. To the right was seen an aerial attack in great force on - the 9th Division, of which some details soon began to pass in - retreat by the transport lines. The officers’ mess cart, which - had gone early to Nurlu canteen, returned to report the canteen - shelled out and Nurlu deserted. Soon orders arrived that the - Battalion was to retire after nightfall to the Dessart Switch - line, and the Transport to withdraw to Bus. Accordingly, all - wagons not required to take up rations and move the Battalion - that night were sent off at once with loads to Bus, and orders - to return for a second load as soon as possible. Blankets were - sent first, valises were left for the second journey: but the - congested state of the roads and the rapidity of the enemy - advance upset all calculations. The A.S.C. wagons, which were - to have cleared the Quartermaster stores, were prevented by the - road controls from returning to Metz. Consequently, there are - certain officers who cherish regretful memories of persistent - but futile efforts to induce a harsh War Office to compensate - them for the loss of valuable but non-regulation articles of - kit. Some of the limbered wagons--luckier or perhaps swifter - than the A.S.C. motors--got back to the Transport lines late - that night and picked up second loads. They were none too soon, - for as they finished loading they were fired upon by machine - guns from a patrol which had reached the ridge overlooking - the lines from a few hundred yards away. The wagons, luckily, - were standing in a sunken road and down this they were able - to escape without casualty. Meanwhile, the ration wagons - had gone up to the line, where they found the front line - now withdrawn to the support line and preparing to evacuate - the position. Ammunition dumps--notably the great dump at - Trescault--were being blown up all round: indications of a big - retreat abounded. Having delivered rations, the column waited - to pick up Lewis guns and other equipment, and to take them - back to the new position. Gradually the guns came down until - all but one had arrived; the Battalion was clear and platoons - of other Battalions continued to file by--still no Lewis gun. - Yet orders were definite, to wait till all the guns had come. - But when the last platoon of the last Battalion had passed, it - seemed certain that the missing gun must have gone some other - way. The boy who stood on the burning deck was doubtless noble - but certainly idiotic: moreover, it seemed possible that the - fifteen guns on the wagons _might_ be wanted. So orders were - stoutly disobeyed and away went the wagons. They had been - warned not to go back by the route by which they had come - up, which had been reported occupied by the enemy; so in the - blackness of a pitch-dark night, over unreconnoitred ground, - they made a bee-line for the road between Metz and Trescault. - - “Over hill, over dale, - Through bush, through briar, - Over park, over pale, - Through trench, through wire--” - - and hit it at last, though once nearly ingulfed in a bog. And - so up the Fins road to the appointed place, where everything - was safely handed over. The next stage was to the Transport - lines, where the trekking loads of the wagons were waiting - to be picked up; but, at a short distance from the lines, - bullets coming from that direction made it appear probable that - the enemy was in possession, and this was confirmed by the - Battalion Intelligence Officer who happened to meet the column - at this juncture. Nothing for it then but to get away and join - up with the rest of the Transport at Bus. - - “At Bus the whole of the Brigade Transport was standing by - waiting orders to move; so the tired horses could not even be - unharnessed. There was, however, opportunity to water and feed - both for horse and man before a move was made, which was not - actually until midday. The line of march was by Le Mesnil and - Saillisel to Le Transloy, over by roads much cut up. At one - point the column had to pass over a quaking bog, of which the - thin crust had to be continually reinforced, after the passage - at the gallop of each vehicle, with fascines, bits of plank, - and anything that came handy. The prevailing fine weather was - a god send; without it the column could not have passed this - spot. Night had fallen before the column pulled off the road - on to a shell-riddled stretch of the old Somme battlefield - where wagons and horses could only stand higgledy-piggledy - wherever a spot without a shell-hole could be found. Here the - A.S.C. supply wagons were waiting, and at once rations were - loaded on the limbers and sent off to find the Battalion. This - was successfully done, and meanwhile the remaining horses and - men were able to snatch a little sleep, though standing by - to move at ten minutes’ notice. Orders were hourly expected, - for the front line was falling back fast, and shortly before - midnight part of it--in the shape of ‘A’ Company, which had - lost touch--drifted into the lines in search of the rest of the - Battalion. After they had pushed forward again to take up a - defensive position it was found that other units of the Brigade - Transport had moved off. Assuming that orders had miscarried - (as afterwards was found to be the case), and knowing that if - the column was to get away at all, it must be before dawn, a - move was made without orders. It was found afterwards that the - rest of the Brigade marched via Les Boeufs, where they had some - casualties through shell fire; so the choice of route of the - 15th via Saillisel and Combles was a lucky one, for the column - was unmolested on this road except by a little heavy shrapnel - that did no harm. Some trouble was caused at Saillisel, where, - just as dawn began to break, and with the enemy on a ridge only - a short distance away, the road was found to be blocked by - part of an ammunition column. After some difficulty they were - passed--another stroke of luck, for it was heard afterwards - that this column failed to get away. Combles, too, was found to - contain the Divisional Ordnance Depot, where all stores were - being destroyed. A few men were able as they passed to snatch - articles of kit that they had lost: the Battalion saddler still - mourns over his failure to ‘scrounge’ a complete saddler’s - outfit. He found it too heavy to catch the last wagon and stow - it there. - - “It took a weary while to reach Bazentin Le Petit that day, - for after Ginchy the road was congested with an enormous mass - of traffic. However, it was done, and horses and men, utterly - weary hoped for a little rest there. But it seemed that the - march would never end, for orders came for the retreat to - continue; and at dusk all (except enough cookers and ration - wagons to supply the Battalion with food that night) moved off - via Albert to a new halting ground. During the afternoon a - slight diversion had been caused by several enemy aeroplanes - that came over and dropped a few bombs intended for the - Brigade Transport; it was, however, a very timid raid of the - tip-and-run variety and did no harm. Of a very different kind - was the relay raid that the column passing through Albert - that night experienced. From dark to light a succession of - machines dropped bombs up and down the main street of Albert - and the main roads approaching the town. The street was full of - moving traffic, and things were made much worse by many motor - transport drivers leaving their lorries standing and taking - cover in houses. It seemed at one time as if the column of the - 140th Brigade would be utterly unable to go forward; but the - acting Transport Officer and Quartermaster, Lieutenant A. L. - Mills, did excellent work in sorting out the disorganised mass - of vehicles ahead, and the Brigade column finally got through - with far fewer casualties than might have been expected, and of - these the 15th incurred none. Meanwhile the ration column had - set out with an escort of armoured cars to meet the Battalion - at Bazentin Le Grand. The Battalion was, for the moment, not - holding a position, and it was possible to give every man the - good, hot meal of which he stood in need. The escort proved - unnecessary, and as it was growing light when Albert was passed - on the return journey, the ration column escaped the bombing - that the others had undergone. But the bodies and the wreckage - showed them how much Albert had suffered that night. They - rejoined the rest of the transport in the small hours of the - morning of the 25th, but within four hours the whole column was - on the move again to just outside Millencourt. Here was another - short halt, during which the 15th acquired two ‘buckshee’ - horses--one of them an excellent animal, who served them - well until he was killed six months later, the other blind - and vicious: it was easy to guess how he came to be roving - free--and he was soon given his freedom back again. Tired - though every man and beast was, it was necessary to move again - that afternoon, because the unit was said to be on the wrong - side of road. They were sent to a pitch which was also useless - because too soft for wagon or horse lines--involving another - move, unauthorised this time. Rations went up as soon as the - third move had been carried out, and after a long wait at the - rendezvous were sent back to the lines, for the Battalion was - at last coming out of the line. The ration column got back to - the lines just in time to move with the rest of the Transport - to Bouzincourt, where the relieved Battalion was met early - on the morning of the 26th. From which time for a while the - history of the movements of the Transport merges again with - that of the Battalion as a whole. - -[Illustration] - - * * * * * - -A second phase of the fighting opened when the Battalion moved to -Aveluy Wood on the night of the 29th of March. - -There had been no time for a proper re-organisation, and the troops -had not yet recovered from their exertions during the retreat. The -casualties since the morning of the 21st of March numbered no less than -350 (all ranks) and as no reinforcements had joined, it was as well -that the second phase opened quietly. - -One and a half companies occupied an outpost position in Aveluy Wood, -and the remainder of the Battalion was in a ravine 800 yards south -of Martinsart. The 22nd Battalion was on the left, with a gap of 400 -yards between the two units. For three days this position was held, -and except for hostile shelling there was little enemy activity, the -casualties for the three days numbering little more than a dozen. -The 20th Battalion on the night of the 1st of April, relieved the -Civil Service Rifles, who moved into billets in Senlis, and after two -days’ rest and a more than welcome bath, the Battalion, now somewhat -reorganised, returned to the front line and relieved the 1st Surrey -Rifles on the night of the 4th of April. “A” Company held the right, -“C” the centre, and a company of the 1st Surrey Rifles, who were -attached, held the left. “B” and “D” Companies were in support and -Battalion Headquarters was in Bouzincourt. The 9th Royal Fusiliers -(12th Division) were on the right of the Civil Service Rifles and the -142nd Brigade on the left. - -The few reinforcements who had joined included Major L. L. Pargiter, of -the Middlesex Regiment, who came to the Battalion on the 4th of April -as second in command. - -Such were the dispositions when the battle for Aveluy Wood opened on -the morning of the 5th of April. - -As usual, the enemy opened with a heavy bombardment on the front line, -support trenches, and Bouzincourt, gas shells being freely mixed with -the heavier missiles. The bombardment began at 7.0 a.m. and except for -three short intervals of about half an hour each, it continued until -4.30 p.m. Throughout the afternoon the bombardment of Bouzincourt -was particularly intense. The enemy was excellently supported by his -machine guns, which were active all day on the front line and support -trenches with both direct and indirect fire. - -When the bombardment began the enemy could be seen along the crest -opposite the front line in twos and threes (total about 150). These -small groups were dispersed by rifle fire, but at about 10.0 a.m. -small groups again began to dribble forward over the crest, and these -advanced in spite of Lewis gun and rifle fire, by using the cover -afforded by huts and sheds, until they reached the trees and broken -ground on the outskirts of Aveluy Wood. It is estimated that roughly -300 of the enemy with light machine guns pushed forward in this way. -The front line held by the Civil Service Rifles was by this time -enfiladed with machine-gun fire and minenwerfers, and under cover of -this fire the parties in the broken ground crept forward to within 100 -yards of the British front line. These parties showed up several times -as if about to rush the position, but whenever they appeared, Lewis -gun and rifle fire kept them back, and the intended assault was not -delivered. - -In the afternoon the enemy was seen to be digging in on the crest from -which he had doubled forward earlier in the day, and by 6.0 p.m. this -ground was effectually swept by artillery fire, with the result that no -further signs of an advance were seen at that point. - -By nightfall the enemy appeared to give up the attempt, at all events -for that day, and the situation became considerably quieter. “D” -Company now relieved the attached Company of the 1st Surrey Rifles -in the front line, and this latter Company moved into support. The -casualties in the Civil Service Rifles numbered fifty (all ranks), -including Colonel Segrave, who was slightly gassed, and who was sent -to the transport lines for a well-earned rest, Major Pargiter taking -command of the Battalion. - -The 6th of April was a day of alarms, but although small parties of the -enemy were detected in the early morning moving forward under cover of -the mist, there was no real infantry engagement. The snipers were busy -on both sides and those of the Civil Service Rifles got many targets, -and one of the enemy was captured after being wounded. - -Intermittent bombardments were the feature of the day, but the battle -died down for good after 10.0 p.m. with the Germans really well held, -and with this night came to an end the fighting in the great Retreat on -this front, and the Bosche thereafter did not gain any ground at all. - -After holding the line for one more day, which was fairly quiet, the -Battalion was relieved on the night of the 7th of April by the 17th -and 21st Battalions, and marched to billets in Senlis. It was not yet -known that the Division was about to move back to a training area, but -the rumour soon began to get round to that effect, and the prospect -of a real rest acted as a splendid tonic to the weary survivors of -the darkest days in the history of the Division. They had been dark -days, indeed, but those who came through could look back on them with -satisfaction in the knowledge that their Battalion had played its part -nobly during a period when a trip to Germany--or elsewhere--had often -seemed to be the most probable end to their career in France. - -This story of the movements of the 1st Civil Service Rifles during -the Retreat is based on the official narrative written by Battalion -Headquarters, but it should be borne in mind that the fighting during -the last days of March was of so extraordinary a character that the -description here given will fall very far short of the affair as it -appeared to many of the members of the Battalion. Only those who took -part in it will be able to realise the difficulty of describing a -series of actions in which the Battalion was split up into several -different bodies, each fighting battles of their own, with little or -no knowledge of the whereabouts of their comrades. If this feature of -the fighting is considered, it will help to explain why so many of the -casualties were reported as “wounded and missing” or “missing, believed -killed” without any definite information as to the place where they -occurred. - -The casualties among officers, warrant officers and N.C.O.’s were very -heavy, but these serve to emphasise the splendid spirit of the men. -Nothing could illustrate their excellent discipline, determination and -fighting qualities more forcibly than that assembly at Bazentin le -Petit on the night of the 24th of March. In spite of being cut off from -their comrades these several small parties had carried on the fight -for more than twenty-four hours--often without even a Lance-corporal -in charge--and the simple statement that “10.0 p.m. saw the Battalion -reforming at Bazentin le Petit” is in reality a record of the finest -achievement of the men of the 1st Civil Service Rifles during the war. - -A good many of the N.C.O.’s and men were decorated for their work -during the Retreat, but every one of those 230 all ranks who refused -to be beaten on the 23rd and 24th of March, 1918, is deserving of the -highest praise. It would have been some small recognition of their -great gallantry and devotion to duty if the names of these men could -have been inscribed on a special Roll of Honour. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -MONTHS OF “WIND UP” - - -One night in Senlis was followed by a night in Hedauville, and then on -the 9th of April, after a march to Acheux, the Battalion was conveyed -by buses to the back area. The bus journey was pleasant enough at -first, but on arriving at Beauval, where the troops were to have been -billeted, it was found that all the accommodation had been allotted to -other troops. - -The bus column halted in the main road outside the village where a -draft of 600 other ranks was waiting to join the Battalion. The draft -had been waiting by the roadside since noon, and the men had had both -dinner and tea in the same spot. But soon after dark the draft received -orders to march to the next village, Gezaincourt, the Battalion -continuing the journey by bus. The speed of the buses can best be -judged by the fact that the draft arrived at Gezaincourt--about three -and a half miles away--more than an hour in front of the Battalion. - -The next day at Gezaincourt was spent in re-organising Companies and -sorting out the huge draft, which was found to contain parties from -practically every Battalion of the London Regiment except the Artists -and the Scottish. The Civil Service Riflemen were now in a minority in -their own Regiment. - -The journey was continued on the 11th of April, when the Battalion -marched to Domart en Ponthieu, a delightful village, where all ranks -would have been happy to remain for the rest of the war. But it was -not to be, for the troops were on the move again early next day, and -after a fifteen miles’ march the training area was reached, and the -Civil Service Rifles were billeted in the village of Canchy, close -to the historic forest of Crecy. The village was also occupied by -Divisional Headquarters, and the billets allotted to the Battalion were -consequently poor, everything worth having being appropriated for the -use of Divisional Headquarters. - -The usual training programme was carried out and drafts continued to -arrive until the Battalion grew to an unwieldy size, being over 1,300 -strong. But although numerically it was stronger than it had ever been, -the vast majority of the men were very raw--recruits who had been -hurried out during the panic caused by the Retreat. It was soon found -that the Civil Service Rifles had received more than their share of -these men, and 250 of them were accordingly sent to the 142nd Brigade. - -The only breaks in the routine of training were trips to Abbeville, -football matches, and a half-hearted sort of Sports Meeting. - -The Divisional Commander visited the Brigade at a Brigade parade at -Forest l’Abbaye, on the 18th of April, when he complimented the Brigade -on its work during recent operations, and hinted darkly at further -“dirty work” in store in the near future. - -The concluding sporting event at Canchy was a football match against -the Divisional Train, the holders of the Divisional Company, who were -well beaten by four goals to nil. While the match was in progress -orders were received for the Transport to move early the next day, -Sunday, the 28th of April, and for the Battalion to move by bus on -Monday morning. - -Although the programme of training had been arranged for another week, -the sudden orders to move occasioned little surprise, for it was quite -a common thing for a “training holiday” to be cut short, and the -Transport Section accordingly moved to St. Quen without any fuss. - -On the last afternoon at Canchy the _entente cordiale_ between the -Civil Service Rifles and the villagers was strengthened by a tea-party -which Colonel Segrave gave to the village children. To entertain them -were engaged the Divisional Cinema, the String Trio and Private Saipe. -The latter’s conjuring brought down the house, and was so popular that -the conjurer, on taking his evening stroll later on, was mobbed by the -villagers, who insisted on his giving them a “second house” in the open -air. - -The bus journey to Contay was uneventful, and on leaving the buses, the -Battalion, just over 700 strong, marched to billets in Warloy. A battle -surplus of eight officers and 240 other ranks had been left behind at a -Divisional Reinforcement Camp at Estrées les Crecy. - -The German advance had been held up in the neighbourhood of Albert, and -for some weeks now no move had been made on either side, though farther -north the allied lines in the Ypres and Armentieres districts had been -pushed back considerably. It was not, therefore, surprising when the -21st Australian Battalion was relieved on the night of the 1st of May -outside the Albert-Amiens Road that orders were issued to all units to -make every possible preparation to meet an enemy attack, which, to use -the official language, “is likely to develop on our front in the near -future.” - -During this tour of the trenches the patrols of “B,” “C,” and “D” -Companies, who were the three front line Companies, all reported that -at 2.0 a.m. on the morning of the 4th of May, a noise resembling that -of steam tractors was heard coming from the vicinity of the railway -south of the Albert Road. As a result, the R.A.F. carried out a special -reconnaissance at dawn and found four enemy tanks hiding near the -railway. These were bombed, two being totally destroyed and the others -disabled. The Brigadier General specially commended the Civil Service -Rifles on the good work done by the patrols. - -The discovery of the tanks, however, only served to increase the -warnings of a coming attack, and an otherwise uneventful spell in the -mud and water was frequently disturbed by such orders from Division as -“See that all men have a hot meal immediately: Attack probable this -morning.” - -On the night of the 6th of May a somewhat complicated relief, owing -to a reshuffle of Brigades on the Corps front, brought to an end a -surprisingly peaceful stay in the front line. It did not, however, -bring much comfort to the troops. - -The Battalion was to move back to support trenches in the neighbourhood -of Millencourt and Henencourt, but the Companies had the greatest -difficulty in identifying their positions, as they turned out to be -mere scratches in the ground. The night was black and the rain poured -in torrents throughout. The relief was accordingly exceptionally slow -and day was breaking ere the support positions were reached. - -The Officer Commanding “A” Company found in Millencourt some unoccupied -cellars with plenty of straw, and decided to stow his men away there -and risk the consequences. “B” and “C” Companies found ruined houses -in Henencourt, and “D” moved into a barn in the yard of the château -at Henencourt, which had been Third Corps Headquarters during the -Somme battle of 1916. Battalion Headquarters was at the Grand Caporal -estaminet--a “house” that had been a favourite resort of the men of the -Civil Service Rifles during the rest after High Wood in 1916. But how -the village had changed since those days! In 1916 Henencourt had been -a tolerably clean inhabited village, but now all was desolation, every -house was in ruins, and there was not a civilian to be found anywhere. - -By night the Companies occupied their battle positions and tried to -dig trenches there, and by day they kept under cover in their billets. -A search was made for bath tubs, and a bath-house was started in the -Château yard, and apart from occasional shelling of Millencourt and -Henencourt, a fairly comfortable time was spent in these villages. - -The next visit to the front line was to relieve the 17th London -Regiment astride the Millencourt-Albert Road, a mile or so east -of the village of Millencourt. The trenches here were new, and so -exposed that no cooking could be done there. All food was cooked at -the Quartermaster’s stores at Warloy and brought up at night, when -the troops had their only hot meal of the day. The tea was sent up in -petrol cans enclosed in packs stuffed with hay--a method which had been -adopted by members of the Transport Section some months previously for -keeping tea hot on a long march. - -Digging new trenches and wiring were the nightly tasks of all Companies -during five uneventful days in this sector, and on relief by the 6th -London Regiment--now in the 58th Division--the Battalion moved back to -billets in Warloy, and on the following day the Division moved into -Corps Reserve. - -The period in Corps Reserve had generally been spent in tolerably -comfortable billets in inhabited villages some distance from the firing -line, but on this occasion the Division was kept close up, owing to -the possibility of an enemy attack, and it fell to the lot of the -140th Brigade to occupy small woods in the neighbourhood of Warloy and -Bazieux. The accommodation was distinctly poor, the men having to sleep -under bivouac sheets--or trench shelters as they were called officially. - -Colonel Segrave accordingly indulged in a little billeting on his own -account and fixed his battalion up in comfortable billets in Warloy, -observing at the same time that as they were nearer to the front line -they were tactically in a better position to meet an emergency. A wordy -warfare with the Divisional Staff ensued, and for a few days the Civil -Service Rifles hung on to their billets, although the Colonel had been -withdrawn to command the 141st Brigade. But soon a move had to be made -to the bivouacs in the Bois La Haut, north of Bazieux, where the days -were spent by the troops in digging cable trenches near Henencourt -Wood, and the nights were often spent in alarms and standing to. - -Indeed, a more restless period in Corps Reserve had never been known. -All officers were taken to reconnoitre positions of assembly for -counter-attack, and to each battalion in the Brigade was allotted a -definite objective. It was announced that the attack would be launched -on the 20th, and the officers were taken through a kind of rehearsal of -their counter-attack. - -Nightly bombing raids by enemy aeroplanes added to the discomfort, -and on the night of the 18th of May an intense bombardment was heard. -Later, an alarm was sounded in an adjacent wood, and the Battalion -stood to arms at 2.0 a.m. and remained so for about an hour. Thereafter -the troops were made to stand to arms each morning at an hour before -dawn as in the trenches, and the cooks had to “keep up steam” in -readiness to serve a hot meal at once in the event of an enemy -attack on the Corps front. Happily nothing so unpleasant as an attack -developed, but the camp was shelled on the morning of the 22nd, with -the result that the Transport Section lost an old and tried friend in -Corporal Banks, who had been with them continuously since mobilisation. -It was cruel luck that he should be killed while in Corps Reserve, -after surviving such ordeals as the Somme, Ypres Salient, Bourlon Wood -and the Retreat. Two horses were also killed and two others wounded. - -The Division moved out of Corps Reserve on the 24th of May, and after -a whole day spent in cable burying in the pouring rain, the Civil -Service Rifles relieved the 7th East Surrey Regiment in quarries near -the Franvillers-Albert road. Here the troops bivouacked amongst guns -and howitzers of all calibres; in some cases the men slept, or rather -spent the night, under the muzzles of the guns. The only good thing the -Battalion got out of this relief was a draft of 10 N.C.O.’s, who had -been wounded on the Somme in 1916, and on their return to France had -been drafted to the East Surrey Regiment. By a strange coincidence they -rejoined the Civil Service Rifles almost on the very ground where they -had been trained for the Somme battle, for the Bois Robert, where many -of the rehearsals for High Wood took place, was within a hundred yards -or so of the bivouacs. - -A short stay amid the guns was followed by a move to comfortable but -shell-riddled billets in Baizieux--a village somewhat changed since the -previous Christmas, when it was occupied by Divisional Headquarters. - -The 4th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers was relieved in the Lavieville -defences on the 26th of May, and here the Battalion spent four days in -support trenches, during the whole of which time all Companies were -at work with the Royal Engineers on cable burying. At the end of May -1918, the Civil Service Rifles occupied a field surrounded by new and -shallow trenches just north of the Franvillers-Berhencourt road, and -about half a mile west of Franvillers itself. These trenches were the -rear defences of the Lahoussoye system, but the men occupied tents and -bivouacs outside the trenches. - -There followed five uneventful days in the front line opposite the -village of Dernancourt, and on relief by the 17th Battalion on the -night of the 6th of June, support trenches astride the Albert-Amiens -road were occupied for three days. The Battalion then relieved the 1st -Surrey Rifles in the front line on the immediate left of the sector -held previously. This particular area was held by the Brigade for -nearly three weeks, the Battalion changing round every four or five -days. Nothing worthy of note happened until, on the 19th of June, the -Division was relieved by the 58th Division, the 6th London Regiment -taking over from the Civil Service Rifles, who had a long march back -to the village of Berhencourt, which was reached at about 5 a.m. After -a few hours’ rest the march was continued to Molliens au Bois, where -a tented camp in a sea of mud was taken over from the Queen Victoria -Rifles. Here the Regimental Brass Band, which had been entertaining -the Commander-in-Chief at General Headquarters for the past six -weeks, rejoined, together with the battle surplus and a draft of -reinforcements from the Divisional Reinforcement Camp. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -INTENSIVE TRAINING - - -Fortunately only one day was spent at Molliens au Bois, and on the 21st -of June a bus ride took the Civil Service Rifles through Amiens and -then round the country for a few hours, and back to Ferrieres, a little -village about four miles from Amiens. The Battalion then marched to -Guignemicourt, a village without any water supply, a real old-fashioned -out-of-the-way country place, which seemed miles away from the war. -The big château occupied by Battalion Headquarters was the property of -a French “nouveau riche,” who, according to the natives, had made his -fortune out of beer. He had fled hurriedly during the German advance, -leaving all his furniture behind him, but no trace could be found of -the commodity which was alleged to have earned him his francs. - -A quaint feature of the village life was the town crier with his -drum, who took up his stand in front of the sentry outside Battalion -Headquarters and made such announcements as the fixed price of coal, -flour, etc., for the ensuing month. His services were utilised by -the Civil Service Rifles at the end of their stay to announce to the -villagers that any claims against the Battalion must be lodged at the -orderly room before the Battalion left the village. - -To the members of the Civil Service Rifles who were at Guignemicourt, -however, the name does not revive memories of an old-world village -or of a quaint town crier. The memory that is inseparable from this -village is one of eternal parades. There were not only parades for -work, but also parades for play, the Battalion, after spending the -morning hard at work on the drill ground, being marched to the football -field every afternoon to take part in compulsory football. And for -officers the day’s work was carried on after lights out; for many were -the hours spent in conferences at Battalion Headquarters long after the -men were “between the sheets” in their billets. - -The compulsory football took the form of six-a-side games, the -sides being chosen in alphabetical order throughout each platoon or -specialist section. Every able-bodied officer, warrant officer, N.C.O., -or man, had to play, and the games were on the knock-out principle. -Only four games could be played at a time, and those who were not -playing had to look on, but, as the weather was beautifully fine, the -troops soon tumbled to the idea of bringing their writing-pads, with -the result that when the Corps Commander and many of the gilded staff -drove up to the ground on the afternoon of the 25th of June they found -a few men playing football and the majority of the Battalion squatting -on the grass writing letters. The final was won by a team from “B” -Company. - -After the football competition, Major L. L. Pargiter, who was in -command of the Battalion during the absence on leave of Colonel -Segrave, introduced the game of puttocks--a game which “caught on” at -once with the Battalion. Major Pargiter was an enthusiast for sport -as well as for work, and he combined the two on the miniature range, -where shooting took place every evening, the prizes taking the form -of 10 centimes for every bull’s-eye scored. This was apparently too -easy a method of making money, for on some evenings nobody put in an -appearance except the Officer Commanding Range and the marker. - -The eternal parades naturally provoked a certain amount of grousing, -but none the less the Battalion had reached a very high standard of -efficiency, when Colonel Segrave returned on the 2nd of July, after a -month’s absence. - -On the next day a Divisional water carnival was held at Picquigny, -where R.Q.M.S. Hart improved on his previous year’s success by taking -the first two places in the odd craft race. He had trained on the horse -pond in the village and his craft finished so far in front of the rest -of the competitors that many of the spectators were unaware that he was -in the race at all. - -The Battalion won the Divisional water polo championship with the -following team: Colour-Sergeant W. S. Watts, Corporal O. S. Wraight, -and Corporal T. Byron of “B” Company, Lance-Corporal H. G. Terry of “A” -Company, and Privates T. N. Smale, “B” Company, S. Paisley and R. Bull, -Transport Section. Other members of the Battalion who distinguished -themselves were Privates E. Manfield, who was third in the back stroke -race, and Privates F. J. Garnham, “B” Company, and P. A. Pooley, -“D” Company, who with Corporal Wraight and Private Bull gained for -the Civil Service Rifles third place in the Divisional Relay Race. -Altogether it was a good day for the Civil Service Rifles. - -On the following day Major General Gorringe presented ribbons to those -in the Battalion who had been awarded decorations for their work during -the Retreat. - -A Memorial Service to Civil Servants who had fallen in the war was held -in the Château grounds on the 11th of July, at the same hour as the -service in Westminster Abbey for the same purpose was being held. - -The only other incidents worthy of note during the last week at -Guignemicourt were the Battalion Sports Meeting, at which “D” Company -won far more points than any other Company, and the visit of a -photographer from the French Flying Corps. Every Company and Specialist -Section and almost every platoon was photographed, as also were the -Battalion football team and many of the horses. - -The Battalion returned to Warloy on the 12th of July and relieved the -First Surrey Rifles in support positions on the Senlis-Henencourt Road -on the 15th. - -On the 18th of July the welcome news was received of a successful -French counter-attack on a large scale in the Soissons region. The news -was cheering to all ranks, but no one even suspected that this was the -beginning of the end, and that in four months’ time the Armistice would -be signed. - -On the 20th of July the 17th Battalion was relieved by the Civil -Service Rifles in front line trenches due east of Millencourt, and -a company of American Infantry of the 131st Regiment, 33rd U.S.A. -Division, became attached for instruction in trench warfare. The -American troops were of fine physique and were very keen, but what -seemed to appeal to them most was the excellent cooking of the Civil -Service Rifles cooks. Many of them declared that although they were -living in trenches they had not been fed so well since they left home. - -Each of the four Companies of the 131st Regiment (1st Battalion) -spent twenty-four hours under instruction with the Civil Service -Rifles, and on the 24th of July, the whole of the American Battalion -became attached to the 140th Brigade and relieved the Civil Service -Rifles who moved back to Contay. Colonel Segrave and his Adjutant, -four Company Commanders and some senior N.C.O.’s remained with the -U.S.A. troops until the following day, when all returned to Contay -except the Commanding Officer and Adjutant, who were attached to the -American Battalion for a further period of two days. In the meantime -the four Company Quartermaster Sergeants were attached to the American -Quartermaster to assist him in rationing his Battalion while it was in -the front line. - -After five days at Contay the Civil Service Rifles relieved the 17th -Battalion in support to the front line recently held, where they were -relieved on the 30th of July by the 19th Battalion, and moved back -to the positions on the Senlis-Henencourt Road, now occupied by the -forward Battalion of the Brigade in Divisional Reserve. - -The month of August, 1918, was certainly an eventful one, for it -brought with it a general advance on the whole of the Corps front. - -There was little in the early days of the month to suggest the -startling changes that were to come over the military situation in the -immediate vicinity of the 47th Divisional front, though as time went -on, the news of advances in various parts of the allied line revived an -enthusiasm that had perhaps been on the wane since the beginning of the -year. - -There was as yet no talk of a coming attack by the 140th Brigade, and -on the night of the 5th of August, after spending two days in Warloy, -the Civil Service Rifles relieved the 24th Battalion on the right of -the Divisional front, just outside Albert on the Amiens Road. But -although there had been no special preparation for an attack, it was -thought quite likely that one might soon be made, as the enemy had -withdrawn his line from the position round Albert, and even from the -town itself it was believed. - -“B” Company occupied parts of the two old German front lines, and -had sentry groups also along the west side of the railway embankment -overlooking the River Ancre. It appeared to be quite true that the -Germans had withdrawn, for no trace of one was seen on the Battalion -front. - -On the 6th of August news was received that Colonel Segrave, who was -at the time Acting Brigade Commander, had been promoted to the rank of -Brigadier General, and he left forthwith to command the 152nd Brigade -in the 51st Division, and the Civil Service Rifles had to part for good -with one who had been to them something far more than a Commanding -Officer. - -Although Colonel Segrave’s promotion had been more or less expected for -some time, he received very short notice to depart, and was not even -given an opportunity to say good-bye. It is difficult to say whether -he or the Battalion felt the parting more keenly, for he was loved by -those whom he commanded as much as he loved them--which is saying a -great deal. - -No story of the 1st Civil Service Rifles can be complete without an -appreciation of one who is regarded by all who served under him as -the finest Commanding Officer the Regiment ever had. His gallantry in -the field has already been referred to, and it was fortunate for the -Battalion that all its big defensive battles were fought during the -year in which Colonel Segrave commanded, for it was in such battles, -rather than in attacks which had been rehearsed in every detail, that -able leadership meant so much. Both at Bourlon Wood and in the Retreat -the Civil Service Rifles owed a great deal to the guiding hand of their -Commanding Officer. - -But it was not only owing to his ability as a leader, nor to his -exceptional bravery under fire, that his presence gave such confidence -to the troops. They always knew that in Colonel Segrave they had a -Commanding Officer who devoted himself wholeheartedly to the welfare -of the Civil Service Rifles. He was a red-hot enthusiast for the -Regiment, and would tolerate nothing that was, in his opinion, likely -to bring it into disrepute. A tireless worker himself, he would have no -idlers among his officers, N.C.O.’s or men. - -These are but a few of the qualities in Colonel Segrave which cause -men to speak with genuine pride of the fact that they served under -him. Outstanding among his characteristics was his pure unselfishness. -All that he did was done for his Regiment. He sought no personal -glorification. He indeed “did good by stealth and blushed to find it -fame.” But the splendid work he did for the Civil Service Rifles during -the hardest year of the war can never be forgotten by those who had the -good fortune to serve under Colonel Segrave. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -THE GREAT ADVANCE - - -A sensational change came over the military situation on the Divisional -front during August, 1918. When the month opened, the front line -Brigades were still holding the trenches outside Albert, and were -kept in a state of readiness to meet a German attack. It soon became -evident, however, that there would be no German attack from that -quarter, for it became known on the 3rd of August that the Germans had -withdrawn from Albert and the positions around that town, and by the -end of the month the troops of the 47th Division, instead of being on -the defensive, were in pursuit of a broken enemy several miles east of -Albert, and open warfare prevailed once more. - -When Colonel Segrave left it was not known who was to be his successor, -but in the meantime Major G. G. Bates, M.C., acted as Commanding -Officer. - -The first indication of the coming advance was a big attack launched by -the Allies at 4.0 a.m. on the 8th of August. The Civil Service Rifles -were at that time holding front line trenches just outside Albert, on -the north side of the Albert-Amiens road. No attack was launched in -that area, but there was increased artillery activity throughout the -day. On the following day an attack was delivered by the 58th Division -immediately south of the 47th Division and an Australian Division -further south. Their objectives were the villages of Ville sur Ancre, -Dernancourt, Morlancourt, and the German positions in the vicinity. -In spite of a ground mist, which made it difficult to follow the -operations, the attack was a big success. The Civil Service Rifles were -not affected, though the Battalion scouts were sent as spectators to -a point of vantage to watch for any developments likely to affect the -front held by the 47th Division. It was a curious sight to see a small -crowd on a slope on the left flank of the attack, watching the fight at -fairly close quarters, like a crowd at a football match. - -About this time enemy aeroplanes were active at night, bombing -transport lines and billets at Warloy, and the Civil Service Rifles -lost their Acting Quartermaster, Second Lieutenant A. L. Mills, and -their Assistant Adjutant, Second Lieutenant P. J. Spencer, both of -whom were bombed in their billet, which was completely destroyed, the -officers being dangerously wounded. - -[Illustration: SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE MOVEMENTS OF THE 1^{ST} -C.S.R. IN THE 47^{TH} DIVISION ATTACK 22-25 AUGUST 1918.] - -On the 13th of August, after a short stay in support in Baizieux, the -Division moved south of the Albert Road and relieved the 58th Division -in the neighbourhood of Bray. The Civil Service Rifles relieved the -Queen Victoria Rifles in the forward position of the support Brigade. -The trenches occupied were the old British and German front lines west -of Morlancourt. The Transport Section and Quartermaster’s stores moved -to the village of Bonnay, which was visited nightly by enemy bombing -planes. - -On the night of the 16th of August the Battalion moved up to the -front line and relieved the 22nd London Regiment on the right of the -Divisional front in the Bois des Tailles, just north of the village of -Bray. - -The Bois des Tailles had doubtless been a very pretty wood in peace -time, but it was now strewn with the debris remaining after the German -occupation. It had afforded good natural cover for German guns, and in -the valley which ran through the middle of the wood were some rather -palatial dug-outs. The German guns were still in position, though the -emplacements had been destroyed and the ammunition was scattered about -the ground. Throughout its occupation by the Civil Service Rifles, the -Bois des Tailles was subjected to a steady bombardment, gas shells -being used freely every night. The aforesaid valley became saturated -with gas and the dug-outs were rendered uninhabitable. Casualties were -pretty heavy, and the five days spent in what became known among the -troops as “_toute de suite_ wood” were distinctly unpleasant. - -At midnight on the 20th of August the 20th London Regiment took over -the positions in the Bois des Tailles, and the Civil Service Rifles -moved back to support positions in a valley near Marett Wood, close to -Mericourt L’Abbé. Here the new Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel R. -C. Feilding, D.S.O., Coldstream Guards, took over the command of the -Battalion. - -Colonel Feilding had not had time to get to know his troops before -he was leading them in battle, for after one day’s rest in support -positions, the 140th Brigade moved up on the 22nd of August and was -the Reserve Brigade in a big attack launched that morning by the 47th -Division, in conjunction with the 12th Division on the left, and an -Australian Division on the right. - -The programme for the 47th Division was that the 141st Brigade holding -the front line was to move forward at zero, and capture and consolidate -the first objective, known for this battle as the Brown Line, running -parallel with the Bray-Albert road and about 500 yards east of it. The -142nd Brigade was to pass through the 141st Brigade ten minutes after -zero, and capture and consolidate the second objective (known as the -Green Line.) Corps cavalry and twelve whippet tanks were then to pass -through the 141st and 142nd Brigades, and capture the Blue Line (a -line of defences from Fricourt to the woods known as Great and Little -Bear), the 140th Brigade remaining in Divisional Reserve, ready to move -forward and consolidate the Blue Line when captured. - -Soon after 6.0 a.m. on the 22nd of August, the Civil Service Rifles -marched forward from the positions near Marett Wood, and by 7.50 a.m. -the Battalion was in position at the rendezvous--the sunken road -running north and south along the western edge of the Bois des Tailles. -Here a squadron of cavalry, about 80 strong, was waiting its turn to go -forward, and just before 8.0 a.m. this squadron advanced to the attack, -accompanied by tanks, but both tanks and cavalry came dribbling back -about an hour later, having met with serious opposition. - -The Companies of the Civil Service Rifles were now disposed in the -fields on either side of the road, awaiting orders. There followed -a long interval without any news, and throughout the whole morning -nothing definite was heard as to how the attack had developed. Late -in the afternoon, however, orders were received as to the part to be -played by the Civil Service Rifles in an attack to be delivered by -the 140th Brigade the following morning upon the Blue Line. Colonel -Feilding had only just explained matters to Company Commanders, -when the order was cancelled owing to the withdrawal of the 142nd -Brigade from the Green Line, under pressure from the enemy, and the -reoccupation by the latter of the Happy Valley (a valley just to the -east of the Bray-Albert road, and about a mile north-north-west of -Bray). - -A gap existed between the right of the 141st Brigade and the left of -the Australians, and the Civil Service Rifles were ordered at 7.0 p.m. -to fill the gap. Colonel Feilding sent two of his Companies to the -front line to dig themselves in along a bank where the gap existed, and -two Companies to be in support along the Etineham-Méaulte road, just in -front of the old front line in the Bois des Tailles. He established his -Headquarters temporarily in the old front line north-east of the Bois -des Tailles. - -Darkness was falling as the Companies went to take up these positions, -and when Colonel Feilding arrived with his Headquarters Company in -the old front line in the Bois des Tailles he found the Headquarters -of the 141st Brigade close by. He went into these Headquarters to see -what further information he could gather, and learnt that the enemy was -breaking through, and was believed to be coming on in large numbers. -The trench, he was told, should be put in a state of defence, and every -rifle would be needed. Headquarters Company was thereupon ordered to -line the trench and each man had to make himself a good fire position. -Officers’ servants and signallers, who had not used their rifles since -the Retreat, had visions of a repetition of the Bourlon Wood incident, -and every man got to work with his entrenching tool, and made every -preparation for the coming fight. Colonel Feilding pushed off into the -darkness ahead to find out how much truth there was in the story of the -counter-attack. He found all quiet in the front line, which was nearly -two miles ahead, and he decided to take his Headquarters Company and -two support Companies to the foot of a bank close to the front line. -These positions were occupied throughout the next day, when there was -considerable shelling from the enemy. - -Early on the morning of the 24th of August, an attack was delivered on -the Green Line and the Happy Valley. The 140th Brigade was on the left -and the 175th Brigade (58th Division) on the right. The Civil Service -Rifles were to move through the Happy Valley behind a Battalion of the -175th Brigade, and deal with the enemy in the many dug-outs in the -valley. After clearing the valley they were to take up positions just -north of Bray and on the east side of the Bray-Méaulte road, in support -to the 17th and 21st Battalions, who were to be by that time in the -Green Line. - -The attack began at 1.0 a.m., and by 2.0 a.m. large parties of German -prisoners began to arrive at Battalion Headquarters. The operation had -been entirely successful, the Civil Service Rifles having captured 300 -prisoners in Happy Valley, as well as a considerable number of machine -guns and some trench mortars. - -After spending the whole day under heavy shell fire in the positions -near the Bray Road, the Battalion moved through the Happy Valley again -at night and assembled for a further attack, which was to commence at -2.30 a.m. on the 25th. - -For this attack the 140th Brigade was in front, with the 175th Brigade -on its right. The Civil Service Rifles were on the right of the 140th -Brigade, and the centre of the Battalion’s assembly position was an -old German prisoners-of-war cage on the Bray-Fricourt Road. It was -dark when the men reached the assembly position, and the country was -quite strange to all the attacking forces, none of whom had even so -much as seen it by daylight. The objective was just over 2,500 yards -beyond the assembly position, and was a line of old German trenches on -the western edge of Billon Copse, about two miles south of Mametz. In -spite of the strange surroundings, total darkness, and the fact that no -reconnaissance had been made, the attack went well, and the objective -was reached with very few casualties--not more than thirty-five all -ranks. The opposition was slight, but a thick fog which settled down -before daylight made it very difficult to find even so prominent a -landmark as Bronfay Farm, which was about the southern boundary of -the Civil Service Rifles’ objective. The result was that when Colonel -Feilding reached the front line soon after 4.30 a.m., he found that the -troops were a few hundred yards short of the real objective. However, -he was able to guide them to the so-called old German trench, which “A” -and “C” Companies manned as front line Companies, “B” and “D” remaining -in the railway loop behind in support. - -So ended the first stage of the part played by the Civil Service -Rifles in the final advance of the Allies. It had been a long drawn -out battle, and the troops had had little or no rest since leaving the -trenches near Marrett Wood on the morning of the 22nd of August. The -fighting, however, had not been severe, and the total casualties during -the few days were only sixty all ranks, of whom only nine were killed. - -The men were, therefore, in very good spirits when they marched back, -on the 26th of August, to the trenches near Marrett Wood, taking with -them one captured minenwerfer, four heavy and ten light enemy machine -guns. - -There followed the usual visits from the Brigade Commander and -Divisional Commander, both of whom congratulated the Battalion on its -work during the past few days. They added, however, the news that the -advance would be resumed very soon. Major General Gorringe explained -that there would be no more coming back to rest while the Division was -taking part in this advance. In future the transport lines would move -up to the Battalion after a battle, as the general scheme would be that -Brigades would be continually passing through each other, and so the -front line area of to-day would become the support or reserve position -to-morrow. - -On the 29th of August the Civil Service Rifles marched to huts in -an old French brickfield about a mile north of Maricourt, and close -to Montauban. Battalion Headquarters was at Carnoy Craters on the -Carnoy-Montauban Road. These craters were a relic of the Somme battle -of 1916, when the attack often opened with the blowing of a few mines. -The Germans had only recently left this district, and a sharp look-out -had to be kept for “booby traps.” - -The 47th Division continued the advance on the 30th of August, the -142nd Brigade being in front, the 141st in support, and the 140th -Brigade in reserve. The Civil Service Rifles moved off from the -Brickfields soon after 7.0 a.m., and after a short cross country -scramble, halted in Maurepas Ravine about midday. Cookers and limbers -followed the Battalion, and soon after halting, the troops received a -pleasant surprise in the shape of hot dinner. A draft of two officers -and 100 other ranks, who had been following the Battalion for some -days, managed to catch it up in Maurepas Ravine during the afternoon of -the 30th of August. It was quite a novelty for a draft to join during -battle. - -The Battalion bivouacked in Maurepas Ravine, and spent the whole of the -next day there, but on the morning of the 1st September there began -what proved to be the last battle in which the Civil Service Rifles -were to take an active part. It was a battle worthy of the occasion, -and during the six days while it lasted, the men lived up to the very -best traditions of the Regiment. There were very few indeed among -them who had embarked with the Battalion in 1915, or even of those -who had fought on the Somme in 1916, but the spirit was still there, -and the achievements of the 1st Civil Service Rifles in this great -battle are worthy of a detailed description. The following account of -the operation is founded upon the official report written by Colonel -Feilding when the action was over. The narrative can best be followed -by reference to the map on page 211. - -On the 1st September the 140th Brigade, in conjunction with the 141st -Brigade on the right, and the 18th Division (55th Brigade) on the left, -was to advance and capture Rancourt and the line of trench following -the south-west edge of St. Pierre Vaast Wood. The 1st Surrey Rifles -were on the right, the Civil Service on the left, and the Poplar and -Stepneys were to follow up and “mop up” Rancourt and the trenches -around that village. - -The assembly position for the Civil Service was a line about three -quarters of a mile south-south-west of Rancourt, between the road -leading from Rancourt to Le Forest and the road from Rancourt to -Marrieres Wood. Battalion Headquarters was at the cross roads about -half a mile east-north-east of Le Forest, with advanced Headquarters in -a shell hole near the assembly position. - -A certain amount of shelling was encountered on the way up to the -assembly position, and the Battalion lost, among others, Sergeant -Moore, signals sergeant, one of the few remaining “17th of March men,” -who had been present with the Civil Service Rifles throughout their -stay in France. - -The assembly position was reached at 5.0 a.m., and zero was at 5.30 a.m. - -Some anxiety was felt when, at three minutes before zero, the 1st -Surrey Rifles had not arrived, but thanks to Second Lieutenant Gray, -the Civil Service Intelligence Officer, touch was established before -zero. - -After a five minutes’ “crash” by the artillery, “C” and “D” Companies -moved forward behind a creeping barrage to take the final objective, -followed by “A” and “B” Companies, who were to be in support in -trenches running north and south, quarter of a mile east of Rancourt. - -The attack was completely successful, prisoners beginning to come down -within ten minutes of zero. - -Lieutenant E. R. Lascelles, commanding “C” Company, was killed early -in the advance, but otherwise the losses were slight, and by 7.30 a.m. -all objectives had been reached, and were being consolidated. Touch was -obtained with the East Surreys (55th Brigade) on the left, but there -was a gap on the right, the 1st Surrey Rifles having been held up. - -During the process of consolidation “B” and “D” Companies were shelled -heavily from a German Field Gun Battery which remained in action in the -open, firing over open sights from about 1,000 yards’ range. - -An attempt by the enemy to rush through the gap on the right was -prevented by Lewis gun and rifle fire from developing, and this brought -to a close a good day’s work in which the Civil Service Rifles had -taken 150-200 prisoners and ten machine guns. - -The battle, however, was by no means over, and at 11.30 p.m. the -Battalion was relieved by the London Irish and marched to an assembly -position on the Rancourt-Peronne road, just S.W. of Bouchavesnes and -300 yards north of the old quarry there, in readiness for a further -attack the next morning. Arrived at this assembly position, the Company -cooks again earned the gratitude of their comrades by producing an -excellent hot meal. - -The operation of the 1st of September had been simple and -straightforward, and had been carried out without a hitch, but a much -more complicated attack took place on the 2nd. - -The plan was that the 74th Division should attack from trenches -immediately south of Moislains Wood and, after capturing and mopping -up Moislains, should take the village of Nurlu. The 140th Brigade was -to follow them closely, the Civil Service on the left, the Poplar and -Stepneys on the right, and the East Surreys in support. After crossing -the Canal du Nord east of Moislains, the 140th Brigade was to wheel -left, forming a defensive flank on the high ground to the north of -Monastir trench, where they were to join up with the 142nd Brigade, -who were to capture this trench. The order from left to right on the -defensive flank was First Surreys, Civil Service, Poplar and Stepneys. -The 140th Brigade was to follow the 229th, who would also prolong the -defensive flank, facing north as far as Nurlu. - -The Battalion was in position at 3.0 a.m. and zero was at 5.30 -a.m., but, in order to get well up behind the 229th Brigade “A” and -“B” Companies led off at 5.0 a.m. with “C” and “D” in support and -Headquarters bringing up the rear. - -The 140th Brigade was to pass Moislains on the south, and the formation -of the defensive flank therefore presupposed the capture by the 74th -Division of that village. - -From the outset the Brigade came under heavy shell and machine gun -fire, and as it moved down the slopes to the south west of Moislains, -under still heavier machine-gun fire directed from the village and from -both flanks. - -The casualties caused by this fire were enormous, amounting to more -than half the strength of the Battalion, but the men went forward -without any hesitation, and, as Colonel Feilding said afterwards, as -though they were beating up partridges. The behaviour of the Civil -Service under this sweeping fire was commented on by the Commanding -Officers of other units present, who said they had never seen anything -like it. The determination of all ranks was ultimately rewarded when -they succeeded in establishing themselves in Moislains trench, with -details of the First Surreys on the left, the Poplar and Stepneys on -the right, and an officer and about a dozen other ranks of the North -Devon Yeomanry. - -The garrison of Moislains trench now had to fight hard to hold the -position, for the enemy were occupying the same trench to the left -and Quarry trench in the left rear, while they could clearly be seen -moving in Moislains a quarter of a mile in front, and assembling in the -village and around the huts immediately south of it. - -Simultaneous counter-attacks were, in fact, developed on the left rear -and on the right front, while the enemy at the same time attempted to -bomb up the trench on the left. - -Both parapet and parados were manned, and the attacks across the open -were beaten off, but the bombing attacks continued all day, and, owing -to scarcity of bombs, were with difficulty held up. - -It was at once obvious that there were no British troops in front of -the 140th Brigade, though elements of the 74th Division could be seen -in the distance on the right, on a level with Moislains trench. In -the face of the very heavy flank and frontal machine-gun fire, of the -heavy casualties incurred and of the fact that one flank at least was -“in the air,” it did not seem practicable to Colonel Feilding or to -Colonel Dawes, commanding the First Surreys, for their Battalions to -assume the rôle allotted to the 74th Division, and to attempt, without -a barrage, to capture the village, which, as a result of the failure, -or absence, of that Division, was still strongly held by the enemy. - -[Illustration: SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE MOVEMENTS OF THE C.S.R. -FROM 1 SEPT 1918 TO 6 SEPT 1918] - -A small local attack by about two Companies was actually delivered -by the 74th Division on the right, but, though it made some little -progress, and at one point crossed the Canal, it hardly did more than -establish the right flank of the 140th Brigade. With this exception, -there was no indication of any attack having been delivered by the 74th -Division in the vicinity of Moislains. A German Field Gun Battery was, -in fact, in action for some four hours in the open, immediately south -of the village, and less than 1000 yards east of the Canal, firing over -open sights on to the part of Moislains trench occupied by the 140th -Brigade. - -Colonel Feilding was able to confirm the foregoing account by a very -careful examination of the battle-field made afterwards. He saw no -British dead either in Moislains or between Moislains trench and the -village. The only dead in the vicinity of Moislains trench were those -of the 140th Brigade and of Germans killed in the counter-attack -previously referred to. Twenty-five men of the Civil Service were found -and buried in an hour in this area alone, and others of the Brigade -were still lying there. - -To quote from Colonel Feilding’s report: - - “The only dead of the 74th Division whom I personally saw in - the section of ground with which my Battalion was concerned - were lying about 300 yards from our starting point--the - Rancourt-Peronne road. Since these dead were not there when we - originally advanced, I can only come to the conclusion, which - is shared by all who were with me on the battlefield during - the action and after, that here, at least, the 140th Brigade, - instead of being in support, found itself with its flanks - unsecured, and with the barrage so far ahead as to be useless, - carrying out the main attack on a strong enemy position, and - that the 74th Division, so far from being in front of us, was - behind us.” - -The position in Moislains trench was held until 10.30 p.m. on the 2nd -of September, when the Brigade Commander withdrew the troops, and the -survivors of the Civil Service Rifles marched back about three miles -and rested in trenches just east of Rancourt. - -The Battalion rested here for two days, but even then the fighting was -not over, and, reorganised owing to heavy losses on a two Company basis -each with two platoons, the Civil Service Rifles took part in another -fight on the 5th of September. At 5.30 a.m. on that day, the 141st -Brigade passed through the 142nd, and was followed by the 140th at 8.0 -a.m., the Poplar and Stepneys in front with the Civil Service and one -Company of the First Surreys attached in support. - -The Civil Service assembled in Pallas trench, south-west of Moislains -Wood, and at noon the two Companies had moved forward and occupied -Sorrowitz trench (a continuation of Moislains trench, north-west of -Moislains) with Battalion Headquarters and the attached Company of the -First Surreys in the sunken road 300 yards behind. Half an hour later, -“A-B” Company under Lieutenant R. Upton, crossed the Canal and occupied -a position facing north-east on the Canal bank in a continuation of -Monastir trench about a quarter of a mile north-east of Moislains. At -the same time “C-D” Company, under Captain L. D. Eccles, crossed the -canal and occupied a trench further south, parallel with the canal and -facing east, formed a defensive flank. The remaining Company was kept -in reserve in and around Sorrowitz trench. - -At 7.0 p.m., considerable opposition having been met with from the -enemy, an organised attack was made on the Peronne-Nurlu road by the -Poplar and Stepneys in conjunction with the 141st Brigade and the -12th Division on the left. The right was protected by Captain Eccles’ -Company and the operation was entirely successful. - -At 6.0 a.m. on the 6th of September the advance was resumed. The 19th -and 20th Battalions (141st Brigade) moved across the Peronne-Nurlu -road, and at 8.0 a.m. the London-Irish and the Civil Service, who had -formed up behind in conjunction with the 12th Division on the left and -the 74th Division on the right, advanced on a position running north -and south, just south of the village of Lieramont. - -The Civil Service reached the objective about noon and the men came -under heavy machine gun fire from the left, where the London-Irish had -not yet arrived. In addition, rapid fire from enemy field artillery -raked the men as they appeared over the crest in front of the final -objective. Colonel Feilding accordingly took his men back to the -reverse slope, where they immediately turned and dug in. - -This position turned out to be the “farthest east” of the Civil Service -in the advance on this part of the Allied front, for during the night -of the 6th-7th September the Battalion was relieved by the Queen -Victoria Rifles (58th Division) and moved back to bivouacs in a valley -about a mile east of Moislains, close to the position occupied by -Captain Eccles’ Company on the afternoon of the 5th of September. - -The fighting, so far as the Civil Service Rifles were concerned, had -come to an end for a time, and the short rest in this valley near -Moislains enabled a thorough search to be made of the scene of the -heavy casualties on the 2nd of September. The bodies of all the killed -of the Civil Service in that battle were buried before the troops left. -There was also an opportunity to count the cost, and it was found that -the casualties suffered during the first six days of September numbered -12 officers and 317 other ranks, out of a total trench strength of less -than 500 all ranks. - -It has already been mentioned that Colonel Feilding had not had time -to get to know his men before he was leading them in battle, but what -he saw of them in the battles of August and September filled him with -genuine admiration for and pride in the men whom he commanded and he -at once became fired with the enthusiasm of his two predecessors. The -troops, on their part, were not slow to see that the Regiment had been -fortunate in gaining a worthy successor to Colonel Segrave for in -these final battles Colonel Feilding’s energy knew no bounds. He was -constantly faced with unexpected developments but he was never at a -loss as to how to deal with them. From start to finish he was “here, -there and everywhere” moving about among the Companies seeing things -for himself. What struck the troops most forcibly perhaps was his -coolness, for although on the 2nd of September particularly, he was -faced with difficulties sufficient to put the best soldier “off his -game” he was perfectly calm and unruffled throughout. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -BACK TO THE COAL-FIELDS - - -It is a far cry from the battle-field to the coal-field, but after the -events narrated in the last chapter, the 47th Division returned to the -area which it occupied during its first few days in France. - -On the 7th of September the Civil Service Rifles went by bus from the -vicinity of Moislains to billets at Heilly, and after two nights in -that once delightful village, entrained in the afternoon of the 9th -for Chocques. The train journey took just over 12 hours, and it was -consequently in the small hours of the 10th of September when the -Battalion reached its billets in Chocques. Two days later, the 140th -Brigade marched to the Auchel area, where it remained until the 27th of -September. - -Auchel is not by any means a pleasant village, but after the Somme -battlefield any place was welcome, and the three weeks spent here -were very enjoyable, concert parties and football matches being the -great attraction. The chief excitement at this time, however, was the -prospect of a trip to Italy. Definite orders had been received for -the 47th Division to be transferred to the Italian front, and more -than once during the stay at Auchel the Civil Service Rifles actually -received entraining orders. The last entrainment order was for the -26th, but, like the others, it was cancelled, and on the 27th of -September the Brigade marched to the St. Pol area, the Civil Service -Rifles being allotted some very poor accommodation in Foufflin-Ricametz. - -On the 2nd of October the Division was transferred to the 5th Army. -The Civil Service Rifles moved by train from St. Pol to Merville and -marched thence to Lestrem, which was reached at 4.30 a.m. on the 3rd -of October. There the men rested in tents for a few hours and in the -afternoon the march was continued to Fauquissart, where the night was -spent in dug-outs. - -On the following day the 47th Division began an advance on to the -general line Beaucamps-Radinghem, with the ultimate object of taking -Lille. The Civil Service Rifles occupied reserve trenches at Le -Maisnil, the advance being carried out by the 141st and 142nd Brigades. - -It was no doubt in order to avoid unnecessary casualties, and also -to avoid doing any further damage to the town, that the taking of -Lille was a slow process. There was no determined attack made on it -directly, but one by one the various strategical and tactical positions -were captured, and the Germans were forced to clear out eventually on -the 17th of October. The capture was a somewhat tame affair, and the -first intimation that the British troops had was when a few civilians -timidly came out and announced that the Germans had gone. For some days -afterwards pickets were posted at all the entrances to Lille and only a -privileged few were able to enter the town. - -The early part of October was uneventful for the Civil Service Rifles. -It was certainly a change to get back once more to trench warfare, but -it was only for a day or two, and after the short stay at Le Maisnil, -a few days were spent in reserve near Fromelles and on the 14th of -October the Battalion marched to Estaires, thence on the 15th to St. -Venant, thence to Norrent Fontes, where the Battalion trained for ten -days. - -Arrangements had now been made for a triumphal march of British troops -through Lille and the Civil Service Rifles entrained at Berguette on -the 26th of October, and after a journey across the devastated area -which had been No Man’s Land for more than three years, detrained at -Perenchies and marched to Lomme, a suburb of Lille, which was reached -at about 7.0 p.m. - -The march from the railway station to the factory in Lomme, where -the Battalion was billeted, was a memorable one. On approaching -the suburb the regimental band struck up the Marseillaise and kept -it up throughout the march. The inhabitants--old men, women and -children--threw up their windows or lined up on the roadside to sing -the words they had not forgotten during the four years of German -rule. The kiddies ran by the side of the troops and insisted on -shaking hands. The welcome indeed was so spontaneous that it was more -impressive than the ceremonial affair two days later. - -It was appropriate that the 47th Division should have been selected -for the triumphal march through Lille, as it had spent more time in -the front line around this town than had any other Division. Further, -it claimed to have been the senior division in France at the taking of -Lille. - -For this, “_L’Entrée Solennelle des troupes Britanniques_,” as it was -advertised in the town, which took place on the 28th of October, “C” -Company was detailed to form part of a cordon round the Grand Place, -and the remainder of the Battalion took part in the long procession -through the gaily decorated streets between the cheering crowds of the -recently liberated populace. - -The Battalion proceeded to Hellemes, a suburb on the eastern side of -Lille, and were again billeted in a factory, where German field-post -letters were strewn about the floor and orders to troops still posted -on the walls. In the afternoon nearly every one enjoyed the interest -of a visit to the town, where famine prices prevailed. In several shop -windows the following placard printed in red, white and blue had been -placed: - - “HONOUR AND GLORY TO THE 47TH DIVISION. - OUR DELIVERERS.” - - “LILLE, le 17 Octobre, 1918.” - -The enterprising Canteen Manager of the Civil Service Rifles sought out -the publisher of this poster and secured a batch of posters for sale as -souvenirs in the Regimental Canteen. One of them has been framed and -now hangs on a wall of the dining room in the Civil Service Rifles’ -Club. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -THE ARMISTICE - - -Although the inhabitants of Lille considered the war to be over--as it -undoubtedly was so far as they were concerned--the guns could still -be heard out on the Tournai road, and on the 30th of October the 47th -Division left Lille and continued the pursuit of the enemy. The Civil -Service Rifles marched along the Tournai road and spent the night -at Chereng, continuing the march next day to Froyennes, a suburb of -Tournai, where they relieved the 2/4th South Lancashire Regiment in the -front line under conditions which have surely never existed before in -any part of the front line in any war. - -Froyennes is a suburb of convents and magnificent châteaux. One of the -latter had been the Headquarters of Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria when he -commanded a German Army Corps. It now became the Headquarters of a half -of “A” Company of the Civil Service Rifles. - -There were no trenches in the front line at Froyennes, the sentry posts -being either in the front room of a house, the back garden or a street -corner. In one street the Germans occupied houses on one side, and the -Civil Service Rifles the houses opposite. - -The suburb was pretty freely shelled, mostly with gas shells, but the -houses for the most part were not very badly damaged. In a good many of -them and in most of the convents the civilians had remained. They had -been allowed to do so because it was thought at first that the advance -would soon carry the front line beyond Froyennes. - -The advance, however, was held up for some days along this line, which -followed the general line of the River Scheldt hereabouts. The Scheldt -ran through Tournai and outside the eastern and northern borders of -Froyennes. - -Tournai was still occupied by Germans at this time, and, as at Lille, -the capture of the town was a somewhat slow process. - -The situation in Froyennes remained unchanged for some few days, the -posts, as has been stated, being mostly in houses by daytime. By night, -further posts were held alongside the roads. - -The Company Headquarters were all either in châteaux or convents. “A” -Company Headquarters was in the Château Beauregard, the residence of -the Comtesse Thérèse de Germiny, who, although her house had been -knocked about by a shell which came through her drawing room wall, -remained in residence. The Countess was the “Lady Bountiful” of the -village, she having taken under her wing all the poor and homeless who -cared to accept her hospitality. To these she gave not only a home, but -also refuge from shell fire in her cellars. - -The Countess spoke excellent English, and by the kindly interest she -took in the comfort of the troops occupying her château, she became -quite a favourite of the men of “A” Company. - -The “B” Company Headquarters was in a convent for the aged and infirm. -In this building were nuns, many of whom had been bedridden for years -before the war began. These invalids had all been moved down into a -cellar, which the troops endeavoured to make gas proof. - -The front line posts were held by “A” “B” and “C” Companies, “D” being -in reserve. Roughly speaking, “A” Company was responsible for the east -of the village, “B” the south, and “C” the north. - -“C” Company’s front, in fact, was right outside the town, the posts -being between the river and the main road running from Tournai to -Courtrai, though by day the men were withdrawn to houses. This front -was much wider than that allotted to the other two Companies and it -was more in the open. The Company Headquarters was in a convent at the -western edge of the suburb. Civilians shared the accommodation with the -troops, and it is said that the children played in No Man’s Land by day. - -Between the posts along the road and the River Scheldt was a wide -marsh, and it was the duty of patrols at night to make their way across -the marsh and creep along the river bank. - -“C” Company had further excitement on the night of the 3rd of November -when the Royal Engineers tried to bridge the Scheldt, which at this -point is quite a narrow stream. Two platoons, acting as covering party, -got into position on the river bank without any difficulty, but as soon -as the work began, an enemy machine gun across the river opened fire. -The bridging operations were shut down for the night, and the troops -were lucky to get away without casualties. - -“D” Company occupied a large building, a convent which had been -deserted, near the “C” Company Headquarters. The men had had many a -worse billet, even when out of the line. - -The shelling became more frequent as time went on, and casualties -occurred to several civilians. On the 3rd of November the civilians -were ordered to evacuate Froyennes. Hitherto they had simply been -advised to go, and told that transport would be lent to them to help -them remove their belongings. But it now became necessary to compel -them to go, and on the night of the 3rd a fleet of motor ambulances and -other transport took them all to a place of safety in Lille. It was a -pathetic sight to see the poor old creatures from “B” Company’s convent -being loaded into ambulances, for they had accepted the situation in -the cellar so calmly and philosophically, and they were now loath to -leave what had been their home for so many years. It was almost a -self-supporting convent, for in the gardens vegetables of all kinds -were grown. Many fowls and rabbits were also kept, and the Mother -Superior on her departure presented these to “B” Company. Roast fowl in -the front line was a luxury which surprised the oldest soldier in the -Company. - -It should not be thought, however, that life at Froyennes was free from -the horrors of war for, the Civil Service Rifles lost one killed and -ten wounded in the five days spent there. After the assurance from the -people of Lille that the war was over, this was regarded as a heavy -casualty list. Of these casualties, Private G. A. Watson, “B” Company, -who was killed on the 2nd of November, proved to be the last man of the -1st Civil Service Rifles who was killed in action. - -The Battalion was relieved on the 4th of November, and marched to -reserve billets in the village of Cornet, just off the main road, and -half-way between Tournai and Lille. - -Froyennes had been described as a village of convents and châteaux. -Cornet can only be described as a village of hovels and mud, but the -squalor of this wretched place was forgotten in the excitement caused -by the news that the war was now “all over bar shouting,” and that the -signing of the terms of the Armistice was expected daily. - -The Bulgars, the Austrians and the Turks had already accepted terms, -but these had caused no excitement. The only terms that mattered to -the troops in France were those to be imposed on the Bosches. A big -sweepstake was organised in the Battalion at Cornet on the hour at -which the Armistice terms to Germany would be signed. But before the -prize was won the military situation in the immediate vicinity had -undergone a change, and the Civil Service Rifles were pursuing the -enemy in open warfare once more. - -News was received on the 9th of November that the Scheldt had been -crossed and the Germans had left Tournai. The Battalion immediately -left Cornet and moved to Froyennes, Companies occupying their old -billets. Pursuit of the enemy was slow owing to the fact that the -pontoon bridge constructed by the Royal Engineers at Froyennes was the -only passage across the river for the whole Division. The arrangement -was for the two Infantry Brigades holding the front line to advance -simultaneously, with the Reserve Brigade following close up. - -The 140th Brigade on the right accordingly advanced on Melles, a -village about six miles north-east of Tournai on the main road to Ath. -The Civil Service Rifles, being the Reserve Battalion, did not move -beyond Froyennes on the first day of the advance, but on the 10th -of November the Battalion crossed the river and joined in the hunt. -Although the advance was continued well beyond Melles the Germans had -retreated so quickly that they were not seen even by the advanced -guard, and the 140th Brigade halted for the night in the villages -around Montroeul Au Bois, the Civil Service Rifles being billeted in -the little hamlet of Barberie. The natives gave the troops a warm -welcome, for it was only on the previous night that they had been -compelled to shelter the retreating Bosches. - -It was now decided that each Brigade in turn should furnish the -advanced guard for the advance of the Division, and the 140th Brigade -was detailed to act in that capacity on the morrow. The Civil Service -Rifles would be the vanguard, and the details were explained to Company -Commanders late on the night of the 10th. The Battalion scouts, on -bicycles, were to move off at 6.45 a.m. and keep in touch with the -cavalry screen furnished by the 19th Hussars. The Companies were to -move off at 7.30 a.m. and the duty of the Battalion was to advance on -the general line of the river Dendre and seize the bridges over the -Dendre canal on the outskirts of Ath, not far from Brussels. - -This would have given the Battalion its first experience of vanguards -in real war, and the troops were eagerly anticipating a visit to -Brussels during the next few days. These hopes, however, were never -fulfilled, for at 2.30 a.m. on the 11th of November, the news reached -the Battalion that the orders for the advance were cancelled. No -explanation was given, and a rumour that the war was over was -strengthened by an order received later in the morning for the -Battalion to march back to Tournai. - -The rumour was discredited when the Battalion got on the main road -to Tournai and met a whole Division going in the opposite direction, -but when a low-flying aeroplane appeared, gaily decorated with -coloured ribbons and making a terrible noise with its Klaxon horn, -there could be little doubt that the Armistice terms had been signed. -This was confirmed by a passing officer in a motor-car, and the news -was conveyed to the troops by the Regimental Band, who, by a happy -inspiration of Sergeant Blackmore, the Bandmaster, struck up an air -which had been popular throughout the British Army during the past -four years: - - “When this ruddy war is over - Oh, how happy I shall be.” - -It should be placed on record that this was the only intimation of -the armistice which reached the Battalion beyond announcements in the -Press. The Civil Service Rifles received no official news that an -armistice had been granted, although a telephone message from Brigade -on the night of the 12th of November gave particulars of the various -armaments, etc., which were to be surrendered. - -Tournai was reached in the afternoon of the 11th of November, and the -men were once more accommodated in a convent, where the nuns came out -in a body and expressed their gratitude to the British troops. - -So the Civil Service Rifles saw the end of the Great War, and a tamer -finish it is impossible to imagine. There were many whose ambition it -had been to be in the front line on the last day of the war, and many -were the conjectures as to what it would be like, but none ever guessed -that it would fizzle out in such a miserable and uninteresting fashion. -To be left to read of it in the newspapers was about the feeblest -finish that could have happened, and while there were jubilations in -London and elsewhere on armistice night, there was absolutely nothing -in the area occupied by the 140th Infantry Brigade in the nature of a -celebration of so great a victory. The district was very gloomy, and -its name, La Tombe, appeared a very appropriate one. - -Things looked up somewhat on the following evening, when a Battalion -concert was held in the Convent, to which the civilians were invited. -They did not understand a word of the concert, but they applauded -everything vigorously, and at the close, when the chairs were cleared -away, the natives went fairly mad with joy at an impromptu dance. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -HOME - - -Little remains to be said of the history of the 1st Civil Service -Rifles in France, but before the story is closed mention should be -made of a few incidents which stand out in the last few months before -demobilisation was complete. - -After the concert at Tournai the Battalion once more marched out along -the road to Brussels, but this time the route was along the lower road, -and the troops were employed for a time in repairing the railway at -Leuze. They were billeted in the little village of Pipaix, where they -made great friends with the villagers and were very happy. It was hoped -that even yet they would get to Germany, but a bitter disappointment -was in store, for it was decreed that the 47th Division should end its -career in France in the same district where it started, and in less -than a week the Civil Service Rifles left Pipaix for Willems, a village -between Tournai and Lille, where a week was spent before starting -the trek across the devastated area to the mud and squalor of the -coal-fields around Auchel. - -It should perhaps be mentioned that to Sergeant Haycock, the Battalion -Pioneer Sergeant, fell the distinction of being the first member of the -Battalion to be demobilised. He left Willems for that purpose on the -23rd of November, 1918. - -The journey to the coal-fields began on the 26th of November, and, -after a night in the suburbs of Lille, the interest of the trek, -especially to “the 17th of March man” consisted in a last glimpse at -the ruins of La Bassée and the Double Crassier, dominating the village -and battle-field of Loos, and, later, the brick-fields at Cuinchy he -had fired at so zealously nearly four years ago. The night of the 27th -of November was spent at Bethune, within a stone’s throw of the Girl’s -School where the Battalion had been quartered on its first visit to the -line. Suppers were obtained at small cafés in the suburbs, but those -who looked for the gay patisseries they once knew now found the site -of the old town, including the picturesque church, belfry and Hôtel -du Nord, a desolate waste of charred bricks! The next day a war-worn -and weary Battalion reversed the march described at the beginning of -Chapter II, the journey being extended some two kilometres beyond -Cauchy-a-la-Tour to Ferfay. - -In spite of Ferfay having been a Corps Headquarters, the accommodation -at first was poor, but the troops soon settled down, and, making the -most of the wretched conditions, contrived to have a jolly good time -during their last days in France. - -A number of N.C.O.’s and men distinguished themselves as educational -instructors at the classes which were held daily, and Sergeant -Blackmore’s “Sunday League Concerts” became quite a popular weekly -function. - -A good deal of football was played, and the Battalion got together -excellent teams, both Rugby and Association. - -The Association match against the 2nd Battalion Civil Service Rifles, -who were beaten by four goals to three, on the 14th of December, was -the event of the season. The crowd was a record one and included about -100 members of the 2nd Battalion who were billeted about twelve miles -away. In the evening a concert was held in the theatre, the programme -being provided by talent from both Battalions. - -After a really merry Christmas the Battalion began to melt away. -Demobilisation began in earnest with the New Year, and parties of -twenty-five or thirty left for England almost daily. Large crowds -assembled outside the Battalion Headquarters to give the lucky ones a -rousing send-off, and the procession through the village was headed by -the Regimental Band, until the day came when the Band played itself out -of the village and left for home. - -Before that day came, however, the Band had supplied the orchestra for -a highly successful revue, “Pack up,” which was played in the theatre -by a company of officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the Civil Service Rifles -trained by Corporal Bailey of “B” Company. The “book” was written by -Major D. Young, M.C., second in command of the Battalion, the music -was “put together” by Second-Lieutenant P. H. Small, and the play was -produced by Corporal Bailey. R.Q.M.S. Hart excelled himself with the -wonderful stage effects which he devised. - -Of the actors special mention should be made of Private Perrin, Captain -“Florrie” Ford, and the two “girls,” Lance-Corporal Harnett and -Lance-Corporal Flight, and Sergeant Taylor. But the whole Company is -to be congratulated on the best show ever given by a Battalion concert -party. The production got such an enthusiastic reception that it was -given at Auchel and other places for the benefit of other units. - -Although demobilisation began just before New Year, it was not until -the 10th of May, 1919, that the last remnants, the “Cadre,” consisting -of about thirty all ranks, reached England. - -It should perhaps be mentioned that there was not a single officer, -N.C.O. or man outside the Quartermaster’s staff and transport section -who served with the Battalion continuously throughout its stay in -France. - -Included in the Cadre was Sergeant Teasdale, a member of the Regiment -for nearly twenty years. For more than nineteen of his twenty years he -had been a humble private, and as a raconteur at Regimental concerts -he never had an equal. He had been in France with the 1st Civil -Service Rifles as a member of the Quartermaster’s staff ever since the -Battalion landed in 1915. It is said that he accepted his third stripe -owing to the keen demand for his stories in the Sergeants’ Mess. - -The two war trophies that had been preserved by the Civil Service -Rifles and brought home also deserve special mention. - -One generally expects a war trophy to be some instrument of war, but -the Civil Service Rifles war trophies were an instrument of music, -viz., a piano, and a presidential chair. - -The piano was captured at Nurlu during the heavy fighting on the Somme -in the first days of September, 1918, and the Regiment is chiefly -indebted to Major Young for this uncommon trophy. It is also through -the ingenuity of the same officer that the Regiment was represented -in the salving of H.M.S. _Vindictive_ at Ostend, whence came the -“presidential chair,” for it was through his efforts that two pioneers -of the Civil Service Rifles found their way to Ostend in 1918, and -worked on the salved ship, producing out of a piece of teak taken from -the decks, a handsome chair on which the Regimental crest is carved. -Thus it transpired that whereas their keenest rivals in the London -Regiment are said to have sunk the _Emden_, the 1st Civil Service -Rifles can claim to have salved the _Vindictive_. - -The home-coming of the Cadre was an even more dismal experience than -the celebration of the Armistice, for the party was taken stealthily -to Felixstowe of all places, and from there the members drifted -away one by one until all that remained were Colonel Feilding and -Colour-Sergeant Chubb, the Orderly Room clerk. These were then -permitted to return to Somerset House. - -But although the Battalion had, as it were, been scattered to the four -winds, the spirit of comradeship, which had been so characteristic of -the Regiment in war, still prevailed in peace-time. - -Already, before demobilisation was nearly completed, a meeting of -members of the Regiment had been held at Somerset House, and it had -been resolved to proceed forthwith to found a Club as a memorial to -those of the Regiment who had lost their lives in the war, and as a -place of reunion for those who survive. A temporary home was found at -Somerset House, where the School of Arms was converted into a lounge, -and on the 28th of April, 1920, the Club was opened by Major-General -G. D. Jeffreys, G.-O.-C. London District, who congratulated the Civil -Service Rifles on being the first Territorial unit to form such a club, -which forges a link between the old generation and the new in the -Regiment, and where, for many years to come, the new members of the -Regiment will be able to meet those who, in the Great War of 1914-1918, -helped to make history for the Civil Service Rifles. - - - - -2nd Battalion, Civil Service Rifles - -BY MAJOR A. C. H. BENKÉ.[15] - -[15] Major Benké, D.S.O., M.C., acting Lieut.-Colonel, 1919, till -demobilised.--EDITOR. - - - - -PREFACE - - -This brief story of the 2/15th Battalion, London Regiment, is written, -not as a specimen of literary art, but merely as a record of the work -of the Battalion during the War of 1914-1918. - -It is compiled from rough notes in my pocket diary, and probably some -of the events in the experience of others have been overlooked, and to -these I offer my apologies. - -I have to thank Lieutenants J. L. Hutchinson, M.C., and T. H. E. Clark -for their kindness and assistance in furnishing the notes for the -greater part of Chapters IX and XI, especially the accounts of the -Capture of Jerusalem, the Turkish Counter-Attack at Tel el Ful, and the -journey to Es Salt. In these actions both these officers served with -distinction. - -I have also taken the liberty to include extracts from a Brief History -of the 30th Division in France, in writing up the last three chapters -of this book. - - A. C. H. BENKÉ. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -FORMATION--TRAINING--IRISH REBELLION, 1916--AND DEPARTURE FOR FRANCE, -JUNE, 1916 - - -During the early days of August, 1914, the Headquarters of the Civil -Service Rifles at Somerset House was besieged by crowds of younger -Civil Servants; either wishing to re-enlist in their old Battalion, or -to start their military career in the Civil Service Rifles, which had -been mobilised for Active Service. Many of them were able to gain an -entrance into the 1st Battalion, but others were disappointed. From the -latter the nucleus of a second line unit was formed, and eventually -the War Office authorised the existence of a new Battalion, the 2/15th -Battalion, County of London Regiment. - -The feeling of a separate existence brought with it great enthusiasm, -and although arms, equipment and stores were slow in coming, every one -worked hard to make an efficient unit. Training was carried out in -the London parks, and each morning the semi-equipped army of recruits -marched out of Somerset House for the day’s work. Indeed, so slow was -the equipping of the Battalion that many of the keener members wondered -whether they would be “too late for the war.” - -However, before very long the new unit, under the command of -Lieutenant-Colonel R. G. Hayes, T.D., left London for Dorking. This -was, indeed, a pleasant change from the Metropolis, where friends -constantly asked the budding rifleman, “Why aren’t you at the front?” - -Training was pursued with more realism in the new area; organisation -improved, and the novelty of “billets” was still prevalent. A word of -appreciation for the kindness of the people of Dorking might well be -included in this book. They did all they could to make the new soldiers -comfortable. - -Route marches among the beautiful Surrey Hills and sham fights over the -surrounding country-side soon brought the physique of the men to a high -standard, and the rigors of a cold, wet winter were easily borne. Leith -Hill, the pleasure ground of many a week-end in previous years, became -the training ground of England’s new armies. True, the pack and the -rifle made the climbing stiffer, but keenness and enthusiasm to get -out to fight the Bosche helped one to forget the additional fatigue. - -Early in the spring of 1915, drafts were furnished for the completion -of the 1st Battalion at Watford, which had then been ordered to France. -This depleted the ranks of the younger unit, but recruits arrived from -Somerset House, where a third line depot had been established, and -the 2nd Battalion soon recovered its numbers, and shortly afterwards -followed in the footsteps of the 1st Battalion which had then left for -the front. - -The move of the 2nd Battalion from Dorking was the first real move as -a unit, and was creditably done. How many hours of worry and labour -it involved does not concern us here, but what a contrast to the 2nd -Battalion of two years later, which moved its home complete within a -couple of hours after the receipt of orders; every one working with the -precision of an automatic machine. - -Following so closely on the heels of our 1st Battalion at Watford, -added to the welcome of the people of Hertfordshire. The impression -left by the parent Battalion was exceedingly fine, and the Watford -folk looked upon the 2nd Battalion as part of a regiment they loved; -in fact, they felt a part ownership in the Civil Service Rifles, -and continued to thrust upon us all those wonderful kindnesses they -had so recently bestowed upon the 1st Battalion. Houses were thrown -open for entertainment, baths and meals; and there was no difficulty -in billeting; every one was welcomed into the household. It must be -remembered that at this time the billeting of troops in private houses -was new to the people of Britain. In some parts it was a matter for -misgivings and suspicions. In Watford, however, the whole town opened -their hearts to welcome the Battalion, and, in fairness to the troops, -it must be recorded that they lived up to that splendid standard -expected of them as soldiers and gentlemen. - -The stay at Watford was indeed a happy one, and training was carried -out in the local parks at Cassiobury and Munden. Each day areas for -manœuvres were allotted to the various Battalions of the Brigade, now -known as the 2/4th London Infantry Brigade, comprising the second line -units of the Kensingtons, London Scottish, Civil Service and Queen’s -Westminsters. - -Musketry was done at Chalk Hill ranges, a few miles from St. Albans, -and by the summer the Battalion was an efficient unit. The earlier -heart-burnings of the “fire-eaters” that they would be “too late” were -dispersed; the war on the continent had developed into a far greater -conflict than many had ever imagined. - -In June, 1915, the Battalion, now under the command of -Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. Strange, trekked to Saffron Walden, and -encamped in Audley End Park. It was a lovely English summer, and all -will remember the glorious golden carpet of buttercups in the camp; -undoubtedly one of the prettiest camps in England. Being under canvas -was a new experience for many, but the Battalion soon settled down to -its new life away from the home comforts of Watford. - -Here the summer of 1915 was passed. Training on similar lines to that -at Watford was continued. Classes were instituted for specialists. Day -after day the same routine was pursued, until rumours furnished the -only excitement; and such rumours too! Was the Battalion to be kept in -England on Home Service? Had the War Office forgotten its existence? -Was not the Battalion good enough? Was it to be a draft-finding unit? -etc., etc.--such were the questions that resulted from these rumours. - -Then came the furnishing of a draft of about 100 strong to the 1st -Battalion in France, and this in the minds of many sealed the fate -of the Battalion. Never would the 2nd Battalion take its place as a -fighting unit in the Great War. - -However the horizon brightened, and all those men who had only -volunteered for home service were ordered to be transferred to the -3rd line unit. It is not for anyone to comment upon the actions of -others; circumstances alter cases, and during the war to act up to the -dictates of one’s own conscience was the duty of all. Nevertheless, the -departure of the home service contingent was a matter of great relief -to the 2nd Battalion. True, many good friends were lost, and many who -had striven hard for the efficiency and well-being of the Battalion had -to bid farewell; but for those who remained there was that resuscitated -feeling that the 2nd Battalion would some day take its proper place in -the fight on the continent. - -Fresh drafts were received, and a large training company was -established where men qualified as trained soldiers and then passed -into their respective companies. New N.C.O.’s had to be found, and -special classes of instruction were organised, and again the Battalion -felt itself to be an independent unit, every one earnest for foreign -service. - -This history of the Battalion’s doings at Saffron Walden must contain -a reference to the two treks, the one to Furneaux Pelham and the other -to Braintree and Stebbing. It was during these two expeditions that the -2/15th had their first real taste of campaigning; a day’s marching, an -outpost or an attack, then a night in the open, which was the nearest -approach to the actual war obtainable in England. From a military point -of view the success of these operations was, of course, doubtful; -every one had different views, but as a well-known Brigadier always -said to the 1st Battalion at the end of a day’s operations, “Shot and -shell would tell.” However, there can be no doubt that they proved -conclusively that the spirit of the Battalion was right, and that all -the inconveniences of treks were taken, by all, as part of the game. - -By this time winter was approaching, and the canvas camp at Saffron -Walden was becoming a rather cheerless place on wet days. On the 26th -October, 1915, the Battalion proceeded by road to billets at Bishop -Stortford. The whole of the Brigade was billeted in the area, and -memories of the happy days at Watford sprung up. The billets were -good, and the local people made the Battalion welcome. It is true many -billets were crowded, but the size of the town would not admit of so -large a concentration as the Brigade, less the Kensingtons who were -billeted in a village a few miles south. The stay, however, was not to -be a long one, for no sooner had the central cook-houses, miniature -range, etc., been thoroughly established, than orders for a move to -Ware were received. - -On the 29th of November the Battalion packed up, and after a long march -of about sixteen miles arrived at Ware. An earnest welcome was given by -the townspeople, and the prospect of Christmas in Ware caused every one -to keep a bright look-out for any good things Ware might produce. The -officers of the Battalion formed a regimental mess in a large, roomy -house at the top of the hill overlooking the town, where most of the -officers were billeted. In the same building an excellent dining-room, -a smoke-room and a card-room had been arranged, all of which proved to -be great boons, more especially as the attractions of Ware in the way -of evening entertainments were few. - -The local drill hall was taken over as a central place for battalion -messing, each company marching from its own area for meals. At -Christmas time this hall was used for concerts, and a splendid -Battalion dinner was held on Christmas Day. Some of the less fortunate -members were, however, detailed at that time for aeroplane guards in -the surrounding villages. Ware was on the outer defences of London -against air raids, and pickets were arranged in the Ware district, -armed with mysterious rockets for the purpose of representing -anti-aircraft batteries. However, on no occasion was it necessary to -use these alarming fireworks, and in spite of being on duty, these -outlying posts are believed to have spent a very jovial Christmas. -Leave was freely given, and the proximity of Ware to London was a great -advantage, as was proved within a very short time; for on the 22nd -January, 1916, the Battalion entrained during the night for Salisbury -Plain. - -Late in the afternoon of the 23rd, Warminster was reached, and after a -march of about four or five miles a city of comfortable looking huts -appeared. Their apparent comfort, however, quickly disappeared when -the mud of Longbridge Deverill came into evidence. The interior of -the huts so recently vacated by a division which had left for France, -was little better than the filth outside. However, the Battalion was -now becoming accustomed to this kind of thing, and soon settled down. -Improvements were made in the camp, and competition between the various -units of the Division for the smartest camp was soon astir. The whole -Division (now known as the 60th (London) Division) was concentrated -between Longbridge Deverill and Sutton Veny. The divisional R.E., -A.S.C., R.A.M.C., and R.F.A. appeared in reality, and it was obvious -to all that the Battalion was at last part of a real fighting division -destined at some time or other to go abroad. - -Everything was advancing at a pace, and stores and material were -brought up to War Establishment. Training and musketry was being -completed, the Regular Army Course having been fired on the local -range. Manœuvres by the whole Division became daily routine, and -inspections were frequent. Hopes ran high for an early departure for -France, when suddenly, on the 28th April, 1916, the Battalion was -ordered to proceed to Ireland with the rest of our Brigade. - -Political events in Dublin had developed into war during Eastertide, -every one was full of the possibility of Dublin; others said that -France was the real destination, and the orders for Ireland were mere -camouflage to deceive the Hun; while others, less optimistic, imagined -a permanent exile in Ireland for the duration of the war. - -However, all rumours were soon dispelled during the night of the 29th -April, and the Battalion entrained at Warminster bound for Neyland near -Pembroke Dock. - -The following day was Sunday, and the Battalion spent a beautiful -summer day on the grassy slopes facing the sea, awaiting embarkation -to an unknown port, while the officers were kindly entertained by the -Officers’ Mess of the 4th Welsh Regiment, which was stationed a few -miles inland. Late in the evening a large quantity of rations was -issued, and the prospect of a long sea journey arose in the minds of -most of us. The night, however, was without alarms, and not until -the following morning did the Battalion embark. Part of the unit, -together with the transport section, sailed on the _Archangel_, and the -remainder on board the _Rathmore_; both transports leaving the harbour -early in the evening. - -Here was real adventure at last, sailing to an unknown destination -through seas frequented by enemy submarines. At daybreak the coast of -Ireland was sighted, and at 4.30 a.m. we were alongside the quays of -Queenstown. The disembarkation was without incident beyond the warning -that we were now in “enemy” country. We proceeded straightway through -the town to Belvelly Camp on Fota Island. No demonstration was made -by the Irish people, and no one could understand why they should be -regarded with suspicion. Smiles greeted the troops, and the unfortunate -Battalion Signalling Officer, who was leading the Battalion on the -march, was severely reprimanded by his superior for talking to some -charming Irish damsels. The B.S.O. excused himself on the grounds that -he was asking the way; a reply which brought forth a still further -admonition for “enquiring of the enemy.” The new camp on Fota Island -was situated in a beautiful Irish park, the property of Lord Ballymore, -and for the next few days the Battalion was engaged on ordinary field -training and not a bloodthirsty battle as many had anticipated. - -The weather turned wet, and this fact alone appears to be a sufficient -reason for the “Staff” to order a move with its consequent discomfort. -On the 6th May the Battalion left the camp at Belvelly and proceeded -to Ballincorrig via Cork. The march was performed in the rain, though -while actually passing through the City of Cork the weather became -kinder, and the streets were lined with the citizens, none of whom -appeared to be really warlike. The real sensation, however, was an -officer of the Munsters who passed the Battalion. He wore a steel -helmet, which at that time was unique and rarely seen in the United -Kingdom, and the atmosphere of real war conjured up by that single -steel helmet somewhat counteracted the peacefulness of Cork. Leaving -the town was to leave the finer weather; for the rest of the journey -the downpour was terrific, and when the Battalion reached Ballincorrig -no one was sorry. The Battalion was housed in the local cavalry -barracks, and every one will remember the splendid comradeship of -the artillerymen stationed there, who did all they could to attend -to the needs of the soaked Battalion. The riding school was full of -tired Londoners, but how they welcomed those steaming “dixies” of -tea prepared by the barracks cooks. Tiredness soon disappeared, and -fraternising was the “order of the night”; officers to the officers’ -mess, sergeants to the sergeants’ mess, and men to the canteen. The -horrors of the day’s march of 16 miles in the rain were forgotten, and -a pleasant evening was spent. A word of thanks is also due to those -artillerymen who so kindly took over the Battalion transport on arrival -and groomed and fed the horses. Here, indeed, was the brotherly spirit, -which existed so strongly in the British Tommy, illustrated. - -The next morning the Battalion was astir early, the march was resumed, -our destination being Coachford. The journey was shorter, about 12 -miles, and the Battalion marched through some of the most beautiful -Irish scenery, small villages like Dripsey on the route, with its -tiny hovels sheltering animals and fowls in the living rooms, gave us -an insight into Irish village life. Coachford, a sleepy little Irish -village, was reached in the evening, and tents, which had been conveyed -in advance by motor lorries, were soon erected on the local recreation -ground, and the Battalion nestled down for the night. The next day the -march was continued as far as Macroom, the day was fine and the march -fairly short. Early in the afternoon the town of Macroom was reached, -and the population turned out to welcome the Battalion. The camping -ground was situated on the river banks in the grounds of the ancient -castle of Macroom. By evening time the Battalion had settled down and -every one hoped for a long stay in this glorious spot. The following -day was market day in Macroom, and the town was crowded with people -from the surrounding villages and farms; officers and men were allowed -in the town, a happy release after the restrictions in existence since -our arrival in Ireland. Shops were besieged and luxuries were purchased -to supplement the rations of “active service.” Talking of purchases, -most members of the Battalion will remember the famous small goat -bought by an officer, which although an affectionate animal, became a -nuisance by thrusting its vocal efforts upon that tent in any battalion -camp which should be approached with bated breath, a salute and the -word “Sir.” - -Mystery surrounded the first armed party of about 100 strong which left -the camp that night under the guidance of the Royal Irish Constabulary. -However, the following morning all was common knowledge; a few Irishmen -had been arrested, while the farm in which they lived had been -surrounded by the troops to prevent escape. These were the “rebels” -which the Battalion had set out to quell. - -The stay at Macroom only lasted a few days, and the Battalion -continued its march inland under the command of Major A. A. Oliver; -our Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Strange having been sent -to hospital seriously ill. Only a privileged few knew the day’s -destination, but towards dusk the Battalion halted near Mill Street -and turned off the main road into a field where tea was soon prepared -by the company cooks. No tents on motor lorries were to be seen; a -drizzle set in, and every one wondered whether it would mean a night -in the wet with only waterproof sheets, which had already done great -service throughout the day. Several hours passed, no orders were -forthcoming, and every one became pessimistic. Finally, however, an -entraining officer was appointed with the usual complement of N.C.O.’s -and this ended all discussion. The Battalion was to move off by train. -The geography of Ireland had been forgotten since school days and -the names of likely places were confined to the Limerick and Dublin -areas; however, about midnight the Battalion marched to the station -at Mill Street, entrained rapidly and steamed out into the gloom of -a wet, misty Irish fog. Tired by the day’s march of 16 miles over -the moorlands of the Bochragh Mountains every one slept, and no one -troubled about our destination. Great was the surprise, however, -the next morning to wake and find that the train had pulled up on -Rosslare Pier. France was in every one’s mouth, and then the memory -of the Quartermaster Stores and rear details at Warminster dispelled -such ideas. The day was spent on the stone pier of the harbour and -eventually at 7 p.m. the Battalion set sail on the _Connaught_, -reaching Fishguard after a pleasant crossing of four hours’ duration. -Little did one think that within a few weeks the same troopship would -convey the Battalion to France. Within an hour of reaching Fishguard -the Battalion was entrained and started for Warminster, which was -reached about 7 a.m. on the 13th May, 1916. After a short march we -arrived back at our old camp at Longbridge Deverill. The visit to -Ireland soon appeared like a dream, so sudden and so short had it been. -The value of the “Irish stunt,” as it was commonly called, cannot -be discounted, even if actual warfare had not been encountered. The -Battalion had learnt to entrain and detrain; embark and disembark; and -move its home day by day and in general to become a mobile unit. The -experience was invaluable. - -Back in Warminster the old question cropped up: “When is the Battalion -going to France?” The slightest alteration in the daily routine was -regarded by the numerous Sherlock Holmes in the Battalion as distinct -clues pointing to an early departure for the front. However, signs -soon became very real when additional Lewis guns, field dressings, -active service pay books, and identity discs, were issued, and soon the -Battalion was complete in regard to stores. A final medical examination -was held and innoculation and vaccination were soon in full swing. -Embarkation leave was granted and one whole day was spent before the -camera; photographs of companies, sections and specialists were taken. -Every one was hopeful. - -On the 31st May, 1916, the whole division was inspected by H.M. The -King, and it was a splendid sight to see the troops in review order -on the slopes of the Wiltshire Downs. The 60th Division was fit and -ready for the front; and on the 21st June, 1916, the final orders were -received and the following morning the Battalion, under the Command -of Lieutenant-Colonel C. de Putron, entrained at Warminster for -Southampton. Many of the townsfolk turned out in the early morning and -gave us a hearty send-off. - -The following was the list of Officers and Warrant Officers, etc. who -left for France:-- - - Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel C. de Putron. - Second in Command Major A. A. Oliver. - Adjutant Captain A. W. Gaze. - Medical Officer Captain F. J. Leech, R.A.M.C. - Quarter Master Lieutenant A. A. Joslin. - Transport Officer Second-Lieutenant F. T. Bailey. - Lewis Gun Officer Lieutenant W. S. H. Smith. - Signalling Officer Lieutenant P. W. Thorogood. - -“A” Company: Captain F. F. Tarver, Lieutenants C. H. Rimington and H. -F. Rust, Lieutenant B. Peatfield, and Second-Lieutenant L. H. Hart. -Company Sergeant Major H. A. Syrad and Company Quartermaster Sergeant -J. C. Sale. - -“B” Company: Captain C. A. Bailey, Captain A. C. H. Benké, Lieutenant -J. H. Randolph, and Second-Lieutenants A. V. James, S. C. Bennett -and H. J. Spencer. Company Sergeant Major H. T. Bassett and Company -Quartermaster Sergeant W. D. Shanahan. - -“C” Company: Major H. F. M. Warne, Captain K. A. Wills, -Second-Lieutenants F. J. Smith, E. E. Andrews, F. E. Gearing, and F. W. -Westmore. Company Sergeant Major J. S Oldcorn and Company Quartermaster -Sergeant A. J. Rodd. - -“D” Company: Captain F. R. Radice, Captain K. W. M. Pickthorn, and -Second-Lieutenants F. W. Lewis, C. M. Kilner, G. E. Thompson and K. A. -Higgs. Company Sergeant Major H. W. Lovelock and Company Quartermaster -Sergeant F. King. - -Regimental Sergeant Major A. H. Freemantle (Scots Guards). - -Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant A. C. Gibson. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -FRANCE, 22ND JUNE, 1916, TO 19TH NOVEMBER, 1916--IN THE TRENCHES AT -NEUVILLE ST. VAAST--BATTALION RAID--JOURNEY TO MARSEILLES. - - -The journey to France was without incident; the train from Salisbury -Plain arrived at Southampton Docks about midday on the 22nd of June, -1916, and after a few hours on the quayside the Battalion embarked on -board H. M. Transport _Connaught_, the boat which only a few weeks -before had brought us over from Ireland. Complimentary messages from -the Embarkation Staff on the excellent and business-like behaviour -of the Battalion pleased us. At about 10 p.m. we set sail, and the -calm sea made the journey comparatively comfortable. True, it was -crowded on board, but not to that extent that it reminded one of the -proverbial “sardines in a box.” During the morning of the 23rd of June -the Battalion set foot on the Continent at Havre. Great excitement -prevailed; the novelty of France, the quaint French poilus in their -blue service kit; everything, in fact, seemed to belong to that world -of dreams that had for so long evaded us; while a group of German -prisoners of war on the quayside added spice to our first taste of -foreign service. Rain set in, however, and made the short march to the -rest camp distinctly unpleasant. - -Leave was granted to limited numbers, who immediately availed -themselves of the “good things” in the town, and incidentally the -opportunity of airing their French, much of which was of the “primer” -lesson book type, and was neither greatly appreciated nor understood by -the townspeople, who replied in good English. But the French people are -so polite that one is encouraged to persevere. - -The Battalion retired to their tents for the night, but an early -réveillé at 2.30 a.m. reminded every one that they were now on “Active -Service,” and soon the whole camp was astir preparing to move. After -a wait of many hours the Battalion left (less “B” Company, which -moved later in the day) for the station, and were entrained in the -famous “8 Chevaux, 40 Hommes” wagons of which we had heard so much. -Any discomfort in travelling in these trucks was recompensed by the -novelty of our new surroundings. The French people by this time had -become serious over the war, and the route was not lined by cheering -crowds as had been the case in the earlier days of the war; though -the French children on the route still made frequent requests for -bully beef, biscuits and cigarettes, in their best “Engleesh.” The -journey terminated on the 25th in the St. Pol area, and the Battalion -soon marched to its billets in the villages of Penin, Averdoight, and -Roellecourt. These were the first billets in France, but every one -managed to settle down comfortably whether in a cottage or in a barn. -The local “vins rouges et blancs” were sampled, and the 2/15th Londons -appreciated the mystic word “estaminet” for the first time. At times -the rumble of heavy artillery could be heard in the distance, and this -brought home to us the fact that we were nearing the firing line. -Orders were received the following day to move forward to Maroeuil, -a few miles north of Arras. The Battalion formed up on the high road -from Penin, and started off gaily enough on a glorious summer evening. -An advanced aerodrome was passed on the way, and the planes in the -air, and the observation balloons in the distance, helped to make the -first part of the marching interesting. Gradually the night clouds -gathered, and a heavy downpour of rain rather “spoilt things.” French -“pavé” roads which up to this time had been traversed unnoticed, became -torture to tired feet, and troops billeted on the line of march were -envied; however, the Battalion plodded along, and by 11 p.m. reached -the battered town of Maroeuil, where a few civilians still remained. -Not realising that the town was close to the firing line, and under the -direct observation of the German lines, the Battalion freely used its -hurricane lamps which reflected their rays on the ruined walls of the -buildings, and there can be no doubt that the salvos of shells that -greeted us on our arrival had been “asked for.” - -Only two men were wounded slightly; not forgetting “A” Company’s -cooker, which received a direct hit. However, these incidents were -quite sufficient to make us realise the unpleasantness of war. Billets -were soon found under the able guidance of the “Scotties” of the -51st Division, who apparently knew all the cellars in the town. The -Battalion, after having a hot meal, went to bed feeling tired, but -many spent a restless night wondering when the next strafe was due. -The night was, however, quiet, and the next day, the 27th of June, -was spent in finding our way around the town, and investigating the -few estaminets which remained open, where we were regaled with the -horrible details of war by the men of the 51st Division of Scottish -Territorials who were then holding that part of the front line. The -following morning the Battalion moved a few miles farther north under -the cover of the valley behind the town as far as Bray, which nestled -behind the ridge of Mont St. Eloy, and was out of observation by the -Bosche. The Battalion was housed in large Army huts, similar to those -we had left on Salisbury Plain. Every one was relieved to get away from -the dingy cellars of Maroeuil, our unpleasant reception having given -most of us a bad taste of the village and its cellars. On the 29th of -June, the Battalion left Bray via Maroeuil for the firing line, and by -means of deep communication trenches, which had been dug for a distance -of four to five miles from the front line system as far back as -Maroeuil, the relief was carried out by day. This was a great advantage -to the new Battalion as it became accustomed to that weird feeling of -being in a trench, before the night fell and obliterated all. - -The surrounding country was covered with red poppies, and the setting -sun shone gloriously on this carpet of colour. On the way ruined farms -were seen at points of vantage, and near the main road from Arras to -Souchez, with its avenue of trees destroyed by shell fire, we passed -the famous Maison Blanche, a deep dug-out, large enough to hold a -battalion. In nearly every depression in the ground were cleverly -camouflaged battery positions, the sight of which encouraged us in -our new venture. After a long march through communication trenches -the reserve line of the Elbe shelters in a sunken road was reached, -and companies were distributed in the support and reserve areas for -the night. Seven days after leaving England the Battalion was in the -firing line. During the night of the 29th of June, the Bosche raided -the trenches of the “Black Watch” in the front line, and many of the -Battalion who got mixed up in the “Box” barrage will never forget the -terrific local bombardment which lasted for some twenty minutes. The -Battalion was fortunate and sustained no loss, but the “Black Watch” -unfortunately lost about ten men killed and missing, while others were -wounded. For the next few days the Battalion was held in support and -reserve, and tours of duty in the front line were made by officers and -N.C.O.’s, under the instruction of the “Black Watch.” Dug-out life was -studied, and every one became acquainted with the new routine. The -Battalion soon acquired the attitude of the “man in the line,” and very -many thanks are due to those battalions of the Scottish Division which -so kindly assisted us to pick up the threads of trench life. On the -2nd of July, 1916, the Battalion took over the front line, and became -responsible for that part just north of Roclincourt, and in front of -Neuville St. Vaast. The weather was unkind, rain made the trenches -extremely unpleasant, and together with the constant salvos of enemy -trench mortars known as “Grey Pigeons,” “Lead Pencils,” “Oilcans,” and -so on, according to their various shapes and sizes, those first few -nights in the line proved rather trying to the Battalion of novices. -Casualties were few, and the men soon learnt the “unhealthy” spots -in the line, and avoided them whenever possible. This section of the -front which was adjacent to the “Labyrinth” had been held by the French -during the earlier stages of the war, and sad and gruesome relics of -the heavy fighting by our gallant Allies were numerous in the trenches. -The Battalion set to work, and did a great deal to improve them, though -our work was constantly being destroyed by the intermittent bombardment -of the enemy’s trench mortars and minenwerfers. Wiring along the front -was improved, and patrols were sent out each night into “No Man’s -Land,” although the proximity of the Bosche did not allow much latitude -in this respect. At this time the great Somme Offensive had commenced, -and the heavy artillery fire farther south could be distinctly heard; -and although the 2/15th Londons had not participated in the actual -fight, there was a great consolation in the fact that the Battalion -was at last holding part of the line, thereby releasing more seasoned -troops for the offensive and at the same time preparing themselves for -their turn when it should come. - -The insertion of a sketch of this sector might prove interesting at -this point, for it was here that the Battalion was destined to spend -its stay in France. - -The front held by the 179th Brigade was from the Stone Communication -Trench on the north to the Victoire Communication Trench on the south, -about 2,500 yards in all. Two battalions held the front lines, a third -battalion forming the supports and reserves, while the fourth battalion -of the Brigade was out at rest at Bray. The 2/15th always occupied the -right sub-sector of the Brigade front being relieved by the 2/14th -(London Scottish); while the 2/13th and the 2/16th Battalions shared -the responsibility of the left sub-sector. - -The right sub-sector in which the Battalion was located ran from the -Vissec Communication Trench to the Victoire, on the right flank. - -This sub-sector was again divided into three company fronts as -follows:-- - - (1) Vissec C.T. to Bentata C.T. - - (2) Biras Sap to Point ‘D.’ - - (3) Point ‘D’ to Bonnell Avenue at Point ‘A.’ - -The front line proper ran along the Doublement, MacIntyre Street, -across Argyle Street to Bonnell Avenue. The support line ran parallel -to the front line at distances varying from 70 yards to 150 yards -at the different places, while between the front line and the support -line an intermediate line, chiefly occupied by machine guns and trench -mortars, had been constructed. Forward of the front line an observation -line had been dug, and in the centre of the Battalion front a strong -redoubt known as the Paris Redoubt had been constructed. From the front -line system connection with the rear was maintained by four arterial -communication trenches, the Vissec, Claudot, Douai, and de la Vase. -Many minor trenches made the whole system a perfect maze, and many -disused trenches added to the difficulties of the network. - -[Illustration: - - _ROUGH SKETCH MAP - SHOWING TRENCHES AT - “NEUVILLE ST VAAST” - ALSO - SKETCH OF THE - NEUVILLE ST AREA._ - - _SCALE ½" = 100 YDS._] - -Three companies of the Battalion held the front line while the fourth -company was in support on the right flank; the left flank support being -furnished by the third battalion in the Brigade. While holding the -line, Battalion Headquarters were situated in the Elbe Shelters, but -when the line was handed over, and the Battalion had become support -or third battalion of the Brigade, Battalion Headquarters transferred -their activities to Maison Blanche. - -On the 5th of July the Battalion were taken out of the line for a -“rest,” but the word proved a misnomer. The Battalion was taken back -as far as the Aux Rietz Cave in rear of Neuville St. Vaast and La -Targette. Three companies were located in the cave, while “A” Company -were billeted in dug-outs near La Targette. In the front line the -Battalion had the good fortune to be housed in excellent dug-outs -bequeathed to us by the French, but in no place on the whole British -front could have been more secure from air-raids and shell fire than -the Aux Rietz Cave. - -Down wooden steps for over a hundred feet the weary infantrymen -stumbled, and finally a wonderful underground world presented itself. -A large cave capable of holding a thousand men, with hundreds of -small candles lighting its sombre darkness, was the new home of the -Battalion. Down here cook-houses were established, and all were able -to roam about free from bombs, shells and bullets. A hot meal was soon -prepared, and the weary Tommies soon fell asleep, in spite of the -great heat and oppressive “fugginess” of their underground dwelling. -The Battalion had not, however, escaped all the horrors of war, for -the orderly sergeants of companies soon appeared and detailed numerous -working parties, which were sent up the line that same evening to -furnish Royal Engineer mining fatigues. Within a few hours most of -the Battalion was retracing its steps through miles of trenches, -knee deep in mud and water, to the front line, and after about six -or eight hours strenuous work lifting and carrying heavy sandbags -full of clay, they returned to the cave at Aux Rietz. A few hours’ -respite was granted, and then the working parties were again paraded -for another tour of duty with the Royal Engineer sappers. In fact, -for several days it was a constant procession day and night of weary -working parties leaving and returning to the cave. No one grumbled at -the actual work with the Royal Engineers, but the long journey to and -from the line provided sufficient for a “grouse”; every one longed for -the front line again. The desire was quickly granted, and the Battalion -were soon back in the trenches, and not until the 4th of August was -it relieved. During this long stay in the line the Battalion became -“old soldiers.” The cook-houses in the Elbe Shelter were thoroughly -organised, and provided a hot meal each day to the men and a cup of -hot cocoa each morning at “stand down.” The daily post and canteen -stores came up with the rations each night, having been brought as far -as Battalion Headquarters by the transport and Quartermaster’s staff; -from which point company ration parties carried them to the front -line. Specialists such as signallers, snipers, and bombers, overcame -the various difficulties of their work. Every man learnt the way round -his own particular sector; names of trenches, saps and craters became -familiar, in fact the whole place became “a home from home.” Friends -were made with the artillery forward observation officers and men, and -the tunnellers on our front became companions in distress. A great deal -of mining was carried on in this part of the British front, and our -tunnellers were extremely busy combating the activities of the Bosche, -and many restless nights were spent wondering whether the constant -tapping underground was that of friend or foe. - -Casualties were fortunately not very heavy, although one recollects -with sadness such incidents as the dug-out in Argyle Street being blown -in, burying Sergeant Wigney and his gallant fellows, but on the whole -the Battalion had been lucky. - -On the 4th of August the Battalion was relieved and marched back to -Bray, this time for a real rest. The Quartermaster’s staff had prepared -a hot meal, and after this repast was finished every one settled down -for a well-earned rest away from the continual noise of the front -line. The next few days were spent in cleaning up, replacing damaged -equipment and boots, writing letters (not forgetting the censoring) -and attending sundry parades. Dinners and suppers of varying degree -were held either in the huts or in the local estaminets, and every -one appreciated the restful green fields and shady trees near Bray, -which had not been destroyed by the ravages of war. Entertainment was -provided at Acq by the Divisional concert party, and our own Battalion -concert party, “The Plumes” of Warminster days was resuscitated in -an endeavour to add to the gaiety of life. On the 9th of August His -Majesty the King visited the observation posts at Mont St. Eloy near -by, and many of the Battalion were privileged to line the route and -cheer His Majesty who was accompanied by His Royal Highness the Prince -of Wales (our Honorary Colonel) and the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Douglas -Haig. - -On the 12th of August, after a week’s rest, the Battalion again -proceeded to the line, and the old life amid the constant “strafes” -of the Hun was resumed. Reliefs between companies were carried out -with precision, and various fatigue parties, sap guards, gas guards, -patrols and wiring parties kept every one busy. Parties of officers and -N.C.O.’s spent a few days with the artillery batteries for the purpose -of instruction. Nothing of importance, however, marked this tour in the -line, and on the 1st September the Battalion was relieved and marched -back to the huts at Bray. - -On the 6th of September, we were again ordered up to the trenches. This -tour of duty was to be one of importance. A mysterious section of two -officers and twenty men were left behind to train for a raid on the Hun -lines. The party was under the command of Lieutenant B. Peatfield, with -Second Lieutenant G. E. Thompson as his second in command. The raid -was of considerable importance as information of the exact disposition -of the enemy was urgently required at General Headquarters in order -to ascertain which German Divisions had been withdrawn from the heavy -fighting on the Somme. The raiding party were trained over a facsimile -of the actual ground over which they were to raid which had been dug -near Divisional Headquarters. When the party arrived at the trenches -on the 10th of September, excitement in the Battalion ran high. The -raiders, all of whom were volunteers, were located in a small dug-out -in the Paris Redoubt, and made preparations for the show. Unfortunately -Private Rule, “B” Company, one of the party, was killed by a trench -mortar shell that afternoon, but undaunted the remainder looked forward -to the adventure. The raid was to be launched from the Paris Redoubt on -the night of the 11th September, and was to be supported by covering -fire from our trench mortars and machine guns while the artillery -assisted the operation with a heavy local “box” barrage. Early in the -evening all the officers concerned in the raid gathered together at -Battalion Headquarters in the Elbe, and final instructions were issued, -and watches were synchronised. Just as this party came out of the -dug-out a salvo of shells arrived and caused great consternation, but -no casualties occurred. That evening all sap guards were strengthened, -and in the middle of the night every one “stood to,” when suddenly -the barrage from our lines burst forth with a terrific crash, and the -raiding party with its blackened faces sallied forth. No one but those -who actually took part in the raid can describe the inferno which -reigned for the next few minutes. The Hun soon sent up his S.O.S. -signals and retaliatory fire opened up, but most of this fell in the -“D” Company area on the left flank of the operation, where two lamps -had been specially erected to mislead the enemy as to the actual part -of the line from which the raid had started. Shortly afterwards the -success of the raid was wired to all companies, and a sense of relief -overwhelmed the Battalion. Apparently our fellows had followed closely -to the creeping barrage of our trench mortars and had entered the Hun -trench, killing or wounding the occupants, and bringing back a few -prisoners. Luckily none of our men were killed although wounds were -numerous among the raiders, and unfortunately Private J. F. Small of -“B” Company succumbed later to his severe injuries. Both officers had -been badly wounded but stuck to their job, and inspired the men by -their example. Second Lieutenant G. E. Thompson, together with Private -A. Small, returning to the Hun trench to rescue the latter’s brother -who was found to be missing at the first roll call. - -Valuable information had been obtained, and only the death of Private -J. F. Small, who had been so gallantly rescued, marred the operation. -Credit must be given to the artillery, machine gunners, and trench -mortar batteries who so ably assisted in making the raid a success. - -The raid placed the Battalion on a high footing, and great credit is -due to all concerned. - -On the 25th of September, the Battalion was relieved, and although -nothing of importance happened after the raid, for many nights -afterwards we expected a return visit from the enemy. - -The return to Bray was accompanied by the usual luxuries of baths -at Maroeuil, the concerts at Acq, and the refreshments of the -local estaminets. On the 26th, ribbons were presented by the -Divisional General to those members of the raiding party who had -escaped unwounded; while on the following day the Corps Commander, -Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Fergusson, K.C.B., inspected the -Battalion. A few days afterwards, on the 30th September, orders to -return to the line were received, and the march was accomplished -without loss, although the enemy artillery was active on the roads -leading up to the trenches. Nearing the line a great activity on the -part of the enemy machine gunners and snipers was noticed, and it was -learnt that during the night the Germans had exploded two large mines -on our front near the Claudot Sap. The London Scottish were holding -that sector of the line that night, and it is to their great credit -that the Hun made no inroads on our front. How great a fight they had -made was best judged from the heavy casualties they had sustained. -“D” Company of the 2/15th relieved this part of the front, and by dint -of hard digging under considerable fire soon consolidated the new -craters, and linked them up by saps with the observation line. Days of -comparative quiet ensued, although at this time the enemy commenced to -use large trench mortar shells standing some thirty-six inches high, -with a diameter of ten or twelve inches. As a retaliation for this -unwelcome increase in the size of missiles a deep emplacement was made -in rear of “D” company’s sector in the Bessan Redoubt, and in it was -placed a very heavy type of British Trench Mortar, having a projectile -of similar proportions to those introduced by the Bosche. This shell -was nicknamed the “Flying Pig,” and to fire it was only an experiment, -so all the men in the trenches in advance of the emplacement were -temporarily withdrawn lest the shell should accidentally fall short. -The test was successful, and large craters about ten feet deep, and -twenty yards wide were made in the Hun lines. However, the experiment -was not taken by the Hun in the right spirit, and retaliation on -his part for the next few days was very brisk. A strafe of shells -from guns and minenwerfers of all calibres was poured on to the -unoffending infantrymen’s heads. Dug-outs were blown up, but the -resultant casualties were small. “D” Company’s headquarters dug-out was -destroyed, and the signallers were entombed, but several hours work got -them out, and they were rescued little the worse for their experience. - -After these few days of continual bombardment a sigh of relief was -breathed when the Canadian Division much depleted in numbers through -heavy fighting on the Somme, marched up to take over the trenches at -Neuville St. Vaast, and the Battalion left this sector for the last -time. - -Rumours of transferring our activities to the Somme were soon afoot, -and after a few days rest at Bray, the Battalion made tracks for the -Abbeville area via Hermaville, Frevent, Auxi-le-Château, and Beauvoir -Rivière. Each night billets were arranged in the villages en route, -and pleasant evenings in the local estaminets were spent after the -day’s march. The weather was only moderate but the Battalion was well -seasoned by now, and cared little for the discomfort of the trek -after its long stay in the trenches. The Battalion finally halted at -Francière a few kilometres south of Abbeville, and leave to England was -granted to a privileged few. Preparations for a journey to the East -were made, and these soon dispelled all rumours of fighting on the -Somme. - -On the morning of the 15th of November, the Battalion marched to -Longpres and entrained on the familiar “8 Chevaux et 40 Hommes” troop -train bound for Marseilles, leaving Longpres at 4.0 p.m. The journey to -the south of France was most enjoyable, and the route taken was via -Montreau, Dijon, Macon, Pierre Latte to Marseilles. At each of these -places a halt was made when rations for the next stage of the journey -were drawn, and hot tea prepared by permanent staffs stationed on the -route was issued. Although halts sometimes were made in the middle of -the night, most men were lured from their uncomfortable beds in spite -of the cold nights to drink the hot tea. - -The weather though cold was bright, and while daylight lasted everyone -drank in the beauty of the French scenery, especially while passing -along the valley of the Rhone, with its wonderful river scenes and -terraced vineyards, which clothed the rugged slopes of the valley. -Marseilles was reached on the 17th of November, after a journey of -just over two days, and the Battalion marched to the Rest Camp on the -western outskirts of the city. Here it poured constantly, and the -whole camp was a veritable quagmire; fortunately the stay was a short -one, for on the 19th November, 1916, half the Battalion marched to the -Docks, and boarded the _Transylvania_, one of the large Transatlantic -liners, at 11.0 a.m., bound for Salonica, while the other half followed -in the _Megantic_, a week later. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -THE VOYAGE TO SALONICA--MALTA--SALONICA, 30TH NOVEMBER, 1916--JOURNEY -TO KATERINA--OUTPOSTS AT STIPI. - - -H.M. Troopship _Transylvania_, which was unfortunately sunk by torpedo -a few weeks later, set sail from Marseilles at midnight on the 19th -November. A rough sea was encountered, and it was afterwards learnt -that a tidal wave had swept over the harbour that night, destroying a -great amount of shipping. The next day all was calm, and the officers -and men of the Battalion became accustomed to their new surroundings, -and acquainted with the interior of this huge vessel. Boat drill was -the novelty, but even this soon became a “bore,” and after the first -few parades everybody looked upon the compulsory life-belt attached -to one’s body as a millstone, rather than the reverse. On the 20th, -the islands of Corsica and Sardinia were passed about 4 p.m., and on -the following day the vessel steamed along the north coast of Africa. -During these days the calm Mediterranean lulled all into a sense of -peace and security, and only when the three blasts of the ship’s syren -disturbed the quietness and everyone bustled to their boat stations -did one realise the possibility of enemy submarines spoiling the trip. -It is said that R.S.M. Freemantle gained a handsome monetary reward -for spotting a submarine, but the fact that only the R.S.M. saw it -causes doubts in many minds. Regardless of any submarine reported to -have been seen by the R.S.M., the _Transylvania_ was ordered by its -escort of torpedo boat destroyers to put into St. Paul’s Bay, Malta, -on the morning of the 22nd November, and about midday on the 24th, the -liner proceeded into the harbour of Valetta. This harbour is one of the -most wonderful in the world, and has a very narrow, heavily fortified -entrance leading from the outer bay to the inner harbour, which was -full of shipping, while men-o’-war of all classes were constantly -passing in and out. The town itself is on the high ground around, and -was glistening white under the hot sun of the Mediterranean, which -poured down its rays from a cloudless blue sky. During the night of -the 24th, a slight mishap occurred to the _Transylvania_ and she broke -from her moorings, but the Battalion slept on under the protection of -the submarine-forbidden harbour, unaware of any possible disaster. -It was not until the 27th that the word to proceed was given by the -Naval authorities, and a few days’ stay at Valetta had been thoroughly -enjoyed by those members of the Battalion (officers and N.C.O.’s only, -I am afraid), who were permitted ashore. A route march through the town -had been arranged for the troops, but unfortunately this had to be -cancelled on the receipt of orders to sail. - -The journey was continued from Malta without event, and on the 29th -November we passed the islands of the Greek Archipelago, the names of -which were always in dispute and finally were dubbed with nicknames -such as Enos, Kolynos, Thermos, Chaos, and so on. When nearing Salonica -several hospital ships, which had been ruthlessly torpedoed, were -just visible above the water where they had been beached. The next -day, the 30th, the harbour of Salonica was reached, and the Battalion -disembarked on the quay during the morning. From the harbour the -town of Salonica looked very fine, and extends from the green slopes -of the hills on the east along a flat stretch of some five miles to -the low dismal country at the foot of the Greek mountains. The town -is dotted with mosques and oriental churches, and the famous White -Tower on the promenade forms a striking contrast to the low shops -and hotels which line the harbour front. However, all this apparent -beauty was soon dispelled, and the mud and smell of even the main -thoroughfares was simply indescribable. On the quayside hundreds of -troops, French, Serbians, Russians and Greeks, were shouting and -making the harbour a babel of foreign tongues. The route taken by the -Battalion lay through the western end of the town, and the curious -shops with their gaily-dressed, though ragged, merchants caused much -comment among the troops. Slow, lumbering oxen wagons formed the -local method of transport, and these, intermixed with the heavy army -motor lorries, caused considerable congestion. After the jumble of -traffic through streets a foot deep in mud and filth, the Battalion -was relieved to strike the main high road for Dudular. All along -this road were signs of military activity; ordnance stores, A.S.C. -dumps, motor lorry parks, and ammunition depots lined the route, and -a few miles from the town the Battalion passed two extensive canvas -general hospitals. Through this military city, which had sprung up -with mushroom-like growth during the war, a railway had been built, -and it struck one as being extremely humorous to see a green engine -with L.S.W.R. in golden letters on its side puffing along under the -control of the R.E. drivers. What visions of Waterloo and leave -trains! This line was continued as far as Monastir, and troop trains -of French and Serbians constantly passed up and down. The camp was -finally reached after a march of about eight miles, and was situated -on barren, desolate ground, which extended from a chain of hills to -the marshes along the Salonica-Monastir Road. On this plain the whole -Division was concentrated under a huge canvas camp. The ground was -rough, uneven, stony and cut by numerous “nullahs.” Every one pitched -his tent wherever the geographical and geological conditions permitted, -and it is regretted that the beautiful straight lines of tents that -distinguished our camp at Saffron Walden were no longer to be seen. -Natives wandered around the camp and were promptly dubbed “hoojahs,” -a word which was attached to all things Greek for want of a better -descriptive word. These natives presumably desired to sell their fruits -and wares, but judging by their mixed uniform of khaki and native garb -it was doubtful whether “scroungeing” was not their real intention. -On the few more level spots that were available football commenced, -and for the first few days life was enjoyable. Letters were again -allowed, and in spite of drills and parades it was a most restful time -by day. Night time, however, was disturbed by the inroads upon the -tired flesh of the troops by numerous “minor horrors of war,” which -had been encouraged to life by the blankets and conditions generally -on board the transport ship. Changes of underclothes were issued and -washing in the muddy streams somewhat arrested the unpleasantness. This -period was a particularly busy one for the Quartermaster’s Stores, and -stores and equipment peculiar to the East were issued, among which -were bivouac sheets. Each man having been presented, gratis by the -thoughtful authorities, with a small khaki canvas sheet about a yard -square, together with a pole 2 feet 6 inches long, two tent pegs and -a piece of stout cord, bivouac parades were instituted. The erection -of a bivouac was not an easy matter on such stony ground, and even -when erected (sometimes by the aid of bayonets and entrenching tools, -the use of which was soon forbidden) the open end provided little -comfort from the cold winds which blew from the hills at night. To -add to this discomfort, heavy torrential rains poured down on the -8th December, and bivouacs fell down on their occupants during the -night with alarming rapidity, even the bell tents which remained were -rooted from their moorings, and an unpleasant night was spent. The -ground soon became a quagmire, and in the nullahs streams of brown, -muddy water rushed along. The colour of the water used for cooking -and making tea was of the same delightful solidity, and there was -little difference between the tea before and after brewing. However, -the weather improved slightly, and the next item of interest was the -arrival of over 100 mules for the transport section, “straight from the -nest” as it were, and with no decorous idea of military discipline. -The Quartermaster’s Stores was full of pack saddlery absolutely new, -slippery and unpliable, and the following day “Bill Bailey’s Circus” -was in full swing. The transport section, under Second Lieutenant F. -T. Bailey, was supplemented by fatigue parties from the Battalion, -until each mule had nearly a dozen attendants, all of whom were -absolutely necessary. The mules were then dressed in their new kit -by the untiring energies of the transport section and their co-opted -fatigues and paraded for the Commanding Officer’s inspection. This, -however, did not last for many minutes; objections were raised, not -forgetting the hind legs, by the four-footed members of the transport, -and “saddles reversed” was soon performed. It was infectious, and half -the animals soon left the arena with kits incomplete, or at least in -quite the wrong places on their bodies. Finally the parade, or rather -what was left, was dismissed, and then followed the counting of the -mules, several of which had escaped. This, however, did not disturb the -Transport Officer, he calmly remarking, “They will turn up at feeding -time.” The next morning a recount was made, and apparently the mules -had decided with which Regiment in the Brigade they would be billeted. -Exchanges were made and, needless to say, the receiver was never the -chooser. On the following day, after another wet night when the mule -lines had become a horrible mixture of muddy transport men, mules -and saddlery, the Battalion, complete with transport, was ordered to -parade for a route march, apparently not so much for the benefit of the -troops, but as a test for the endurance of “Bill Bailey’s Circus.” The -mules were “dressed up” and the saddles loaded with panniers, etc., -and after a considerable delay the Battalion started along the road. A -few paces was sufficient to bring about a debacle in the column; packs -slipped, and the men were detailed to fall out and reload the mules. -Every yard of the route was strewn with loads of all descriptions, many -of which had, no doubt, been unevenly weighted. The plain was dotted -with muleteers chasing after mutinous mules which had dispensed with -their encumbrances and taken flight. How many mules finished the march -is not recorded, but sufficient to say the march proved amusing if -nothing else. The next few days were spent in scraping mud and salving -blankets, waterproof sheets, equipment and saddlery, which had been -mislaid in the mud that followed the heavy rain each night. On the -Sunday, 10th December, a Brigade route march was ordered, and we were -inspected by our new Brigadier, General F. M. Edwards, C.M.G., who had -taken the place of Brigadier-General Baird, who had remained in France. - -The same afternoon secret orders were received, and by midnight the -Battalion, less its transport, was marching to Salonica Docks. After -a few hours’ wait on the quayside, the Battalion embarked on board -H.M. torpedo boat destroyer _Mosquito_, and set sail for somewhere in -Greece. Accommodation was very limited, and the black smoke from the -funnels of the boat soon covered every one with soot. The officers and -crew of the destroyer did all in their power to secure the maximum -amount of comfort for the troops, and the whole of the Battalion -officers were given an excellent breakfast in the small ward room. -During the afternoon the Greek coast was approached, and in the -distance we could see the snow clad peaks of the Olympus group. The -destroyer anchored a few hundred yards from land, and parties of the -Battalion were sent ashore in the small boats. Great credit is due -to the Naval folk for their handling of these boats, and, with the -exception of a few hasty members who jumped ashore out of the boats -too soon, no mishap occurred, and with a cheer from both arms of the -Service the destroyer left for sea. The Battalion lined up on the beach -at a place called Scala Vromeris. The weather was glorious and the wet -clothes of the unfortunates were soon dried. Small fires were made on -the beach and a frugal meal was partaken. Scala Vromeris consisted of a -few wooden huts, and apparently was the “port,” or rather the landing -place, of the town of Katerina, which lay a few miles inland. Only a -few Greeks were in occupation, and a large party of Maltese, working -under some French soldiers, were housed in the small huts. Orders were -received to march inland, leaving a rear party of about 50 men to await -the arrival of stores from Salonica. The march was along a genuine -“Greek” road, the chief constituents of which were mud, holes, ruts -and large stones, but the route was without steep gradients, and the -town of Katerina was reached early in the evening. This was a typical -Grecian country town, and the natives thronged the streets half in fear -and half in jubilation on the arrival of the troops. On the further -side of the town was a large Turkish barracks, and here the Battalion -was billeted. Men soon made purchases at the shops of very inferior -tasteless cigarettes, but nuts and fruit were of excellent quality, -though the prices were somewhat exorbitant. A party of officers found -their way into a “café,” but when one realises that the plates were -returned three times to the washer-up before they could be accepted for -eating purposes, the quality of this “café” can be better appreciated. -Like the rest of the town and its people it was extremely filthy. - -The next day was spent in cleaning up the barracks, which afterwards -reached a state of comparative comfort in spite of the broken windows -and damaged floors. The day was peaceful enough, but when the day’s -rations of bully beef and biscuits had been eaten every one wondered -where the next meal was coming from. Neither the stores from Scala -Vromeris nor the Battalion transport had yet arrived. The town itself -had been practically exhausted of its eatables, and finally the -question was settled by means of “local purchase.” A flock of sheep -was bought by the Brigade, and mutton was issued to the men, but -even fresh killed mutton stewed in mess-tins does not make a very -substantial day’s feed for hungry troops. The Battalion, however, -managed to “scrounge,” and a few additions were obtained privately from -a French Quartermaster’s stores located in one part of the barracks, -and these helped to eke out the meagre rations. It was a couple of days -afterwards before the Battalion transport, which had taken an overland -route from Salonica, arrived, and stores also arrived from the shore, -though in the meantime it had been necessary to eat our “iron rations.” -Both the transport and the stores’ escort had their special adventures. - -At Salonica the Battalion stores had been loaded on flat lighters, -which had proceeded to Scala Vromeris in tow of tugs. Heavy seas were -encountered and many of the lighters broke loose and some drifted back -to Salonica, while others, with half their cargo washed overboard, -fought their way to Scala Vromeris. Those that landed back at Salonica -proceeded under better conditions a day or so later, and on arrival -were soon unloaded by the fatigue party we had left on the sea-shore. -Much, however, was lost at sea, including officers’ valises, mess -boxes, cooks’ gear, spare saddlery, Lewis gun panniers, ammunition, -blankets, etc., but what remained was carted from the shore to Katerina -by the aid of local ox-waggons, which lumbered along at a snail’s pace. - -The Battalion transport, which had travelled overland from Dudular -Camp near Salonica, left there the same evening as the Battalion, and -had been brigaded with the transport of the other units in the 179th -Brigade, and had been escorted on the route by mounted troops. The -journey was not a happy one, and they had only moved at night for -purposes of secrecy. This fact alone made travelling difficult, but -the wet weather multiplied their troubles threefold. The roads were -heavy and badly made, mere tracks across waste land, and maps were -indistinct and even incorrect. Many of these tracks were built up above -the level of the surrounding country, and so heavy were the floods -that the water covered these roadways, and frequently pairs of mules -were struggling in the water at the roadside sometimes five feet deep. -When the catastrophes happened there was nothing to be done but to cut -off the load and give it a watery grave; no attempt to salve them was -possible or even desirable in the darkness. On one of these occasions, -when mules and muleteer were thrown into the deeper water, an artillery -officer, at great personal risk, dived in and saved the mule driver’s -life, and Private Phillips, of our own transport section, was highly -commended for his assistance, while the officer later received the -Silver Medal of the Royal Humane Society for saving life. However, all -is well that ends well, and the various parties of the Battalion which -had set out from Salonica by different routes reunited at Katerina, but -as a result of their respective adventures huge deficiency lists were -prepared. For the next week the whole Battalion was employed on road -making, and other Battalions assisted the R.E. parties to repair the -embankment of the coastal railway from Salonica to Lharrisa, which had -been washed away in many places. It was not long afterwards that the -deserted railway station we had passed on the way from the coast became -a centre of activity. Ration trains arrived daily from Salonica, and -a large dump of stores and ammunition was formed at Katerina Station. -The Army Service Corps and Royal Engineers did great work, and soon -rations, letters, and stores appeared with unfailing regularity from -the Base. The Brigade soon established itself comfortably at Katerina, -and even the local residents appreciated the situation and replenished -their stores with foodstuffs, wines and cigarettes. - -A word must also be said in praise of the N.C.O.’s and men of the -French contingent in this area. They did all they could to welcome -the Britishers, and dinner parties were held nightly in the Turkish -barracks in our honour, probably to the detriment of the French ration -supply, but that was beside the point; “a short life and a gay one” -was their motto. After dinner, songs in English and French were sung, -toasts were drunk and friendships made. These convivial evenings will -live long in the minds of those who participated. - -On the 20th December, 1916, the Battalion marched out to Stipi, a few -miles south of Katerina, to take over an outpost line which had been -held by the Queen’s Westminsters since our arrival in this part of -Greece. The march was over rough country, and the additional kit in the -shape of bivouac sheets, waterproofs, blankets, winter clothing and -cardigans, extra bandoliers of ammunition fairly broke the backs of the -men. - -“A,” “C” and “D” Companies relieved the outpost line, and “B” Company, -with Headquarters, Transport, and Quartermaster’s Stores were kept -in reserve. The outpost line was along the low ridge of hills which -ran from Stipi to Kundariotisa, and strict orders were issued that -no movement on the skyline should be made by day. Bivouac camps were -therefore erected on the reverse or northern slopes which ran down to -the grassy valley of the River Mavourneri. From the southern slopes -of this ridge the panorama was wonderful, a flat stretch of country -for some twenty miles could be seen in the direction of Lharrisa, so -that observation from the defences was perfect. On the further side -of the plain rose the gigantic chain of snow-capped peaks, of which -Mount Olympus formed a massive centrepiece. This mountain wall cut off -the Katerina area from the rest of Southern Greece. Only by way of the -narrow seashore plain and through the famous Petras Pass on the west -of Katerina could the south be reached. At this time the attitude of -Greece towards the Allies was questionable, and the position taken up -by the Brigade was to secure the base at Salonica from any attack that -might have been made from the south. - -The Battalion employed itself now in commencing to dig a defensive line -on the southern slopes of the ridge, and trench-digging in this part of -the world was extremely laborious, as the ground was practically solid -rock. - -Barbed wire was not obtainable, and for the purpose of obstacles -thick zarebas of short, stiff, prickly thorn bushes which covered the -hill-side were used for entanglements. In our spare time football was -played, and platoon and company competitions were soon in full swing. A -splendid flat field had been cleared near the river bank, and was the -scene of many exciting struggles. Christmas was approaching, and funds -were collected for additional luxuries. The canteen opened by Brigade -at Katerina was insufficient to supply the extra needs for the festive -season, and Lieutenant Andrew and an able assistant were sent to -Salonica by rail, where a Base Canteen was successfully attacked, and -on Christmas Eve large supplies of Christmas goods arrived; not so much -in quantity as we should have liked, but considering the difficulties -of transport, Lieutenant Andrew was to be congratulated. Chicken and -eggs were purchased from the local villages of Stipi and Kundariotisa, -and altogether a happy Christmas was spent in the bivouacs. Christmas -decorations were numerous and consisted chiefly of grey-back shirts -and underclothing which had become unpleasant to wear and decked the -surrounding thorn bushes. - -The festival of Christmas was celebrated by the local residents, and I -had the pleasure of accompanying the Commanding Officer to the village -of Stipi, where the chief man of the village bade us enter his house. -Here we were ushered into the best room and seated on mats on the floor -while the daughters of the house, in gay dresses, waited upon us, -bringing in coffee, aniseed liqueur and apple jelly as refreshments. -Conversation was carried on through the medium of the heir to the -house, who had picked up a smattering of French in Salonica, where he -was employed. - -For the men sing-songs were arranged and sports were held, but the -festivities of Christmas soon ceased, and the work on the trenches was -resumed. New Year celebrations were limited to an excellent concert -given in the Turkish barracks at Katerina by the French soldiers, and -those who were privileged to attend thoroughly enjoyed their efforts. - -The weather continued fairly fine, though spells of heavy rain, and -sometimes snow, fell, making life in small canvas “bivvies” rather -miserable. The Battalion remained on this outpost line for just over -six weeks, during which time a strong defensive line facing Lharrisa -had been built, and this was continued to the coast on the left flank -by a series of strong points built and manned by the Westminsters. -Road making and bridge building were carried on by the reserve -Company, and I am sure the local Greeks must have appreciated our -efforts, which resulted in the many military roads connecting Katerina -with the surrounding villages. Occasionally field days were held by -the Brigade, the rendezvous always being the Tumulus, which was an -ever-present landmark for miles around our position. Kit inspections -were frequent, and the losses of equipment, etc., resulting from our -journey from Salonica led to lengthy sittings of a Board of Enquiry, -and consequently many entries were made in pay books for loss of kit. -In our spare time we played football after the day’s work, and keen -competitions between platoons and companies resulted. Matches were -arranged with the other Regiments in the Brigade, in which the Civil -Service came through with considerable credit. For the benefit of -officers a riding class, under the Medical Officer, Dr. J. W. Leech -(John Willie to all his friends) was instituted, and the quality of -riding in the Battalion greatly improved. While referring to John -Willie’s equestrian ability, one must not overlook his medical skill. -His sick parade each morning was divided into two classes; one from the -Battalion and the other from the local villages, which brought their -sick for attention. Frequently the Doctor was called out to a village -to attend an invalid, and among the natives his skill was considered -wonderful; not that I infer the Battalion did not appreciate his -efforts, for his droll manner and Irish humour were characteristics we -all loved, and his attention to all ranks was without fault. The only -difference was that the natives presented him with fowls, fruit and -small gifts, whereas the unfortunate recipient of a No. 9 offered his -thanks in words alone. When a man was beyond the curative powers of a -No. 9 or its brother pills he was transferred to the Field Ambulance, -which had been established at Katerina. The country around was rough, -and was only traversed by mule tracks, so that it was impossible to -bring motor ambulances up as far as the Regimental Aid Post. The lying -cases were, therefore, taken to hospital by means of a strange vehicle -drawn by a mule. This vehicle simply consisted of two long poles some -twenty feet in length which were attached to the mule after the manner -of shafts, while the ends dragged on the ground behind the mule. These -two poles were secured to each other in rear of the mule, and the -stretcher was fixed resting between the poles, so that the patient’s -head was higher than his feet. Whether this was a comfortable means of -transit must be left to the judgment of the victims, but undoubtedly it -was the most suitable means in those parts. - -No mention hitherto has been made of “Peter,” who was appointed -Battalion interpreter. He was an undersized Greek, who loved the -Regiment, and no doubt worked very hard in the “Grecian way,” and -although no one understood his parleys with the local natives when -we wished to dig up their land for trenches, it is believed that he -coerced them by the authority given to him by the wearing of the Prince -of Wales’s feather in his cap. He loved the Battalion better than his -countrymen. - -About the middle of February the Battalion left the outpost line at -Stipi, and two Companies, “A” and “B” proceeded to Katerina barracks -together with Headquarters Company, Transport, and Quartermaster’s -Stores. The other two Companies, under the command of Major A. A. -Oliver, moved to Kolukuri, a few miles west of Katerina, and erected -their bivouacs in Shrine Woods. Here a flank defensive line was held -by night posts. From the 15th of February until the 28th the Battalion -remained in these stations, and the only excitement which broke the -monotony of the life was the visit of a strange aeroplane, which flew -over the square at Katerina barracks. No one understood its mission and -gazed at it curiously, for underneath its wings were two large blue -crosses and not the black Maltese cross used on German aeroplanes. -After it had taken note of everything it flew away; no one fired at -it, and no one to this day knows the meaning of this “mystery” plane. -Orders from Brigade to fire at it came later on, but by that time the -plane was well out of the range of our field guns. - -On the 28th of February the Battalion concentrated on the main road -near Kolukuri on the way to the Petras Pass and proceeded up towards -the Pass, where a strong defensive position had been held since our -arrival in December by the London Scottish. The Battalion halted at -Kalivia Miljas for the night, and the most unpleasant night it proved -to be with the heavy rains. The following day orders were received to -return to Katerina, and the Battalion marched back again as far as the -banks of the River Mavourneri, just outside the town. In flood time the -river is over a mile in width, but at other times it dwindles down to a -fast stream only 40 to 50 feet wide. It was on the rough, dry sandy bed -of the river that the whole Brigade was encamped, and here preparations -for a long trek were made. The weather was fine, but the strong winds -that blew and raised sandstorms made it an unpleasant resting place, -and no one regretted the order to move, which was received on the 9th -of March. - -Before ending this chapter on our stay in Macedonia, the following -letter, written from Greece, might prove interesting:-- - - “Macedonia is a lovely country, and the lack of reading matter - a considerable hardship. It is a land of bare treeless valleys, - strongly reminiscent of the Veldt and high snow-clad spurs of - the Balkans. Of the people, the less said perhaps the better. - St. Paul in old time was of the opinion that the Thessalonians - were ‘lewd persons of the baser sort,’ or words to that effect, - and my experience is that they have not improved by keeping - in the interim. A motley mixture of Turks and Bulgars with - a smattering of Greeks, they are undoubtedly picturesque in - garb, more undoubtedly filthy in person and habits, and most - undoubtedly the finest collection of thieves, brigands and - cut-throats that could be brought together. When the brigandage - business is slack, as at present, they apparently fill in - their spare time as herdsmen and shepherds. We are employing - considerable numbers in road making and the other day I heard - the following: A party of Greeks came along towards our - transport, and one bright youth on sighting them lifted up his - voice to his chum, ‘Look out, Jack! Here comes Ali Baba and his - forty ---- thieves.’ - - “The days are hot and the nights bitterly cold, while at times - a terrifically strong and piercing wind, called the Vardar - blast, blows from the Balkans. Taken altogether the majority of - us heartily wish ourselves back in France.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -LEAVING KATERINA--TREK TO THE DOIRAN FRONT--KARASULI NIGHT - - -On the 10th of March, 1917, reveille was at an early hour, and by -eight o’clock in the morning the 179th Brigade had formed up in column -of route together with the Artillery, Royal Engineers, Machine Gun -Corps, and Army Service Corps detachments which had joined it since its -arrival at Katerina in December, 1916. The whole town turned out to bid -us farewell, and the local band played appropriate music in the market -place. Flags decked the low-built houses of the town, and the people -of Katerina were sorry to lose the Brigade which, during its short -stay, poured thousands of “drachmas” into the town coffers, turning -indolence and poverty into business and wealth. The French Commandant -also did honour to the British troops and furnished a strong guard of -honour, which gallantly stood at the “Present” while the Brigade passed -by. The first day of the march was to a place called Tuzla, near the -coast some ten miles north of Katerina, and although ten miles on a -good English road is a small journey, the badly cut-up roads of Greece -and the heavy kit the men were carrying made the journey appear to be -twice its actual distance. Mules were loaded to their fullest capacity, -and many loads slipped off, causing disorganisation on the march. -Eventually, after about five hours’ marching, the Brigade reached the -night’s bivouac area, where a terrific cold wind was blowing from the -sea. However, “bivvies” were erected and a meal prepared, and every one -retired for the night, wondering what the next day would bring. - -Every one was astir early the following morning, and after an early -breakfast the camp was packed up. Then the real fun of the day -commenced; this was the loading of the mules. Although I have not yet -described this performance in detail it might interest those who did -not actually participate in the trek. Loads were arranged and specially -lashed with strong ropes. The great art was to prepare loads in pairs, -each of which was of equal weight. Of course, with such articles as -blankets, Lewis gun panniers, ammunition boxes, where an equal number -solved the difficulty it was an easy matter; but when it came to the -question of cooks’ gear, pioneer tools, officers’ valises, and so on, -it developed into a matter of either exceeding great skill or pure -luck. Having thus made up two loads of equal weight and examined the -mule’s girth, the muleteer would stand at the animal’s head and say -nice things to it with a view of taking its attention from the loads. -Two men would then stand on either flank of the beast and lift the -loads, with the intention of hooking them on to the saddle by the -rings attached to the lashing ropes. The loading on both sides had to -be performed simultaneously, or otherwise the weight on one side only -simply twisted the saddle under the mule, annoying the animal to such -an extent that it would immediately kick out and break loose, dashing -about with the load under its stomach. Such escapades on the part of -the mules were all too frequent; the mules hated the loads, and to add -to the difficulties of the performance commenced to dance a “tango” on -the feet of the unfortunate fatigue men trying to persuade it to carry -a couple of heavy side loads. Towards the end of this trek, however, -the men became aware of this side-stepping by the mules, and eventually -experts in each Company developed, and the balancing of the loads, the -synchronisation of the hooking-on process, became matters of skill as -the result of sad experience. - -From Tuzla the line of march was to Livanovan, and as a contrast to -the very cold wind of the previous day the sun poured down, and the -journey of twelve miles was over the same badly-made roads, while steep -gradients were also encountered. On the 12th of March the Brigade -proceeded to Gida, a further distance of twelve miles. On arrival a -flat piece of ground was found for the camp. On the march each man -carried a few pieces of stick or wood from ration boxes, and at the end -of the day’s march a supply of wood for fires was immediately ready on -arrival in camp. During this trek great credit was due to the cooks, -both in the companies and the officers’ messes, for the splendid way in -which they immediately set to and prepared meals for their expectant -clients at the end of the day’s march. I know that at Gida, Evison (“D” -Company’s mess cook) and his batman pals had so trained themselves that -on the arrival of their Company Officers from the men’s lines, after -seeing the mules unloaded and the men settled down, a splendid meal of -fried eggs and bacon, biscuits and butter, tea, and Welsh rarebit was -spread on the mess table-cloth. (“D” Company always boasted of this -cloth, regardless of its doubtful snowy whiteness at times.) - -The next day, the 13th of March, was very trying owing to the great -heat and the distance covered, just over 20 miles. A midday halt was -made on that part of the road where the transport section had had -such a disastrous time on their journey from Salonica in December, -and the mule drivers regaled every one with the horrible details of -their experiences. The roads were being improved near the town of -Topscin by parties of Bulgar prisoners under French guards. As the -column approached Topscin village the sounds of music greeted it. The -town was in the hands of the French, and their band had turned out to -welcome us. The “Marseillaise” and “God Save the King” were rendered -alternately while the whole Brigade marched by. - -Just after leaving Topscin we crossed the Vardar River, and a couple of -miles beyond, the new camping ground was reached; but the rain which -had then set in made the arrival miserable. It was then 6.0 p.m. and -every one was dead-beat, but an issue of rum livened us up a little. - -The following morning bivouacs were struck and the march resumed as -far as Amantovo, a distance of 14 miles, and it was during this march -that the first man of the Battalion fell out, and only the excessive -heat caused him to faint, showing how splendidly he had stuck to it. -The camp at Amantovo was on soft, grassy ground, and the pegs of our -bivouacs were driven in with ease, a change after the stony nature of -our previous camping grounds. The last part of the day’s march had been -over grassy downs, and the beautiful weather made it enjoyable. To add -to the happiness, however, there was a surprise in store; a ration of -oranges was issued that night. The next day’s march was to be performed -in two parts. The start was made about 8.0 a.m., and the route lay -through pleasant valleys and over undulating grassland. A few miles -from Amantovo the Battalion marched past the Commander-in-Chief of our -forces in Salonica, General Sir G. F. Milne, K.C.B., and his staff. The -General was greatly impressed with the fitness of the Battalion. - -About midday a halt was called and cooking commenced. Plenty of -water, duly chlorinated, of course, was drawn from the local streams. -In the afternoon small card parties were made up in the Battalion, -others slept, while others read novels; each man in some sections -carried a small sevenpenny novel, and by exchanging there was plenty -to read. Just ahead of the Battalion was a tumulus, and from this -point it was said that the “line” could be seen, but of course it -was forbidden ground. The progress of the Battalion having been thus -barred, we settled down to a very pleasant, restful afternoon in the -warm sunshine, little dreaming of the eccentricities of the Macedonian -springtime. - -At twilight the order was given to move off, and with darkness came -rain, and such cold rain, too! The wind sprang up and the first few -miles were spoilt by “concertina work” by the column, a most dreaded -thing for infantrymen with a heavy kit. However, after the first halt -the movement of the column settled down and became more tolerable; -but accidents to the mules soon disorganised the column again and -connection in the dark became difficult. The Battalion floundered -on through mud and slush over what must have been ploughed land, I -think. Mules now began to fall out with unfailing regularity and men -were constantly detailed from the ranks to reload them, and a very -straggling column resulted. No one seemed to be certain of the way over -this strange country in the pitch darkness. No one appeared to have a -watch, either, for no halts were called; certainly the ground was too -thick in wet mud for halting purposes, but after three hours marching -over such ground in pouring rain all infantrymen felt the strain. -Onwards the Battalion struggled, mile after mile, through this awful -morass of mud and the pelting rain. Every one longed for a halt, but -this was not to be; not until the Battalion arrived on the outskirts -of Karasuli did that precious whistle break the silence. Then every -one just sat down in the middle of the road. The men had marched for -six hours without a halt or even taking off their packs. Remarkable to -relate, the number of men who fell out was practically nil; there were -no estaminets here, and to fall out would mean a lonely night in the -desolate wilds of northern Greece; and this was an unpleasant prospect. -At Karasuli a fairly long halt was made and spirits revived, but being -under enemy observation no smoking was allowed; this was the last -straw, and the Hun and his Allies had curses heaped upon their heads -that night, if ever. Rumour that the final halt was only a few hundred -yards ahead helped to improve matters, but even this flicker of hope -was damped by the heavy rain that constantly poured down. The whistle -sounded again, and off the Battalion moved, though no one knows the -route taken to this day. Brigade staff certainly did its utmost to sort -out the mixed column of men, mules and transport of all regiments. - -The country here was broken by deep gullies or “nullahs” along which -the water rushed in torrents. For over an hour the Battalion staggered -along over the broken ground, one moment stumbling down a steep rugged -bank of a nullah, the next crawling on hands and knees up the slippery -bank opposite, and frequently wading nearly waist deep in water. -About 1.0 a.m. the Battalion halted. Rain had fallen for hours and -the ground was churned up into a quagmire, but a halt, even in these -surroundings, was welcome. Men threw off their packs and, in spite -of their weariness and exhaustion, it was to be admired that all the -mules, which had also struggled through this terrible journey, were -immediately unloaded. Kits, rifles and mule loads had been thrown on -the ground by the overwrought men, and some just lay down from sheer -fatigue; others stood in the bitter cold and awaited the dawn. Some of -the more energetic dared to put up their bivouacs, but soon gave up the -idea of sleeping owing to the terrific cold wind that blew. Those who -were able to move were issued with rum, but I am afraid that owing to -the difficulties of the situation and the fact that many men had fallen -into a delirious sleep it was unequally divided, and in the darkness -it was difficult to discern whether a staggering man was the outcome -of too much marching or too much rum. Towards dawn the downpour ceased -a little, but the shivering troops, mud from head to foot, still stood -in the withering clutches of the Vardar blast, and one man remarked, -looking at the surrounding swamp, “Guess I’m standing in the Blasted -Vardar, too!” Gradually daylight appeared, and what a scene--drenched -men, cold, miserable, hungry and tired. The sick parade was extremely -large that morning. Many had become so exhausted that they had laid -down in the wet mud during the night and the next morning were, of -course, physical wrecks; others had reached a state of delirium and -wandered about bereft of their senses, and mention has already been -made of the third group, the men who had “really” got the rum. The -balance of the Battalion simply felt done up. However, all those who -had not been sent to the field hospitals at Karasuli set to work and -dragged from beneath the mud, rifles, equipment, bivouac sheets and -remnants of the mules’ loads, and sorted them into dumps. The sun shone -and life appeared possible, even if not desirable, in this wilderness -of mud. About midday the Quartermaster’s Stores sent fatigue parties -to an A.S.C. depôt a mile or so away, and fresh meat and rations were -issued. Small fires were soon started and the old “gyppa” was on the -boil. Every one looked forward to a nice hot meal, when orders for an -immediate move were received. One can pass over this scene without -expressing the views of the troops; it can well be imagined how -pleasing it was to see the half-cooked “gyppa” poured away into the -mud, as the cooks’ gear had to be packed on the mules at once. - -Soon afterwards the clank of the entrenching-tool handle against the -rifle butt and the rattle of the water bottle and other impedimenta -associated with troops on the march was heard. The Battalion moved off -with Platoons at intervals of 100 yards. The road from Karasuli was in -good condition and had dried up under the warmth of the sun and the -constant wind, but a mile or so from the camping ground to that main -road was covered with deep nullahs and ravines. As we passed over it -we wondered how the Battalion had ever marched over such ground the -previous night. Once on the main road a decent step was taken and the -troops felt the benefit of a good road, and made headway. However, -the wind renewed its violence of the previous evening and blew into -the face of the Battalion so that the benefit of the better road was -soon nullified by the Vardar Blast. Clothing was still saturated with -the rain of the night before, and the cold wind simply pierced us to -the bones. Snow fell and added to the misery of things and soon the -country-side was white; to say nothing of the Father Christmas-like -appearance of the troops. When darkness came things really became -difficult and the march developed into a hopeless plodding along, -fighting against a biting cold head wind the whole while. For the first -nine miles the route was along the main road, and the mules retained -their loads with comparative ease, and not like the previous day’s -march when they slipped and fell over on the treacherous muddy tracks. - -So extreme was the cold that after each ten minutes halt it was with -difficulty that men rose from the ground; most of them were frozen -stiff. About 10.0 p.m. the head of the column was seen crossing the -rough ground on the left of the main road. Hopes were raised, and if -even a bivouac in the snow was an unpleasant prospect, the ending of -the march was some consolation. Visions of a new camp were becoming -plain, but when the Battalion followed this column across the rough -ground for over an hour hopes were shattered. - -From the roadway onwards men of all regiments in the Brigade lined -the route; floundering over the rough ground after a stiff march had -proved too much for even some of the stalwarts who had braved the -night at Karasuli. Transport limbers and mules blocked the way, either -stuck in the small nullahs that crossed the route or else the animals -had become too exhausted to move. In fact, it was not an uncommon -sight to see dead mules on the ground, having succumbed to the extreme -cold, and when mules “gave up the ghost” it can be well judged how the -men suffered. No one had any fear of being lost this night should he -fall out; the route was well marked by deserted limbers, dead mules -and fallen loads. About midnight the journey ended and the Brigade -halted near the deserted farm buildings which were occupied by the -Headquarters of the Brigade in the line. When the signal to halt -was given every one just sat down exhausted, but the lesson of the -previous night had been learnt, and little sleep was attempted. Small -fires were lighted and mess tins were brought out and tea was made. -“Scroungeing” parties went round and “won” blankets, tarpaulins, etc., -from wherever possible, regardless of the Battalion or Company to which -they belonged. Some officers, by dint of hard work, had even erected a -bell tent, having a limber pole for its support. Whose tent and whose -pole were never questioned. The night thus passed fairly quickly and -every one made the best of a bad job. The snow had ceased, and it was, -therefore, an improvement on the downpour twenty-four hours previously. -As soon as daylight came every one was astir with the exception of -the favoured few who had confiscated a pile of officers’ valises and -rigged up a temporary shanty. However, their rest was soon disturbed -and orders were given to “fall in.” The day was brighter and this -cheered us a little. The Battalion soon marched off and soon sites -were allotted to Companies in the deep nullahs or ravines about 500 -yards from the deserted farm buildings. In the warmth of the sun, the -sheltered positions in the ravines soon made us forget the discomfort -of the night. The debris of the previous night was collected and every -one enjoyed a hot meal which the cooks soon prepared. The afternoon was -spent in rest and sleep. - -However, war is war, and there is no rest for the wicked. The writer, -together with another officer and some N.C.O.’s from each Company, were -detailed to go up to the line for reconnaissance purposes that very -afternoon. But even the darkest cloud has its silver lining, and after -a trudge of four miles the party which had come over the skyline in -twos and threes were welcomed by the Headquarters of the London Irish -(2/18th London Regiment), and were soon detailed to Companies for the -night. It was the 17th of March, and the London Irishmen who had been -settled in the part of the line for some weeks celebrated their patron -Saint’s day in the proper style, and the requisite canteen stores and -drinks had been acquired. No one could have been more hospitable, and -the wretched advance party which had left Kolonova that afternoon felt -that the war was not so bad as it might have been. Perhaps it would not -be out of place to mention here that one of the toasts drunk in the -Company dug-out where the writer was so kindly entertained was “To our -1st Battalions, the 1st Civil Service Rifles and the 1st London Irish -Rifles.” These Battalions were serving in France with the 47th Division -and had curiously left England on St. Patrick’s Day in 1915. The 17th -of March is “The day” in the history of our 1st Battalion, but it has -its place in the history of the 2nd Battalion. It was the end of what -is popularly known as the “Karasuli Trek.” - -During the past week the Battalion had marched from Katerina, near -Mount Olympus, to Kolonova, on the Doiran Front; a distance of about -100 miles had been covered in seven days. The march was over rough -country the whole way. Extremes of weather had been encountered during -these few days; from the hottest of Mediterranean suns at Livanovan -to the wettest of oriental rains at Karasuli, and to the bleakest -of blizzards and snowstorms that the Balkan Heights at Kolonova can -produce. The man who was able to stick to his guns throughout this -trek can well boast, and only the terrible experiences of the last two -nights of the journey deprived many of the same boast. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -ON THE DOIRAN-VARDAR FRONT--THE ADVANCE - - -A short description of the situation on the Doiran-Vardar sector of the -Salonica Front will no doubt assist the reader to better realise the -type of operations peculiar to this theatre of war. A few miles west -of Lake Doiran was a mountainous ridge running north and south, about -five or six miles long, known as “P” Ridge. This chain consisted of a -series of five distinct peaks, the southern one, “Pip 5,” being about -800 feet high, while the remaining four progressively increased in -altitude until “Pip 1” at the northern end reached the height of about -1,700 feet (or 535 metres); this was the famous “535” which dominated -the country for many miles around, in fact on a clear day the peak -could be distinctly seen from the hills at Dudular near Salonica, some -60 miles away. The Bulgar held practically all this ridge of the “Pips” -except at the lowest part at the south, where the British had gained a -footing. The Bulgar was strongly entrenched on all the slopes of the -ridge, and each peak was an almost impregnable fortress in itself. - -From the northern end the enemy lines ran due west along a mountainous -chain some 1,000 to 1,200 feet high through the town of Devedzili, -thence south of Paljorca to Pobreg. Just east of Pobreg the line ran -due south for some six miles along another ridge of hills about 600 to -700 feet high which terminated at the “Nose,” a fortified stronghold on -the borders of Serbia and Greece. From the “Nose” the enemy trenches -were situated on the hills just north of Macukova, finally having the -right flank on the banks of the Vardar at a point some four miles from -the “Nose.” - -The British line ran from the southern extremity of the “P” ridge in a -south-westerly direction to the village of Bekerli, from which point it -ran practically due west to the Vardar, where our lines were only about -1½ miles from the enemy trenches. The whole of the British line was on -the low hills just north of the Cidemli Dere, a valley through which a -small stream of about 20 feet in width bubbled along. - -South of this stream the reserve British positions were situated on -the chain of the Kolonovan Heights (500 feet) which ran along north -of Ardzan, Smol and Karasuli. It will therefore be seen that only on -our flanks were we in close touch with the enemy; on the left flank -near the Vardar for about four miles east of the river banks as far -as Reselli opposite the “Nose” where the enemy line turned north, -and on the right flank at the foot of the “P” ridge at its southern -extremities south of the village of Krastali. Even at these points -the lines were at least a mile apart. The remainder of “No Man’s -Land” consisted of a plain through which the ravine of the Selemli -Dere formed a definite line between the opposing parties. From this -ravine the ground was fairly flat for about 500 yards on each bank, -but it soon developed into a land of hillocks some hundred feet above -the level of the Selemli Dere plain, forming the foot-hills up to the -higher ground held by the two armies. In this part of “No Man’s Land” -were dotted the deserted villages of Dautli, Selemli and Sejdelli. The -enemy had taken up a strong defensive line on the high ground which -overlooked the whole of the lesser hills on the southern side of the -Selemli plain, and his observation on our movements was therefore good. -Any movement by day on our part was restricted, and from the commanding -position of “P” ridge he could practically look into our trenches which -had been constructed on the forward slopes of the small hills north of -the Kolonovan Heights. In daytime these trenches were therefore only -held by a sentry group, while the remainder of the garrison retired to -the small bivouac camps which had been dug in on the reverse slopes. - -[Illustration: _ROUGH SKETCH MAP SHOWING APPROXIMATELY THE SITUATION ON -THE ----“DOIRAN-VARDAR” FRONT----_ (_1917_)] - -By reference to the sketch map at the commencement of this chapter it -will be seen that no further advance on our part was possible beyond -the Bekerli Village Line, for from “Pip I” the Bulgars could enfilade -any camps that were pushed forward. Not until the whole of the “Pip” -ridge was gained could any advance on the Vardar section be made. - -The British Army had therefore to sit content on the line of low -hills, each of which was made into a strong point held by a garrison -at night and a sentry group by day. The whole front was strongly wired -and the ground or dip between these hills held by a Lewis gun post, or -sometimes a Vickers machine-gun section. The wire had been cunningly -arranged so that all these re-entrants formed “culs de sac” into which -heavy machine-gun fire could be poured by the defenders. - -During daytime no one disputed “No Man’s Land,” but at night time -strong patrols were sent out by both sides to obtain the mastery, and -prevent raids or surprise attacks on the defensive lines that were -held. Across the centre of “No Man’s Land” was a line of large white -stone pillars at regular intervals, representing the frontier between -Greece and Serbia; an interesting fact, though, of course, having no -bearing on the actual operations in this part of the world. - -The British transport lines and ration dumps were behind the -cover of the Kolonovan Heights which ran parallel with the main -Karasuli-Kilindir Road which made communication along the rear of -our positions comparatively easy. From the transport up to the line -the journey was done at night time, except in the case of individual -runners, or perhaps two or three men in a party, but so keen was the -observation of the Bulgar that even these small parties attracted the -unpleasant attention of a “pip-squeak” gun which had the tracks over -the ridge “taped” to a nicety. - -On the 19th of March, 1917, the Battalion marched up to the line -from its bivouacs at Kolonova and took over from the 2/18th London -Regiment (London Irish). All reliefs were carried out by night and -under cover of darkness the Battalion left its sheltered camp, by -Platoons at intervals. Every one had been ordered to maintain silence -and no smoking was allowed. All the average man knew was the fact that -somewhere over the ridge at Kolonova was the line, how far or how near -he was never told, and the order for strict silence on the march led -him to believe that the enemy was fairly close to hand, although in -point of fact the Bulgar was comfortably settled in the dug-outs of his -mountain stronghold at least five miles ahead. Knowing this fact the -following incident on the march will be appreciated. A nervous private -recently joined approached his Platoon Commander with a whisper, “Don’t -you think that officer on horseback ought to cover his luminous wrist -watch?” True, Major Oliver was in charge of the Battalion canteen, and -probably had first choice of the luminous Ingersolls that occasionally -came our way, but even the most luminous are not guaranteed to dazzle -the eyes at a distance of five miles. However, such was the keenness of -this rifleman to save his platoon from a strafe by the enemy artillery. - -For a whole month the Battalion held the line from Waggon Hill, just -east of Reselli village, to the village of Bekerli. On our left was -a battalion of the 180th Infantry Brigade, while our neighbour on -the right was the Queen’s Westminster Rifles of our own Brigade. The -Battalion front consisted of Waggon Hill, which overlooked the Selemli -Plain and the village of Sejdelli in front, while the ground on the -left flank was low and formed a branch of the Selemli Ravine, and made -a dangerous entrance to the rear of our positions just opposite the -“Nose.” “D” Company occupied this hill, with “B” Company in immediate -support in the valley of the Cidemli Dere. The right of the Battalion -front was on the high ground near the ruined village of Bekerli, and -formed the angle from which the British line ran north-east through -Bastion Hill, Bowls Barrow, Whaleback, Horse Shoe Hill to the foot of -“Pip 5” on the “P” ridge. “A” Company was responsible for the Bekerli -defences, with “C” Company in immediate reserve, while Battalion -Headquarters were farther back at Bekerli Ford, on the Cidemli Dere. -As previously stated, movement was restricted during the daytime, -which was spent in sleep, writing letters and card playing, leavened, -of course, by fatigues and working parties for the improvements of -dug-outs and similar work which could be undertaken by day under cover -of the hills. No movement was allowed beyond an occasional runner -to the support Companies or Battalion Headquarters. At night time, -however, work commenced. The trenches were strongly garrisoned, and -sentry groups were posted along the wire, while still farther out in -“No Man’s Land,” about 500 yards from the wire, standing patrols of -an N.C.O. and 20 men were posted in order to prevent the enemy from -approaching our lines in force. - -The support companies furnished large carrying parties to bring -up rations, letters and the _Balkan News_, a newspaper specially -printed in Salonica for British troops; all of which arrived from the -Quartermaster’s stores at Kulonova, about one hour after dark. They -also provided working parties to improve the trenches, which for the -most part had been blasted from solid rock. Communication trenches were -also made up to the forward companies, care being taken to conceal -them in the numerous shallow dips in the ground as any sign of digging -was sure to be strafed the next day. All earth had to be removed, as -the smallest heap of soil above the level of the ground was looked -upon by the Bulgar as the commencement of a new gun emplacement and -consequently bombarded. There is no doubt that the Bulgar took every -advantage of his higher position, and his observers were very keen, -and this together with the wonderful accuracy of his guns made us very -careful to conceal all signs of digging. - -The support companies also furnished an officer’s patrol each night -of about 24 men strong. These fighting patrols had orders to approach -the enemy’s wire on the other side of the plain. How different from -the patrols of three or four men on the Neuville St. Vaast front in -France, where movement was very restricted. On the Doiran front it -became a nocturnal route march. A few points were sent ahead and the -main body followed _en bloc_. Although instructions were issued to -reach the enemy’s wire it was rarely accomplished; Bulgar patrols were -always wandering about on the plain at night. In the area allotted -to our Battalion for patrol work were the two villages of Dautli and -Selemli, which were much nearer to the enemy’s advanced posts than our -own. To reach these villages and search them was about the limit of -our adventures. The Bulgars were far too strong at this point, for here -the Selemli Dere could be crossed by tracks which the enemy jealously -guarded. Fortunately, though shots were sometimes exchanged no serious -fighting occurred to the 2/15th London patrols. On the return journey -towards daylight it was considered part of the scheme to halt at the -village of Sejdelli, near our lines, and break down the woodwork in the -houses already damaged by shell fire and bring doorposts, window frames -and so on back into our lines for the cooks’ fire. It was most amusing -to hear the patrols heralding their safe return by loudly hammering on -the woodwork of Sejdelli. Never a Bulgar fell into the hands of our -patrols, but they always returned with plenty of wood. - -Although in daytime it was not advisable to wander across “No Man’s -Land,” on one occasion our Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Andrew, -and his batman, Private Joines, spent a day searching the village of -Dautli. They walked to the village during the night and hid themselves -at dawn in an empty house to watch the movements of the enemy near -the fords across the Selemli Dere near by. Great was their surprise, -however, when a party of eight Bulgars appeared from the other side of -the village carrying some rabbits and hares. Discretion was the better -part of valour and Andrew and his batman decided to keep quiet. After -a few exciting minutes and by quietly sneaking around the houses they -were able to evade the enemy shooting party, and spent the rest of the -day quietly enough locating and sketching the enemy forward posts. They -returned to our lines in the evening. - -Life under these conditions was very pleasant and the Battalion -thoroughly enjoyed its stay in this part of the line. The only -interruption beyond the casual shelling of our trenches and camps -was the occasional visit of a flight of enemy aeroplanes which -crossed over and dropped small bombs near our bivouacs. Usually they -passed right over and made targets of the horse lines and dumps in -rear of the Kolonovan Heights, and only when they were driven off -by our anti-aircraft guns did they attempt to expend their efforts -on our small hillside camps. Aerial activity on this front was very -persistent, and practically every day our bombing planes sailed over -and bombed the railways and dumps behind the Bulgar lines. - -Occasionally a fight in the air took place, but the commoner sight was -the repeated attacks of the enemy airmen on our observation balloon -at Kolonova. On one or two occasions it was brought down in flames, -but more often the attacker was driven off by our anti-aircraft guns, -and on one occasion a direct hit by an “Archie” shell brought down the -offending airman. The plane fell in flames near our battalion transport -lines, and curiously when the wreck reached the ground the machine gun -was still spitting out bullets and a few men of a neighbouring regiment -were wounded by them. - -The enemy infantry troubled us very little, and only an occasional -cross fire between patrols made us aware of their presence, and -fortunately they made no endeavours to reach the Battalion front; -although at Bowls Barrow, a few hundred yards on our right, they made -a determined raid on the 1st of April on a British post and inflicted -casualties. - -About the middle of April, however, our artillery became extremely -active, and on the 20th the “Nose” and “P” ridge were heavily -bombarded. This was the opening of an offensive on our part which -was undertaken with a view of capturing the whole of “P” ridge. The -bombardment was continued for three whole days with the intention of -cutting the fields of wire which protected the Bulgar positions and -to destroy his forward entrenchments. On the 23rd of April the volume -of artillery increased considerably and continued until the night of -the 24th, when the 2/20th Battalion of the London Regiment raided -the stronghold of the “Nose.” Under cover of this heavy bombardment -the Blackheath Battalion approached the enemy wire, and although -our artillery had damaged it considerably, it still formed a great -obstacle to the raiders. Heavy machine-gun fire was encountered, and -the front slopes of the “Nose” were heavily barraged by the enemy, -who also used strong search-lights from the crest of the “Nose” which -swept the forward part of the position. Only a few gallant fellows -ever reached the Bulgar trenches and the casualties were very heavy. -For several nights afterwards search parties were out bringing in -wounded. For the actual raid there was little direct success, but it -served its purpose and acted as feint attack which drew a great deal -of the enemy’s artillery fire, and thereby assisted the main attack -which commenced that same night on the “P” ridge. This was successful, -and Pip 4 and Pip 5 were captured after heavy fighting. The Battalion -actually took no part in this general offensive, and fortunately the -enemy’s artillery was so deeply engaged in combating the two serious -attacks on their lines at the “Nose” and on “P” ridge that most of us -were able to look from our trenches and watch the pyrotechnic display -on either side. There can be no doubt that the British suffered heavy -casualties in the minor attacks and counter-attacks which followed this -initial success on the “P” ridge, but any attack on such strongholds as -the “Pips” must of necessity be at great expense. The battle raged for -about four days, but gradually subsided, and on the 27th of April the -Battalion was taken out of the line and marched back to Tetre Verte, -just over the ridge of the Kolonovan Heights, “D” Company remaining -at Mektoub in immediate reserve to the London Scottish, who were -holding the line east of Bekerli. Of all the camps in the Salonican -area Mektoub was undoubtedly the safest, as it lay behind the cover of -the hill, and consisted of tiers of dug-outs built into the very steep -side of the hill. While out of the line the Battalion found fatigues -even harder than in the line, for as far back as Tetre Verte one could -wander about unobserved by the enemy, and, therefore, people who were -seen very little in the front line were now very much in evidence. - -On the eighth of May the line from the village of Krastali to Waggon -Hill was slightly advanced in order to straighten the line which had -been pushed forward by the partial success of the forward movement -on the “P” ridge. Of course, this operation amounted to “peaceful -penetration,” and no attack was necessary. The actual advance was made -by the London Scottish and the Westminsters on that part of the line -north-east of the Bekerli village, and was of course continued towards -Krastali by the division on their right. Only “D” Company from Mektoub -was engaged in this operation, having been brought up in support of the -London Scottish as far as Piton 5, in rear of Middle Hill, and not to -be mistaken for Pip 5 on the “P” ridge. On the 179th Brigade front the -movement was performed without obstruction by the enemy, though further -north-west near the village of Krastali strong opposition was met by -the Division advancing from the Whaleback, and heavy artillery support -had to be given to assist this section of the advance. Unfortunately -one of the supporting batteries was firing from the dip in rear of -Piton 5 and inflicted several casualties on “D” Company owing to their -shells bursting at the muzzle of the guns. Lieutenant Miles and Private -Cutchee were badly wounded, while Lieutenant F. W. Lewis and Lieutenant -Martin received minor wounds and remained on duty. - -The original line ran from Bekerli village north-west along the forward -slopes of Mamelon Vert, Bastion Hill, Piton 6, Hill 275, Scratchbury -Hill, Bowls Barrow, along Whaleback to Horse Shoe Hill, but after -the advance the new line ran through Pitons 1, 2, 3 and 4, Basin -Hill, Single Tree Hill, Tomato Hill over Krastali Nullah forward of -Whaleback, and on the Pip ridge. After the night’s operation on the -8th, “D” Company returned to Mektoub under the cover of a heavy fog, -the rest of the Battalion having remained at Tetre Verte during the -advance. - -The next night, the 9th of May, “D” Company left Mektoub as local -reserve for the Westminsters, who pushed forward on to Goldies Hill, -thus forming a salient in our new line between Basin Hill and Tomato -Hill. The taking of Goldies by the Westminsters was resented by the -Bulgar, who made a strong attack on the position with the assistance -of a heavy artillery preparation. However, the Queen’s Westminsters -held on and drove off the attack after heavy local fighting. On the -10th the Battalion moved from Tetre Verte and took over the new line -from the London Scottish and also Goldies from the Westminsters. - -[Illustration: _Rough Sketch Map shewing the Advance in May 1917 on the -DOIRAN-VARDAR front._] - -The advance was comparatively a bloodless victory as far as the 179th -Brigade was concerned, nevertheless it was of great importance on our -front. From the new line the Selemli-Dautli plain was now under our -direct observation from Pitons 3 and 4, Basin Hill, Goldies, and these -hills therefore became positions from which an attack on the Selemli -Fords could be attempted. Furthermore, it denied the Bulgar of the -freedom of manœuvre over the captured part of “No Man’s Land,” while -facing north from Goldies and Tomato Hill we were in closer touch with -the enemy’s advanced posts near Devedzili on the slopes of White Scar -and Flat Iron Hills. It had been impossible for the British forces to -push forward before as we had only captured Pips 4 and 5 on the “P” -ridge a few days previously. The capture of these two pips enabled our -men to occupy more advanced positions without being under the direct -observation of the Bulgar. The enemy resented very much the aggression -on our part, and constantly shelled the newly-taken hills. - -For the first fortnight of this period in the line the Battalion was -employed in consolidating the new positions, and on the forward slopes -of Tomato Hill, Single Tree Hill and Goldies, trenches were dug and -each night miles of barbed-wire entanglements were erected. All this -work was carried out under the protection of strong fighting patrols -which took up their positions on the ravine in front of Flat Iron Hill. -In daytime the hills were left in charge of a single sentry group and -one signaller, while the remainder of the garrison retired for the day -into the small nullahs on the rear of each hill ready to counter-attack -should a message be received from the sentry group. Throughout the day -the enemy ranged in the new-cut trenches, and with the exception of an -unfortunate shell which wounded Lieutenant Hounsell, our forward groups -had a charmed life. Only a minimum force was left behind the hills -during the day; the remainder of the men returned to the old camps -on Hill 275 and Piton 6. At night time, however, when large working -parties were engaged in consolidating the positions, the enemy’s -artillery became very active and many casualties resulted. - -However, the hill which received the greatest strafe at nights was -Goldies; the occupation of this point annoyed the Bulgar very much. -The hill consisted of three distinct peaks one in front of the other, -and were known as Goldies I, II, and III. Trenches were sited on II -and III, while on Goldies I a strong patrol went out each night. For -the first week of our occupation the hill was constantly shelled, and -no less than ten distinct batteries showered their offerings on our -heads. Fire came from White Scar direction in the north, from Pip -1 and 2 on the right, and from the Ouvrage de Trapeze on the left. -In time we became acquainted with the direction of each battery and -special sentries were posted who shouted “No. 6,” and then all the men -on Goldies II bobbed down to the shelter in the shallow trenches, the -occupants of Goldies III taking no notice; but when the sentry shouted, -“No. 4 battery” it was the men on Goldies III who bobbed down while -No. II men carried on with their work as though nothing had happened. -Throughout the night the hill received a constant bombardment, and in -one hour alone 600 shells fell near Goldies II and III. - -Like the garrisons of the other hills the night garrison on Goldies -retired for the day to the nullah in rear of the hill, leaving a small -sentry group on Goldies II and III. The only approach to the top of -Goldies from our lines was up a small ravine, and the Bulgars were -apparently aware of its existence, the place was shelled both day and -night, and was christened Pip Squeak Alley. At night, large working -parties were sent up from the support battalion of the Brigade and dug -a communication trench up the rear of the hill, and also one connecting -Goldies II and III, but considerable casualties were incurred while the -work was in progress. - -The patrol on Goldies I pushed out scouts at night to the ravine in -front, and one night a patrol, under Lieutenant Lewis, met a strong -force of 20 Bulgars and a short sharp fight ensued. Our losses were -only slight, chiefly wounds from bombs, but several Bulgars were -killed, Lieutenant Lewis gallantly rushing the post and shooting two -of the enemy with his revolver. The next night it was decided to -raid the post with artillery support, but the patrol found that the -Bulgar had fled. A special watch on this ravine was therefore kept, -and Lieutenant Andrew and his batman Joines (“D” Company) spent the -next day hidden in the bushes at the foot of Goldies I. A strong post -of Bulgars came up to the ravine at daylight and settled themselves -comfortably in the ravine, unaware of the watching couple. After a time -a Bulgar N.C.O. wandered away from his comrades and approached the -hiding place of Andrew and his batman, which was only 25 yards from -the enemy. Suddenly the Bulgar’s attention was attracted by a walking -stick on the ground which had been left by Andrew just before dawn when -they took cover in the bushes. The Bulgar picked it up and examined his -souvenir, but before he had taken full details of his find Lieutenant -Andrew and Private Joines rushed at him and captured him. Whether the -other Bulgars near by were struck motionless or whether the N.C.O. -was particularly unpopular it is not known, but in broad daylight and -in full view of the enemy Andrew and his batman chased their prisoner -towards our lines and soon got under the cover of the hill. No attempt -was made to follow them, and the Bulgar N.C.O. was soon on his way to -Brigade Headquarters. It was an amusing adventure, but the brilliant -daring of our two representatives cannot be over-estimated. Surprise -had beaten numbers. - -The Battalion held these new positions until the end of May When the -whole Brigade was taken out of the line and concentrated at Dache near -Kolonova. Rumours floated around that Pip 3 on the “P” ridge was to be -our objective, but on the 5th of June orders were received to march -back as far as Hadji Junas, about 10 miles behind the line. The march -was carried out on the night of the 5th of June, and rain poured down -making the route over the soft marshy ground near Lake Ardzan slippery -and treacherous. The Battalion remained here for three days in hot -weather and had an enjoyable rest. - -On the 8th of June the march was continued south via Janis and Kukus -as far as Sargol. By this time it was apparent that Salonica was to be -our destination, and on the 11th of June we arrived at Uchanter, not -far from Dudular, our first camp in Salonica, having stayed one day at -Nares and another day at Ambarkoy on the route. This trek from the line -was much pleasanter than the trek to the line in the previous March. -Marching was done at night under the silvery rays of a bright moon, -each night’s journey being about 15 miles. The weather was now becoming -hot and marching at night was far more enjoyable than toiling along -under the hot rays of the midday sun; after leaving Hadji Junas the -roads were good, and I think the march was enjoyed by most of us; even -the company mules behaved themselves and gave a minimum of trouble. - -For the rest of the week the Battalion, in company with the remainder -of the 60th Division, spent its time doing what the authorities were -pleased to call “intensive training,” which meant field work from morn -to night. During the night of the 19th of June the Battalion packed up -its home and marched to the docks at Salonica. Great secrecy was made -of the destination, and even the Commanding Officer and his staff who -went down to the ship earlier in the evening were not allowed to return -to the camp in case the news leaked out. On the morning of the 20th of -June the Battalion boarded the _Abbasieh_, and learning that the boat -was one of the Khedival Line, Egypt was soon on every lip. The sea -journey was pleasant, and on the 22nd of June, while at sea, dinners -celebrating the anniversary of our departure from England, twelve -months previously, were held in all parts of the ship. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -ALEXANDRIA, 23RD JUNE, 1917--ISMAILIA--BELAH--DESERT TRAINING--GAMBLI -AND TEL EL FARA--EL SHAULTH--PREPARATIONS FOR THE PALESTINE OFFENSIVE - - -Alexandria was reached on the midnight of the 22nd June, 1917, and -every one was pleased to get rid of the ever-present encumbrance on -board troopships--the life belt, which brought back memories of the -_Transylvania_. What a glorious sunrise we witnessed, the harbour -with its white buildings gave us a feeling that we had at last again -reached civilisation after our sojourn in the wilds of Macedonia. -Disappointment, however, was keen when no leave ashore was granted, and -only a few officers on duty were allowed on the Docks. Lieutenant Lewis -and the writer however, under the pretext of purchasing food for the -officers’ messes, spent a pleasant afternoon in the town and honoured -“Groppi’s Tea Shop” with our presence, only to return to the boat to -find a train alongside with half of the battalion already entrained. -Early in the evening the Battalion started on its journey to Ismailia -on the Suez Canal. Every one enjoyed the scenery of the Nile Delta -while daylight lasted, and the beauty of the Egyptian sunset appealed -to all. Descriptions of Egypt are to be found in many books, and I need -hardly spend any time in this short history to describe it, sufficient -to say that the Battalion thoroughly enjoyed the train journey and the -excitement of being in a strange land made us forget the war. - -Just after midnight the train pulled up at Ismailia and the desert was -struck for the first time. The moon was bright, making night like day, -and under the leadership of camp guides the Battalion marched through -the heavy sand for about a mile or so and were soon allotted their -lines in a huge base camp. Tea, as usual, was soon made and partaken -of. Every one then retired to their tents and soon fell asleep; here -was a land, at last, where blankets were not absolutely essential. -However, dawn is early in these latitudes, and the sun shone down -with considerable fierceness from about 5 a.m. The oppressive heat of -the tents soon woke every one, to say nothing of the heavy hum of the -aeroplanes from the local aerodrome, which flew so low that they missed -the tent tops by a few feet, much to the dismay of the occupants. -Flying cannot be carried out with such security in the heat of the day -in Egypt, owing to the numerous air pockets, and during our stay at -Ismailia reveille each morning was heralded by the heavy drone of these -planes. - -Ismailia, a small town on the Suez Canal, has a considerable French -population, connected with the canal company. The town is very clean, -even in the native quarters, while palm groves and tropical gardens -furnish a relieving contrast to the surrounding desert of yellow sand. -During the war it became the Base of the Australian Imperial Forces and -also contained a large British Ordnance Depot. The main railway line -from Port Said to Suez passed through the town, and on the east lay the -large lakes of Timsah which form part of the Suez Canal. Leave passes -into the town were granted, and this freedom was greatly appreciated by -the men; for since the days of Katerina we had not even been encamped -near a village. Officers were invited as honorary members of the French -Club which provided excellent luncheons and dinners at a reasonable -cost. The place was crowded each evening and jolly times were spent -there. Leave as far as Cairo and Alexandria was granted, and parties -left daily for three days in one of these cities. A certain amount of -training was carried out in the early morning and in the evening. The -men in their pith helmets and “shorts” soon became acclimatised and -accustomed to the terrific heat of the sun. Bathing parades in the -lakes were held daily, and on the whole our stay at Ismailia was most -enjoyable. At the end of July the Battalion moved by road as far as -Kantara. - -It was only a few days after our arrival at Ismailia that the Transport -Section, minus horses, limbers, mules, etc., joined us from Salonica. -They had left on board the _Cestrian_, and while at sea had been -torpedoed and landed on the island of Mudros. - -The following eye-witness story by the Transport Officer, Lieutenant -T. W. Pearson, gives a short description of the sinking of the -_Cestrian_:-- - - “The Battalion and part of the transport personnel sailed for - Egypt a few days before the main body of the transport. The - remainder of the transport received orders to load and embark - on the _Cestrian_, on the 23rd of June, 1917. In addition to - ourselves, with our limbers and animals, the Sherwood Rangers - Yeomanry and a Divisional S.A.A. column sailed on the boat; in - all about 980 men and 960 animals. - - “While we were loading, a German plane came over, but it flew - at such a height that no one took much notice of it, but - afterwards we thought it may have had something to do with the - loss of the _Cestrian_. - - “The Staff Veterinary Officers commented very favourably on the - condition of our animals. - - “We eventually sailed about 9.0 p.m. in the evening, under - glorious conditions; all the men and animals having comfortable - berths. We were escorted by two destroyers, and these sailed - on either side. We were about 12 or 13 hours out of Salonica - early on Sunday morning, the 24th June, having just been - dismissed from boat drill, and all was peaceful and the water - as smooth as a billiard table, when suddenly the boat gave a - terrible lurch; the water around was churned up and shot to a - great height on the starboard side. We had been torpedoed right - amidship and the torpedo had struck the boilers, and soon every - one was drenched with the sooty water which had been forced out - of the funnels, and a funny looking lot we were. - - “Part of the torpedo was forced on the upper deck. It was a - terrible shock to all, as there was no warning whatever, but - no one lost his head, every one went quietly to his respective - boat station, without any panic. One of the life-boats allotted - to us was broken up by the explosion, and, as an example of - the coolness of our men, one of the fellows calmly produced a - pocket camera and took snapshots of the damage. - - “Nobody was allowed to go down below to the animals, though - we could hear them screaming. If the incident had occurred - about half an hour later we should have been below at stables - and probably there would have been many more casualties. - Fortunately, the casualties were confined to the ship’s crew - below. I heard that one had been killed and several seriously - wounded and scalded. - - “Within a few seconds, one of the destroyers was alongside - and commenced transferring the men from the wreck aboard her - by means of ropes and rope ladders, and while this was taking - place she was firing at 1,000 yards range at the periscope - of the Hun, and is believed to have made a hit. The second - destroyer was circling around at full speed to keep the - submarine from reappearing. Many of the men jumped overboard - on the port side, but all were saved by the second escort. The - wireless was soon busy, and in a very short time help came - from all directions. The _Cestrian_ did not sink at once, but - was towed to within a few miles of land when she suddenly went - down with all animals on board. It is thought that she would - have been towed in safely except for the fact that so many - port-holes had been left open. - - “The men were landed at Mudros, which was one of the islands - used as a base depot during the Dardanelles campaign. We were a - queer-looking crowd when we landed; some with nothing on their - feet; others just in shirts and trousers; I don’t think anyone - was fully dressed. The staff on the island were wonderfully - kind, and did all that was possible to make us comfortable. - Within half an hour of landing at Mudros, all were billeted - and were comfortably housed. The A.S.C. officials were very - prominent and had rations out to the men in a very short time. - During our stay here, the Y.M.C.A. deserves great praise, - they got all manner of things for the men free of charge, and - organised concerts. They did so well that I believe many of - the men wrote home to their parents to send a subscription to - the Y.M.C.A. We were on the island for just a week when we - were picked up by a boat from Salonica proceeding with troops - of our own Brigade (London Scottish) for Egypt. We arrived - in Alexandria minus our transport. I regret to say that the - Battalion never had such good animals again all the time in - the Palestine campaign as those which we had lost on the - _Cestrian_. On arrival in Egypt the Battalion had to have the - ‘cast offs’ from the other Battalions in the Division who were - reducing their strength, and, naturally, they handed to us all - their ‘duds,’ and you never saw such ‘clothes racks’ as they - were. How the transport ever kept up with the Battalion on trek - in Palestine I don’t know. As time went on, however, we were - able to make exchanges with the Remount Department and got rid - of some of our worst.” - -To return to the doings of the Battalion in Egypt. Their stay at -Kantara, which had by this time developed into an immense base for -the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, was only for a day, and they were -soon on the train bound for the Palestine Front. This desert railway -across the Sinai Peninsula for over a distance of 150 miles was one of -the finest engineering feats of the war. Early in the war the British -garrison had jealously guarded Egypt by means of outposts along the -Suez Canal, and frequent raids on this defensive line were made by -the Turks. It was, therefore, decided to push the line right out into -the desert, and under the pressure of the Australian Mounted units, -the Desert Mounted Corps and certain Infantry Divisions, the Turk was -forced north, and when the Battalion joined the E.E.F. the firing -line was just south of Gaza and running inland to Sheik Nuran on the -south-east, generally speaking along the line of the Wadi Ghuzze. The -whole of this advance from the Canal to Gaza had been made over the -trackless waste of the Sinai Peninsula desert. In order to provide -rations, stores and ammunition to the advancing troops a railway was -laid by the Royal Engineers, ably assisted by working parties of the -Egyptian Labour Corps of natives. The railway was kept up to the -advancing troops at each step forward, and in order to provide water a -pipe line ran at the side of the railway. Dumps and depots were made -at intervals. At El Arish numerous sidings were built and stores and -water were accumulated, and the small oasis of palm groves became a -busy advanced base. From this point the line was pushed forward through -Rafa, and when the Battalion arrived in Egypt the railhead was at -Belah a few miles south of Gaza; where there were large dumps and also -two extensive stationary hospitals. On arrival at Belah the Battalion -detrained and marched through loose sand, ankle deep, and great was -the relief when it pitched its bivouac near the seashore; the pleasure -of sea bathing was shortlived, for in a few days, on the 29th July, -1917, the Battalion marched inland to join the Desert Corps. It was -here at Belah that a new method of transport was introduced in the -shape of the Camel Transport Corps. That fascinating quadruped, the -camel, was substituted for the mule, although a few mule-drawn vehicles -still remained for general purposes. At Belah there were extensive -camel lines; each camel company, which consisted of 600 camels, having -its own area. Ropes were staked across the width of these lines at -regular intervals and to these ropes the camels were tethered a few -yards apart. Each pair of camels had an Egyptian attendant, who was -dressed in a long butcher-blue smock with the letters C.T.C. in red on -the chest. These natives took great pride in their lines and kept them -particularly clean, while the saddles were neatly arranged just in rear -of the camels. - -The saddle fitted over the hump of the camel, and at each side near the -top of the saddle were fixed two stout bars of wood, about ten inches -longer than the saddles, on to which the loads were hooked in rope -nets. Water was carried in “fanatis” or copper tanks, which rested on -the sides of the saddle. A certain number of men were detailed as camel -guides from each company and section in the Battalion. - -On leaving Belah, on the evening of the 29th July, the Battalion struck -inland in a south-easterly direction along rough-made tracks, but the -sand was loose and made the going very heavy. Although it was evening -time the heat was terrific, and soon the perspiration was rolling down -every one’s face and the dust raised by the column soon formed into -mud on the face and hands. Every one was choked with dust and eyes -and nostrils became extremely painful. No one felt like singing, and -even talking was rewarded with a mouthful of sand, one and all just -blindly followed on through the cloud of dust raised by the four in -front, which could only just be discerned. Water was limited, and it -was practically forbidden to drink it; only a mouth wash or gargle -could be indulged in. After struggling for about nine or ten miles -in this unpleasant fashion the whole column was relieved to move off -the tracks and settle down for a rest. With no movement the dust -clouds disappeared, and in the wondrous beauty of the moonlight of -a warm Egyptian night bivouacs were soon erected, but water was too -scarce to make tea, and doubts arose as to when the next issue would -arrive. Nevertheless, tiredness overcame the Battalion, and it was -soon asleep. The next morning the sun poured down, but the arrival of -the water camels cheered us and the routine of desert life, which was -to be our existence for some time to come, had begun. After a day’s -rest, which included the kicking about of a football by some of the -more energetic, the Battalion moved off again in the evening, about 4 -p.m., and plodded its weary way past Sheik Nuran to Gambli on the Wadi -Ghuzze. This was a repetition of the previous night’s march in every -detail, except that the ending was not a simple right wheel on to the -level desert, but as a special treat a descent of the steep cliffs -of the wadi banks had to be negotiated. This descent was difficult -with such appendages as company mules, camels and transport, and was -followed by a mile over the stony bed of the wadi. About midnight the -Battalion halted and settled for the night under the steep banks of the -wadi. The next day the companies went out to take over the line on the -Gambli defences. Reliefs were carried out by day and companies simply -marched over the desert in mass, a most amusing performance after the -communication trenches in France and the careful night reliefs on the -Salonica Front. At this point of the line the Turks were at least -20 miles away, and, therefore, precautions from shelling were not -necessary. This, indeed, was a pleasant part to hold and keep. Strong -points well wired around were held, these being about 150 yards apart. -The right flank of our line curled back so that it actually faced away -from the Turk. The front was protected by night by cavalry patrols -of Australian Light Horse, while to the east the Desert Camel Corps -was operating as a mobile flank guard. Bivouacs were arranged in the -small wadis or fissures in the ground and, of course, movement was not -restricted. To those who were not privileged to see this part of the -war it would be humorous to think of the sentry by day standing in the -trench shewing well above the parapet under the protection of a huge -umbrella-like shade which could be seen for miles around. Although the -war in this theatre lacked shot and shell it had other horrors in the -shape of oppressive heat, limited supplies of water, sandstorms, and -numerous flies. In addition to the ever-present insect life associated -with active service and the trenches, there were centipedes, scorpions, -tarantula spiders and small snakes, which invaded our blankets. -Chameleons were also plentiful and were kept as pets, though we never -committed the atrocity attributed to a man in a Scottish Division on -the Palestine Front who placed a pet chameleon on his tartan kilt and -wondered why the poor little beggar suddenly died. - -An average day in these parts was as follows: Early morning company -drill in front of the wire, breakfast, and then utter collapse and -seeking of shade until about 4 p.m. The only joy of the hot day was -the arrival of the camels with water, and even this water was strongly -chlorinated. Water was drawn from the Wadi Ghuzze where, by digging -down for a few feet, pools of water were frequently found. During the -day every one lay down and put pieces of muslin over their faces, -hands and exposed knee caps, so that the flies should not be too -irritating. Each afternoon a hot wind, called the “Khamsin,” blew -regularly and brought with it a sandstorm. Drifting sand found its way -into every nook and cranny; the food was soon covered and things were -generally unpleasant while the storm lasted. It was during one of these -afternoons that a private remarked: “They call this a land of milk -and honey, eh! One tin between 20 men and not a b----bee to be seen.” -However, about 4 p.m. each day the atmosphere cooled a little; letter -writing (not to forget the inevitable censoring), card playing and -dinner were the next items on the programme, only to be marred by the -company drill and exercises that followed. - -At night-time sentry groups were posted by each platoon in its -own strong point, and visiting patrols wandered between the posts -throughout the night. It was a short night and no aerial torpedoes or -other types of frightfulness disturbed the tour of duty. Each evening -about 5 p.m. large bodies of Australian Cavalry went out to the front, -sometimes accompanied by Armoured Cars, and took up an outpost line -some five or six miles ahead of the defensive line. But even with this -cavalry screen it was possible for a strong raiding party of Turks to -attack one of our posts. In fact, only a short time before our arrival, -our predecessors had been surprised one morning by a heavy bombardment -with field guns, which some adventurous Turks had brought up under -cover of darkness. - -The Battalion, however, remained in undisputed possession of this part -of the line until the 12th August, when it was relieved by the 2/13th -Londons (Kensingtons) and retired to Tel el Fara, renowned as being a -camping ground of Richard Cœur-de-Lion and his Crusaders. Tel el Fara -was a high cliff jutting out into the Wadi Ghuzze and could be seen for -many miles around and was used as an observation post. It was the local -landmark for all who were lost on the desert. It is an easy matter -to be lost on the desert, as each square mile is identical with its -neighbours, and only a feature like Tel el Fara helped the wanderer. - -The rest of the month was spent in training and lectures, when the heat -permitted, and was only varied by an occasional route march in the -early morning, not a pleasant outing. The tracks were not watered by -the local borough council and chewing grit was the only occupation of -the silent troops; talking and singing was impossible, and this denial -always added to the monotony of the march. Practice attacks were also -carried out against imaginary enemies. - -By the beginning of September the Battalion had moved to El Shaulth, -near Sheik Nuran, and remained there to prepare for the offensive which -was to be made in Palestine. The men had become accustomed to the -heat and no longer was it necessary to reserve parades until evening -time. All day and every day training was carried out with vigour, -until Brigade operations in the way of advanced guards, attacks and -long night marches became frequent. A rifle range was built and field -firing was done. It may be interesting to mention that some of our -tactical schemes were carried out some six or seven miles in front -of the wire of the defences. On one occasion the Brigade set out on -a long night march by the assistance of many luminous compasses and -numerous pacers, the objective being a lone tree standing in the open -desert some ten miles away from our camps. The march was made and by -all the careful calculations we arrived at our destination about two -hours before dawn. A halt was called, but no trace of the lone tree -could be found, and after an energetic search by mounted officers and -a consequent “pow-wow” the verdict, “Lost,” was given, and there was -nothing to do but to wait till dawn. When the sun rose it transpired -that we were in the correct spot, but during the night some Australian -Troop, which had run short of wood, had cut down the tree which had -stood alone in the desert on the previous day, and to all appearances -had stood since the days of the Flood, only to be felled by the hand -of a “Dinkum.” The opinion of the Brigade staff who had arranged this -pleasant little outing is not recorded, but it is thought was not -complimentary to our friends from the Antipodes. - -Plans for the great attack were being drawn up about this time, and -officers made reconnaissances towards the Turkish lines. These outings -were no small undertakings. A party of officers and grooms would leave -El Shaulth about 5 a.m. in the morning and ride over the desert to the -more rugged and undulating country to the south of Beersheba, and then -spend some hours in the heat of the day in scouting over the hills on -foot to become acquainted with the ground, and at the same time doing -their best to evade the Turkish patrols which frequented the hills. -The party would then rendezvous at a given time in the early evening -and start on the homeward journey. A halt would be called about ten -miles from the Turkish lines, at which point it was considered safe to -disregard the Turk. Here, under the glorious moonlight, a picnic would -be held and the adventures of the day would be recounted, and after a -smoke the journey would be resumed, camp being reached by about 2 a.m. -the next morning. From the Turkish lines to the Wadi Ghuzze landmarks -were definite enough, but on the other side of the wadi there was -nothing but sand for miles. Everyone knew the most direct route to -the camp, and, of course, this was the beginning of an argument which -often ended in parties of officers going off in different directions. -At different times during the night these parties struck the camp; some -had taken the direct route, some had been misled by lights in other -camps; others found that some camp which had existed when they went -out had moved during the day, and so on. However, on return to camp -there was always a hot meal ready, prepared by our faithful batmen, -who waited up for us. A word here perhaps would not be out of place in -praise of the batmen of the Battalion. Veritable “scroungers,” they -always thought of their officers, and nothing was too hot or too heavy, -not even the Company Commander’s valise. At the end of each day’s trek -or manœuvre they forgot their own fatigue and prepared meals for the -mess, the variety of which was confined to the army rations and the -ever-present issue of sand. - -The only excitement of the war at El Shaulth was the daily visit of two -enemy aeroplanes to our camps and a few days’ operations at Hiseia, -on the Wadi Ghuzze, where we tackled the banks of the wadi instead of -trenches dug in the flat sand, and where we had already exhausted the -possibility of taking cover on such ground during the attack. - -Besides the shortage of water, fuel was also very limited, and Egypt -was practically denuded of trees to provide fuel for the E.E.F. One -Company cook, however, had different views as to the origin of his -firewood, and after vainly endeavouring to chop a hard piece of olive -wood which had been issued to him, paused, and with much emphasis -consigned the trunk to a far hotter fire than his own, remarking what -he required was “wood and not Adam’s petrified doorposts.” - -So far I have only spoken on the warlike side of our stay at El -Shaulth, but among the pleasanter things of life was the leave to Cairo -or Alexandria which had been granted. With what joy those few miles -over the desert to Sheik Nuran were traversed, followed by a scramble -for the leave train and then a long train journey on the Desert Railway -to Kantara, which took about twelve hours. At Kantara a rush was made -for the Divisional Rest Camp, a wash and shave and breakfast and a dash -for the first available train on the Egyptian State Railways and then -a comfortable journey to Cairo or Alexandria. I need hardly describe -either of these cities, for as holiday resorts they hold a world-wide -reputation. The return to the line about nine days later was never so -pleasant. The heat became oppressive again, the meal at the rest camp -at Kantara was adversely criticised, and the desert train journey was -monotonous in the extreme. However, on rejoining the Battalion, tales -of the Continental, Shepheards, the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Barrage -and so forth were told, while the fellows from Alexandria talked of -nothing but the Majestic, the Regina Palace, the Races, Bathing, and -Groppi’s. - -By the middle of October the serious side of the campaign in Palestine -had commenced, and most people had had their leave in Egypt. Leave was -stopped and football and sports in the evenings, and an occasional -Divisional concert party were our only entertainments. The post was -regular and parcels were received, although occasionally a foot-note -in Battalion orders to the effect that the mails from the United -Kingdom on certain dates had been lost at sea through enemy action -made us depressed. Canteen stores were plentiful, as we were near the -railhead at Sheik Nuran, but they soon became less in quantity as -the ration trains were then being employed for war material for the -coming advance. Towards the end of October the attack on Beersheba -was a popular topic, and the hard training was not to be in vain. The -Battalion was fit and strong, although malaria and fever had claimed -their victims, and a fair number were sent down to Base Hospitals. -However, the Battalion was ready and willing to show the Turks the way -to the north. - -While at El Shaulth several changes took place in the higher command. -Major-General J. S. Shea, C.M.G., had taken over the Division from -Major-General E. S. Bulfin, C.B., who had been promoted to the command -of the 20th Corps, while Lieut.-Colonel C. de Putron left us to go -to the School of Instruction at Zeitoun, near Cairo, his place being -filled by Lieut.-Colonel T. E. Bisdee (Duke of Cornwall’s L.I.). -Colonel Bisdee was intensely popular with all ranks from the first day -of joining the Battalion, and in the short time he commanded us before -Beersheba he worked wonders. The Company Commanders at this time were -Captains C. H. Rimington, F. W. Lewis, K. A. Wills, and A. C. H. Benké. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -BEERSHEBA, 1917 (21ST OF OCTOBER TO 4TH OF NOVEMBER)--WADI WELFARE - - -The left flank of the Turkish line, which ran south-eastward from Gaza, -formed a stronghold around the south-eastern outskirts of Beersheba. -In the main scheme of the advance in Palestine the 60th Division was -detailed to attack and take those trenches covering the Khalasa Road -which ran from Beersheba on the south-west of the town. On the right -of the Division were the 21st Corps cavalry regiment (½nd County of -London Yeomanry) and they were ordered to make an enveloping movement -simultaneously with the main attack on the Beersheba defences. From -the desert line held by the Battalion near the Wadi Ghuzze at Gambli a -long approach march was necessary. On the 21st of October, 1917, the -Battalion moved from the Wadi Ghuzze, near Gambli, where the 179th -Brigade had been concentrated. The march was not a difficult one, as -the track lay over country of a more solid surface than the desert we -had just left, but some sympathy must be given to “D” Company of the -Battalion, who had marched some additional eight miles at midday across -the desert from Divisional Head Quarters at Shellal, where they had -represented the Battalion at a Divisional Church Parade in the morning -and had been on parade since the early hours of dawn. - -In the cool of the evening the column started out full of glee, knowing -that at last a march was to be undertaken without that horrible feeling -that the further one went from camp the further one would have to -retrace one’s steps. The weather was fine and the journey was along -the high ground overlooking the Wadi Shanag, a continuation of the -Wadi Ghuzze, past the peak of Goz Mabrouk and across the Shanag at Bir -Esani to the high ground that lay between the fork of the function of -the Wadis Imalaga and Esani, just south of Rashid Bek. About midnight -the column halted, and the Battalion took up an outpost line reaching -from Rashid Bek, a desolate, empty eastern house standing some 690 -feet above sea-level, to the north bank of the Wadi Imalaga. The -remainder of the Brigade extended the line to the north as far as the -Karm-Beersheba Road. The line was taken up on the 22nd of October, and -the Battalion remained here until the 28th of October. During the week -forward reconnaissance work was done, and, under cover of the outpost, -stores and guns were brought up by means of tractors, while large -columns of camels and small white donkeys brought up ammunition, etc. A -large dump of foodstuffs and stores was formed near the Khalasa-Esani -road, and it was amusing to think that this dump was some few hundred -yards in advance of the outpost line, although in front of the dump -there was a cavalry screen of Australian mounted troops. Even if the -Turk had attacked in force the outpost line would have proved a strong -defence, though perhaps the dump and its camel lines would have been -sacrificed. Strict orders were given to the officers in the line that -no one was allowed through the line without strict scrutiny, as small -bodies of nomadic Arabs acting as spies were always wandering about -this neighbourhood. One evening a horseman approached one of our posts -and was promptly halted. He was challenged. He argued in his Australian -twang that he was friendly, but the officer was adamant and ordered him -to advance for further investigation, to which he replied, “Do I look -like a ---- spy with these 400 ---- camels?” and lo! from the darkness -in front loomed a silent column of camels which had lost their way when -returning from the dump and had not used the recognised gap in the line -further to our right flank. - -During this week every one wrote letters as it was a doubtful thing -when the post would next be sent, once the advance had commenced. Every -one rested and no movement by day was encouraged. Such relaxation came -as a welcome change after the weeks of hard gruelling, and, to quote -the words of our Commander-in-Chief, Field-Marshal Sir Edmund Allenby, -on the occasion of his admission to the Freedom of the City of London, -when he referred to the 60th Division:-- - -“Before it attacked Beersheba it was exercising so hard to keep fit -that the G.O.C. ordered his men to eat and drink more and not work so -hard.” - -Not only for purposes of rest, however, was this stay made at Bir -Esani. We had left our old line with its water supply many miles away, -and it was necessary for the R.E.’s to develop and exploit wells that -existed at Abu Ghalyun under the cover of the mounted patrols out to -our front. - -Our own part of the line was held by “C” and “D” Companies, with “A” -and “B” in support. Fortunately the Turk did not trouble us, although -a short distance further north a skirmish took place between the 74th -Division and the Turk near the Karm-Beersheba road. The enemy was -driven off with loss and gave no further trouble. On Sunday evening, -the 28th of October, the march was resumed as far as Abu Ghalyun, -which lay some seven or eight miles south-west of the Beersheba -defences. The march was only a matter of a few miles and was along -the level though stony bed of the Wadi Imalaga. The Battalion halted -but bivouacs were not erected, and the very minimum of movement was -made. It was a glorious day, and final preparations for the attack -were made; aeroplane maps were studied and final orders were issued. -The Commanding Officer told the Company Commanders, and through the -usual channels the real facts of the case were put before the private -soldier. Arrangements for transport and water were made, but the great -event was the issue of a small bottle of tea and rum to each man. -Rum was not a regular issue in this hot climate, but by this time -(October) the nights were becoming colder and the light kit worn by -the men required something more than keenness to get at the Turk to -cheer the dawn, hence the rum and tea. No sign of the enemy was seen -this day except two Turkish aeroplanes flying at a great height over -the concentration of troops from Karm to Abu Ghalyun, but British air -scouts were soon after them and by great skill drove them down. Later, -when the plates in their cameras were developed at Cairo, a complete -set of photographs showing the concentration of troops was obtained. -Had these planes succeeded in reaching their lines our reception at -Beersheba might have been even warmer. - -On the evening of the 30th, before leaving Abu Ghalyun, the Commanding -Officer, Lieut.-Colonel Bisdee addressed the Battalion and in a few -words told us what he expected of us. The result was never in doubt, -and the regiment rose as one man and cheered him. It is safe to say -that at no time previously was the morale of the Battalion so high, -and the morrow augured badly for “Jacko,” as the Turk was called. It -was our first time “over the top,” as a Battalion, and every man from -the Colonel down to the latest-joined private determined to prove that -the 2nd Battalion of the Civil Service Rifles was worthy in every way -to uphold the traditions of the Regiment, which had been so gloriously -upheld in France by the 1st Battalion. The 60th Division had had a -great deal of hard work and a rough time with no prospect of glory, but -that night it was to start a career of much glory equal to that of any -Division in the War. - -The first stage of the march towards Beersheba that night was as far as -Wadi Mirtaba, where the R.E.’s had developed an efficient water supply -a little more than two miles from the Turkish positions. Here the whole -of the wheel transport was parked under the cover of the steep banks -of the wadi, and the infantry shed their packs and resumed the march -in fighting kit. From this point we were only accompanied by camels -carrying ammunition and medical and signal stores. A section of the -Machine Gun Corps was attached to the Battalion here, for the actual -attack. - -From this point the Khalasa Road ran direct to Beersheba and formed a -splendid guiding line through the wadis and hills on either side. From -aeroplane maps sketches of the wadis had been reproduced, and each wadi -had been allotted a familiar name; the local Arabic names were far too -difficult to memorise. Such names as Service, Scottish, Kensington, -Westminster, St. Pancras and Blackheath were given; while each -Battalion had named the wadis in their own particular sector by popular -names; some of our nicknames were Strand, Dorking, Watford, Walden and -Ware Wadis. - -About 3,000 yards from the Wadi Mirtaba the Khalasa Road was joined by -the Wadi Halgon, and from this point right up to the Turkish trenches -they intertwined so much that one could hardly tell whether one was -walking on the road or in the wadi; from this fact the quality of the -“road” can be best judged. - -At night-time the Turks sent out patrols to the hills in advance of -the trenches, and from these patrols resistance soon came in the shape -of rifle fire, and after sharp skirmishes they were driven back to -their lines. The only casualty on our side was a camel belonging to -“C” Company. Later machine-gun fire down the road became heavy and the -Companies soon got off the road into their prearranged wadis, where -protection was good. It might be mentioned here that the wadis in this -part were not deep ravines some sixty feet deep, like the Wadis Ghuzze, -Imalaga and Mirtaba, which we had passed, but were simply small valleys -between the hills, where a dried water-course was termed a “wadi” after -the larger variety further south. - -The advanced guard was carried out by “D” Company, with orders to reach -Poplar Wadi, about 500 yards from the enemy trenches, and to form a -defensive line on the ridges on the further side of the Wadi; this was -carried out without loss, and strong forward positions were taken up -in advance of Poplar Wadi on both sides of the Khalasa Road. Patrols -went forward nearly to the enemy lines and were able to ascertain -that there were no wire entanglements in front of the enemy position. -This information was invaluable to the artillery, as many rounds of -ammunition were saved, instead of bombarding imaginary wire. From -aeroplane map photographs, definite lines of white spots could be -detected in front of the line of trenches, but that night it was proved -that they were merely white stones cunningly arranged by the Turk. -Throughout the night Turkish machine-gun fire was intermittent and -spattered the whole front with bullets. When dawn broke, any advance -up the Wadi Halgon was impossible, as it was raked by the fire of -two machine guns. Runners kept clear of the road and made their way -to the forward companies by rushing over each ridge into the wadi in -front. One runner, however, unaware of the dangers of the Wadi Halgon, -calmly strolled along in the early morning and of course, drew violent -fire both from machine guns and rifles on to his tracks, and after a -certain amount of dancing about he fell down. Every one thought he -had been hit, but Captain Wills, regardless of his personal safety, -dashed from the cover of the Wadi and ran out to the man. This again -was the cause of a further hail of bullets, and Wills fell down near -the man. Thinking that both of them were dead the Turks ceased fire, -but a moment or two later Captain Wills got up and made a successful -dash for safety in the wadi, and although the Turks reopened their -fire they did not hit Wills, who was no worse for his adventures. The -man, inspired by Wills, got up a few minutes later, and also made a -dash for our wadi, through a hail of bullets. Now comes the amusing -side of the incident. The breathless runner handed us a note, and when -it was opened the following words were exposed: “What time shall the -platoon drink its rum and tea? ----, Lieutenant, Officer Commanding ----- Platoon, ‘C’ Company.” Needless to say no reply was sent to this -request. - -[Illustration: _ROUGH SKETCH MAP “BEERSHABA-HUJ” OPERATIONS. -OCTOBER-NOVEMBER --(1917)--_] - -So much for the events of the night and early morning in the Wadi -Halgon. - -In the general scheme it was arranged that the 181st Brigade on the -left of the 179th Brigade, should attack and capture the strongly -fortified hill known as “Hill 1,070,” which towered up in advance of -the general line of the Beersheba defences. Not until this hill was -captured was the main attack to be made. - -As soon after dawn as light permitted, the operation of wire-cutting on -the enemy’s advanced works on Hill 1,070 was commenced by the Artillery -and was continued, with short checks owing to dust clouds, until 8.30 -a.m., when the 181st Brigade moved to the attack, which was undertaken -by the 2/22nd and 2/24th Battalions, London Regiment, under cover of an -intense barrage and overhead machine-gun fire. - -At 8.42 a.m. the positions were entered and captured, the Artillery -lifting on to the reverse slopes. - -During this phase the 179th Brigade, led by the 2/14th and 2/15th -Battalions were gradually moving forward for the attack on the main -positions in conjunction with the 181st Brigade. At 10 a.m. the latter -had reorganised and were reported ready for the next phase, which was -preceded by wire-cutting on the part of the Artillery. This having been -completed by 11 a.m., orders were received from the 20th Corps for the -assault to take place in conjunction with the 74th Division on the left -at 12.15 p.m. By 12.45 p.m. the whole of the enemy main positions were -in our hands, and our left artillery group were left free to assist the -attack of the 74th Division, who were slightly checked on our left. - -While the operations against Hill 1,070 were proceeding the Battalion -formed up under cover for their attack; and orders had been previously -issued to “D” Company in the advanced positions that should the Turk -leave his trenches on our direct front, as the result of the attack on -Hill 1,070, he was to be pursued with fire. Odd men had been seen to -retire, and the message came through that the Turks were retiring, and -“D” Company lined their ridge and poured fire into the enemy trenches. -However, the message of the Turks’ retirement which came from a rear -observation post was not quite correct, and was far too sanguine. The -retirement was not so wholesale as had been anticipated, and the Turk -returned strong retaliatory fire. “D” Company stuck to their positions, -and although suffering heavy casualties, continued to fire at the Turks -in the trenches. While this battle of cross fire was proceeding, orders -for the general advance were given, and, under the covering fire of -the advanced company, the attacking Companies “B” and “C,” with “A” -Company in immediate support, rushed the enemy’s line. In spite of -heavy opposition no one hesitated, and the attackers assaulted and -captured the trenches, killing the occupants and pursuing with fire -those who had retired. The Turks fired until the very last moment, and -when our fellows were within bayoneting distance held up their hands -and cried “Kamerad” or “Arab.” They were poorly clad, and apparently -the sprinkling of German N.C.O.’s had kept up their morale until the -sight of our bayonets. By 12.45 p.m. the position was in our hands, and -a line some 800 yards beyond the trenches was immediately consolidated. -Patrols pushed forward, but little was seen of the Turk; only small -groups could be seen in the distance running away as fast as their legs -could take them. - -In clearing the trenches to our right flank, Private E. J. Cook, “C” -Company, the last unwounded member of his Lewis gun team, greatly -distinguished himself. Crawling out of the trench he engaged a -German-manned machine gun point-blank, and although the Lewis gun was -hit and he was twice severely wounded, he continued to serve his gun -until the enemy gun was knocked out, whereupon it was promptly captured -by a bombing party. - -The cavalry who had worked around the flank from the east of Beersheba -occupied the town that evening, and the Reserve Battalions of the 60th -Division were sent forward to cover our front. - -The conclusion of the day’s planned operations was marked by the -concentration of the attacking Brigades in the captured positions, -with outposts pushed out on the high ground overlooking Beersheba. -The 2/13th (Kensingtons) which had been detailed for this duty in our -Brigade succeeded in capturing two 77mm. guns which had been causing us -casualties earlier in the day. - -To return to the actual attack by the Civil Service Rifles, the whole -operation had been a great success, and in spite of considerable -casualties the losses could not be considered too heavy. “D” Company, -the advanced Company, had suffered most while giving support to the -attacking Companies. “C” Company had the next highest total, as it -was their misfortune to advance over the machine-gun swept valley of -the Wadi Halgon. The casualties in “B” Company were much lighter, as -they were able to use the cover of the small branch nullahs in their -advance. “A” Company had very few casualties, but this does not reflect -that they did not do their share; it was their fortune. The whole -Battalion had at last been able to display its fighting qualities in a -real attack. The Battalion’s captures included three officers and over -50 men, while more than sixty dead Turks were buried by us afterwards -in their old trenches. - -An amusing incident of the final scene of the attack was when the -stentorian voice of one of the sergeants of “C” Company was heard -during the lull in the rifle fire, shouting, “All officers and -sergeants”--an order which had palled on our ears at the close of the -numerous practice attacks during our training on the desert. - -The evening was quiet enough and the Battalion was not worried by -Turkish artillery fire, and it was only an hour after the success of -the attack was known, when the Battalion transport under Lieutenant -Pearson and the water camels under Lieutenant Gearing arrived from -their hiding-place in the Wadi Mirtaba, where we had left them the -previous evening. Souvenir-hunting in the Turkish lines was our evening -pastime; but not until search parties had found and collected all the -killed and wounded and every man was accounted for. - -The night was cold, but men availed themselves of the protection of -the trenches, and some of the more fortunate succeeded in obtaining -captured tents and bivouac sheets; but these were unpleasant dwellings -and smelt horribly. With the dead Turks lying around, the whole place -was no health resort. The Turk was a filthy fellow, as his trenches -showed, and the whole area was infested with flies. The next day the -dead Turks were collected and buried in their trenches. The British -guns had fired with great accuracy into the trenches, and in one -instance had knocked out a machine gun and its team of eight men. - -On the 1st of November the infantry were employed in clearing the -battlefield while the 519 Field Company, R.E., entered the town of -Beersheba soon after dawn for the purpose of water development. - -The captures by the 60th Division included two 77 mm. guns, many -machine guns, 15 officers and 193 other ranks unwounded, and 5 officers -and 85 other ranks wounded. - -On the morning of the 3rd of November the Battalion moved to the valley -on the south-eastern outskirts of the town. The whole valley was -crowded with British troops and transport. Beersheba as a town appeared -to be of little value, but its importance as a stronghold on the flank -of the Turkish line was considerable. Water was obtained from the wells -which had been quickly repaired by the R.E.; the Turk having blown up -the winding gear before he left. In the town, prisoner of war compounds -were established, while a still larger compound for the natives and -Arabs of the surrounding district was made in the valley outside the -town. - -The soil of the valley where there is some moisture is exceedingly -rich and is rudely cultivated by the natives, and in the tracks around -Beersheba the Bedouin find ample pasturage for their flocks and herds -which in the evening assemble around the wells as they did 3,000 years -ago. The desert of Beersheba is very beautiful in spring and early -summer when the surface is carpeted with herbage and flowers; but later -in the year it is parched and desolate in the extreme, not a tree -breaking the monotony of the landscape or the rays of the sun. It was -in the latter state when we arrived. - -On the evening of the 3rd of November the Battalion moved again to -Bargut, some two miles or more north of the town of Beersheba, but -were not privileged to pass through the town; passing it on its -western outskirts. At Bargut a bivouac camp was erected, and the -Quartermaster’s Stores and transport sections moved with us. Officers -were allowed the benefit of their valises which had been reduced to 25 -lb. in weight, and blankets were issued to the men. - -Meals were soon prepared, and a day of complete rest away from the -filth of the Turkish trenches was thoroughly enjoyed by all. - -At this time it had become apparent to the Higher Command that the -enemy had been able to anticipate our threat of enveloping his left -flank, by a concentration of his reserves on the high ground in the -neighbourhood of Khuweilfeh. The Corps Commander therefore decided -to throw our whole weight upon the centre of the Turkish defences -represented by the Kauwukah system and a series of works extending some -5,000 yards to the east, and at the same time occupying the enemy’s -left flank by the employment of the 53rd Division and mounted troops at -Khuweilfeh. - -Accordingly the 60th Division moved over in the direction of Kauwukah -on the 4th of November, the Battalion moving to Wadi Welfare, a -distance of 7 or 8 miles as the crow flies. This was a most trying -march over sandy desert and the sand was not of that “golden” type -which one associates with the east when reading books, but was of a -dirty black variety, and our memories went back to that first dusty -march from Belah to Abu Sitta some months previously. Every one was -covered with black dust, and eyes and nostrils became unbearable. Water -was limited and the day’s supply had not been received before starting. -The water camels had returned to Beersheba, but here the supply was -insufficient, and they were re-directed to Abu Irgeig, which was about -7 miles in the direction of Gaza, and in quite a different direction to -that taken by the Brigade. - -The ground over which we travelled was extremely hilly, and the -Battalion constantly descended into deep wadis and ascended over the -steep ridges for practically the whole of the last four miles. It was -getting dark, and the difficulties were tremendous, and credit is -due to those responsible that the various battalions of the Division -ever found their allotted areas, most of which were in the beds of -deep wadis. The Battalion halted about 10.0 p.m., and an outpost line -covering the Divisional front was taken up by the 181st Brigade. No -water, however, was obtainable. All we knew was that the camels had -gone back as far as Beersheba, and knowing the difficulties of the -march that we had encountered, the possibility of the camels arriving -that night appeared remote. However, shortly after midnight a small -voice was heard on the surrounding heights, “Who is down there?” -“2/15th,” we shouted. “Thank God,” uttered the small voice, “How the -devil do you get down there?” No one could say how we had got down into -this basin-like dip, in the darkness it appeared to be surrounded by -steep cliffs. The small voice was heard no more, but an hour afterwards -the swishing of the water in the “Fanatis” was heard approaching along -a branch wadi, and Lieutenant Gearing appeared, followed by his convoy -of water camels and their weary leaders. How this officer performed -the journey that night from Bargut to Beersheba and thence to Abu -Irgeig--where water was drawn--and eventually across the wilderness -to the Battalion, which was concealed in one of the many holes in the -ground, is beyond imagination. The water camels, with their officer and -his Company guides had dragged over a distance of at least 15 miles -in the dark. Even Gearing himself cannot explain; in fact, he never -attempted, and “Sparrow,” as our tiny water officer was called, simply -grinned and felt pleased. There were heroes in the battle of Beersheba, -but no one was so deservedly popular as Gearing that night. He had done -great things through sheer grit, where thousands would have failed (and -not without reason). Great was the relief on the arrival of the water -camels, and then our minds turned to the transport and Quartermaster’s -stores with its precious rations which had not yet arrived. However, -ere long the voice of Lieutenant Pearson (not a small one this time) -was heard, and we knew that the “gods” were with us. The route taken -by the Battalion had been impossible for wheeled transport, and it -had been diverted some four miles back on to a different track. Even -this second route was extremely difficult, but the transport section -“stuck to their guns,” and after a somewhat lengthy and tedious journey -had struck the Battalion. It was simply a matter of “striking,” too. -Maps were indistinct, and in the darkness every wadi is a replica of -its neighbour; signposts were badly needed in these parts. However, -daylight came, and this put a better complexion on the state of affairs. - -Officers were called to Headquarters and given details of our next -attack which was to be against the centre of the Turkish line in -Palestine, at a place called Kauwukah. The rest of the day was spent -in reconnaissance of the ground. Landmarks were few, but all hoped for -the best, and compass bearings were taken. Final preparations were -made in the evening and rations were issued. Water again presented a -difficulty, as the wells at Abu Irgeig had run dry, but it was hoped -that the R.E. would open up a new source during the night. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV - -KAUWUKAH AND RUSHDI -SYSTEMS--ATTACK--SHERIA--MUNTARET--HUJ--NEJILEH--AND TO GAZA VIA SHERIA - - -The position to be attacked was on the high ground at Khirbit Kauwukah, -just north of the Beersheeba-Gaza Railway and south of Sheria. This -was an extensive stretch of trenches about four miles long, which -faced south-west from near Samarra Bridge to Abu Heirira on the Wadi -Sheria. The left of this trench system was swung round forming a strong -defensive flank facing south-east, and it was against this flank that -the 60th Division was to make its attack. In front of our objectives -stretched an open plain for over a mile and, of course, formed an -excellent field of fire for the defenders. - -The general plan of attack consisted of an enfilade assault from the -east to be started by the 74th Division on our right attacking and -rolling up the enemy’s works east of the actual Kauwukah System, -followed by our own Division which was to operate against the main -defences with one Brigade of the 10th Division on our left; each -Division being echeloned back from the right. - -Careful arrangements were necessary with regard to the timing of the -advance of each Division in order to safeguard the possibility of -the troops of the 60th and 10th Divisions being enfiladed from the -enemy’s works to be attacked by the 74th Division before the latter had -accounted for them. - -By the flanking attack it was hoped that the 10th Division on our left -would reach the Abu Heirira Redoubt, a strongly-fortified mound on the -edge of the Wadi Sheria. In the 179th Brigade the Westminsters and -Kensingtons were to form the attacking Battalions and the Civil Service -were to be in support; the Brigade Reserve being the London Scottish. -A second Brigade of the Division, the 180th Brigade with the London -Irish (21/8th) and the St. Pancras (2/19th) Battalions as attacking -Battalions were to push forward on our right. The 181st Brigade, of -Hill 1,070 fame, being the Divisional Reserve. After the first lines of -the enemy’s works had been captured, it was intended that the 2/15th -and the 2/19th Battalions should continue the advance and take the rest -of the Kauwukah System in enfilade as far as the Rushdi System which -adjoined just on the banks of the Wadi Sheria; while the Battalions of -the 10th Division on our left should concentrate their energies on the -strong redoubt at Abu Heirira, and thus complete the capture of the -Turkish positions from the east as far as the Wadi Sheria. - -During the night of the 5/6th of November, 1917, the Battalion moved -from the Wadi Welfare to its position of assembly preparatory to the -opening of the action by the 74th Division on our right at 5.0 a.m. The -position of assembly was some two miles south-east of the left flank of -the Kauwukah System, and under cover of the undulating ground we waited -for the result of the 74th Divisional attack. One thing which worried -us, however, was the fact that our water supply had not yet reached us; -the camels which had left for Abu Irgeig on the previous evening had -not been heard of since. Just as every one gave up hope Gearing and his -camels appeared over the crest in front. Here was another adventure -of our camel officer. Finding no water at Abu Irgeig, and learning -that some was obtainable nearer Beersheba, Gearing trudged back, got -the water, and then made a “bee-line” for the Kauwukah System along -the Beersheba-Gaza Railway line. True, the route was well defined on -the map, but when one thinks of the journey back towards Beersheba -from Abu Irgeig wells is a matter of about eight miles, and after that -a night march of ten miles towards Kauwukah on the return, it was a -grand performance and an exhibition of determination for which Gearing -deserved praise. He had apparently arrived at the position of assembly -just previous to the Battalion, and seeing no Battalion he had pushed -on towards the Turks, and when dawn came, seeing nothing in front of -him, decided to return, and luckily met us at the appointed place. -Water was quickly issued, and every one was relieved for at least 24 -hours. - -Being in reserve is always a weary job and always one of anxiety; if -all goes well in front it is easy; but should things go all wrong it is -horrible. During the early morning the 74th Division had gained their -objectives, and by 8.0 a.m. it was decided to commence operations on -our Divisional front. An artillery bombardment of the Turkish trenches -was commenced, and the Battalions deployed for the attack. However, -from observation it was seen that much of the strong barbed-wire -entanglements in front of the Turkish lines was still uncut, and it -was decided that two batteries of R.F.A. should go forward and cut the -wire at point blank range. By this time the Westminsters on our direct -front had advanced to the ridge overlooking the plain in front of the -enemy’s trenches, and were suffering many casualties. Suddenly, in rear -of our Battalion large clouds of dust were seen, and from these clouds -came galloping two batteries of artillery. On they galloped through the -extended lines of the Battalion which lay in support near the railway -bridge at Samarra, and over the ridge in front until they gained the -open plain. Here they unlimbered their guns and opened a rapid rate -of fire on the Turkish lines. The battery horses at once returned -back over the ridge for cover from the heavy shower of shrapnel which -was coming from the enemy gunners. The teams returned at the gallop, -but many horses were riderless and teams were often dragging one of -their number either dead or wounded. In front of the ridge, in full -view of the enemy, the two batteries continued to pour fire on the -Turkish entanglements. They were paying for their gallantry, and many -wounded artillery officers and men crawled back over the ridge to -receive medical attention at the advanced dressing station that had -been erected at Samarra Bridge, under cover of the embankment. Only -a few men finally remained with the guns, and under the command of -a corporal--who afterwards received the D.C.M.--they continued to -successfully carry out the cutting of the wire. The whole incident -was an inspiration to the infantry, and the gallantry of our brothers -in the gunners encouraged us in our attack, which commenced to push -forward about midday. The Battalion followed closely on the heels of -the Westminsters, with “D” Company leading. Extended order with lines -about 70 yards intervals in depth was the formation adopted. Once over -the ridge the Battalion came under heavy machine-gun fire and also a -shrapnel barrage. But just ahead we could see the Westminsters pushing -on towards the trench line which was strongly garrisoned, and with a -final rush at 1.0 p.m. they captured their objective. The Battalions on -their flanks had also succeeded, and the first lines were won. Without -a moment’s delay we, together with the 2/19th on our right, pursued -the enemy and captured many lines of trenches without a great deal -of opposition. Occasionally a machine-gun would hold us up for a few -minutes, but it was soon out-flanked and the line advanced again. All -resistance was broken down and the garrisons killed or put to flight. -Not until the whole of the Kauwukah and Rushdi systems were in British -hands did the Battalion halt, and then finally took up a position -overlooking the Wadi Sheria about 2.0 p.m. in the afternoon. - -A defensive line in the vacated trenches was made, and in the distance -across the valley of the wadi columns of Turks with their transport -could be seen hurrying to get out of range of our artillery fire. The -whole attack had been successful and our casualties were comparatively -light. Great losses had been inflicted on the enemy, and many prisoners -were captured. The comparative lightness of our casualties was -probably largely due to wide extensions and also to the élan displayed -by all ranks who, once they got in close touch with the enemy, pursued -him relentlessly, giving him no time to develop counter-attacks or -occupy a fresh line of resistance. - -The flanking attack of the 60th Division had swept forward over the -trenches and the 10th Division on our left altered their direction -slightly and concentrated on the Heirira Redoubt, which consisted of -a large mound literally honeycombed with trenches and machine-gun -emplacements. On the Battalion front things soon quieted down, but -on the right flank of the Division the Turk had concentrated and was -strongly resisting the British advance towards Sheria Railway Station. - -At 3.30 p.m. on the 6th of November orders were received from the XXth -Corps to establish a strong bridgehead across the Wadi Sheria in order -to secure the water supply; the 10th Division being ordered to relieve -the 60th Division in the captured works. - -Accordingly the 180th and 181st Brigades were ordered to advance and -form a bridgehead north of Sheria in order to attain that object, and -were supported by the Divisional artillery, the 179th Brigade remaining -in Divisional Reserve. The 74th Division were ordered to operate on our -right, with their left resting on Khirbit Barrata. At 5.30 p.m. one -Company from the 180th Brigade had captured Sheria Railway Station, -securing some prisoners and two machine-guns, while two Battalions -from each Brigade prepared to cross the Wadi Sheria and occupy Tel el -Sheria, the high ground north of the town. - -Before evacuating Sheria Station, however, the enemy had succeeded in -firing a large ammunition dump south of the station which commenced -to explode just previous to the launching of the attack. The -conflagration raged for some hours, and so illuminated the country in -the vicinity that further progress was rendered temporarily impossible. -Nevertheless, the ground over which the attack was to be made was -carefully reconnoitred, and at 3.30 a.m. on the 7th the attack was -launched by the 2/17th and 2/20th Battalions of the 180th Brigade west -of the Railway, and the 181st Brigade was represented by the 2/22nd and -2/23rd Battalions east of the railway. - -The enemy offered a determined resistance, but by 4.30 a.m. our -objectives were gained. During this part of the day’s operations our -captures included 4 field guns, 4 machine-guns and over 150 prisoners. -The Turks were disinclined to accept their defeat without further -efforts, and at 9.25 a.m. developed a strong counter attack against the -line now held by the 180th Brigade, but this was effectively broken up -by concentrated machine-gun, Lewis gun and rifle fire, assisted by the -supporting artillery, with great loss to the enemy. - -During the foregoing operations the 2/15th Battalion in common with -the remainder of the 179th Brigade had handed over their captures in -the Kauwukah and Rushdi systems to the 10th Division and were brought -back a few miles and remained for the night of the 6/7th of November in -reserve near Sammara Bridge. Little rest, however, was possible, as the -weather was extremely cold. The next morning was spent in reorganising -after the previous day’s attack, and in the early afternoon we were -ordered to move to the Wadi Sheria. - -About 4 p.m. on the 7th the Battalion, with the London Scottish on its -left, moved forward from a ridge on the eastern side of the valley of -the Wadi, “B” Company under Captain Lewis leading. While moving across -the open we were heavily shelled. After crossing the Wadi, however, the -advance was pressed, and after considerable opposition and stubborn -fighting the enemy was driven back and we established an outpost line -on the high ground west of the Wadi. During this advance “B” Company, -as advance guard, had engaged a considerable force of Turks, but led -by the personal dash of their Company Commander, they pushed forward -and inflicted severe losses on the enemy. The Battalion soon followed -up and passed over a large Turkish camp where “B” Company had captured -an anti-aircraft gun, and the night was spent in digging in. Patrols -pushed forward, but no sign of the Turk was found. Taking up this -line ended the second phase of our operations in Palestine. Beersheba -and Sheria had fallen under the pressure of the 60th Division. The -following summary from Divisional Headquarters on the attacks on -Kauwukah and Sheria defences will no doubt be interesting. - - “The total prisoners at the end of this stage amounted to - 31 officers and 521 men. During the whole of the day the - Division was engaged in severe local fighting, while at - times the hostile shell fire, especially in the afternoon, - was particularly troublesome, the Turkish command obviously - realising the importance of denying us access to the water - supply in the Wadi Sheria. It afterwards transpired from - prisoners’ statements that picked troops had been hastily - formed into composite units and entrusted with the defence of - the position. The large number of enemy regiments represented - among the prisoners lent colour to these assertions, the - opposing commanders doubtless fully realising the vital - importance of delaying our advance at this point in order - subsequently to secure the exposed flank of the retreating Gaza - garrison.” - -On the following morning, the 8th of November, the situation had -sufficiently cleared for an advance to be made upon Huj, a few miles -north-east of Gaza, where it was thought there would be an efficient -water supply. Transport and water camels had joined the Battalion, and -we were complete to move off about 7 a.m. Cavalry patrols were sent -forward to gain touch with the enemy, who was retiring with all speed. -The ground was undulating grassland with an occasional outcrop of -sandy desert, and movement was fairly easy. The 179th Brigade formed -the advance guard of the Division, having the 2/15th Civil Service and -2/14th London Scottish as its leading Battalions and covering a wide -front. Instructions were issued to advance towards the high ground -near Khirbit Muntaret, which was known to be occupied by the enemy. -For several hours under glorious weather conditions the Brigade pushed -forward across the undulating country and found no signs of the enemy -except his numerous dumps which he had left hurriedly behind him. About -10 a.m. cavalry patrols brought in information to the effect that -the enemy was strongly entrenched on the high ground on the north of -the village of Muntaret, and the Battalion was deployed for attack. -There was a considerable force of Turks near Muntaret and they were -well supported by artillery. The Battalion, having “C” Company under -Captain Wills for their advanced guard, opened out into irregular -artillery formation or, in other words, “blobs” of Platoons at 150 -yards interval. The approach to Muntaret was over an open stretch of -country, and while going over the ground the Battalion came under -very heavy artillery fire, and suffered considerable casualties. “C” -Company soon opened out into extended order and advanced to the bottom -of Muntaret Hill which was steep and, except for a small ravine a few -feet deep, offered little cover. In spite of the machine-gun and rifle -fire from the trenches, “C” Company crept up the hill for the final -assault, and within a few hundred yards of the enemy the men took -off their packs and prepared for their final charge. Led by Captain -Wills, they captured the position (thus forestalling the cavalry, -whose objective it had been), while the London Scottish on their left -made a flank attack on the position at the same time. The rest of the -Battalion soon followed on to the ridge, having also dumped their packs -at the foot of the hill. However, the Turkish artillery continued to -heavily bombard the captured position, and it was necessary to dig in -and consolidate. Further advance was impossible across the plain west -of Muntaret, and any attempt to cross the plain would mean considerable -casualties from shell fire. The G.-O.-C. Division, Major-General Shea, -came up and ordered the Worcester and Warwick Yeomanry to charge the -Turkish batteries which were holding up our advance. None of us had had -the fortune to see the Balaclava Charge in the Crimean War, but it was -our privilege to see a similar type of gallantry, and I insert here an -account from a newspaper cutting of the charge. - - “On November the 8th the Londoners while occupying a ridge less - than two miles from the enemy lines, came under extremely heavy - gun fire. Meanwhile the Yeomanry had come up. The Londoners’ - commander, who had seen the whole enemy’s position and their - guns, ordered the Yeomanry to charge them. There were 10 troops - of Worcester and Warwick Yeomanry, commanded by a Colonel, - Master of Hounds. - - “He and his men swept over the ridge in successive lines about - 2,000 yards from the enemy, raced down the slope across the - flat, partly obscured by a mound in front. Over this rise - the yeomen spurred their chargers, took the final rise at a - terrific pace, the ranks somewhat thinned by gun, machine-gun - and rifle fire, which the enemy switched off the Londoners soon - after trails of dust told of advancing cavalry. - - “The cavalry’s target was not so much the infantry as the guns. - Giving full-throated cheers they went straight for the field - and heavy pieces. There were 12 guns in action against these - valiant boys from the Shires--nine German-made field guns and - three 5·9 howitzers. The field guns banged as fast as the - Austrian and German gun crews could load them, but every enemy - artillery man was sabred by his piece. The Londoners heard the - fire of all the guns stop dead almost at the same moment.” - -After witnessing this magnificent feat of arms and benefiting by -the resulting “cease fire” from the Turkish guns, a hasty meal was -taken and a short halt was made. Later on in the afternoon under the -protection of the London Scottish as advanced guard, the Brigade -pushed forward in the direction of Huj. The 2/14th breasted the high -ground at Tor Dimrah, near Huj, about 4.50 p.m. in the evening of the -8th of November, and were soon followed by the rest of the Brigade. -It will thus be seen that between 3 a.m. on the 6th of November and -4.50 p.m. on the 8th, the Division marched 23½ miles, in the course of -which advance the Kauwukah and Rushdi systems of defensive works were -captured, the bridgehead at Sheria stormed, a determined counter attack -repulsed, and the Turkish rearguard driven from Muntaret to beyond Huj, -entailing attacks upon three defensive positions on the way. - -The total captures by the Division in the whole operations amounted to -12 guns, 26 machine-guns, 51 officers and 907 other ranks. - -The following newspaper extract, I think, might be included here -without any shadow of a boast, and summarises our doings from the -commencement of the Palestine campaign. - - “The achievements of the London Territorials, who had the - hardest part to do in the thrust from our right flank, will - rank in the deeds of the war. A distinguished officer of my - acquaintance, who has seen nearly three years of war in France - and watched every movement of the London County Territorials - here, told me that he could not speak of these warriors without - a lump rising in his throat. This is his considered judgment:-- - - “‘These Cockneys are the best men in the world. Their spirits - are simply wonderful. I don’t think any division ever went into - a big show with higher morale. After three years of war it was - refreshing to hear the men’s earnestly expressed desire to get - into action again. These grand fellows went forward with the - full bloom upon them. There never was any hesitation. Their - discipline was absolutely perfect, and their physique, and - courage alike magnificent. Their valour was beyond words. The - Cockney makes the perfect soldier.’” - -In eight days the men marched 66 miles and fought a number of hot -actions. The march may not seem long, but Palestine is not Salisbury -Plain. - -On reaching Tor Dimrah near Huj on the evening of the 8th of November, -the Battalion was bivouacked on the grassy slopes and waited for water -and rations to be brought up from Sheria. During the evening a large -British bombing squadron of some 30 planes flew over our heads and -no doubt dropped their missiles with great effect on the columns of -retreating Turks fleeing northwards. - -Late at night water and rations arrived and these, together with -cigarettes made from dried tea leaves, helped every one to retire for -the night satisfied with the day’s work. - -For the next two days we remained here and the Battalion was -reorganised; transport came up from Sheria and fatigue parties were -sent back to Muntaret for the packs which we had dumped just before -the attack; while others had been left as far back as Sheria by “C” -Company who it will be remembered started off from the Sheria Wadi -as an advance guard. Unfortunately the water supply at Huj was not -so promising as expected and the damage done to the wells by the -retreating Turk did not help matters. Horses and mules were sent out in -all directions without finding a sufficient supply and lack of water -became so acute that the Artillery men near by sacrificed their own -limited supply for their horses. The difficulty of our own transport -is best described by the following letter from Lieutenant Pearson, our -transport officer at the time: - - “On one occasion we left the lines at 5.30 a.m. with the - animals to go about 10 miles for water, and had to be back - ready to move off at 2.30 p.m. When we arrived at the given - place there were several thousands of Australian Cavalry - horses, artillery horses, and several infantry units, animals - with only one 30-foot long portable trough. The Australians’ - horses had not had any water for over 36 hours, so you can - imagine there was no system or order, the horses could not be - held back. We had to return without watering, and arrived back - at 2 p.m. In the meantime, the Battalion had received further - orders to the effect that they would not move until next day. - After feeding the animals, and after the men had had a snack, - we were told there was a well near at hand. We went in search - and found it was about 60 feet deep and had to pull up a - bucketful at a time by means of a long rope; anyway, we arrived - back at 1.30 a.m. The men and animals only having had one meal - at midday between 5.30 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. the next day. We - moved off at 8.30 a.m. the same morning.” - -The foregoing incident actually occurred while we were at Tor Dimrah on -November 9th, 1917. - -From the heights at Tor Dimrah the result of our recent fighting could -be well appreciated. A few miles to the south-west could be seen the -town of Gaza, the scene of heavy fighting some months previously, while -to the west stretched the coastal plain which ran up country as far as -Jaffa. Frontal attacks on Gaza had proved unsuccessful earlier in the -year, and therefore General Allenby decided to attack from a flank. The -line of attack commenced at Beersheba and was made in a north-westerly -direction, rolling up the Turkish line from the east, and hoping at the -same time to reach the north of Gaza in time to cut off the garrison. -While this flank movement was in progress local frontal raids on Gaza -were made under heavy artillery bombardments from both land and sea. -However, the Turkish leaders were able to thwart the full intention of -the scheme and by their strong resistance, by powerful flank guards -at Kauwukah, Sheria and Muntaret, were enabled to give time for their -troops at Gaza to retire north with minimum losses. However, as soon -as the Gaza front gave way, the XXIst Corps under our old Divisional -Commander, General E. S. Bulfin, relentlessly pursued the Turks as far -as Jaffa. - -Except for the 53rd Division, our own Corps, the XXth, was withdrawn -from the pursuit and, in order to assist the advance, much of our corps -transport was lent to the XXIst Corps. The 53rd Division just mentioned -had been kept at Khuweilfeh just north of Beersheba since the beginning -of the offensive, and had fought manfully against repeated attacks and -thereby protected the right flank of our advance across Palestine. - -On the 11th of November the Battalion moved a few miles north-east -to the Wadi Jemmemiah where the whole of the surrounding country was -covered with well planned trenches and all the valleys covered with -machine-gun emplacements; but the numerous ammunition dumps round -about signified how hastily the Turk had withdrawn without making a -strong resistance. Only a day was spent here, and on the 13th we moved -still farther north to Nejilah; a pleasant spot after the filth and -dust which existed around Jemmeniah. The route was lined with large -collections of war material which had been left by the retreating Turk -and everywhere was desolate and uninviting. Not until a mile or so -from Nejilah did the scenery improve and then a stretch of undulating -grassland presented itself; a restful change for our tired eyes after -a lengthy stay on the glaring yellow desert. A few flocks of sheep -strayed over the pastureland and the quaintly dressed shepherds, at -last, presented to us a fair representation of Biblical Palestine as we -had imagined it in our youth. This was the first clean, healthy spot, -free from sand and the filth which the Turks always left behind them, -we had struck since our arrival at Belah. - -For three days the Battalion remained here on these grassy hill-sides -overlooking a wide plain of pasture land to the north. Just near the -camping ground a stream of crystal clear water flowed and bathing -parades were again indulged in. To give the Britisher his due, he does -love cleanliness and even through the recent advance most of the men -had used a portion of their limited ration for purposes of shaving, -although a proper wash was out of the question. No parades were ordered -and a restful time was spent at Nejilah. However, difficulties arose -with regard to supplies; much of our corps transport having been lent -to the other corps pursuing the enemy. Consequently the Battalion was -ordered to return to Sheria. - -As I have already said the Turk revelled in filth and pollution, and -no better illustration could be seen than the Sheria area where he had -apparently had a large base camp since the early days of the war. For -miles around Sheria the place literally stank and flies were present in -their millions. The ground was strewn with dead Turks, camels, horses -and mules, and the presence of these carcasses did not improve the -polluted atmosphere. However, the desert was expansive and camps were -arranged as far from this debris as possible. - -While we had been fighting during the past few weeks miracles had been -performed by the A.S.C. and R.E. The former corps had worked well and -supply dumps had been advanced with rapidity; camel and horse transport -working in conjunction with the railways in the captured area. The -latter corps had repaired the Turkish railways and used the captured -rolling stock to good purpose; other sections of R.E.’s had exploited -the wells and obtained good supplies of water in the Wadi Sheria. - -November the 17th, just after the arrival in the Sheria area, was known -as “Parcel Day”: it was the first post since our departure from our -desert line on the Wadi Ghuzze. Not only letters arrived but huge bags -of parcels; nearly every man received a parcel. The owners of many, -however, were not to be found; some had given their lives for their -country while others had been sent to base hospitals either wounded -or sick. But each platoon or mess made short work of these and divided -the spoil; it was an unwritten law and not stealing. Luxuries were -plentiful and hundreds of tea parties and dinner parties were held that -evening. Every unit, however, has its “grousers,” not that they mean -any harm, but it is their privilege as British Tommies. They could -not legitimately grouse this night with all the good things around so -they turned their morbid thoughts to treks and predicted a move on the -morrow, when every one would be laden with luxuries. Their prophecies -came true and the following morning camp was struck and the Battalion -marched towards Gaza as far as Muntaret. On the 19th of November the -march was resumed to the outskirts of the town of Gaza. The day’s -march was not a great distance but the downpour of heavy rain in the -evening drenched all. This was the commencement of the rainy season in -Palestine. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV - -THE MARCH FROM GAZA UP COUNTRY--ENAB--THE CAPTURE OF -JERUSALEM--TEL-EL-FUL--BIREH. - - -At Gaza the Battalion bivouacked just to the north of the town. “Town” -was perhaps a complimentary term for Gaza at that time, for it was in -a deplorable state. The proud town of the Philistines and the scene -of Samson’s deathly triumph had been most thoroughly treated to every -type of missile known to the British forces, from rifle bullet to the -12-inch naval projectile, and there was ample evidence of the efficacy -of that treatment. Scarcely a whole wall remained, big gun emplacements -built of concrete and iron rails, though skilfully hidden, had been -utterly destroyed and most of the trenches flattened out. Before these -had stood formidable obstacles in the shape of cactus hedges, which -had proved themselves more efficient than any barbed wire, but what -remained of these was liberally sprinkled with shrapnel holes. In -short, Gaza had been made as unhealthy as it was possible for us to -have made it, and at last the Turk had been made to quit, though not -without a struggle. - -Through the centre of the town a clearing had been made and the -broad-gauge railway was being rapidly advanced. The methods of the R.E. -railway construction companies are well worth a short description. -They were the essence of efficiency. First the R.E. officer with a few -satellites carrying the necessary instruments would prospect and decide -the direction of the line, and he was quickly followed by a large gang -of the Egyptian Labour Corps who, armed with a tool similar to an -adze, but without that instrument’s sharp edge, and a bag similar to -a carpenter’s, would immediately set to work to clear the ground and -make the necessary cutting or embankment. The sight of some hundreds -of these natives swarming over the position was exactly like an -overturned ant-hill. Every one seemed to run in different directions, -and to the uninitiated confusion appeared to reign supreme, but the -work was completed at a pace which would have made a “ca’canny” trade -union delegate weep with anguish. When the necessary alteration to the -landscape had been effected more labourers would appear, each carrying -a huge railway sleeper which was dumped roughly in position, later to -be arranged properly and levelled by soldier platelayers. This work was -no sooner completed than lengths of rail were dumped upon and quickly -secured to the sleepers by means of fish-spikes. The rails were then -trimmed, levelled and bolted together and very shortly afterwards -were being used by the construction train, which with its supply of -material, could thus closely follow the quickly moving construction -gangs. The “permanent” way thus made could not, it is true, attempt -to rival that to which we were accustomed, but an adequate supply of -transport was absolutely necessary for the success of the E.E.F. at -that time, and in those days no branch of the Services worked more -quickly or efficiently than the railway construction companies to -maintain the supply line. - -After a short rest at Gaza we commenced our march northwards on the -19th of November, 1917. Our actual destination was unknown, but the -“lying jade” had been busy and the magical word “Jerusalem” was ever -on her lips. Private soldiers or humble subalterns do not presume to -understand the ways of an Army Commander. They have, in the famous game -of war, not even the status of a pawn, but nevertheless are for ever -weighing the pros and cons of each and every movement they are required -to make and thus if anyone had, but two short months ago, been rash -enough to suggest that Beersheba was the opening move of a game that -was to end in the capture of the Holy City, they would have suggested -that the unfortunate one had been disobeying divisional orders and by -not wearing his helmet had caught a touch of the sun. But the situation -had rapidly changed since the dreary days of the Gambli defences, and -Jerusalem was in fact well within our reach. True it was that our grip -had not been closed upon it, but the days of the Turk in the home of -Christianity were for ever numbered. - -Rain had fallen heavily for a short time during our stay at Gaza and -though its advent had been a welcome change we later had cause to -regret the hot sunny days of the Sinai Desert. The flat coastal plain -which runs north from Gaza has been cultivated land ever since Biblical -times, and is the most fertile spot in the whole of Palestine, and in -consequence the most thickly populated, though the total number in -the whole land, apart from the cities such as Gaza, Jaffa, Ludd and -Jerusalem, would disgrace a small English county. A plentiful crop of -barley which had been grown had been recently cut; indeed rumour had it -that a famous “Scotch” whisky firm had nearly failed owing to the lack -of supplies from Palestine! The course of our march was set through -fields of stubble. When it was hot and dry, there arose stifling clouds -of dust, and when wet the sticky nature of the ground could even bring -a “caterpillar tractor” to a standstill. The change, however, from -endless sand was at first welcome and we found great delight in passing -through the native villages. These were amazing collections of mud -huts, windows were unknown and of sanitary arrangements there were -none; yet the inhabitants though inexpressibly dirty seemed quite happy -and contented with their lot. When opportunity arose we supplemented -our meagre rations by purchasing eggs, figs, nuts and oranges. The -last named were most welcome. We had seen no vegetables for months and -the supply of fruit undoubtedly did much to dispel the ill effects of -this enforced denial of “greens.” The number to be obtained for one -Egyptian piastre (2½d. English) varied, but the native drove a hard -bargain if you failed to obtain at least six magnificent Jaffa oranges -for that small sum. Many indeed did show in their dealings with us -characteristics of the descendants of the twelve tribes with which we -are all familiar, but at least one of them met his match. One famous -youth, noticing that a coloured Egyptian bank note had a remarkable -purchasing power, was smitten with a brilliant idea. Hurriedly quitting -the village market place he produced a gaudy label from a tin of jam -and succeeding in persuading a hoary-headed old extortioner to part -with the whole of his stock of oranges on the understanding that the -aforesaid label was worth untold gold. That youth of course had no -right to be a private soldier “foot-slogging” through the Holy Land; he -had missed his vocation, which was that of a company promoter in the -aeroplane or munition line at home. So many oranges were eaten on that -march that, later on, drafts marching up from Gaza were known to have -followed this trail of orange peel and found their way across Palestine -to Jerusalem. - -Marching is a thirsty business in any country and when for the most -part the march is made enveloped in clouds of dust, it becomes even a -still thirstier business. We had had long training in that fine art of -marching from dawn to dusk without having recourse to the water-bottle, -and that training stood us in good stead in those November days. The -supply of water was an ever-present anxiety with the higher command, -and in spite of the exploration of wells by the Royal Engineers, we -were only allowed the meagre amount of one water-bottle full per man -per diem, and this had to be carefully husbanded if the owner desired -to partake of tea ration at the end of the day. He who could not -produce a mugful of water could not draw a mugful of tea, and this was -strictly adhered to. - -It was our great good fortune during the whole campaign never to -miss our daily supply of water, and for that great credit is due to -Lieutenant Gearing, who was in charge of the water camels. He had an -uncanny knack of finding his way to us over trackless unknown country, -and wherever we bivouacked for the night he was sure to arrive very -shortly afterwards with his precious convoy of water camels. His -trials cannot here be recorded and their recital on paper would never -convey an adequate impression of his difficulties, and yet no one in -the Battalion ever did better work. Such deeds are not rewarded with -decorations, but perhaps this tardy recognition of his work will in -some way convey to him our appreciation of his excellent work. - -Water was not the only difficulty. Rations were very short. We had -been for weeks on what the A.S.C. called “mobile” rations, which was -the official name for four biscuits, one tin of bully beef and a small -ration of tea and sugar for each man every twenty-four hours. This was -occasionally supplemented by jam, but even then it was a wearisome -diet. “Smokes” became very scarce and the old substitute of dried -tea-leaves was often in use. Fuel was conspicuous by its absence, as -also were mails. - -However we did not grumble too much when we realised the difficulties -of transport. The railway embankment built over the Wadi Ghuzze had -been twice swept away by floods and all rations, etc., had to be -brought by motor lorry from Gaza, and as there were no roads it was -a trying experience for the A.S.C., particularly as two of the Motor -Transport companies had been but recently formed and rushed up from -the Base and immediately given the task of supplying a rapidly moving -Division over 50-60 miles of trackless country. - -In spite of all we pushed on through Beit Hanun, Deir Siniid, Mejdel, -Mesmeyiah, and Junction Station until about the 24th of November when -at Latrun we set foot on the first metalled road we had seen since -leaving Kantara. Latrun is about midway between Jaffa and Jerusalem -and a few miles to the north-east the road enters the Judean Hills at -Bab-el-Wad, and after negotiating two ranges of hills approximately -2,500 feet high it reaches Jerusalem which is set at the top of a third -and higher cluster of hills. - -The effect of marching on a hard road after months of sand and soft -soil was soon felt and our feet and footwear quickly began to show -signs of wear. Boots, the leather of which had perished through -exposure and lack of grease, were soon worn through and even the -oldest and best of soldiers suffered from sore feet. The road itself -though labelled “metalled” was not in good condition. The Turk was -ever notorious for the bad state in which he kept his communications -and this one was no exception to the rule. It had not been repaired -since the visit of the Kaiser many years before, and the defects -were soon aggravated by the passage of much transport. It was an -exhausting climb and it lasted for a long time. The road was bounded -on the one side for the most part by a precipice and on the other by -the steep hillside, except for a few places where it ran through deep -cuttings, and one could speculate on the chances of success of any -troops attempting to force such a road against the opposition of a -few well-armed British troops and the result of the speculations was -distinctly unfavourable to the attackers. Yet the Turk had been hurried -from hill to hill with little loss to our troops. As we toiled upwards -we momentarily expected to get our first view of the Holy City. We -knew definitely by that time that such was our objective and with the -words of Holy Writ in our minds--“a city that is set on a hill cannot -be hid,” we eagerly awaited the vision. That moment was however denied -us for many a day, and it is a matter of conjuncture whether in any of -our minds we felt satisfied when that view was obtained. It is rather -ironical, but nevertheless a fact, that the first portion of Jerusalem -we saw was of German origin--the tall tower of the Kaiser’s palace on -the Mount of Olives. - -[Illustration: _Crown copyright--by permission Imperial War Museum._ - -ROAD TO JERUSALEM NEAR BAB-EL-WAD.] - -[Illustration: _Crown copyright--by permission Imperial War Museum._ - -JEBEL KURUNTUL (MOUNT OF TEMPTATION) AND JERICHO. - -Occupied by London Troops February 2nd, 1918. The traditional scene of -Christ’s Temptation. - - _To face page 314._] - -We eventually reached the crest of the first range of hills at Enab, -and descending into the valley on the opposite side we entered an area -which in comparison with the deadly wastes left miles behind seemed -like paradise. The hill sides were pleasantly wooded, the road was -good, fuel and water were in abundance and a little monastery was -discovered to possess a stock of most excellent wine made from the -fruit of the vines for the cultivation of which the hillsides were -terraced. We remained near Enab for some days and enjoyed life. One -company was unlucky and was sent up to relieve a post of the 75th -Division which had been sorely tried in holding what they had gallantly -won but the remainder of the Battalion enjoyed a well earned rest. -The troops were in great need of it, but the animals were in a much -worse condition. Owing to the difficulties of maintaining supplies the -transport animals had for nearly a month been on half rations and had -done a tremendous amount of very hard work. They were tired and worn -and in fact were so hungry that the steady diminution of the size of -the tail boards of the limber and the amount of leather harness eaten -by the animals caused the transport officer (Lieutenant Pearson) many -anxious moments. - -The remaining brigades of the Division moved up behind us and the -Division took over the right of the line from Soba through Kushil, Nebi -Samwil to Beit Izza. Nebi Samwil, so called by the reason of its being -the traditional burying place of Samuel, was a distinct thorn in the -side of the Turks. - -This high hill overlooked Jersualem and threatened the road to the -north from that city and our presence there was much resented by the -Turks. They made strenuous endeavours to recapture the hill but all -their efforts failed. When the 180th Brigade took over the hill there -was on the top of it a splendid mosque with a graceful minaret. But -Boche gunners with the Turk were no better in their respect for things -religious than their brethren in France and it was not long before the -minaret and mosque were utterly destroyed by a concentrated bombardment -of heavy metal. - -The final preparations for the attack on Jerusalem having been -completed, the 74th Division which had by this time come up in rear -took over Nebi Samwil from the 180th Brigade and we concentrated near -Soba. The 179th Brigade were to attack the left of the Turkish position -near Ain Karim, and if possible effect a junction with the 53rd -Division, which was struggling up the Hebron road. The 180th Brigade -were to attack up the main Jaffa-Jerusalem road through Kolonieh and -Lifta while the 181st Brigade were in reserve. - -On the night 7/8th December we advanced from Soba, crossed the Wadi -Surar and at 3.30 a.m. on the 8th of December the Brigade attacked -the high ground overlooking the Wadi Surar and south of Ain Karim and -were speedily successful. This operation was a difficult one and its -success was essential to the main operation. The whole brigade with -mountain batteries descended the precipitous hillside in single file. -It was a wretched night with no glimmer of moonlight to assist us and -the rain fell heavily. The whole route was fraught with much danger -to life and limb, but was negociated without a casualty. The main -attack was delivered by the other regiments in the Brigade but we were -called upon to assist. “C” Company who had taken the Jura Heights and -were subjected to three determined counter attacks, the last two of -which “C” Company helped to break up, were sent to the help of the -Kensingtons. - -Meanwhile Captain Leech, our medical officer, hearing that our sister -Battalion had sustained over a hundred casualties, came up under heavy -fire from two machine guns which were still holding out in a building -of Ain Karim in our rear. He and our stretcher bearers, particularly -Privates Davey and Eels, rendered most gallant service to our own and -the Kensington wounded for which, and for their timely assistance, “C” -Company earned the grateful thanks of that regiment’s C.O. By 4.0 a.m. -all objectives had been gained and one hour later the main attack up -the Lifta road commenced. Much stubborn resistance was met with, as -the Turk was well dug in and the progress of the attack was retarded -by the fact that our help was not forthcoming as had been expected. -This was not our fault. We had hoped to effect a junction with the -53rd Division, and then advance together, but the 53rd were by then -many miles away fighting hard to come to our assistance. The resistance -they met with delayed them and we in consequence were subjected to much -hostile artillery fire from our right flank and unable to push forward. -The weather was very bad, a high and bitterly cold wind and torrential -rains made conditions extremely uncomfortable. We were clad only in -tropical kit, had been exposed to the elements on hills nearly 3,000 -feet high for over twenty-four hours and were by no means in a happy -frame of mind. The Turk was also making himself extremely objectionable -and we were supplied with many gifts in the shape of shells. Our -opinions of Jerusalem at that time are not fit to be recorded here, and -they did not change for many a long day. Near Lifta the Turk was making -strenuous efforts to keep us out, but by 3.30 p.m. he was dislodged by -a gallant bayonet attack, and Lifta was occupied at dusk. We pushed on -to the outskirts of Jerusalem and remained in battle outposts. - -That night pandemonium reigned in the Holy City. The Turk was -evacuating as quickly as possible, so quickly that when a patrol of the -180th Brigade advanced from Lifta in the early morning of the 9th of -December it was met by the “Mayor” who proffered the surrender of the -city. Major-General Shea was instructed to accept it and did so at 1.0 -p.m., and Jerusalem passed for ever out of the dominion of the Turks. - -We were billeted that night in an empty school in a garden named -“Abraham’s Vineyard,” and next day moving out to the north took up an -outpost line at Shafat on the Jerusalem-Nablous (Shechem) road where -we remained till the 15th of December when we returned to billets in -Jerusalem, in the school in “Abraham’s Vineyard.” Jerusalem was the -first town worthy of the name that we had seen since leaving Ismailia -and to many the prospects held out when viewed from afar off was not -fulfilled on closer inspection. The weather was cold and wet, but -we made light of such minor discomforts, being so overcome with the -novelty of being in Jerusalem. The idea seemed so fantastic. This -ancient city which for centuries had been a bone of contention between -East and West was at last in Christian hands and withal in the hands -of the London Division! True it is that our Welsh friends of the 53rd -Division had lent a very helping hand by struggling up the Hebron -road, but nevertheless it was to the London Division that credit was -due for the releasing of this home of Christianity from the hands of -its enemies. Yet withal it was difficult to arouse any real sentiment -concerning this famous city. It was inexpressibly dirty, the people -comprised all the nations and races known in Biblical times and since, -and they like the city were very dirty. Of sanitation there appeared -to be no sign and outside the Jaffa Gate the main water cistern, which -from its accumulation of rain-water provided drink for the greater -part of the city, had to all appearances not been cleansed since the -time of Herod. The railway station, a comparatively modern addition, -was in a state of chaos, although perhaps the R.F.C. were to blame for -that. The fine ancient wall which, with the Temple site--and the water -cisterns--was one of the only original things left from Biblical times, -had been cut into at the request of the Kaiser and a hideous clock -tower crowned with a large clock by “Dents” had been built in the gap -made. Appallingly dirty fellows in charge of a few decrepit animals -attached to a kind of cab stood near the clock tower plying for hire, -but their condition was such that it needed no General Routine Order -to forbid us to use them. Of the Holy Places within the city we were -allowed only a view from the outside until some months later, but we -studiously traversed the whole city armed with the Padre as guide and -a Bible as guide-book. We visited the Temple site, the Church of the -Holy Sepulchre, David’s Tower, and traversed the so-called Via Dolorosa -complete with its sites of the supposed halts of Christ during His -journey with the Cross. The pool of Siloam was an offensively smelling -puddle of dirty water, whilst the Brook Kidron was a mere trickle. -Indeed, the whole aspect of the city dispelled in the minds of most -of us that vision we had often had in our youth and had forgotten of -Jerusalem the Golden. Whatever faith we had in the genuineness of the -Holy Places was sorely tested and it was not long before we came to the -conclusion that one either had to view everything through rosy-tinted -spectacles and believe all that was said, or be convinced that most of -it was sham and accordingly see the castles built up in our boyhood -rudely shattered by a simple historical fact. Nevertheless Jerusalem -possessed a great attraction for us. Outside the old city had grown up -a comparatively new town with many modern buildings, and to the north -was a genuine church of England--St. George’s Cathedral. - -The shops began to display their goods openly for the first time for -three years, and the natives offered fruit--figs, oranges, nuts, -etc.--for sale in the market places. And indeed it was an event of some -importance to be able to walk the streets of the famous city Jerusalem -and feel that one was really a Crusader, a descendant of those hardy -people who 800 years ago had borne the heat and the burden of the day -clad not in khaki drill, but in armour. The amount of correspondence -which was handed over to the Army Postal Service was enormous--and -written let it be noted for the main part on German paper by German -pencils--and in many a home in England to-day is treasured a Divisional -Christmas Card for 1917 sent from Jerusalem. We had ideas of being -able to spend our Christmas in the city, but that was not to be, and -on Christmas Eve, 1917, we relieved the 180th Brigade in the line Beit -Hannina--Tel-el-Ful astride the Nablous road. The weather became very -bad and the climatic conditions were by no means pleasant. The line -was held on the west by the Kensingtons in front of Hannain, and on -the east by the Westminsters in front of Tel-el-Ful, and we were in -support. Bivouacs had just been erected and we were settling down for a -wet cold night when the Colonel sent for Company Commanders. - -Headquarters was situated in an old tomb cut in the solid rock and -entering we saw the C.O. seated at the head of a roughly made table and -near him his senior officers. When we had all arrived he said, “Just -listen while I read out the Brigadier’s Christmas greetings.” - - “... it is expected that the enemy will attack at dawn on - Christmas morning.” - -It was an awkward moment, but the Colonel at once relieved the -temporary gloom which had settled on us during the reading of the -message by adding at the end “and England expects that every one will -give the Turk a hearty Christmas greeting.” - -Dispositions were soon made. “A” Company moved out in support of the -Kensingtons at Beit Hannina and “D” Company to the Westminsters, who -were holding the line at Tel-el-Ful. The Companies were very weak -and “D” Company was reinforced by No. 11 Platoon of “C” Company, the -remainder of the Battalion moving to a hill behind Tel-el-Ful. It was -midnight before the move was complete and nothing remained but to wait -for dawn. It was a most appalling night; a high wind and torrential -rain make life very unpleasant when one is in bivouacs on top of a hill -3,000 feet high. Our bivouacs were flooded and we were soaked to the -skin, but it was realised if the Turk attacked under such conditions -he would be a hardier man than we expected. Christmas morning broke -and the grey light from the east disclosed one of the most dismal -pictures dawn could ever disclose. Jerusalem almost hidden in driving -rain on Christmas morning! As we expected, the attack did not take -place, though we could not but realise the irony of our dear friends -at home hurrying off to church to sing “Christians awake, salute the -happy morn,” when the dear ones for whom they prayed had just spent the -most miserable night of their existence in waiting for a dawn which -in no circumstances could have been called happy. The rain continued -all Christmas Day until the morning of the 26th when the sun came out -and cheered us. That the attack was imminent we all knew, but the sun -revived our spirits and by midday we were willing to tackle all the -Turks in Asia. We had suffered several casualties from exposure, but a -supply of whale oil for the feet did much to check wholesale sickness. -Information came through that the attack really would take place on -the 27th, and a few minutes after midnight of the 26/27th, the Turks -pushed in an advanced post in front of Tel-el-Ful. The first main -attack came about one hour later, supported by heavy artillery fire on -the Westminsters’ position in front of Tel-el-Ful. Shortly afterwards -the Kensingtons were also heavily attacked to the west of that hill. -The Turk had been reinforced by new troops from the Caucasus and was -making a desperate effort to retake Jerusalem, so the brunt of this -attack fell on our positions which covered the main road, and only -road from the north. Two platoons of “D” Company were soon sent up -under Lieutenant T. H. E. Clark to reinforce the left Company of the -Westminsters and the struggle was intense. Eight attacks in all were -made on the position in front of Tel-el-Ful, and in the heaviest just -before dawn the Turks succeeded in effecting a footing in the main -positions. The situation was grave and Colonel Gordon Clarke of the -Westminsters thereupon ordered the officer in charge of “D” Company -(Lieutenant Hutchison) to take the remainder of his Company and eject -the Turk with the bayonet. This counter attack made by No. 16 Platoon, -“D” Company, and No. 11 Platoon, “C,” under Lieutenant R. H. Harris, -M.C. (“Bulldog” Harris of the 1st Battalion), under the command of -the O.C. “D” Company, in spite of severe shell fire, ejected the Turk -from the main position, though not without sustaining severe losses. -Lieutenant Harris, with a party of seven or eight men, became detached -and was surrounded. They fought to the last and Harris, accounting -for at least three of the enemy himself with the bayonet, was killed. -All the remainder of his party were either killed or were wounded and -taken prisoners. These were the only prisoners we lost in Palestine, -but their loss was due solely to the vigour with which they pushed home -their attack. The remainder of the Company lost heavily and had when -they took over the line from which they had ejected the Turk but 50 per -cent. of their original strength. Junction was made with Lieutenant -Clark and the line was reorganised and held throughout the remainder -of the day in spite of repeated attacks which were supported by heavy -artillery shelling. The following letter received by our C.O. a few -days later gives an appreciation of the value of the work done: - -[Illustration: - - _Photo by Turner & Drinkwater, Hull._ - -2nd Lieut. R. H. HARRIS, M.C. Killed in Action, Palestine, 1917. - - _To face page 320._] - - “Head Quarters, 60th Division, - “_31st December, 1917_. - - “MY DEAR BISDEE, - - “I visited the post held by the platoons of your Battalion - in front of Tel-el-Ful. The number of dead, their attitude, - their closeness to the parapet, the bomb and shell holes, are - all witnesses to the grim struggle of your splendid men. They - must have inflicted not less than 300 casualties in all. The - fact that they maintained their line intact against heavy odds - and a brave and determined enemy is an incident of which your - Battalion may well be proud. - - “I should much like to know who commanded the platoons and how - many casualties they had. - - “Accept my warmest congratulations on their courage and - determination. - - “Yours sincerely, - “(Signed), A. C. TEMPERLEY, Lieutenant Colonel, - “General Staff, 60th Division.” - -On the left in front of Beit Hannina, “A” Company did no less glorious -work. After being in the line in the early morning they were withdrawn -until about midday when the Turk made his final onslaught on our line. -He pressed his attack right up to the stone breastworks which had been -erected, and fought with determination. As on the right in the early -morning, the situation was critical and “A” Company were called up to -assist. In company with the Kensingtons they counter-attacked with the -bayonet, and forced the enemy back. In this action, Lieutenant R. W. G. -Andrews greatly distinguished himself. - -A story of the 27th December would be very incomplete without mention -of the gallantry of the other ranks, and particularly the stretcher -bearers. These latter went out time after time under heavy rifle and -machine-gun fire to bring in wounded comrades. Private Martin, “D” -Company, went out with a fellow stretcher-bearer, Ridley, some forty or -fifty yards from cover, and placed a wounded man on a stretcher. Whilst -doing this Ridley was shot through the head, Martin thereupon, in spite -of the fact that he was much the smaller of the two men, got his pal on -his back, and commenced to carry him in. He stopped exhausted half-way, -and after a brief rest shouldered his burden again, and got him under -cover only to find that he was dead. Quite undismayed he again went out -with another man, and succeeded in bringing in the first man safely. -All this was done under aimed rifle and machine-gun fire. Martin -afterwards was awarded the Military Medal although recommended for the -V.C. When told of his reward a few days later all he said was “What -about Ridley, sir, I did no more than he did,” and that epitomises the -self-sacrificing spirit of the stretcher-bearers. (Martin was killed in -France some months later while gallantly attending the wounded under -heavy fire.) - -“A” and “D” Companies were withdrawn from the line on the evening of -the 27th December, and joining up with the remainder of the Battalion -followed up the Turkish retirement northward next day, which resulted -from the crushing blow by the 10th and 74th Divisions on the Turks’ -right flank. - -The importance of the operations near Jerusalem at Christmas, 1917, -were never properly realised at home. They were the result of the one -really determined counter attack that the Turk made during the whole -of the Palestine campaign. Jerusalem, and the crumpling of our right -flank was his objective, and to attain it he brought down several new -divisions from the Caucasus, but the result to him was not a victory -but a real defeat, crushing casualties, and an immediate loss of many -more miles of country. - -Referring to our subsequent advance, Mr. W. T. Massey, the official -Press correspondent at General Headquarters said in his dispatch, dated -31st December, 1917: - - “The rapid advance in most difficult country is due to the - overwhelming defeat of the Turkish attempt to retake Jerusalem - on December 27th, when, after resisting desperate attacks, the - British delivered a masterly counter-stroke, causing the Turks, - who had suffered tremendous losses, to yield almost impregnable - positions and fall back along the Shechem (Nablous) Road, - leaving in our firm possession points of great strategical - importance.” - -General Allenby in his dispatch referring to the same operations says: - - “The heaviest fighting took place to the east of - Jerusalem-Nablous Road. Repeated attacks were made against - Tel-el-Ful, a conspicuous hill from which Jerusalem and the - intervening ground can be overlooked. The attacks were made by - picked troops and pressed with great determination. At only - one point did the enemy succeed in reaching the main line of - defence, but he was driven out at once by the local reserves”-- - -and later referring to the western side of the road where “A” Company -were engaged, he says: - - “At 12.15 p.m. the enemy launched an unexpected attack of great - strength against the whole front, in places he reached our main - line of defence, but these successes were short lived, for, in - each case, local counter-attacks carried out immediately were - successful in restoring the line.” - -After the defeat of the Turk the Division pursued him, and a couple of -days later were successful in capturing the heights at Bireh about ten -miles north of Jerusalem. While passing through Ram Allah on the way -to Bireh, some of the men we had lost when fighting at Tel-el-Ful were -found wounded, having been left behind by the Turks. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI - -IBN OBEID--BETHANY--JEBEL EKTIEF--JERUSALEM--MUKMAS - - -The capture of the Bireh Heights, and driving the Turk towards Nablous, -completed the capture of Jerusalem, as far as attacks from the north -of the city were concerned, but on the east and south-east there was -still danger. On the 1st January, 1918, after a night in Jerusalem, -the Battalion was ordered to take up an outpost line to the south-east -of the town from Sur Bahir just off the Bethlehem Road, running in a -north-easterly direction via Khirbit Jubb er Rumm to Abu Dis, just -outside Bethany. The line, therefore, formed a defence about three or -four miles from the city. Sur Bahir was held by “D” Company, Khirbit -Jubb er Rumm by “C” Company, while “A” and “B” were at Abu Dis. The day -was fine when the Battalion marched out of the town during the morning, -but before proper communication could be established along the line, -a heavy rain fell, and the whole countryside was enveloped in a thick -mist. Each company, therefore, had to form its own strong points, and -wait for dawn on the following day. In the darkness and mist it was -impossible to move over the rough hilly country, and patrol work was -limited to a couple of hundred yards. However, the next morning in -brilliant sunshine patrols were pushed out, but no sign of the Turk was -to be seen. Communication with the flank companies was obtained, and -rations and water supplies were sent out to each of the companies in -the line. Every one looked forward to a quiet tour of outpost duty. “D” -Company, however, received orders to push out as far as the monastery -at Ibn Obeid on the Wadi en Naar, which in Biblical times was known as -the Brook Kidron, and was three miles south-east of Sur Bahir. The new -line, therefore, ran from north to south, from Abu Dis to Ibn Obeid, -passing through Jubb er Rumm. - -The country over which the line ran was composed of stony hills with -deep wadis in the valleys, sometimes 500 feet below the summit of the -surrounding hills. The monastery at Ibn Obeid which was the southern -terminus of the line stood on the top of the cliffs of the Wadi en Naar -which descended steeply for some 800 feet to the bed of the Wadi. - -The monastery had been the scene of some heavy fighting a few weeks -previous to our arrival, in which a battalion of the Middlesex Regiment -had fought with distinction, and had driven off repeated attacks of -the Turks. When “D” Company, however, came upon the scene everything -was peaceful. Only a few monks lived in the monastery, and they were -soon packed off to Jerusalem; in case they acted as enemy spies. On the -10th January, the whole Battalion was relieved by the 2/13th Battalion -(Kensingtons) on this outpost line, and moved to Bethany. - -At Bethany three companies were billeted in the local school and a -monastery near by, while “A” Company took up an outpost position at -Sniper’s Post, overlooking the Jericho road, about a mile or so ahead -of the Battalion. Here we reorganised our specialist sections which -had suffered heavy losses in the fighting around Jerusalem during the -latter part of December. A new draft had just arrived from England, and -they were initiated into the art of warfare in the East by constant -training over the local hills. The remainder of the Battalion was -employed on “road making,” or perhaps I should say making cart tracks -through the wadis near Abu Dis, and occasionally a strong force of -about 200 men would reconnoitre the ground in front of the Turkish -positions along the Jericho road; especially towards the Arak Ibrahim -Caves, some four miles away, where the Turk had a considerable garrison. - -On the 20th “D” Company relieved “A” Company at Sniper’s Post, but -except for the occasional noise of two captured field guns at Bethany -which were used against the Turks at Arak Ibrahim Caves, there was no -sound of war. Six days later the Battalion moved back to Jerusalem and -billeted in some empty schools in the German part of the city, while -many of the officers were placed in private houses. The journey was -full of interest, and the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, -St. Stephen’s Gate, were passed among other famous sights. On the -way we met a Jewish funeral; we thought that the Macedonian method -of carrying the coffin lid in front of the procession, with the body -exposed to the eyes of the curious, as being a crude method, but this -funeral was even more gruesome. The party rushed along the road at a -great pace, and the corpse wrapped in a blanket was merely suspended -by cord at the head and foot to a long pole, which was carried on the -shoulders of two men, while the body limply swung from side to side as -they hurried along. - -During this stay in the city of Jerusalem, parties under the expert -guidance of our Padre (Rev. G. C. Cavalier) were allowed to visit the -Holy Places in the town. I need hardly recite the wonders of the Holy -City as many guide-books will do so far better. As far as the Battalion -was concerned we enjoyed the privilege of seeing these ancient -Biblical landmarks. Souvenir hunting in the shops and the purchasing -of food stuffs (chiefly fruit and bread, which was of a greenish hue -when cut, and of the consistency of gluten) formed the chief amusement -during the day. At night time, however, the two Divisional concert -parties, the “Barnstormers” and “Roosters,” both of which had made -great “hits” in Cairo and Alexandria, were in full swing at their -respective temporary theatres, and provided us with splendid recreation. - -Major Grissel from the 74th Division took over command of the Battalion -on the 28th January, our own Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel -Bisdee, having been granted leave to the United Kingdom. - -Danger, however, soon occurred from the epidemics of disease and fever -in the city, and the Battalion was moved out of the town to tents and -bivouacs on the slopes of the Mount of Olives; Headquarters being in -a sheik’s house near by. The camping site was just off the Nablous -Road, overlooking the Garden of Gethsemane, and was on dry, dusty -terraces of barren land which in a few days became a wretched quagmire. -Heavy torrents of rain continually poured down for four days and four -nights without a break, and every one was swamped out and miserable. -Refuge each night was taken in the Divisional theatres, and large -parties would march across the city in the pouring rain simply for the -comfortable shelter of the “theatre.” When the weather had cleared -a little the Battalion was employed on road-making, and one day an -exhibition of “sangar” building was given by a company of Indian troops -who were past-masters in hill-fighting. - -It was, however, unhealthy to live in the mud of the camp, and the -Battalion was moved up to Sir John Grey Hill’s house at the top of -the hill. It was a large desolate mansion, overlooking the valley of -the Jericho Road, while in the far distance the Moab Mountains could -be seen. A short stay of two days here and the Battalion was moved to -bivouacs in the wadis of the Abu Hindi Wadi on the 13th of February, -where preparations were made for an attack eastwards over the hills -towards the Jericho Plain. - -The Turkish line east of Jerusalem consisted of a line of entrenched -strongholds on the hills some eight miles from the city. The southern -extremity of the line rested on Muntar, a high hill just east of Ibn -Obeid Monastery, and came north via Jebel Ektief, Talat ed Dumm, across -the Jericho Road to the Arak Ibrahim Caves, and thence over Ras el -Tawil to the deep ravine of the Wadi Um Farrar. - -The British line ran practically parallel to this line, a few miles -nearer the city, with Ibn Obeid forming the right or south flank, and -ran north via Jubb er Rumm, Abu Dis, Sniper’s Post, on to the Jericho -Road, and thence north over Suffra to Mukmas. - -The intention of the attack was to drive the Turk from the high ground -on the west of the Jordan Plain, and thereby render the Holy City -immune from attack from the east. The advance was to be made in three -distinct phases as follows: - -(1) The capture of Muntar, Arak Ibrahim Caves and Ras el Tawil. - -(2) The capture of Jebel Ektief and Talat ed Dumm. - -(3) To advance to the steep cliffs overlooking the Jericho or Jordan -Valley. - - * * * * * - -The three Brigades of the 60th Division were holding the line in this -sector, and the objectives were allotted as follows: - -(a) 181st Brigade, Ras el Tawil. - -(b) 180th Brigade, Arak Ibrahim Caves and Talat ed Dumm. - -(c) 179th Brigade, Muntar and Jebel Ektief. - - * * * * * - -In the 179th Brigade, the 2/14th Battalion (London Scottish) were given -the hill of Muntar as their objective, and they concentrated in the -depths of the Wadi en Naar near Ibn Obeid. During the night of the 19th -of February the companies deployed and crept up the hill-side under -cover of darkness. At dawn the trenches were heavily bombarded, and -the attack was pushed home under the artillery support. The hill was -captured, and fortunately the strength and resistance of the enemy had -been over-estimated, with the result that the Scottish casualties were -small. The same morning, the 180th Brigade were successful and captured -the caves at Arak Ibrahim in the centre of the Turkish line with -comparatively few casualties. Further north, however, the 181st Brigade -had met with strong opposition at Ras el Tawil, and after several hours -of heavy fighting gained possession of the hill and put to flight a -strong force of Turks. Casualties, however, on both sides were fairly -heavy. - -The first phase of the advance had proved successful, and the -battalions detailed for the second day’s move were able to push forward -and prepare for the assaults on Jebel Ektief and Talat ed Dumm. Like -the first day’s operations the second day’s attacks resulted in the -objectives being taken, although the fighting was more strenuous as the -objectives were surrounded by more difficult country, which provided -the defenders with better cover. The Turk, finding himself overwhelmed -and outmanœuvred, retired over the hills to the Jordan Valley, covering -his withdrawal with machine-gun rear-guards so that the third day’s -work came under the heading of “peaceful penetration.” Thus the 60th -Division was master of the Jordan Valley from the commanding heights on -the west of the plain, and the possibility of an attack on Jerusalem -from the east had disappeared. - -To return to the particular part in these operations performed by the -2/15th Battalion it will be remembered that they were in bivouacs in -the Wadi Hindi on the 13th February. - -For the few days previous to the commencement of the advance we were -occupied in road-making in the wadi beds to assist the bringing forward -of guns, ambulances and transport for the attack. Reconnaissances were -also made towards the front, and on one of these “stunts” our Brigade -Major, Captain Sherston, was seriously wounded in the leg. - -On the early morning of the 19th of February we were awakened by the -artillery fire from Abu Dis, where our heavies were assisting the -attack of the London Scottish on Muntar. A few hours later we learnt -of the success, and realised it was now our turn. During the morning -the Battalion gradually moved along the valley of the Wadi Hindi under -cover of the surrounding heights, “D” Company forming the advance -guard. After advancing some three miles the Battalion was halted as -further advance was impossible by day. Under the cover of an outpost -line the Battalion rested until darkness came, thus making further -progress possible. During the afternoon patrols were sent out and -reconnaissance towards Jebel Ektief was made, and resulted in a sharp -skirmish with the Turkish advanced posts, but no casualties occurred -to our party, although several Turks were seen to be carried away on -stretchers. - -About 6 p.m. the order was given to advance to the attack, and three -platoons of “D” Company were ordered to “make good” the high ground -west of the deep ravine in front of Jebel Ektief while a fourth platoon -under Sergeant Cross moved along the wadi bed to a point where the deep -wadi in front of Jebel Ektief branched off to the left. When these -platoons had pushed ahead sufficiently the remainder of the Battalion -marched along the wadi in order to reach the line of deployment before -daybreak. - -Probably of all the country over which the Battalion had passed -throughout its stay in both Salonika and Palestine none could compare -with the deep ravines and precipitous cliffs over which the advanced -guard had to pass, and if this statement is accepted, there is no -need for further comment on the difficulty of the advance. To move -forward a matter of three miles occupied a full six hours of hard -climbing over ridges and difficult descents down precipices. The night -was exceedingly dark, and great credit is due to Lieutenants Clark -and Neall, platoon commanders in “D” Company, for maintaining their -direction and reaching their objective; the men behaved splendidly -and struggled along through this wretched patch of the Holy Land. -Fortunately no opposition in strength was met except an occasional -volley of fire from the Turkish advanced posts, but they soon retired -to their main position on Jebel Ektief. Great caution, however, was -necessary as large bodies of the enemy had been seen that afternoon -leaving Jebel Ektief, and advancing towards our lines. When, however, -the advanced guard had reached the limit of their advance, the -Battalion pushed along the bed of the stony wadi, and were supposed -to halt at the junction of the wadi in front of Jebel Ektief and the -main wadi, where they hoped to turn the corner into their place of -deployment. However, the noise had apparently disturbed the Turk, and -he constantly poured machine-gun fire on to this junction corner. -It was therefore found necessary to find another way into the Jebel -Ektief Wadi, and the only way was to climb the steep, precipice-like -sides of the main wadi on to the high ground held by “D” Company. This -was accomplished, but how, no one can tell; when the Battalion with -its Lewis guns, regimental aid post, and signalling mules reached the -crest, dawn was appearing in the east. It was decided, therefore, -to make a hurried descent into the Jebel Ektief Wadi in spite of -the casual fire from the enemy’s snipers and machine guns. Luckily -the going down into the second wadi was easier and more speedily -accomplished than the climb from the first wadi, and just as daylight -arrived the tail of the Battalion disappeared into the bed of Jebel -Ektief Wadi, out of sight of the Turks. Once in the bottom of the -wadi the companies sorted themselves out and prepared for the actual -assault, “A” and “B” being the attacking companies, “C” in support, -and “D” in reserve. It had been arranged that the 2/13th (Kensingtons) -were to assault the position on our left, having approached the wadi -at Jebel Ektief by a night march on a parallel route to the one we had -taken. Unfortunately, the ground over which the Kensingtons had to pass -had proved too difficult, and when daylight came they found themselves -perched on a precipice unable to cross the deep ravine before them. - -At seven o’clock on the morning of the 20th February, the artillery -opened up a heavy bombardment on the hill. The advance up the hillside -described officially as “trickling forward” should have taken place -under this barrage, while the assault was timed for eight o’clock when -the barrage was to lift. - -Unfortunately little or no progress could be made owing to the fact -that the heavies were shelling the “bench mark” some 1,000 yards behind -the enemy’s forward lines thereby leaving the enemy’s machine guns -undisturbed, while at the same time other machine guns on our left -raked us, those, in fact, which should have been concentrating their -attention on our brother battalion, the Kensingtons, who had been so -unfortunate in their advance march. - -At eight o’clock, when we should have assaulted, the attack was -therefore hung up for a while. An hour later a Forward Observation -Officer having come up, a second barrage was fired for fifteen minutes -concentrating accurately on the forward Turkish trenches. - -At the same time “C” Company was taken from support, and by means of -quick concealed movement succeeded in moving to our left flank, thereby -taking up the position and rôle in the action which should have been -the Kensingtons’. - -“C” Company was able to make some ground and also was able to give -great assistance to “A” and “B” Companies by bringing enfilade fire to -bear on the snipers and machine guns that were holding them up. - -As this second barrage lifted, the Battalion assaulted the steep hill -and in spite of heavy frontal fire were successful in capturing the -first line. By this time the two companies of the Queen’s Westminsters -had come up on to our left, and under the gallant leadership of Captain -Flower silenced the machine guns which had enfiladed our attack. When -the first ridge was gained it was found that a valley beyond led to -the second ridge, and here the Turks were again strongly resisting. -After a breather, however, the “Charge” was given, and the men, led -by Captain Wills and Company Sergeant Major Oldcorn of “C” Company, -rushed over the valley and gained the second ridge only to find a -still further ridge strongly held. Machine-gun fire from the flank was -still causing considerable casualties to us, but after a breather, the -Battalion assaulted the third ridge, and thus completed the capture -of Jebel Ektief. The Turks fled down the precipitous slopes, into the -Jordan Valley, and could be seen collecting in small groups as though -preparing for a counter-attack. The Battalion’s casualties in this -action numbered about one hundred. - -Further north of Jebel Ektief, the London Irish of the 180th Brigade -had succeeded in capturing Talat ed Dumm after heavy fighting. The -Turk, however, still had isolated machine guns on the hills between -the recently captured positions of Jebel Ektief and Talat ed Dumm, and -these poured a persistent fire into our flank. In the late afternoon -the Kensingtons came up on our left, and soon cleared the ground of -these irritating machine guns, and by the evening everything was quiet -except for an occasional shell from a Turkish battery which could be -seen some couple of miles away across the Jordan Plain, well out of -the range of our guns. Just before dark we had a splendid view of the -Jericho Plain. - -No other valley in the world presents such extraordinary physical -features, none other has been the subject of such various theories as -to its origin and character. From our position on the eastern edge -of Jebel Ektief, the ground sloped steeply for about 2,000 feet to -the flat plain below, which stretched for over twenty miles to the -foot-hills of the Moab Mountains. Winding through the plain the river -Jordan could be seen in places where its steep banks were broken by -small branch ravines; while to the south the dismal flat water of -the Dead Sea was visible. The only town on this extensive plain was -Jericho, and as the light failed it appeared as a dead city of mud huts. - -The following morning, the 21st February, the London Scottish were -moved on to the plain as far as the white ruins of Neba Musa, and -Australian cavalry patrolled the Jericho area. The Turk had crossed -the Jordan, and all was quiet. About midday, however, four enemy -planes flew over our positions, and, but for a remarkable cloud which -suddenly enveloped the hill, would no doubt have poured bullets into -our bivouacs. When the cloud lifted they were nowhere to be seen. For -two days the Battalion remained on the heights of Jebel Ektief, and -although free from fighting it was a most strenuous business carrying -rations and water from the Quartermaster’s Stores and Transport which -were now in the Jebel Ektief Wadi, from which the attack had started, -some 600 or 700 feet below the summit of the hill. - -On the 23rd February, the Battalion was ordered to move as far back as -Jerusalem. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII - -JERUSALEM--MUKMAS--JERICHO--ES SALT--WADI EL JIB - - -On the 23rd of February the Battalion left Jebel Ektief, and after -some discussion in the wadi near the transport lines, some companies -chose the route via the Wadi Hindi, Abu Dis and Bethany, while others -struck across country over a distinct track, supposed to be the -remains of a pilgrims’ road to the Jordan, and thence along the main -Jerusalem-Jericho Road, via Bethany. Which was the better route has -not been decided, sufficient to say that the troops hated both. Rain -poured down when we were half-way to Jerusalem, and when Sir John Grey -Hills’ house was reached late at night no one had the heart to argue -as to the better way from Jebel Ektief. On the following day (Sunday) -we availed ourselves of the rest. In the evening many attended Divine -Service in the huge chapel of the German Emperor’s Palace, near to -the Mount of Olives. It is a huge structure, and a wonderful view of -the surrounding country could be obtained from the tower. It was used -as a Corps Headquarters during the operations around Jerusalem; not -quite the purpose for which the Kaiser had intended it. The chapel was -wonderfully decorated inside, but the two things which struck one as -being odd, and even profane, were the panelling of the altar, which was -decorated by the crests of each of the Kaiser’s sons; and the ceiling, -which was divided into two parts; one containing a beautiful painting -of the Son of God, while the other contained, equally well painted, a -picture of the Kaiser and his wife sitting on their thrones! - -On the 25th of February the Battalion moved from Jerusalem, further -north to Mukmas; the route was along the Nablous Road as far as Er Ram, -a distance of about five miles, and here we struck off the main road -eastwards over the roughly made military roads as far as Jeba. Here the -route became more difficult and was across rough mountain paths making -it necessary at times for the Battalion to march in single file. The -transport could not travel the whole route, and was halted near Mukmas, -from which point camels and mules carried stores and rations. The -Battalion halted on the hills near Umm et Talah, and outposts facing -the Jericho plain were taken up by “D” Company. The distance as the -crow flies from Jebel Ektief to Umm et Talah was about five miles, but -the country was of such a nature that the only route between these -points entailed a long march through Jerusalem, a distance of nearly -twenty miles. Just in front of the outpost position was Jebel Kuruntul, -reputed to be the Mount of Temptation. For nearly a month of delightful -weather all was peaceful on our immediate front. Occasionally patrols -pushed out to the front and explored the deep ravines leading on -to the Jericho Plain, but only once were we fired on by the Turks, -and then from a considerable range, probably 1,000 yards. Acting on -the principle, however, that the Devil finds work for idle hands -to do, that wonderful pastime for tired troops was revived, namely -road-making, and large fatigue parties were so employed. It had been a -source of great interest to some of us that nowhere behind the Turkish -lines, away from the four main roads which run north to Nablous, south -to Bethlehem, east to Jericho, and west to Jaffa from the city of -Jerusalem, could any trace be found of ways of communication, except -an occasional mule track; whereas, behind our own lines, a network -of specially constructed tracks was always to be found. It was a -mystery to us how the Turks ever moved their guns, men and supplies in -sufficient quantity to even replace normal daily wastage, but the fact -that after the repulse of the counter attack on Jerusalem in December, -1917, a Turkish Quartermaster surrendered to one of our posts because -he, a Quartermaster, could not get sufficient food, may indicate -that they suffered from shortages through lack of roads and means of -communication. - -We had often gazed at dawn on the gorgeous sunrise over the Mountains -of Moab, and seen the dull silver of the Dead Sea turned to burnished -gold; we had also seen that white streak across the dark plain of -Jericho which denoted the presence of that wonderful stream, the -Jordan, but the thought that the words of the old song “One more ribber -to cross” would ever come literally true never entered our heads. If it -did we gave it no serious thought. We had heard of the Jordan Valley -and its appalling heat in summer (for had not the Turk left in Jericho -a note to the effect that they would return in the autumn to bury us), -and also were familiar with the expression “go to Jericho,” so, indeed, -had no wish to spend any time there. If the shades of the hereafter -are hotter than the scene of Joshua’s miracle they can have no terrors -for the 60th London Division. “Brass hats,” however, have ever since -their creation been seers of visions and dreamers of dreams, but their -decision to give us an Easter holiday in Moab could only have been the -result of a nightmare. - -Accordingly, the 21st March, 1918, saw the 60th Division concentrated -with the Anzac Mounted Division in the Jordan Valley, ready to carry -out a raid on a scale unheard of in the annals of the war: that is, -penetrating over thirty miles into enemy territory of the wildest -nature, with the destruction of the Hedjaz Railway at Annam as the -objective. The Civil Service Rifles crossed the river on the afternoon -of the 23rd of March by a pontoon bridge at Makhadet Hajlah, which had -been gallantly constructed under fire by the Engineers, and moved up -the left bank of the river, passing on our way the Commander-in-Chief, -General Allenby, and the Duke of Connaught, who was on a tour of -inspection well within range of the Turkish field artillery. Our object -to the north was to rout out a nest of machine guns which was delaying -the crossing at the El Ghoranyieh Ford some five miles to the north, -but to our delight this particular body had realised the threat to -their rear, and had “impshied.” - -We bivouacked for the night in the Wadi Nimrin, near Umm Enkhala, and -at 5.0 a.m. the next day moved out in support of the London Scottish -and the Queen’s Westminsters, who attacked the hill of El Haud which, -held in force by the Turk, barred the second means of approach to Es -Salt--that by way of the Wadi Arsinyet. - -A Boche “pip squeak” battery, which endeavoured to hinder us, drew -the attention upon itself of one of our own 4·5 howitzer batteries, -and speedily ceased fire. We were not called upon to assist, and were -fortunate to witness a most successful attack in open order against -an extended position. The sight of lines of London infantry advancing -calmly under a heavy enemy field and machine-gun fire, and also of the -final assault with the bayonet was one to be remembered and treasured. -El Haud was taken with little loss to our forces, and we moved up to -the foot-hills and bivouacked in the Wadi Arsinyet, near El Haud. - -The river Jordan at Makhadet Hajlah is 1,200 feet below sea level, and -El Haud is 846 feet above, and the weather changed, becoming steadily -worse. The night was wet and bitterly cold, and we were not sorry to -start at 7.0 a.m. the next day on our advance up the Arsinyet track to -Es Salt (Ramoth Gilead). - -In heavy rain up a most slippery, muddy, and stony track, we toiled -upwards and upwards as advanced guard to the Brigade, which, with a -Regiment of Australian Light Horse and Mountain Battery, was soon -strung out in single file. Communication was maintained with the 181st -Brigade on the main Es Salt Road by means of a portable wireless -installation, carried by the Light Horse. After a most exhausting climb -of nearly 3,000 feet, we arrived on the outskirts of Es Salt about -1.0 p.m., thoroughly fatigued and soaked to the skin. The weather was -bitterly cold, and it was felt all the more, for in a little over -twenty-four hours we had moved from the tropical heat of the Jordan -Valley up some 4,800 feet to the climatic conditions in winter of the -top of a mountain higher than Snowdon. The Turk had retired hurriedly, -and offered little opposition, and further progress being impossible -owing to our exhausted state we bivouacked--and slept in inches of mud. -The night was disturbed by much rifle fire from Es Salt, and at dawn on -the 26th, No. 16 Platoon was detailed to reconnoitre the town. Under -Lieutenant Andrew, who was acting as O.C. Company, they entered the -town to find no trace of the Turk, and to receive a tumultuous welcome -from the population who, during the night, had kept up a “feu de joie” -from their house-tops, which noise we had interpreted as hostile -rifle fire. We were the first British infantry to enter Es Salt, for -it was not until some hours later that the 181st Brigade, which had -been moving up the main road from Shunet Nimrin, arrived in the town. -Supplies were lacking owing to the great difficulty of getting the -camels up the slippery mountain track, and an officer was detailed to -proceed to the 181st Brigade and bring back some water camels--water -being the pressing need. - -The remainder of the Division moved up the Annam road, and the defence -of Es Salt was left to the Civil Service Rifles. The same evening the -Battalion moved out to the north-east of the town to Kefi Huda (3,597 -feet), and took up a position covering the route from the north to Es -Salt. - -News came through of a possible attack by some 2,000 Circassian -cavalry, and arrangements were at once made for their proper reception. -Time available was short, but by toiling all night under the protection -of standing patrols of the Australian Light Horse, dawn on the Maundy -Thursday saw the 2/15th snugly settled ready behind stone sangars. -Firing started with the first light of dawn and continued throughout -the day, but no serious attack was attempted by the Turk. - -At dawn on Good Friday, under cover of a thick mist, the Turks attacked -with bombs a post in the centre of the Battalion. An energetic reply -with Mills hand and rifle grenades, and a burst of fire from a machine -gun resulted in their speedy repulse. The mist suddenly lifted, and -opposite a neighbouring post was discovered a Turkish captain and his -batman, with their kit complete. He was brought in and it transpired -that he had set out with 200 men to assault the hill under cover of the -mist, but his left flank got too far forward and pressed the attack -before the remainder were ready, and they in consequence--like the -burglar who heard the noise overhead--thought all was lost and fled, -leaving their officer stranded on the hillside. In his pocket was found -a small diagram which showed the relative positions of all our Lewis -and machine guns, and this caused no little searching in the mind, for -we had, as we thought, camouflaged them successfully. However, even -if he, the captain, knew, his snipers apparently did not, for, though -throughout the week-end we were continually sniped, one of our Lewis -guns, though continually in action, had not a shot fired at it. - -[Illustration: SKETCH MAP OF OPERATIONS AROUND JERUSALEM] - -There were constant alarms, and on the night of the 30th/31st March “D” -Company repulsed four separate determined attacks on their position, -with no loss to themselves. On the right and left “A” and “B” Companies -were troubled slightly, but the brunt of the defence of Es Salt fell on -the centre of the line. - -The situation was nevertheless serious, and the 2/14th and 2/16th -Battalions were brought back to Es Salt. - -The Battalion was relieved on the night of the 31st of March, and -at dawn moved down to the south side of Es Salt. The Divisional -withdrawal from Annam, the assault on which place had not been entirely -successful, was now in full swing, and the majority of the Armenian -population of Es Salt, terrified at the prospect of the return of -the terrible Turk, was hastily evacuating the town. The road, which -had been churned up by men, horses, guns, and wheeled transport, was -inches deep in liquid mud, and was packed with refugees. Old men and -boys, women and children of all ages, with their household goods in -large bundles on their backs, staggered along obsessed with great fear. -Their flight was terrible, and not a few of us hurriedly realised that -it is not only troops who suffer in war time. We could give little -assistance; our own baggage wagons were already overburdened and our -own loads were heavy, but we did what we could. - -At 8.0 a.m. on the 1st of April (Easter Monday), after standing in full -marching order in the mud for a solid hour, we started our retirement, -and though hindered and hampered by the crowd of refugees which surged -and swayed either side of us, we marched steadily until 5.0 a.m. next -day, when we emerged from the hills at Shunet Nimrin, and bivouacked -for a few hours, after which we continued and, crossing the Jordan -River by the Ghoraniyeh Ford, we arrived at a position in the Wadi -Nuemiah about 3 p.m., having covered a distance of about thirty miles -since 8.0 p.m. the previous night. - -Every one was footsore, dirty, unshaven, with seven days’ growth of -beard, and thoroughly tired, but we soon settled down to our first -proper night’s rest for nine days, during which time we had experienced -almost the extremes of heat and cold, and had marched about seventy -miles through some of the most atrocious country our army has ever -operated in. The other Brigades had fared even worse than we had, but -the whole Division had covered itself with honour, and had no reason to -be dispirited at the apparent failure of its novel enterprise. Gains -in warfare are not measured by territory alone, and the influence of -this raid--indeed it was almost a campaign--had a far reaching effect -on the strategy of the Palestine campaign. - -We were happy, on our return to the Jordan Valley, to welcome back from -leave in England our Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel Bisdee, and the -Battalion, though it had worked well under its temporary Commander, was -delighted to see its Commanding Officer back once again, and it speaks -much for the spirit of comradeship of the Regiment that no one was -perhaps more pleased to be with us again than Colonel Bisdee himself. - -After a day’s rest in the valley, we moved once again up towards -Jerusalem, and halted at Talat ed Dumm for twenty-four hours. At Talat -ed Dumm there is a wayside house reputed to be the Good Samaritan Inn -of Biblical times. After this short rest we again pushed up the old -Jericho road, which we had come to know almost as well as the Strand. -On arriving at Jerusalem we were again billeted on the Mount of Olives. -The road from Jericho goes through particularly desolate and wild -country, and no doubt in years to come, many a Civil Service Rifleman, -when questioned by his offspring concerning the man who fell among -thieves, will truthfully say, “If you had seen the road you would not -be surprised.” - -It was not a habit in those days to keep us idle, and we were soon -moved on up the Jerusalem-Nablous road via Bireh and Ram Allah to the -Wadi el Jib, where we temporarily relieved the 10th (Irish) Division. -The Battalion was in reserve, and bivouacked on a terraced hillside -which was covered with fig trees and vines. It was very hot, and we -were glad to resume our summer kit. The camping ground was one of the -most pleasant we had experienced in Palestine, and we made the most of -it. There were flowers and plants in great profusion, and botanists -amongst us spent hours collecting specimens; one of them, a botanist by -profession, collected a hundred or so specimens which he had never seen -before, and which he could not name. - -Of actual war we saw but little, occasional bombing raids were made by -enemy planes, but our chief enemy was just behind us--a gunner officer -in charge of an 18-pounder battery, whose idea of humour was to give -an order for ten rounds gun fire regularly each night at varying times -between midnight and 4.0 a.m. Our considered opinion of this gentleman -cannot be published here. - -A week later we moved back as far as Attara, where we gave a most -sincere and regretful God speed to our Colonel, who left us to take -command of the 2/13th Battalion London Regiment. Colonel Bisdee had -joined us at El Shaulth in September, 1917, and no Commanding Officer -was ever so popular, both with his officers and men. He had instilled -into the Regiment a magnificent spirit, and it is no idle boast to say -that the Regiment would have gone into action anywhere and under any -circumstances with Colonel Bisdee, with no misgivings and fully aware -that, whatever happened, he would be their leader. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo by Searle, S.W._ - -LT.-COL. T. E. BISDEE, D.S.O., M.C. (D.C.L.I.) Commanded 2nd Battalion, -9th October, 1917, to May, 1918. - - _To face page 338._] - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII - -EL HAUD--AIN ARIK--SURAFEND--KANTARA--ALEXANDRIA--JOURNEY TO ITALY - - -On the 23rd of April, 1918, the Battalion marched south from Attara -and encamped for the night just north of Ram Allah, near Lake Ballua. -The march was carried out during the evening, and the bright weather -made it enjoyable. On the two following days the journey was continued -towards Jerusalem, and on the night of the 25th we halted at Shafat, -a few miles north of the city. Rumours of another “stunt” across the -Jordan were then confirmed, and on the night of the 27th the Battalion -marched down the Jericho road once more to Talat ed Dumm, arriving -there about 11.0 p.m., where the concentration of transport foreboded -another operation on a large scale. The following evening the Battalion -moved to the Jordan Valley, and crossed over the river at Ghoraniyeh -Ford, which was then held by Indian troops. Although it was only April -the heat in the valley was terrific during the day, and white troops -would, no doubt, have suffered considerable losses from disease had -they been stationed there for any considerable length of time. The -next day was spent amid the thick brushwood on the plain, and every -available piece of shade was used, but even under this protection -the damp heat was nigh unbearable, and only a minimum of clothing -in the shape of drill shorts were worn by most. There was a large -concentration of troops in the area, and preparations were made for an -attack on the foot-hills of the Moab Mountains. - -On the 30th the attack was launched by the 179th Brigade, the -Westminsters on the left and the London Scottish on the right, while -the 180th Brigade was operating farther south. Under a heavy artillery -bombardment the troops advanced from their positions of deployment, -which they had taken up during the night. They attacked the first -ridge and, after heavy fighting, obtained a footing. Many prisoners -were captured and casualties were inflicted on the enemy. The 2/15th -were held in reserve at Ghoraniyeh Ford, and when a crowd of over 200 -prisoners appeared we felt that the operation was so successful that -we should not be needed; it transpired afterwards, however, that these -Turks were not captured in the actual assault, but had been detailed -to reconnoitre our concentration on the plain, and while coming over -had walked into the London Scottish, who were pushing forward for the -attack. They made no resistance, and were soon sent to the rear as -prisoners. - -After the first ridge had been taken it was found that the whole -position was strongly held by the Turk, and that further advance over -deep ravines swept by machine guns would be very difficult. Repeated -attempts were made to push forward, but only heavy casualties resulted. -The actual objective of the 179th Brigade was a steep hill called El -Haud, which lay some six miles east of the Jordan, and formed part of a -continuous line of steep, rocky hills that bordered the Jericho Plain -on the east. - -On the night of the 30th April the London Scottish had only been able -to gain the first ridge of El Haud after heavy fighting, and during -the following day held on to the captured ground with the idea of -pressing forward the attack at dawn next morning. In order to support -this second effort “A” and “B” Companies of the 2/15th pushed forward -to the foot of El Haud, to act as local supports. The second attack on -the 1st of May was also unsuccessful, not only at this one particular -spot but along the whole Divisional front. Heavy machine-gun fire swept -each ridge, both from the front and the flanks, so cunningly had the -Turk arranged his emplacements. Throughout the day desultory fighting -took place and small local attacks were made, but no general advance -could be accomplished. During the evening of the 1st of May “C” and “D” -Companies were brought up from the Wadi Nimrin, where they had been -moved the previous night, and during the night of the 1st the Battalion -relieved the London Scottish on El Haud. Orders were received on the -same night to attack at dawn. This meant a busy night in reconnoitring. -“A” and “B” Companies were detailed for the attack, with “C” Company in -support, and just before dawn they deployed for the attack on the right -flank of the hill, from which point it appeared the approach to the -summit was easiest. “D” Company remained in possession of the captured -ridge. - -The attack was launched forward with great spirit and dash, but was -met with the same murderous fire that had swept down the London -Scottish in their attempts, and the 2/15th could only push forward -a little way, gaining some 500 yards and a small hill, thus forming -for themselves an unpleasant little salient into the enemy’s lines. -Even then casualties were fairly heavy, and the work of carrying back -the wounded was made more hazardous by the Turk, who fired on every -stretcher with his machine guns throughout the day. Captain Peatfield, -“A” Company, was reported missing, but late at night he returned under -cover of darkness, having lain out all day in the sun, a few yards from -a Turkish machine gun, apparently dead. - -At dusk the wounded were collected, and “A” and “B” were withdrawn, “C” -Company staying on the captured ground and hastily organising it for -defence by building sangars. - -During the afternoon two platoons of “D” Company, under Lieutenant -K. P. Neall, had attempted to push forward from the main ridge, but -the progress was soon arrested by heavy machine-gun fire, and this -proved conclusively that frontal attacks were impossible. From the -result of this local attack it was learnt that between ourselves and -the Turk was a deep ravine with precipitous banks. The night of the -3rd of May was fairly quiet except for the intermittent machine-gun -and rifle fire from both sides. On the following morning, however, the -Turk made a determined counter attack on our immediate right, against -the London Irish of the 180th Brigade. Curiously, just before this -counter attack took place, four enemy planes flew over our lines and -poured machine-gun fire down at us. They did little actual damage, -and one of them was brought down by our Lewis-gun fire. Every one -was on the alert for a repetition of the aeroplane attack and sought -cover behind the numerous boulders on the hill. However, the planes -sailed out of sight behind the summit of El Haud, and just as every -one thought of coming from their cover a sentry group in front of the -Battalion on our right shouted “they’re coming over,” at which every -one near by took immediate cover, but were soon surprised to find that -no aeroplanes appeared but that a force of Turks about 250 strong -rushed their position and drove them off. The Turkish “coup,” however, -was short lived, and an immediate counter attack by the “Irish” sent -them hurrying back to their lines with loss. However, the incident was -disastrous to that Company of the 2/15th which was holding the little -salient which had been gained during the morning attack of the previous -day, as the Turk was able to pour machine-gun fire into the rear of -“C” Company, causing casualties. The gallant action of Private Freer, -a signaller, in remaining at his telephone though severely wounded -and under close-range rifle fire, materially assisted the “Irish” to -regain their position, for Captain Wills, of “C” Company, was thus able -to send back information which led to the “Irish” receiving adequate -support from our machine guns and eighteen pounders. - -Later in the day the enemy aeroplanes returned, but this time devoted -their attentions to the transport lines and A.S.C. dumps near -Ghoraniyeh Ford. For the rest of the day the infantry could make no -progress, and spent their time watching the artillery bombardment of -those places where machine guns had been located. The Turk was clever -in concealing his emplacements, and it was only in the evening when a -slight breeze sprang up were we able to detect one that had been firing -at us throughout the whole day. This machine gun was in a cave in the -hill side, and the entrance to the cave had been cleverly camouflaged -with a blanket of the same colour as the surrounding rocks, and not -until the breeze caused the blanket to move was it realised that the -fire had been coming from an apparently solid rock. However, attentions -were soon upon this spot, and one of our machine guns poured heavy fire -into the cave, tearing the blanket in shreds, and no doubt killing the -enemy gunners. - -On the evening of the 4th May orders were received that the whole of -the British Force would be withdrawn to the Ghoraniyeh Bridgehead -as the Turks had sent a considerable force down the Jordan Valley -from the north, and which had been driven back by our cavalry that -afternoon. However, it was realised that should this attack by the -Turk succeed our left flank and our line of retreat would both be -seriously threatened. In the Battalion arrangements were made for “D” -Company to be left as a rear-guard, holding the hill of El Haud until -the rest of the Battalion had got a good start across the plain. “D” -Company kept up an occasional Lewis gun and rifle fire for nearly an -hour and then left the hill to the mercy of the Turks. Every one was -relieved to reach the wire entanglements of the Ghoraniyeh defences -the gaps in which were guarded by Indian cavalry. The amusing part, -however, was that when the Battalion returned to its bivouac area of -a few days previous they found “D” Company there first. Apparently -being a smaller force they were more mobile and certainly they knew the -shortest cut home. Once inside the wire a few hours’ rest was granted, -and at 3 a.m. the withdrawal was resumed as far as Tel el Sultan, a -ruined village near Jericho. We arrived at our bivouac area early in -the morning, and in the glorious warmth of the day every one enjoyed a -thorough rest after the unsatisfactory hard fighting of the past few -days. Before leaving the subject of El Haud a word of praise is due to -the Divisional R.A.M.C. for the splendid manner in which they evacuated -the wounded during the fighting, and had erected a large field hospital -tent well within range of shell fire under the slopes of El Haud. - -On the 6th of May the Battalion had the surprise of its life, when -orders were received to pack up and move to Jericho, where motor -lorries were to take us as far back as Jerusalem. Never in its -existence had the Battalion partaken of such luxury, but it is -regretted that we all thought that this kindness to tired troops was -to move them to another part of the front where they were needed in a -hurry. - -In the late hours of the afternoon the Battalion boarded the lorries -and the convoy started its journey to Jerusalem, along the new Jericho -road, which is a masterpiece in mountain roads, and was built under -German influence. About half-way home we met several regiments of -Indian cavalry proceeding in the direction of the Jordan Valley, where -they were to hold the line during the summer months. Many of them wore -the Mons Star ribbon, and apparently had seen fighting in France. After -passing these troops rain commenced to fall and those who had greedily -sought the seats beside the driver paid the penalty and were soon -drenched through. The lorries pulled up just north of Jersualem on the -Nablous road, from which point each load of men marched independently -to the camping ground near Shafat, which we had occupied only a week -previously. The writer was detailed to supervise the unloading of the -Battalion, and when they had finally “debussed” he made his way to -Shafat probably about 45 minutes after the first party of the 2/15th -had left their lorry. In spite of the rain and the muddy ground -bivouacs had been erected and each one had a small candle burning -inside. To see the camp from the roadway it would have appeared to a -casual observer that it had been in existence for several weeks, so -expert had the Battalion become in erecting its temporary home. Finding -his bivouac the writer was soon presented with a plate of bread, bully -beef, pickles, cheese and a mug of tea by his batman. - -On the 7th, the G.O.C. Division inspected the Battalion and -complimented it on the splendid way in which it had stuck to its -unsuccessful work in the recent visit across the Jordan. - -The following day the Battalion moved north a few miles as far as Ram -Allah; the march was not long, the road was fair, and the weather was -glorious, and by 2 p.m. the Battalion had settled down in its new -area, and dinners were being cooked. I have already referred to the -speed with which the Battalion made themselves at home on the night we -arrived at Shafat, but as a further illustration the following true -story may be given. On this day’s march we were followed by the London -Scottish, who were in turn followed by an officer of our own Battalion -and a draft fresh from England who were on their way to join us. Having -missed the Battalion as it left Shafat this new officer attempted to -catch us up. We arrived at our bivouac area and moved off the road to -allow the Scottish to pass to their camp which was farther north. We -immediately put up our bivouacs and commenced cooking. The new officer -and his men followed the Scottish for some two miles only to find that -the encampment he had passed some 25 minutes before was really that of -his own Battalion. It was hard to make him realise that we were only -just ahead of the Scottish on the march and turning off the road had -immediately set to and erected our camp. - -Here news of a long rest reached us, and we were told that after the -next day’s march to Ain Arik we should have a complete rest. On the -way to Ain Arik we were inspected by the Commander-in-Chief, General -Allenby, and on the afternoon of the 9th arrived at our new camp. The -camp was situated on the rocky slopes of a deep wadi; little ledges -were however found for “bivvies,” and each company made itself at -home in its particular area. The slopes were covered with many small -trees, and it was undoubtedly one of the prettiest spots in Palestine -that we had visited. Here the Battalion remained for 10 days, and -everything was done to make the rest enjoyable. At the top of the -wadi near the main roadway a few level places were found and football -competitions, both inter-Battalion and inter-company were arranged. A -Brigade Sports Committee was set up and a varied programme of games, -sports and transport competitions was arranged. The final placings were -as follows: 2/15th Battalion, 10 points; 2/14th Battalion, 10 points; -2/16th Battalion, 3 points; and 2/13th Battalion, 3 points. Great -credit was due to the excellent turn out of our transport section, and -also our Lewis gunners in their particular competitions. In the Brigade -football final the London Scottish beat the Queen’s Westminsters after -a hard game. The Divisional Concert Party arrived and gave nightly -performances in a large marquee. In the Battalion itself company -concerts were held, a piano being hired all the way from Jerusalem -through the personal efforts of Lieutenant Phelps. The whist drive held -by “B” Company must also be included in the “mention in dispatches.” -Shooting competitions were held at a small range built at the bed of -the wadi, and Battalion sports, limited to the three-legged, sack, -egg and spoon type of race, were held on the flat bed of the wadi and -proved a huge success. There was no suitable ground for sprinting, and -even the course for the comic races had to be cleared of large stones -by a voluntary fatigue party. One competition of the afternoon which -deserves special mention was a “beauty competition for the best dressed -lady.” The originality of the aspirants was marvellous, and real harem -dresses with the aid of bacon wrappings, etc., were among the prize -winners. Canteen stores were plentiful and “dinner” parties were given -throughout the camp each night. A real happy time was spent here and -the Battalion was loath to leave Ain Arik when orders were issued on -the night of the 19th May. - -The Battalion proceeded next morning to Beit Ello by a circuitous route -around the many hills in that part of Palestine. A pleasant camping -ground was found, and after a night’s rest we proceeded the next -morning to Beit Rima, which was near the centre of the British line -in Palestine which then extended from Jaffa, on the west, to a point -just south of Nablous on the east. Here the proximity of the enemy’s -observation posts necessitated us to place our bivouacs under the -numerous olive trees on the terraces round the village. For the next -week or so the Battalion rested by day and each night large working -parties sallied forth north of the village of Beit Rima to dig a system -of trenches for the defence of the hill. - -Rumours of France commenced to float about, and these rumours soon -developed into fact. On the 29th of May, 1918, the Battalion, together -with the London Scottish and Queen’s Westminsters of the same Brigade, -bade farewell to the 60th Division. - -In France, heavy fighting and the stupendous thrust by the Germans in -the spring of 1918, necessitated that seasoned troops from the East -should proceed to the Western Front. Certain Battalions of the 60th -Division were therefore withdrawn from the Palestine Front leaving on -an average one white Battalion in each Brigade, and filling up their -vacancies with Indian troops. - -Leaving Beit Rima the Battalion trekked to the Jaffa area via Ibn -Harith, Amwas, near Latrun, to Surafend, near Ludd, which had then -become the British railhead for the western flank of the British line -in Palestine. The marches were carried out by night as the summer heat -became too trying for any movement by day. The nights were warm and -glorious, a bright moon shone throughout the march, the roads were -in good condition, and every one enjoyed the journey. Only one night -was spent at Surafend, and in the afternoon of the 2nd of June the -Battalion marched to Ludd Station and travelled throughout the night, -reaching Kantara by 5 a.m. on the 3rd. A short march to the rest camp -brought the journey to an end, and here we were met by the advance -party under Lieutenant Neall, who allotted us to our proper lines in -the camp. - -At Kantara we were fortunate to be given a part of the Divisional Rest -Camp and were not bothered to erect tents as was the lot of other -battalions in the Division. The camp kitchens, canteens and mess -tents were at our disposal, and this saved a great deal of work and -organisation. Immediately on our arrival large parties were granted -leave to Cairo and Alexandria, and except for morning parades and -ordinary camp duties those who remained took every advantage of the -benefits of life in a base camp. The local cinema huts, concert party -marquees and canteens were packed each night, and every day bathing -parades in the Suez Canal were held. The weather was extremely hot and -the bathing parades were a great boon. Preparations were also made for -an early departure to France. - -On the evening of the 15th of June, 1918, the Battalion paraded and -marched to Kantara Station and entrained for Alexandria, which place -was reached by 5 a.m. the following morning. The train ran alongside -our transport, the _Indarra_. As soon as the train stopped on the -quayside we were busy transferring our stores, and for a couple of -hours fatigue parties were constantly up and down the gangways. When -this work was completed the Battalion paraded alongside the boat and -then marched up the gangway, leaving their pith helmets in heaps on the -dock side; it was a pathetic farewell to Egypt, where we had thoroughly -enjoyed ourselves. - -The _Indarra_ remained alongside for the day, but no leave ashore -was granted, and the time was spent in allotting boat stations and -issuing life-belts. The following morning we moved to the middle of -the harbour, and during the day bathing from the side of the boat was -permitted, and although a certain amount of flotsam floated around the -ship the warm sea water was most delightful. Non-swimmers were advised -to put on their life-belts in order to gain confidence in case the -journey was ill-fated, and in many cases the men proved to themselves -the efficiency of the belts in actual water. Practice alarms for boat -stations added to the “pleasure” of the day. About midday the _Indarra_ -was joined by four other transports, namely, the _Kaiser-i-Hind_, -_Malwa_, _Caledonia_ and _Canberra_. This convoy left the harbour in -the evening in single file and was escorted by armed trawlers and some -naval vessels; to one of which was attached a captive balloon for -purposes of detecting submarines which frequented the area around the -entrance to Alexandria Harbour. Several aeroplanes also flew over the -convoy, and not until we were some 50 miles out to sea did our aerial -escort leave us, when we were handed over to the care of ten Japanese -destroyers and then the trawlers from Alexandria returned. - -By the time the Alexandrian escort had left us the transports had lined -up abreast of each other with a distance of roughly 500 yards between -each boat, and this formation was retained throughout the voyage, the -ten Japanese destroyers forming advanced, rear, and flank guards. - -The journey across the Mediterranean was without incident, and the -coast of Italy came into view early on the morning of the 21st of June, -and the convoy steamed towards Taranto Harbour. When the boats arrived -within the wide bay just outside the entrance to the inner harbour -every one was relieved, but excitement was intense when the guns of the -escort opened rapid fire on our left. Immediately the Japanese flag was -run up the mast of each of the destroyers and frantic signals were sent -from the Commander’s boat, which was ahead of the flotilla. Three of -the destroyers rushed at full speed to a spot about two miles to the -left of the convoy and immediately commenced to drop depth-charges, -the explosions of which shook the sides of the _Indarra_ even at that -distance. Torpedoes, however, had already been fired by the enemy -submarine, which had apparently been lying in wait in the harbour only -a couple of miles from an Italian Naval Base. One of these torpedoes -came at a terrific speed, leaving a white wake in its trail, and passed -in rear of the _Malwa_ on our left, and only missed the bows of our own -boat by a few yards. The second torpedo passed about 200 yards ahead of -the convoy. The course of the transports was immediately altered and -with a zig-zag route the boats hurried to their berths just outside the -narrow entrance of the inner harbour; while the Japanese destroyers -continued to drop depth-charges around the suspected position of -the German submarine. No official result was published, but it was -reported in Taranto that the submarine was sunk by the explosion of the -depth-charges. - -The following day the _Indarra_ moved through the narrow channel -into the inner harbour. So narrow is this entrance that the sides of -our troopship only missed the high walls on both sides by a matter -of five or six yards. In the inner harbour were battleships of all -sizes belonging to the Italian Navy, and one marvelled how our allies -could allow enemy submarines to lie in wait just outside without any -interference, for on our arrival not a sign of an Italian warship was -seen in the outer harbour. In the peacefulness of the still waters of -the inner harbour, which was several square miles in area, we remained -until the early hours of the following morning, and just after dawn -the Battalion disembarked by means of lighters which carried us to the -temporary pier erected on the shallow beach near the British Base Camp. - -It was the 23rd of June, 1918. Just a year previously we had landed in -Egypt, and two years practically to the day since we had left England -for France. Once again our feet were on the continent of Europe and we -felt we had left the East for good. We looked forward with no little -anxiety to our coming return to France, though many maintained that we -were bound for the Italian Trentino Front, and arriving at Taranto and -not Marseilles lent colour to this possibility. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX - -JOURNEY THROUGH ITALY AND FRANCE--RECONSTRUCTION--MOULLE--ST. SYLVESTER -CAPPEL--MONT ROUGE--LOCRE--DRANOUTRE--MONT VIDAGNE. - - -On arrival at the pier at Taranto beach a short march brought us to our -lines in the Base Camp. Only one day was spent here, and the following -evening we entrained for France. During the day canteen stores were -bought for the journey from the large Expeditionary Force Canteen, but -no leave into the town was granted. Orders were issued for entraining -that evening, and an amusing paragraph appeared to the effect that -troops were requested not to refer to our gallant Allies, the Italians, -as “Italianoes,” “Ice-creamoes,” “Chip Potatoes,” etc. The route by -train was along the east coast of Italy, and the train left the camp -siding about 8 p.m. on the evening of the 24th June, 1918. - -The first part of the journey was practically along the seashore and -there was nothing of special note about the scenery. Halts were made at -Bari, Foggia, Termoli and Castellammare, which town was reached about -1 p.m. on the 25th. By the following midday we had reached Rimini, -having passed through Ancona and Pesaro en route. As far as Rimini the -scenery had not been above the average of the coastal scenery of Kent -or Sussex, but shortly after leaving the town the railroad branched -inland towards Faenza; and on this part of the journey the scenery was -beautiful, the countryside being rich with summer flowers of bright -colours, while the perfect blue of the sky overhead added to the -richness of the colour scheme. Faenza was reached by 4 p.m. on the 25th -June, and a long halt was made in a siding and men were permitted to -leave the train and stretch their legs a little. Hitherto the halts had -been short and just long enough to permit the issue of hot tea which -had been prepared at wayside cookhouses previous to our arrival. At -Faenza the long halt of several hours permitted officers to visit the -town, where a decent meal was procured at one of the hotels. Time also -enabled many of us to purchase and send home as souvenirs, pieces of -artistic pottery for which the town is noted. Early in the evening the -journey was resumed, and our next halt was made in the large station -of Bologna, just after 8 p.m., when we caught a passing glimpse of the -quaint Cathedral and University in the town. The people on the station -cheered us as the train pulled up; a decided change from the apathetic -gaze which had been our greeting from the southern Italians. While -standing in the station a long ambulance train full of wounded Italian -troops drew up alongside our train and fraternising between the two -armies commenced, cigarettes and souvenirs were exchanged, and when -the hospital train moved out we gave a hearty cheer to our wounded -allies. A short time afterwards our train steamed out of Bologna, and -by dawn the following morning we were passing through the glorious -mountain scenery of Northern Italy. The train wended its way along -deep valleys and pierced through the long tunnels which are numerous -in the Apennines. The route taken was through Novi Liguire, Ronco to -Sampierdarina, just west of Genoa; the railway skirting the city at -this part of the journey. During the afternoon of the 27th we halted at -Savona where an enthusiastic crowd gathered and cheered us; no doubt -thinking that the Battalion was part of the British Forces which had -so materially assisted the Italians in their recent victories on the -Trentino Front. We did not disillusion these kind people and accepted -their flowers, fruits and, cigarettes. From Savona the journey was -continued along the sea shore, and we enjoyed the beauty of the calm, -blue, sunlit Mediterranean on our left, and on the other hand the -steep cliffs covered with bright flowers and dotted here and there -with pretty little towns and beautiful gardens. At 11 p.m. that night -the train pulled up at Ventimiglia, the frontier station where certain -international formalities were gone through by the railway officials. -However, such things did not worry us, and we spent the halt in the -railway refreshment cafés and buffets. Unfortunately, the beauties -of the Mentone-Cannes Riviera were passed at night-time and the only -excitement of the night was the gamble in most carriages while we were -passing Monte Carlo. Early on the morning of the 28th June we reached -the outskirts of Marseilles. The railway ran along the north-eastern -side of the town on high ground, and a splendid view of the harbour -and city was obtained. From this point the route went northwards via -Miramas, Avignon, where we crossed the Rhone to Le Tiel, which town -we reached at 10.30 p.m. that night, and obtained an excellent meal -at the railway buffet. The rest of the beauty of the Rhone Valley, -which many of us had enjoyed some eighteen months previously, was -lost in the darkness. Lyons was passed early the next morning, but it -was sufficiently light to obtain a splendid view of the city and its -bridges, which had been denied us in the outward journey to the East. -After passing through St. Germains au Mont D’or the railway branched -off to the west and a long halt was made at Paray-le-Monial, giving -us the opportunity of exploring the quaint provincial French town for -about an hour, when the journey was again resumed. During the night -we passed through Moulins, Nevers, and Gien, and on this part of the -trip we passed a train containing the London Scottish which had been -delayed owing to a fire breaking out in one of the trucks. During the -morning of the 30th June we arrived near Versailles about 10 a.m., at -which point the network of railways is extremely intricate and hopes -of passing through Paris were high at one moment when we appeared to -be travelling towards the capital, only to be dashed to the ground -the next when the train shot over the points in quite a different -direction. Over this network of railway lines outside Versailles the -train halted, shunted, went forward, moved backwards until we became -quite bewildered as to the real direction of Paris, but when we -eventually passed through the station of Poissy it was settled once -and for all that we were not going near Paris. The day was beautifully -warm and every one was getting tired of this long train journey with -its constant jolting, when the train pulled up miles from nowhere. -Every one descended from the train to the fields alongside and enjoyed -a “leg stretch.” The signal was against us, and in spite of the frantic -whistle of the engine it did not fall. None of the railway officials -could account for the stoppage, so we enjoyed the freedom of the -fields for about two hours. Eventually, however, the shrill whistle -of the engine warned us that the journey was to be continued, and as -the train slowly moved, every one made a dash for their truck. Every -one was present except two officers, and we all worried about their -apparent predicament or even perhaps their desertion. However, about -a mile further up the line the train pulled up and the two truants -appeared. Apparently they had gone off to a village further up the line -in search of luxuries in the shape of eggs, butter, fruit, etc., and -before leaving had made a compact with the driver (no doubt with the -aid of a few francs) to wait for them at a given point if the train was -permitted to pass the signal. After this incident the train crawled -along until the town of Gisors was reached, and here the explanation -of our delay was apparent. The train in front of ours, carrying French -troops and transport, had run into a stationary engine in the station, -and as the result of the collision, several carriages had been smashed -up and the engine derailed, causing casualties among both troops and -horses. After some delay, which allowed us to visit the cafés in the -town near the station, we proceeded on our journey, and early on -the 1st of July we passed through Etaples, where the large British -Cemetery brought back to us the real horrors of war after a pleasant -journey across the Mediterranean and the long and interesting train -ride through Italy and France. From Etaples the journey to Boulogne -was through a particularly dull piece of country, and consisted of a -continuous line of dumps, hospitals, camps, hutments, ordnance depots, -etc. - -About midday on the 1st of July, 1918, the Battalion detrained at -Audricques, a large Royal Engineer locomotive repair depot. The -scenery at this place was not particularly pleasing; all railheads -are surrounded by the same old ration and ammunition dumps, but the -W.A.A.C.’s, whom we had never seen before, brightened our lives at -that particular moment. It must be remembered that we had not seen a -real fresh-complexioned English girl for over two years. Not that I am -belittling the beauty of their French sisters or even the particular -charms of the girls of Italy, Macedonia, Egypt and Palestine, but to us -there were none to touch the homely loveliness of the British girl. - -Orders were soon issued by the new Divisional Staff which had met us on -our arrival, and we proceeded to billets at Moulle, not an excessive -distance, it is true, neither were the roads dusty and rough like the -tracks we had traversed out East, but after a week in the train it was -a trying march. - -Here we were informed that we were to form part of the 30th Division -which had been recently reconstructed and was under the command of -Major-General W. de Williams, C.M.G., D.S.O., and with the London -Scottish and the Queen’s Westminsters we were to form the 90th Infantry -Brigade under Brigadier-General G. A. Stevens, D.S.O. - -The other two brigades in the Division were the 21st Brigade, -consisting of the 1/6th Cheshire Regiment, 2/23rd London Regiment and -the 7th Royal Irish Regiment, and the 89th Brigade, containing the 2nd -Battalion South Lancashire Regiment, 7/8th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers -and the 2/17th London Regiment. - -The following extract from a brief history of the 30th Division gives -an idea of the state of affairs on our joining the Division:-- - - “The various units of the Division were collected together at - the beginning of July, occupying an area around Cassel, where - Divisional Headquarters were. But the Division was hardly ready - to go into the line without some training and preparation. This - was particularly the case since there were indications that the - enemy was going to attack again on the Kemmel-Hazebrouck Front. - The French troops holding the line between Kemmel and the Mont - des Cats had been relieved by British troops at the beginning - of the month, and the defensive systems still required a - good deal of attention, so that during the month of July the - Division was busy enough. The various battalions within the - three Brigades of the Division had to get to know each other. - The various arms of the Division had to learn to work together - for defence and offence, the Palestine Battalions had to - accustom themselves to the warfare of 1918, which had changed - since their departure for Salonica in 1916. While the whole - Division had to prepare for, and practise its rôle as Reserve - Division to the 10th Corps with a series of counter-attack - programmes in the event of an enemy attack taking place. This - involved careful organisation and co-ordination of each arm for - the various situations that might arise, from the piercing of - the line by Mont Rouge, to a thrust on the south-western slopes - of the Mont des Cats.” - -From the 2nd of July to the 7th the Battalion was comfortably -billeted at Moulle and carried out intensive field training in the -neighbourhood. Our Battalion organisation was soon revised and -completed, and the Battalion was initiated into the revised methods of -warfare in France in 1918. Leave was granted to the United Kingdom in -limited numbers, it being in most cases the first home leave for two -years. - -On the 7th of July the Battalion marched to La Nieppe, between St. -Omer and Cassel, and stayed there for the night. The next morning the -march was resumed as far as Eecke, where the Battalion was billeted -in a couple of large farms between the villages of St. Sylvester -Cappel and Eecke. The Battalion, in common with the remainder of the -Division, became responsible for the defence of the reserve line at -Coq de Paille, south-west of Mont des Cats. Each day reconnaissances -of the various routes from our billets to the position, and also a -complete study of the system itself, was made by officers and N.C.O.’s. -On several occasions the Battalion marched up at night and manned the -trenches for practice purposes, while schemes for counter attacks -from the trenches were worked out and practised. During the day field -training was carried out with vigour, while on those evenings when we -were not detailed to march up to the Coq de Paille defences for the -night, Company concerts, assisted by our own drum and fife band, which -had again been organised, were held. Except for the night time, when -the enemy persisted in shelling a dump of artillery ammunition near our -farms, our stay at Eecke was quite enjoyable. Leave was still granted, -and parties continued to leave each day for the United Kingdom. - -On the 13th of July we were inspected by General Plumer, the Army -Commander, who complimented us on our turn out--The usual “splendid lot -of men” business which we all know. - -German attacks on our front were threatened to take place on the 18th -of July in the region of Mont Rouge, and the Battalion was accordingly -ordered to move up through Boeschepe and was held in reserve for the -night in the rear of Mont Rouge, with orders to occupy and defend the -line of reserve trenches covering Berthen should the attack develop. -However, beyond the usual artillery fire the night was quiet, and -we returned just after daybreak to our billets near Eecke. Training -was continued for another week, and on the 25th the Battalion moved -up to the line near Mont Rouge and relieved the 17th Royal Scots in -the support trenches on the Locre sector. Nothing of special interest -occurred beyond the usual unpleasantness of trench warfare. Movement -by day was practically impossible owing to the German observation from -Mont Kemmel, on our left front. For five days we remained in this -sector of the line, and were relieved on the night of the 30th by the -2/14th London (Scottish) and marched back towards Boeschepe. We had -suffered a few casualties from shelling, but it was great experience -for the officers and men who had joined the Battalion since its -departure from the French front in 1916. Those of us who remembered -the old line at Neuville St. Vaast were struck by the absence of those -splendid dug-outs which we had occupied during our first visit to -France. On the 3rd of August the Battalion moved back as far as St. -Sylvester Cappel and enjoyed a week’s rest. - -At the end of the week the Battalion moved to the line and took over -the Locrehof sub-sector as supports, and were moved up seven days -later to the front line trenches, relieving the London Scottish. Only -two days were spent in the front line, when we were relieved by the -Queen’s Westminster Rifles and returned from the line to Moth Farm, -which lay midway between Boeschepe and Godewaersvelde, and while in -rest here it was arranged that our Division should attack the Dranoutre -Ridge. We overlooked the German lines throughout their length from -the Mont Noir-Mont Rouge Ridge, but the Bosche had the advantage in -the possession of the Dranoutre Ridge, a long spur running down from -Mont Rouge through Locre, with Dranoutre at its tip, which high ground -represented, after successive ebbings and flowings, the mark of the -Hun tide of advance there. This ridge, looking down as it did into our -front trenches, made approach by day almost impossible; and it set -bounds to movement, cooking and life there generally, which only those -who had to live there could properly appreciate. The 35th Division, -whom we had relieved, had long ago made up their minds to take the -ridge, but wet weather set in and their patrols reported the going -across “No Man’s Land” impossible; it was therefore left for us to -accomplish. - -The attack was fixed for the night of the 21st/22nd of August. It -entailed an advance of some 300 yards over swampy ground, pocked with -shell-holes, the crossing of the River Douvre here a small stream, the -ascent up through the straggling Wakefield and Mowbray Woods to the -crest, where stood two strongly fortified posts--the old farms of -Romp and Locrehof--a total advance of about 1,000 yards. The going was -really difficult in the last part, where to the usual tangle of rough -grass, shell-holes new and old, odds and ends of trenches and dug-outs -was added the presence of trees and some undergrowth, the navigation -of which even in daylight and without an enemy or the impedimenta of -attack requires a certain care. - -The London Scottish represented the 90th Brigade in this show, and that -the attack was carried out with courage and great credit is due to the -2/14th Londons, who showed that the Palestine troops were equal to any -demands that the Western Front might make upon them. - -During the night following the attack the Civil Service Rifles relieved -the Scottish in the captured line, which merely consisted of odd shell -holes, and there withstood a determined counter-attack delivered by -storm troops. Under continual heavy artillery, trench mortar, and -machine-gun fire, we helped to consolidate the new front line. Fighting -patrols were pushed forward and great courage was displayed by members -of the 2/15th, particularly Sergeant P. J. Kelly’s patrol, “C” Company, -at Locrehof Farm, and by Lieutenant H. J. Mallett’s patrol, “D” Company. - -Wakefield Wood, which was on our front, was heavily shelled with gas -shells, but this did not deter the Battalion, and on the 24th of August -we drove off a determined counter-attack by the Boche. Local fighting -continued until the 26th; but the consolidation of the line progressed, -when the Battalion was withdrawn and retired to the comparative -security of the dug-outs on Mont Rouge, and on the following day -returned to our old billet at Moth Farm for a couple of nights, when a -return to Mont Rouge was made. - -On the 1st of September the enemy withdrew from Mont Kemmel, and the -British line was immediately pushed forward as far as Daylight Corner, -and close to Wulverghem. On the night of the 3rd-4th of September -we relieved the London Scottish near Wulverghem, which was merely -indicated by a notice board with “This is Wulverghem,” and a few -chipped and broken tombstones which marked the site of the church. -Our orders were to carry on the same policy of advancing as far as -possible without a full-dress attack. But we were now up against the -outposts of the enemy’s main line of resistance; he held the high -ground, and furthermore the ground was of the worst possible type for -advance under fire. Hardly a yard of it but had been wired at some -time in one direction or another. In fact, it looked exactly as if -the wire had taken root and spread like brambles. What was not wire -was shell-holes or old trenches full, or perhaps only half full, of -water. Any advance at all was creditable. There was, too, from this -time a noticeable increase in artillery fire of all calibres, with a -fair amount of gas from our line back beyond Daylight Corner to beyond -Kemmel. Wulverghem and Daylight Corner succeeded Locre and Canada -Corner as targets, with Kemmel as a substitute for the Mont Rouge -Hills. Thus, though the left company of the 2/15th Londons managed -on the 4th to advance their right about 200 yards and establish new -posts east of Wulverghem, efforts during the night of the 4th-5th -yielded little in the way of progress, but more in the way of heroism -when Private Cleaver stayed by his wounded comrade in “No Man’s Land” -until they were found two or three days later. But even as this -bald outline suggests, there was plenty of work and opportunity for -both leadership and initiative, whether on the part of the Company -Commander, e.g., Captain Andrew, whose bold reconnaissances were of -as great value to his Company as to the Battalion, or on the part of -the Platoon Commanders--Sergeant E. G. Ward, “B” Company, who held -on all day in an isolated position far ahead of the general line, or -Private Shepherd, “D” Company, who specially distinguished himself by -keeping up communication under fire between his own platoon, which was -isolated in front, and his Company. On the night of the 5th-6th we were -relieved by the Queen’s Westminsters and marched back to Donegal Farm, -at the foot of Mont Kemmel, leaving the 2/16th to carry on our work of -“peaceful penetration.” After a couple of days’ stay here we marched -back as far as Mont Vidagne, where our rest consisted of furnishing -strong working parties for road making and clearing up the area near -Westoutre. The Battalion transport and Quartermaster’s Stores moved -up from Nonne Bosch, near Godewaersvelde, which had been their home -since the beginning of August, to a place just west of Westoutre. Not -only had this rear headquarters provided us with rations and letters -regularly while we were in the line, but they had prepared for us a -concert party, a revival of the original “Plumes,” who had worked hard -and got together an excellent programme under the able leadership of -Lieutenant K. P. Neall, our assistant Quartermaster. A full-dress -rehearsal was given in a marquee on the 14th of September on the rear -slopes of Mont Vidagne. Other units of the Brigade were invited and -gave the party a great reception. One must remember that although the -party did not reach the excellence of a London theatre, or even the -“Barnstormers” (one of our Egyptian Divisional concert parties), it was -composed of men of the transport and Quartermaster’s staff who came -up the line each night with rations and shared with the Battalion the -unpleasantness of enemy artillery fire and aerial bombing raids. It was -not a party of selected entertainers who retired from the fray for the -sole purpose of becoming efficient music-hall artists. - -On the 16th the Battalion was moved to Mont Noir and Major Benké -assumed command.[16] Working parties still continued to work in the -Westoutre area, while parties of officers were detailed to make a -thorough reconnaissance of the line just beyond Wulverghem and facing -Messines Ridge, with a view of relieving the 6th Cheshire Regiment. -However, this work was in vain, orders for the relief were cancelled, -and we were ordered to move farther south and occupy the support area -on the Neuve Eglise Sector, taking over from the Royal Inniskilling -Fusiliers. - -[16] Lt.-Col. Gaze proceeding on leave. - -On the 19th of September the Battalion marched from Mont Vidagne over -the captured area as far as Bailleul, which town was now completely -devastated, and then turning east arrived at Neuve Eglise about -midnight. The relief was carried out successfully, although everyone -was tired after their march of some ten or eleven miles. - - - - -CHAPTER XL - -NEUVE EGLISE--MESSINES--HOUTHEM--WYTSCHAETE - - -In the Neuve Eglise area the Companies were spread over a considerable -area, the whole of which was under the direct observation from the -German lines on Messines Ridge. “A” Company was in immediate support -to the London Scottish, who were in the line on Hill 63, north of -Ploegsteert Wood, while the remaining three Companies were dotted -along the defensive line of trenches just east of the village of Neuve -Eglise. The Battalion was under orders to garrison this reserve line -should the Bosche make an attack on our immediate front. Movement, -of course, during daylight was restricted, and at the slightest sign -of smoke the enemy would deluge the area with shells, and during one -of these strafes “B” Company had to move its home further back, but -not without suffering a few casualties. “A” and “C” Company were also -unfortunate one night while furnishing working parties in the line, -and several of their men were killed and wounded during an enemy -bombardment of Hill 63. On the whole, however, a quiet time was spent -in this area, and the Battalion was ordered up the line on the 26th -of September. We relieved the 6/7th Inniskillings and took over the -line in front of Messines town from the right of the main road from -Wulverghem to Messines. Headquarters was situated near South Midland -Farm, “A” Company were in the front line on the sector adjoining the -road, and “C” Company on their right, having Stinking Farm as their -right flank. “B” Company provided supports to both front Companies, -while “D” Company were held in reserve behind South Midland Farm. The -intention was that within a few days the Battalion, in conjunction -with other units, should attack and capture Messines Ridge, so that -the first days in the line were spent in reconnoitring our front, from -which it was learnt that the enemy had a plentiful supply of machine -guns. At night-time we were also busy in bringing up and distributing -stores which are peculiar to an organised attack, such as red lights, -Verey pistols and so forth. To recapture the ridge was less an -operation by itself than an operation supplementary to a much larger -attack further north. - -The 2/16th Queen’s Westminsters were on our right and the 2/17th -Londons on our left. The main road from Wulverghem to Messines formed -the general line of the direction of our attack. On the Divisional -front the first objectives were some enemy strong points close to our -front line, and directly in front of our Battalion were three such -strongholds, viz., Big Bull Cottage, Boyles Farm and Rome Alley. The -attack was timed for dawn on the 28th, and at 5.30 a.m. our artillery -opened up their bombardment on our front. It was not a creeping -barrage, which had by that time become fairly perfect, but was rather a -treatment of carefully-selected places and areas to cover the advance -of our Companies on their allotted strong points to be attacked. Both -our attacking Companies got well off the mark under this artillery -preparation and possessed themselves of their objectives, the greatest -resistance coming from Big Bull Cottage, where most of the occupants -were killed, and before 7 a.m. the Battalion had claimed seventeen -prisoners and nine machine guns. The Battalion on our left were also -successful in capturing Mortar Farm and Ontario Farm. This clearing -of the way for the advance to the Messines Ridge, though perhaps more -an affair of fighting patrols than a staged attack, called for a good -deal of initiative on the part of Company, Platoon and Subordinate -Commanders in rushing and getting around machine guns when even the -mere covering of the ground alone presented considerable difficulties. -All the enemy strong points to be attacked had the armaments of machine -guns, Captain Peatfield’s Company, “A,” our left attacking Company, -accounting for six, Second-Lieutenant Pittam leading the platoon that -captured them. Lance-Sergeant P. Mason, of “A” Company, mopped up -a post of four with no little dash and skill, helped by the daring -reconnaissances of the previous night, in which Private J. Volke had a -notable share. - -“C” Company (Captain F. H. Du Heaume) had also pushed forward and -captured a network of trenches known as Rome Alley, driving off the -garrison and killing a few of the enemy, while their patrols afterwards -pushed towards Gabion Farm, which was strongly held by the enemy. -Against this strong point “C” Company had to form a defensive flank, -as the 2/16th Battalion had not advanced in the first stage of the -day’s operations. No determined counter-attack was made on our front, -although the enemy was active with his snipers and machine guns. - -“B” Company moved forward during the attack from their position in -support and occupied our original front line, while “D” Company was -brought up to occupy the support line vacated by “B” Company. - -The new front was then held pending the result of the greater attack -taking place further north, while on our right the 2/16th Battalion -(Queen’s Westminsters) assisted during the afternoon on the left -flank of the attack of the 31st Division through Ploegsteert Wood, -which met with considerable resistance, and the Westminsters suffered -considerable casualties. The actual attack took place about 3 p.m. -in the afternoon of the 28th, and turned out to be no easy task. The -element of surprise which had assisted us was of course entirely -lacking, and the progress of the troops on our right was attended -with difficulties, and the Bosche made a determined stand, but under -pressure gradually gave way. - -By this time the success of the operations further north had begun to -tell and, pressed on his right flank as well as in front, the enemy -began to withdraw over the ridge in the late afternoon. His passage -over the ridge, which of course was visible, was hastened by our -artillery and machine-gun fire, which the sight of the enemy on the -run in broad daylight naturally provoked. More than that, the Division -could now, while still preserving the role of flanking the attack -further north, push on to the ridge. Orders were accordingly issued for -further patrols to advance over the ridge in the evening and secure -a line east of Messines itself, curving back on the right to keep in -touch with the troops there. This implied following the dip into the -hollow of the Steenbecque River and its steepish rise to the top of the -ridge, the whole way a pitted and torn desolation of the familiar type. -Progress in the dark--it was pitch dark that night--was necessarily -slow over such ground. - -During the late afternoon and the evening our advance companies pushed -forward, meeting small resistance from the enemy’s rearguards. “A” -Company on the left were able to push forward past Hospice Mill and -actually entered the ruined village of Messines before midnight. The -advance of “C” Company was necessarily slower as the troops on our -right were held up, and it became necessary for us to form a defensive -flank. Unfortunately, it was found inadvisable to hold the village -of Messines, as the Battalion on our left had also met some strong -resistance, and the salient which we formed became particularly -unpleasant and it was ordered that we should withdraw from the village -itself and occupy Hospice Mill, on the western outskirts, where “B” -Company had pushed out in support of “A” Company during the advance -to the village. In view of the advance being continued the following -day, it was decided that “D” Company should relieve “A” Company in the -front line, and “B” Company should continue as supports and “A” and -“C” Companies be held in Battalion reserve. Great credit is due to all -concerned for the excellent manner in which this reorganisation was -carried out on such a dark night and over strange country covered with -shell-holes, trenches and with entanglements. The first day’s work had -been very successful. - -Our casualties were comparatively small when one realises the advance -we had made, and most of them were the result of heavy artillery fire -which had continued all day on our old front line, and, curious as it -may seem, Headquarters suffered most, one unlucky shell killing nine -and wounding five others seriously. Amongst those killed by this shell -was our R.S.M. H. W. Lovelock, well known to both the 1st and 2nd -Battalions. - -By daylight on the 29th, however, the ridge was ours for the taking, -and in the heavy mist at dawn parties of the Battalion pushed forward -and by seven o’clock were in the village and over the ridge. Messines, -with its memories of four years’ fighting, passed into British hands -again, and this time for good. There was, indeed, little else than -memories, save the jagged cairn which had been the church, the ruined -houses which had been made into concrete blockhouses, some of them left -intact, or nearly so, and a few broken tombstones on the site of the -cemetery. The Messines Ridge in the chill of a misty, late September -morning, when you have been fighting since dawn the day before, and do -not know where in the mist the enemy is hidden, provides neither time -nor the place for philosophising. The ridge, from being an objective, -became merely a road to the valley of the Lys. Somewhere there, as not -infrequently in the history of Flanders, we might expect a stand to -be made. The task of the Division was to see that it was made as far -east of the ridge as possible--at any rate, as far as the line of the -Ypres-Comines Canal, so well known and so little loved in the Salient -farther north. - -In order to carry out this idea the Battalion was ordered to push -forward at dawn and advance as far as Houthem, and if possible make -for the line of the Canal, a distance of over three miles. Except for -constant artillery fire the first mile of the advance on our actual -front was carried out with few losses to ourselves. However, we soon -came under the direct observation of the captive balloons behind the -German lines, and his artillery fire became heavier and well directed. - -As no other British troops were to be seen over the ridge it was -decided to halt about 2.0 p.m., and while waiting for further -developments we had the pleasure of seeing one of our airmen bring down -two of the enemy balloons in flames. They were immediately replaced by -another balloon, but its life was short and the airman returned and -downed it. An enemy plane, flying low, came over our position, but -luckily no artillery fire resulted. - -Just after 2.0 p.m. we saw a British skirmishing line advance on our -left, and patrols soon got in touch, to find that it was the 2nd -Battalion of the South Lancashires, of the 89th Brigade, who had pushed -through the 2/17th Londons and taken up the pursuit. After consultation -between the two Battalion commanders it was decided to push on together -towards Houthem Church, as the 2nd South Lancashires were in touch with -a Battalion of the 41st Division on their left. On our right matters -were not so clear, and the heavy machine-gun fire confirmed our idea -that the Boche was making a stand. The first part of our advance from -Messines was over ground which had been in our hands the previous -winter, while the latter half was enemy territory and unknown to us. -The “going” down the slope was easier than on the west side of the -ridge, though still a desolation of rank grass and old shell-holes. -Houses, of course, there were none. Remnants of trenches and wire -entanglements still served to remind us of the former British front -line area. The only solid things were the pill-boxes left vacant, and -in many cases intact, by the retreating enemy. By our rapid advance we -were able to materially assist the advance of the 41st Division on our -left by outflanking the enemy machine-gunners. - -On our right the advance had been taken up by the London Scottish, and -during the night of the 29th of September they entered Warneton. - -After we had linked up with the South Lancashires we were able to -push forward without meeting much opposition, and lost only a few men -wounded. When darkness came we had reached the Ypres-Comines Canal, and -took up a defensive line near the Canal near Houthem, turning our right -flank to face south, as we had not at that time obtained touch with -our troops on the right. We used the numerous pill-boxes as rain began -to fall, and except for intermittent artillery fire and an occasional -burst of machine-gun fire which caused us a few casualties, the night -was quiet. Signal communication by lamp was obtained with Brigade -Headquarters on Messines Ridge. By dawn on the 30th of September our -right flank was secured by the Queen’s Westminsters who arrived during -the night, and the Brigade formed the extreme right of the great -advance which was proceeding successfully from the banks of the Lys to -the north. The River Lys forming a protection to the retiring enemy -made it necessary for a great deal of preliminary work to be done -before any advance in that direction could be undertaken. - -Next day brought no further advance on our front, the 30th Division -was flanking an attack rather than making one, and so regulated its -movements to those of the forces on the left where the line went away -north-east towards Gheluwe and onwards. We were free to close up the -tail of the Division behind Messines Ridge, to improve shelter where -there was none--which was practically everywhere--to clear roads, and -to count the spoil. The number of prisoners taken was small, but if -there is a peculiar pleasure in capturing guns which have shelled you -for days and nights together, that pleasure was ours, for the Division -took four 8-inch howitzers, three 5·9-inch howitzers, one 5·9-inch gun, -three 4·2-inch howitzers and a similar number of guns, and 24 field -guns. Any one who cared might possess himself of a trench-mortar or -a machine-gun with sufficient ammunition for a month’s fighting. The -whole battlefield was, in fact, strewn with material from trench boards -to 15-inch “duds”--relics of the British bombardment the previous year. -The only road for transport and guns was the Wulverghem-Messines road. -A very large crater completely demolishing it had been blown just east -of the Steenbecque, where the road ran over an embankment. The enemy -had also placed 36 tank mines across the road. These were all removed -and the crater bridged to take lorry traffic by midday on the 29th of -September. On the morning of the 30th the Divisional front, which had -been gradually lessened in width by the advance from the north of the -41st Division and on the south by the 31st Division, was handed over to -the reserve Brigade (the 21st Brigade) and the Battalion was withdrawn -and marched back to Messines Ridge, and occupied old Hun dug-outs -and pill-boxes near Blauen Mullen, where Colonel Gaze rejoined from -leave. Our rest, however, was soon disturbed, and the area was heavily -shelled, causing casualties, especially among the men of “B” Company, -and after a short and unpleasant stay on this part of the ridge the -Battalion moved to Oosttaverne Wood, a little farther north. The march -proved exciting, as a Boche plane came over our lines and cleverly set -fire to five of our observation balloons in such quick fashion that no -less than ten airmen were parachuting to earth at the same time. - -Oosttaverne Wood proved a very desolate spot, and it was with great -difficulty that the Battalion obtained sufficient cover from the cold -weather. Most of the dug-outs and pill-boxes in this devastated wood -were under water. However, being free from enemy observation and the -consequent artillery fire made up a great deal for the discomfort. A -few days later the Battalion went farther back towards Wytschaete, -where a fairly clean area was found and better accommodation was -discovered. It was a restful time and some of the more energetic -members of the Battalion journeyed to Ypres to see the “sights.” -Lieutenant-Colonel A. W. Gaze, M.C., left the Battalion for a Senior -Officers’ Course at Camberley, and the command of the Battalion was -given to Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. H. Benké, M.C. - - - - -CHAPTER XLI - -AMERICA CORNER--THE ATTACK--CROSSING THE LYS--BOUS--BECQUE--RONCQ--THE -PURSUIT TOWARDS THE RIVER SCHELDT--PETIT TOURCOING--AVELGHEM--THE -ARMISTICE--COURTRAI AREA--MARCH OVER DEVASTATED AREA VIA -ARMENTIERES--BOESINGHEM--BASE DUTIES--THE END. - - -On the 11th of October, 1918, the Battalion left their camp near -Wytschaete and marched to take over the line at America Corner, about -1½ miles north of Wervicq. This relief entailed a long march of about -12 miles. The first part was done during the morning, when a halt was -made under the cover of a small ridge about a mile west of Houthem. The -weather was fine and the enemy artillery did not bother us on this part -of the journey. On the way we passed two derelict British Tanks, relics -of our advance in 1917. From the halt advance parties of an officer and -a few N.C.O.’s from each Company went forward, but it was not until -dusk that the Battalion was able to continue their march over the canal -bridge at Houthem and thence via Tenbrilen. The roads were difficult, -and as the country had been in enemy hands many new tracks and roads -had been made, and, together with the darkness and the inevitable -rain which accompanies most marches, attacks and reliefs, the latter -part of the journey became very trying. The advance parties who left -earlier in the day came under very heavy artillery fire near their -destination, and were met by large parties of British troops who had -been “gassed”--an unpleasant omen. The whole area near America Corner -was soaked with gas, and the place was littered with dead horses. The -Headquarters of the Battalion we were to relieve had been reduced to -the Commanding Officer, who lay on the floor of the dug-out blinded by -the gas, while practically all the remainder of Headquarters Company -had suffered from the gas shells and had been evacuated. The R.A.M.C. -men, who were busy in this gas-stricken zone, which was still being -shelled when the advance parties of our Battalion arrived, deserved the -highest praise for their devotion to duty. Here, indeed, was a pleasant -outlook, and before the Battalion had arrived some of our own advance -party had suffered and had to be evacuated, including Acting R.S.M. -Dyer, who, unfortunately, was killed later on in the day, an enemy -shell landing right on the ambulance car in which he was travelling -some six miles farther back. In the evening heavy rain fell, and the -Battalion struggled in the dark along the shelled roads which were now -covered in thick mud. About 11 p.m. the Battalion arrived at America -Corner, and fortunately at that time when the shelling had diminished, -only to learn that the Battalions in the line on both flanks were just -about to raid the Boche lines. Before the Companies could form up under -their guides, a heavy artillery duel opened up, and, of course, every -one took immediate cover wherever possible. Luckily only a few minor -casualties resulted, and the relief was continued. The Battalion, -however, had practically no time to learn anything of their new -surroundings before daybreak, as the enemy continued to shell the area -throughout the night. When dawn came it was found that we were under -observation from the Boche trenches, and that Battalion Headquarters -was only a matter of 250 yards from the front enemy trenches, and -overlooked by Wervicq Church, where the enemy had an Observation Post. -Not that there is anything particularly daring about this fact, but -Battalion Headquarters is always the centre of attraction for thousands -of runners from rear authorities, asking for the quantity of jam, etc., -when the real thing to be considered is the enemy artillery and the -preparation for the coming attack. Besides, constant callers always -make a place conspicuous, even if that place is in a quiet suburban -street, and with the perfect observation of the enemy we had no desire -to become conspicuous. Throughout the day the enemy continued to shell -the area, devoting much of his “gaseous” attentions on America Corner. -Two days were given to us to acquaint ourselves with this sector, and -as no movement was possible by day it meant a great deal of night work -and practically no rest. - -The night before the attack rations were brought up on pack mules -by our Quartermaster, Captain Joslin, and his assistant, Lieutenant -Wright. Both these officers found great difficulty in persuading the -mules to come up with the rations, and the prospect of being heavily -shelled on the return journey while in charge of these stupid animals -was not encouraging for them. However, they were soon relieved; an -orderly put his head into the pill-box entrance and gravely informed -them that a shell had just arrived and disposed of their four-footed -friends. Wright had a leave warrant for England on the morrow in his -pocket, yet he came up to this inferno just to wish us “Cheerio and -Good Luck,” although his attendance was not officially necessary. - -The attack was ordered for dawn on the 14th of October, and the -artillery opened up a most terrific barrage at 5.30 a.m., and after -a four minute bombardment of the enemy front lines the attack was -launched under the same heavy volume of artillery fire which gradually -crept forward. “Jumping-off” lines had been laid out the previous -night, and from these the Battalion advanced close on the creeping -barrage in which a great number of smoke shells were used. Within 30 -minutes of the commencement of the attack, German prisoners poured into -our lines; apparently under this fierce artillery fire they had made -very little resistance in the front line. No less than 313 prisoners, -including 9 officers, passed through our Battalion Headquarters within -a half-hour. - -The 2/14th attacked on our left and with us were successful in reaching -the first objectives near the railway line from Wervicq to Menin. - -Some individual cases of gallantry reported were: Sergeant B. Coultard, -“B” Company, who, with his Platoon, did yeoman work, and rounded up 45 -of the enemy; Corporal C. D. Lodge, “C” Company, with his men cleared -the wire defences of a strong point and carried it; Private Oakes, -“D” Company, single-handed rushed an enemy pill-box, put 14 of the -enemy out of action, with rifle and bombs and then took 10 prisoners. -Lance-Corporal J. Barnsfather, “B” Company, and Corporal W. J. Mash, -“D” Company, were not far behind in their performances. - -All along the line the first rush had succeeded, and under cover of -a barrage from our artillery the Battalion halted and consolidated -in preparation for a counter-attack. While the attack was proceeding -all occupied areas behind the Boche lines were bombarded with a great -number of gas shells. Although the resistance from the Boche troops -was small, their artillery was not slow in replying to our fire, and a -heavy bombardment of the British lines was soon in full swing. - -The next step was to exploit this initial success and to push on up to -and, if possible, across, the River Lys, whilst the enemy was still -disorganised and his guns on the move. On the right this involved the -clearing of Wervicq, in whose narrow streets and half broken-down -houses there were still a good many machine-guns and snipers. By -this time the mist and smoke had gone, and the advance was entirely -uncovered in any way, for there was practically no ground cover here. -Patrols pushed out towards the Lys as soon as the first objective was -gained were held up by machine-gun fire, and, in part, by the old wire -that still remained. - -From the newly-captured position the ground on our direct front sloped -gradually to the River Lys, and it was devoid of all cover; in daylight -it was impossible to push forward without incurring unnecessary -casualties. In the dusk, however, patrols pushed out and found that the -enemy had retired to the farther bank of the river, but had destroyed -all the bridges by fire. About midnight, however, “A” Company, under -Captain Du Heaume, were able to make a crossing by a bridge which had -not been quite destroyed, just to the right of our direct front, and -afterwards he was able to take his Company along the farther bank and -form a bridgehead near Bousbecque. Under cover of this bridgehead the -Sappers, under Major Atkinson, R.E., placed a pontoon bridge across -the river, though during the whole of its construction the work was -hindered by artillery and machine-gun fire. Just after dawn the -remainder of the Battalion crossed the river and occupied Bousbecque, a -village which had been badly damaged by our artillery. - -We cleared the village and in the early morning were able to form a -defensive line on the far outskirts. It was, however, impossible for -us to push on any farther, as we were held up on our direct front -by a heavily-wired line of trenches known as the Linselles Switch. -Furthermore, on our right the situation was not quite clear and heavy -fighting was in progress, while the London Scottish on our left were -unable to effect a crossing of the Lys owing to the flat nature of the -ground to their front, which was swept by machine-gun fire from the -high factories on the farther bank nearer Menin. Later in the day, -however, the 14th Division had forced a crossing near Wervicq, and were -able to push up on our right, and on this flank the enemy gradually -withdrew. During the afternoon the London Scottish came over to their -right and crossed our pontoon bridge and came into Bousbecque. By this -time the enemy had left the Linselles Switch under our pressure, and we -were able to occupy the high ground east of the village of Bousbecque -from Mont D’Halluin to Roncq. The line was continued on our right by -the 31st Division which had then pushed through the 14th Division, -while on our left the 2/16th Londons (Queen’s Westminsters) continued -the line north-east as far as Reckem, having experienced some hard -fighting in crossing the Lys just south of Menin by means of rafts made -from old doors, duck-boards, etc. In the evening the London Scottish -moved from Bousbecque to Roncq for the night, when they were ordered to -continue the pursuit next morning after their night’s rest. - -During the night of the 17th of October the Battalion held the Mont -D’Halluin--Roncq outpost line, but as the Boche was retreating fast -and was not expected to make a real stand until he reached the River -Scheldt, the night was peaceful, and the civilians in the neighbourhood -gave our men a hearty welcome. In the farm occupied by Battalion -Headquarters the Hun had left his playing cards on the table in the -middle of a game, while at the piano were fragments of German songs. - -The next morning the London Scottish continued the pursuit on the -Brigade front, while the 2/15th and 2/16th followed in their wake in -column of route, as far as Kruistraat. Not until passing this village -did the 2/14th meet any opposition, but on the ridge a couple of miles -beyond were many well-placed and concealed enemy machine-guns which -arrested their progress. According to plan the Scottish were to have -passed over this ridge that day, but in view of this enemy rear-guard -were unable to do so. In spite of this temporary hold-up, however, our -own Battalion was ordered to billet in farms practically in the firing -line. Remarkable as it may seem, the London Scottish support Company -was actually behind our Battalion Headquarters, where we were enjoying -a nice hot meal, and slept in comfortable beds. - -During the night while we slept, however, the 2/14th pushed over the -ridge, and the next day we resumed our march forward. Except for the -visit of a Boche plane which flew over our column and was brought -down by Lewis gun fire, the journey to Aelbeke was without incident. -That night we were in comfortable billets in private houses and farms -near the town which had been untouched by the ravages of war. The -stationmaster where the writer was billeted produced an English Grammar -which he had studied for this “day” when British troops should arrive, -and consequently spent the evening in questioning us in his laboured -English. - -On the following days the advance was continued by the 2/14th and -2/16th Battalions, and except for a slight check at Rollinghem, where -the enemy had two field guns firing from the market place, little -opposition was met. On the 20th these advance Battalions had reached -the high ground at St. Genois overlooking the Scheldt, the patrols -of the London Scottish actually reaching the banks of the river that -night. However, the enemy resistance showed signs of increase, and -heavy artillery fire from the farther banks of the river informed us -that the Boche was making a stand here. On the same night the Battalion -moved forward towards Petit Tourcoing, and were billeted in the -farm-houses just behind the St. Genois Ridge. - -The advance being held up by the German defences on the east bank of -the Scheldt, the Brigade was withdrawn from the line and remained -in billets in the Petit Tourcoing area until the end of the month. -As much rest as possible was given to the troops, and in the fine -autumn weather sports and football were indulged in. The countryside -had not been destroyed by war, and looked very clean and beautiful -after the desolation of the Messines area, where the ebb and flow of -the fighting had destroyed nature for miles around. During our stay -here the 30th Divisional Concert Party (“The Optimists”) gave us an -excellent evening’s entertainment in one of the large barns, and except -for a few practice attacks over the open we had a restful time. The -appearance of home-made rafts on a local pond at the end of the month, -however, made us think seriously of watery graves in the Scheldt. - -On the 1st of November we were ordered to take over the line at -Avelghem on the Scheldt, and after a trying march we relieved a -Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifles. Although our approach march was -disturbed by enemy shelling we suffered no casualties. Avelghem itself -was on the banks of the Scheldt and was overlooked by the Mont D’Enclus -(150 feet) on the farther bank. Previous to our recent advance the town -had been a peaceful market town, but now it was battered to the ground -by the German artillery, and the last few civilians were leaving in -haste when we arrived. The line held by the Battalion was on the bank -of the river in front of the town and extended north as far as Rugge, -where a bridgehead on the farther bank had been established. - -The care of the bridgehead was entrusted to “B” Company, under Captain -Lewis, while the remaining Companies occupied cellars in the town -and in the farm-houses near by. Our days were spent underground, as -the Boche had complete observation of our lines, but at night our -transport brought up rations, and we prepared ourselves for the next -day under the ground. Each morning just before dawn the enemy barraged -our position with a heavy artillery “strafe”--no doubt anticipating a -further attack from us. - -On Sunday, the 3rd of November, the Boche concentrated his attentions -on Avelghem Church, and in about six hours of constant shelling -reduced a most beautiful building into absolute ruin. The following -day the Battalion was relieved, and returned as far as Knocke, about -four miles farther back. After a night’s rest here a further move was -expected and in the evening orders were actually received from Brigade. -Billeting parties left for the new area and commenced their work. The -Battalion soon followed, accompanied by the inevitable rain, only to be -turned back on reaching the new area to find that the change had been -cancelled. When we returned to our former homes we found another unit -occupying the best places, and it was with difficulty that we found -accommodation. However, this crowding only lasted for one night, and -the next morning we moved still farther back, a distance of about six -miles, just to the north of Belleghem. - -On the 9th of November the enemy evacuated Mont D’Enclus, and the -next day we were brought forward towards the Scheldt as far as -Heerstert, just west of Avelghem. On arriving in the village we found -it full of troops and heard rumours that British cavalry had passed -through earlier in the day. At the same time, however, a German Taube -was hovering overhead, and we anticipated a bombing raid that night. -We realised that the Boche had retired so far that his artillery was -unlikely to trouble us, but we hated this inquisitive ’plane circling -overhead. - -[Illustration] - -That night rumours of an Armistice became prevalent. Every one turned -out of his billet and, led by our Drum and Fife Band, we paraded up and -down the main street of the village. In the midst of this excitement, -however, news came from Brigade that no official news had been received -confirming the rumoured cessation of hostilities, and this so depressed -us that we gradually faded away one by one to our billets. The next -morning ordinary routine was pursued, and no one dared to utter the -word “armistice” without receiving disparaging remarks from his hearers. - -About 9.0 a.m., however, the official telegram came through and the -rumour of the previous night was confirmed. All the excitement of an -armistice, however, had been squashed the previous night; the sting had -gone. During the afternoon a thanksgiving service was held in the local -church. The Battalion remained at Heerstert until the 15th November, -and many took advantage of the opportunity of visiting the enemy -defences on the banks of the Scheldt under more peaceful conditions -than anticipated. A couple of large fatigue parties were furnished for -work at Escanaffles on the east of the river, but difficulty arose with -regard to the supply of rations, etc., and the Battalion was withdrawn -and marched back to the St. Annes Area, south of Courtrai, which had -now become an important railhead. - -The rest here was much appreciated, and beyond the passing of military -transport there were no signs of war. Parades were held in the morning, -but the remainder of the day was devoted to games, chiefly football. -Passes to Courtrai were freely granted. - -A ceremonial parade for the presentation of medal ribbons was held on -the 26th of November on the local aerodrome, and beyond the preparation -for this parade little demand was made on the energy of the troops. - -On the 30th of November orders were received to move back still further -to the St. Omer area, and this necessitated a five days’ trek. The -first day’s halt was made at Linselles, where we saw the terrible -effect of the British artillery fire during the attack over the River -Lys in October, and also the wanton destruction of the Hun hordes, who -had deliberately broken furniture and mirrors, and had slashed the -covering from upholstered furniture. The night’s billets were very -uncomfortable, but as it was for one night only no one troubled. The -next day we proceeded to Verlighem, and here we were quartered in an -extensive hut encampment which the Germans had cleverly concealed from -aerial observation, in a thick wood. A comfortable night was spent -here in the bunks so recently vacated by our enemies. All along the -route to this point were signs of the hurried retreat of the Boche, -and we wondered why he had left such strongly-defended points with so -little real resistance. In places the wire entanglements were 30 yards -in depth, through which no troops could advance without a terrible -massacre. The third day’s journey took us to Armentieres, and it was -appalling to see this great town practically razed to the ground. -Undoubtedly the retiring Hun had blown up many of the fine buildings -and churches by mines, and except for a few French troops wandering -about the ruins, there was no sign of human habitation. The day’s -march ended at Sailly-sur-la-Lys, and here in absolute desolation the -cover of dug-outs and tumble-down buildings, the Battalion rested for -the night. Opposite Battalion Headquarters on the main road was a -huge German cemetery containing no less than nine thousand numbered -graves; a grim relic of the heavy fighting in this area in March, 1918, -the dates on the crosses being evidence of the period. Many French -peasants were wandering aimlessly over the fields, looking for their -lost treasures, and it was pathetic to see them building temporary -homes with the old material, such as ammunition boxes, corrugated -iron, biscuit tins, and so forth, which littered the old battlefield. -The following morning the march was continued through Estaires and -Merville, and the same devastation greeted us all round. It was not -until evening time, when approaching St. Venant, that we met occupied -farms where the occupants carried out their daily toil regardless of -the adjoining desolation. A short journey on the 4th of December just -south of the Nieppe Forest brought us to our destination at Boesinghem, -a few miles north-east of Aire, when Lieutenant-Colonel Gaze rejoined -from England, and again took over the command. Billets were soon -arranged, and improved on our acquaintance--combined with hard work and -cleaning, which did a great deal towards this improvement. Arrangements -were immediately made for Christmas time, and when the 25th of December -arrived everything was carried out with great success, although doubts -were entertained until the very last minute as to whether the goods -would arrive in time. At Boesinghem touch with our 1st Battalion in the -Lillers area was obtained, and inter-Battalion football matches were -arranged. - -From this time the Battalion commenced to fade away. The fighting over, -demobilisation set in, and every day some familiar faces left the -Battalion to re-enter civil life. Early in January the Battalion moved -to Etaples, where, after a stay of about nine days, they entrained for -the Dunkirk area and encamped at Mardyck. In February the Battalion, -much depleted in strength, developed into a “General Purposes” -Battalion, and carried out Base duties. In the following month they -were relieved of these duties, and moved to Pont de Petite Synthe, only -to be moved again by train to the Etaples area, first staying at Dannes -and then at St. Cecile Plage. - -From here “C” and “D” Companies were detailed for duty at a Prisoner of -War Camp near Boulogne. - -In May a further move was made towards Abbeville, and a new home was -found in the Ciquier Area. Demobilisation increased at a great pace, -and by September only 155 other ranks remained. Canteen stores were -sold to another regiment, and without canteen stores no regiment can -exist. - - - - -3rd Battalion Civil Service Rifles - -BY MAJOR H. DUNCAN LEWIS - - -The 3rd, subsequently the Reserve, Battalion, was raised in May, 1915, -for the purpose of furnishing drafts to the 1st and 2nd Battalions. -Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. Hayes, T.D., relinquishing the command of -the 2nd Battalion, was appointed Commanding Officer, and retained the -position until he was disabled by an unfortunate accident during a -Madsen gun demonstration on the miniature rifle range at Wimbledon in -May, 1918. He was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel C. M. Mackenzie, -D.S.O., who commanded the 2nd Battalion of the Kensingtons in France -and Palestine. Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie remained with the Battalion -until it was broken up shortly after the Armistice, when he was -appointed Commandant of the Demobilisation Camp at Wimbledon. - -The men were at first billeted at their homes and assembled daily at -Somerset House for preliminary organisation, drill and route marching. - - -Richmond Park. - -After a short period the Battalion went into camp at Richmond Park -with other third-line units of the 1st and 2nd London T.F. Divisions, -under Brigadier-General C. S. O. Monck. Living together in camp made -it possible to commence instilling into the men that sense of military -discipline which is the first qualification of a soldier, and progress -in this direction soon became apparent. At first the training was -necessarily on somewhat elementary lines owing to various causes, -such as the want of experienced officers and N.C.O.’s, lack of arms -and equipment, etc., but in the course of time, as these disabilities -became gradually less and the syllabus of training more systematised, -there followed marked improvement. - -An early difficulty felt by the Commanding Officer was in regard to -senior officers. A number of smart and promising junior officers -had been posted to the Battalion, many of whom later on served with -distinction at the Front, both in France and Palestine, but at the -time they were new to military duties. This difficulty was met to a -great extent by the transfer, first, of Major G. W. Turk from the -101st Provisional Battalion, and shortly afterwards, of Major H. D. -Lewis from the 2nd Battalion. In August, 1915, when the latter officer -was transferred, the organisation of the Battalion consisted of two -companies of six strong platoons each. - -Captain C. J. Bowen was gazetted as Adjutant, which post he held until -August, 1917, when he was seconded for service in East Africa. He was -succeeded in turn by Captains R. F. Guyton, W. L. C. Rathbone, M.C., -A.M., and F. C. Olliff. The important post of Quartermaster was filled -by the appointment of Captain W. G. Hodge, late Quartermaster-Sergeant -of the 2nd Battalion, and, except for a period of ten months, when -he exchanged duties with Captain A. Toomey, of the 1st Battalion, -he remained with the Battalion until the end. It is difficult to -overestimate his services: his untiring zeal and efficiency, combined -with firmness and tact, have given him a place in the front rank of -those officers who have served the Regiment in a similar capacity. He -was ably assisted by Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant J. S. McIntyre, -until the latter went overseas early in 1918. - -The Battalion was very fortunate in its Medical Officer, Captain F. M. -Hughes. He endeared himself to all ranks by his kindly interest in, and -attention to, all his patients, and when he left for France the whole -Battalion turned out to give him a send off. Every one learnt with -gratification that he was the recipient later of the Legion of Honour -for gallant conduct. - -Sergeant-Major G. Weaver was appointed Regimental Sergeant-Major, and -was succeeded in 1917 by Sergeant-Major B. J. Jolliffe, from the 1st -Battalion. - - -Barnes. - -The Battalion remained under canvas in Richmond Park until the 20th -November--the last few weeks under trying conditions of cold and -wet--and was then transferred to billets in Barnes. Here training was -continued for six weeks under the disadvantages consequent upon the -separation of the men at the close of each day’s work. - - -Hazeley Down. - -Early in January, 1916, the Battalion was moved to Hazeley Down, 3½ -miles to the south of Winchester, where a camp of considerable size -was formed, consisting mainly of third-line units of the 2nd London -T.F. Divisions, including at first the Kensingtons and the Queen’s -Westminsters and later, when these two Battalions left, the London -Scottish--the three other Battalions of the 4th Reserve London Brigade. - -The camp was situated in an ideal position on the southern slope of one -of the many downs in the neighbourhood: with stretches of well-wooded -country, intersected by good roads, it formed altogether a most -suitable region for military training. There was a range close by, at -Chilcomb; there were trenches on Fawley Down, about a mile away, and -at the camp there was plenty of space for digging, and bombing, and -assault courses, as well as a good miniature range. - -For two years--the greater part of its life--the Battalion made its -home at this camp, and from here draft after draft was sent out, mainly -to the 1st, partly to the 2nd Battalion, and occasionally to other -units at the respective Fronts. The drafts had been trained, thanks -very largely to the efforts of the disabled officers and N.C.O.’s from -Overseas, as far as possible in the limited time at disposal. - -When leave was given at the beginning of 1917 to enrol boys of 18, -the strength of the Battalion mounted rapidly, and for some months -stood at a total of about 2,400. These lads were of an excellent -type, and as it was possible to give them a much longer training than -the other recruits, they became quite good soldiers and many of them -proved suitable for, and were given, commissions. Under the special -recruiting system, admirably worked by Lieutenant C. E. Doubleday, -Officer Commanding Depot, the ranks of the Battalion were reinforced by -much the same class of man as joined the Regiment in pre-war days. When -that system ceased, in 1918, the Battalion had to accept whatever men -were sent to it by the Recruiting Officer, but particular pains were -taken, and with great success, to imbue them with a sense of the best -traditions of the Regiment. Indeed, throughout its career, whether on -or off duty, both in billets and in camp, the conduct of the Battalion -was worthy of the regimental badge. - -While at Hazeley the Battalion was organised in six companies as -follows:-- - -“A.” Major G. W. Turk. - -“B.” Major H. D. Lewis. - -“C” and “D.” Various officers, mostly from Overseas, amongst others: -Majors F. M. Warne and E. W. Neales, Captains A. C. Bull, L. D. Eccles, -D. H. Miall, W. L. C. Rathbone, M.C., A.M. - -“E.” Captain G. H. Stone. - -“F.” (Men from Overseas.) Various officers from Overseas. - -Attached to “B” Company were Machine Gun and Signalling Detachments -under the command of Lieutenants A. E. Smith and O. H. Mattison, -respectively. - -The gradually increasing number of experienced officers and N.C.O.’s -returning from Overseas, either from partial disablement or for periods -of rest, rendered most valuable service by furnishing the Battalion -with instructors in all branches of training. Exceptionally good was -the work of the Musketry Staff, in charge, successively, of Captain -H. A. Berry, Lieutenants J. A. G. Falkner and C. S. McKay; and of the -Physical Exercises Staff, under Captain H. G. Edney. - -As regards messing, the men were well looked after, as was always the -case in the regiment, which has been particularly fortunate in its -Quartermasters. The food was good and varied, and the arrangements -generally were on several occasions the subject of most favourable -comment on the part of Inspecting Officers. Sergeant T. V. Weaver -rendered valuable service with this work. - -The Regimental Institute, which had been started in Richmond Park, with -Major H. D. Lewis as P.R.I., was much developed at Hazeley and, as -there were plenty of funds forthcoming from the rebate on the canteen -money, everything was done to make the Institute attractive. The G.O.C. -Southern District, on the occasion of a visit to it in 1917, said that -it was one of the best he had seen in the command. Liberal grants were -made for the purpose of adding to the men’s comfort and towards meeting -the expenditure on games and sports. - -Shortly before leaving Richmond permission had been given to form a -band, subject to the proviso that fit men were not withheld from draft, -and while at Barnes and during the first year at Hazeley the Battalion -possessed a really good Brass Band; but as the men composing it were -gradually dispersed, its place was taken by quite a fair drum and fife -band. - -Close touch was kept with the 1st Battalion in France, and while at -Hazeley visits which were much appreciated in the Battalion were paid -by Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. E. Segrave, D.S.O., and by the late Major -F. W. Parish, D.S.O., M.C., both of whom had endeared themselves to the -Regiment. - - -Wimbledon. - -On Saturday, December 22nd, 1917, the Battalion said good-bye to -Hazeley Down, and entrained for Wimbledon, where it went into camp with -the third-line units of the Queen’s Westminsters and the 17th London, -and where it remained until disbanded at the end of 1918. - -Here the work of training was carried on as earnestly as at Hazeley, -varied with occasional air-raid alarms, culminating in that of -Whit-Sunday. - -In May, 1918, occurred the serious accident to Colonel Hayes, which -caused his retirement from the command, and about the same time another -change also took place. Brigadier-General H. P. Burn, C.M.G., D.S.O., -of the Gordon Highlanders, from the famous 51st Highland Division, -succeeded Brigadier-General C. S. O. Monck in command of the Brigade. - -In October, Major H. D. Lewis was appointed Officer Commanding Depot, -and was followed in the command of “B” Company by Lieutenant L. C. -Morris, M.C., a young officer, who distinguished himself while in -command of a Company of the 1st Battalion in the fighting at Bourlon -Wood. - -Shortly after the Armistice the Battalion was broken up, most of the -men not due for demobilisation being transferred to the 6th London -Regiment at Blackdown, and the officers to the 9th London, also in the -Aldershot Command. - -The number of recruits that passed through the 3rd Battalion was -approximately 6,000. - - -Regimental Aid Fund. - -In July, 1916, Sir John Lithiby, a former member of the Regiment, -inaugurated a Fund with the object of providing comforts for the men -at the front, food and other necessaries for the prisoners of war, and -temporary help, where needed, for the widows and dependents of men -killed. - -An influential Committee, representative of almost all the Government -Departments, was formed; with an Executive Committee, consisting of -past and present Officers of the Regiment, with Sir H. J. Gibson, -K.C.B., as Chairman, and Sir John Lithiby as Honorary Secretary. - -The appeal for subscriptions met with a ready response. £2,850 was -received for the general objects of the Fund, chiefly from the Public -Offices and the Officers and men of the Regiment; while a further -£5,000 was subscribed for the prisoners of war, by the Regiment, the -Public Departments, the Central Prisoners of War Committee, and the -relatives and friends of the men themselves. - -The comforts most appreciated by the Battalions overseas seemed to be -luxuries wherewith to supplement the ordinary rations, and consignments -of various kinds were, from time to time, sent out from home both -to France and Palestine. In addition, the Commanding Officers were -supplied with funds to use at their discretion in brightening the -sombre monotony of trench life whenever opportunity offered. - -The appeals from widows and dependents were fewer than had been -expected, but many necessitous cases were helped in a quiet and -unobtrusive way. - -The chief activities of the Fund were connected with the care of the -prisoners of war, of whom there were about 210 at the date of the -Armistice, scattered throughout the various prison camps in Germany -and Palestine. Each man was provided at intervals with a complete -outfit of clothing, and three food parcels with bread, tobacco and -cigarettes were sent to him every fortnight. This work was carried out -at the Depot under the direction of the Officer Commanding, Captain C. -E. Doubleday. Most of the parcels reached their destination safely, -and the men, on their return after the Armistice, expressed great -appreciation of what had been done for them. Only a few, happily, had -to complain of exceptionally harsh treatment at the hands of their -German captors. - -In accordance with its rules the Aid Fund was closed early in 1921, and -the General Committee, with the approval of the Charity Commissioners, -disposed of the unexpended balance of £1,929, by presenting £1,500 -to the Old Comrades’ Association, and the remainder to the Officer -Commanding the Regiment to be applied to the erection of a Memorial to -the officers and men who had fallen during the War. - - C. DOUBLEDAY, - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII - -THE RECONSTITUTED BATTALION - - -The first step towards securing the future of the Battalion may be said -to have been taken when friends of the Regiment in 1918 approached -authority with a view to the Prince of Wales assuming the Honorary -Colonelcy, so long held by his grandfather, but it had been considered -advisable to wait the termination of hostilities. In 1919, however, a -letter was received from the Controller to his Royal Highness, stating -that the Prince of Wales would accept the position. The appointment -which followed in due course was received with unbounded delight in the -Regiment. - -Many months of delay on the part of the Army Council in forming -their post-war policy in regard to the Territorial Force had a most -deleterious effect, and thus when the task of reconstituting the -Regiment was commenced many difficulties were experienced, the bands of -comradeship had loosened, and there was a marked disinclination among -the greater part of those who had worn khaki for so long in war to put -it on again in peace, whilst the absence of a “young entry” into H.M. -Civil Service destroyed our main source of recruits. - -The command of the Regiment was offered to Major Viscount Bury, -M.C., Special Reserve Scots Guards, who accepted and was appointed -Lieutenant-Colonel in February, 1920. He was thus the third of his name -to have the honour of commanding the Regiment. A letter was received -on behalf of Lord Grenfell, Colonel of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, -pointing out that during the war the Civil Service Rifles, among other -battalions, had been affiliated by Army Council instructions to the -regiment of which he was Chief, and requesting that the feeling of the -Regiment as to the continuance of the connection should be made known -to him in reply. Answer was accordingly made that though the Regiment -highly appreciated the honour of having been linked to the tradition -of so distinguished a Corps, yet they now felt that they would like to -stand on the merits of their war record rather than to shelter under -the magnificent reputation in the making of which they had not taken -part. It was added that the Regiment had for years carried out line -drill and had only for a short period drilled as riflemen. - -The Commanding Officer was fortunate in securing as Adjutant, Captain -(Brevet Major) W. H. Ramsbotham of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince -of Wales’s Own). He also applied successfully to the Coldstream Guards -for a Regimental Sergeant-Major in the person of C.S.M. Stevens, -D.C.M., and later, through the instrumentality of General Jeffreys, two -Sergeant Instructors were obtained from the same regiment. Captain A. -A. Joslin was appointed Quartermaster, a position he held in the Second -Battalion throughout the war. Captain A. E. Evans, R.A.M.C., who had -served in that capacity with the 1st Battalion in France, was appointed -Medical Officer. The following Officers and N.C.O.’s were appointed to -the various companies:-- - - “A” Company.--Major H. F. M. Warne, Captain G. E. Thompson, - D.S.O., Lieutenant F. W. Hounsell, C.S.M. Hyder, C.Q.M.S. - Lewis, M.M. - - “B” Company.--Captain R. J. S. Gold, Captain P. Davenport, - M.C., Lieutenants S. A. Seys, M.C., J. L. Hutchison, M.C., - C.S.M. Torbell, C.Q.M.S. F. Trout. - - “C” Company.--Captain L. D. Eccles, Captain H. M. Blomfield, - (from 5th Buffs), Lieutenant P. E. Beddow, Second-Lieutenant - J. S. Oldcorn, D.C.M., C.Q.M.S. Ibbett, M.M., and Sergeant - (A/C.S.M.) A. C. Ridlington, M.C. - - “D” Company.--Captain T. N. Sharratt, Lieutenant W. D. Hooper, - Lieutenant P. H. Hall, C.S.M. Callingham, C.Q.M.S. Sale. - -Recruiting started slowly and by midsummer some eighty members had -joined, to which number was added the Band of twenty-four members, -under Band-Sergeant H. W. Blackmore. The Band had all served in this -capacity on the Western Front with the 1st Battalion. - -It was felt that there was no better way of influencing recruiting -than by reviving the Annual Midsummer Camp. This battalion, alone of -the 2nd London Division, was fortunate in obtaining leave for this, -and a contingent of the Regiment, under command of Major Warne, spent -a happy fortnight at St. Martin’s Plain, Shorncliffe. R.S.M. Stevens -at this camp earned the commendation of the G.O.C. London District, -General Jeffreys, for the remarkable progress made by recruits under -his zealous teaching. - -After camp recruiting began to quicken in pace. The Sergeants’ Mess -was re-established. The custom of holding two yearly dinners of the -Officers’ Mess had been revived, and the first of these was held -in November. Among the guests was the newly-appointed Commander -of the 4th (Grey) London Infantry Brigade, Colonel F. G. Lewis. -Subsequently, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was approached and he honoured -the Regiment by attending the Mess Dinner held in the Alexandra Room -of the Trocadero on the 4th April, 1921. There were also present -Sir Warren Fisher, K.C.B. (Secretary to Treasury); Sir Henry Gibson -(Auditor-General); Major-General Jeffreys (G.O.C. London District); -Sir Neville Smyth, V.C. (G.O.C. 47th (2nd London) Division); Colonel -F. G. Lewis, Holland Martin, Esq., C.B.E. (Chairman County of London -Territorial Force Association); and many old commanding officers of the -Regiment, including Colonel A. M. Renny, Lieutenant-Colonel Segrave, -Lieutenant-Colonel R. Fielding, Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. K. Newson, -Lieutenant-Colonel A. W. Gaze, Colonel R. G. Hayes, T.D., Major A. C. -H. Benké, Sir John Lithiby and Sir Charles Walker, K.C.B. - -A third dinner, held in November, 1921, at the Civil Service Rifles’ -Club, was honoured by the attendance of Lieutenant-General Sir Francis -Lloyd, G.C.V.O., who in an admirable speech gave encouragement to those -who are working hard for the continued existence and future of their -Regiment. - -During the time which had elapsed since the Armistice, the activities -of the Regiment had been kept well in the public view. The Regiment had -taken part in the processional march of the London troops in 1919, when -the representatives of the 1st and 2nd Battalions were led respectively -by Lieutenant-Colonel Feilding and Lieutenant-Colonel Gaze; at the -unveiling by the Duke of York of the memorial to London troops erected -in front of the Royal Exchange, and on the occasion of the presentation -of colours to battalions of the 56th Division at the Horse Guards’ -Parade by H.R.H. Princess Mary it had helped, in company with other -troops of the 47th Division, to line the parade ground. The Regiment -also sent detachments to the unveiling of the memorial to King Edward -VII, and also to the unveiling of the memorial to those men of the Post -Office (many of whom served in the Regiment) who fell in the late war. - -At Easter, 1921, the pre-war custom of a visit to the Guards Depot at -Caterham was revived, and over 100 other ranks received the traditional -hospitality and welcome from all ranks of the Depot. This was a great -success and had much influence on recruiting. After this camp great -efforts were made by members of the Regiment, and the effects were -just beginning to be shown, when an event disastrous to the Regiment, -as far as recruiting was concerned, occurred. For the month previous -to April, 1921, recruits had been coming in at the rate of twelve to -fifteen per week, and had that rate of increase been maintained a -satisfactory increase of strength would have been seen by midsummer. -In April, 1921, the Defence Force was formed. Members of H.M. Civil -Service were forbidden to join. The Headquarters Staff were taken -away and Headquarters given up to a force which had nothing in common -with the Regiment. With the exception of shooting, all its activities -were suspended. For over three months this state of affairs continued -and had a blighting effect on the regimental prosperity. The other -regiments of the Division on the disbandment of the Defence Force -secured a large number of recruits from those who had served in the -Defence Unit bearing their names, whilst the Civil Service Rifles, -through no fault of their own, lost not only those who would have -joined had not the Defence Force been formed, but received merely a few -individuals as recruits from among all those who had enlisted in the -Defence Force. In spite of these difficulties the task was resumed. The -Regimental Shooting Programme, seriously curtailed, was carried out, -while in July, 1921, at the first post-war camp of the Grey Brigade -at Shorncliffe, over 200 other ranks attended. The Regiment there -maintained its reputation for efficiency, and the Battalion signallers -under Sergeant Maddocks earned commendation by the Inspecting Officer -of being the best trained signallers in the Division, whilst the band -by their excellent performances on the Leas at Folkestone and in Camp -brought themselves into deserved prominence. - -In the world of sport the Battalion team reached the semi-final of -the Divisional Football Championship, whilst the Civil Service Rifles -Harriers gained second place in the Cross Country Championship. The -season’s shooting at Bisley was crowned by winning the Middlesex Cup -on 10th September, 1921; this cup conferring the primacy for the year -on the Regimental team over those from all Territorial units in the -six Home Counties. Relative to the winning of this Trophy a letter -was received from the Secretary to the Prince of Wales expressing his -Royal Highness’s pleasure. Accompanying the letter was a large signed -photograph of H.R.H., which, sent as it was on the eve of the departure -of H.R.H. on his visit to India gave to all ranks highest gratification -as evidence of the support and interest felt for his own Civil Service -Rifles by the Prince of Wales. - -[Illustration: _To face appendix I._] - -[Illustration: _To face appendix I._] - - - - -APPENDIX I - -REGIMENTAL PLATE - - - ------+------------------+-------------+------+--------------+--------------- - SERIAL| REGIMENTAL PLATE.| BATTALION OR| YEAR | BY WHOM. |WHAT PURPOSE. - NO. | | COMPANY CUP.|GIVEN.| | - ------+------------------+-------------+------+--------------+--------------- - 1 |Prince of Wales |Battalion |1863 |H.R.H. Albert |Best Shot. - | Cup | Cup | |Edward Prince | - | | | |of Wales | - | | | | | - 2 |Lord Bury Cup | “ “ |1862 |The Viscount |Best Shooting - |(Replica of | | |Bury (First | Company. - | Rifleman) | | |Commanding | - | | | |Officer) | - | | | | | - 3 |Lord Albemarle Cup| “ “ |1896 |Lord Albemarle|Company - | | | | (Eighth Earl)| General - | | | | | Efficiency. - | | | | | - 4 |Lord Arran Bowl | “ “ |1908 |Lt.-Colonel |Shooting. - | | | | Earl ofArran | - | | | | | - 5 |_Daily Telegraph_ | “ “ |1902 |Proprietors, | - | Cup (1902) | | | _Daily | - | | | | Telegraph_ | - | | | | | - 6 | “ “ “ (1903) | “ “ |1903 | |All troops - | | | | | in London - | | | | | District. - | | | | | - 7 | “ “ “ (1904) | “ “ |1904 | | - | | | | | - 8 | “ “ “ (1905) | “ “ |1905 | | - | | | | | - 9 |Harris Inter- | “ “ |1899 |Private L. |Tug-of-War. - | Company Cup | | | Harcourt | - | | | |Smith (Harris)| - | | | | | - 10 |Sway Ambulance Cup| “ “ |1905 |Inhabitants of|Inter-Battalion - | | | | Sway |Competition in - | | | | |23rd Field - | | | | |Army Brigade. - | | | | | - 11 |Royal Military | “ “ |1901, |Royal Military|Won outright - | Tournament | |1902, | Tournament | in 1903. - | Tug-of-War Cup | |1903. | | - | | | | | - 12 | Wolsley Cup |“I” (Cycl- |1904 |Proprietors, |Competition in - | | ists) Coy. | | _Daily | Southern - | | | | Telegraph_ | District. - | | | | | - 13 |Audit Challenge |“A” (Audit) |1873 | -- |Inter-Company - | Cup | Coy. | | | Shoot. - | | | | | - 14 |Battalion Match |Battalion |1894 |Battalion |Shooting. - | Challenge Cup | Cup. | | | - | | | | | - 15 |Lombard Cup |“A” (Audit) |1876 |Mrs. Lombard |Drill. - | | Coy. | | | - | | | | | - 16 |Jeston Bowl |“A” (Audit) |1884 |Captain |Shooting. - | | Coy. | | Jeston | - | | | | | - 17 |Trendall Cup |“H” (Admir- |1907 |Captain |Shooting. - | (gilt, 1918) | alty) Coy. | | Trendall | - | | | | | - 18 |Challenge Cup |“A” (Audit) |1912 | -- |Sectional - | | Coy. | | | Efficiency. - | | | | | - 19 |Edmund Yates Cup |Post Office |1871 |Edmund Yates |Shooting. - | | Companies | | | - | | | | | - 20 |Battalion |“C” Coy. |1883 |Battalion |Shooting (Inter- - | Challenge Cup | Post Office)| | | Company). - | No. 8 | | | | - | | | | | - 21 |Battalion |“D” (Inland |1894 |Battalion |Shooting (Inter- - | Challenge Cup |Revenue) Coy.| | | Company). - | No. 14 | | | | - | | | | | - 22 |Laboratory Cup |“E” (Inland |1895 |Government |Marching and - | |Revenue) Coy.| | Laboratory. | Shooting (Inter- - | | | | | Section). - | | | | | - 23 |Old Members’ |“E” (Inland |1902 |Old Members |Most Efficient - | Bowl |Revenue) Coy.| | of “E” | Member. - | | | | Company. | - | | | | | - 24 |Du Cros |“H” (Admir- |1898 |Harvey Du |Shooting. - | | alty) Coy. | | Cros | - | | | | | - 25 |Marriott Cup |“H” (Admir- |1909 |Corporal |Shooting. - | | alty) Coy. | | Norman J. | - | | | | Marriott. | - | | | | | - 26 |Acland Cup |“I” (Cycl- |1905 |Lieutenant F. |Sectional - | | ists) Coy. | | (afterwards | Efficiency. - | | | | D. Acland | - | | | | Under- | - | | | | Secretary | - | | | | of State for| - | | | | War). | - | | | | | - 27 |McKay Challenge |“H” (Admir |1885 |McKay |Shooting. - | Cup | -alty) Coy. | | | - | | | | | - 28 |Austen Chamberlain|“H” (Admir |1900 |The Right |Shooting. - | Bowl | -alty) Coy. | | Honourable | - | | | | Austen | - | | | | Chamberlain. | - | | | | | - 29 |Lamb Bowl |Sergeants’ |1902 |Major and | - | | Mess. | | Adjutant | - | | | | G. Lamb. | - | | | | | - 30 |Old Boys’ Bowl |“B” (Savings |1909 |Past and |Team - | | Bank) Coy. | | Honorary | Competitions. - | | | | Members. | - | | | | | - 31 |Campbell Snuff |“A” (Audit) |1862 |J. D. | - | Box in Case | Coy. | | Campbell. | - | | | | | - 32 |Woods Cigarette |“A” (Audit) |1892 |Captain R. | - | Box | Coy. | | Lennox Woods.| - | | | | | - 33 |Dickson Cigarette |Battalion |1910 |Surgeon-Major |Officers’ Mess. - | Box (wood) | Cup. | |T. H. Dickson.| - | | | | | - 34 |Baillie Hamilton |“A” (Audit) |1870 |J. B. Baillie | - | Spirit Lamp | Coy. | | Hamilton. | - | | | | | - 35 |Eccles Hammer and |“A” (Audit). |1888 |Major Dorset | - | Stand | Coy | | Eccles. | - | | | | | - 36 |Middlesex Cup (for|Challenge |1860 |London and |Inter-Battalion - | the year 1921/2) | Trophy. | | Middlesex | Team Shoot. - | | | | Rifle | - | | | | Association. | - | | | | | - 37 |Hayes Cup |3rd | -- |Brevet-Colonel| - | | Battalion. | | R. G. Hayes. | - | | | | | - 38 |Plain two-handled |No details. |No de-| | - | Silver Cup | |tails.| | - - - - -APPENDIX II - - -STAFF. - -Commanding Officers. - - Colonel William Coutts, Viscount Bury, - K.C.M.G., V.D., A.D.C. 1860-1890. - Colonel Richard Mills, C.B., V.D. 1890-1892. - Colonel Arnold Alan, Viscount Bury - (became 8th Earl of Albemarle in 1894) 1892-1901.[17] - Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. H. Tytheridge, - V.D. 1900-1904. - Lieutenant-Colonel The Earl of Arran, K.P. 1904-1908. - Lieutenant-Colonel The Hon. C. S. H. Willoughby 1908-1912. - Lieutenant-Colonel R. G. Hayes, T.D. 1912-1914. - -[17] In command of Infantry C.I.V., South Africa, 1900. - - -THE GREAT WAR. - -1/15 Bn. London Regiment. - - Lieutenant-Colonel The Earl - of Arran October, 1914-November, 1914. - Colonel A. M. Renny November, 1914-July, 1915. - Lieutenant-Colonel H. V. - Warrender, D.S.O. July, 1915-November, 1916. - Major (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) - W. F. K. Newson December, 1916-January, 1917. - Captain (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) - H. Marshall, M.C. February, 1917-July, 1917. - Lieutenant-Colonel F. W. - Parish, D.S.O., M.C. July, 1917-September, 1917. - Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. E. - Segrave, D.S.O. September, 1917-August, 1918. - Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. - Feilding, D.S.O. August, 1918-March, 1919. - - -2/15 Bn. London Regiment. - - Colonel R. G. Hayes, T.D. October, 1914-May, 1915. - Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. - Strange, C.B.E. May, 1915-May, 1916. - Lieutenant-Colonel C. de - Putron May, 1916-October, 1917. - Captain (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) - T. E. Bisdee, D.S.O., M.C. October, 1917-May, 1918. - Lieutenant-Colonel A. W. - Gaze, M.C. May, 1918-1919. - Major (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) - A. C. H. Benké ----, 1919-April, 1919. - -3/15 Bn. London Regiment. - - Colonel R. G. Hayes, T.D. May, 1915-July, 1918. - Lieutenant-Colonel C. M. - Mackenzie, D.S.O. August, 1918-March, 1919. - - -AFTER THE WAR. - - Lieutenant-Colonel Walter, - Viscount Bury, M.C. February, 1920-December, 1921. - - -Adjutants. - - Captain W. Ennis 1860-1862. - Captain A. W. Adair 1862-1863. - Major G. C. S. Lombard 1864-1886. - Major A. G. S. Beadnell 1886-1891. - Captain N. A. D. Barton 1891-1896. - Captain G. Lamb 1896-1902. - Captain B. J. Majendie 1902-1905. - Captain E. F. Ward 1905-1907. - Captain H. T. Manley 1907-1909. - Captain C. Fitzclarence 1909-1913. - Captain W. F. Parish 1913-Aug, 1914. - - -THE GREAT WAR - -1/15 Bn. London Regiment. - - Captain F. W. Parish August, 1914-October, 1915. - Captain J. C. D. Carlisle, - D.S.O., M.C. October, 1915-January, 1916. - Lieutenant A. M. Lester January, 1916-March, 1916. - Captain W. E. Ind, M.C. March, 1916-June, 1917. - Captain P. Davenport, M.C. June, 1917-April, 1919. - - -2/15 Bn. London Regiment. - - Captain A. W. Gaze, M.C. October, 1914-March, 1918. - Captain S. C. Hall March, 1918-March, 1919. - - -3/15 Bn. London Regiment. - - Captain C. J. Bowen May, 1915-November, 1917. - Captain F. C. Oliff November, 1917-December, 1918. - -AFTER THE WAR. - - Captain and Brevet Major - W. H. Ramsbotham May, 1920-December, 1921. - - -Regimental Sergeant-Majors. - - R.S.M. G. Stevens 1860-1868. - R.S.M. P. Kenny (11th Regiment) 1868-1886. - R.S.M. T. Winscombe (Grenadier Guards) 1886-1896. - R.S.M. W. Wilson (Grenadier Guards) 1896-1905. - R.S.M. J. Pride (Grenadier Guards) 1905-1907. - R.S.M. A. Toomey (Scots Guards) 1907-1914. - - -THE WAR. - -1/15th Battalion London Regiment. - - R.S.M. A. Toomey August, 1914-August, 1915. - A./R.S.M. B. J. Jolliffe August, 1915-December, 1915. - A./R.S.M. R. H. Haylett January, 1916-March, 1916. - R.S.M. W. Richards March, 1916-February, 1918. - A./R.S.M. W. F. Torbell May, 1918-December, 1918. - - -2/15th Battalion London Regiment. - - R.S.M. A. Freemantle April, 1915-October, 1917. - R.S.M. H. W. Lovelock October, 1917-September, 1918. - A./R.S.M. R. Dyer September, 1918-October, 1918. - R.S.M. D. C. L. Edwards, D.C.M. October, 1918-December, 1918. - - -3/15th Battalion London Regiment. - - R.S.M. G. Weaver April, 1915-August, 1917. - R.S.M. B. J. Jolliffe September, 1917-April, 1919. - - -After the War. - - R.S.M. F. Stevens (Coldstream Gds.) May, 1920-November, 1921. - - - - -APPENDIX III - -MEMBERS WHO SERVED IN SOUTH AFRICAN WAR. - -Imperial Yeomanry. - - - Trooper G. H. Addison. - Trooper C. S. Anderton. - {18}Sergeant E. Baldrey. - Corporal W. Bartholomew. - Trooper F. R. Bell. - Corporal J. Bird. - Trooper E. Bryant. - Lieutenant A. C. Carey. - Lieutenant R. W. Cousins. - Trooper K. V. Cowie. - Trooper N. B. Cowie. - Trooper W. R. Cunningham. - Trooper R. H. Dailley. - {18}Trooper W. P. Dean. - Lieutenant D. Dewar. - Lieutenant T. C. Fryer. - {18}Sergeant H. S. Greensill. - {18}Trooper D. Jervis. - Sergeant S. Lloyd-Jones. - Trooper R. McGregor. - Lieutenant R. G. S. Miller. - Quartermaster-Sergeant T. Moran. - Trooper C. Morgan. - Lieutenant F. G. Morley. - Trooper V. H. Morshead. - Trooper D. J. Mosses. - Lance-Corporal R. B. Newson. - Trooper W. S. Nunn. - Trooper S. M. Page. - Trooper W. H. Parker. - Trooper F. M. J. Ross. - Trooper J. A. Rowan. - Trooper E. A. Rutherford. - Trooper R. O. Sage. - Trooper C. E. Savage. - Staff-Sergeant S. H. Schneider. - Trooper E. G. Seymour. - Corporal E. A. Streatfield. - Trooper P. A. Stuchbury. - Trooper H. C. Sword. - Trooper E. C. Todd. - Lieutenant A. E. Trembath. - Trooper E. H. Turff. - Corporal A. H. Walker. - Corporal A. P. Ward. - Sergeant W. W. Watson. - Trooper H. Whitaker. - Sergeant-Major J. A. Williams. - [18]Trooper F. W. Young. - -[18] Died in the War. - - -C.I.V. - - Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. C. Earl of Albemarle. - Sergeant F. G. Ager. - Sergeant H. J. Allen. - Private C. O. Boot. - Private T. P. Brett. - Private S. W. Briggs. - Private R. H. Buckland. - Driver R. Burgess. - Private E. D. L. Churton. - Corporal A. S. Collard. - Private G. L. Crampton. - Private E. C. Crick. - Private F. R. Cripps. - Private R. A. Daws. - Private A. J. Firth. - Private H. Fisher. - Private L. Franzmann. - Private J. E. Gerahty. - Private A. W. Gough. - Private G. C. Grimsdale. - Private A. G. M. N. Harper. - Corporal A. E. Harris. - Private W. B. Hart. - Private W. Hatchard. - Private R. H. Haylett. - Private F. Henderson. - Private W. Hildred. - Driver R. H. Hutchinson. - Private B. J. Jolliffe. - Bombardier H. S. Law. - Private D. M. M. Kenzie. - Private H. H. Mears. - Private A. D. Mellish. - Private E. J. Miller. - Private S. Moore. - Private W. F. K. Newson. - Sergeant A. A. Oliver. - Private H. N. Page. - Lance-Corporal G. E. Pitcairn. - Private J. W. Reading. - Bugler W. Reed. - Private E. F. Rolls. - Private J. A. Ross. - Private R. J. Sparks. - Private H. A. D. Stephens. - Private H. C. Tebbutt. - Private F. R. Thomas. - Private F. T. F. Watts. - Private F. W. Wheeler. - Lance-Corporal W. E. Wood. - Corporal J. L. Worsfold. - - -Royal Irish Rifles. - - Private E. A. O. Barnes. - Private A. A. W. Buckstone. - Private E. V. Chubb. - - Private S. Harper. - Private E. W. H. Harrald. - Private L. H. H. King. - - -South African Constabulary. - - Private G. B. Anderson. - Private R. A. Kelly. - Private D. W. Prout. - -Royal Engineers. - - Sapper H. A. Mann. - Lance-Corporal J. H. Reeves. - - Lieutenant P. Warren. - Lieutenant W. J. Woolley. - - -Army Service Corps. - - Private H. T. Bassett. - - -Special Service. - - G. R. H. Nicholls. - - -Field Hospital. - - Corporal T. L. Adamson. - Private M. Cunningham. - Private A. W. Haigh. - - Private E. B. Luck. - Staff-Sergeant J. E. Newell. - Corporal H. C. Robson. - - - - -APPENDIX IV - -SCHOOL OF ARMS. - - -Royal Military Tournament Challenge Cup Winners. - - 1901 Second-Lieutenant T. P. Hobbins (Foils). - 1902 Lieutenant T. P. Hobbins (Sabres). - 1907 Major F. J. Brett (Bayonets). - 1909 Captain W. T. Kirkby (Foils). - - 1898 Physical Drill with Arms. - 1900 Physical Drill with Arms. - 1900 Bayonet Exercise. - - 1901 Tug-of-War (110 stone). - 1903 Tug-of-War (110 stone). - 1904 Tug-of-War (110 stone). - - 1906 Officers’ Bayonet Fighting Team. - - -Royal Military Tournament (Army and Navy Championship Medals). - - 1907 Lance-Corporal A. P. Chalke, 3rd (Bayonets). - 1908 Sergeant A. P. Chalke, 2nd (Bayonets). - 1908 Private W. W. Marsh, 3rd (Sabres). - - -Royal Military Tournament Silver Medallists. - - 1895 Corporal C. W. Whitehurst (Bayonets). - 1896 Sergeant C. W. Whitehurst (Bayonet and Lance). - 1897 Sergeant C. W. Whitehurst (Sabres). - 1897 Private T. P. Hobbins (Bayonets). - 1897 Private T. P. Hobbins (Bayonet and Sword). - 1898 Private T. P. Hobbins (Bayonets). - 1899 Lance-Corporal T. P. Hobbins (Foils). - 1899 Lance-Corporal T. P. Hobbins (Sabres). - 1899 Lance-Corporal T. P. Hobbins (Bayonet and Sword). - 1900 Corporal T. P. Hobbins (Foils). - 1900 Corporal T. P. Hobbins (Sabres). - 1900 Corporal T. P. Hobbins (Bayonets). - 1900 Sergeant A. D. Bell (Bayonet and Lance). - 1902 Sergeant A. D. Bell (Sabres). - 1903 Private W. W. Marsh (Sabres). - 1903 Private W. W. Marsh (Bayonet and Sword). - 1905 Private A. W. Horley (Foils). - 1905 Lance-Corporal A. P. Chalke (Bayonets). - 1906 Private W. W. Marsh (Foils). - 1907 Ambulance-Sergeant F. C. Reynolds (Foils). - 1907 Lance-Corporal A. P. Chalke (Sabres). - 1908 Private C. L. Harley (Foils). - 1909 Private J. F. McLaughlin (Foils). - 1909 Lance-Sergeant E. A. Lippold (Bayonets). - - -Amateur Championships. - - 1899 Lance-Corporal T. P. Hobbins (Sabres). - 1900 Corporal T. P. Hobbins (Foils). - 1901 Second-Lieutenant T. P. Hobbins (Sabres). - 1902 Lieutenant T. P. Hobbins (Sabres). - 1908 Private W. W. Marsh (Sabres). - 1909 Private W. W. Marsh (Sabres). - - - - -APPENDIX VI - -CASUALTY LIST. - - -K. in A. = Killed in Action. D. of W. = Died of Wounds. D. P. = -Missing; Death Presumed. Illness = Died of Illness. As P. of W. = Died -Prisoner of War. - - ---------------------+---------------+---------------- - | | 1915. | 1916. - | |---------------+---------------- - | |K.|D.|D.|Ill|As|K. |D.|D.|Ill|As - | |in|of|P.|ne |P.|in |of|P.|ne |P. - | |A.|W.| |ss.|of|A. |W.| |ss.|of - | | | | | |W.| | | | |W. - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - JANUARY |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 4| 4| -| - | - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - FEBRUARY |1st Line | -| -| -| 1| -| 2| 5| -| - | - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - MARCH |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| 1| -| - | - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - APRIL |1st Line | 1| 1| -| 1| -| 1| -| -| - | - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - MAY |1st Line |19| 7|18| -| -| 23| 8|10| - | - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - JUNE |1st Line | 1| -| -| -| -| 6| 3| -| 1| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - JULY |1st Line | -| 4| -| -| -| 3| 3| -| 1| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 7| 3| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - AUGUST |1st Line | 1| -| -| - | -| 1| 1| -| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| - | -| 4| 3| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - | - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - SEPTEMBER|1st Line |14| 1| -| 1| -|129| 4|21| -| - - |2nd Line | | -| -| -| -| 5| 4| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - OCTOBER |1st Line | 6| 3| -| -| -| 62|28|39| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 9| -| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - NOVEMBER |1st Line |11| 2| -| -| -| 12| 2| -| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - DECEMBER |1st Line |15| 4| 3| -| -| 4| 1| 2| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+--+--+--+---+--+---+--+--+---+-- - TOTALS | |69|22|21| 2| -|272|70|72| 2| - - ------------------------------------------------------ - - ---------+-----------+----------------+---------------- - | | 1917. | 1918. - | |----------------+---------------- - | |K. |D.|D.|Ill |As|K. |D.|D.|Ill - | |in |of|P.|ne |P.|in |of|P.|ne - | |A. |W.| |ss. |of|A. |W.| |ss. - | |W. | | | |W.| | | | - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - JANUARY |1st Line | 6| 2| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 1| -| 1| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - FEBRUARY |1st Line | 3| 2| -| 1| -| -| -| -| - - |2nd Line | 2| 1| -| 9| -| 19| 3| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| -| 1| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - MARCH |1st Line | 2| 1| -| -| -| 20| 2| 1| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 1| 1| -| 3 - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 8| 2| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - APRIL |1st Line | 17| 5| -| 1| -| 13| 1| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| 1 - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 4| 1| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - MAY |1st Line | 4| 1| -| -| -| 2| 1| -| 1 - |2nd Line | 4| 3| -| -| -| 3| 1| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| 4| -| -| -| -| -| 1| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - JUNE |1st Line | 38| 7|14| -| -| 2| 2| 1| - - |2nd Line | 1| 1| 1| -| -| -| -| -| 1 - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| 13| 1| -| -| -| 1| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - JULY |1st Line | 18| 5| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| 1| -| -| 1| 1| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| 3| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - AUGUST |1st Line | 7| 2| 3| -| -| 15|15| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 11| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| 8| 2| 1| -| -| 7| 4| 1| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - SEPTEMBER|1st Line | 7| 3| 4| -| -| 27|18| -| - - |2nd Line | -| -| 1| -| -| 23| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| 4| 5| -| -| -| 6| 1| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - OCTOBER |1st Line | 4| 1| -| -| -| -| 1| -| - - |2nd Line | 15| -| 1| -| -| 5| 6| -| 7 - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| 4| -| 2| -| -| 6| 1| -| 1 - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - NOVEMBER |1st Line | 32|13| 4| -| 2| -| -| -| - - |2nd Line | 2| 7| -| -| -| -| -| -| 1 - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| 9| 3| 3| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - DECEMBER |1st Line | 16|19|17| -| 1| -| -| -| - - |2nd Line | 24| 5| 1|16[19]| 1| -| -| -| - - |Attached To| | | | | | | | | - |other Units| -| 1| -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - TOTALS | |244|93|53| 19| 4|174|67| 3| 16 - ---------+-----------+---+--+--+------+--+---+--+--+--- - - ---------------------+---------------+------ - | | 1919. | - | |---------------+------ - | |K.|D.|D.|Ill|As|TOTALS. - | |in|of|P.|ne |P.| - | |A.|W.| |ss.|of| - | | | | | |W.| - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - JANUARY |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 16 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 2 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| - - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - FEBRUARY |1st Line | -| 3| -| -| -| 17 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 26 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 1 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - MARCH |1st Line | -| 8| -| -| -| 37 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| 4| -| 9 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 10 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - APRIL |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 41 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 1 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 8 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - MAY |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 95 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| 5| -| 16 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 5 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - JUNE |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 75 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 4 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 15 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - JULY |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 34 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 13 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 3 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - AUGUST |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 45 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 18 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 23 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - SEPTEMBER|1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 229 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 33 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| 1| -| -| -| 17 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - OCTOBER |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 144 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 43 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 14 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - NOVEMBER |1st Line | 78 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 10 - |Attached To| | | | | | - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 15 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - DECEMBER |1st Line | -| -| -| -| -| 82 - |2nd Line | -| -| -| -| -| 47 - |Attached To| - |other Units| -| -| -| -| -| 1 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - TOTALS | | -|12| -| 9| -|1,227 - ---------------------+--+--+--+---+--+----- - -[19] Drowned on H.M.T. _Aragon_. - - Transfers to other units (including re-enlistments - into Regular Army) 4,088 - - Transfers to the 15th Battalion London - Regiment 261 - - Commissions granted from ranks of the - 15th Battalion London Regiment 967 - - Total Mobilized on 5th August, 1914 869 - - Total Enlisted since 5th August, 1914 - (direct into the Regiment) 8,588 - - Total served overseas (including those subsequently - transferred to other units and - those transferred to the Regiment) 7,002 - - Total served at home (including those subsequently - transferred to other units, and those transferred - to the Regiment) 2,716 - - Prisoners of War--(1) Germany 213 - (2) Turkey 4 - - - - -APPENDIX V - -A Statement of the strength of the Corps at the end of each year from -1860 to 1914. - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Year.|A |B |C |D |E |F |G |H |I | K Co. |Band.|Staff.|Total. - |Co.|Co.|Co.|Co.|Co.|Co.|Co.|Co.|Co.| | | | - -----+---+-------+-------+-------+---+---+-----------+-----+------+------ - 1860 | 81| 133 | 102 | 153 | 64| --| -- | -- | -- | 533 - 1861 | 72| 117 | 102 | 138 | 62| --| -- | -- | -- | 491 - 1862 | 72| 99 | 88 | 125 | 56| --| -- | -- | -- | 440 - 1863 | 79| 102 | 89 | 118 | 65| --| -- | -- | 11 | 464 - 1864 | 60| 149 | 81 | 83 | 73| --| -- | -- | 10 | 456 - 1865 | 61| 165 | 95 | 82 | 67| --| -- | -- | 9 | 479 - 1866 | 51| 70| 77| 66| 61| --| 73| 63| --| 140 | 20 | 12 | 633 - 1867 | 49| 71| 73| 52| 55| --| 61| 67| --| 149 | 23 | 11 | 611 - 1868 | 55| 59| 64| 48| 60| --| 61| 63| --| 105 | 20 | 10 | 545 - 1869 | 63| 44| 47| 38| 53| --| 59| 57| --| 106 | 21 | 10 | 498 - 1870 | 59| 35| 41| 32| 54| --| 60| 54| --| 115 | 24 | 14 | 488 - 1871 | 59| 36| 45| 40| 65| --| 61| 56| --| 112 | 24 | 15 | 513 - 1872 | 51| 31| 39| 67| 63| --| 42| 51| --| 99 | 24 | 14 | 481 - 1873 | 46| 31| 52| 81| 57| --| 40| 41| --| 85 | 24 | 13 | 470 - 1874 | 68| 29| 56| 78| 55| --| 40| 42| --| 72 | 27 | 13 | 480 - 1875 | 71| 28| 57| 70| 62| --| 37| 51| --| 83 | 25 | 10 | 494 - 1876 | 68| 22| 50| 56| 50| --| 44| 52| --| 81 | 28 | 10 | 461 - 1877 | 75| 28| 53| 54| 55| --| 48| 44| --| 110 | 15 | 13 | 495 - 1878 | 66| 32| 55| 54| 60| --| 39| 43| --| 101 | 23 | 12 | 485 - 1879 | 56| 29| 52| 53| 57| --| 60| 40| --| 100 | 21 | 13 | 481 - 1880 | 62| 20| 47| 50| 41| --| 71| 40| --| 97 | 21 | 12 | 461 - 1881 | 57| 19| 62| 48| 50| --|100| 45| --| 100 | 24 | 13 | 518 - 1882 | 55| 15| 78| 51| 53| --|108| 46| --| 100 | 22 | 14 | 542 - 1883 | 55| 12|105| 60| 79| --|105| 44| --| 111 | 27 | 12 | 610 - 1884 | 50| 5|121| 60| 74| --| 91| 37| --| 107 | 27 | 11 | 583 - 1885 | 55| --|122| 64| 79| --| 89| 39| --| 106 | 26 | 12 | 592 - 1886 | 56| --|127| 69| 79| --| 86| 53| --| 99 | 23 | 10 | 602 - 1887 | 53| --|112| 53| 61| --| 78| 52| --| 87 | 34 | 11 | 541 - 1888 | 50| --|115| 49| 50| --| 64| 49| --| 64 | 30 | 11 | 482 - 1889 | 51| --|107| 45| 45| --| 48| 44| --| 65 | 35 | 11 | 451 - 1890 | 66| --| 94| 51| 59| --| 53| 34| --| 71 | 36 | 11 | 475 - 1891 | 70| --|102| 56| 75| --| 52| 39| --| 77 | 39 | 11 | 521 - 1892 | 82| 110 | 64| 88| --| 64| 48| --| 80 | 40 | 10 | 586 - 1893 | 86| 42|130| 65| 92| --| 77| 55| --| 88 | -- | 11 | 646 - 1894 |108| 63| 87| 67| 94| --| 90| 65| --| 88 | 36 | 11 | 709 - 1895 |110| 80| 90| 90| 97| --| 99| 80| --| 79 | 40 | 11 | 776 - 1896 |114| 82| 99|102|112| --|107| 79| --| 62 | 42 | 10 | 809 - 1897 |101| 84|103|100|106| --| 94| 74| --| 60 | 60 | 11 | 793 - 1898 | 84| 86| 97| 92|101| --| 86| 63| --| 60 | 67 | 11 | 747 - 1899 | 82| 98|106| 85|106| --| 83| 66| --| 63 | 69 | 11 | 769 - 1900 | 81| 90|115| 95|119| 55|104| 93| 40| 56 | 68 | 10 | 926 - 1901 | 73| 96|120| 97|119| 63| 99|102| 57| 58 | 62 | 10 | 956 - 1902 | 60| 79|114| 90| 96| 61| 90| 79| 59| 36 | 61 | 10 | 835 - 1903 | 53| 72| 99| 83| 77| 61| 89| 78| 63|{33K. }| 60 | 10 | 812 - | | | | | | | | | |{34 Cadets}| | | - 1904 | 45| 68| 96| 77| 71| 50| 79| 61| 76| 36 | 58 | 12 | 729 - 1905 | 47| 65| 99| 69| 79| 50| 77| 58| 70| 47 | 69 | 12 | 742 - 1906 | 57| 82| 95| 73| 75| 69| 67| 56| 63| 57 | 68 | 12 | 774 - 1907 | 57| 88| 92| 70| 73| 80| 69| 64| 64| 57 | 69 | 12 | 795 - 1908 | --| --| --| --| --| --| --| --| --| -- | -- | -- | -- - 1909 |116| 93|136| 87| 81| 87| 98| 85| --| -- | 21 | 10 | 814 - 1910 |124| 91|116| 93| 79| 85|108| 75| --| -- | 27 | 11 | 809 - 1911 |124| 84|107| 93| 79| 81|112| 77| --| -- | 26 | 7 | 790 - 1912 |126| 83| 93| 84| 67| 73|108| 66| --| -- | 25 | 3 | 728 - 1913 |129|100|105| 87| 72| 72|104| 81| --| -- | 19 | 4 | 773 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -=“KEY.”= - -List of Companies, showing Departments and Offices from which they -recruited. - - “A” Company Bank of England. - Metropolitan Water Board. - Inland Revenue. - - “B” Company Post Office Savings Bank. - - “C” Company General Post Office. - - “D” Company Inland Revenue. - - “E” Company Customs. - Inland Revenue. - - “F” Company L.C.C. - Insurance Offices. - - “G” Company Whitehall. - - “H” Company Admiralty. - - “I” Company Cyclist Company. - - “K” Company Bank of England (before - it was amalgamated with - “A” Company). - - - - -APPENDIX VII - -DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: OFFICERS. - - -Distinguished Service Order. - - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - RANK. | NAME. | BAR. - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - Major | Benké, A. C. H. | - Major | Carlisle, J. C. D. | - Lieut.-Colonel | Segrave, W. H. E. | Bar to D.S.O. - “ | “ | 2nd Bar to D.S.O. - Capt. | Kemble, H. H. | - Capt. | Thompson, G. E. | - Lieut.-Colonel | Warrender, H. V. | - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - - -Military Cross. - - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - RANK. | NAME. | BAR. - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - Major | Andrew, R. B. W. G. | Bar to M.C. - Capt. | Balfour, F. D. | - Capt. | Barnes, B. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Barnett, C. E. | - Capt. | Bates, G. G. | - Major | Benké, A. C. H. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Booth, T. J. | - Lieut. | Burtt, L. B. | - Major | Carlisle, J. C. D. | - Major | Coles, E. A. | - Lieut. | Crofts, S. W. F. | - Capt. | Davenport, P. | - Capt. | Fallon, P. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Foot, W. V. | - Lieut. | Fraser, J. A. T. | - Lieut.-Colonel | Gaze, A. W. | - Lieut. | Goldsworthy, R. O. W. | - Capt. | Gozney, C. M., R.A.M.C. | M.C. and Bar. - 2nd-Lieut. | Gray, F. | - Lieut. | Hoste, W. E. | - Lieut. | Hutchison, J. L. | - Capt. | Ind, W. E. | - Lieut. | Ivey, W. L. | - Capt. | Kemble, H. H. | - Lieut. | Lewis, F. W. | - Lieut. | Knox, A., R.A.M.C. | - | (attached) | - Capt. | Martin, G. B. | - Capt. | McSweeny, D. L. | - Capt. | Middleton, R. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Moore, R. V. | - Lieut. | Morris, L. C. | - Lieut. | Osborne, F. | - Capt. | Peatfield, B. | Bar to M.C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Pittam, A. P. | - Capt. | Rathbone, W. L. C. | - Capt. | Roeber, W. C. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Samuel, T. A. J. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Sanger, A. W. | - Lieut. | Seys, S. A. | - Lieut. | Smither, S. T. | M.C. and Bar. - Lieut. | Whitting, A. | - Capt. | Wills, A. K. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Wilson, A. | - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - - -Other Decorations. - - ---------------+-------------------------+---------------------- - RANK. | NAME. | DECORATION. - ---------------+-------------------------+---------------------- - Capt. | Burnett, L. T. | O.B.E. - Lieut.-Col. | De Putron, C. | Legion of Honour. - “ | “ | Croix De Guerre. - Capt. | Gold, R. J. S. | Order Du Merite - | | Chevalier. - 2nd-Lieut. | Mallet, H. J. | Croix De Guerre. - Capt. | Matthews, C. N. | M.B.E. - Capt. | Rathbone, W. L. C. | Albert Medal (2nd - | | Class). - Capt. | Roeber, W. C. | O.B.E., St. Stanislas - | | with Swords, 2nd - | | Class, St. Anne - | | with Swords, 3rd - | | Class. - 2nd-Lieut. | Settle, H. D. | Belgian Croix De - | | Guerre. - Major | Stokes, G. E. | O.B.E. (Mil. Div.) - Capt. | Thorogood, P. W. | O.B.E. - ---------------+-------------------------+---------------------- - - -Mentioned in Despatches. - - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - RANK. | NAME. | TIMES MENTIONED - | | IN DESPATCHES. - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - Lieut. | Andrew, R. B. W. G. | - Capt. | Barnes, B. | Three times. - Capt. | Bowen, C. J. | - Capt. | Branthwaite, R. W., | - | R.A.M.C. | - Lieut. | Brasher, W. H. | - Lieut. | Burtt, L. B. | Three times. - Major | Carlisle, J. C. D. | Three times. - Lieut. | Chalmers, R. | - Lieut. | Clark, T. H. E. | - Lieut. | Craig, W. H. | Twice. - Capt. | Crofts, H. M. | - Capt. | Coles, E. A. | - Capt. | Davenport, P. | Three times. - Capt. | Dobrantz, A. G. | - Lieut. | Du Heaume, F. H. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Fallon, P. | - Lieut.-Col. |Gaze, A. W. | Twice. - Capt. | Gold, R. J. S. | Twice. - 2nd-Lieut. | Hale, G. L. | - Capt. | Hall, S. C. | - Colonel | Hayes, R. G. | - Capt. | Ind, W. E. | Twice. - Capt. and Qmr. | Joslin, A. A. | - Capt. | Kemble, H. H. | Twice. - Capt. | Lewis, H. T. | Twice. - Capt. | McSweeny, D. L. | Twice. - Lieut. | Morrow, A. | - Major | Oliver, A. A. | Twice. - Capt. | Olliff, F. C. | - Lieut. | Pearson, T. W. | - 2nd-Lieut. | Pickhard, L. W. | - Lieut.-Col. | Segrave, W. H. E. | Twice. - Lieut. | Seys, S. A. | - Lieut. | Smith, F. J. | - Major | Stokes, G. E. | Twice. - Lieut.-Col. | Strange, E. F. | - Capt. | Thompson, G. E. | - Capt. | Thorogood, P. W. | - Capt. and Qmr. | Toomey, A. | Three times. - Lieut.-Col. | Warrender, H. S. | Four times. - Capt. | Wills, K. A. | - ---------------+-------------------------+------------------- - - -DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: OTHER RANKS. - - -Military Cross. - - --------+-------------- - RANK. | NAME. - --------+-------------- - C.S.M. | Brett, T. P. - --------+-------------- - C.S.M. | Harris, R. H. - --------+-------------- - - -Distinguished Conduct Medal. - - Cpl. | Amsden, C. S. - C.S.M. | Bailey, W. - L.-Cpl. | Barnfather, J. D. - Sgt. | Bowman, H. E. - Pte. | Branton, W. H. - C.S.M. | Burden, R. H. - Sgt. | Carroll, P. J. - Pte. | Castell, E. C. - Sgt. | Christey, F. - Sgt. | Cook, E. - Pte. | Cook, E. J. - L.-Cpl. | Coney, H. R. H. - Sgt. | Coulthard, R. - C.Q.M.S. | Crick, E. C. - L.-Cpl. | Douglas, W. M. - Sgt. | Eager, G. L. - Sgt. | Edwards, B. C. H. - C.S.M. | Eggleston, T. H. - A./L.-Cpl. | Foot, G. B. - Pte. | Harris, H. - R.Q.M.S. | Hart, W. B. - Sgt. | Hodges, S. H. - Sgt. | Hundleby, H. S. - Pte. | Hutt, F. - A./R.S.M. | Jolliffe, B. J. - Sgt. | Jones, T. W. - C.S.M. | Kidd, A. T. - Sgt. | Knapp, E. M. - Sgt. | Lawrence, S. - Pte. | Leigh, A. B. - C.S.M. | Levey, O. S. H. - C.S.M. | Lord, F. - R.S.M. | Lovelock, H. W. - Cpl. | Mackenzie, A. D. - L./Sgt. | Mason, P. - Sgt. | Moore, W. H. - L.-Cpl. | Mills, S. W. - Sgt. | Neil, J. J. - Sgt. | Nottingham, E. B. - C.S.M. | Oldcorn, J. - Cpl. A./Sgt. | Pritchard, W. C. - Sgt. | Riddle, H. B. - C.S.M. | Robertson, F. C. - C.S.M. | Salmon, H. - L.-Cpl. | Seeley, G. J. - Sgt. | Smith, G. B. - Sgt. | Strong, F. G. L. - A./Sgt. | Sugars, R. C. - “ | “ and Bar. - Sgt. | Thomas, H. D. - A./Sgt. | Tom, G. A. - Cpl. A./Sgt. | Tuck, W. G. M. - Pte. A./L.-Sgt.| Wakelin, S. J. - Sgt. | Williams, F. G. - - -Military Medal. - - ----------------+-------------------- - RANK. | NAME. - ----------------+-------------------- - Pte. A./L. Cpl. | Adlington, S. - Pte. | Amey, H. J. - Sgt. | Andrews, J. G. C. - L.-Cpl. | Angel, R. L. - Pte. | Armfield, H. L. - L.-Cpl. | Armstrong, L. F. - Pte. | Armstrong, J. S. - Sgt. | Arnold, S. - Pte. | Arthur, R. J. - Pte. | Ashdown, A. G. - Pte. | Auty, H. A. - Pte. | Axford, E. W. - Pte. | Ayling, F. W. - Pte. | Ayres, A. E. - Sgt. | Bachell, G. T. - Pte. | Baker, K. L. - Pte. | Ball, J. T. - L.-Cpl. | Barnes, R. J. - “ | “ and Bar. - Pte. | Baston, E. - Cpl. | Bazley, R. J. B. - Pte. | Beadle, C. W. - Pte. | Bell, D. M. P. - Cpl. | Bellingham, F. S. - Pte. | Benstead, L. - Cpl. | Bishop, H. C. - Cpl. | Blackaby, E. W. - Pte. | Bott, G. A. - Pte. | Bowes, G. R. - Sgt. | Bowman, H. E. - Pte. | Boydell, J. - L.-Cpl | Bradford, M. E. - Pte. | Bradley, A. F. - Pte. | Bradshaw, D. G. - Pte. | Branch, L. H. - Pte. | Breckon, H. W. - Cpl. | Bressey, S. H. - Pte. | Brown, F. - Sgt. | Brown, G. L. - Sgt. | Browning, F. E. - Pte. | Bullock, C. F. - Pte. | Chamberlain, V. N. - Pte. | Church, T. D. - Pte. | Cleaver, E. G. - Pte. | Connor, E. C. G. - Sgt. | Cox, A. T. - Sgt. | Cronin, J. B. - Pte. | Crossley, W. G. - Pte. | Cutting, R. - Pte. | Cutts, E. F. - L.-Cpl. | Darmody, J. F. - Pte. | Davey, F. R. - L.-Cpl. | Davis, W. E. - Pte. | Dawson, V. L. - L.-Sgt. | Donald, A. D. - Pte. | Durrad, W. H. - Pte. | Edgley, E. E. - Pte. | Edwards, L. D. - Pte. | Eels, P. - A./Cpl. | Emler, H. J. - Sgt. | Feesey, R. W. - Pte. | Flanagan, L. - Cpl. | Fletcher, S. - Pte. | Folds, C. E. - Pte. | Foster, H. - Sgt. | Fowler, G. E. - Pte. | Freemont, L. T. - Pte. | Freer, W. B. - Sgt. | Galen, J. J. - Sgt. | Gallant, N. E. - Sgt. | Galloway, J. M. - Cpl. | Garner, W. J. - Sgt. | Gooding, D. - Sgt. | Gray, F. - Cpl. | Greig, T. P. - Sgt. | Hague, P. S. - Pte. | Hales, A. C. - Sgt. | Hall, M. W. - Cpl. | Hanna, C. H. - Sgt. | Hare, A. W. E. W. - Pte. | Harris, W. R. - Pte. | Hatton, G. L. - Sgt. | Haycock, T. F. - A./L.-Cpl. | Hearn, S. W. - Pte. | Hicks, H. E. - A./Sgt. | Hiscocks, P. C. - Pte. | Hockley, H. J. - Pte. | Hogwood, H. - Pte. | Holmes, A. - Pte. | Holt, T. - Pte. | Hooart, F. N. G. - Sgt. | Hughes, E. F. - “ | “ and Bar. - L.-Cpl. | Hull, B. - L.-Cpl. | Hutchinson, L. R. - Sgt. A./C.S.M. | Ibbett, C. - C.Q.M.S. | Irving, W. J. - A./Cpl. | Irwin, W. L. - Pte. | Jenkins, J. H. - Pte. | Joines, H. E. - “ | “ and Bar. - Sgt. | Jones, C. F. - Cpl. | Jones, T. I. - Sgt. | Jones, T. J. - Pte. | Judson, E. F. - L.-Sgt. | Kelley, P. J. - L.-Sgt. | Kelly, P. J. - A./Sgt. | Kelsey, H. G. R. - “ | “ and Bar. - Pte. | Kindell, R. - Sgt. | Knight, N. G. - “ | “ and Bar. - Pte. | Knott, G. E. - Cpl. | Lehan, W. C. - Sgt. A./C.S.M. | Levey, O. L. H. - Pte. | Lewis, A. J. - C.Q.M.S. | Lewis, F. A. - A./Sgt. | Lichfield, H. - Pte. | Linnell, H. J. - Cpl. | Lodge, C. D. - Sgt. | Mallett, W. - Sgt. | Manthorp, C. - Pte. | Martin, R. - Cpl. | Mash, W. J. R. - Cpl. | Mason, A. J. - Pte. | Matheson, F. E. - Sgt. | McKinley, W. R. - L.-Cpl. | Milner, M. G. - Pte. | Milroy, D. J. H. - Pte. | Molony, J. L. - Sgt. | Moritz, H. C. - Sgt. | Morris, L. G. P. - L.-Cpl. | Myatt, A. F. W. - Sgt. | Neil, J. J. - L.-Cpl. | Nelson, C. W. - Cpl. | Newton, N. - Pte. | Nicholas, R. E. - A./Cpl. | Nicholas, R. E. - Cpl. | Pattison, S. - Pte. | Pearce, A. E. - Pte. | Pett, E. J. - L.-Sgt. | Pilgrim, K. F. - Sgt. | Pinder, H. F. - L.-Cpl. | Plastow, H. A. - A./Sgt. | Portch, W. G. - L.-Sgt. | Rapps, F. T. - Pte. | Reed, T. - Pte. | Reuss, W. H. L. - Cpl. | Ritchings, A. A. W. - L.-Cpl. | Roylance, W. G. - Sgt. | Russell, J. - Cpl. | Sanderson, W. K. - Pte. | Scott, F. - Pte. | Scott, F. L. G. - Pte. | Shephard, W. H. - L.-Cpl. | Shirley, R. - “ | “ and Bar. - Pte. A./Cpl. | Skinner, F. C. - L.-Cpl. | Small, A. - Pte. | Smedley, H. L. - Pte. | Smith, S. A. - L.-Cpl. | Snelling, W. - Pte. | Sparham, A. G. - Pte. | Spicer, F. - A./Cpl. | Stanton, W. S. - Sgt. | Steele, H. J. - Pte. | Strugnall, E. - Pte. | Surridge, A. J. - Sgt. | Swain, J. H. - L.-Sgt. | Taylor, A. C. - Pte. | Taylor, J. E. - L.-Sgt. | Tickle, S. J. - Sgt. | Tickle, F. - Cpl. | Titterell, F. A. - Sgt. | Treves, H. G. - C.S.M. | Tubb, H. C. - C.S.M. | Turner, T. E. F. - L. Cpl. | Underwood, E. G. - Cpl. | Underwood, A. E. - Pte. | Vernhan, H. A. - Pte. | Vernon, P. H. - Cpl. | Wallace, J. A. - Sgt. | Ward, E. G. C. - L.-Cpl. | Wearn, C. E. - Sgt. | Webber, A. J. - Cpl. | White, F. T. G. - Pte. | Wighton, W. - Cpl. | Williams, W. A. - Pte. | Wilson, C. H. - Sgt. | Wright, H. F. - Pte. | Wright, W. S. - - -Other Decorations. - - --------+-------------------+---------------------- - RANK. | NAME. | DECORATION. - --------+-------------------+---------------------- - Pte. | Ashdown, A. G. | Medaille d’Honneur - | | Avec Glaives en - | | Bronze. - Pte. | Brotherton, E. A. | Belgian Croix de - | | Guerre. - Pte. | Castell. E. C. | Ditto. - Sergt. | Cross, C. G. O. | Medaille, Barbatie - | | Si Credinta. - L.-Cpl. | Fletcher, S. | Belgian Croix de - | | Guerre. - Pte. | Gunton, B. | French Croix de - | | Guerre. - Cpl. | Hammer, C. F. | Ditto, and Decoration - | | Militaire. - Sergt. | Manthorp, C. | Italian Bronze - | | Medal. - Pte. | Mills, S. J. | French Croix de - | | Guerre. - Sergt. | Nottingham, E. B. | Italian Bronze - | | Medal and Silver - | | Medal for Mil. - | | Valour. - Pte. | Pegler, H. W. | Medaille d’Honneur - | | Avec Glaives en - | | Bronze. - Sgt. | Riddle, H. B. | Silver Medal for - | | Mil. Valour, and - | | Italian Bronze - | | Medal. - Cpl. | Ramsay, H. | French Croix de - | | Guerre. - - -Mentioned in Despatches. - - ---------------+------------------- - RANK. | NAME. - ---------------+------------------- - Pte. | Beadle, C. W. - A./Cpl. | Bernard, S. A. - Pte. | Boldwater, L. A. - “ | “ (Twice.) - Pte. | Bowes, G. R. - C.S.M. | Bowstead, J. E. - Pte. | Buck, B. R. - A./Sgt. | Chapman, H. H. - L.-Cpl. | Ching, A. J. - A./R.Q.M.S. | Collins, J. C. - Sgt. | Cooper, P. V. - L.-Cpl. | Coney, H. R. H. - Sgt. | Cottrell, T. A. - C.S.M. | Crick, E. C. - Sgt. | Cross, C. G. O. - Sgt. | Davey, S. - L.-Cpl. | Doubleday, R. E. - A./C.S.M. | Dyer, B. C. - Pte. | Ennis, J. - Pte. | Forward, H. A. - R.Q.M.S. | Harman, A. R. - Sgt. | Harriss, F. - R.Q.M.S. | Hart, W. B. (Twice.) - L.-Sgt. | Hodgson, J. - A./Sgt. | Hughes, R. J. - A./L.-Sgt. | Hughes, E. F. - L.-Cpl. | Hulford. E. - Pte. | Hutt, F. G. - C.Q.M.S. | Ibbett, C. - Pte. | Joines, H. E. - C.S.M. | Levey, O. L. H. - A./Cpl. | Linnell, H. J. - Sgt. | McKimm, T. G. - L.-Cpl. | Mundy, A. S. - C.S.M. | Mutlow, L. H. - Sgt. | Newman, B. C. - L-Cpl. | Oliver, G. - Sgt. | Owen, P. S. - Sgt. | Parish, H. S. - Pte. | Shirvington, T. - L.-Cpl. | Simmons, H. - A./Sgt. | Tom, G. A. - A./L.-Sgt. | Tuck, W. G. M. - Pte. | Walder, W. J. - L.-Cpl. | Weedon, G. H. - Sgt. | Wright, G. B. - - -Brought to Notice for Gallant and Distinguished Conduct in the Field. - - ---------------+-------------- - Pte. | Gunton, H. - L.-Sgt. | Mason, P. - Pte. | Pegler, H. W. - ---------------+-------------- - Pte. | Perry, S. - Pte. | Vernon, P. H. - - - - -APPENDIX VIII - -OFFICERS WHO SERVED IN THE PERIOD 1914-1919. - - -This list necessarily includes the names of all officers serving with -the Regiment, and of those officers who served with the Battalions -overseas who joined from other Regiments. - -It is feared in some cases the rank shewn will not be correct. -Apologies are tendered to whom they are due. - - -DARKER TYPE REPRESENTS OFFICERS WHO DIED. - - ---------------+--------------- - RANK. | NAME. - ---------------+--------------- - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Acworth, G. W.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Adamson, T. L. - Capt. | Alexander, B. - 2nd-Lieut. | Alison, D. S. - Major | Andrew, R. B. W. G. - Lieut. | Andrews, E. E. - Lieut. | Appleton, A. - Lieut. | Arundel, T. H. - Lieut. | Atkinson, M. C. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Attwood, S. A.= - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Aylmore, A. G. A.= - | - Capt. | Bach, H. J. G. - Capt. | Bailey, C. A. - Lieut. | Bailey, D., D.C.M. - Lieut. | Bailey, F. T. - Qmr. | Bailey, J. G. M. - Lieut. | Bailey, W. - Lieut. | Baker, A. G. - =Major= | =Balfour, F. D.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Ballance, L. A. - Lieut. | Bambrough, P. B. - 2nd-Lieut. | Banister, F. F. - Lieut. | Barclay, L. - Capt. | Barnes, B., M.C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Barnes, F. - Lieut. | Barnes, R. C. - Lieut. | Barnett, C. E., M.C. - Lieut. | Barnett, G. P. - 2nd-Lieut. | Barratt, L. L. E. - 2nd-Lieut. | Bashford, W. R. - 2nd-Lieut. | Batchelor, T. C. N. - Capt. | Bates, G. G., M.C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Battock, H. C. T. - Lieut. | Beddow, P. E. - Lieut. | Beecham, E. J. - Lieut. | Beetlestone, H. A. - Capt. | Bell, A. D. - Lieut. | Bell, A. F. - Major | Benké, A. C. H., D.S.O., M.C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Bennett, P. A. - Lieut. | Benton, H. B. - Capt. | Berry, H. A. - Lieut. | Berry, H. A. - Lieut.-Col. | Bisdee, T. E., D.S.O., M.C. - Lieut. | Bonner, G. L. - 2nd-Lieut. | Booth, T. J. - Capt. | Bowen, C. J. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Bowers-Taylor, A.= - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Boyes, J. F.= - Lieut. | Boyes, W. E. - 2nd-Lieut. | Boyes, W. E. - 2nd-Lieut. | Bradberry, W. R. - Surgn.-Capt. | Branthwaite, R. W., R.A.M.C. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Brantom, W. H.= - Lieut. | Brasher, W. - Major | Brett, F. J. - Lieut. | Briggs, R. - =Lieut.= | =Bright, T. A.= - Major | Brightman, J. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Broad, W. V. M. - Lieut. | Brooks, H. E. - Lieut. | Brooks, H. E. - Lieut. | Broughton, L. T. - 2nd-Lieut. | Broughton, S. - Lieut. | Bull, A. C. - Lieut. | Bullin, W. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Bullock, A. M.= - Lieut. | Bulton, O. F. - Lieut. | Burch, S. W. - 2nd-Lieut. | Burchett, W. J. - Lieut. | Burden, E. O. - Lieut. | Burtt, L. B., M.C. - Lieut. | Burtt, L. L. - Lieut. | Burtt, V. S. - Lieut. | Byles, E. F. - 2nd-Lieut. | Campbell, C. W. - Major | Carlisle, J. C. D., D.S.O., M.C. - Lieut. | Castle, D. - Capt. | Cavalier, Rev. C. J. - =Lieut.= | =Chalmers, R.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Charter, H. E. J. - Lieut. | Cheeseman, R. C. - Major | Chew, R. C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Childs, A. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Chilvers, R. C.= - Lieut. | Chudleigh, R. N. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Clark, H. R. E.= - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Clark, S. G.= - Lieut. | Clark, T. H. E. - Lieut. & Qmr. | Clark, W. H. D. - 2nd-Lieut. | Clarke, A. E. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Clarke, R. F.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Clegg, C. F. G. - 2nd-Lieut. | Clifford, G. C. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Coldicott, H. E.= - Major | Coles, E. A., M.C. - Capt. | Collins, E. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Collins, F. C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Cooke, R. C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Covey, E. J. - 2nd-Lieut. | Cox, H. P. F. - Lieut. | Craig, W. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Cribbett, W. C. G. - Capt. | Crofts, A. W. G. - Capt. | Crofts, H. M. - 2nd-Lieut. | Cunningham, H. F. - | - Lieut. | Dabbs, S. E. - 2nd-Lieut. | Daly, P. A. - Capt. | Davenport, P., M.C. - =Capt.= | =Davies, L.= - Lieut. | Davis, A. E. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Denny, E.= - Lieut.-Col. | De Putron, C. - Capt. | Diggins, A. - Major | Dobrantz, A. G. - Capt. | Doubleday, C. E. - 2nd-Lieut. | Dredge, P. J. - Capt. | Du Heaume, F. H. - Lieut. | Duncan, A. - | - Capt. | Easton, F. J. - Capt. | Eccles, L. D. - 2nd-Lieut. | Edmed, W. - Lieut. | Edney, H. G. - 2nd-Lieut. | Ellis, T. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Emmett, A. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Ena, A. S. - 2nd-Lieut. | Enoch, B. J. - Lieut. | Etheridge, A. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Ewen, P. - | - 2nd-Lieut. | Falkner, J. A. G. - Lieut. | Fallon, R., M.C. - =Capt.= | =Farquhar, H. B.= - Lieut.-Col. | Feilding, R. C., D.S.O. - 2nd-Lieut. | Fitter, B. A. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Fletcher, E.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Flew, W. L. - Lieut. | Foot, W. V., M.C. - Lieut. | Ford, R. W. - 2nd-Lieut. | Forsyth, W. J. - Lieut. | Francis, T. B. - 2nd-Lieut. | Francis, W. J. - Lieut. | Fraser, J. A. T. - 2nd-Lieut. | French, J. H. - | - Capt. | Galfin, A. C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Gallaher, H. E. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Garratt, M. H.= - Lieut.-Col. | Gaze, A. W., M.C. - =Capt.= | =Gaze, G. A.= - Lieut. | Gearing, F. E. - 2nd-Lieut. | George, H. W. - Lieut. | Gillings, V. de F. - Lieut. | Girard, R. S. - 2nd-Lieut. | Glynn, A. H. - Lieut. | Godfrey, H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Golby, H. J. - Capt. | Gold, R. J. S. - Lieut. | Golding, F. L. - 2nd-Lieut. | Gordon, F. A. - Capt. | Gormanston, The Viscount, J. E. P. - Lieut. | Gosney, H. S. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Goswell, O. S.= - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Gray, F.= - Major | Greswell, T. de la G. - Capt. | Grimsdale, G. C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Grove, C. S. - 2nd-Lieut. | Guy, H. W. - Capt. | Guyton, R. F. - | - 2nd-Lieut. | Habbijam, J. F. - Lieut. | Hale, G. L. - 2nd-Lieut. | Halifax, J. W. - Lieut. | Hall, P. H. - Capt. | Hall, S. C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Hallas, J. E. - Lieut. | Hamill, J. M. - Capt. | Hanks, A. G. T. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Harris, R. H., M.C.= - Lieut. | Hart, L. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Harrowing, T. C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Hasleham, G. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Haslett, S. - Col. | Hayes, R. G., T.D. - 2nd-Lieut. | Hemsley, C. M. - Lieut. | Hepworth, E. C. - Major | Hide, L. - Major | Higginbottom, H. E. - Lieut. | Higgs, K. A. - Lieut. | Hilder, G. D. - =Capt.= | =Hill, F.= - Capt. | Hill, M. G. - 2nd-Lieut. | Hobson, R. L. - Capt. and Qmr. | Hodge, W. G - Lieut. | Hodgson, C. H. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Hoole, G.= - Lieut. | Hooper, G. B. - Lieut. | Hooper, W. D. - Lieut. | Horne, J. C. - Lieut. | Hosken, E. - Lieut. | Hoste, G. M. - Lieut. | Hoste, W. E., M.C. - Lieut. | Hounsell, F. W. - Capt. | Houseman, A. W. - Lieut. | Houslop, W. A. S. - 2nd-Lieut. | Howard, W. F. - Lieut. | Howard-Grafton, G. C. - Capt. | Hughes, F. M. - Capt. | Hughes, R. B. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Hughes, R. C.= - Lieut. | Hutchison, J. L., M.C. - Lieut. | Hutton, P. G. - | - Lieut. | Illing, R. W. - =Capt.= | =Ind, W. E., M.C.= - Lieut. | Ivey, W. L., M.C. - | - Lieut. | Jackson, P. H. - Capt. | James, A. V. - 2nd-Lieut. | James, P. A. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Jamieson, C. M.= - Lieut. | Jarvis, L. J. W. - Lieut. | Jarvis, M. F. - 2nd-Lieut. | Jones, E. - Capt. | Jones, H. - Lieut. | Jones, P. F. - Lieut. | Jones, R. L. - Capt. and Qmr. | Joslin, A. A. - | - Lieut. | Kapping, C. H. S. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Kearley, H.= - =Capt.= | =Kemble, H. H., D.S.O., M.C.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Kettle, E. W. - Capt. | Kilmer, C. M. - Capt. | Kimber, W. J. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =King, A. E.= - 2nd-Lieut. | King, H. - Capt. | Kinsman, J. C. P. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Kirk, R. L.= - Major | Kirkby, W. T. - Lieut. | Labhart, C. L. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Lacy, W. B.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Lambert, W. B. - 2nd-Lieut. | Lander, D. L. C. - Lieut. | Lane, A. D. - =Lieut.= | =Lascelles, E. R.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Leech, F. J. W. - =Capt.= | =Leighton, A.= - Lieut. | Lester, A. M. - Capt. | Lewis, F. W., M.C. - Capt. | Lewis, H. D., T.D. - Capt. | Lewis, H. T. - 2nd-Lieut. | Louch, J. D. G. - 2nd-Lieut. | Love, J. B. - | - =2nd-Lieut.= | =MacDonald, J. S.= - Lieut. | McDowall, A. C. - Lieut. | McKay, C. S. - Lieut. | McKay, H. G. - Lieut. | McMahon, J. J., D.C.M., M.C. - Lieut. | McMuldroch, R. - Capt. | McSweeney, D. L., M.C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Mallett, H. J. - Lieut. | Malthouse, C. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Marchant, C. V.= - Lieut. | Margrett, G. M. - Lieut. | Markham, L. A. - Lieut.-Col. | Marshall, H., M.C. - =Lieut.= | =Martin, E. J.= - Lieut. | Martin, F. - Lieut. | Martin, G. C. Y. - Lieut. | Martin, L. S. - =Lieut.= | =Matheson, H.= - Capt. | Mathews, C. N., M.B.E. - Lieut. | Mattison, O. H. - Lieut. | Maxwell, E. W. - Lieut. | Mellett, G. T. - Lieut. | Mellis, A. W. - Lieut. | Mends, E. G. - Capt. | Miall, D. H. - Lieut. | Miall, E. J. - =Capt.= | =Middleton, R., M.C.= - Lieut. | Miles, E. C. - Capt. | Millar, C. W. A. - 2nd-Lieut. | Miller, R. W. - Lieut. | Miller, S. L. - Lieut. | Mills, A. L. - Lieut. | Mitchell, G. R. - 2nd-Lieut. | Mitchison, M. - Lieut. | Moore, R. W. - =Lieut.= | =Moran, J.= - Lieut. | Moriarty, D. - Lieut. | Morris, L. C., M.C. - Lieut. | Morrow, A. - Lieut. | Moss, G. H. C. - Lieut. | Mouland, H. J. - 2nd-Lieut. | Munn, F. A. - 2nd-Lieut. | Murless, H. R. - Lieut. | Murray, W. J. - 2nd-Lieut. | Muxworthy, T. - | - Lieut. | Nation, F. R. - Capt. | Neales, E. W. - Lieut. | Neall, K. P. - Lieut.-Col. | Newson, W. F. K. - Lieut. | Newton, C. F. - 2nd-Lieut. | Noel, C. A. B. - =Lieut.= | =Northam, J. McC.= - Capt. | Nutbrown, L. A. - | - 2nd-Lieut. | Oldcorn, J. S., D.C.M. - Major | Oliver, A. A. - Capt. | Oliver, A. D. - Capt. | Olliff, F. C. - Lieut. | Osborne, F., M.C. - Lieut. | Osborne, T. L. - | - 2nd-Lieut. | Page, W. E. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Palin, O. E.= - Lieut.-Col. | Parish, F. W., D.S.O., M.C. - Lieut. | Pearson, T. W. - Capt. | Peatfield, B., M.C. - Lieut. | Phelps, F. W. - Lieut. | Pickard, L. W. - Capt. | Pickthorn, K. W. M. - Lieut. | Pickup, F. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Pilcher, A. M.= - Lieut. | Pilkington, G. V. - Lieut. | Pittam, A. P., M.C. - Lieut. | Plowman, T. R. (Died 1/1/20) - Lieut. | Porter, W. W. - =Lieut.= | =Potts, J. P.= - Capt. | Praeger, I. P. - Lieut. | Prynn, G. W. - Lieut. | Pulley, A. S., M.C. - | - Capt. | Radice, F. R. - Capt. | Randolph, J. H. - Capt. | Rathbone, W. L. C., M.C. - Lieut. | Ray, G. H. - Lieut. | Ray, L. R. - Lieut. | Reeve, J. S. - Lieut.-Col. | Renny, A. M. - Lieut. | Richardson, F. M. - Capt. | Rimington, C. H. - =Capt.= | =Roberts, A.= - Lieut. | Roberts, G. - Lieut. | Roberts, G. - Lieut. | Robertson, E. J. - 2nd-Lieut. | Robinson, A. E. - Capt. | Roeber, W. C. T., O.B.E., M.C. - Lieut. | Rothwell, J. - Lieut. | Rushman, G. W. - Capt. | Rust, H. F. - | - 2nd-Lieut. | Samuel, T. A. H., M.C. - Lieut. | Sanger, R. W. - Capt. | Satow, G. L. - Major | Saunders, A. E., T.D. - Lieut. | Schofield, J. A. - =Lieut.= | =Scott, B.= - Lieut. | Scott, P. E. W. - Col. | Segrave, W. H. E., D.S.O. - Lieut. | Sellick, R. - Lieut. | Settle, H. G. - Lieut. | Seys, S. A., M.C. - Capt. | Sharratt, T. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Shepherd, E. P. - Lieut. | Silletoe, S. A. - Capt. | Simmons, T. H. - Lieut. | Simpson, H. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Small, T. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Smart, C. - Lieut. | Smart, C. A. - Lieut. | Smith, A. E. - =Lieut.= | =Smith, F. J.= - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Smith, R. F.= - 2nd-Lieut. | Smith, S. K. - =Capt.= | =Smith, T. A.= - Capt. | Smith, W. S. H. - Lieut. | Songest, C. B. - Lieut. | Souter, A. - Lieut. | Spencer, H. J. - Lieut. | Splatt, H. J. - Capt. | Stanton, O. W. - 2nd-Lieut. | Stevens, G. C. D. - 2nd-Lieut. | Stevenson, C. S. - 2nd-Lieut. | Stileman, C. H. - Major | Stokes, G. E., O.B.E. - Capt. | Stone, G. G. H. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Stoneman, W. T.= - Col. | Strange, E. F., C.B.E., T.D. - Lieut. | Stringer, J. W. T. - 2nd-Lieut. | Sutton, H. J. - | - Capt. | Tarver, F. F. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Tatum, G. E.= - Lieut. | Taylor, A. L. - 2nd-Lieut. | Taylor, L. H. - 2nd-Lieut. | Taylor, S. A. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Temple, W.= - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Thompson, F. D.= - Capt. | Thompson, G. E., D.S.O. - Capt. | Thorogood, P. W., O.B.E. - 2nd-Lieut. | Thorpe, A. E. - 2nd-Lieut. | Thrower, S. W. - Lieut. | Tickle, P. J., M.M. - Lieut. | Titcombe, J. J. - Lieut. | Titcombe, L. A., D.C.M. - 2nd-Lieut. | Tomkins, C. J. D. - Capt. | Toomey, A. - 2nd-Lieut. | Townend, A. C. H. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Townsend, E. L.= - =Capt.= | =Trembath, A. E., D.C.M.= - Capt. | Trembath, C. H. - Major | Trembath, F. F. - Major | Turk, G. W., T.D. - 2nd-Lieut. | Tysoe, W. L. - | - Lieut. | Upton, R. - | - Lieut. | Vigar, A. L. - | - 2nd-Lieut. | Walker, A. W. E. - Lieut. | Walker, W. J. - Lieut. | Wallis, J. A. D. - 2nd-Lieut | Ward, E. K. - =2nd-Lieut.= | =Ware, B. K.= - Major | Warne, H. F. M. - Lieut.-Col. | Warrender, H. V., D.S.O. - Capt. | Wass, E. J. - Lieut. | Watts, F. W. - Lieut. | Webb, W. P. - Lieut. | Wenham, J. K. L. - Lieut. | Westmore, F. W. - Lieut. | Wheatley, J. M. - Lieut. | Wheeler, E. N. - Lieut. | Wheeler, F. M. - Lieut. | Whitaker, C. R. - Capt. | Whiteley, A. - Lieut. | Whitting, A., M.C. - Lieut. | Wilcocks, H. F. - Lieut. | Willi, J. - Capt. | Wills, K. A., M.C. - 2nd-Lieut. | Wilmott, C. A. - Lieut. | Wilson, A., M.C. - Lieut. | Wilson, F. R. - 2nd-Lieut. | Wiltshire, E. T. - 2nd-Lieut. | Wimpey, A. B. - 2nd-Lieut. | Woods, T. - Major | Woolley, E. J., M.C. - Lieut. | Wright, H. R. - | - Major | Young, D. - - -LIST OF OFFICERS OF 1ST BATTALION ON LANDING IN FRANCE, MARCH, 1915. - - Bt.-Col. A. M. Renny. - Major R. Chew. - Major H. V. Warrender. - Capt. W. F. K. Newson. - Capt. H. H. Kemble. - Capt. A. E. Trembath. - Capt. H. M. Crofts. - Capt. R. J. S. Gold. - Capt. G. E. Stokes. - Capt. G. A. Gage. - Capt. H. B. Farquhar. - Lieut. J. C. P. Kinsman. - Lieut. A. Roberts. - Lieut. F. R. Radice. - Lieut. T. H. Sharratt. - Lieut. H. T. Lewis. - - Lieut. L. Davies. - Lieut. R. Chalmers. - Lieut. A. C. B. Benké. - Lieut. J. C. D. Carlisle. - 2nd-Lieut. H. J. Sutton. - 2nd-Lieut. H. R. E. Clarke. - 2nd-Lieut. B. Barnes. - 2nd-Lieut. F. C. Olliff. - 2nd-Lieut. C. F. B. Stevens. - 2nd-Lieut. G. G. Bates. - Capt. and Adj. F. W. Parish. - Hon. Lieut. and Q.M. W. H. D. Clark. - Surg.-Capt. R. W. Branthwaite. - Capt. A. G. T. Hanks, R.A.M.C. - - - - -APPENDIX IX - -Other Ranks who served in the period 1914-1919. - -=Dark Type= REPRESENTS THOSE WHO DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE. - - - Alexandra, H. T. - Allen, W. J. - Allen, J. - Adams, J. P. - Anderson, G. F. - Adams, P. E. - =Andrews, A. J.= - Allinson, J. H. D. - Audre, R. B. - Allen, S. T. - Arthur, E. F. - Alvery, G. C. - Andrews, F. C. - Allen, T. E. - Archer, G. - =Adams, A. A.= - Armstrong, A. F. - Ashleigh, A. - Almond, P. K. - Askham, W. - Arnold, J. G. - Andrews, W. L. - Avery, S. E. - =Armstrong, H. O.= - Andrews, G. - Adams, P. E. - Armstrong, J. S. - Armstrong, L. D. - Austen, W. H. - Arthur, J. E. - Allen, R. C. J. - Allen, E. - Allcock, O. P. - Andrews, E. E. - Arundel, T. H. - Asquith, J. R. - Alliston, G. H. - Allen, P. F. - Alexander, F. - Astbury, T. W. - =Astle, E.= - =Avis, A. J.= - Arculus, H. J. - Andrews, C. J. - Aylmore, A. G. A. - Allen, H. T. - Attwell, L. W. - Aylmore, G. H. A. - Addison, G. H. - Allen, P. W. - Allen, A. H. - Angel, A. J. - Allen, B. G. - =Angel, H. A. E.= - =Archer, T. H.= - Arkcoll, A. G. - Arthur, R. J. - Arnold, N. E. - =Armstrong, J. F.= - Avison, J. H. - Amos, T. W. - Aitken, R. S. - =Ashworth, W. H.= - Amphlett, C. E. - Allin, H. E. - Alder, H. F. - Aird, A. P. McG. - Allshorn, F. L. - Andrews, A. C. - Aston, R. F. - Aird, R. J. M. - Acott, L. J. - Andrews, A. J. - Altman, A. G. J. - Ayres, H. S. - Austin, S. A. - Atwell, G. H. - =Aish, G.= - Adams, G. J. - Allam, G. B. - =Ayling, A.= - Admans, H. - Atton, H. A. - Ainsworth, D. J. - Archer, T. L. B. - Ainsworth, G. T. - Anderson, D. B. - Anthony, E. V. - Arnold, S. - Acres, C. H. - Avon, E. F. - Adams, G. E. J. - Allison, R. - Archard, J. - Andrews, P. R. - Axford, D. S. - Axford, E. W. - Adlam, T. J. - =Atkins, A. N.= - Adams, R. - Anthony, G. E. - Achard, C. E. - Ashworth, J. R. - Attwood, S. A. - Anderton, J. A. - Allen, H. E. - Archer, W. E. - Alvery, R. T. - Allen, J. H. - Amsden, C. S. - Anderson, C. N. - =Arnold, G.= - Addis, F. L. - Allistone, W. C. - =Avis, W. J.= - Applin, G. C. - Archer, J. - Ackworth, G. W. - =Amey, H. J.= - Archer, H. F. - Archer, S. W. - =Atkins, F. M.= - Alvey, P. G. - Ayling, F. W. - Anderson, E. S. - Austin, O. - Anyan, W. - Allman, W. P. - Adams, W. M. - Allden, H. W. - =Ayre, F. O.= - Armstrong, W. N. - Ashton, L. C. B. - Ashdown, A. G. - Altass, P. - Aspland, G. T. - Anderson, S. E. - Allsford, H. E. - Austen, A. J. - Armfield, A. R. - Abbott, J. E. - Allsopp, W. H. - Ailion, E. C. - Archer, C. G. - Armstrong, F. B. - Averre, N. - Andrew, P. H. - Allen, T. - Allen, C. J. - Anderson, H. I. W. - Adams, J. - Anthony, I. - Armfield, H. L. - Arpthorp, E. H. - =Ames, A. J.= - Andrews, A. A. - =Ashby, A. C.= - Ainsworth, W. - Austin, T. - Angell, W. J. - Allen, L. E. - Awburn, G. T. - Ashby, A. O. - Adams, R. S. - Arthur, J. C. - Aylmore, F. W. - Auty, H. A. - Aglionby, F. B. - Allen, F. C. - Alabaster, R. W. - Adams, C. - Atkins, E. W. - =Armour, W. F.= - Acarnley, C. E. - Angel, A. J. - Archer, A. A. - Ansley, H. - =Anderson, D.= - Allchurch, C. A. - Atkawes, H. L. - Anderson, C. - Aubrey, C. - Ashwell, E. J. - Alston, F. - Apthorpe, F. W. - Allen, L. H. - Askew, T. A. - Anders, L. - Adams, A. T. - Austin, R. - Allen, A. O. - Aldous, A. H. - Allen, J. W. - Atkinson, W. H. - Addington, W. G. - Abbotts, J. - Aston, J. B. - =Albutt, G. L.= - Adams, C. H. - Adams, F. - Abrahams, L. - Alsop, G. B. - Anderson, C. F. - Allen, F. G. - Ames, R. T. - =Archer, N.= - Andrews, S. H. - Alldridge, R. H. - Ames, F. E. - Audley, G. E. - Allen, J. W. - Allington, C. W. - Allen, J. - Allen, W. V. M. - Andrews, E. A. - Albin, W. G. - Andrews, H. E. - =Anderson, H. J.= - Allen, W. J. - Ashforth, E. - Anderson, W. E. - =Ablett, A.= - Andrews, C. H. - Ainsworth, W. St. J. - =Archard, E. F.= - Allen, G. W. H. - Adams, F. - Amphlett, A. G. - Abel, B. F. - Adcock, C. - Arthur, F. - =Alexander, D. F.= - Arnold, A. R. - Arnott, R. R. - Abbott, C. I. - Angear, A. - Agar, C. W. - Archard, E. A. - Auvache, J. W. - Ashton, J. J. - Amery, M. F. - Allison, F. B. - Alford, R. S. - Ayliffe, A. - Ashton, A. E. - Ainley, C. E. - Anstey, A. T. - Allen, F. R. L. - Andrews, J. S. - Ayres, A. E. - =Allan, R. C.= - Andress, A. - Austin, W. H. - Atherton, J. - Ainley, W. W. - Arnold, T. J. B. - Anderson, A. (alias Abrahams.) - Austin, E. G. - Abbey, J. G. - Aslett, J. - Adlington, S. - Alldridge, A. W. - Andrews, H. - Ainsworth, S. C. - Arthur, O. T. - =Atkinson, S. J.= - Agg, T. E. - Allen, S. V. - Adcock, R. E. - Allen, R. N. - Arscott, E. G. - Allistone, W. C. - Allan, C. G. - Alexander, F. F. - Abraham, L. L. - Allcoat, J. W. - Allen, S. E. - Adlam, C. R. - Aspden, H. J. - Addison, F. - Alvery, R. T. - Anderson, F. J. - Ash, A. E. - Andrews, W. H. - Austin, H. L. - Allen, L. F. - Amner, A. W. A. - Ardley, H. R. - Almond, W. W. G. - Allen, S. A. E. - Austin, A. - Abbott, B. - Abbott, M. F. - Amis, R. - Allford, G. J. - Ackland, H. D. - Affleck, W. M. B. - Armour, D. C. - Alabaster, E. W. - Abrahams, E. - Allen, J. W. - Atkin, F. W. A. - Ayres, A. V. - Anderson, C. - Abbott, A. - Aulsford, G. - Ashby, J. S. - Abrams, J. - Ashton, T. - Ayres, W. E. - Allsop, T. - Arnold, W. E. - Appleby, R. - Arundell, T. H. - Allmen, H. M. - Ashley, W. - Ambrose, P. - Angel, R. L. - Ainsworth, L. L. - Andrews, J. L. - =Amos, E. V.= - Audley, G. E. - - - B - - Berry, H. A. - Brown, B. H. - Bacon, S. V. - Brightman, J. H. - Beadle, H. - Blake, C. S. - Braine, E. A. - Bowen, C. J. - Burbidge, J. W. - Booker, E. W. - Battersby, H. - =Bruback, H. A.= - Butcher, E. - Betts, F. - Barnes, C. H. - Battrum, E. D. - Bristol, L. - Bilbrough, A. H. B. - Bailey, A. W. - Barrett, H. L. - Bennett, P. J. - Benke, A. C. H. - Bates, G. G. - Batten, K. C. - Baudains, P. G. - Bulgin, A. H. - Batley, A. G. - Barnes, B. - Breen, P. T. - Burgess, T. B. - Bull, A. C. - Barrett, H. - Bishop, C. H. - =Borer, F. W. V.= - Baxter, H. L. - Baker, E. C. - Boorer, A. F. - Butcher, A. - Burgess, H. W. - Blackaby, N. A. - Brown, F. E. - =Barlow, H.= - Bullar, A. J. - Bools, R. G. - Belk, S. - Boff, W. C. - Burton, F. R. - =Baynes, A. J.= - Blake, W. H. - Bird, L. A. - Bowstead, J. E. - Bayliss, J. E. - Blake, W. E. - Bourne, J. - Blake, R. R. - Bressey, S. H. - Berry, H. - Barltrop, E. W. - Butcher, A. S. - Bridge, F. G. - Brace, T. F. - =Brookes, A. C.= - Brown, W. P. - Bailey, G. S. - Bobringer, F. G. - =Banks, H. B.= - =Barrow, A. M.= - Bridge, P. - Bartram, H. F. - Budgen, P. E. - Bosworth, L. F. - Benke, F. W. - Bell, F. G. - =Booty, A.= - Brockett, H. E. - =Ball, A. A.= - Brett, L. M. - Bennett, W. A. - =Brown, H.= - Burr, J. D. - Bull, F. W. - Bridel, H. S. - Broadbent, S. W. - Bendle, F. J. - Bennett, H. B. - Bryan, S. A. - Blackaby, E. W. - Bennett, H. P. - =Byrne, E. J.= - Barratt, W. M. - Bowman, H. E. - Bouchley, F. G. - Bull, H. F. - Brooks, J. W. - Byrne, D. M. - Brace, J. - Beadle, C. W. - Bell, J. W. - Bucknill, W. F. C. - Boon, F. M. - Bailey, W. - Bruce, H. S. - Banfield, W. - Brooks, W. A. - Barrett, E. S. - Brinn, A. L. - Bacon, E. A. - Bell, A. W. - Brandis, H. G. - Bates, E. H. - Bussell, H. R. - Betts, S. H. - Boddy, A. - Brierley, W. - Bortles, L. - Barrell, R. - =Birt, R. A.= - Boxer, H. S. - Beard, B. J. L. - Bassett, E. - Barrett, L. L. E. - Bolingbroke, J. G. - Border, T. A. - Bostock, C. A. - Brock, A. H. J. - Brockway, H. S. - Barnes, H. S. - =Bartley, H. N.= - Berry, H. H. - Blick, J. F. - Bridge, H. E. - Brown, E. L. - Bendle, H. C. - Burnell, H. F. - Bocquet, W. M. - Bray, A. - Barnes, J. A. - =Beazley, R. J. B.= - Bell, A. H. - =Bilcliffe, B. L.= - =Bradbury, J. V.= - Bull, L. - Baker, G. L. - Bailey, A. G. - Bayliss, P. - Bedford, T. J. - Benison, L. S. - Blanchard, F. G. - Bone, G. J. - Bright, T. L. - Brown, H. - =Bunce, J. H.= - Bernstein, S. H. - Brookling, H. - Butt, C. - Bigby, R. F. M. - Bennison, J. W. E. - =Bonner, C. R.= - =Bird, J. H. W.= - Bonner, P. R. - Brugel, R. C. - Brown, L. J. - =Brown, W. S.= - Bullock, H. P. - Bazley, G. W. - Boutcher, E. - Baker, G. D. - Bazley, J. J. - Branton, W. H. - Briggs, T. - =Brooman, G. L.= - Bull, R. - Baillie, J. G. - Barley, H. J. - Bradshaw, C. F. - Brown, J. N. - Brooks, W. F. - Barcham, R. N. - Boulter, A. J. - =Bowler, H. E.= - Brook, C. - Budd, C. P. - Bastow, E. - Beer, R. G. - Beech, W. E. - Baker, A. A. - Batstone, J. L. - Bernard, S. A. - Berry, B. - =Blaber, P.= - Bonner, H. - Boyd, W. H. - Brattle, D. B. - Bromiley, B. - Brown, A. W. - Bugler, G. E. - Burleigh, T. - Button, C. F. - Boyes, E. - Belch, H. C. - Brewer, H. - Brown, P. W. - Bedford, C. C. - =Bellingham, F. S.= - Beaby, L. W. - Beatty, A. H. W. - Blyton, S. A. R. - Barker, C. N. - Bullock, H. H. - Brooks, L. - =Bower, C. J.= - Batch, H. - Bartram, W. - Boorman, P. L. - =Burnett, J. W.= - Branson, A. J. - =Barlin, G.= - Bluemel, F. W. - =Barnett, H. E.= - Butler, T. C. - Barcham, H. S. - Blurton, G. - =Bolton, F. R.= - Bolton, P. C. - Brockman, G. R. - Bryer, W. C. - Brilliant, N. M. - Bentley, J. T. - Burgess, G. B. - =Bowden, P. E.= - Best, E. A. - Brown, J. W. - Baden, L. - =Bradley, A. W.= - Bolton, A. H. - Barnes, C. - Barnes, G. E. - Born, J. - Black, W. A. - Bowden, C. - Benstead, L. - Brown, E. W. - Bell, D. C. - Bowyer, G. H. - =Burtt, J. R.= - =Barrett, A. H.= - Bayley, J. R. - Bonner, A. H. - Boorer, G. S. - Blackmore, F. R. - Baker, A. V. - Ball, J. T. - Bird, H. W. J. - Boxall, E. E. - Batchelor, A. E. - Bush, R. V. A. - Bryant, F. - Backshall, F. J. - Bryant, S. J. - Brock, L. - Brown, E. C. - Blyth, C. R. - Bishop, W. J. - Butcher, L. C. - Batsford, E. W. - Bradford, W. - Brown, G. B. - Butler, C. W. - Bradshaw, D. B. - Braybrooke, F. N. - Byng, R. F. - Burt, A. G. L. - Bishop, S. W. - Brennan, C. J. - Brown, J. W. - Ball, H. - Brown, F. - Baker, T. W. - Bassett, C. E. - Benham, J. C. - =Bowers, F. M.= - Burningham, L. A. - Brown, E. P. - Bell, A. F. - =Babington, H. W.= - Buxton, E. A. - Bone, F. - Burgess, F. G. - Bathurst, W. - Bentley, E. C. - Barham, W. S. - Barlex, M. - Bell, A. C. F. - Burgess, H. A. - Butcher, S. H. - Byne, G. C. - Billinghurst, J. H. - Bolding, A. S. - Bachell, T. T. - Baker, A. J. - Baker, E. H. - Bassett, G. A. - Beckett, P. W. - Bradfield, W. A. - =Brightwell, J. H.= - =Brockwell, A. A. T.= - Ball, H. F. - Biggs, E. S. - Blackwell, H. J. - Brown, H. J. - Berkshire, W. G. - =Baker, S. H.= - Barnes, L. F. - Brooks, L. G. - Brewer, J. O. - Barnes, R. J. - Beer, B. C. - Bennett, W. - =Bickmore, P.= - Bonfield, S. M. C. - Borland, R. - Borrie, C. E. - Bowman, V. A. - =Brown, A. V.= - =Burwood, W. R.= - =Bell, F. D. L.= - Braithwaite, F. L. - Bray, L. L. - Beecham, E. J. - Berry, G. F. - Bennett, F. E. - Brown, S. A. - Boss, W. R. - Bowen, W. A. - Browning, F. E. - Bedford, H. G. - Bassham, C. D. - Brewer, W. J. - Burden, J. E. - Burroughs, C. H. - Bartlett, C. F. - Brown, F. G. - Bennett, F. M. - Biddle, J. L. P. - Bower, T. H. - =Brooker, B.= - =Burr, W.= - Bradford, M. E. - Brookhouse, W. - Baxter, W. C. - Bush, E. A. - =Browne, A. L.= - Beer, C. M. - Banyard, H. W. - Baker, A. K. - Beagent, S. H. - =Bridges, A. W.= - Banyard, P. C. - Bouckley, J. A. - Browne, H. O. - Bourne, C. A. - Boseley, H. W. D. - Brown, A. - Bigg, J. B. - Barrow, A. W. - Bailey, C. F. - Barlow, R. - Ballam, F. G. - Bright, T. - =Brooks, E. T.= - Bailey, A. - Bishop, W. E. - Burns, E. - Butcher, C. G. - =Barber, H. L.= - =Bruce, A. V.= - Bush, L. E. - Brown, J. - Bradley, H. P. - =Breary, C.= - Bruns, A. G. V. - =Benjamin, J. R.= - =Brookes, H.= - Bosworth, H. V. - =Burke, M. L.= - Bourner, H. G. - Burdock, C. N. - Bovington, W. J. - Burdock, H. - Bright, G. W. - Brooks, E. A. - =Breed, R.= - Billingham, F. A. - Beaney, E. W. - =Blanks, J. W.= - Bacon, P. E. - Barton, H. - Bettison, C. F. - =Bazil, W.= - Brakespear, E. H. - Brighton, S. - Broomfield, R. A. - Bull, G. F. - Bareham, S. V. F. - Baxter, L. F. - Brant, F. T. - Bryant, H. - Bennett, L. J. - Barton, E. C. - Bates, T. B. - Bridges, W. H. - Brooker, H. G. - Bullemore, H. - Bryant, D. E. - Baizley, J. M. - Bolton, F. W. - =Bargery, H. W.= - Briggs, H. - Baker, W. J. - Brown, F. J. - Bush, E. L. - Baker, A. D. - =Baldwin, W. E.= - Ballands, J. H. - Bines, F. - Black, T. G. - Bowers, A. S. - Braithwaite, P. H. - Brockway, W. H. - =Browning, S. L.= - Burn, P. D. - Banfield, A. H. - Blackmore, A. W. - Barnett, W. J. - Bannister, F. F. - Benwell, W. L. - Beer, G. L. - Blanchard, A. C. D. - Bonnett, E. J. - Budd, R. L. - =Backhauser, H. F.= - Batson, F. J. - Bothamley, P. - Badcock, H. C. - Bowerman, C. E. - =Bullock, C. F.= - =Bass, R. J. V.= - =Bear, C. A.= - =Baker, F.= - =Bolger, W. J.= - Burdett, W. C. - Brown, T. P. - Belville, F. A. - Baird, G. - =Baird, J.= - Burgis, E. - Butler, J. F. - Bell, H. S. - Benton, H. B. - Bilby, W. H. - Beard, W. H. G. - Byford, A. H. - Barnicott, R. S. - Brown, A. S. - Bolland, S. P. - Bascomb, R. Mc. K. - Batchelor, R. O. F. - =Breckon, H. W.= - Brown, A. L. - Birdsall, H. W. - =Buser, R. L.= - =Baldwin, E.= - Bynoe, C. C. - =Brown, R.= - =Beddis, F. J.= - Brown, R. A. - Barker, H. A. - Brownbridge, H. E. - Booth, A. - Brown, F. J. - Bell, W. G. - Buckley, J. - Butcher, A. - Briggs, R. Mc.C. - Baylis, H. - Barker, G. - Byatt, G. W. - Bourne, W. H. - Bastable, W. - Byfield, J. - Bond, F. - Bransgrove, C. W. - Bayliss, T. A. - Barratt, J. - Bolton, S. - Bruce, J. - Bailett, E. M. - Buston, J. J. - Buck, H. S. - Baker, F. C. - Bullock, A. M. - Belcher, F. C. L. - Bradbury, A. T. - Bussy, P. M. - =Bamforth, T. S.= - Barrett, A. - Blair, W. - Bryant, A. - Burt, L. G. - Bainbrigge, H. - Boyes, A. J. - Browne, W. G. H. - Bradshaw, A. - Balser, J. F. - Butcher, F. H. - =Barrow, R.= - Box, T. R. - =Brackell, H. S.= - Burridge, G. T. J. - Bambrick, W. - Bryett, E. H. - Birkin, H. - Best, C. - Brock, W. C. - Beyer, T. E. - Breckhill, J. - Blackeboy, C. F. - Bloy, A. - Burroughs, W. T. - Baker, F. L. - Burrell, J. H. - Burton, W. T. - Betteridge, E. L. - Blackhall, A. H. - =Brydon, W.= - Bell, R. D. - Brant, W. - Boydell, J. - Burt, W. H. - Beverley, A. G. B. - Bailey, C. E. - Blackmore, G. H. - Baker, H. - Barnes, T. P. - Byford, G. W. - Burton, A. J. - Boreham, W. J. - Barnes, H. B. - Burleigh, W. F. - =Barnard, A. H. B.= - =Braithwaite, E. C.= - Burgess, A. J. - Blee, P. G. - Bigden, J. E. - Brodbeck, E. C. - Burne, O. O. C. - Barber, F. - Billings, W. A. - Buck, W. I. - Beckwith, E. R. - Barry, T. - Baker, C. R. T. - Back, A. A. - Burrowes, R. H. - Brookes, P. D. - Benstead, A. R. - Boughton, E. G. - Barrett, F. - Bishop, W. T. - Beharrell, R. C. - Barrett, E. - Byatt, C. R. - Brown, A. - Banks, E. J. - Bailey, J. B. - Beadle, A. J. - Bates, G. A. - Blacklee, J. H. - Brooks, C. E. - Bennett, J. R. - Berry, P. H. - Brotherston, G. J. - Brooker, H. E. - =Banyard, L. A.= - Barnfather, J. D. - Benford, W. D. - Beck, R. F. - Baxter, F. C. - Brangwin, L. U. L. - Blanchard, F. O. - Barron, W. - Bartlett, A. P. - =Batstone, T. W.= - Beard, E. J. - Berry, W. - Bewers, T. R. - =Bolton, F. V.= - =Bolton, G. A.= - Bristow, J. W. - Brown, L. - Brown, A. G. - Browning, J. - Bunnell, S. A. - Brent, W. H. S. - Bullen, G. J. - =Beer, A. G.= - Bell, E. G. - Baskerville, W. L. - Buckland, F. B. - =Boulton, A. J.= - Beetleston, H. A. - Brown, A. H. - Brown, W. B. - Balshaw, C. A. - Bugden, W. - Brammall, S. G. - Boyes, W. E. - Boatswain, A. - Barker, G. R. - =Botting, M.= - Bartell, H. C. - Byron, T. H. - =Brunskill, W.= - Barrett, B. A. - Bryard, B. V. - Bartlett, A. - =Bishop, A. A. B.= - Borden, A. G. - Burton, S. G. - Busby, T. W. - Blanks, C. G. - Beaton, L. - Burgess, C. L. E. - =Barnes, F. V.= - Brown, F. J. - Butler, W. H. - Boden, E. - Branch, L. H. - Barrell, A. S. - Bolton, R. E. - Baldock, J. W. R. - Beck, D. R. - Brown, R. A. - =Bracking, E. F.= - Bass, T. - Babington, G. W. - Baldwin, W. J. - Bennett, J. C. - Bott, H. E. - Berg, L. W. - Byrne, P. - Blyth, R. C. - Berg, J. S. - =Bird, C. J.= - Back, B. R. - Boeck, E. F. - Barnett, A. - Bredon, W. V. - =Brittain, R. J.= - Beatley, J. - Brockett, A. J. - =Baker, H. D.= - Buss, H. S. - Bullock, E. J. - Benstead, C. H. - Bennett, J. K. - Brisley, E. C. E. - Bell, H. J. - Bennett, A. - Bishop, B. - Brough, R. F. W. - Burroughs, W. A. - Brickwood, E. W. - Burnell, H. F. - Burge, A. B. - Buger, J. E. - Bridge, H. - =Burgess, A. A.= - =Barnett, G.= - Ballantine, J. - Beckett, P. - Burgess, A. E. - Brooks, H. W. - Britton, J. F. - Barrell, W. G. - Bland, H. C. - Baines, S. V. - Bishop, W. H. - Barrell, H. J. - =Berry, A. O.= - =Birnbaum, M.= - Barnett, J. L. - Bowes, G. R. - Brotherton, E. A. - =Bourne, H. R.= - Brooks, H. E. - Baldwin, S. F. - Bird, W. A. - Barraclough, M. S. - Blackmore, C. H. - Bowyer, A. W. C. - Bolton, H. - Britt, E. J. R. - Beasley, W. - Blanchard, E. G. - Bellamy, H. S. - Barnett, J. T. R. - Beadles, A. W. - Bland, R. B. - Bees, W. E. - =Bell, W.= - Barnes, M. - =Baker, H. T.= - Butler, J. - =Burden, W. F.= - Bates, A. - Burton, H. - Butler, F. H. - =Bates, V. W.= - Bennett, I. - Binks, J. R. - Bradfield, L. F. - Bowing, S. H. - Beauchamp, H. R. - =Bastian, L.= - Brimacombe, R. M. - Bowkett, H. G. - =Bickford, T.= - Buss, T. - =Brown, T.= - Brown, J. - Bantim, A. C. - Bridge, E. W. - Bailey, D. W. - Bailey, J. C. - =Bowler, H. J.= - Bruce, T. A. - Brewster, C. C. - Broom, R. J. W. - Beverstock, F. - Beard, E. G. - Brinton, H. W. - Bennett, P. - Beacham, R. C. - Bryant, L. A. - Barber, C. P. - Butler, S. E. - Bolton, C. - Blatch, E. J. - Barton, P. T. - Barnard, J. T. - Brooks, H. L. - Byles, E. F. - Bailey, J. R. - Blackburn, A. - Bruty, S. D. - Bevis, C. C. - Benison, A. E. A. - Butcher, A. - Beecroft, T. W. H. - Brightman, A. J. - Blackwell, S. G. - Byatt, J. D. - Blake, W. J. H. - Bell, J. J. - Burton, S. - Brennand, A. E. - Bromell, W. H. - Bunn, H. - Bonner, F. - Brock, H. W. - Baldry, S. F. T. - Brewer, W. E. - Bryce, S. G. - Bennett, T. R. - Baines, A. R. - Bracey, B. - Branninger, E. F. - Blackburn, E. E. J. - Bellamy, R. T. - Bennoson, H. P. - Barkus, W. T. - Bennett, K. E. - =Blamire, H.= - Bremner, A. - Bussell, G. R. - Bennett, W. A. - Bradbury, A. M. - Bonner, G. L. - Bull, S. J. - Buggey, A. E. - Barnes, F. S. - Blunsun, E. - Braham, W. - Bartram, C. - Burnett, B. R. - Brunning, E. S. - Berry, G. E. - Brand, A. J. - Bellingham, W. J. - Bishop, H. J. - Bowen, J. G. - Barber, G. P. - Bell, D. Mc. - =Beale, A. G.= - Brown, F. - Baine, A. E. - Burford, G. G. - =Bascombe, R. J.= - Buckley, H. - Burn, G. P. - Brackell, H. - Bushnell, S. V. - =Britain, C. T.= - Barrie, V. P. - Bates, J. N. - Brain, D. O. - Bradley, R. H. - Britton, D. L. - Brothwood, W. C. V. - Blunt, R. H. - =Bowden, H. R.= - =Brock, E. R.= - Bernstein, B. - Brazier, A. G. - =Bowditch, H. F. H.= - Belcher, F. W. - =Bateman, O.= - Bence, H. O. - Bennington, L. - Burr, F. - Brill, P. E. - Bosworth, A. E. - Bowring, H. P. - Bell, E. W. - Bell, A. - Bell, C. W. - Buchan, G. B. - =Barrow, V. F.= - Baker, L. M. - Balmer, G. A. R. - Brown, E. A. - =Blaxland, E. P.= - =Bird, G. E.= - =Barnfather, F.= - Bradshaw, E. B. - Bentham, R. L. - Brown, L. C. - Blunt, F. V. - Bowen, R. G. - Brunskill, M. E. - Batchelor, W. G. - Barnett, C. E. - Barlow, R. - Bailett, E. M. - =Bell, F. C.= - Barnett, G. P. - Boulden, E. - Baker, K. L. - Bennett, E. R. - Beaumont, J. W. - =Buckley, R. S.= - Bernstein, S. - Boldison, G. Y. - Beall, G. E. - Bartlett, G. - =Baker, F. C.= - Banks, W. E. - =Bird, C. D.= - Burnip, C. W. - Barton, C. H. - =Brookes, F. L.= - Bonshor, H. - Barry, W. - Brady, A. S. - =Brown, R. J.= - Brewer, F. - Burrows, T. R. - Bamford, H. - =Brown, T. E.= - Beaney, W. J. - Boniface, R. D. - Bott, H. N. - Barratt, J. E. - Baldwin, H. - Beak, E. - Brown, J. E. - Bull, A. J. - Branthwaite, J, - Burney, O. R. - Bullocke, C. R. - Bennett, C. G. - Beavan, C. S. - Billingham, E. H. - Billing, F. J. - Beckley, E. R. - Byrne, R. - Baigent, F. W. - Brockington, F. - Brook, A. E. - Beckett, J. - Biggs, E. N. - Billett, C. G. - Bembridge, R. H. - Baughan, E. A. - Bennett, W. G. - Box, H. T. - Barenty, J. L. - Brookman, W. H. - Brown, H. W. - Bidgood, S. - Bell, E. L. - Brown, S. W. - =Buckley, T.= - Bayne, E. S. - Burton, W. H. - Brown, A. A. - Baynes, J. E. L. - Best, S. G. - Baldwin, A. F. - Bates, L. S. - Brown, F. E. - Barker, J. G. - =Blake, L. S.= - Burgess, F. S. - Blythe, T. L. - Baker, W. T. - Basson, K. - Beach, W. C. - Baalam, T. H. - Bush, J. A. W. - Burroughs, E. H. - Banks, S. A. - Blunt, J. E. - Beach, S. - =Bates, W.= - Bambrough, A. V. - Booth, H. S. - Baker, B. - Barnard, C. H. - =Buck, A. I.= - Bennett, H. D. - =Botting, R. A.= - Brown, T. - Butler, A. E. - Birch, A. E. S. - Bartholomew, D. A. - Brodie, A. W. - Blackford, F. S. P. - Barker, W. S. - Bandy, E. C. - Beddall, T. R. - Bennett, J. R. - Bunce, O. E. - Beesley, A. - Baskett, E. W. - Bedford, C. A. - Blee, D. - Bull, A. J. - Bulgin, A. H. - Border, H. - Bish, W. - Baker, E. M. - Backshall, G. T. - Bilby, F. J. - Brownbridge, R. - Baker, A. J. - Barton, F. R. - Beesley, C. W. - Berkin, W. W. - Boston, A. - Brandon, E. W. - Buzzo, C. H. - =Baptie, W.= - Beadle, R. S. - Brewster, W. P. - Brown, H. T. - Bull, C. R. - Burford, G. C. - Burnett, A. - Brown, S. - Balkwill, J. H. - Bellingher, J. - Bridgland, T. E. - Bumpstead, A. E. - Busby, A. A. - Brown, W. A. R. - Bailey, W. - Barnes, A. J. - Bartram, F. H. - Bonham, J. A. - Blake, W. G. A. - Brown, E. J. - Bailey, W. H. - Bassett, A. A. - Biggs, F. J. - Bowyer, R. B. - Brookson, E. A. W. - Busby, G. B. - Best, F. H. - Barford, C. R. G. - Bartlett, C. R. W. - Burnett, C. J. - Barker, A. A. - Bunker, E. St. C. - Brock, R. M. - Broad, D. - Brain, W. - Brown, J. H. - Burton, J. C. - Bowring, A. - Bridger, J. H. - Bennett, M. G. - Baker, W. F. - Beddo, B. - Boomer, F. - Brake, F. D. - Barraclough, T. - Bennett, I. R. - Blythe, K. J. R. - Bull, T. W. - Blackmore, C. H. - Blick, W. T. - Bloodworth, P. J. - Burlow, F. G. - Buckle, R. W. - Barber, T. J. - Bennett, H. J. - Bence, W. H. - Bird, C. W. - Baxter, H. - Baker, R. J. - Ball, F. G. W. - Birch, W. A. - Barwell, J. - Bonas, H. J. - Bywater, S. - Baverstock, J. - Bonney, J. A. - Barber, T. S. - Broomhead, R. - Boyl, G. F. - Butland, W. G. R. - Bayliss, E. - Butler, A. E. F. - Bailey, A. - Bourton, F. H. - Beach, W. - Boyce, J. - Boyce, J. W. - Beeny, W. C. G. - Baverstock, H. - Bloomfield, H. - Broad, W. H. - Berrington, W. A. - Biscoe, J. - Bartlett, E. A. - Branch, W. - =Barber, W. H.= - Bott, G. A. - =Buckingham, R. W. P.= - =Burrowes, W. O. B.= - Benjamin, J. - Bennett, C. L. - Bradley, A. F. - Brown, H. H. - Boorman, S. C. M. - Burman, A. R. - Budd, H. G. - Burton, W. - Balls, G. H. - =Bishop, B. A.= - Bond, W. G. S. - Benson, F. W. - Benstead, A. J. - Bartram, T. G. C. - Bearsley, H. E. - =Brown, J. G.= - Barratt, H. H. - Bevan, W. S. - Beard, P. L. - Boon, B. H. - Brooks, T. G. - =Byford, T. W.= - Bish, W. - Burford, F. W. - Bartlett, G. A. - Berry, E. - Bookless, A. W. - Barrett, R. H. - Brooks, T. E. - Burns, T. E. - Beckingham, E. L. - Buick, W. - Baker, D. - Brewster, T. G. - Baron, J. - Brown, E. W. A. - Bush, H. A. - Barringer, A. G. - Bonner, G. R. - Brandon, E. - Brillard, W. D. - Brook, A. E. - Binstead, V. H. - Butler, E. R. - Baker, M. J. - Balm, S. G. - Brockman, J. - Bristow, F. W. - Bave, A. J. - Brown, J. W. - Barker, A. A. - Brown, S. H. - Burton, J. W. - Baxter, B. C. - Bray, C. C. - Bew, F. J. - Billinghurst, R. H. S. - Brock, W. A. - Bowen, T. E. - Bacon, A. G. - Bradbury, W. - Bray, J. A. W. - Burnett, W. - Benest, F. A. - Bennett, R. A. - Bennett, R. A. - Baker, W. M. - Burns, H. - Bartling, G. W. H. - Boome, G. P. B. - Barron, W. A. - Beadle, A. J. - Baker, H. T. G. - Beere, J. H. - Brown, F. J. - Battman, A. E. - Blackwell, F. A. - Bramley, A. - Bullchambers, A. H. - Butler, M. - Black, J. A. - Bishop, E. - Bradley, R. V. - - - C - - Church, T. O. - Champness, A. - Clifford, W. H. - Callie, G. - Cox, A. R. H. - =Chick, T. P.= - Crane, W. F. - Croal, B. V. - Cave, A. J. - Cork, F. T. - Charles, M. E. - Carbery, H. T. - Chick, E. R. - Cook, A. J. - Cheale, H. J. - Carr, L. O. - Cottrell, T. A. - Crews, E. K. - Caiger, P. T. - Cuthbert, R. P. - Chater, J. T. - Cave, R. G. - Clark, T. H. E. - Cornwell, P. D. - Carpenter, H. F. - Cory, C. H. - Cheale, A. W. - =Coker, F. G.= - Callagham, J. F. - Clark, F. A. - Cronin, J. F. - Carlile, R. W. - Cartman, J. V. - Crawley, C. W. - Chapman, L. J. - Curtis, A. H. - Chinn, C. G. - Cook, R. A. - Carson, W. A. - Cogman, W. E. - Cansdale, C. - Clinkscales, A. B. - =Clive, W. G.= - Creswell, A. T. - Coleman, B. C. - Carlisle, P. - =Chapman, B. M.= - Callinson, H. J. - Collerette, F. - Cullington, M. W. - Cartnell, T. - Clapp, M. F. - Clark, D. - Clulow, F. R. - Churchill, H. B. - Coster, G. H. - =Crockett, E. G.= - Clarke, J. E. - =Chapman, D. P.= - =Collins, A. T.= - Clark, A. W. H. - Childs, C. L. - Criswick, W. G. - =Clarke, H.= - Covey, C. E. H. - Carpenter, J. E. - =Christie, J. G. D.= - Clark, R. E. - =Carpenter, A. J.= - Cherry, A. D. - Cottam, C. J. - Clarke, W. D. - Clay, R. H. - Carroll, F. - Chatterton, W. O. - Craig, W. H. - Cook, C. - Cramp, J. - Church, R. H. - =Cousal, W.= - Cheesman, R. C. - Creber, W. M. - Cook, D. W. - Cook, E. J. - Collyer, L. F. - =Comber, J.= - Colven, W. A. - Cooke, H. A. - Cobb, T. G. H. - Chalmers, R. - Collingburn, J. - Curtis, B. L. - Curtis, A. - Clarke, J. F. - Connold, E. - Cox, R. W. T. - Collison, T. A. - Clements, S. L. - Catchpole, T. P. - Croydon, F. E. - Christy, F. - Cowell, W. E. - Carey, H. E. - Colson, F. J. - Cox, S. W. C. - =Chalmers, J. C.= - Cahill, A. E. - Covey, W. S. J. - Coles, D. J. R. - Colsey, G. R. - Clarke, R. F. - Cain, W. F. - Calcutt, J. S. - Chudney, G. A. - Clarke, W. R. - Clift, W. R. - Cope, P. R. - =Copeland, G.= - Curd, C. W. - Carrdus, T. L. V. - Chadfield, J. M. - Christie, W. - Crawshaw, N. E. - Crosbie, R. P. - Coniam, G. - Cronin, J. M. - Cudmore, A. W. - Charlton, G. H. - Clayton, L. J. - Cook, A. G. - Copin, F. C. - Coward, F. A. - Crombie, A. D. - Cruiks, W. - Currie, J. A. - Clarke, R. H. - Clemans, H. C. - =Coleman, P. V.= - Cooke, E. - Cooper, P. V. - Coulson, J. A. - Clark, G. D. - =Cornwell, A. G.= - Cartwright, L. J. - Champeny, C. B. - Chapman, A. - Coe, H. F. J. - Crombie, C. H. - Croydon, A. D. - Chalke, J. E. - Cousens, L. F. - Carter, A. H. - Cossins, W. J. - Coward, D. C. - Carroll, H. E. - Chapman, S. - Collins, J. E. - Cox, R. E. - Cooper, F. - Coates, J. C. - Clarke, W. - Cecil, H. W. - Clarke, F. A. - Clarke, R. - Carroll, P. J. - Curtis, H. S. - Connor, E. C. G. - Crooks, W. E. - Connolly, W. P. - Carr, D. - Chibbett, L. J. S. - Childs, D. R. - Clarkson, E. A. - Cook, C. J. - Cook, W. L. G. - Clarke, A. E. - Cox, C. - Cooley, C. B. - Cockley, C. A. - =Crane, H. H.= - Cross, C. G. O. - =Cullingford, L. S.= - Charge, R. O. - =Claridge, C. M.= - Cockram, A. F. - =Crocombe, S.= - =Crawfurd, A. J.= - =Curtis, W. S.= - Charlton, W. C. - Colverd, T. H. - Cooper, H. G. - Chisholm, K. D. - Cooper, C. E. - Chapman, H. H. - Clark, J. P. - Calthrop, J. L. - Caswell, G. E. - Crossley, W. G. - =Coakeley, N. F.= - Compton, F. C. H. - Crabb, P. R. L. - Couldrey, S. D. - Chapman, F. M. - Critchinson, C. F. - Cassidy, J. J. F. - Cornell, W. - Church, S. R. - Ching, A. J. - =Curry, H. J. R.= - Coxon, F. W. - Coombs, A. A. - Costen, W. H. - Carmen, H. M. - Codd, A. E. - Carter, C. H. - Cade, F. G. - Coleman, A. W. - Clark, E. J. A. - Coulthard, R. - Colson, H. - Castell, E. C. - Coakeley, B. A. - Costa, R. - Crowe, F. A. - Cook, W. - Coughty, F. W. - Croker, L. H. - Copeland, F. - Chalk, A. - Cock, E. - Cole, G. H. - Clarke, H. J. - Curtis, J. T. - Clarke, W. G. - Cooper, A. - Christey, W. T. - =Cox, H. T.= - Chadwick, R. F. - =Chambers, W. A.= - Cutts, E. T. - Carter, A. J. E. - =Capell, R. W. H.= - Copp, F. A. - Ching, H. J. - Curry, H. J. R. - Collister, D. W. - Carpenter, A. - Carpenter, G. D. - Cast, C. E. - =Cole, G. E.= - =Coster, J. A.= - Crabb, S. J. - Crosby, H. C. - =Cherry, K. C.= - =Cleary, M.= - Couchman, J. A. - Carey, A. E. - Combe, H. R. - Cook, A. W. - =Coit, E. C. D.= - =Critchley, G.= - Cossins, A. L. - Cook, E. K. - Counsell, F. E. - Cubitt, D. F. - Churchill, E. - Cutmore, H. - =Calder, W. O.= - Callender, R. T. - Chambers, F. R. - =Cooper, W. A.= - =Coppack, F. V.= - Carpenter, A. - Clancy, A. - =Clifton, E. J.= - =Cobbledick, T.= - =Corne, A. C.= - =Crampton, W.= - Carter, H. E. - Clarke, O. - Cox, J. J. - Cronin, J. P. - Care, J. S. - Clarke, A. - Clements, E. F. - =Cowling, C. F.= - Carter, S. - =Chadler, E. R.= - Chapman, H. E. - Clement, H. C. - Cordy, P. J. - Clayton, P. H. - Craven, J. E. - Counter, F. G. - Cooks, A. V. - =Copsey, F. M.= - Capleton, A. - Chance, J. J. - Callop, L. - Curtis, A. C. - Chalker, W. T. S. - Carrick, M. W. - Campbell, J. E. S. - Cubison, E. M. - Carey, S. - =Cross, T.= - Carter, A. J. - Couch, H. C. - Carter, L. F. - Carrington, J. H. - Curtis, H. J. - =Campbell, H. J.= - Currie, A. H. C. - Cooper, G. H. - Collar, F. F. - Carnaghan, J. - =Couchman, A. G.= - Child, H. - =Chave, R. G.= - =Comber, W.= - Crawford, C. - Collings, F. C. - =Clark, H. W.= - Chamberlain, V. W. - Collins, J. - Curd, R. - Cole, H. C. - Cooley, J. W. - =Cracknell, E. E.= - Cracknell, H. P. - Cracknell, W. H. - Clayton, L. W. - Carrott, L. H. G. - =Clark, C.= - Chatburn, R. W. - Colbert, F. G. - =Cossins, E. H.= - Condell, F. - Cruise, L. R. - Champress, A. W. - Chambers, H. G. - Chapman, F. - Cooper, F. - Cook, J. E. - =Cozens, J. G. C.= - Cranfield, A. C. - Crayford, J. W. - =Cross, H. A.= - =Colgate, A. W.= - Cole, A. - =Chenery, E. C.= - =Cawley, F. E. J.= - =Corish, P. J.= - Cruwys, E. E. - Collip, E. G. - Cutting, R. A. - Champion, W. G. - Clare, F. - Chesterfield, D. - Clark, R. M. - Cleaver, T. G. - Cornell, J. E. - Cooper, G. - =Cawley, A. V.= - Capon, C. - Claridge, H. C. - Cook, B. - Cooper, F. - Cox. W. M. - Cassidy, P. J. - Caswell, L. C. - Clarke, E. - Clifton, C. L. - Cobbett, A. H. - Croll, J. C. - Crowhurst, C. S. - Clifton, C. W. H. - Collyer, L. F. - Casey, G. - Chubb, L. - Collins, H. A. - =Cowherd, S. C.= - =Connett, H.= - Cornelius, C. L. - Cornell, T. W. B. - Collings, J. H. - Cothall, V. W. - Costerton, F. R. - Chapman, P. W. - Chaplin, S.M. - =Clark, W. R.= - =Conzina, A.= - Copestake, V. H. - =Cawdell, S. S.= - =Cunnane, M.= - Caldicott, B. S. - Cansdale, T. D. - Collings, R. H. H. - Clare, A. L. - Carter, P. A. - Cattermole, W. R. - Cleeland, J. - Challis, F. H. - Collins, P. W. - Corbin, G. S. - Clemmit, W. B. - Corps, R. W. - =Camrass, E.= - Cunningham, A. R. - Croall, W. A. - Chambers, F. A. - =Chandler, A. E.= - Curtis, E. E. - Cornish, A. W. - =Cronin, G. P.= - Cutting, R. - Carter-Brown, E. A. R. - =Clift, T. V.= - Coote, P. C. - Clark, W. E. L. - Cormack, J. S. - Clarke, H. G. - Chudleigh, R. M. - Cox, E. J. - Clover, R. V. - Carter, A. R. - Cox, H. - Chandler, P. - Cox, J. H. - Claydon, T. A. - Cooper, G. - Carby, B. H. C. - Capon, R. W. - Cowan, J. - Cutchee, R. - Cutchee, H. D. - Cook, H. A. - Caldicott, W. L. - Carter, R. - Common, G. C. - Chapman, J. P. C. - Cook, J. - Callingham, M. T. - Cobb, A. L. - =Cockroft, J. W.= - Cooper, O. W. - Christeson, H. G. - =Cowherd, T. B.= - Cookman, O. L. - =Calder, E. P.= - =Collins, A.= - Charter, P. W. - Cony, J. D. - Clarke, P. E. - Clay, G. W. - Cooke, A. D. - Churchill, H. - Cleaver, V. T. - Cresswell, W. W. - =Cullingford, C. P.= - Clemence, J. A. - Cannon, L. F. - Campbell, C. D. - =Cannell, E. W.= - Chauffourier, W. - Cheeseman, L. - =Cochran, A. K.= - Cox, D. G. S. - Cockrem, W. J. C. - Clarke, S. C. - Chitty, A. G. - =Cook, E. E.= - Cheadle, D. W. - Chilton, J. - =Collins, A. E.= - Curtis, A. R. - Chandler, P S. - Cutts, F. - Coombs, A. W. - =Courtney, H.= - =Corbet, A.= - Chapman, F. E. - Carlile, C. D. - Crane, H. J. - Cohen, R. W. - Conridge, A. - =Cook, W. F.= - Cox, F. - Clark, E. C. B. - Clapton, S. A. - =Cook, W. J.= - =Chessall, A. R. H.= - Campany, V. F. - Cox, H. P. F. - Christey, A. - Coates, J. B. - Cartwright, H. - =Colverd, S. O.= - Clarke, C. F. B. - Cracknell, E. L. - Cross, W. A. - Cook, C. H. - Crosby, J. - Cole, H. S. - Cutmore, R. - Collins, G. S. - Cross, J. C. - Chambers, H. - Cleaver, E. C. - Chambers, A. W. - Chinery, L. E. - =Culling, H. R.= - Cooper, W. - Crosby, R. H. - Cull, W. S. - Crow, F. H. - Carter, F. - Copeman, W. - Corrie, F. D. - Cooling, F. - Crampton, A. W. - Cronin, J. B. - Clements, P. C. - Clarke, F. - Collett, W. - =Cripps, F.= - =Cummings, W. G.= - =Cowan, H. F. H.= - Carter, J. - Carter, W. T. - Clarke, A. G. - =Cudmore, H. V.= - Collins, A. E. - Coombs, E. G. - Cooper, A. W. - Cooper, E. F. - Cowley, F. - Cooper, E. C. - Congdon, R. B. - Clark, R. C. - Cartwright, A. W. J. - Cohen, A. - Chase, P. - =Cook, F. S.= - Cook, W. J. - Curt, H. - Cole, V. - =Colton, F. W.= - Carr, T. F. W. - Catchpole, G. W. - Chamberlain, J. R. W. - Cowling, E. J. - Carey, A. E. - Croxford, G. E. H. - Coleman, W. H. C. - Carter, W. S. - Claxton, W. H. - Coleman, W. G. - Cleaver, A. E. - Cozens, F. H. - Clanfield, H. - Cook, A. J. - Culham, A. A. - Clark, E. M. - =Critchfield, W.= - Cording, S. G. - Collins, L. S. - =Cooke, E. E.= - Cox, A. T. - Costella, A. - =Catellino, M. J. V.= - Coxall, D. - Cairns, B. - Court, G. - Cole, J. L. - Campin, W. C. - =Cartwright, R. S.= - Copping, W. F. - Cooke, J. G. - Cannar, R. - Chalmers, J. R. - Cantelo, J. W. - Clark, F. G. H. - Craske, R. L. - Cox, L. M. - Clipstein, H. H. - Childs, E. W. - Crosby, E. A. - Clarke, T. D. - Came, A. - Cullingford, G. F. - Collins, A. C. - Curram, E. J. - Colyer, W. E. F. - Clay, J. W. L. - Chipperfield, G. J. - Calvesbert, J. A. - Collings, J. - Clarke, L. - Cocoran, E. - Carter, A. R. - Cayless, R. W. - Cowburn, J. - Chambers, C. E. - Cross, W. D. - Case, R. H. W. - Crouch, G. - Cohen, L. - Carpenter, W. - =Carroll, G. G.= - Cordery, T. - Coster, F. - Cooper, A. J. - Cooter, V. C. - Clayton, J. - Candlish, A. - Couchman, A. - Clayton, H. - Cousins, H. W. - Cooling, H. F. - Cooper, E. - =Coomber, F. C.= - Cheek, R. S. K. - Chapman, C. G. - Conder, F. A. - Chamberlain, W. H. - Chapman, R. W. - =Clarke, F. L.= - =Crook, J. B.= - Carline, F. G. - =Chaplin, C. H.= - Clark, E. S. - Chapman, T. - Couridge, A. G. - Costa, A. - =Cook, G. F.= - Collier, J. J. - Congdon, J. C. - Cornell, E. G. - Charnock, F. B. - Clipstone, E. - Clayton, H. - Crew, M. - =Chalker, E. G.= - Cowling, A. - Clayton, W. J. - Claridge, R. A. A. - Cook, R. C. - Chapman, G. F. - Currie, K. M. - Currie, A. E. - Cove, W. J. - Curtis, B. - Cuttell, R. A. - =Croyden, C. H. J.= - Caweth, S. H. - Carpenter, E. E. - =Cowden, P. A.= - Cantelo, H. R. - Cousins, E. E. - Cozens, E. R. - Cheer, A. - Cox, F. E. - Capel, G. H. - Campbell, M. - Cowley, E. W. - Cusden, G. H. - Coote, H. H. - Cherrie, L. W. - Curran, W. J. - =Cobbett, C. J.= - Clarke, H. W. - Cope, L. F. - Chamberlain, G. D. - Cornelius, A. E. - Channon, P. - Cookson, W. C. - Coulthard, J. - Cator, B. - Cooper, G. - Colyer, S. H. - Chase, W. P. - =Culling, H. A.= - Cook, F. S. - Cusden, L. - Clulow, E. - Cruickshank, W. - Chapman, W. H. - Coates, G. F. - Cocks, R. B. - =Collingwood, C. H. M.= - Courage, J. R. - Calvert, M.O. - Camp, W. R. - Chapman, W. W. - Corney, J. - Currier, S. W. - Commens, W. H. - Costa, J. - =Chittock, C. H.= - Clowes, H. - Casson, H. - Cumberbirch, J. - Chirney, L. E. - Campin, E. J. - Clapham, J. - Cocks, L. H. - Crane, W. S. G. - Collins, D. R. - Couzens, F. W. - Cornford, C. F. - Cunningham, R. H. - Colebrook, G. - Clayton, H. H. - =Capewell, H.= - Chidgey, A. H. - Cox, F. J. - Champ, W. H. - Copeland, R. T. - Cartwright, A. - Chapman, F. R. - Cameron, W. - Clay, H. S. - Collingburn, J. - Crompton, D. R. - Costley, G. R. - Chadd, G. T. - Chambers, W. H. - Collins, R. P. - Cusdin, H. R. - Clayton, F. - Coates, H. - =Clarke, R.= - Coleman, E. A. - Chapman, C. A. - Coldicott, B. S. - Cook, F. T. - Cornish, H. P. - Cox, T. - Clark, H. - Chandler, A. E. - Cleary, J. P. - Curram, J. T. - Clarke, S. A. - Cain, W. E. - Chance, J. A. - Corble, H. F. - Carter, S. T. - Cooke, A. J. - Colvin, L. T. - Cook, D. H. - Cormack, W. H. - Cook, H. F. - Cane, M. H. - Cuthbert, L. A. - Comber, J. S. W. - Chapman, E. W. - Cubitt, H. A. H. - Court, W. D. - Carter, A. F. - Case, C. H. - Christie, G. S. - Custerson, E. - Coleman, L. S. - Cattell, W. F. - Collin, W. R. - =Cansick, C. W.= - Cashen, J. J. - Church, T. L. - Crudge, P. J. - Craven, H. - Caulder, H. J. - Cohen, I. W. - Church, D. H. - Chadney, H. T. H. - Clay, A. A. - Church, L. E. - Clarke, W. G. F. - Constable, A. M. - Collings, W. - Chilton, P. J. - Cox, J. C. W. - Capel, J. E. - Chapman, R. A. - Chorley, W. S. - Clarke, F. C. - Crouch, A. E. - Campbell, C. W. V. - Corey, F. - Carpenter, W. T. - Collier, C. K. S. - Castigon, D. W. - Coleman, H. - Chapman, G. - Cherrington, A. - Collyer, A. E. - Craven, R. - Crawley, A. E. - Crisford, W. S. - Cambray, J. F. H. - Christie, G. R. R. - Cornish, W. J. - Courcha, W. - Calf, P. W. - Carpenter, J. L. - Chesters, C. F. - Crookall, H. - Curman, D. A. A. - Came, F. J. - Clifford, A. - Clouting, F. E. - Coulter, B. - Croydon, E. C. - Creedy, H. J. - Cox, H. W. - Crookes, W. G. - Cooper, A. - Child, H. C. - Clarke, E. G. - Cameron, C. J. - Crawford, A. - Cozier, H. D. - Chalmers, D. - Clark, H. E. - Chambers, J. E. - Cook, G. - Coles, W. V. - Cobham, G. E. - Cox, E. E. - Clarke, A. G. C. - Cox, R. G. - Clisby, C. F. - Carter, G. E. - Crabtree, L. - Cross, V. - Coe, W. B. - Carlton, R. P. - Chapman, F. W. - Chadwick, C. - Cockett, B. G. R. - Cutts, E. G. - Collier, J. E. - Carley, J. T. - Cook, J. - Crews, H. E. - Carr, A. C. - Catherick, W. - Clark, W. T. - Coles, G. - Costick, A. E. - Cowderoy, T. C. - =Cowley, E. W.= - Cheevley, E. W. - Cumming, W. - Clarke, J. - Chadwick, L. W. - Conisbee, J. - Chadley, J. H. - Ciani, A. - Cook, W. E. - Crosby, G. H. - Cutter, J. E. - Cockburn, T. B. - =Clarke, E. V. H.= - Cave, P. S. - Cutcher, T. - Connolly, P. - Cooper, T. J. - Cullimore, T. H. - Coker, E. F. - Cavo, H. J. - Carr, T. - Chalmers, A. P. - Childs, G. W. C. - Churchard, P. W. - Cross, T. H. - Conyard, S. W. H. - Cepley, H. - Cheeseman, T. W. - Cole, W. R. - Cross, T. F. - Carter, F. C. - Cleary, T. M. A. - Crooks, L. R. A. - Chipling, J. M. D. - Crome, G. A. - Carr, M. R. - Coombs, G. A. - Curran, J. S. - Calestrerne, H. - Cottee, L. E. - Cousens, L. F. - Clarke, H. E. - Claridge, G. F. - Clark, H. - =Crawley, C. G. G.= - Colson, H. A. - Cuming, L. C. - - - D - - Davenport, P. - Doubleday, C. E. - Dye, W. A. - =Dodge, T. W. M.= - Darby, J. F. - =Davison, W. R.= - Dobrantz, A. G. - Dolbear, F. H. - Dealler, F. E. - Davies, W. L. - =Dawe, T. G.= - Dicks, J. - Dibben, R. H. - Davis, L. S. - Dines, P. J. F. - Dartnell, A. G. - =Dawe, F. W. H.= - Damer, F. A. - Douglas, L. S. - Davison, E. - Denber, A. J. C. - Davidson, A. S. - Dodds, A. - Davy, C. H. - Dodd, E. E. - Dunne, M. - Dodge, A. A. - Davies, L. - =Davis, A. H.= - Dowton, F. H. - =Day, T. W.= - =Druett, L. H.= - Diplock, A. B. - =Darnton, F. H.= - Dabbs, S. E. - Dorken, H. G. - Dornan, A. B. - Diggins, H. - Dodds, M. W. - Downie, H. F. - Dawe, A. S. - Dree, W. H. S. - =Dellow, F. E.= - Durrant, W. J. - =Deubert, H. A.= - =Dunning, C.= - Dyer, F. L. - Davis, A. J. E. - Davies, O. M. - Denham, S. T. - Dunkling, T. W. E. - Dary, H. S. - =Derwent, A. H.= - Doherty, J. W. - =Drinkwater, C. E. H.= - Drury, A. L. - Dunkley, H. L. - Dance, F. J. - Dickson, E. W. A. - Donan, P. V. - Dunkley, R. W. - Dyer, P. R. - Davis, S. C. - =De-Courcy, H. B.= - Denby, A. H. - Denby, H. S. - Dickson, J. R. - Drayson, J. D. - Dunn, P. G. - =Durrant, G. D.= - Durrant, R. G. - Davis, W. G. - Diesch, R. - Dobson, H. - Dodd, F. J. - Davis, A. G. - Defries, A. E. V. - Davis, W. - Day, C. R. - =Domeney, W. H.= - Duck, S. - Dutton, P. J. - Davies, M. - Downes, B. - Drew, F. J. - Dennett, G. A. - =Davies, A. R.= - Driver, G. L. - Davison, A. B. C. - =Damant, P. J.= - =Davis, F. G.= - Dalby, E. J. - Darlison, E. - Daniell, H. G. - Davie, A. J. - Davies, B. R. - Dawson, V. L. - Dearlove, L. B. - Demment, M. W. - Dixon, W. - Dodd, G. S. - Davies, T. H. - Daniels, W. H. - Davis, H. C. - Deamond, J. - Dodwell, S. S. - Dean, E. - Drane, J. C. - Dobbie, A. F. - =Driver, B. W.= - Dickinson, J. R. - Davey, S. - Daley, P. A. - Dicker, W. - Downey, S. W. - Davies, R. B. - Downing, R. G. - Dod, K. L. - Davidson, J. A. - =Dyer, B. C.= - Denton, G. F. - Davey, F. R. - Denning, T. W. - Drake, A. C. - Davis, H. - Daniels, J. H. - Dafforn, B. J. - Davidson, G. - Dunscombe, H. W. - =Dawson, W. A.= - Dawkins, D. K. - =Da Costa, E. V.= - Davison, W. H. - Dawkins, C. - Dean, S. - Dye, J. D. - Dabbs, H. - Douglas, G. - Dale, A. - Davidson, A. C. - Dennison, A. - Dickson, W. - =Denington, A. S.= - Duggan, A. J. F. - Doughty, M. F. - Dowsett, F. W. - Deller, R. T. - Dewhurst, R. - =Dore, F. A.= - Davies, E. W. - Davey, A. J. - Dredge, H. - Dacey, J. - Daley, C. - Day, L. - DeWardt, F. - Dugard, E. S. - Dunn, L. H. S. - Davidson, T. A. - Dale, A. - Dawkins, H. A. - Donald, A. J. - =Dowdell, H. B.= - Duncan, W. - Davis, E. F. - Dicker, W. R. - Dance, W. R. - =Derrett, F.= - Doggett, A. C. - =Dale, W. G.= - Dyke, A. B. - Drew, C. W. A. - Daley, R. - Down, R. E. V. - Dicks, S. H. - =Deane, F. L.= - =Doody, H. W.= - Doughton, W. C. - Darwall, R. - Deeves, S. - =Davies, S. J. R.= - Dear, H. F. - Dibble, L. F. - Dickinson, C. C. - Dobson, A. R. - Day, S. F. - Dancer, T. S. - Dormer, R. - =Dockett, C. J. F.= - Drew, B. L. N. - Dutton, R. - Davies, B. - Dormann, J. A. - Davies, J. E. - Dickinson, W. E. - Dear, E. - Dowden, W. L. - Day, T. L. - Drury, S. J. - Davey, F. W. G. - =Deem, H. T. S.= - Dale, Y. F. W. - =Dwyer, J.= - Douglas, W. M. - Dobbs, F. W. - Davies, G. - Drucker, E. - =Deeks, C. K.= - Darlow, J. W. E. - Dove, W. A. - Deeves, T. - Digby, P. B. - Davis, L. A. - Dyer, W. E. - Davies, W. S. - Donan, E. B. - Day, E. W. - Davis, W. E. - Drane, S. C. - Dancyger, M. - Dengate, S. - =Darmody, J. F.= - =Dark, V.= - Diss, H. R. G. - Davies, A. O. - =Davies, H. N.= - Doubleday, R. E. - Davis, P. E. - Davis, G. W. - Dunkley, E. L. - Davies, D. G. - Davey, E. B. - Dillow, H. E. - Dodge, F. J. - Davies, W. G. - Devine, L. - Dawes, J. A. - Davies, J. D. - =Dunster, A. L.= - De-Bourcier, H. L. - Dawes, A. H. - Diprose, J. L. - Dring, G. - Dongworth, W. H. - Davies, F. R. - =Dibley, J. J.= - Donnelley, W. L. - Dawn, H. G. - Davis, H. G. - Darbourne, F. P. - =Davies, W. N.= - Dilrew, F. - Dummer, J. M. - Dawson, G. C. - Dilley, P. D. - Davies, W. A. J. - Denchars, H. J. - Denby, J. - Dewhurst, R. S. - Druitt, N. V. - Dowler, H. - Deane, G. L. - Doughty, J. - Deasy, T. - Davis, C. A. - Doughty, H. G. - Dutchett, W. R. - =Durbridge, J. T. P.= - Dales, N. L. - Dixon, J. W. S. - =Downie, W.= - Dredge, A. E. - =Davies, J.= - Dewdney, F. - Donall, A. D. - =Dunford, A.= - Dawson, W. V. - =Dunn, R. V.= - =Durrant, R. A.= - =Dewar, A. W. D.= - Duke, D. D. - Derbyshire, G. B. - Davy, A. G. - Down, P. G. - Davies, H. H. - Dale, W. T. - Day, F. H. - Dell, A. - Daniel, H. - Dormer, H. J. - Dobbs, D. O. - Darvill, F. D. - Dickens, J. - Diamond, R. McG. - Dallas, D. N. - Downes, D. W. - Doubleday, C. W. - Dyer, H. - =Duffield, H. A.= - =Davis, J.= - Dann, P. - Dopson, A. C. - Deavin, H. C. - Dantzig, D. - Davis, H. C. - Durham, C. W. - Davies, E. L. - Dickson, R. - Dresser, T. K. - Davis, A. - Dudman, L. - Drury, C. E. - =Deeley, F.= - Durrant, R. G. - Driver, R. J. - =Dale, W. E.= - Day, G. S. - Davis, J. F. - Davies, D. L. - Dolder, A. A. - Dyson, S. G. - Dickens, H. T. - Dorn, E. H. - Dorman, P. M. - Davison, R. W. - Dunn, A. J. - Doble, H. G. - Dorey, S. - Dykes, H. J. - Doidge, W. J. - Dilloway, C. A. - Dove, J. A. - =Dean, W. A.= - Dyer, C. H. - =Dawson, F. W.= - De-Wael, W. R. - Davison, H. J. - Davies, E. G. - Dadd, L. S. - Dyke, R. - =Davis, H. A.= - Davies, L. - Day, G. - Deane, A. C. - Donkin, C. W. - Doswell, J. A. H. - Denton, H. C. - =Dyer, F. E.= - Davies, R. - =Du Fen, J. P.= - Dickins, G. J. - Doggett, R. G. E. - Day, W. F. - Davies, H. J. - Day, G. W. - Dawes, E. - =Dawson, H.= - Davies, P. H. - Davis, F. E. - Davis, E. N. - Duce, O. A. - =Dunn, F.= - =Druce, H. A.= - Deas, R. J. - Duncan, S. B. - Davies, W. H. - Duffell, S. G. - Dixon, G. E. - Duck, C. J. - Drummond, D. - Davis, C. F. - Dell, J. E. W. - Dellow, E. F. P. - Dewing, C. J. - Davies, J. E. - Davey, T. F. - Duncan, A. - Davies, H. F. - Dixon, W. D. - Dunn, T. L. - Durrant, T. W. - Durrad, W. H. - Donaldson, T. - Dudley, A. F. - Drake, A. S. - =Dell, W. R.= - Dearlove, F. G. - Dowlen, G. W. - Dimelow, S. J. - Dwyer, C. J. - Dawson, F. - Davies, C. S. - Davies, F. G. - Drury, V. J. - Darley, T. W. E. - Dawkes, W. H. - Dukes, H. - Dash, W. C. - Dorn, C. J. - Davies, H. W. G. - Day, A. T. - =Dyke, J. W.= - Dabis, E. - Davies, J. M. - Daldry, S. G. - Davie, H. J. - Davy, P. R. - Davey, P. W. - Drummond, J. - Dawson, V. L. - Deacon, A. C. - Davis, F. W. - Dean, H. L. - Dodgson, F. - Dulin, G. R. - Davies, T. - Durrant, H. W. - Drury, F. H. - Dans, G. G. - Dant, S. H. - Dickinson, A. - Durban, P. A. - Day, C. A. - Dixon, H. E. - Denham, T. E. - Douglas, A. T. - Day, A. - Dennis, S. W. - Davies, F. W. - Dean, A. E. - Daniels, F. J. - Denyer, H. J. - Davies, J. H. - Davies, H. L. - Dickens, F. C. - Dishman, S. K. - Dunton, F. E. W. - Dalby, C. T. - Davies, G. A. - Dyke, F. W. - Drew, A. E. - Doke, E. F. - Down, K. A. - Deaves, A. - D’Eye, E. A. - Donovan, D. - Draper, O. H. - Daniell, E. - Doggett, D. C. - Dunkley, E. T. - Davies, W. H. - Dunnage, F. E. - Dallard, E. - Davies, W. - Draper, A. H. - Day, W. - Deigan, R. - Desmond, T. D. - Duggan, W. - Dickens, C. W. - Dawson, W. O. - Douard, E. L. - Dudman, J. A. - Daw, W. J. E. - Davis, C. T. W. - Donoghue, W. H. - Dorey, W. J. - Dyos, A. J. - Doan, J. - Daivell, A. - Duncan, D. C. - Danson, J. N. - Draper, C. J. - Davies, W. - Dumpleton, E. - Darnell, A. - Dobson, W. - Darby, J. W. - Daynes, G. C. - Dixon, A. J. D. - Dalton, S. H. - Dixon, J. - Driskell, F. G. - Dounes, G. F. - =Dennis, H.= - Dyer, L. - Daniels, H. - - - E - - Evans, T. H. - =Evans, W. K.= - Evans, J. S. - Ellingham, V. E. - Eaton, R. M. - =Eakin, H. S. C.= - Ennis, W. E. - Elkin, P. H. - Evans, F. J. - Everson, W. J. - Evans, E. A. - =Ellis, W. M.= - Everitt, W. G. - Everitt, W. W. - East, A. A. - Edwards, J. H. L. - Evans, D. F. - Eagle, W. E. - Emerson, H. D. - Evans, D. W. - Evans, W. G. - Ellsley, C. W. - Edgill, H. D. - Ewings, H. - Empson, C. W. - =East, B. M.= - Edney, H. E. - Edzley, E. E. - =Edwards, L. M.= - Elwell, C. M. - Elliott, G. H. - =Evans, A. B.= - Evans, E. J. - Evison, H. - Elkington, R. H. H. - Endacott, A. D. - Evans, R. B. - Edwards, H. - Emery, G. R. - Esden, H. A. - =Everett, G. J.= - Emler, H. J. - =Eastop, F. A.= - Edwards, L. - Ellor, H. E. - Elledge, W. - Ellor, J. F. - Eels, P. - Evershed, G. D. - Eagle, N. - Etheridge, E. A. - Ellingham, C. - Edwards, J. - Ellis, E. - Eve, R. M. - Evans, J. L. - Etheridge, J. E. E. - Eaton, C. T. - Earl, G. A. - Essery, E. C. - Evison, E. R. - Evans, E. G. - Eagles, L. G. - Ellicott, B. W. - Edge, H. - Ellerington, H. - Evans, W. - Eccles, L. D. - =Eccleston, J.= - Evans, T. E. - Elliston, A. J. - Eades, C. E. - =Elliott, P. J.= - Ellis, G. W. - East, A. - =Ennis, J.= - Everett, L. A. - Evans, P. G. - =Ellis, J. G.= - Earl, P. A. - Ellwood, W. E. - Edmonds, H. P. - Elliott, G. - Ellis, F. - =Edge, H. W.= - Evans, M. J. - Ellwood, H. - Edmonds, M. W. - Eads, J. R. - Ellum, S. - Edwards, J. H. - Ellingham, E. G. - Enright, A. W. - Edwards, B. C. L. - Eisele, G. S. - Edser, S. C. - English, C. - Every, W. - =Edwards, L. P.= - Ewell, H. L. - Edwards, T. E. - England, W. H. - Elkin, J. T. - Eggers, C. W. - Ellis, A. - =Ellis, S. E. R.= - Edey, E. G. - Evison, C. H. - Everad, D. - Everatt, W. - =Easter, R.= - =Ellis, F. E.= - Ediss, A. C. - Earl, C. - Empson, H. C. - Evans, J. L. - Edmonds, J. - Eickhoff, J. A. - =Evans, E.= - Ellis, E. D. - Evans, F. - =Ensor, W. A.= - =Ede, E. E.= - Elkington, C. J. - =Embery, S. W.= - Eaton, C. F. - Ellis, J. C. - Edwards, R. F. C. - Evans, A. D. - Emery, R. W. J. - Ennor, E. M. - =Elvis, A. H.= - Elliott, E. A. - Edwards, H. J. - Everitt, B. - =Ecroyd, W. C.= - Emary, W. - Edwards, T. B. - Emery, A. T. - Edwards, W. H. - Edwards, W. N. - Ellwood, C. - Edmonds, A. E. - =Emery, R.= - Ellis, A. E. - Ellis, G. B. - Ellery, J. W. - Evans, F. T. - Ebden, W. - Eyears, W. J. - Edgington, A. - Eagle, C. W. - Ellingham, F. H. - Ellis, A. - Ellis, A. J. - =Evans, D.= - Evans, I. J. - Edmondson, H. C. - =Evans, D.= - Evans, F. S. - Ellis, L. F. - Emmett, H. J. L. - English, P. W. - Ewins, T. - Ellery, J. J. - Edwards, W. - Ellis, H. E. - Evans, I. J. - Eames, W. H. - =Edwards, A. C.= - Eades, F. E. A. - Emery, E. G. - Eley, J. R. S. - Evan, S. E. - Ellis, B. L. - Emery, C. H. - Evans, B. - Emm, L. H. - Elliott, S. C. - Eaton, J. W. - =Edwards, E.= - Ednie, D. - Edgerton, A. W. - Entwistle, F. - Ember, E. W. - Evans, W. P. - Enock, E. J. - Elliston, G. E. - Ellis, J. - Ewbank, R. M. G. - Edwards, L. - Evans, F. S. - Evans, C. H. - Ellingham, G. H. - Evans, A. W. - Eager, H. H. P. - Evans, R. J. - Edwards, J. E. - Edwards, F. J. - Eversfield, A. D. - Edwards, H. C. - Evans, W. H. - Evans, E. J. - English, W. K. - Elliott, E. F. - Elliott, L. P. - Elsdon, H. C. - Edwards, J. H. - Eddicott, G. - Edwards, H. A. - Eckitt, R. C. - Elvy, A. - Evans, H. E. - Eason, W. H. - Edwards, G. F. - Edmonds, J. H. - Ewing, G. P. - Elliott, A. S. - Ede, F. J. - Ely, W. - Eyre, J. - Efford, F. S. - Evans, S. - Edwards, W. D. - Eels, J. - Eldridge, C. - Ellicott, W. J. - English, W. F. - Ellison, H. - Emery, C. - Ensoll, H. - Eyles, W. R. - Elgar, S. C. - Eeles, H. - Edwards, G. - Eeles, F. C. - Emmerson, G. F. - Evans, J. - Etheridge, E. J. - Eden, T. C. - Edwards, W. H. - Eaton, W. E. - =England, E.= - Exell, A. S. - Elliott, S. T. G. - Eland, G. - Evans, G. - =Eager, G. L.= - - - F - - Flanagan, F. J. - Fletcher, O. C. - Fryer, C. W. - Fowler, J. G. - Fitzgerald, J. H. - Foster, H. J. B. - Foucard, N. A. - French, E. J. - French, R. H. - Fell, D. - Farrar, G. R. - Fussell, B. - Figgins, A. P. - Forster, F. D. - Feeley, J. - Franklin, R. H. - Foster, H. - Foster, R. S. - Falkingham, J. H. - Fudge, S. - Facon, W. S. - Fearon, C. J. - Farmer, E. - Fabb, A. G. - Fenton, G. W. - Fields, E. C. - Fergusson, W. G. - =Fowler, G. E.= - Fryer, C. W. - Fall, P. J. - Fereday, E. B. - Ficken, G. J. - Fitzgerald, J. H. - Fuller, W. E. - Fenton, W. H. - Flynn, B. C. - Fabian, C. B. - Faulkner, L. - Fearne, H. J. - Fletcher, E. - =Fennell, L. J.= - Fenton, C. L. - =Fereday, L. H.= - Firkins, H. P. - =Ford, C.= - Foster, H. K. - Frost, E. C. - Fraser, J. A. - =Foreman, E. K.= - Fright, S. - =Fearnley, C.= - Fowler, G. E. - Foot, G. B. - Freshwater, H. W. - Forward, H. A. - Funston, H. E. - Field, L. F. - Foster, E. J. - Foster, A. D. - Fowler, W. S. - Fairbairn, G. - Fewings, J. H. - Flynn, F. B. - Forrest, W. W. - =Flook, T. E.= - Fabb, B. - =Fraser, W. S.= - =Flanagan, L.= - Ffoulkes, W. H. - Flood, W. W. G. - Frampton, C. - Fear, W. - Fenson, E. H. - Franks, S. T. - =Freeman, H.= - =Field, J. W.= - Farindon, R. - Fisenden, C. H. - Featherstone, F. W. - Ferrier, W. J. - =Findlow, A.= - Ferry, F. N. - =Farebrother, S. N.= - Fogg, S. H. - Freeman, G. - Fuller, A. F. - Fisher, W. C. J. - French, E. J. - French, H. T. - Finlayson, W. J. - Folds, C. E. - Foster, H. L. - Field, H. H. W. - Finch, F. N. - French, W. H. - Farman, S. L. - =Faulkner, A. L.= - =Fox, D.= - Florant, A. C. - Figgins, H. F. - Funston, L. W. - Farley, W. E. - =Fowler, S. D.= - French, H. J. - Franklin, G. F. - Forth, H. - Finnis, S. - Faulkner, H. H. - Fifield, H. - Finigan, A. L. - Ferris, A. C. - Fear, W. - Facey, W. H. - Fowler, P. G. E. - Freemont, L. T. - Fisher, A. - Fitzsimmons, G. W. - =Flatman, F. C.= - Foster, S. W. - =Freeston, G. B.= - Fareweather, A. C. - Fuller, H. S. - Flewry, G. J. - Fea, C. A. - =Fish, A. R.= - Field, R. - Field, T. - =Fisher, H. C.= - Fothergill, W. H. - Fisher, A. S. - Fry, J. F. B. - Funnell, E. J. - =Fisk, F. A.= - Fish, F. H. - Farden, F. D. - Flight, E. H. - Franklin, F. H. - Fautley, C. C. T. - Franklin, C. L. - Freer, W. B. - Fenning, A. E. - =Faulkner, F.= - Findley, G. E. W. - =Forster, H. W.= - =Fletcher, H. J.= - Farrow, H. J. - Foster, B. - Fletcher, S. - Fossey, H. E. - Fox, F. W. - Fitchett, S. - Felton, C. A. - Freeman, L. G. - Fowlie, W. - Freemantle, G. S. - Fincham, D. I. - French, E. J. - Frencham, S. - Fitt, W. - Ford, W. O. - Fullagar, C. H. - Forth, H. T. - Fenn, G. - Fennell, H. - Ferris, H. W. - Frost, F. - Field, W. J. - Foster, T. G. - Francis, G. W. B. - Finch, E. L. - Fentum, L. C. - Fitz, L. R. - Flanagan, R. C. - Farran, F. C. - Farrow, A. - French, J. H. - Fose, A. T. - Fenner, H. H. - =Ford, F. E.= - Fletcher, T. R. - Farrar, H. - Forder, G. L. N. - Faulkner, C. J. - Friston, E. C. - Fitzgerald, M. G. - Ford, R. A. - Floyd, A. H. - Flowerday, A. J. - Frost, C. R. E. - Foot, W. V. - Foot, T. E. R. - Farrow, A. - =Farrier, J. J.= - Fairweather, P. - Foster, W. M. - Fox, R. W. - =Ferris, R. M.= - Frith, F. - Friend, F. G. - Fowler, H. W. - Francis, A. E. - Franklin, W. H. - Fenn, W. T. - Foulger, T. R. - =Fairservice, H. R.= - Fogg, G. B. - Ferguson, A. J. - Folkard, P. G. - Franklin, N. E. - Faithfull, F. C. - Foot, W. E. - Faulkner, L. A. - =Fifield, T.= - Freezer, T. R. - Firth, C. J. - Flight, G. H. B. - Fuller, D. - Firmage, F. G. - Fowle, F. - Francis, H. E. - Fitt, G. W. - Finch, J. H. - Fowke, L. F. - Farrier, G. T. - Fry, W. C. - Fleming, W. A. - =Freeman, H.= - Findlay, J. A. - Fookes, E. H. - Fergusson, M. C. - Feist, R. J. - Fickling, B. - =Forrest, J. H.= - Fayers, G. C. - Farris, C. T. - Fowler, R. T. - Fulker, B. - Foy, C. P. - Finch, W. E. - Farris, R. H. - Francis, W. J. - Fawcett, J. Y. - Fisher, H. H. - Farquharson, I. - Fletcher, E. - Fairweather, L. - Ford, E. W. - =Fyfe, J. C.= - Fairclough, H. T. - Feldmar, L. T. - Forrest, W. S. - Fletcher, E. S. - Filer, A. J. - Fowles, E. G. - Farrar, A. T. - =Foulds, J. R.= - Fisher, W. L. - Fisher, W. H. - Fenwick, F. W. - Franklin, V. F. - Freeman, H. - Fry, A. E. - Flanagan, W. F. - Fletcher, J. - Foster, E. H. - Foskett, F. C. - =Fenwick, N.= - Fordham, E. R. - Farley, E. A. C. - Fish, J. T. - Flew, W. L. - Farbon, C. R. - Fitz-Rayne, W. A. - Freer, F. - Fraser, G. H. - Fricker, L. J. - French, P. H. - Ford, H. W. - Fenton, C. L. - French, P. H. - Fellows, W. E. - Fisk, A. G. - Foster, J. - =Field, H. E.= - Field, J. W. - Free, A. N. - Flood, H. F. - Fillmore, C. S. - Forster, J. P. - Fairminer, J. L. - =Fereday, A. H.= - Farrell, W. M. - Friend, R. D. - Fillmore, V. G. - Fletcher, J. - Ferrier, F. J. - Fitzgerald, E. - Fenwick, J. - Flaherty, N. - Ford, A. F. - Furness, G. - Fricker, B. J. - Fullerton, L. - Faulkner, R. - Finlayson, W. - Farley, E. R. - Fox, B. R. V. - Farrand, H. - Ford, G. R. - Fox, W. H. - Fox, H. W. - Franklin, H. J. - Fry, J. H. - Faultless, R. H. - Forsgate, R. J. - Friedlander, J. - Fenn, H. L. - Fraser, J. A. - Fincham, H. A. - Furlong, A. J. - Farnden, F. - Farrow, H. J. G. - Favell, W. F. J. - Ford, H. G. - Field, F. - Fathers, F. J. - Ford, F. L. - Floyd, A. H. - Feest, E. P. - Fredman, A. - Forrest, H. A. - Fairhurst, A. - Falcus, J. - Falla, A. W. - Folgate, W. C. - Farrow, S. G. - Field, G. - Fell, G. - Fairbrother, J. W. - Finch, A. E. - Fowler, J. - =Furssedonn, C. E.= - Forman, F. - Frost, H. A. - Fleming, W. A. - - - G - - =Green, A. E.= - Graham, E. - Gardner, W. B. - Gray, F. - Graham, J. - Goodman, G. - Goldston, R. G. - Green, S. A. - Greenwood, W. H. - Godby, A. G. - Gurney, F. A. - Gay, F. W. - Greenless, H. - Goulding, L. J. B. - Gosney, H. S. - Gershon, L. - Green, T. F. - Gattie, B. B. - Green, S. W. - Guiton, M. J. - Grimer, A. T. - Gellatley, S. H. - Gadsby, C. G. - Galloway, J. M. - Grapes, G. - =Greenfield, A.= - Griffiths, W. R. - Gulliford, F. G. - Gillman, A. C. - Gurnell, J. K. - Goodman, E. G. - Goss, E. O. - Gordon, A. A. Mc. - Grammel, W. - Gordon, H. E. - Glass, W. F. - Gurney, F. S. - George, A. J. - Gordon, H. R. - Glen, D. C. - Graham, R. M. - Greensmith, L. C. G. - Gibbons, A. F. - Grover, W. G. - Gulby, H. F. - Gray, C. G. - Graham, J. A. L. - Griffiths, L. W. - Goord, F. G. - Green, G. F. - Gold, H. D. - Gold, R. C. - Garton, R. W. - Glass, S. - Gill, T. M. - Goodwin, L. F. - Grant, L. D. - Garratt, W. B. - Goodman, W. A. H. - Gray, P. - =Gilbert, R. A.= - =Gell, J. B.= - Goodwin, W. R. - Gray, E. O. - Green, C. - Gurney, J. - =Gammidge, L. N.= - Garrett, G. D. - Gefford, R. - =Gordon, J.= - Gower, E. G. - Green, R. G. - =Grugeon, A. S.= - Gray, F. - Goldwater, L. A. - Gregory, T. E. G. - =Gobey, H.= - Gregory, E. W. - Green, C. R. - Godfrey, A. E. - Grosvenor, V. W. - =Gamage, E. F.= - =Gabriel, J.= - Garland, J. V. - Garthwaite, J. K. - Gibbs, C. H. - Gill, W. J. - Goldstein, B. - Greig, T. P. - =Gooding, D.= - Guilford, P. G. - Garner, W. J. - Gray, A. L. - Gray, L. G. - Green, G. G. - Gardiner, J. T. - =Geary, A. J. C.= - Grimble, A. - Gibbs, L. W. - Glennon, F. H. - Grimmer, R. - Geary, E. C. - Graham, F. W. F. - Gunton, B. - Gale, E. C. - Gilbert, E. A. - Garland, H. W. - Gardner, R. - Gibbons, H. V. - Green, W. H. - Gingell, H. S. - Gibbs, W. G. - Griffiths, R. H. - Garratt, T. W. - Gruselle, H. E. J. - Glover, H. N. - Gibbard, W. - Grimsey, P. G. - Godwin, F. W. - =Greenwood, A. E.= - Gander, R. H. - Gilles, F. H. - Green, C. E. H. - Green, F. G. - Gillman, H. E. V. - Grey, A. L. - Grater, S. J. - =Galloway, C. J.= - Gravell, S. G. - Green, A. P. - Grooshky, S. - Gallagher, J. - =Grantham, G. H.= - Gadd, J. D. - Goodwin, A. S. - Gray, W. C. R. - Garrett, F. W. - Goldstein, A. - Graham, J. - =Griffiths, J. H.= - =Goldsmith, G. H.= - Gay, A. H. - Gordan, F. A. - Gozzett, F. C. - Gonnaway, P. A. - Givan, V. - Graham, P. - =Griffiths, F. L.= - Gash, N. - Griffiths, H. J. - Glover, G. - Gilchrist, S. - Gould, P. C. - =Graham, S.= - Gowen, H. S. - Grevatt, G. W. H. - Gluyas, B. - Goatley, W. E. - Grimsley, H. E. - Green, S. A. - Germaine, C. J. - Glithero, C. W. - =Glithero, T. A.= - Galen, J. J. - =Griffiths, J. L.= - Gwyer, F. C. - Goodfellow, H. C. L. - Gray, A. E. - Golding, H. - Grist, W. E. - Gibbons, C. C. - =Geeves, S. L.= - Gilders, L. F. - Giles, G. E. - Glover, H. G. - =Griffiths, T. C.= - Goodleman, S. H. - Gerrard, H. C. - Gibbs, A. E. - Gott, S. E. - Green, A. S. - =Goss, H.= - Gibson, J. - Genlloud, F. D. - Goodwin, S. W. - Goodwin, W. J. - Galway, G. L. - Grey, G. R. - Gurney, G. C. - Gillett, W. A. - Gill, G. H. - Game, T. G. A. - Griffiths, T. L. - Goodman, J. H. - Grayson, H. J. - Godfrey, F. A. J. - Godfrey, H. - Guest, W. J. - Gould, G. F. - Garnham, F. - Grantham, F. E. D. - Giggall, E. - Gunning, C. - Goulding, A. E. - Gibson, C. F. O. - Garside, F. - Greenoak, E. - Goodliffe, R. A. - Gillings, W. H. - Garland, B. - Gibbon, E. N. - Goodwin, F. - Grafton, C. B. - =Gibson, A. H.= - Green, A. E. - Gildersleve, A. E. - Grant, F. - Gumbrell, G. J. - Goode, A. J. - =Greenwood, L. R.= - Goodyear, F. G. - Godfrey, W. F. - Gilbert, A. G. - Geddes, E. H. - Garnett, J. H. - Gayland, P. H. - Gilbert, R. P. - Gibbs, E. W. H. - Green, H. T. E. - Gethin, T. - Grundy, J. A. - Griffiths, E. T. - =Gibson, E. A.= - Garrett, R. A. - Gatenby, G. F. - =Gough, A.= - Gerrish, C. - Grainger, A. A. - =Geddes, D. J. M.= - George, H. W. - Griffiths, R. S. - Glasscock, J. A. - Gosling, H. C. - =Gush, L. J.= - =Garwood, E. H.= - Gason, C. J. - Grist, H. - =Groom, W. H.= - Grylls, C. W. - Gardner, A. - Gruchy, C. R. - Goss, J. H. - Gilbert, A. H. - Grace, G. K. - Graves, P. - Gould, J. - Graves, T. W. - Green, T. A. - Gilbert, W. G. - Guivor, W. - Grout, T. B. - =Groves, L.= - Geater, D. - Garrett, P. H. - =Gaw, W. G.= - Geddes, M. F. - Golding, F. - Green, C. C. B. - Guyton, R. F. - Gilles, F. H. - Goff, P. A. - Goddard, W. F. - Gibbon, J. - Griffiths, G. T. - Griffiths, E. - Gibbs, S. J. - Gibson, H. S. - Glass, F. G. - Graham, A. J. - =Gould, R. H.= - Gogay, A. - Gardiner, L. L. - Gale, F. C. - Gould, W. - Griffin, G. W. - Guildford, G. T. - Green, G. S. - Garrick, E. - =Gaiser, J. E.= - Gilbert, F. W. - Gay, G. A. - Goodman, C. C. - Grady, A. H. - =Gurr, J. H.= - Gates, W. H. - =Gates, A. W.= - Gregory, C. S. - Grout, F. - Galbalby, J. - Golden, W. P. - Grove, G. F. - Gordon, J. H. - Gibbs, H. - Green, A. S. - Gowen, F. - Gardner, E. J. O. - Greenwood, W. - Gale, R. T. - Gwinnell, E. A. - Gunton, R. - Goldman, H. A. - Gray, C. T. - Green, J. M. - Garman, F. - Gunyan, A. C. - Golden, E. J. D. - Glover, F. - Grant, G. H. St. J. - Greenhalgh, S. - =Godber, J. W.= - Gard, F. C. - Gammon, A. - Gardiner, C. F. G. - Gover, T. H. - Grant, S. - Graham, W. F. - Grant, J. A. W. - Goodson, W. E. - =Gibson, R. M.= - Griffiths, L. H. W. - Gubbins, R. P. - Grist, A. V. M. - =Gover, T. J.= - =Grace, F.= - Grimwade, B. S. - Gold, R. F. S. - Green, N. H. - Geaves, C. W. - Gascoigne, G. W. - Gore, W. J. - Gates, H. R. - Godwin, H. L. A. - Graham, E. R. - Greenbury, H. E. - Goswell, O. O. - Girling, J. - Grieve, I. J. - =Golden, E. T.= - =Gunn, J. W.= - Gardiner, A. J. - Gill, W. - Goodway, C. A. - Greaves, C. - Gee, J. C. B. - Girdler, W. C. - Ginger, W. E. - Griffin, O. J. - =Gardner, J. C. B.= - =Greener, J.= - Godfrey, L. C. - Greer, C. J. - =Gilder, A. C.= - Groutage, J. H. - =Gilkes, A. A.= - Gordon, W. - Gore, H. - Gaylor, E. A. - Greener, L. E. - Gillwir, A. W. - Gale, F. A. - Gledhill, E. - Gray, L. S. - =Gallon, E.= - Guest, J. C. - Gilberthorpe, F. - Groves, H. - Golightly, L. G. - Gates, G. - Gleave, W. V. - Grant, G. - Griffiths, J. R. - Gardner, G. A. - Gray, C. W. - =Grady, W. J.= - Galliford, H. J. T. - Gardner, J. - Grierson, J. - Ganby, J. L. - Gruzeiler, P. - Green, C. H. R. - =Galpin, R. G. E.= - Griffin, G. A. J. - Guard, F. B. - Griggs, W. L. - Gooding, H. H. - Goldbourne, A. R. - Gillett, E. L. P. - Gibbs, C. E. - Galpin, L. P. - Goldberg, M. - Green, S. J. - Goodman, A. S. - Grove, F. W. - Gibson, W. - Granville, G. H. - Goadby, H. C. - Goode, A. - Gough, C. T. - Groves, L. G. W. - Gardner, R. J. - Green, L. J. - Grover, H. J. - Godby, W. A. - Gadsdon, L. J. - Graddage, J. A. R. - Griffiths, F. - Gomm, A. H. - Green, W. B. - Goff, W. T. - Germain, C. G. - Gowlett, G. H. - Griffiths, L. E. - Gallehawk, C. - Godbolt, P. J. - Gadd, W. A. - Goodey, E. F. - Price, F. G. - Grover, A. - Gibson, L. - Goss, R. C. - Gowland, J. H. - Gray, T. - Gowan, P. H. - Greenhill, E. R. - Griffiths, A. - Griffiths, J. - Guymer, G. - Garrett, A. - Groves, T. R. - Greenwood, D. W. - Gosnold, W. F. - Gunn, H. - Grace, A. L. - Gower, A. E. - Gifford, L. H. - Grimshaw, R. - Gillett, A. - Gosling, G. J. - Goding, F. G. E. - Gourlay, J. - Gilbert, A. E. - Gummery, J. W. - Godsell, W. H. - Greaves, E. - Gilkes, H. W. - Grayson, W. - Green, J. L. - Green, T. - Gubbins, W. G. - Goodman, S. A. - Goldfinch, A. - Gifford, H. - =Garnham, E. J.= - Goodman, E. E. - Gurney, E. P. - =Garrett, E. A.= - Gunyon, C. C. - Gale, D. W. - Godwin, F. H. - Gower, J. W. - Goldsmith, P. L. - Gardner, A. G. - Green, J. M. - Goldwater, L. A. - =Gaylard, B.= - =Gibson, C. M.= - =Griffiths, E. P.= - =Grist, F. C.= - =Grylls, C. W.= - Goodyear, W. J. - Groves, H. J. - Graves, C. W. - Gamble, R. B. - Goodale, H. M. - Gillbanks, J. B. - Gillett, J. N. - Greenslade, S. - Gardner, W. - Garner, J. L. - Gibbons, E. T. - Gilby, S. A. - Glenister, F. A. - - - H - - Hodgson, A. W. - Hale, W. L. - Hall, W. J. - Hicks, E. J. - =Howett, F.= - Hodge, W. G. - Hart, C. J. - Hiley, F. C. W. - Henderson, W. W. - Haatson, J. R. - Harris, A. P. - Harmer, A. A. D. - Harris, F. V. - Hall, J. R. - Holland, A. E. - Hughes, C. H. - =Hards, C. R.= - Holmes, G. C. - Horn, A. C. - Hedderley, R. F. - Hayes, C. W. - Harper, R. J. - Hammond, A. - Henson, H. H. - =Hill, C.= - Hearn, T. - =Hollies, H. J.= - Huckle, F. R. - Highbett, H. A. A. - Hellier, H. R. - Harris, A. P. - Hargrave, W. B. - Hunt, P. G. - =Hiscox, T. A.= - Hume, C. W. - Hart, W. S. - Halcrow, J. W. - Huthwaite, A. - Harris, J. T. - =Hartill, H. W.= - Hilton, C. - Hall, L. G. - Howell, T. W. - Howell, R. O. - Huckle, H. G. - =Hills, J. W.= - Hant, R. A. - Harrington, W. - Hull, B. - Houslop, A. S. - Houseman, A. W. - Hall, C. - Hingston, S. F. T. - Hammond, H. T. - =Howell, A. E.= - Hetherington, R. - Hall, P. H. - Holmes, A. - Houlshan, B. F. - Hanscombe, J. E. - Hicks, A. H. - Hamill, C. H. - Hartley, C. H. - Hellastern, A. W. - Hambling, E. J. - Hill, W. D. - Holton, C. H. E. - Hogwood, G. H. - Hawdy, G. W. - Hammond, W. C. - Hooper, E. H. - Haycock, S. F. - =Harrison, H.= - Hucker, T. K. - Holt, A. R. - Holt, F. - Hitchcock, S. T. - Higgs, A. - Hennessey, C. R. - Harris, J. H. - Hinchey, A. E. - Hull, H. M. - Hanes, V. G. - =Henry, C. G.= - Harper, C. H. - Hall, W. E. - Hyman, I. - Hawkins, H. C. - =Hutchinson, A.= - Hiscocks, P. C. - Hurley, J. - Harding, W. J. - Howard, W. F. - Harmon, F. A. - Horth, H. R. - Holmes, G. C. - Hare, A. D. W. - Harris, W. H. - Hider, A. L. G. - Hyam, G. - Hone, J. H. - Hyder, C. - Harrington, H. E. - Hunt, H. T. - Hill, S. H. - Hopps, F. L. - Hare, A. - =Hart, C. J. W.= - Hall, S. - Holmes, J. - Hall, L. - Hooling, S. T. - Hoste, W. E. - Harle, W. - Horsley, W. - Haylett, R. H. - Hart, W. B. - Hall, C. H. - Head, R. I. - Hill, W. L. - Hirst, C. C. - =Hollidge, F. G.= - Haycroft, L. C. - Hobson, H. - Hawkins, A. H. - Hayward, A. R. C. - Hine, W. H. - Hanna, J. H. - Herbert, R. C. - Harrison, S. - Hart, C. B. - Hoskins, H. W. - Hudson, F. R. - Hall, F. H. - Hall, H. W. - Hall, L. P. - Hall, W. T. - Hankins, F. H. - =Harrison, F.= - Hartley, H. R. - Hayward, F. - Henson, A. D. - Hilder, F. C. - Hobart, G. S. - Honour, A. F. - Hooker, P. - Horne, H. G. - Hunt, J. C. - Hyde, J. H. S. - Hunt, P. - Howard Grafton, L. N. - Hansford, G. R. - Hargrave, S. G. - Harland, C. H. - Harris, C. G. - =Harris, E. S.= - Hart, H. - Hatch, A. A. - Hayman, F. S. - Head, H. A. - Herring, W. - Hind, M. J. - Hobbs, J. M. - Hooper, J. P. L. - Hull, C. A. - Harman, A. R. - Hull, C. B. - Hanna, C. H. - Hart, D. E. - Hollobone, H. E. W. - =Hulford, E.= - Harper, W. J. - Harris, G. - =Hart, J. W.= - =Howard, R. G.= - Haynes, C. S. - Hebbert, E. N. - Hudson, L. S. - Harlow, R. E. - Howard, F. R. - =Hatfield, H. E.= - Heal, L. R. - Hendley, P. G. - Hotson, A. C. - Hughes, E. F. - =Haughton, T. G. L.= - Hundleby, H. S. - Hallier, H. - Harris, D. W. - Hawkins, H. I. - Hawley, F. W. - Harris, C. H. - Haynes, H. V. - Heath, L. E. - Harling, F. W. - Henshall, D. E. - Herring, S. V. - Huggons, A. F. - Hyman, J. - Hurrell, J. R. - Hale, G. L. - Heywood, S. W. - Hodges, N. H. - Howlett, J. H. - =Howlett, F. G.= - Hollington, C. W. - Hill, F. - Harris, R. J. - Hammer, C. F. - Harrison, N. V. - Hennings, L. B. - Hearne, H. - Henderson, W. - Hall, M. W. - Harris, F. - Hall, A. E. - =Humpherson, C. E.= - =Hunter, F. H.= - Hill, M. M. - Hussey, M. R. - Hodges, S. H. - Haycraft, H. C. - =Henry, J. W.= - Harnot, F, H. - Henry, J. A. - Hollis, F. - Hall, G. - Humphreys, F. A. - Hodges, A. E. - Harding, A. E. - =Hogg, L. A.= - Hunt, E. J. - Harrison, A. E. - =Hawkes, R. W.= - Hobson, H. L. - =Haines, L.= - Hay, H. F. - Howard, W. G. - Hitch, H. H. - Hall, E. A. - Harris, A. V. - Hughes, E. G. - Hillman, J. W. H. - Hillman, H. J. - Hackman, A. L. - Humphreys, W. A. - Hines, T. H. - Holland, H. C. - Hughes, A. W. - Hayden, B. R. - Howard, S. F. - =Hertz, A.= - Halstead, H. L. - Hughes, S. G. - Humphreys, W. - =Harling, A. T.= - Hollands, E. A. - Hopkins, S. H. - Holmes, G. E. - Hobday, C. F. - Harris, T. W. - Harverson, C. - Harris, S. - Hodgkinson, E. D. - Hattersley, A. E. - =Hayden, A. J.= - =Horrex, A.= - Hoskins, A. D. - =Harvey, H. R.= - Hooper, J. J. - Hooper, H. H. - =Holder, G.= - Hunter, P. - Hutt, F. G. - Henderson, R. E. - Halsey, H. - Hunt, W. V. - Hodgson, E. C. - Howson, J. - Hards, W. G. - Hay, E. - Himley, A. R. - Hall, E. - Hardy, E. S. - Harrison, A. G. R. - Hockley, H. J. - Howard, J. E. - Hooker, C. S. - Hitch, F. A. - Houslop, S. S. - Harrington, B. L. - Harris, W. T. - Holland, H. - =Horan, H. L.= - Hornegold, F. G. - =Hubbard, F. A.= - How, W. R. - Haines, J. W. - Harris, H. E. - Hicks, H. E. - Humphreys, G. W. - Hales, A. W. F. - Harvey, E. W. - Head, A. E. - Huggins, F. H. G. - =Howard, H. A.= - =Harrison, G. H.= - Hague, P. S. - Heath, A. G. - =Heath, A. R.= - Humphries, E. A. - Harley, A. C. - =Hodges, L. J.= - =Hopkins, V.= - Hudson, A. D. - Harris, E. J. - Hurst, J. - Hart, A. S. - Hollis, L. A. - Harris, M. - Harris, S. J. - =Hunter, W. A.= - Hancock, H. A. - Harper, W. G. - =Herbert, J. D.= - =Harris, E.= - Hatten, E. W. - Hayes, W. - Hindes, L. R. - Hourihane, P. J. - =Haslam, W.= - Hoskin, H. J. - Hill, C. W. D. - =Heading, P. J.= - Hall, F. W. - =Hayer, J. J.= - Hooley, R. - Hurrell, S. F. - Harman, W. H. - Hunt, T. W. - =Hosking, A. E. V.= - Hughes, W. J. - =Hatcher, W.= - Horwood, V. W. - Hall, F. J. - Harris, T. W. - Hawker, A. G. - Henshaw, W. - =Hunt, A. F.= - Hayden, D. E. - =Howlett, B.= - Hogbin, C. W. - Holman, E. V. - =Hartley, E.= - Hay, W. L. - Henrich, A. S. - Hodges, A. J. C. - Humphries, J. M. S. - Haynes, F. J. - Hall, A. B. - Hales, A. C. - =Hinrich, E.= - Habbyjam, J. F. - Harman, L. - Harris, A. L. - Hart, E. J. - Hatcher, F. G. - Hill, A. F. - Hughes, R. J. - Humphrey, F. G. - Hollows, F. B. - Hardy, G. F. - Hillier, R. - Holmes, F. - Hartley, W. N. - Harries, W. - Holland, J. - Harmer, G. B. - Haines, A. S. - Hinn, C. E. - =Hiscox, W. V. C.= - Holliday, C. J. - Haworth, H. S. - Hammett, K. - Hosegood, S. P. - Hill, W. F. - Hyde, A. V. - =Harman, A.= - =Huthwaite, C. H.= - Hollobone, A. J. - Hood, R. S. - =Harvey, N.= - Harris, J. E. - Holt, A. G. - Hughes, G. T. - Hall, E. E. - Hudson, L. S. T. - =Humphreys, W. H.= - Hall, O. A. - =Hatch, J. S.= - Hillmann, A. G. - Hollox, C. H. - Hutchison, J. L. - Hall, W. M. - Hoehn, G. C. - Howie, J. P. - Hutchison, L. R. - Halcrow, H. E. - Heggadon, C. - Harvey, F. - =Harris, W. S.= - Hill, G. A. S. - Hale, A. G. W. - Harris, H. C. - Hill, E. N. V. - Hawkins, H. - =Hicks, J. A.= - Hickman, T. F. - =Hardcastle, R. C.= - Hunter, R. - Hartford, E. F. - Holmes, G. E. - Healy, J. W. - Humphreys, E. W. - Hall, H. J. - Hatton, W. D. - Hitchcock, R. - Hanson, F. W. H. - Hownam, W. E. - Hooler, W. T. - Hillier, J. S. - Holbrook, F. R. - Holmes, H. C. - =Humphreys, H. G.= - Harrison, L. - Hitchener, E. B. - Harries, G. R. - Holland, P. M. - Horton, R. - =Heath, B. A.= - Hall, T. H. - Higgins, J. W. - Hill, R. - Hussey, F. C. - Hall, E. J. T. - Hawkins, F. M. - Hawley, R. W. - Harrison, A. - Howson, H. C. O. - =Huleatt, R. Q.= - Harrison, D. W. - Hart, E. - Harris, L. - Howell, S. J. - Hollidge, A. S. - Heelis, W. - Heinrich, E. - Hudson, F. H. - Holmes, W. E. - Hill, H. F. - Howes, C. C. - Hyrdon, A. - Higgins, F. - =Holdway, E. W.= - =Holthusen, H. S.= - Hansford, F. A. - =Heard, L. V.= - Hopkins, H. E. - Hart, E. J. - Harvey, S. B. W. - Hooper, G. B. - Hunt, A. L. - Howell, G. T. - Holt, L. - Hopkins, A. A. - Holding, E. J. - Heyes, J. P. - Hart, W. I. - =Haddock, W. F.= - Henshaw, G. W. - Horn, W. - Hill, R. E. G. - Horsley, J. C. - =Horsley, S.= - Hindmarsh, G. B. - Hewlett, A. M. - Hopkins, F. P. V. - Hyne, L. J. - Hills, L. N. - Honney, E. A. - Halls, S. M. - Hayward, H. - Haddock, N. R. - =Hotten, W. G. E.= - =Hewson, E.= - Hagger, H. W. - Hookham, J. E. - Hunt, G. - Harvey, R. W. - Henton, W. H. - Hawkins, J. H. - Hutchison, A. J. - Hallas, J. E. - Hunt, J. F. - Hustwait, J. W. - Hedge, F. J. - Hammond, A. M. - Houston, J. Mc M. - Harris, E. - Hart, C. J. - Hamilton, C. J. H. - Heslop, W. - Hart, H. - Harpum, G. - Healey, D. - Hughes, C. W. - Harrison, F. - =Hopkins, E. B.= - Hutton, G. - Hearne, F. - Hempell, H. L. - Head, A. H. - Haywood, W. - Howell, W. H. - Hollidge, W. E. - Hall, A. J. - Howell, F. - Harper, J. - Hughes, C. A. H. - Hall, G. L. - Holmes, E. S. - Huckle, W. G. - Handel, S. - Hasler, H. - Hunt, P. F. - Hornell, R. - Harding, H. G. - Horwick, S. A. J. - Hambley, R. - Hodgkinson, S. T. - Hedge, A. G. - Haines, C. F. - Haine, A. J. - Hearne, H. D. A. - =Hargrave, L.= - Hearn, S. W. - Harrison, F. - Harman, A. W. - Horwood, A. G. - Harman, F. G. - Hopkins, R. G. - Head, E. T. C. - Halls, H. F. E. - Hawkins, W. B. - Hails, W. G. - Hunt, C. E. - Hulley, J. - Howse, A. V. - Hesse, H. H. - Humphries, H. G. - Higham, W. E. - =Hayne, L. C. G.= - Head, G. S. - Height, F. - Hurle, I. - Herrick, P. E. - Humphrys, W. - Hills, J. W. - =Hailes, F. U.= - Hutchinson, A. E. - Hunter, F. H. - Harrison, P. - Hyde, E. F. - Hillman, F. J. - Hall, R. E. - Hastie, T. A. - =Hill, C. E.= - Hook, W. B. - Howe, E. J. - Hutchins, S. F. - Horsman, J. T. - Hargrave, J. A. - Hewett, H. J. - Haworth, C. B. - Hibbert, C. - Howard, R. - Harris, H. G. - Howard, J. C. - Heath, C. W. - Harding, F. - Hayward, E. J. - Harrison, W. R. - Hunsworth, F. S. - Honychurch, C. R. - Honychurch, P. G. - Hurly, H. T. - Heath, F. J. - Hanna, W. J. - =Hindle, L. M.= - Hawtin, J. S. - Hawkins, P. G. - Horlock, E. G. - Hull, C. D. - Holmes, J. - Horner, L. - Halle, N. W. - Hymers, C. - Hughes, G. E. - Harvey, C. W. - =Hyde, L. L.= - Hudson, T. A. F. - Hughes, H. - Hughes, R. C. - Harness, W. - Hislop, F. W. - Hughes, W. W. - Hatch, W. - Hall, F. H. - Harvey, W. W. - Howfield, G. B. - Hooper, T. - Howson, F. F. - =Hurst, A.= - Hutchings, B. T. - Hennessey, P. - Harris, S. R. - Hawkins, C. C. - Holly, P. J. - Hawker, L. A. - Hammett, W. - Hayward, V. - Hill, J. - Hawkins, W. R. - =Hicks, A. E.= - Halton, G. L. - Houslop, L. W. G. - =Hay, A. T.= - Hodge, A. - Howard, R. F. - Humphreys, A. - Harrison, G. A. - Hilder, G. D. - Howgill, F. J. - Huddlestone, D. - Hanes, L. W. - Hill, L. G. - Howes, A. J. E. - Hoskins, H. O. - Hook, W. E. - Hodges, F. G. - Hewlett, L. H. - Hudson, H. - Hale, D. J. - Hyam, E. P. - Hawkins, A. W. - Hodgetts, C. W. - =Hogben, S.= - Hill, M. G. - Horsewood, F. - Hawkins, C. H. - Hann, C. A. C. - Haynes, A. E. - Hutchings, D. A. - Hutchinson, W. R. - Hodge, J. C. - Hosegood, J. M. - Hill, H. R. - =Halsey, R. H.= - Harris, C. F. - Hawkes, R. H. - Hancock, R. - Hunt, C. G. - Harragan, A. C. - Heeler, F. - Hake, H. E. J. - Hatten, J. T. - Hardy, A. - =Harding, G.= - Harvey, E. S. - Hart, E. J. - Haynes, H. E. - Holland, C. F. R. - Higman, N. - Hill, E. A. - Hoskin, A. S. - Holt, L. A. - Haywood, H. P. - Henderson, N. - Heather, G. F. - Heygate, F. C. - Houghton, A. L. N. D. - Huntsman, J. E. - Hall, H. J. C. - Howard, J. W. - Harfield, H. A. L. - Hunter, W. J. - Hale, H. C. - Hague, G. W. - Hunter, J. E. - =Hopewell, P.= - Hewitt, S. D. A. - Hardy, R. G. - Hutchins, W. C. - =Hyde, H. C.= - Horne, E. W. - Hargraves, J. H. - Howard, W. C. - Hurle, J. - Holland, T. W. - Howes, L. H. - Hooper, L. F. - Hennell, A. L. - =Heathcote, A. V.= - Hartley, W. F. - Hewer, J. - Hughes, W. D. - Holmes, G. C. - Henshall, H. D. - Hussey, E. F. W. - Harries, H. A. - Harnett, S. P. - Harris, J. L. - Hammond, C. L. - Hawkins, W. P. - Hart, G. P. - Hall, P. E. W. - Ham, N. E. - Higginson, E. - Hardy, E. W. - Harper, J. - Hoare, G. E. - Hanlon, S. J. - Hecker, W. R. - Harman, G. - =Hughes, F. P.= - =Harkness, A. C.= - Hutcherson, C. W. - Hand, W. R. - Humm, C. - Haywood, S. T. - Hodgkinson, W. E. - Hewitt, W. A. - Haskell, W. L. - Hiscocks, W. J. - Holland, R. H. - =Harvey, E. W.= - Hooker, J. K. - Hadland, F. N. - Hampson, S. R. - Hall, S. E. - Hams, F. W. - =Hawbrook, H.= - Haynes, A. R. - Harding, W. G. - Harris, G. T. - Hoodless, W. F. H. - Hayter, P. H. C. - Hewens, R. C. - Harnden, T. E. B. - =Hole, C.= - Hickson, T. H. - Healing, W. R. - Harvey, S. B. - Hadley, C. V. D. - Helstrip, G. - Hull, A. G. - Havard, J. H. - Harper, W. - Harvey, B. J. - Henwood, W. J. D. - Heald, J. L. - Houghton, P. M. - Hayton, J. - Hammond, D. R. - Hanby, J. W. - Hollingsworth, H. - Hallett, S. J. - Hammersley, S. - Haywood, F. - Hitchin, F. - =Hoare, R. P.= - Hooper, C. T. - Haycock, J. H. - Henry, J. - Hollands, C. A. - Harrison, C. A. - Hopkins, P. - Houlberg, E. J. - Heath, W. - Hainsworth, W. - Harbarow, E. E. S. - Heather, C. J. - Hore, S. F. - Hewlett, A. - Howes, J. - Haddock, K. E. V. - Halls, F. T. - Hack, P. E. - Hey, F. - Hazell, T. R. W. - Heath, F. C. - Hines, H. - Huxtable, J. - Harvey, G. - Horn, C. - Hansard, N. - Halliday, C. D. - Hyde, G. E. - Howell, L. P. - Holden, R. S. - Holland, R. H. - Hammon, W. E. - Hames, G. R. H. - Holliday, B. - Harvey, C. - Harris, S. D. - Heath, S. J. - Hazlewood, H. W. - Heavens, G. T. - Humphries, F. - Honeywell, G. T. - Hall, W. C. - Hamill, W. - Hobbs, G. F. - Harrison, H. W. - Hollands, T. A. G. - Harris, T. F. - Holtham, A. W. D. - Hill, R. P. - Holbrook, H. C. - Hutchinson, T. - Hillier, S. B. - Hotson, W. J. - Harley, T. - Hooten, J. S. - Henken, G. F. - Hollingworth, C.F. - Holloway, D. - Hooker, R. - Hovell, C. A. - Harrington, N. F. - Harris, A. W. M. - Hughes, C. P. - Harris, T. - Hollingdale, C. H. - Herbert, R. - Hall Haynes, T. E. - Hall, W. C. - Hart, G. E. - Higgins, F. E. J. - Haigh, H. S. - Hicks, E. J. - Handyside, J. - Henott, C. - Holbrook, M. - Heath, E. - Hotten, J. W. - Hover, J. H. E. - Hemsley, J. A. - Hawkins, H. R. - Humphrey, L. E. - Hall, E. J. - Hayes, D. J. - Holland, A. J. - Hynds, F. C. - Harvey, H. F. - Holland, R. W. - Haines, A. - Holme, A. - Horwood, H. - Hook, S. A. - Hollett, N. P. - Harcourt, C. W. - Hyland, C. - Hope, P. O. - Hayes, T. J. - Hull, J. - Heffer, G. - Hedges, H. A. - Heath, F. - Helliwell, H. - Hammond, C. G. - Hazell, N. - Hinds, E. P. - Hutchinson, W. - Hilder, E. C. R. - Hall, N. G. - Hale, G. - Hale, J. - Hall, F. S. - Hawkins, A. R. - Hutchins, J. W. - Hanson, A. W. - Hope, G. - Hobbs, J. E. - Hemsley, G. R. - Harris, W. A. - Horne, E. A. - =Hockridge, W. G.= - Howlett, W. W. - Hudson, D. A. - =Harriss, A. R.= - Hall, S. F. - =Hawkins, W. J.= - Hollander, S. - Hunt, E. - Hotston, T. - Horner, J. - Howard, C. F. - Hall, G. - =Hake, C. W.= - Hart, W. D. - Harvest, S. E. - Halford, H. J. - Hart, E. - =Head, W.= - =Holman, E. W.= - =Hurst, R. H. C.= - =Hyde, P.= - - - I - - Ives, H. J. M. - Isaac, G. W. - Irving, W. J. - Illing, R. W. - Ind, W. E. - Ives, A. J. - Irwin, A. G. - =Irwin, J. W. E.= - Ibbett, C. - Igglesden, G. F. - Innocent, E. P. - Ingram, F. R. - =Ive, G. F.= - =Idle, G. S.= - =Ingram, H. D.= - Ivey, W. L. - Ivamy, E. - =Ingram, A.= - Isaacson, H. A. S. - Ince, S. M. - Ironside, W. - Inskip, D. C. - Ireland, D. J. - Ingram, F. E. - Ingram, A. G. W. - Illing, A. C. - Irons, E. W. - Ireland, W. B. - Ince, N. M. - Ingram, C. E. - Irwin, W. E. - Irwin, G. - Isaacs, J. - Ison, L. J. - =Ison, W.= - Ireland, W. G. - Ingham, H. - Inkpen, J. - Innes, G. D. - Ing, T. W. - Izzett, C. E. C. - Illing, R. G. - Illing, R. W. - Innes, A. - Ingram, G. - Illingworth, H. W. - Ilett, F. - Ingram, H. - =Ingles, F.= - Inglefield, A. E. - Irwin, W. L. - Irish, -- - Inwood, -- - Ingram, -- - Imray, -- - Ingham, -- - Ivey, -- - Izzard, -- - Innell, E. H. - Iveson, D. G. - Isted, A. J. - Irvine, G. - Isaac, L. F. - Indge, C. J. - Ibett, C. H. - Izzard, A. - Isaac, W. C. - Iddon, R. - Imber, A. E. - Ingram, C. J. - Imray, T. - Izzard, W. - - - J - - Jessop, W. J. - Julian, N. M. - James, A. L. - Jeans, G. H. - Jamison, E. H. - Jacobs, D. - Jesty, E. T. - Jones, C. - Jones, W. E. - Jay, H. J. S. - Jackson, W. E. - Jeffree, J. S. - Jestin, M. - Johnson, A. S. - Johnson, A. R. - Jones, T. F. - Jones, A. H. - Jackson, F. - Jukes, S. E. - Jackson, J. - =Jones, A.= - Johnson, J. A. - Jacobs, A. E. A. - Jarvis, A. W. - =James, P. E.= - Jackson, H. G. - Jenkins, A. D. - Jamison, C. M. - Jiles, L. J. - =Jarvis, A. O.= - =Jones, W. I.= - Jesson, A. - Jeffs, I. S. - Jewell, W. E. - Joseph, C. L. - Jarvis, E. E. - Jarvis, E. F. - =Jones, J. H.= - =Jones, C. H.= - Jones, D. E. C. - Jarvis, B. H. - =Joffe, M.= - Jones, T. I. - Jones, W. M. - Jennings, G. - =Jacobs, B. O.= - James, A. R. - James, S. D. - =Jenkins, A. G.= - Jobling, S. F. - Jones, H. H. - Jolley, W. H. - Jackson, J. S. - Jobling, R. - Jamison, D. - Jacobs, H. E. - James, W. A. - Johnstone, C. P. - Joffe, J. - James, E. F. - Jones, G. E. - Jiles, P. - James, A. V. - Jones, R. A. - Jamison, E. W. - Jagger, F. A. - Johnstone, A. E. - James, L. H. - Jones, P. - Jones, C. F. - Jabelman, A. H. - Jeffries, W. J. - Jones, R. W. - Jeffery, C. - =Jones, C. R.= - =Johnson, J. H.= - =Jones, R. T.= - Jacques, C. G. R. H. - Jordan, G. - Jones, J. L. - Jennings, S. G. - Jones, W. E. - Jones, T. W. - Jefford, G. R. - =Johnson, H. L.= - Jones, W. J. H. - Jolly, H. C. - =Jobson, C. T.= - Jones, J. W. T. - Jackson, V. A. - =Jones, F. V.= - Jones, H. C. - =Jordan, C. J.= - Johnson, F. G. - =Jacomb, A. J.= - Jeffery, S. J. - =Jefferies, L. C. A.= - =Jowett, A.= - Johnson, P. C. - =Jack, G.= - James, A. E. - Johnson, H. L. C. - Joyce, C. H. - Jardine, R. C. - Johnson, W. - Jackson, H. M. - Jones, C. T. - Jeffcoate, E. P. - Jackson, B. H. - Johns, W. - =Jones, B.= - Jones, W. T. - Johnston, T. - Jones, H. - Jenkin, C. P. - =Johnson, G. A.= - Jeans, G. W. - Jenner, A. E. - Johnson, R. F. - Jeffrey, F. S. - James, W. G. - Janes, R. A. - James, H. P. - Jepson, C. W. - Jones, E. - Jeapes, C. J. - Jefferys, A. - Jackson, A. F. - =Jolly, H. F.= - =James, T. A.= - Jenkins, O. G. - Jenkins, J. H. - =Johnson, S. T.= - Jackson, G. S. - Jarvis, H. - Johnson, F. T. - Jeeves, W. G. - Jarratt, R. C. - Joines, H. E. - =Juniper, C. C.= - Jeffreys, A. W. - Josling, W. - Jones, E. J. - Jenner, J. O. F. - Johnstone, T. - =Jennings, H.= - Johnson, W. C. - Jacobs, N. - Johnson, O. C. - Jeffs, A. M. - Johnson, J. W. J. - Johnson, G. W. - Judson, E. F. - Jenkins, G. W. - Johnson, F. - Jenkerson, L. J. - Julier, E. S. - Jeffery, J. - Johnston, J. W. - Jefferiss, T. P. - Jerram, T. W. - =Jeffery, W. E.= - Jarvis, P. H. - Jotham, H. J. - Johnson, F. - Joslin, L. M. - Johnson, J. - Jenkins, J. A. - Johnson, P. - Jackson, A. E. - Joines, A. - =Jenkins, W. J.= - Jenkins, F. E. - Jones, E. H. - Jenkins, R. - Jaques, C. W. - Joines, W. A. - Jeffery, A. G. - Jones, J. P. - Jones, G. B. - =Johnson, H. J.= - Johnson, A. T. - Johns, P. L. - Jones, S. H. - Jefferson, H. D. - Jones, E. G. - James, A. J. - James, S. - Jennett, V. D. - =Jones, V. G.= - Jackson, W. M. - Jones, F. L. - Jones, T. W. - Jennings, F. - =Jenkins, G. A.= - James, D. M. - Jones, A. P. - Johnston, A. A. - Johnson, H. J. - Jeal, W. F. - Jennings, G. R. - Jones, H. M. - Johnson, E. E. - Jenkins, J. M. - Jory, W. - Johnstone, W. - Judge, T. C. - Jackson, W. C. D. - Josland, S. C. - Jefferies, W. E. - Jacobs, T. C. H. - Jones, J. O. C. - =Johnston, W. H.= - Jennings, A. R. - Jenkins, J. W. - John, C. C. - Jewitt, S. H. - Jehn, E. H. - Jacob, W. L. - Johns, A. - Jones, W. T. - =Jenvey, S. H.= - Jarvis, W. G. - =Jewitt, H.= - Joyner, R. - James, G. W. V. - Jones, J. T. - Jordon, L. - Jasper, S. R. - Johnson, F. J. - Jones, G. F. - Jarman, J. S. - Jackson, H. - Jacob, A. P. - Jones, T. - Jones, H. R. - Joel, H. E. O. - Josephson, A. - Jones, T. R. - James, M. B. - Jones, C. - Jenner, H. J. - Jolly, H. H. - Johnson, T. H. - Jones, W. - Judd, J. S. T. - Jeansonane, Y. R. - Johnson, E. S. - Jones, E. R. - Jeffs, A. E. - Joyce, E. J. - Johnston, W. - Jones, A. H. - Jones, G. A. - Jones, F. - Jackson, W. T. N. - Jefferson, F. C. - James, S. L. - Johnson, T. C. M. - Jones, J. M. - Johns, L. S. - Jones, G. S. - Jones, A. B. - Johnson, E. N. - Jepps, W. - Jackson, J. H. - Johnson, A. - James, A. J. - Jowitt, J. - Jones, E. H. - Jakes, F. - Johnson, E. A. - Jones, G. - Jolly, H. A. - Jesty, H. V. - =Junkison, A. C.= - =Johnson, D.= - =Jarvis, S. D.= - - - K - - Kemp, W. - Kennedy, C. W. - King, T. - Kinsman, J. C. P. - =Kent, H. T.= - Knapp, E. - Kemp, E. W. - King, F. - Kelley, R. W. - Knopff, W. H. - =Knight, G. V.= - Kelsey, H. J. R. - Kelby, P. J. - Kerr, P. W. - =Kay, M. K.= - Kidd, A. T. - =Kent, D. B.= - Killip, J. - =Knell, E. W. H.= - Keogh, J. - Keen, T. - Kesby, B. A. N. - Kyle, J. A. - Keeler, G. - Kettle, E. W. - King, P. R. - Keena, J. H. - Kilby, A. H. - Kirby, E. O. - Keeley, H. - Kemp, A. A. - Kidd, S. J. - Kitching, E. - Kirby, W. - Kerslake, S. S. - Kent, W. B. - King, L. J. - Kootz, C. - King, E. - =Knapp, E. J.= - =Kenchington, G. W. A.= - Kingston, H. J. - Kemp, O. G. - Kinnison, J. S. - =Kemp, G. W.= - Kenchington, D. S. - =Kershaw, L. F. R.= - =Kingham, F. A.= - Kerswell, E. - Kirkpatrick, H. J. - Kernot, F. A. W. - Knapp, F. G. - Kilduff, W. - Kennedy, K. - Kindell, R. H. - =Knight, N. G.= - Knight, L. T. - Kitch, H. M. - Kirby, A. - =Kerr, A. M.= - King, W. T. - Keen, P. S. - =King, H.= - =Knapp, A. H.= - =Knott, L.= - =Knight, H. A. W.= - Knowles, V. O. - =Knight, S. T.= - =Kilby, C. C.= - Kent, H. C. - =Kempton, T. D.= - =Kirkness, J.= - Kershaw, G. - King, E. T. R. - Knight, E. C. - Knight, G. L. - Knight, L. R. - Kelland, P. G. - Knight, P. - King, A. J. B. - Knight, E. J. - King, F. - Kinman, J. B. - Kendall, A. - Kierman, J. F. - Kirkness, C. - =Kelly, J.= - =Kirk, R.= - Kite, F. - Knight, S. J. - Kersey, S. F. - =Kilby, J.= - Kers, E. R. - =Knight, H. S.= - Kew, H. S. - Knight, S. H. - Kearns, G. - =Knowles, J. C.= - =Kidner, H. J.= - Kettle, L. L. - Kerrod, A. - =Kerr, W. T.= - =Kingsbury, I. J. F.= - Kenny, J. - =Knapp, E. M.= - Kinnock, H. B. - Kidner, G. M. - Kitteridge, H. H. - Kenny, A. - Key, L. H. - Keane, H. C. - Kitchen, J. W. - Kennedy, W. J. - Keg, E. L. - Kelso, J. - Kenchington, H. - Keel, W. J. - Knott, G. E. - Kay, J. - Kallenback, F. E. - Kemp, E. - Katon, J. D. - King, N. - Knight, H. - Kingston, W. H. - Kinnersley, T. C. - =Killick, J. C. T.= - Krent, A. - Kenning, J. H. - King, S. W. - Kent, A. H. - Kilroy, F. G. - Knight, F. W. - Kemble, F. T. - Kelland, E. J. - Kirkland, F. H. - Kent, H. J. - Kinsville, C. V. - Knowlden, A. G. - Kellett, W. A. - Kendall, L. R. E. - =Kelley, E. J. M.= - Knight, A. C. - Kynaston, A. M. - Keightley, W. D. - Kesby, H. H. - Knight, C. F. - Kennedy, G. A. - Keetch, H. - King, W. H. - Kerry, J. H. - Keay, J. - Kelly, E. G. - Kershaw, W. E. - Kay, J. B. - Keen, F. H. - Kerr, A. M. - Krushaar, L. G. - Kibble, W. T. - Kersley, W. H. - Kirby, L. J. - Kemp, G. - King, W. G. E. - Keen, F. J. - Kennett, W. F. - Kirkley, T. - Knight, R. - =King, S. H.= - Kilburn, H. B. - Keep, F. A. O. - Kenworthy, F. B. - Kewley, C. H. - Kerridge, H. - Knivett, C. T. - King, E. - Knights, E. W. - Kennedey, L. A. - Knight, L. R. C. - Kynaston, J. W. - Kemp, F. - Knapp, L. A. - Kately, G. H. - Kentish, W. E. J. - King, L. - King, L. M. - Kingston, H. J. - Knight, M. R. - Kew, A. J. - King, H. F. - Kebble, F. W. - Kirby, S. - Kitchen, A. - Kennedy, H. D. - King, H. F. - Kingswell, A. J. - Kingseller, D. J. - King, C. R. - Kilbey, A. D. - Kennett, E. C. - King, A. C. - Kent, A. J. - Kibble, C. G. W. - Kemp, F. - Kersley, L. F. - Knight, C. H. A. - Keen, O. - King, B. - Kendall, A. J. - King, S. H. - Kirby, A. - Keen, V. C. R. - Keith, H. G. - - - L - - Le-Messurier, C. C. - Lintott, J. W. - Ludball, W. A. - Langton, J. A. T. - Lewis, H. P. - Lovett, G. - Lambert, W. B. - Lyon, S. T. - Lighton, F. 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E. - Leeming, R. - Lalhart, C. L. - Latchford, P. F. - Legg, A. E. J. - =Lloyd, A.= - Littledale, J. W. F. - =Lawrence, S.= - =Lennard, P. C.= - Louch, L. A. - Louch, J. G. - Luty, F. - =Lotty, W. C.= - Losman, D. - Light, F. E. - Lennell, H. J. - =Lethebe, W.= - Levy, D. - Lewis, A. - Lewis, F. - =Langford, S. H.= - =Lumer, J.= - Lockyer, W. G. - Lenton, J. - =Lawrence, F. W.= - Laurence, H. - Lane, E. - Lewis, E. O. - Lodge, C. D. - =Legg, W. A.= - Lovett, W. - =Lugg, C. C.= - Long, L. - Lock, J. - Lister, M. - Lindop, N. - Larkin, A. - Lambeth, F. - =Lilley, W. A.= - Locke, W. E. - Litchfield, H. - Langley, G. F. - Laurence, W. - Lowden, F. N. - =Lindridge, P. H.= - Lloyd, F. W. - =Lawrence, H. W.= - =Lee, R. P.= - Lawrence, A. H. - Lambert, A. J. - Lehan, W. C. - Leicester, W. - Levine, J. - =Lucraft, E. H.= - Leggatt, G. J. - Lennard, B. R. - =Lines, P.= - Lawrence, B. C. W. - Lawson, G. J. - Lovett, F. J. W. - Lynch, D. - Leopold, W. E. - Lewis, G. O. - =Lamprell, H.= - Leckie, J. F. - Lawrence, H. - Lewis, A. - Lyons, E. A. - Lane, J. R. - Layton, B. - Levell, E. - Lanning, S. P. - Luxton, E. - Llewellin, C. A. - Lister, A. E. - Leopold, A. A. - Laughton, C. - Lee, L. H. - Le Cheminant, A. H. - Lee, H. S. - Leopold, A. V. - Looker, E. G. - Lewis, J. S. - Locke, J. - Lovett, E. A. - Liggi, A. S. - Lewis, E. O. - Larne, A. J. - Larne, C. F. - Lambert, E. - Lansley, A. E. - Landymore, E. R. - Landymore, P. V. - Lamb, C. E. - Lee, H. P. - Lee, P. R. - Lugg, H. D. - Leonard, E. G. - Lewis, R. - =Long, A. G.= - Last, E. F. - Lamerton, L. C. M. - Lacy, W. B. - Lacy, E. A. - Larkin, R. S. - Luff, R. - Linfield, A. F. - Lennell, E. - =Langdon, G. T.= - Lyons, J. A. - Leach, C. C. - Lickess, H. - Lancaster, W. T. - Lambden, W. H. - Long, A. J. - Lewis, G. S. - Liptrot, R. W. - Linsdell, N. - Langford, L. E. - Leech, C. H. - Lawrence, R. A. - Lovegrove, W. T. F. - Lilley, J. L. - Lockwood, B. - Letch, A. W. - Little, A. S. - Luckhurst, C. - Lord, W. - Lown, L. C. - Levesly, G. - Lines, K. - Levens, C. A. - Landymore, L. L. - Lewis, L. V. - Lamb, G. W. - Long, A. E. - Lloyd, L. - Lenzbury, A. - Lorely, J. R. - Lazonby, J. C. - Leech, C. H. - Lambert, P. G. - Lancashire, J. B. - Lockyer, F. J. - Leach, P. C. - Lewis, F. - Lardner, H. F. - Leach, E. A. - Launden, P. C. - Larren, W. J. - Leigh, G. - Longstaff, P. E. - Leigh, A. B. - Lucas, Y. - Lane, F. - Littleboy, J. W. - Leask, A. M. S. - =Lowes, A. W.= - Liddiatt, P. H. - Lloyd, H. - =Larkin, M. J.= - Liversidge, E. - Lovegrove, A. S. L. - =Loader, A. V.= - Lee, J. A. T. - Lucas, E. - Lyon, A. E. - Lawson, H. - Larkman, W. - Lewis, A. - Leech, J. H. L. - Linton, J. - =Lovejoy, P. T.= - Lucas, J. B. - Lane, F. G. - Lloyd, H. - Lawrence, A. E. - Lister, H. E. - Lennon, F. - Lilley, P. C. - Levitt, G. - Lock, A. F. - Llewellyn, E. - Llaman, I. - Lennor, F. C. - Lotter, J. W. - Lucking, H. C. - Leach, R. - Lawes, A. A. - Lincoln, J. T. - Lane, A. L. - Lomas, F. W. - Lawrence, B. M. - Langley, E. - Ludbrook, J. - =Lewis, E. R.= - Lott, H. I. - Lambert, F. T. - =Lovelace, E. F.= - Lee, M. H. - Lloyd, G. S. - Lander, J. W. - Law, H. - Louis, P. - Law, A. H. - Lond, G. E. - =Lumby, H.= - Le Vierge, J. - Leggatt, E. F. - Laidler, A. L. - Lane, H. E. - Landeg, J. W. - Linney, J. J. - Lowe, H. S. - Lewis, D. W. - Loughlin, W. - Lee, B. I. - Lenton, R. W. A. - Livesey, J. C. - =Lohmann, R. C.= - Leach, J. A. - =Long, J. H.= - Loader, H. W. - Leeks, A. L. L. - Lever, F. - Lyons, M. L. - Leverett, A. - Lambert, G. D. - Lissenden, G. S. - Leach, L. C. - Lockhart, W. - Le-Hurcey, E. R. - Luck, B. N. - =Lambert, J.= - Longhorn, W. J. - Lane, E. E. - Lysaght, D. J. - Leech, S. P. L. - Leck, A. W. - Leask, L. - Leach, G. - Lamb, A. W. J. - Lewis, T. - Lewis, C. R. - Lumbard, T. L. - Long, W. M. - Lawrence, J. W. - Linnington, O. W. - =Longfield, S. P.= - Lewis, E. J. - Love, T. E. - Lyle, J. W. - La Roche, W. J. - Little, W. J. - Lea, A. W. C. - Longworth, J. T. - Lister, A. H. - Langridge, F. J. - Lloyd, P. H. R. - Lewis, D. - Lewis, J. R. - Lock, A. W. - Lewis, A. H. C. - Lloyd, S. D. - Longland, F. H. - Lovell, H. C. - Lewis, F. S. - Lewis, A. J. - Lonsdale, H. G. - Lowe, C. L. - Lucas, C. E. - Lush, A. - Lord, A. - Lawson, W. A. D. - Lindsay, A. J. - Lawrance, H. - =Lingham, M. F.= - Lea, J. B. D. - Lowry, W. - Lupton, C. A. - Lee, C. J. - Lonnon, W. J. - Lilley, H. G. - Larne, A. J. - Lazarus, J. A. - Lee, G. B. - Lane, A. E. - Larking, S. M. - Loveday, P. W. - Lalouette, J. V. - Layton, W. - =Longstaffe, P. W.= - Lorman, W. H. - Lindblom, A. F. - Leaver, F. R. - Lowery, G. T. - Lewis, J. H. - Lightfoot, E. L. - Luck, H. R. - Lewis, C. G. T. - Lawrence, A. E. - Linton, S. H. C. - Leech, A. H. - Lazarus, L. - Lloyd, H. J. - Loeber, H. C. - Lawman, F. T. - Little, P. A. J. - Lakin, C. J. - Livermore, A. W. - Leggatt, G. E. - Littleboy, E. J. - Ling, C. R. - Lord, E. - Lingard, R. - Longbottom, G. H. - Lawrence, C. W. - Leech, L. W. - Loring, A. C. J. - Lowe, E. V. O. - Ling, C. H. - Lobb, W. W. - Lawrence, G. F. - Leslie, F. M. - Livesey, R. - Lawrence, E. J. - Law, E. R. - Lawton, E. - Lee, A. - London, A. E. - Lilley, W. B. - Laycock, T. - Lloyd, H. E. - Longman, E. H. - Lynch, O. - Lansdown, H. F. - Lea, G. - Logsdail, F. H. - Langley, S. H. - Lewis, F. - Lings, G. A. - Linge, H. W. - Lowe, J. J. - Leigh, F. - Lingley, H. J. - Lawrence, S. J. - Langton, H. I. - Leyden, D. C. - Laver, A. H. - Longmuir, J. - Low, W. E. - Lotty, W. C. - Lewis, P. J. - Linsell, H. - - - M - - Miller, H. C. - Magee, W. - McKimm, T. G. - McSweeney, D. L. - Mitchell, G. J. - Majer, W. G. - Milward, S. R. - Martin, A. S. - Marriott, W. S. M. - Marson, A. E. - Marshall, E. J. - =McMillan, R. A.= - Mills, H. A. - Maddox, E. H. - Marchant, E. A. - Martin, P. W. - =Martin, R.= - May, G. C. - Middleton, C. G. - Mugford, H. - =Moody, A. A.= - Munden, J. A. - Masterman, A. F. - Miller, H. - Magenty, E. R. - Marshall, J. M. - Maton, W. T. - Matzinger, E. A. - Molony, J. L. - =Morton, C.= - Maclean, D. A. - =Maddox, T. G.= - =Madell, P. A. L.= - =Mansbridge, E. W.= - Mason, P. C. - Matthews, R. P. - Metson, G. F. - Miller, G. T. - Morrow, B. A. - Moss, W. - =Moxon, S. H.= - Mycroft, F. S. - Meden, Hvd. - Meden, Rvd. - Miles, H. T. - Moore, A. - Miller, W. J. - Moore, A. J. - Mutlow, L. H. - =Matthews, F. G.= - Miller, P. - Morgan, F. F. - Mallett, H. J. - Mallett, S. H. - Martin, N. F. - Moody, R. E. - McConchie, J. A. - Morant, C. - Moss, T. P. - =Milward, S. L.= - Mindel, G. H. - Michie, A. - =Millwood, W. H.= - Matthews, P. T. - Mitchell, L. C. - Molyneux, E. J. - Molyneux, C. H. - Macdiarmid, S. J. - Macauley, D. - Martin, S. S. - McWhirter, A. V. - Malin, H. S. - Moore, H. - Marsden, C. - May, A. F. - =Mills, C. C.= - Mooney, E. - Moritz, H. C. - Mason, A. J. - =Morant, L. H.= - Mullins, H. S. A. - Miles, E. C. - McFarlane, D. - Moore, L. - Morgan, G. L. - Mouatt, S. R. - Machan, G. W. - Mansell, G. - Marshall, E. E. - Mallett, W. - Morcombe, P. R. - Myland, A. L. - Manly, J. A. - Molyneux, W. - Macbeth, J. - Mickleburgh, C. A. - Mount, J. B. - Miller, H. H. - McKay, L. N. - McCathie, T. E. G. - Mutch, H. G. - McDermott, A. - McAuley, F. J. - Martin, W. J. - McGauran, H. C. - Murray, H. - McDonnell, H. - Moore, A. - Morgan, E. J. - Metcalf, C. J. - Martin, T. - Marshall, F. M. - Middleton, E. F. - Martin, E. J. - =Morgan, W.= - Moss, A. G. - Martin, W. S. - Mannering, L. F. - Miller, W. J. - Manfield, R. J. - Millbourne, V. E. - Myall, E. A. - Meadowcroft, L. V. - Mansbridge, E. W. - Miles, H. T. - Meadowcroft, J. L. - Mills, G. W. C. - Moore, S. R. - Murphy, W. - =Moore, W. H.= - Merrick, B. R. - MacGillwray, S. - Mathie, P. D. - Morgan, W. K. - Mitchell, C. C. - Mitchell, W. B. - =Millage, L. J.= - Morris, L. G. P. - Moore, C. H. - Moore, F. T. - Murphy, M. E. - May, W. J. - Moore, C. - Moss, G. H. C. - Marlow, W. - McKimm, D. S. A. - May, A. E. - Munden, C. A. - Manfield, E. C. - Mash, W. J. R. - Morgan, W. J. - Murray, W. - March, J. E. - Murray, D. A. - =McCullagh, V. J.= - Medrow, W. A. - McKay, C. S. - Manthorp, C. - Mahoney, S. - Morice, L. O. - Major, O. J. - Mayo, H. - Mayhew, H. - McCandlish, W. E. - Madden, E. W. - Miller, W. J. - Moss, G. E. - Munsey, T. F. - Male, C. E. - Mehl, J. S. D. E. N. - Mares, A. R. - =Maddocks, F.= - Maddocks, R. - Morriss, L. A. G. - Moynihan, M. J. - Marks, A. H. - Marsh, A. E. - Marlow, H. - Muchmore, A. - Milner, M. J. - Moxham, A. T. - McAdam, C. H. - May, J. A. E. - =McMillan, Q. C.= - =Marriott, C. J.= - Mitchell, V. J. - Martin, J. - Moore, E. - =Meredith, E. S.= - Mackenzie, A. D. - Mitchell, G. V. S. - Mills, S. M. - =Moss, C. F.= - McNicol, J. C. - Morgan, F. C. - MacGillivray, C. - =Marchant, G. S.= - =Murdock, A. J.= - Matthews, C. N. - =McGrath, J. W.= - Marshall, H. - McMuldroch, R. - McMillan, W. - Malthouse, I. - =Medway, P. B.= - McLachlan, R. E. - =Marshall, G. Y.= - =Morton, E. R.= - Marsh, J. H. - Mulhern, J. - McInnes, A. E. G. - Mansfield, G. - Manning, C. - =Menhennitt, R. V.= - Myles, A. J. G. - Morrison, H. S. - Moore, W. G. E. - Matthews, C. F. - Marsh, F. H. - Mason, F. H. - Mills, R. E. - Mansell, A. - Mullinger, P. E. - Merrett, A. E. - Milan, C. C. - Martin, F. - =Mason, J. G. J.= - Marsh, W. B. - Myerscough, L. - Merrick, W. R. P. - Mumford, R. W. - McCaffry, R. W. - Marchant, T. H. - Marychurch, E. W. A. - Mellis, A. W. - =Munro, G.= - Munn, F. A. - Mould, O. - Moran, J. W. - Martin, F. A. - Maynard, G. E. - McLeod, J. N. - Mallett, A. E. - Moyle, J. N. McF. - =Modrach, W. F.= - =Martin, W. E.= - Mitchell, A. C. F. - McIntosh, C. C. - =Messenger, W. F.= - Moring, A. F. - Magrath, J. G. - Milroy, D. H. J. - Marriott, C. J. - Mitchell, W. J. D. - Martin, R. E. - =Munn, J. H.= - Mitchell, F. - Marshall, G. V. - Morrice, A. E. - Moss, C. E. - May, A. V. - Manhood, A. J. - Morris, L. C. - Moore, C. A. G. - McCullagh, A. T. - Mason, H. F. - Milton, J. - Merifield, W. J. - Medway, C. E. - Mumford, G. W. - Murray, C. E. - Mitchell, F. C. - =McAdoo, T. J.= - Males, H. J. - =Martin, G. H.= - =Mann, W. A.= - Mackintosh, S. J. - Martin, W. H. - Moyes, G. A. - Marston, E. - Miller, G. - Munish, W. - Macnicol, D. - Mason, P. G. - Mann, W. J. - =Murray, H. F.= - Manners, A. E. - =Mill, F. C.= - Mouson, H. E. - McNamara, E. C. - McLeod, H. - Moody, G. - Murrell, F. W. S. - Mercer, K. - =Morris, E.= - Moss, G. T. - May, P. - Meason, F. A. - Millwood, F. - =Minter, R. L.= - Morris, E. - Muir, A. - Morton, W. H. - McGrath, J. W. - Martin, W. R. - Masson, L. F. - Maskell, S. V. - Marsh, E. J. W. - Miell, H. S. - Maxall, W. H. - Maxwell, J. R. - Milam, H. - Moore, C. - Maynard, J. J. - Moore, E. F. S. - Moss, H. G. - Marley, T. J. - Miller, R. P. - Micklem, A. J. - Mould, W. E. - Mould, H. E. - Milton, B. - =Morton, R. N.= - Minihane, J. W. - =McNally, J. B. J.= - Mellows, H. J. - Morgan, F. T. - =Manners, F. J.= - Marhoff, F. H. - Marshall, T. L. - =Morris, J.= - Masterton, J. - Mundy, P. D. - Mason, W. B. - Mann, W. J. - Morris, H. B. - =Morris, E. R.= - McCarthy, D. - Morris, R. A. - Matthews, E. C. R. - Mitchell, S. J. - Michaels, J. M. - Malton, R. H. - Milborrow, C. D. - Moate, W. H. - Meredith, H. B. - =Middleton, H. A.= - Munday, H. S. S. - Miller, H. F. A. - Mardell, G. E. - =March, A.= - Marriott, E. P. - Marlow, G. - Morton, J. H. - Marsh, J. W. - Marks, R. - Mansfield, R. - =Myatt, A. F. W.= - Mills, H. G. - Miles, D. F. - Marshall, A. J. - Miles, E. C. - Manning, E. H. - Mink, R. H. - Maunder, S. V. - Maloney, W. W. - Marshall-King, A. - Mitchell, F. C. H. - Miles, H. O. - Martin, H. D. - =Morgan, I. M.= - Marshall, H. G. - Manford, R. F. - Morris, A. S. - Miller, J. - Munns, G. A. - Moore, R. - =McPherson, H. F.= - Morell, I. - Mills, W. E. - Miggleton, L. W. - Miller, A. J. - Millbourn, C. J. - Martin, B. - Mallett, W. J. - Murray, T. E. - Mills, H. G. - Mitchell, J. - Marsh, A. - Monro, D. - Massie, A. J. - Middleton, H. J. - Morgan, D. B. - Martin, J. E. F. - Moore, H. W. - Mercer, W. J. - Martin, H. - Marchant, S. S. - Morey, H. - Mitchell, G. J. - Maxwell, J. - MacGeagh, J. Y. - =Moss, F. J.= - Miller, F. - =Miles, H.= - Marjoram, J. A. - Martin, O. E. - Mayne, E. I. - Membury, B. J. - Meyer, A. H. - Murray, J. - Marsh, T. V. - =Mayer, L.= - Martin, W. J. - =Miles, H. W.= - =Mortyn, A.= - Marriage, J. D. - Moutrie, L. - Mills, R. W. - Muir, H. - Mann, H. V. - Mason, J. W. - Meade, F. - Major, J. - Mogan, J. - Morris, E. F. - Murkett, W. - Mills, R. A. - Margetti, C. P. - Manfield, J. H. - Mason, F. R. - Mills, A. L. - =Mason, W. H.= - Middleham, A. - Marchese, E. - =Miles, W. G.= - Musk, C. W. - Manners, W. - =Meager, J.= - =Mason, I.= - Mason, H. P. - Monk, H. J. - Mason, B. G. - Meakin, A. G. - Medland, A. S. - =Moore, L. G.= - Morris, P. J. - Moss, E. - =Maher, W.= - Mutton, J. W. H. - Melsom, K. L. - Miles, W. H. - Mayhew, W. H. - Marsh, W. A. - Morris, J. F. - Mead, F. E. - Miller, F. - McKimm, T. G. - McClellan, W. - Mason, A. E. - Morelli, E. - Mather, J. H. - =Metcalfe, E.= - McGreevy, J. - Metherell, L. A. - Murrell, M. J. - =Moseley, H. F.= - Monk, W. W. - Munday, A. S. - Munro, C. A. - =Morgan, C. L.= - McDowall, A. C. - Morgan, G. - McFadden, R. E. - Morris, A. C. - Mack, W. J. - Milward, J. J. W. - Matthews, A. - Mills, W. - Miller, A. G. - Mills, S. J. - Matthews, W. E. - Major, T. - Martin, W. E. - Mitchell, J. H. - Moore, F. W. - Morley, J. - Mills, A. W. - Maundrell, T. J. - Maxwell, J. E. H. - Monckton, R. - Morgan, I. C. - Mead, F. G. - =Markham, F.= - Moyle, W. E. C. - Marshall, F. H. - McKinley, C. - =McInery, M. P.= - Marshall, H. L. - Meldrum, J. W. - Muncastor, W. M. - Moore, H. S. - Mann, E. - Moyce, L. J. - Masters, E. H. - Musk, V. F. - Manwaring, A. H. - Marley, J. O. - Munday, H. - Meatyard, F. R. - Martin, F. - Morteo, R. J. P. - Martin, C. - Munday, E. T. - May, G. W. - =McGinn, W.= - Moss, F. W. - May, E. C. - Mumford, W. V. - Moulder, H. A. E. - Myatt, A. S. - Minton, F. S. - Madyon, C. F. - Musk, S. E. - Morley, E. G. - Mabb, W. J. - Mison, H. F. - Marshall, H. P. - Moxham, A. J. - Mass, G. F. - Morgan, H. C. - Maidwell, G. H. - Marshall, T. - Maybee, H. J. - Medowell, A. E. W. - Mills, F. H. - Maugham, F. C. - Morris, S. O. - Matthews, S. F. - Morton, F. E. - Mather, S. J. - McGhee, J. W. - Martin, W. A. - McKinstrey, G. - Mitchell, F. J. - Manwood, V. E. A. - McLaren, E. R. - Marchant, C. G. - Masterton, W. - McKay, H. G. - Masters, P. E. - =Matthews, D. E.= - Mellish, F. W. - =Mackie, D. J.= - Morris, H. - Minshull, C. F. - Mountford, J. E. L. - Merry, J. - May, H. C. - Marshall, J. T. - Mason, T. - Mahony, P. J. - Martin, G. - =Merricks, C. G.= - Mills, C. - Mirrow, G. H. - Motts, C. H. - Morris, J. - McKinnon, J. - Mummery, F. J. - Masten, J. - McKinnon, J. F. - Macken, S. J. - Milne, D. F. - Mellor, A. - Morgan, C. L. - Macmillan, G. C. - =Marsh, R.= - Moyse, C. D. - Millington, J. - Milton, H. W. - McCulloch, G. McN. - Mann, F. G. - Mew, E. H. - Miles, A. F. J. - =Macdonald, D. G.= - McGrath, J. C. - =Mitchell, R. A.= - Mason, W. C. - Macken, F. C. - McCraith, L. N. - Morgan, S. - Murray, E. W. - Martin, S. - Maybank, D. R. - Matthews, C. V. - Morris, G. F. - Milton, C. H. - Maynard, L. A. - Mist, G. J. - Moore, R. D. - Martin, F. J. - Marchese, E. - Maunder, G. S. - Milborne, A. R. - Morris, J. H. - Morgan, R. - Marchant, H. T. - Milner, J. C. - Meams, W. E. - Martin, B. G. - Marshall, L. - =Marshall, R. H.= - Milnes, G. A. F. C. - Matthews, L. G. A. - Moody, G. S. - Machin, L. - Markey, S. L. - Moore, A. - Mullins, D. C. - Mason, E. G. - Morton, L. - McWilham, W. D. N. - McArdell, J. H. - McDonald, G. P. - Meloy, F. L. - Miller, C. H. M. - Mennie, J. - Mills, T. G. P. - Mason, G. F. - Mason, S. H. - Moreton, H. B. - =Macrae, A. C.= - Monteath, R. B. - Matheson, F. E. - Mead, A. J. - Matthews, C. - Mills, E. - Moulding, T. G. R. - Mason, C. C. W. - Millward, W. - Miller, R. B. - Morris, R. C. - Martin, A. H. - Mabey, R. V. - Mills, G. J. - Matchin, A. W. - McNulty, J. - McDuell, J. - Morgan, H. W. - Mancey, G. O. J. - Madden, J. - McIntyre, G. W. - Maher, H. - Manners, G. D. - =Moore, E. F. S.= - McDermott, C. C. - Molyneux, M. W. - Maidment, W. C. - Morgan, A. E. - Morgan, W. J. - =Matthews, W. E.= - Morley, N. - Marsham, W. F. - Miller, W. H. - McFarlarlane, F. - Moore, H. L. - Mothersill, J. - McAdam, R. I. - Morton, E. G. T. - Morton, F. J. - McRorkell, K. - Melville, E. W. - Miller, E. G. - Marshall, J. A. H. G. - Marsh, L. T. - Male, A. E. - Milnes, H. L. - Marks, L. - Mills, E. F. G. - Middleton, F. - Maryon, H. A. - Meacham, C. G. - Manders, C. J. - Martin, E. A. - Maynard, J. H. - Mitchell, T. H. - Mockford, J. B. - Mason, T. G. - Milne, W. - Mason, J. - MacNicol, A. - Martin, J. - Moss, H. V. - Muller, G. O. - Moyse, S. W. - Moseley, G. E. L. - McVeigh, F. - Monksfield, H. R. - Muddle, C. - Mogridge, A. E. - Meale, H. - Morton-Sale, P. A. - McCool, J. - Morton, J. J. - Moye, F. W. - Morton, H. - Metcalfe, H. - Marshall, A. - McInnes, J. - Meadows, O. - Murton, J. - McCarthy, R. - Matthews, C. A. - Mytton, E. P. - Mason, T. H. - Moore, R. C. H. - Morris, P. - Mann, F. E. - Moore, G. W. - Mayhew, G. F. - =Miriam, L.= - Mair, F. C. - =Mayes, A. J.= - Marriott, R. S. - Mendham, G. W. - =Macdougall, R. D.= - Martin, A. E. - Moore, W. - McCarthy, W. - Morris, J. - Marchant, E. J. - Marshall, J. S. - Milam, A. E. E. - Marsh, R. H. - =Mascall, W. H.= - - - N - - Naylor, A. J. - Naish, E. - Nicol, R. R. - Nichols, H. W. S. - Nobbs, A. B. - Newman, B. C. - Newling, C. H. Q. - Nichols, F. B. - Nicholas, R. E. - Newman, G. H. - Nicholls, W. - Norris, A. H. - Newson, R. B. - Narraway, S. D. J. - Nichols, S. C. - Nowell, S. A. G. - Newsam, E. S. - =Nottingham, E. B.= - Nichols, R. W. - =Norris, H.= - =Norman, S. 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E. - Norman, W. H. - Newbury, W. S. - Neil, A. Mc - =Norton, G.= - =Newton, W. H.= - Newman, C. J. B. - Nelson, H. M. - Nixon, C. H. - Newton, C. D. - Newman, W. N. - =Nicholas, R. B.= - Needham, C. W. - Nalty, F. J. - Norwood, J. F. - =Nutt, E. V.= - Nurse, J. A. - Neill, P. - Newton, N. - Norris, H. E. - Newton, F. - Newell, A. - Nash, F. W. - Newman, B. C. - =Nurse, F. R.= - Newlin, H. W. - Newlin, T. E. - Narraday, E. C. - Norton, H. A. - Newman, C. V. - Norton, G. - Newland, H. G. - North, H. - Newlove, C. - Newby, G. F. - Nash, A. F. - Neale, E. - Nichols, A. H. - North, W. H. - Nesbitt, J. C. - =Nott, H. R.= - Nutting, E. W. - Nelson, F. K. - Newling, A. H. - Neale, A. T. - Nisbet, T. Y. - Nelson, F. W. - Newton, D. - =Neave, L. J.= - Nockles, W. E. - Neave, J. S. - Nicholas, J. O. - =Nunian, W.= - Nash, F. G. - Naylor, V. J. R. - Norris, C. H. - Newton, R. - =Neves, W. H.= - Neale, G. H. - Newton, H. R. - Nuttall, G. C. - Neal, R. T. - =Nixon, J.= - Norris, J. H. - Nidd, E. H. C. - =Nankivell, H. G.= - Newman, W. E. - Noise, H. W. - =Newland, F. W.= - Nathan, P. O. - Neate, A. J. - Neave, W. C. - Nimmo, J. - Nunn, W. V. - Neason, H. A. - Newton, H. - Newton, A. J. - =Newstead, J. H.= - Nicholls, W. S. - Noble, E. E. - Newman, D. R. - Nicholson, J. G. - Nash, F. R. - Newland, G. - Newman, A. J. - Nevell, L. W. - Northfield, F. - North, J. F. - Newns, E. L. B. - Nobbs, A. C. W. - Nimmo, F. T. - Nesbit, A. W. - Newnham, F. R. C. - Nicholas, W. E. C. - Needham, D. J. - Nelson, G. - Neale, W. L. - Nash, F. G. - Neville, G. E. - Norris, L. A. - Newling, E. F. - Nottage, A. - Nicholls, R. W. - Norwell, T. S. - North, H. - Newnham, H. W. - Newman, W. G. - Newman, L. W. G. - Nevill, E. A. - New, S. - Nash, H. E. - Norris, F. A. - Nunn, F. G. - Nicholls, F. G. - Norman, E. W. - - - O - - Owen, P. S. - Owen, R. C. - O’Neill, J. E. - Oldcorn, H. F. - Orrett, J. S. - Ostler, W. E. - Oldham, W. - Osborn, C. E. - Oldcorn, J. S. - O’Callaghan, D. 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R. - Ostler, S. E. - =Owen, A. G.= - Over, C. W. D. - =Olding, F. B.= - O’Beirne, J. P. - Ormond, E. F. - O’Flaherty, T. - Overin, R. C. - =Owen, G. C.= - Osborn, P. A. - Owens, W. - Osborne, F. G. - Osborne, R. H. - O’Shaughnessy, T. S. - Offord, F. L. V. - =O’Connell, S. J. S.= - Oram, J. W. - Owen, L. T. - Oliver, J. - Osborne, E. W. - Oldfield, F, G. - Osborne, G. W. - Oakes, W. - O’Connor, J. M. - Orengo, A. J. - Ovenden, J. - Outram, G. W. - O’Connor, P. A. - Owers, L. F. - Oliver, S. F. - O’Reilly, F. W. - - - P - - Price, C. J. - Pack, A. J. - Pinn, T. S. - Potter, A. - Pritchard, E. - Paterson, H. C. B. - Pickering, J. - Page, C. K. - Prussia, R. C. - Powley, C. E. N. - Perry, H. B. - Phillips, E. E. - Porter, W. J. - Pinchin, W. H. - Proud, H. H. - Plumbley, C. F. S. - Penfold, A. G. - Polka, S. - Phillips, R. L. - Pratt, E. C. - Palser, C. J. - Perkins, W. G. A. - Preedy, A. E. - Pratt, J. H. - Pautard, H. P. - =Page, H.= - =Phillips, E. A.= - Perks, H. A. - Pearse, E. A. - Pook, W. J. - Pearce, J. S. - =Peters, W. C.= - Pearce, V. G. - =Pulman, R. B.= - Perry, E. A. - Paisley, F. - Preston, F. G. - =Power, A. G.= - Probyn, J. - Phillips, J. E. - Phillips, C. E. - Postle, J. E. - Pattison, S. - Parker, A. E. - Pendry, A. W. - Pitkin, W. S. - Pritchard, G. S. - Payton, C. J. - =Page, A.= - =Pearson, C. E.= - Pocock, B. L. E - Pickering, R. C. - Phillips, R. E. - Pike, H. A. - Payne, V. C. W. - Pearson, T. W. - Pickering, J. - Pfordten, F. von der - Price, L. J. J. - Probyn, H. W. - Page, L. A. - Perry, R. A. - Poiter, C. L. - Payne, H. J. - Phillips, W. E. - Porter, A. R. - Phillips, C. V. - Prevost, J. H. - Phillips, F. A. - Parker, C. J. - Pamphilon, R. A. - Pratt, A. E. M. - Portch, W. T. - Pledge, H. W. - Pruden, S. A. H. - Page, D. G. - Pettman, F. L. - Philpott, E. C. - Potter, S. B. - =Parker, F. L.= - Pickett, G. M. - Pratt, B. A. - Proctor, W. G. - Palmer, R. J. - Patton, H. F. - Payne, F. - Payne, R. A. - Postle, P. - Peel, C. W. - Peacock, E. J. - =Powell, A. E.= - Parkinson, H. G. - Pendrill, W. G. - Price, H. C. - Phillips, E. - Pounds, H. C. S. - =Pennington, E. G.= - Porter, F. J. - Park, C. B. - Payne, T. - Page, C. K. - Parish, C. A. - Pratt, F. H. - Parish, H. S. - Pritchard, W. C. - =Parr, N. G.= - Paton, A. - Pitts, A. W. - Palfreman, A. E. - Percival, B. - Powell, E. C. - Polley, G. E. - Pye, J. W. K. - Porter, A. W. - Plain, F. C. - Plowman, C. W. - Perridge, F. - Platt, A. - Pearson, H. S. - =Pearson, R.= - Pitt, E. - Pulford, W. E. - Power, G. A. V. - =Purper, L. P. V.= - Putt, A. E. - =Parker, S. V.= - Peacock, B. L. - Pullinger, E. L. - =Procter, S.= - Petty, W. - Powell, F. W. - =Pike, C. J.= - Platt, F. - Prior, G. W. - Palmer, V. A. - Prior, F. H. - Paulger, L. E. - Powell, S. - Pace, S. R. - Passmore, E. - Pankhurst, A. J. V. - Plastow, H. A. - Palmer, S. E. - Pentecost, H. J. - =Prideaux, H. L.= - =Page, W.= - Park, R. T. - Pethurst, C. D. - =Pierpoint, G.= - Pryor, A. S. A. - Perry, P. - =Packham, L. A.= - Packham, V. D. - Pearce, S. E. - Prince, W. H. - =Peterson, W.= - Picton, R. S. - Parker, H. P. - =Pullen, A.= - Pickin, W. H. - Page, A. E. - Pett, E. J. - Phillips, A. J. - Pickard, G. H. - Pilbrow, J. E. - Pryde, G. B. - Petty, W. E. - Porter, L. - Prophet, C. - Perceval, W. V. St. L. - Pickering, E. C. - Page, E. L. - Price, A. J. - Palmer, W. S. - =Perry, W. E. N.= - Pilgrim, A. J. - =Prichard, A. I.= - Phillips, E. A. - Parker, A. E. - Pickering, H. W. - Pass, W. - Payter, H. H. - =Pearce, H. J.= - =Pardoe, C. H.= - Preece, S. - Praagh, B. - Pashler, P. W. - Playford, E. J. - =Page, S. C.= - Perry, S. - Pick, B. G. - Pyle, A. F. E. - Page, E. G. - Parker, J. E. - Pain, B. M. F. - =Parker, A. W.= - Pinder, H. F. - Pile, H. A. - Powell, E. - Powell, J. J. - Parker, F. W. - Parkins, H. A. - =Pugsley, C. C.= - =Palmer, H. W.= - Parsons, C. W. - Philips, C. W. - Padgett, G. E. - Preestnall, W. - Parker, B. - Perks, C. T. - Parker, L. S. - =Parkes, F.= - Parnum, J. H. - Phillips, L. P. - Phillips, J. - Pepper, C. W. - Parsons, W. H. - Parsonson, J. W. S. - Picking, R. T. - =Potts, F.= - Palmer, T. - Pates, A. - Pittam, A. P. - Pawson, P. - Parsons, C. J. - =Pearson, A. F.= - Pennell, F. - Perkins, R. R. - Powell, A. E. J. - Parkin, P. W. - Packett, F. M. - Pink, E. J. - Potter, W. H. - Pomroy, S. L. - Palmer, P. J. - Player, F. W. - Pope, L. F. - Preston, C. E. - Pearcy, A. F. - Pope, H. T. - Powell, W. J. - =Penny, H. J.= - =Price, W. J.= - =Panting, E. H.= - Philpot, H. J. - Parr, A. P. - Pitcher, G. W. - Porter, F. N. - =Pook, W.= - Parslow, J. W. - Plasom, H. S. - Pitt, E. A. - Payne, C. W. S. - Parrett, A. T. - Pean, P. D. F. - Patrick, M. G. - Preston, H. G. - Peters, W. E. - Pickering, A. - Pollard, W. J. - Pilgrim, K. F. - =Palmer, L.= - Pledger, N. L. - Prance, W. J. F. - Page, E. - Parr, A. S. - Parker, E. C. - Pickford, S. S. - =Pierce, S. J.= - Pool, W. E. - Prouting, A. J. - Price, J. C. E. - Powell, F. - Palmer, C. J. - Payne, J. J. - Parmley, B. - Pincham, E. W. - Powell, R. - =Pennell, G.= - Perkins, C. G. S. - Prudence, W. J. - Pannell, W. G. - =Pariente, J.= - Pibworth, H. A. - Pike, H. T. - Pratten, T. R. - =Pye, C. H.= - Pendergast, J. A. - Phillips, F. J. - Potter, E. R. - =Parcell, F.= - Parrett, H. J. - Pye, C. H. - Peard, H. - Pollard, H. E. - Penton, T. E. - Parfitt, E. - Partridge, B. A. - Pointing, S. J. - Pilkington, G. V. - Penfold, A. H. - Phipps, G. F. - Pailthorpe, D. - Patten, C. C. - =Paul, G. E.= - Price, H. F. - =Pilcher, C. W.= - Parr, S. - Preston, C. H. - Payton, C. A. - Pratt, W. C. - Pratt, H. A. - Porritt, J. E. - =Parkin, L. C.= - Paine, R. C. - Paine, A. S. - =Pean, H. D. C.= - Pearce, J. - =Pope, H. G.= - Pratt, R. E. - Prescott, J. - Puxley, R. G. - =Payn, E. W.= - =Parr, S. C. F.= - Pugh, E. T. - Pickup, F. - Presswood, F. - Peete, W. J. - Pomroy, A. C. - Poole, J. C. - Plowright, H. C. - Palmer, E. W. - Parkin, W. H. - Papworth, W. - Preece, J. E. - =Palmer, F. A.= - Purkiss, R. - Parker, L. F. - Pratt, T. E. - =Page, R.= - Peters, H. R. - Pilcher, A. M. - Picker, H. J. - Pledger, G. E. - =Pottle, T. J.= - Perry, E. T. - =Parsons, A. B.= - Payne, H. E. - =Pritchard, G. H.= - Phasey, A. J. H. - =Phillips, C.= - Penney, E. J. - Palmer, L. A. - Puddephatt, J. S. - Palmer, J. - Pickford, J. - Pennell, W. - Phillips, O. - Palmer, W. G. - Priest, F. J. - Perry, F. G. - Perry, E. - Parr, C. E. - Prunier, V. A. - Parry, G. A. - Pawsey, R. J. - Parsons, O. - Pocknall, G. - =Pearce, A. E.= - Pryer, G. A. E. - Parr, W. C. - =Pitt, G. E.= - Peat, A. G. - Paul, H. B. - =Pinchard, A. H. B.= - Paley, E. A. - Peake, J. - Parsons, S. W. - Philipowitz, W. C. - Palin, O. E. - Plater, C. H. - Platt, E. J. - Pond, F. - Philpott, G. - Parkinson, A. R. F. - Pegler, H. W. - Pearce, J. R. - Payne, J. W. - =Pankhurst, W.= - =Purcell, W. F. L.= - Peacock, A. - Presland, L. H. - Phillips, D. C. B. - Pratt, H. G. - Pocock, G. W. - Powell, G. L. - Potter, B. - Potter, A. - Powell, F. B. - Perry, F. E. - Pusey, R. E. - Pryke, B. - Pratt, E. C. - Pilgrim, E. V. H. - Price, W. E. - Payne, H. - Purdy, G. H. - Preedy, C. J. - Payne, A. E. - Piggott, E. S. - Pollock, C. S. - Pearce, C. G. - Payne, G. J. - Prideaux, T. - Pope, A. W. - Page, P. - =Percival, W. H.= - Price, W. J. - Parsons, E. H. - =Pannell, C. C.= - Parkinson, M. - Pratt, F. G. - Paterson, D. - Phillips, J. A. - Powell, P. L. - Poulter, D. H. - Price, F. G. - Phillips, C. - Panter, F. - Perks, W. E. J. - Peek, A. - Pitt, A. H. - Poulter, L. - Pike, E. E. - Pearce, E. - Plumridge, M. N. - Pearce, C. - Pearson, L. H. - Payne, W. - Parnell, W. T. - Page, W. - Price, F. E. - Petterson, E. J. - Pickford, J. P. - Pannell, J. - Pallister, N. W. - =Prosser, J. B.= - Phelp, W. E. - Pennyead, H. R. - Peaty, E. G. - Phillips, C. J. - Powell, H. A. - =Pooley, R. A.= - Pratt, L. C. - Patterson, J. - Prevett, F. - =Prince, W. G.= - Preece, S. R. - Pepper, R. J. - Pryke, W. R. - Packer, L. J. - =Powell, C. J.= - Pebody, K. - Parrott, A. W. - Penn, C. C. - Page, H. L. - Parkyn, H. M. - Pearson, H. W. - Perkins, K. S. - Patterson, H. - Please, M. - Pearson, J. H. - =Pilkington, O. F.= - Pierce, H. E. - Peppard, N. S. F. - Potter, F. E. - Pretty, W. R. - Palmer, C. - Parkin, L. J. L. - =Perrin, H.= - =Press, H. E.= - =Pollock, J.= - Price, H. W. G. - Potter, F. - Parsons, D. P. - Parker, F. H. - Peagam, W. F. - Precious, A. M. - Palmer, A. L. - =Peters, W. S.= - Proctor, G. - Peake, R. R. - Press, W. C. - Preece, J. E. - Podger, F. H. J. - Peterkin, J. D. - =Pearce, H. L.= - Phipps, G. E. - Prevot, F. C. - Parker-Ashley, A. G. W. - =Pearce, S. C.= - Potton, S. E. - Packham, W. H. - Patmore, J. A. F. - Phoenix, J. R. - Perry, E. C. - Porter, W. B. - Pausey, F. W. - Price, S. F. - Prada, P. J. - Probyn, W. A. T. - Parker, H. W. J. - Palmer, N. G. - =Palfreyman, J.= - Padgham, F. W. - Peach, J. H. - Prior, J. R. - Prior, W. P. - Pedgrift, G. - Pope, F. G. - Pope, F. R. - Palmer, W. R. G. - Pepper, E. - Phillips, C. W. - Price, H. S. - Phillips, W. B. - Prisk, S. R. - Philpott, S. E. - Pullen, G. J. J. - Popplesdorff, A. - Price, J. H. M. - Philpot, C. C. - Porter, S. H. - Pearce, J. - Pain, G. P. - Perrett, L. C. - Parker, A. A. - Platts, A. - Pyke, T. L. - Parry, T. E. - Palfrey, P. C. - Powell, F. W. - Pateman, H. - Parker, L. C. - Phillips, A. R. - Palmer, F. G. - Povey, J. W. - Pritchard, B. R. - Pearson, F. C. - Punell, A. - Phillips, L. J. - Pearman, G. R. - Parsons, H. R. - Presland, W. A. - Parsfield, F. S. - Payn, A. W. - Penhallow, C. - Powell, B. - Pentecost, T. - Pearce, C. J. - Pearson, H. E. - Peacock, V. H. - Pike, A. G. - Prall, E. T. - Pettit, R. J. - Preest, J. J. - Page, H. Mc W. - Perry, G. L. - Porter, G. H. - Phelps, W. G. - Prudames, A. E. - Peters, R. E. - Pratt, H. G. - Piper, J. H. - Pope, H. F. - Pascoe, E. J. - Pattman, E. - Pearson, L. F. - Patterson, A. E. - Parker, S. - Parker, H. - Purser, G. H. - Patterson, W. H. - Piddington, A. - Parkinson, C. - Pugh, D. - Potter, T. - Pavie, H. - Porter, H. Mc D. - Peterson, F. - Pigram, F. L. - Page, G. A. - Patten, P. A. - Parker, H. T. - Portnell, C. H. - Pinson, C. H. - =Price, H. T.= - Polland, F. - Peyton, H. S. - Parkinson, C. - Poole, H. - Presland, J. W. - Powell, B. - Pinhorne, W. F. B. - Porter, J. F. - Putland, R. E. - Pearson, G. - Pottle, H. R. - Page, T. W. - Parker, W. A. - Panter, A. R. - Pick, H. W. - Proctor, F. L. - Parry, R. A. - Panter, A. - Pickering, J. P. - Perry, G. A. - Pankhurst, S. J. - Preston, A. R. - Puckett, C. H. - Pottle, A. - Palmer, T. W. A. - Parker, E. - Petchley, H. - Patrick, F. - =Porter, H. E.= - Perrin, H. - Pearson, H. W. T. - Poskitt, J. F. - Pither, S. R. - Powell, W. - =Parsons, J. A.= - Plumridge, A. - Probert, C. H. - Pickett, G. - Plank, C. F. - Pooley, P. - Petford, F. C. - Phillips, A. J. - Payton, E. L. - Paling, T. E. - Parsons, J. - - - Q - - Quinton, C. J. - Quartly, R. - Quick, W. G. - Quinton, R. A. - =Quaif, H. A.= - Quartermaine, H. - Quarterman, S. T. - Quigley, J. - Quantrill, F. J. - Quiggin, A. H. - Quigley, P. J. - Quinton, B. R. V. - - - R - - Robinson, A. - Rimmington, C. H. - Richardson, E. T. - Robertson, F. C. - Roberts, W. G. - Rolfe, J. - Rich, R. - =Roach, M.= - Rathbone, L. - Rutledge, J. J. - Roskilly, A. - Rickman, H. E. - Rayner, H. W. - Ruby, A. T. - Rouse, C. V. - Ryan, P. - Ritson, E. H. - Richards, A. - Russell, J. - Randall, E. F. H. C. - Reardin, L. A. - Radice, F. R. - Reeves, J. W. - Rowles, H. G. - Robson, P. M. - =Russell, A. H.= - Ramsey, D. E. - Rowe, A. W. - Roberts, J. W. - Rogers, A. B. - Rayner, L. S. P. H. - Rothfield, A. - =Roberts, R.= - =Ribbons, J. E.= - Rudkins, S. J. - Riddle, H. B. - Richardson, W. J. - Ruber, E. B. - Randolph, J. H. - =Robinson, E.= - Royston, H. - Rothman, W. - =Reed, G. F.= - Royal, A. H. W. - Randle, W. E. - Redgrave, A. - Rich, R. R. - Rudd, R. G. - Regensburg, L. A. - (alias Ray, L. R.) - Robinson, E. - Rapps, F. T. - Ridout, A. E. - Reed, J. H. W. - =Richardson, L. J.= - Rushman, G. W. - Roberts, H. L. - Reay, C. R. - Richardson, H. H. - Robson, H. S. - =Rose, A. G.= - Rees, E. D. - Rickard, R. Y. - Ridout, G. S. - Rogers, A. M. - Rose, J. H. - Reader, J. - Riding, E. J. - Richardson, J. E. - Redman, W. T. - Randall, F. H. - Robb, A. J. - Roberts, A. - =Roberts, B.= - Roddis, H. A. - Rumsey, G. O. - Rayment, F. J. H. - Reed, P. A. - Richardson, H. E. - Robinson, B. H. - Robinson, C. H. - Robinson, F. M. - =Rule, A. G.= - Roessti, F. J. - Richardson, F. M. - Read, L. J. - Redding, P. J. - Roeber, W. C. T. - Robinson, O. B. - Ritchings, A. A. W. - Roberts, J. F. - Ramsay, A. A. W. - Reeks, P. E. - Robinson, A. J. - Reddy, V. S. F. - Richardson, G. W. - Reeves, W. J. - Rendell, H. O. W. - Ramsay, R. - Raggett, G. C. - =Rotherham, A.= - =Rogers, J. A.= - Reynolds, J. F. G. - =Roberts, B. J.= - =Reader, B. A.= - Radcliffe, J. E. - Ridden, B. - Riseborough, C. - Rondeau, G. O. O. - Ralph, J. A. A. - =Reeve, E. A.= - Richards, H. E. - Riley, J. A. - Robinson, E. J. - Roxbrough, H. R. - Roser, F. C. - Riley, G. F. - Rooth, L. A. - Redman, D. F. - Roffey, W. J. - Randell, H. - =Rayner, M. A.= - Rice, H. A. - Rowlands, D. D. - Rogers, J. L. - =Rowe, H. J. P.= - Roylance, W. G. - Reddick, L. - Robbins, W. G. - =Rye, F.= - =Richardson, A. N.= - Roberts, J. - Rewcastle, G. B. - Read, H. H. - Roberts, E. E. - Rostron, J. - Russell, E. F. R. - Rodnight, W. B. - Roworth, F. E. - Reid, E. M. - =Rees, H. G.= - Robins, A. L. - Rossiter, B. - Radford, J. F. - =Richards, B.= - =Robson, R. E.= - =Rowthorn, S.= - Ross, W. N. - Raven, A. - =Roden, A. D.= - Rowe, G. H. - Roy, A. - Rudiger, C. E. - Rayner, M. L. - Reynolds, E. R. G. - Riches, R. - Roberts, R. P. - =Ross, A. A.= - Richards, F. H. - Roper, W. A. - Rogers, E. A. - Roberts, D. H. - Rice, P. H. - =Radmore, H. E.= - Robinson, D. - Richardson, A. W. - Robathan, L. - Reardon, E. L. - Richardson, F. J. - Reeve, S. A. - Reeve, E. L. - Roberts, H. - Read, F. D. - Reich, N. W. - Roberts, J. - Reed, J. R. - Rutter, W. R. - Redhead, St. G. - Reis, V. C. - Rank, S. - Randolph-Brooker, S. T. - =Russell, A. W.= - Ricker, C. F. - =Rowe, A. H.= - Rhodes, P. L. - Ross, J. G. - Richardson, F. - Ransley, H. H. - Russell, P. S. - Royston, T. A. - Ricketts, F. E. - Rowland, A. A. - Rossiter, W. R. - Russell, J. C. - Robinson, A. C. - Ralph, F. G. - Roberts, R. A. - Reeder, J. N. - Ridley, A. L. - Richards, H. R. - Rogers, F. N. - Rogers, P. D. - Ray, J. S. - Ramsden, S. - Roper, B. F. H. - Roberts, D. - Ryan, J. F. - Rolfe, W. W. - Rooke, A. S. - Roope, W. S. - Richardson, F. F. - Rowland, G. W. - =Reid, E.= - Reid, H. J. - Reid, R. H. - Rose, W. T. - =Rowles, J. R.= - Rates, H. G. G. - =Rigden, S.= - Rogers, M. P. - Rowland, R. J. - Reddington, B. J. - Reed, T. - Rocke, H. A. - Raper, W. H. - Richards, N. J. P. - Rogers, A. H. - Rogers, A. B. - Roberts, C. - Rilstone, R. - Roberts, F. L. - =Robinson, B.= - Rolfe, H. W. - Russell, W. - Ralph, L. W. H. - Rose, W. - Rabin, H. - =Rourke, A. E.= - Round, G. A. - Rogers, A. W. - =Rawlinson, F.= - Rouse, F. H. S. - Ripley, W. W. - Rasberry, J. - Reeves, B. G. - =Russell, F.= - Richardson, B. E. - Redworth, J. - Rider, E. A. - Reid, E. C. - Reynolds, L. - Robeson, H. S. - Reece, J. W. - Robbins, W. - Ryder, C. A. - Richardson, W. J. - Reeves, H. - =Roberts, V. B.= - =Ridley, J.= - Russell, W. A. - Reed, G. C. - Robinson, T. G. - Risby, G. - Ramsay, J. H. - Ravenhill, W. C. - Ruter, L. - Robinson, J. A. - =Rayner, F.= - Rowbottom, F. J. - Rudland, S. - Rushton, W. N. - Rosser, R. W. R. - Ritchie, T. S. - Riddle, H. E. - Rolfe, R. J. G. - Rogers, H. J. - Ruffell, A. T. - Rees, J. T. - Robinson, G. W. - Rose, L. - Reed, C. W. - Reynolds, G. W. - Ruegg, W. F. - Rhodes, C. T. - Robertson, J. - Reed, A. J. - Richardson, W. H. - Richards, G. H. - Richards, T. D. - Russell, B. - Rodgers, S. - Rickus, L. W. E. - Read, F. - Rosenberg, H. - Rose, N. A. - Richardson, R. - Robinson, H. R. - Roberts, F. C. - Ridgway, R. - Ricketts, E. C. - Reynolds, G. H. - Robinson, R. - Renshaw, A. F. - Reynolds, J. N. K. - Rogers, H. - Robbins, E. W. - Robertson, D. E. C. - Rulf, A. B. - Roeper, E. F. - Roberts, H. O. - Reeve, W. E. - Reid, J. B. - Rake, G. P. - Rushman, W. F. - Risby, A. C. - Redman, F. H. R. - Rochester, W. - Rickaby, G. - Rowe, W. J. - Roddick, R. J. - Ritchie, A. - Retallack, E. H. S. - Richardson, J. - Rose, H. - Reeve, J. S. - Raybould, H. - Rainger, P. G. J. - Rook, B. W. L. - Richardson, A. B. - Rogers, A. H. - Ryan, F. G. - Richardson, P. - Robertson, C. - =Redcliffe, F. R.= - Reekie, W. J. - =Rowe, E. G.= - Rumbold, D. J. - Robinson, E. W. - Reynolds, C. F. - Richardson, J. O. - Rice, R. - Roper, R. J. - Robson, R. K. - Rhodes, A. - Robinson, H. M. - Richards, E. C. - Ragge, J. Y. - Robinson, H. L. - Ruxton, A. J. - Robinson, N. - Rabbinowicz, E. - Robson, A. - Rees, J. P. - Rooms, A. J. - Robinson, T. W. - Read, L. - Richards, A. - Robins, E. H. - Reeve, E. G. - Rutter, R. - Richards, A. - Reeves, A. J. - Rudge, J. W. J. - Rutland, L. G. - Rich, P. J. N. - Royal, R. - Roberts, A. T. - =Read, F. H.= - Rowley, E. C. - Robinson, H. R. - Robinson, F. T. - Rowswell, E. V. - Reid, A. J. - Rudkin, C. A. - Ramsay, A. C. - Ralston, G. A. - Randall, G. J. - Reed, L. - Reynolds, S. C. - Reynolds, H. A. - Rushbrook, A. - Russell, P. A. - Rice, C. A. - Rickard, S. H. A. - Robinson, R. C. - Robinson, G. H. - Reeve, A. - Rossiter, A. L. - Robinson, A. V. - Root, A. J. - Richards, C. F. - Rippin, H. G. C. - Ryan, A. H. - Reason, J. W. - Roberts, H. S. - Robertson, J. F. - Reece, S. H. - Russell, H. A. - Rackley, E. J. - Roberts, C. T. - Richards, D. M. - Rogers, R. - Rees, L. W. - Reeves, T. J. - Russell, T. - Rogers, J. F. - Russell, A. W. - Rogers, J. F. - Russell, A. W. - Ray, E. E. - Rudkin, R. J. - Roberts, A. - Rowell, W. A. - Reynolds, A. - Rinett, H. G. - Roddick, J. G. S. - Rogers, E. R. - Raven, S. E. - Reed, G. F. - Read, J. W. - Ratcliffe, J. - Rowland, F. W. - Regan, R. A. - Reynolds, S. W. - Robey, A. J. - Robson, R. Y. - Reeves, J. - Reis, C. A. - Robinson, C. F. - Robinson, E. L. - Rose, W. J. - Rose, L. F. - Rice, J. J. - Reach, C. T. - Read, H. E. - Ringham, J. W. - Rae, R. - Royce, J. - Roberts, W. G. - Russell, A. J. - Russell, C. F. - Rogers, A. W. - =Rush, P. S.= - Reuss, W. H. - Redhouse, H. A. - Richards, P. C. - Robertson, A. E. A. - Ransley, E. W. - Roebuck, G. - Rowe, H. M. - Richardson, R. J. - Reeves, J. - Riding, J. - Reed, S. A. - Reed, H. - Rimmer, P. - - - S - - Searle, S. J. - Smith, F. J. - =Smith, J.= - Snell, W. J. - Swabey, L. A. W. - Simpson, G. - =Scar, G. S.= - Seys, S. A. - Stratton, C. O. - Smith, F. M. - Stoaker, H. - Stannard, F. W. - Spicer, C. S. - Squire, R. H. - Sharratt, L. H. - Somers, V. H. - Sergent, A. G. - Sarll, A. B. C. - Syme, W. - =Smith, H. L.= - Shanahan, J. E. - Shanahan, W. D. - Suckling, P. H. - Sheldon, S. W. - Smith, H. S. - Smith, E. S. - Smith, C. - Sale, J. C. - Simpson, G. - Skertchley, M. B. - Stokes, W. J. - Shave, S. O. - =Scott, A. E.= - Slade, C. - Sayers, C. W. - Slater, W. S. - Syrad, H. A. - Smith, W. J. - =Sergeant, H. V.= - Schneider, C. M. - Sanderson, W. K. - Shorter, J. F. - Sugars, R. C. - Strong, P. G. L. - Sergeant, C. L. - Sebborn, H. P. - Spencer, W. H. R. - Strafford, L. G. - Shepherd, R. O. - Smith, H. L. - Squires, E. C. - Symons, A. - Sparkes, A. S. - Stangroom, W. H. - Selby, A. C. - =Scott, H. J.= - Smith, C. G. S. - Smith, C. C. G. - Stafford, H. C. - Starling, S. E. R. - Slade, P. G. - Stebbing, G. B. - Stevenson, W. R. - =Snelling, F. W.= - =Skinner, H. C.= - Salkeld, D. - Skillern, W. G. - Stewart, J. C. - Shirer, F. G. - Sartain, A. J. - =Stevens, A. E.= - Seton, S. J. - Shipton, B. A. - Stewart, E. J. - Skawyer, W. J. - Sharp, P. M. - Shorey, F. K. - Stanbrook, F. - Shearne, F. E. C. - Staines, S. - Smith, W. E. - Spinks, V. A. - Scadeng, W. - Swain, J. H. - Samuels, P. J. - Scott, B. C. - Salter, J. W. - Stone, R. W. S. - Schleffer, H. A. - Sparge, E. - Stone, C. H. - =Soal, E. W.= - Scott, F. T. - =Smith, F. C.= - Salmon, H. - Sweet, R. G. I. - =Speight, F. O.= - Scarth, G. S. - Stratton, F. J. - Scott, E. C. H. - Smith, L. H. G. - Softley, R. W. - Shurley, H. D. - Simpson, J. - Smith, F. C. - =Smith, J. D.= - =Snellgrove, A. E.= - Stebbings, J. K. - Strong, L. G. - Shellard, J. G. - Smith, H. J. - Sutcliffe, H. P. - Seville, K. A. - Sheppard, F. C. - Stanley, M. W. - Stenning, C. H. - Sease, G. W. - Sutherland, K. C. - Shackle, E. H. - Shackle, W. - Skinner, F. J. - =Smith, F. R.= - Stevens, C. G. B. - Stevens, R. H. - Skerrett, H. R. - Scrimshaw, A. L. - Shanks, D. B. - Smith, A. - Smith, F. M. - =Shepherd, H. A.= - Sidwell, E. - Snawdon, F. W. - =Steele, H. J.= - =Stevens, H. J. V.= - Smedley, H. L. - =Sharp, A. M.= - =Sprigge, F. H.= - =Slee, A. G.= - Stratford, A. B. - Scammell, P. - =Steane, P. H.= - Studd, E. P. H. - Shaw, F. V. - Smith, R. S. - Stranson, W. R. - =Stribling, G. H.= - Saunders, G. - Step, G. E. - Schutz, W. A. - Sormani, P. - Spencer, H. J. - Stevens, J. P. - Smith, L. - Snelling, F. J. - Spielman, I. - Stamfield, E. C. H. - Seymour, H. - Saunders, J. T. - =Sutton, A. F.= - =Stalley, C. B.= - Sheppard, W. H. - =Saunders, R. F.= - Stanton, W. S. - =Shirvington, T.= - Short, E. W. - Silverstone, A. - =Sirett, E. M.= - Sloan, T. W. - Smith, B. L. - Smith, C. - =Smith, C. F.= - Smith, T. A. - =Smith, W.= - Stafford, C. F. - Stewart, D. A. - Striking, G. - Stone, W. D. - Sutherland, C. - Slade, H. A. - Small, L. J. - Sacksen, H. M. - Scott, G. A. - Smith, F. C. - =Smith, H. F.= - =Slatter, P.= - Souter, H. - Stockman, F. W. - Suhr, V. R. I. - Stimson, C. B. - Sarson, A. C. - Smith, W. H. - Shepherd-Jones, G. S. - Saqui, H. - Sylvester, F. - Scott, L. J. - Stanhope, H. H. S. - Smith, G. B. - Scott, M. A. - =Small, J. F.= - Singleton, C. - Smith, S. R. - Scagell, M. V. - Steward, A. P. - Smith, S. A. - =Sandford, A. G.= - Shiels-Bruce, J. H. - Smith, A. E. - Stephenson, J. - Slack, H. B. - Sawyer, A. E. - Smith, H. D. - Sheldrake, A. H. - Slattery, E. C. - Simmons, H. - Stockwell, C. B. - Salter, H. J. - Sheppard, P. G. - Sundquist, J. - Stevens, W. - =Sheppard, V. F.= - Samman, A. B. - Smith, J. G. - Smith, H. W. - Smith, G. F. J. - Stanley, G. - Seal, F. A. - Stratton, H. C. - Strickland, T. E. - Steer, H. - =Smith, W. T.= - Shaddick, H. - Stow, F. W. - Sherlock, E. G. - Smith, G. T. - Scammen, V. - Stadden, F. F. - Seacombe, A. E. - Seacombe, S. J. - Smith, W. H. - =Symes, A. R. T.= - Skertchley, C. - Smith, S. E. - Seymour, C. - Shipp, S. G. - =Stokes, E. C.= - Smith, C. F. - Stragnell, E. - Sinfield, R. F. - Stevens, R. A. - Stacey, A. E. - Savell, G. W. H. - Smith, J. F. W. - Such, A. - Sanderson, C. A. - Sinclair, E. H. - Snelling, T. A. - Spurgeon, K. J. - Stockwell, H. S. - Smith, N. G. - Simpson, G. H. - =Sawyer, W.= - Shepherd, A. - Simmons, H. - Scott, F. W. - =Spurge, C. H.= - Steele, P. L. - Streeter, G. A. - Sears, H. F. - Simpson, A. - =Stevens, J. S. R.= - =Stoakes, A.= - Stodart, F. A. G. - Swiney, L. C. - Sisley, G. O. - Smith, G. - Saban, G. H. - Schank, H. - Soar, F. L. - Salmons, W. T. - =Saltmarsh, O. N.= - Sherlock, C. A. - Shirley, R. - Stringer, J. W. T. - Summers, J. A. - Shaw, L. F. L. - Smeed, E. J. - Stotesbury, P. - Stent, F. R. - Sharp, W. F. - Spence, J. F. - Simmons, L. - Smith, W. A. - =Stemp, A.= - Stewart, D. - Simmonds, H. R. - Smith, G. - Scannell, B. - Sanders, A. P. - Silcox, E. - Simms, C. R. - Stacey, E. J. - Simmons, T. H. - Smith, C. - Strong, A. - Stebbings, H. K. J. - Stenning, A. G. - Shackleford, W. A. - =Stevens, A.= - Smith, G. H. - Sabey, E. L. S. - Smith, H. A. - Sherman, G. E. - Staples, G. W. M. - Stine, E. W. - Sanderson, C. J. - Seale, C. G. - Stringer, L. J. - Savage, F. - Sherman, F. W. R. - Smith, W. J. - Stacey, F. - Stone, H. R. - =Skitter, H. J.= - Scott, S. - =Sutherland, A. W.= - Shanahan, G. B. - Smee, T. F. - Saunders, S. T. - Streker, W. R. - Scruby, A. E. - Snellgrove, A. E. - Stanley, A. E. - Stone, G. A. - Stanfield, G. F. - Small, A. - Senior, R. H. - =Shelton, G. F.= - Skipper, E. - Stockwell, C. F. - Sympson, F. R. - Summerhayes, T. E. - Salmond, A. - =Sheldrake, P.= - Scott, H. M. - Smith, A. R. - Shurrock, A. V. - Sharp, G. B. - Smith, S. W. R. - =Spillman, F. W.= - Surridge, A. J. - Smithers, W. F. - Sackett, E. L. - Sell, C. W. - Skidmore, H. J. - Sell, F. W. - Sparrow, H. R. - Sharp, N. H. - Stockwell, W. S. - Snell, H. J. - Smart, R. E. - Street, B. O. - =Samuels, G. M.= - Stevens, W. - Sheppard, R. T. - Sankey, A. L. - Saville, S. W. - Sculpher, J. M. - Selby, W. J. H. - =Shears, H.= - =Smith, G. E.= - Strudman, A. V. - Swabey, S. B. - Sutton, J. E. - =Stringer, H.= - Speakman, W. T. J. - =Saunders, F. J. R.= - Scott, J. - Simpson, W. - Snell, E. - Swinson, G. W. - Small, J. A. - Smith, A. H. - Southwood, V. P. E. - Saunders, H. - Stonham, H. W. - Songer, E. - Sullivan, G. - Somerville, W. E. - Skipworth, F. G. - Sparks, A. - Swann, N. L. - Simons, G. D. - Shirley, A. J. - =Steed, W. W.= - Smith, E. A. - Staines, E. R. A. - Stillman, G. H. - Smith, W. E. - Stark, F. C. - Smith, E. G. - Stephenson, J. H. - Smith, F. W. J. - Spencer, R. E. - Steed, F. - Smith, C. - Sherwood, F. T. - Souter, A. - Steward, J. J. - Spicer, D. P. R. - Swallow, F. B. - Sharpe, J. H. - Sawtell, G. K. - Somper, N. M. - Season, G. R. - Smith, S. J. - =Shearmen, C. R.= - Soper, W. E. - Sarbutt, B. A. W. - Shirley, E. J. - =Struckett, W. C.= - Spalding, E. W. - Stokes, L. R. - Seale, B. T. - Smith, W. B. - Spurdens, F. W. - Stebbings, F. A. C. - Smith, S. C. - =Sutherland, J.= - Schen, R. Z. - =Stepto, C. F.= - Schwab, A. E. - Sexton, F. J. - Surrey, W. - Slatter, A. C. - Sabourin, J. W. R. - =Sutor, F. P.= - Scott, E. D. - =Smart, R. W.= - Sanger, F. W. - Simmons, P. - Salisbury, E. W. - =Stevens, J. S.= - Sewell, S. F. - Sweet, F. W. C. - Spencer, J. C. M. - Shrimsky, I. - Stevens, W. H. R. - Schineberg, N. - Stansbridge, A. G. - Studd, G. D. - Smith, R. W. - Smith, A. W. - Stacey, E. C. - =Stafford, J. E.= - =Snow, B.= - Swabey, A. G. - Speed, H. - Snelling, W. - =Strachan, K. A.= - Spriggs, F. W. - Skinner, C. F. - Shearsky, A. E. - Scheidigger, E. R. - Schooling, G. R. - Speichley, F. - Stannard, A. E. - Smith, C. A. - Smyth, L. J. - Stanley, W. H. - Sanders, A. E. - Smith, J. H. - =Shepherd, F. C.= - Sullivan, J. - Scrivener, G. - Sainsbury, G. O. - Salisbury, B. - Salisbury, C. G. - =Surman, F. G.= - Squire, A. H. - =Sexton, R.= - Sparham, A. G. - Spencer, C. F. - Short, F. - Sandes, I. - Sole, C. G. - Savage, G. C. - Sweet, R. J. G. - Smith, E. J. - Serle, C. W. - Spackman, H. J. - Scott, H. - Scouller, C. J. - Sealey, A. H. - Smith, S. J. - Stroud, C. O. - Spencer, F. - Stokes, C. B. - Smart, C. - Smith, S. G. - Spilman, J. H. - Staples, A. A. - Simpson, W. H. - Stredwick, C. A. - Saddington, H. H. - Sherman, F. A. - Smith, C. - Shennon, J. - =Selley, A. C.= - Stephens, G. - Strohmenger, F. J. - Snell, C. D. - Scotchbrook, E. - Simons, F. T. - Souter, P. - Sharp, H. F. - Stacey, S. A. - Shatwell, W. - Seddon, J. U. - Saipe, L. - Stoneham, C. H. - =Spring, W. M.= - Spinn, S. G. - Simmonds, P. - Satow, J. L. - Sims, H. J. - Scotchmer, E. F. - Smith, A. R. T. - =Sanson, A.= - =Sharp, H. C.= - Suffell, F. J. - =Sainty, D.= - Smith, C. - Stair, F. H. - Souter, G. B. M. - Stacey, C. B. - Sells, R. W. - Severs, A. R. - =Shelley, S. A.= - Stott, C. R. - Sopp, H. - Sillitoe, S. A. - Spooner, J. C. - =Smith, F. W.= - Smith, H. C. - =Sharp, T. P.= - =Smith, H. T.= - Skinner, F. C. - Solomon, N. - Seymour, H. A. - Sutherland, J. - Shaw, E. C. H. - Simmond, G. A. - Sirett, M. C. - Staines, W. E. - Smith, C. H. K. - Savage, H. G. - Smith, A. - Stray, P. H. G. - Smith, J. - Scott, J. N. - Short, A. E. - Saunders, H. J. H. - Straker, H. - Snell, W. J. - Scott, G. F. - Sanders, E. R. - Stevens, A. G. - Solomon, J. J. - Strike, J. H. - Swaite, H. H. - Salmon, B. - Still, S. - Steel, J. - Slade, A. - Snooker, R. H. - Spicer, F. - Setchfield, H. - Steward, B. J. - Snellgrove, H. - Scott, C. - Stretch, J. H. T. - =Sweet, A. E.= - Shea, J. - =Stimpson, S. A.= - Stean, W. - =Sayers, J.= - Savell, J. W. - Sewell, F. C. - Smart, G. H. R. - Stratford, A. - Smith, H. F. - Steward, J. G. - Seib, P. C. - Sargent, A. W. - Strean, P. C. - Sabin, A. J. - Saunders, A. T. - =Simmonds, H. F. R.= - Spencer, E. S. - Smith, P. C. - Storry, A. - Sturgeon, R. R. - Smith, W. I. - Sewell, R. V. - Shaw, H. W. - Smith, H. B. - Smith, S. - Steer, A. J. - Sinclair, P. - Silk, E. T. - Smith, S. W. - Smart, H. H. - Schroder, P. R. - Sanders, S. A. - Smith, A. F. P. - Smith, F. J. E. - Sorzans, L. - Smith, J. G. - Saberton, B. G. - Stevens, C. - Skilton, C. T. - Scott, W. D. - Swaine, A. V. A. - =Smith, R. D.= - Stuart, E. C. - Smith, D. H. - Smith, W. E. - =Sutton, F.= - Swanson, J. S. - Swell, E. C. - Soutter, F. J. - Sherwood, R. S. - =Shears, E. W.= - Sullivan, J. - Scott, E. A. - Spicer, L. E. - Smyth, R. H. - Smith, G. W. - Sheppard, H. T. - =Sewell, E. T.= - Stevenson, W. H. - Sutton, H. A. - Steward, G. E. - Stevens, H. R. - Scott, S. F. - Smith, S. J. - Simpson, R. - Sole, C. W. - =Shuter, A. A.= - =Spicer, W. A. R.= - Shute, G. A. - Smith, E. C. - Saunders, W. J. - Spencer, E. C. - Smith, H. G. - Smethurst, H. - =Simpson, F.= - Scotcher, G. O. S. - Scotter, E. V. - Staniland, H. R. - Stuchbery, E. F. - Sendell, A. W. - Sweetenburgh, W. E. - Stearman, H. C. - Stratton, W. T. - Snow, R. P. - Smith, F. E. - Sawyer, L. P. - =Scruby, A. E.= - Stride, W. E. - Softly, B. S. - Stroud, R. P. - Sax, C. W. - =Stewart, C.= - Smith, A. V. - Sturman, F. - Savory, C. J. - Schofield, R. F. A. - Shephard, D. A. - Shephard, W. H. - Simmons, W. T. - Stripp, H. F. E. - Stuart, C. A. - Simpson, A. - Seeley, G. J. - Stanley, C. G. - Springham, C. J. - Seamer, A. S. - Swyer, R. - Summers, S. G. - Shales, K. H. - Sells, G. S. - Sims, R. M. - Starkings, P. L. - Smith, G. - Smith, C. G. - Scott, C. R. - Scott, A. E. - Smith, D. - Sharman, V. G. - Sly, F. G. E. - Salmon, C. T. - Stephenson, P. E. - =Spence, J. G.= - Start, C. A. - Simpson, A. L. - Sanders, W. M. - Sexton, P. C. - Smart, F. P. - Sewell, J. - Stokes, C. J. - Smith, C. W. - Sparshott, H. L. - Sinnott, R. E. - Sheldrake, R. F. - Spandler, T. R. - =Smith, W.= - Spence, A. M. - Summers, J. N. - =Sleep, H.= - =Stanlake, S. A.= - Smeaton, J. P. - Swain, H. - Schofield, J. A. - Stockings, E. C. - Sangway, H. W. - Smith, R. B. - Scott, L. - Sparks, N. I. - Shaw, T. - Stevenson, S. - Sutton, W. G. - Saxelby, F. M. - Snook, G. - Stratt, C. B. - Smeeton, B. R. - Scott, J. - Smethurst, H. C. - Skrimshire, F. A. - Stone, S. A. - Smith, L. J. W. - =Saywood, A.= - Snow, C. F. - Savage, A. W. H. - Smith, J. - Simms, J. W. - =Stevens, S. H.= - Sercombe, K. W. - Salisbury, A. G. - =Smith, A. G.= - Salisbury, A. J. - Smith, F. H. - Stock, W. C. - Salmon, W. J. - Slade, E. J. - Stephenson, A. - Standen, W. G. - Squires, P. A. J. - Skeens, A. V. - =Stears, F. D.= - Short, F. H. - Sadler, H. H. - Slatter, H. - Shorter, J. F. - Smith, G. E. S. - Stonier, J. L. - Smith, S. F. - Sale, A. A. - Smith, W. L. - Stokes, J. B. - Stone, H. F. W. - Starkey, J. S. - Smith, H. T. - Smethurst, J. H. - Shaw, J. - Sheahan, J. F. R. - Simpkin, A. H. - Saunders, P. A. - Sweet, H. H. - Starling, F. G. - Sabey, E. L. S. - Sherlock, D. J. - Smith, J. C. - Sparks, R. B. - Seldon, M. J. - Symes, V. A. E. - Sugars, R. C. - Swanne, H. A. - Sedgley, W. N. - Silk, H. V. - Savory, A. C. - Saunders, E. C. - Singleton, G. H. - Shaldon, F. W. - Simon, T. - Smith, W. J. - =Stapleton, C.= - Sledge, F. G. N. - Smith, E. A. W. H. - =Shearsmith, E.= - Sloan, P. - Sidwick, A. G. - Sparks, C. J. - Stewart, J. O. - Stone, A. G. - Slater, A. J. - =Stuart, C. S.= - Shearman, R. J. - Spencer, W. J. A. - Smith, A. E. - Stillman, F. G. - =Summerfield, W. W. J.= - Spinks, W. W. L. - Sparrow, H. H. - Self, R. H. W. - Smith, A. F. - Sutton, S. R. - Sanders, G. E. - Shanks, J. E. - Shelton, G. - Spiers, W. - Staples, A. H. - Stewart, F. J. - Setterfield, H. E. S. - Smith, E. W. - Smith, W. C. H. - Seymour, A. J. - Simpson, P. S. - Strutt, G. B. - Simpson, F. E. C. - Stockings, J. - Sucker, H. E. - Sangwell, F. C. - Simpson, J. H. - Smith, H. - Stenning, S. - Sennitt, E. W. - Stevens, E. A. - Standivan, E. D. - Stevenson, W. F. - Sandys, T. - Sansum, A. G. - Selwyn, W. H. - Shippey, E. - Skinner, C. G. - Stacey, S. J. - Stokes, E. F. - Solloway, H. E. G. - Starling, W. G. - Sweetingham, A. H. - Spink, J. - Spooner, H. - Stables, F. - =Sheen, P. C.= - Shewbridge, J. - Shoobert, G. W. - Smith, A. F. - Shubrook, H. G. - Smith, J. D. - Stump, T. H. - Scott, A. J. - Smith, H. - Stanion, W. J. - Stafford, W. E. - Smedley, W. E. - Sheppard, F. C. - Smith, A. F. - Snow, H. R. - Stringer, C. H. - Strike, F. J. - Shepherd, G. - Smith, S. - Smith, J. W. - Spooner, G. - Sharrod, F. - Summerlin, A. - Spriggs, T. - Stolley, H. C. W. - Smith, J. B. - Smith, J. H. - Suatt, A. R. - Spring, J. T. - Stamper, F. H. - Sales, A. C. - Sanford, W. - Speake, P. W. - Stillwell, T. W. - Sumpter, V. S. - Sampson, C. - Snell, F. J. - Smith, V. B. - Suckling, A. E. - Swatman, R. C. - Sumpter, H. - Start, P. G. - =Shanks, D. B.= - Smith, S. S. - Simpson, H. - Swain, J. - Smith, W. - Scott, F. - Simpson, A. - Steven, A. - Stewart, E. J. - Smith, H. W. - Simpson, R. - Sharrad, R. A. - Stein, I. A. - Stewart, C. B. - Smith, D. H. - Smith, W. - Sinfield, F. W. - Skinner, A. R. M. - Sykes, F. - Swindells, J. - Stafford, R. A. - Shrubsole, H. - Sutherland, G. W. - Silbold, P. H. - Sica, A. - Simpson, J. - Swan, R. G. - Seabrook, W. - Schwartz, E. J. - Sargant, E. - Shore, S. - Smith, P. - Shepherd, W. J. - Smart, H. E. - Slater, E. - Simmonds, H. - Sharp, H. W. - Shrubb, H. J. - Smith, W. - Sheen, W. J. - Smith, E. W. - Smith, G. - Smith, S. A. - =Stansfield, J.= - Stockbridge, W. - Smale, J. N. - Seale, A. W. F. - Shead, S. F. - Smith, H. - Snellgrove, C. B. - Stevenson, J. T. B. - Squires, H. T. - Scott, A. J. - =Smith, W. G.= - Smith, W. - Smith, H. T. - Storey, W. J. - Strangwood, J. W. - =Smith, H. J. E.= - - - T - - Todd, H. G. W. - Turk, A. S. - Turner, P. W. - Thurston, F. S. - Trinder, G. H. - Templeman, H. V. - Tiplady, F. C. - =Turner, J. H.= - Trout, F. - Thomas, W. G. - Tolson, R. A. - Tanner, H. J. - Tickle, P. J. - Tinker, J. E. B. - Tomlins, J. E. - Tyrrell, A. J. - Tuffill, H. - Tryance, F. J. - Thomas, J. H. - Turner, W. G. - Taylor, F. E. - Thompson, D. - Tuffill, S. - Tyler, F. - Talbot, B. W. - Tickner, J. C. - Treadwell, A. W. R. - Tuck, W. G. M. - Tacagni, W. J. - Taylor, A. C. - Thorogood, R. W. - Tyson, B. A. - Thomson, G. P. - Tyrrell, H. C. - =Treliving, P. T.= - Taylor, A. W. - Taplin, W. G. - Tredianick, F. S. - Thompson, R. J. - Tosio, A. - Twentyman, J. J. - Thain, S. G. C. - Thomas, A. G. - Thomas, F. A. - =Taylor, C. H.= - Trent, H. S. - Tucker, S. C. - Turner, R. A. - Turner, G. - Tristram, E. B. - =Tracey, A. J. F.= - Tanner, H. J. - Thorburn, I. M. - Thomas, W. G. - Thomas, I. W. - Trembath, C. H. - Thackery, A. A. - Teasdale, E. G. - Thorne, F. O. - Trembath, F. F. - Taylor, H. G. L. - Taylor, J. S. - Tidmarsh, R. D. - Tucker, C. M. A. - Turnbull, J. - =Thom, C. W.= - Toynton, S. - =Theobald, E. M.= - Taubman, E. W. - Thirkettle, H. G. - Tristram, F. W. - Taylor, S. C. - Tee, T. J. - Teumer, J. - Thurgood, C. M. - Timber, B. A. - Titherley, A. - Tyler, P. H. - Terry, H. G. - =Tardif, V. S. A.= - =Taylor, S.= - Trenaman, S. E. - Tay, E. G. - Thomas, B. L. - Tyler, H. H. - Tipping, F. B. - Tagg, H. J. A. - Turvey, W. H. - Tegetmuir, L. - Thomas, F. W. - Thomson, J. M. - Taylor, J. A. - Topping, N. - Tucker, H. G. - Tarlton, E. H. - Thompson, E. G. - Tait, R. C. - Tate, D. W. - =Taylor, P. E.= - Thomas, F. R. - Tom, G. A. - Taylor, F. G. - Taylor, B. E. - Turner, J. R. - Tickle, F. - =Turner, A. E.= - Tong, C. J. - Tyrell, A. J. - Tidbury, J. J. - Twiner, A. S. - Taylor, W. G. - Tennant, H. R. - Tall, C. - Taylor, S. H. - Tarrant, W. L. - Truelove, C. H. A. - Taylor, A. G. - =Turner, F.= - Taylor, H. G. - Terleski, A. J. S. - Taylor, W. E. - Torckler, W. C. - Treves, H. G. - Tucker, K. D. - Tolley, P. G. - Truelove, F. A. - Todd, M. S. - Tannant, G. - Taverner, P. S. - Taylor, W. C. - Thorpe, C. H. - Thompson, H. - Thorpe, A. E. - Thomson, J. R. - Thompson, E. J. - Trenaman, S. - Towers, R. B. - Trimm, J. - =Twaits, T.= - Troughton, S. H. - Turner, A. - Tippen, C. A. - Thornton, W. - Titcomb, A. T. - Thomas, A. J. - =Tarver, L. C.= - Thompson, B. - =Tanter, F.= - Timbrell, W. F. - Trounson, D. J. C. - Tomkins, A. C. B. - Tester, C. J. - Turner, H. - Taylor, F. E. - Tuckett, W. J. - =Thomsett, L. L.= - Twite, G. J. - Tinham, T. W. G. - Turner, F. G. - =Talbot, D.= - =Taylor, D. M.= - =Thomas, L. E. O.= - =Trotman, F. W.= - Turville, W. A. - =Tress, N. W.= - Terry, A. - Thomas, J. G. - Tyndale, W. - Teale, H. C. - Taylor, F. W. - Taylor, S. E. - Thomas, F. A. - Toon, P. W. - Thurlow, S. - =Tolhurst, E. H.= - =Thomas, T.= - Thorpe, A. C. - Tomlinson, L. - Tanner, A. - Toynton, H. A. - Turner, H. F. - Tinkler, H. L. - Turland, A. - Thomson, A. J. - Taylor, A. L. - =Thomson, J. W.= - Tomkins, D. C. - Townsend, J. - Travers, R. J. - Timbs, C. A. - Turner, A. E. - Tatum, G. E. - =Thomas, G. E. R.= - Tyrell, F. K. - Trotter, D. - Thomas, K. D. - Taylor, G. N. - Talintyre, R. W. - Tadgell, N. R. - Toynton, G. A. - Tobin, H. J. - Taylor, J. - Turner, H. W. - Thatcher, C. A. - Tully, E. R. - Timpson, J. H. V. - Tombleson, B. - Tarrant, H. F. - Turnbull, N. G. - Thiall, A. - Turner, J. D. - Taylor, E. C. - Taylor, L. O. - Thorne, R. - Taylor, A. E. - Taylor, A. J. - Thurlow, R. A. - Tilliott, H. L. - Tyler, F. J. - Thomas, W. H. - Trend, J. R. - Trim, S. G. - Taylor, H. N. - Tierney, H. T. - Titherington, W. W. - =Turner, C. G.= - Thompson, A. - Titheradge, H. W. - Talbot, C. H. - Thomas, B. - Trundle, G. W. - Taylor, H. G. - =Tierney, P.= - Taylor, B. - Turner, S. C. - Thornton, C. E. - Tingay, H. C. - Turner, W. C. - Taperell, V. E. - Thomas, J. E. - Thacker, J. G. - Theobald, C. H. - Tibble, W. S. - =Turner, H. S.= - Townley, P. R. - Turner, S. B. - Tasker, A. - Thomas, J. P. - Trower, F. W. - Treacher, H. - Thacker, J. D. - Titton, J. - Tozer, A. E. - Taylor, T. W. - Tomes, F. J. - Titterell, F. A. - Tanner, J. - Taylor, L. S. - Turner, J. M. - Twobig, W. W. - Tibbs, W. J. - Thompson, G. A. - =Taylor, W.= - Tyrie, T. M. - Thompson, W. P. G. - Taylor, J. E. - Trigg, F. A. - Toulson, T. J. - Tewson, J. F. - Tatler, C. R. - Thorpe, S. B. - Taylor, L. H. - Townsend, S. J. - Thomas, E. - Taylor, J. - =Tibbs, E. E.= - Trudgett, J. - Trew, W. E. - Treays, E. A. - Thomas, H. R. - Turner, A. - Turner, A. C. - Turner, B. W. - Tiplady, A. A. - Thorpe, E. - Tull, A. C. - Threader, G. H. - Toy, C. F. - Turner, E. G. - Tattersall, R. C. - Tattersall, P. - Thornton, A. - Turner, R. - Thorpe, S. H. - Thorpe, J. O. - Turton, E. - Turner, H. - Thompson, P. F. - Thomas, F. A. - =Thomas, E. J.= - Tact, W. S. M. - Turner, E. J. - Tricker, H. A. - Tucker, E. - Taylor, E. T. - Trigg, G. T. - Turner, F. J. - Thompson, W. J. - =Trousdale, A. H. R.= - Thomas, W. E. W. - Tarryer, J. G. - Tremey, M. - Teal, A. G. - =Teasel, T. R.= - Thompson, H. F. - Tomlinson, A. - Tibbles, F. W. - Temple, F. J. - Turk, A. P. - =Tate, J. L.= - Thomas, A. J. - Taylor, J. H. D. - Thomas, H. H. - Tomsett, P. E. - Taylor, J. A. - Tully, J. B. - Townsend, W. V. - Tautz, H. C. - Tonkyn, F. M. - Tarran, J. - Taylor, C. E. - Turnnidge, G. T. - Tettenbaum, A. - =Tanner, M. A.= - =Thomas, I. R.= - Taylor, F. - Taylor, H. - Tidy, A. - =Tooley, C. F.= - Turner, H. H. - Thompson, A. R. - Taylor, V. C. - Talbot, H. G. - Tate, W. - Taylor, P. P. - Tansley, K. E. - Trotter, J. - =Topping, G.= - Tonkyn, W. D. - Thompson, F. H. - Telfer, H. - Tootill, J. B. - Timmins, G. F. E. - Talbot, E. S. - Taylor, B. - Tossell, J. W. - Turner, C. E. - Thirtle, J. L. - =Thompson, H. P.= - Thwaites, R. - Thomas, L. J. - Tucker, A. W. - Teasdale, H. - Taylor, W. C. - Tollyfield, J. W. - Taylor, S. H. - Trebbeck, E. R. - Tustin, G. E. - Thurgood, J. W. R. - Turnpenny, L. S. - Turnbull, W. C. - Tanner, B. G. - Turner, H. - Tillson, H. J. - Thompson, H. H. - Tayler, A. H. - Thompson, J. - Taylor, W. - Townley, P. V. - Thornton, G. S. - Tucker, W. C. - Taylor, P. E. - Tester, F. H. - Thompson, J. A. - Terrett, A. - Thornton, L. S. - Thomas, T. - Thorogood, W. J. - Twitchett, A. R. - Tucker, F. L. - Thomas, J. H. - Thomas, H. W. - =Tilley, F. 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C.= - Young, F. J. - Yates, F. G. - Young, D. - Young, L. - Yates, C. F. D. - Young, K. H. - Young, S. K. - Young, E. W. - Yale, F. H. - Yeo, G. - Young, F. A. - Yeomans, L. A. - Youl, H. J. - Yates, W. J. - Yeo, A. O. S. - Yates, A. E. - Young, J. E. - Yeats, P. H. - York, T. H. - Young, W. J. - Young, J. L. - Yalsley, J. - =Young, E. W. B.= - - - Z - - Zobel, W. E. - Zeidler, L. A. - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Bold text denoted by equal signs. - -Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Prince of Wales' -Civil Service Rifles, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRINCE OF WALES CIV. 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